Erhuo . . .
The feline's teeth, although new, did not strike Cha Eun Xiao as endearing in the least; they were exceedingly sharp. The cold gleam emanating from the tips of those teeth attested to their menace. This cat, with its vicious claws and now its formidable teeth, was certainly a force to be reckoned with.
Noticing the cat's displeasure, Cha Eun Xiao quipped, "What's the matter? Don't you like them?" He was well aware of the cat's aversion to the situation.
The cat glared at its capricious master. [Would you appreciate having teeth like these? Like them? You imbecile!]
"Not this, not that. Why are you so particular..." Cha Eun Xiao frowned. "You clearly understand what I'm saying, yet you refuse to speak. There must be something amiss with you! Speak, is there?"
The cat was seething with rage at this point. It realized that Cha Eun Xiao was making fun of it. In response, it turned away and vigorously bit its own tail.
[I refuse to engage with this simpleton.]
"Dog Excrement! How does that sound?" Cha Eun Xiao inquired.
"MEOW!" The cat was vehemently opposed.
[Can't you think of a name that isn't associated with waste or filth?]
"Very well, let's make it more exciting! Dragon Urine! What do you think of that?" Cha Eun Xiao teased.
"MEOWWWWW!" The cat erupted in anger.
[Dammit! After excrement and feces, now you're bringing up urine! Can't you stop being so vulgar?]
The cat emitted a lengthy, strong protest. It grabbed Cha Eun Xiao's arm with one claw and delivered a fierce bite with its sharp teeth.
"Oh my goodness! If you bite me, you'll be Dog Excrement from now on!" Cha Eun Xiao warned.
The cat hesitated, pondered the matter for a moment, and concluded that it could not accept such a name. Thus, it released Cha Eun Xiao's arm. It then raised its head slowly, employing a pitiable tone as it voiced an apology. The feline even stroked Cha Eun Xiao's arm with its gentle paw to express its remorse.
It continued to caress Cha Eun Xiao's arms with its tiny head, appearing quite ingratiating.
[Please, I don't want that name... Please, I don't like it... Give me a nice one... Please...]
The little cat gazed at Cha Eun Xiao with beseeching, watery eyes. It attempted to cajole him with a human-like flattery.
Cha Eun Xiao nearly burst into laughter. A cat attempting to win his favor using human methods was undeniably amusing.
"Look at you, ingratiating yourself to your master just after being born. That's quite unusual and amusing," Cha Eun Xiao remarked. "I'm certain you're a silly cat. Now, I've made a decision. Your name will be Erhuo!"
The cat gritted its teeth, registering its dissatisfaction with the decision by leaping and protesting vigorously. It swished its tail and made every effort to win Cha Eun Xiao over.
However, Cha Eun Xiao remained unyielding in his resolve. "Erhuo it is! I won't change it," he declared firmly. "If you truly wish for me to change it, I'll change it to Dog Excrement! You have two choices now: Dog Excrement or Erhuo. Make your decision!"
The cat continued its protests, but they were to no avail. It was compelled to select one of the two options, and there was no room for negotiation.
After some time, the cat gazed at Cha Eun Xiao with an expression of anger and sorrow. Abruptly, it emitted a "meow" from deep within its throat. It appeared utterly disheartened, lowering its head.
As it lay in Cha Eun Xiao's arms, it seemed incredibly feeble, as though it were unwell.
Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but wonder if the little cat had finally surrendered to its fate. It seemed to have concluded that it was bound to a rather troublesome individual.
With a triumphant grin, Cha Eun Xiao basked in the satisfaction of winning this unusual battle. It marked a significant achievement for him, and he couldn't help but laugh. He then began playfully teasing the small cat nestled in his arms.
But Erhuo, as it was now known (ahem, let's stick with Erhuo from here on), hung its head dejectedly. It appeared utterly unresponsive to Cha Eun Xiao's jests.
[Well, fine. If you give me such a ridiculous name, I won't be conversing with you any longer!]
At that moment, Erhuo was clearly in a state of despondency, its two ears drooping downwards.
Cha Eun Xiao reached out to hold one of Erhuo's paws, gently rubbing it in an attempt to comfort the dejected feline. Yet, it was limp, as though it had no bones in its body.
[Go on, do whatever you like; I won't speak to you...]
[I'm going to ignore you.]
Cha Eun Xiao was delighted with his victory in the battle of wills against his own pet—a little snow-white cat that he now cradled in his arms.
He felt immensely refreshed, even more so than when he had triumphed over the one hundred thousand men while facing one and a half million troops.
[Primal spiritual creature?]
[Humph, a grandiose title, isn't it? So what? You're just a silly cat in the eyes of your master!]
Nevertheless, Cha Eun Xiao was certain of one thing: this small cat was anything but ordinary. It exhibited extraordinary qualities in every respect, despite appearing utterly powerless, like a mere kitten. Cha Eun Xiao knew that its true potential was far from evident.
He had only scratched the surface of its capabilities. It was, after all, still in its juvenile stage.
[I'll raise it properly, and one day, it will grow into something extraordinary!] Cha Eun Xiao was determined.
After all, it was the Primal Spirit of Chaos—an illustrious title that couldn't belong to just any ordinary creature. It had crushed a Dao Origin Stage cultivator when it was still in its egg and absorbed a staggering amount of spiritual energy before hatching. There was no way it could be just an average, useless cat.
Once it matured, it had the potential to become a true primal behemoth.
While the outcome was uncertain, Cha Eun Xiao was resolute in giving it his all. However, there was a crucial question that needed addressing: what should he feed it?
That was the challenge at hand.
Cha Eun Xiao pondered for a moment and then hatched a plan. He called for the guards.
A short while later, Erhuo gazed in bafflement at a full plate of steamed bread. It was clearly nonplussed.
[What's this?]
It raised its head, glancing at Cha Eun Xiao, who seemed equally awkward.
Erhuo's fur was as white as snow, and the steamed bread on the plate shared the same snowy hue. In fact, Erhuo was smaller than a single piece of bread, and the plate was piled high with snowy steamed bread.
Yet there was a stark difference. Erhuo had fluffy white fur, while the bread, well, it was simply a piece of bread.
[Wait a minute. Why have you put me next to these dull pieces of bread?]
[Are you trying to see which one of us is whiter?]