She looked left, and then right, but couldn't see anyone else in the enormous cavern. The lava above illuminated the entire space, well enough for her to see every inch of the dark dwelling.
"Down here!" the possibly-a-fairy said impatiently.
Li Meirong looked further down, to around the level of her waist. Nothing but empty space greeted her sight.
Honestly, when she had first heard the voice, she thought it might be some kind of resident guardian spirit, or maybe an ancient phoenix using the space as their nesting grounds…
"Lower!" the voice ordered.
Hurriedly, she shifted her vision to the moist, earthen floor. Bemused, Li Meirong's delicate eyebrows rose as she stared awkwardly at the "fairy".
"What? Don't like what you see?"
The "fairy" was very obviously frustrated, her voice heavy with sarcasm.
There was no way to describe it other than as what it was:
A turtle.
Li Meirong had expected to find some sort of majestic, awe-inspiring being, so she couldn't help but feel a little disillusioned, a little cheated.
The turtle was definitely female; it was obvious by her voice. Her body was of the darkest shades of brown, camouflaging well with the ground on which she stood and the walls of the cavern. Her shell was blood-red; it reminded Li Meirong of a bright, glittering jewel. In fact, the entire outer shell was covered with tiny, sparkling crystals, creating the impression of a huge, shiny gem.
Flustered at having her thoughts seen so clearly, Li Meirong waved her hands in denial.
"No, no, I didn't mean that!"
"Yes, you did," the turtle replied, her eyes narrowed as she assessed the intruder. "It's easy to tell, just by your expression."
Li Meirong was quick to try and placate the turtle.
"It's not that I think less of you for being a turtle, I was just expecting to see a different type of—"
"A phoenix, right?"
"Yes!" Li Meirong blurted out thoughtlessly, and an instant later realised her error. "Uh…" It was a fantasy world, impossible and fantastic creatures populated it, right? So how come turtles were roaming around instead…?
The turtle narrowed her eyes even more, accusingly. Her red eyes, matching her shell, were made brighter by the lava ceiling's light, and resembled bloody crescent moons. The sides of her beak-like mouth curved down in an obviously displeased manner.
Li Meirong noticed the baleful gaze cast upon her and regretted her quick response. The turtle was quick to anger and sharp in her assessment, like a quick-witted, sharp-tongued school teacher.
There was no one else around, other than Chou, and Li Meirong wanted to soothe the rising tension as quickly as she could. She gave an awkward little cough, and apologised.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I was pushed into the lava by an evil man, but I was protected by this blue—"
The turtle cut her off again in mid-sentence, tone condescending and sharp.
"I know what happened, no need to repeat it. I saw it all."
"You did?" Li Meirong was a little surprised. It seemed almost impossible for the turtle to have seen it, for how could she see outside the volcano and the lava if she was stuck in the cavern?
"Do you truly think I am a regular turtle?! I'm a magnificent and fearsome demoness! I have been cultivating here for a thousand years. Naturally, I learned a thing or two. I can easily gain information from the flow of the magma," the turtle explained arrogantly. She lifted a brown, reptilian leg and pointed her foot at the ceiling. "This barrier is also mine. For a human, it could take thousands of years to gather enough knowledge and energy to maintain such a complicated defence mechanism!"
"That's amazing! You're very talented." That did sound quite impressive to Li Meirong. She clapped enthusiastically.
The turtle was, finally, appeased. Her aggressiveness softened significantly, but her arrogance only grew.
"It's good that you finally understand who you're talking to."
Li Meirong wasn't lying; she was truly impressed. For an animal to cultivate into a demon, they would need a high level of dedication and the utmost focus as they connected with the Dao. It was extremely rare for animals to be able to achieve such a high level of awareness, but once they did, they became a force to be reckoned with. In contrast were spirit beasts, who were born with their awareness and spiritual aptitude.
Li Meirong had not gained much knowledge of cultivation methods over the years she had spent in the sect, but whatever she did learn, she managed to memorise. She had studied a few scrolls related to spirit beasts and how animal cultivation worked, and knew that in this world any type of creature was capable of higher sentience. Trees, plants, beasts, humans, and though it may seem strange, even rocks and household items as well. Inanimate objects could attain awareness!
Such items often belonged to someone with a strong emotional attachment to it. For example, an item of great importance to a person, such as an heirloom, could gain awareness. The owner's feelings could be absorbed by the item, and the by-product of this occurrence was the creation of a living entity from a lifeless object.
Animals didn't need an outside force to assist them, though. Perseverance and hard work were the keys to their success.
Not only had this turtle cultivated enough to be able to verbally and telepathically communicate with the same level of skill as a spirit beast, but she had even learned how to use skills with a fire attribute! And it somehow gave her the ability to process information through an internal connection to a heat source.
Li Meirong thought that the turtle must be extremely talented to have the ability to create barriers powerful enough to keep the natural elements at bay for hundreds of years.
Amicable now, Li Meirong politely 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 sat on the damp earth, cross-legged, as she waited for the turtle's reply.
The haughty turtle remained silent, and grew thoughtful.
'Is a name really necessary?' she silently contemplated.
She could already manipulate fire and shield herself from all harm, living hundreds of years longer than her peers. What was a name in comparison to such might?
The turtle's sudden, unexpected agitation, and her prolonged silence, made Li Meirong guess the problem.
"If you don't have a name, why don't I give you one? I have a talent for it!" Li Meirong suggested cheerfully.
The turtle stared at Li Meirong, thoughtful about her good-naturedness, and presumed that no harm would come to her. The human girl's friendliness made her more appealing.
The girl's long black hair looked like tasty seaweed, and her eyes shone like fine jewels. Her skin was dirtied and bruised, but it was easy to see how fair it might appear with a little polish. Most importantly, her lustrous mouth tilted adorably with a smile, and its shade was of a splendid scarlet, a very pleasing colour! Almost as beautiful as the turtle's majestic shell, or so she thought to herself.
The turtle considered a different theory as well. She suspected that 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," the turtle reluctantly agreed. "I suppose you could give me a name."
By the time the turtle realised it was a terrible mistake to let a complete stranger name her, it was already far too late.