Bathing Together

He was only a head taller than the bottom of the tub. No matter how much he stretched on tiptoe, he still couldn't see the water's surface, and he spun around anxiously.

Bibi Dong chuckled and shook her head. Bending down, she helped him undo his little clothes, taking them off one by one and folding them neatly beside her.

Then she slipped out of her own clothes, too.

She stepped into the tub first and let her body adjust to the water's temperature. Then she reached out, lifted the naked Luo Dong, and carefully set him in the tub, letting him stand on her legs.

The water was just the right temperature.

As soon as Luo Dong climbed into the tub, he let out a contented little hum. His small hands settled naturally on Bibi Dong's shoulders, and his whole body pressed against her chest.

Bibi Dong wrapped one arm around his back and picked up a towel with the other, dipping it in the hot water. She began by wiping his face.

Her touch was as gentle as ever. She carefully avoided his eyes, wiped his nose, and cleaned the crumbs from the corners of his mouth, then washed his little neck, arms, and belly.

Luo Dong obediently lay against her chest, his little face nestled in the hollow of her neck. He felt the warm towel move gently across his back and felt as if he were floating on a cloud.

The steam from the tub made him feel limp and drowsy. Bibi Dong's warmth enveloped him, and every so often, a few damp strands of her long hair brushed against his arm. It tickled, and he couldn't help giggling.

Hearing him laugh, Bibi Dong smiled, too.

As she washed him, she softly hummed that wordless lullaby. Her voice sounded especially gentle amid the swirling steam.

Once she'd finished washing him, she quickly washed herself, too. Then she lifted Luo Dong out of the tub and wrapped him tightly from head to toe in a dry towel, leaving only his rosy little face exposed.

Bundled in his little blanket, Luo Dong yawned contentedly.

Bibi Dong dried herself and changed into clean clothes, then carried him back to the bed and sat down.

Fresh from his bath, Luo Dong gave off a faint, sweet fragrance. He was soft and warm, like a little steamed bun straight out of the oven.

Then she deftly loosened her collar, ready to feed him.

For most of the past year, Luo Dong had lived on her milk.

After the Spirit Milk Water Lily had transformed her body, her milk had naturally become sweet and delicious. With Soul Power Liquid mixed in, every mouthful brimmed with pure energy.

His Flawless Body absorbed every last bit of nourishment perfectly, allowing him to grow far faster than other children his age.

As for other foods, like candied hawthorn and osmanthus cakes, those were just little snacks to satisfy his cravings. His true staple was his mother's milk.

He wasn't interested in other foods, either. In terms of both nutrition and taste, Bibi Dong's milk was the best.

Luo Dong latched on and began suckling noisily.

The sweet milk slid down his throat, and its familiar warmth spread from his stomach through his limbs.

His eyelids gradually grew heavy, and his suckling slowed, slower and slower. At last, his little mouth let go. He gave a tiny burp, tilted his head, and fell fast asleep.

Bibi Dong gently laid him on the bed and tucked his little blanket around him.

[Daily Quest completed]

[Reward issued: Special Cultivation Technique—God Spider Eight Kills]

[Technique transmitted. Please receive it.]

A vast stream of information flooded into Bibi Dong's mind.

It contained the complete cultivation method for God Spider Eight Kills.

Bibi Dong closed her eyes and sat cross-legged beside the bed, letting her mind sink into the technique.

The technique's contents were perfectly suited to the nature of her First Martial Soul, the Death Spider Emperor. Every cultivation pathway and every method for circulating Soul Power through its nodes seemed tailor-made for her.

The Death Spider Emperor's Yin-cold power aligned perfectly with the killing intent contained in the technique. There wasn't the slightest clash.

Following the technique's guidance, she sent the Soul Power Liquid in her Dantian flowing through her meridians, strand by strand.

As the Soul Power Liquid circulated through her meridians, it produced a faint humming, like a string being plucked again and again.

Her aura steadily climbed as she cultivated. Her level itself had not changed, but the weight and depth of the pressure she exuded continued to grow.

She cultivated all night.

At dawn, Bibi Dong slowly opened her eyes.

She examined the changes within her body.

She had already mastered the basics of God Spider Eight Kills and reached the second-kill realm. As long as she activated the technique, she could double her combat strength with a single attack.

Satisfied, Bibi Dong stopped and began to get ready.

Before long, Luo Dong turned over in his little blanket. His mouth smacked a couple of times before he slowly opened his eyes.

He sat up groggily, a tuft of hair sticking up as he looked around. When he spotted Bibi Dong sitting beside the bed and smiling at him, he stretched out both arms and called in a babyish voice, "Mama."

Bibi Dong lifted him out of bed.

Luo Dong rested his head on her shoulder, still a little groggy, his eyelids half-open.

She carried him to the washbasin and wiped his face with a warm, damp towel, her movements gentle and practiced.

After washing up, Bibi Dong sat on the bed and loosened her collar.

Luo Dong naturally leaned toward her, latched on, and began suckling noisily.

The sweet milk, warm with the energy of Soul Power Liquid, slid down his throat. His Flawless Body worked automatically, breaking down and absorbing every bit of nourishment.

Bibi Dong fed him while gently patting his back.

Full and satisfied, Luo Dong gave a milky burp, hopped off her lap, and ran barefoot back and forth across the bed twice, calling, "We're going out! We're going out! Mama, hurry up and pack!"

Watching him squirm with excitement, Bibi Dong smiled and began packing.

Traveling was different from staying home. Luo Dong couldn't go without any of the things he needed.

His little blanket, spare clothes, a few soft towels, a drinking bowl, and a small jar of the osmanthus preserved fruit he liked were all packed into the Storage Soul Tool.

After thinking for a moment, she took a thick little hooded cloak from the cabinet, too.

Though it was late autumn, their destination was a valley north of the Star Dou Forest.

The weather in that region was unpredictable, and the winds were bitterly cold in the mornings and evenings. She couldn't let the child catch a chill.

She packed away the little cloak.

Only after finishing Luo Dong's things did she pack her own belongings.

She worked briskly and was ready in no time.

Finally, she perched a small Tiger-Head Hat on Luo Dong's head.

She had bought it in the city a few days earlier. Two tufts of fluffy white rabbit fur were sewn onto its ears, and it made Luo Dong look adorably tiger-headed.

Bibi Dong picked up Luo Dong and left their residence.

Outside the hall, a spacious carriage was already waiting.

The carriage was made of fine nanmu, with dark-gold metal fittings on all four corners. Thick velvet cushions lined the interior, and windproof brocade curtains hung over the windows.

The carriage was driven by a maid who had served Bibi Dong for many years. She was skilled, quiet, and utterly loyal.

When she saw Bibi Dong come out, she bowed slightly in greeting, then lifted the carriage curtain.

Bibi Dong placed Luo Dong inside and climbed in after him.

The maid flicked the reins and called out softly. The carriage began to move.

The wheels rumbled rhythmically over the bluestone road. They passed through Spirit City's long streets and its towering gates, then headed out onto the highway.