Inside the volcano, Li Meirong's body was enveloped by a gentle, soothing warmth. Brilliant, vibrant colours – reds, oranges, yellows – surrounded her along with the sheltering heat. Yet, she realized, she was in the burning lava, and was somehow still alive.
She recalled how, the moment her feet had lost contact with the ground, her heart had nearly leapt out of her chest. When Sheng Jing Wu had unclasped his hold on her, she had not had even a moment to breathe before her life had flashed before her eyes. She may have died once already, but it wasn't an experience someone could really get used to.
Li Meirong thought of the unconscious little Chou, about to perish alongside her. She thought of the mysterious Snowball, who had shapeshifted from a tiny kit to an enormous adult fox, roaring that he was her husband. What would happen to him?
Terror-stricken, Li Meirong shut her eyes, unable to face her demise.
As she fell, instead of encountering the deadly heat of the lava as it consumed her, she was embraced by a soft, warm sensation. Her long, dark eyelashes fluttered gently open. The sight greeting her was that of an ocean-blue flame which somehow prevented the molten liquid from engulfing her; surprisingly, her hair and even clothes were also entirely undamaged. Her surprised, limpid eyes assessed the surroundings in speechless wonder.
All the while, Chou rested peacefully inside her sleeve, unaware of his master's bewilderment.
Dazed, Li Meirong cast her mind back to one of the conversations that she had had with Bao Li, the bossy chef of the Bestiary coalition, and what Bao Li had told her…
"The path of cultivation is one fraught with endless hardships and untold dangers. In order to become stronger, one must diligently practice both martial arts and mysticism every day. A cultivator's mind must be entirely clear of distractions in order to reach a higher level of enlightenment, and to regulate their life force. It is nearly impossible to practice without the guidance of a mentor. However, there are exceptions to everything. At times, when faced with a life-threatening situation, one may unlock a hidden talent in an act of self-preservation. Cultivators without a mentor might even attempt to put themselves in harm's way, on purpose, so they might have the fortune to experience such a miracle.
At such times, a person's internal energy may expand without practice, enhancing one's abilities to a superhuman extent."
When Li Meirong had previously heard Bao Li speak of cultivation, her interest had been piqued. She had never before learned anything about the subject.
The mysterious practise of gaining eternal youth and immortality, and amplifying one's capabilities – she had only heard about such things in stories. The thought of learning how to utilise her own internal energy for such purposes intrigued her, but Bao Li's warning words had dampened Li Meirong's enthusiasm.
Endless hardships and untold dangers… practising diligently… life-threatening situations… Good lord, she wanted none of those!
Li Meirong had decided to go by the safer path, learning cultivating slowly by caring for the spirit beasts in the sect. Eventually, she had thought that she might be granted a manual to learn, step by step, just as Bao Li had. Maybe she would even be able to prolong her life.
Those were her thoughts at the time. Now, it seemed, during her near-death experience, those powers she had been told about had manifested!
But now she was stuck in an active volcano. How was she supposed to return to the surface?
Li Meirong lifted her arms hesitantly, noticing no fluctuation in the blue, shielding fire around her. Encouraged, she moved her arms in an attempt to "swim" upwards.
It didn't work. She was unable to "swim" her way to the surface. Her body was too heavy, and she sank slowly down, down, down towards the bottom of the volcano.
Suddenly, an inexplicable voice, soft and gentle, resonated through her mind as she sank. After five years in this odd world, Li Meirong no longer dismissed any voices in her head, or took them as some kind of illusion.
She concentrated carefully, trying to make sense of what the voice was saying.
The quiet voice was ever so sweet. An image, that of a demure, shy little fairy girl, came to her mind – it seemed only fitting for such a song-like voice. Was it possible that the volcano was speaking to her?
'…upid…'
's..upid…'
'…so stupid…'
"…" Li Meirong wanted to take back all pleasant thoughts she'd had about the owner of the voice. Impulsively, she mumbled her thoughts aloud. "Did I do something to offend this volcano?"
The cute, girlish voice grew clearer than before, now obviously annoyed.
'Who are you calling a volcano?! So stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid!'
Offended now, Li Meirong wanted to cry, but she had no tears to shed. Why was she getting insulted after nearly dying?! She didn't even know if she'd make it out alive!
The molten lava disappeared below her, replaced by a nearly translucent force-field. She passed through the invisible barrier, and her feet connected with moist, solid ground. The blue flames around her vanished as soon as she was safe.
The bottom of the mountain was dark, wet, and incredibly warm. It was completely enclosed, and the only light was derived from the molten rock above her head.
Li Meirong looked up curiously. The entire 'ceiling' was lava, somehow unable to spill into the cavern in which she now stood.
"I erected a barrier, obviously. Don't tell me you've never seen one before?" The owner of the girlish – now incredulous – voice spoke from directly behind Li Meirong. This time, she heard her loud and clear, rather than inside her own head.
Li Meirong turned around to greet the mysterious "fairy-like" being residing inside the volcano.