53 Don'st Like What You See?

She looked left and right, but couldn't find anyone else besides herself. The lava illuminated the dark dwelling, well enough for her to see even the furthest reaches of the volcano's surface.

"Down here!" the fairy spoke impatiently.

Li Meirong looked further below. Nothing but empty space greeted her sight.

Honestly, when she first heard the voice speak to her, she thought it might be some type of resident guardian spirit, or maybe an ancient phoenix using this dwelling as their nesting grounds...

"Lower!"

Hurriedly, she shifted her vision to the moist earthen floor. Bemused, a pair of delicate eyebrows were raised as Li Meirong stared awkwardly at the "fairy."

"What, don't like what you see?" The "fairy" questioned, obviously frustrated. There was no other way to describe it other than what it was.

A turtle.

Li Meirong expected to find a majestic being, so she couldn't help but feel a little disillusioned.

The turtle was definitely female, it was obvious by the sound of her voice. Her body was of the darkest shades of brown, camouflaging well with the cave walls and the ground on which she stood upon. Her shell was of a ruby shade. It reminded Li Meirong of a bright metallic jewel. In fact, all of the outer shell was covered with pint-sized sparkling crystals, giving off the impression of a large shiny gem.

Flustered at having her thoughts being seen through so thoroughly, Li Meirong waved her hands in denial, "No, I didn't mean that!"

"Yes, you did, it's easy to tell by your expression." Remarked the turtle, her eyes narrowed as she assessed the "intruder".

Li Meirong was quick to try to placate the turtle, "It's not that I think less of you for being a turtle, I just expected to see a different type of-"

"A phoenix, right?"

"Yes! Uh-" Li Meirong blurted out thoughtlesslyand realizing her upfront response, soon regretted it. It's a fantasy world, fantastic beasts roam this earth, no? How come turtles roam around instead...?

The turtle narrowed her eyes even more accusingly, her lateral matching red eyes were brightened by the ceiling's light hues and resembled crescent moons. The sides of her pointy mouth curved downwards in an obviously displeased conduct.

Li Meirong noticed the blaming gaze casted on her. The turtle was quick to anger and sharp with her assessment, givingthe impression of a quick witted, sharp tongued miss. Seeing as they were the only two inhabitants in the area, with the exception of Chou, Li Meirong wanted to soothe the rising tension. She made a little awkward cough and apologized, "I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I was pushed down into the lava by an evil man, but I was protected by a blue-" As she attempted to explain carefully with a tender voice, she was once again cut off mid sentence.

"I know what happened, no need to repeat it. I've seen it all." The turtle said in a condescending manner.

"You do…?" Li Meirong was surprised, it's not that she thought it was impossible, but how exactly did she see outside of the volcano if she was stuck right here?

"Don't tell me you think I'm just a regular turtle?! I'm a magnificent and fearless demoness! I have been cultivating here for a thousand years! Naturally I learnt a thing or two, I can easily gain information with the flow of the magma current." The turtle explained arrogantly and she lifted a brown reptilian leg and pointed at the ceiling, "This barrier was also made by me. For a human, it might take thousands of years to have enough knowledge and energy to maintain this level of complicated defense mechanism!"

That did sound very impressive! Li Meirong delivered an appropriate response for the turtle, clapping enthusiastically, "That is amazing! You're very talented."

The turtle was finally appeased. Her aggressiveness significantly softened, but her arrogance, however, only heightened, "It's good that you finally understand who you're talking to!"

She wasn't lying, Li Meirong was truly impressed. For an animal to cultivate into a demon, they would need a high level of dedication and utmost concentration as they connect with the Dao. It was extremely rare for animals to be able to achieve such a level of high awareness, but once they did, they would become a force to be reckoned with! In comparison to spirit beasts, who are already born with awareness and spiritual aptitude.

Li Meirong did not gain much knowledge of cultivation methods throughout her years in the sect, but whatever she could learn, she managed to memorize. She studied a few scrolls related to spirit beasts and animal's cultivation, and knew that in this world, any type of creature was capable of a higher sentience. Trees, plants, beasts, humans, and even rocks. That's right, even inanimate objects could attain awareness. Such items are often those who belong to an owner with a strong emotional attachment, for example, an item of great importance to a person, like an heirloom. The owner's feelings could be absorbed by the item and the by-product of this occurrence could create a living entity from a lifeless object.

Animals don't need an outward force to necessarily assist them, perseverance and hard work was their key to success.

Not only did this turtle cultivate enough to be able to telepathically and verbally communicate with the same skills as a spirit beast, but she even learnt fire attribute skills, somehow giving her the ability to process information through an internal connection with a heat source. She must be extremely talented to have the ability to create barriers powerful enough to prevent the natural elements for hundreds of years.

Amicably, Li Meirong introduced herself, "I am a disciple of the Forgotten Waters sect and a bestiary coalition disciple. My name is Li Meirong. What is your name?" She proceeded to sit down on the damp earth, cross-legged as she waited for the turtle's reply.

"..." The haughty turtle grew silent and thoughtful, was a name really necessary? She could already manipulate fire and shield herself from all harm, living hundreds of years longer than her peers. What's a name in comparison to such might?

The turtle's sudden unexpected agitation and silence made Li Meirong presume the problem.

"If you don't have a name, how about I give you one? I have a talent for it!" Li Meirong suggested cheerfully.

The thoughtful turtle stared at Li Meirong's good natured attitude and assumed no harm would come to her. The human girl's friendliness made her more appealing. Her long black hair looked like tasty seaweed and her eyes shined like fine jewels. The girl's skin was dirtied and bruised, but it was easy to see how shiny it could appear with a little polish. Most importantly, her lustrous mouth tilted adorably and its shade was of a splendid scarlet, a very pleasing color! Almost as beautiful as the turtle's majestic shell, or so she thought to herself.

The turtle's thought drew on a different theory as well. She suspected the girl had a talent for emitting a certain type of charm, causing others to compulsively approach her. However, she was just offering to give her a name. It wouldn't harm the turtle to receive one.

"Alright, I suppose so."

By the time the turtle learned it was a mistake to be so casually named by a stranger, it was already too late.