Chapter 287: Chapter 285: A Pack of Dried Fish Lured Away the Divine Beast, the Black Tortoise
Celeste Grant smiled faintly. "Not exactly. My son is rather special. He was born with an Immortal Demon Body, so his talent for cultivation is just a tiny bit higher than others."
The Black Tortoise knew full well this was far more than "a tiny bit." Even the female cultivator before it had exceptional talent. ’To think she has a son whose cultivation talent is even greater... This is getting curious.’
However, it still couldn’t bring itself to truly believe what this Human Clan Female Cultivator was saying.
’No, I have to go with her and see for myself.’
’If Sister Phoenix isn’t there willingly—if she was tricked or forced by these human cultivators—then I’ll risk my life to save her.’
Thinking this, it nodded slightly. "Alright, I would indeed like to see Sister Phoenix. I’ll go with you and have a look."
Celeste Grant nodded slightly and said, "Excellent. Brother Black Tortoise, you’re welcome to be a guest at my home."
As she spoke, she took out a large, oil-paper-wrapped packet of spicy dried fish.
She had bought them at the night market last time and still had some left in her Storage Ring. ’I wonder if the Black Tortoise will like them.’ Thinking this, she said, "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Brother Black Tortoise. Please, have some dried fish."
The Black Tortoise lifted its head and spoke in the human tongue.
It said, "This entire stretch of the Open Sea is my territory. You think I’m lacking for fish to eat? I can have any fish I want here with no effort at all. I don’t want your things. You can take your little fish and eat them yourself."
Celeste Grant smiled faintly.
"These are different. Just try one."
As she spoke, she opened the oil paper packet and tossed the dried fish in her hand toward it.
Just then, the Black Tortoise caught the scent.
’So fragrant.’
A moment ago, its mouth was saying it wouldn’t eat the dried fish she offered. But now, its body reacted faster than its brain. As the dried fish flew toward it, its head shot out, grew larger, and in one gulp, it swallowed the entire oil paper packet along with the fish inside. CHOMP, CHOMP, it was all gone.
Its speed was fast, ruthless, and precise.
The dried fish entered its mouth.
The flavor instantly captivated it.
’Wh-what... is this flavor?’
’It’s like sunbathing on a beach, the taste of basking in the warm sunlight. I’ve eaten so many fish, but never one this delicious.’
’So delicious, truly so delicious. Do all human cultivators eat this well now? Even their dried fish tastes this amazing?’
’No, I can’t act like I’ve never had anything good before. That would be too embarrassing.’ So, it said aloud, "This dried fish of yours is not bad."
’Delicious.’
’So delicious.’
’How can such delicious dried fish exist in this world?’
’There’s just too little of it.’
’It’s not even enough to whet my appetite.’
At this moment, the Black Tortoise said with a dopey expression, "Do you have any more of this dried fish? I can catch big fish for you in exchange." It was just too fragrant; after eating some, it wanted more.
’Looks like this little turtle really likes dried fish.’
Thinking this, Celeste Grant smiled faintly, laughing inwardly.
’You should have just said so! If I’d known you were such a foodie, I wouldn’t have needed to waste time coaxing you. I would have just tempted you with this from the start.’
Celeste Grant waved her hand and said, "There’s no more. I only brought this little bit for myself to eat."
The Black Tortoise’s voice rose a little.
"No more?"
’Such delicious dried fish, and it’s all gone?’
It smacked its lips.
’Savoring the aftertaste.’
’I want more.’
"It’s really all gone?"
"It’s gone. I only brought that little bit."
’What a pity.’
Before it could get too disappointed, Celeste Grant continued, "I don’t have any more on me... but I have some at home." She added with a faint smile, "If you like it, Brother Black Tortoise, I can bring you some next time I come. However, I’ve been busy with some things lately, so I probably won’t be back for a while. But you, Brother Black Tortoise, could come to my home. I’ll let you eat your fill then."
’Eat my fill?’
The Black Tortoise let out a loud SLURP.
Even Celeste Grant heard it.
In the next instant, in the blink of an eye, the turtle was on her shoulder. Literally, in the blink of an eye, it was on her shoulder.
The Black Tortoise’s human voice rang out.
"Then let’s go now. Don’t get the wrong idea, I just really want to see Sister Phoenix." ’It’s not because of the food. Definitely not.’
Celeste Grant: "..."
She glanced sideways at the little turtle resting on her shoulder. Up close, the serpentine phantom on the Black Tortoise’s body was even clearer.
’This little turtle is coming with me this easily? I was thinking that if all else failed, I’d have Javier Sinclair step in and forcibly form a contract with it. But after I learned that the Black Tortoise and the Phoenix were close, I dismissed the idea of a forced contract.’
’If the little turtle is willing to come, what’s to fear about it running away? A willing partner is always better.’
’Who would have thought that a magnificent Divine Beast would be willing to follow me just for a packet of dried fish?’
She could even sense its eagerness.
’It’s true what they say: food is the most important thing in the world.’
Regardless, Celeste Grant was happy.
Overjoyed, she smiled faintly and reached out to pat the Black Tortoise’s shell.
"Alright, let’s head back now."
The Black Tortoise: "Human Clan Female Cultivator, get your hands off me! I’m not just any Divine Beast, and certainly not just any turtle. If it weren’t for the fact that you know Sister Phoenix, I’d smack you."
Celeste Grant’s eyes darted as she said nonchalantly, "Brother Black Tortoise, I’m not just any person either. I don’t go around patting just any turtle. It’s just that you’re so majestic and mighty, I couldn’t help myself."
The Black Tortoise was pleased by the flattery.
"I’ll give you that, you have good taste."
Celeste Grant continued, "I can see you really like dried fish, Brother Black Tortoise. When we get there, I’ll have someone prepare a few hundred thousand pounds for you."
’Th-that much? How could I possibly accept...’
’It feels like I’m being bought. Taking their food makes it hard to refuse them, and taking their things makes it hard to act against them.’
"You know, you’re a pretty decent Human Clan Female Cultivator. Don’t worry, I won’t eat your food for free. If anyone bullies you in the future, I’ll have your back."
Celeste Grant smiled faintly.
"Really? Then thank you, Brother Black Tortoise. And you know, I really do have quite a few enemies. The most annoying of them all is a female cultivator named Jocelyn Grant. She’s the one who led a group to steal the Vermilion Bird, almost preventing Ruby from hatching successfully. Thankfully, it was a close call, but everything turned out fine."
’The protagonist, right?’
’Don’t blame me for badmouthing you.’
As soon as she said this,
the Black Tortoise on Celeste Grant’s shoulder grew furious.
"What? Something like that actually happened? That damn... Jocelyn Grant, is it? I’ll remember that name. The next time I see her, I’ll beat her to death!"
The little turtle on her shoulder let out a roar. It was clear the Black Tortoise cared deeply for the Phoenix.
"You and the Phoenix are really good friends."
"Of course! We’re friends. It’s a shame I’m so lazy and rarely go out. It’s all my fault. I slept for a few hundred years straight, so I didn’t even know Sister Phoenix was in trouble. I just hope she doesn’t blame me."
Celeste Grant said, "She definitely won’t. The Phoenix would be happy to know you’re still thinking of her."
As they spoke, Celeste Grant carried the little turtle from the seabed to the surface of the sea, leaping onto the deck of the boat.
On the boat, Javier Sinclair stood there calmly. He knew everything that had happened on the seabed. He’d watched Celeste Grant con the silly turtle and, knowing she wasn’t in any danger, hadn’t gone down. Had there been any threat, he could have reached her in an instant.
So he hadn’t been worried.
