She suddenly recalled some unpleasant memories.
"Just wait! You'll pay the price for this," Bibi Dong thought coldly, her eyes filled with icy resolve.
She shook her head forcefully, as if trying to cast off the dark thoughts swirling in her mind. Rubbing her temples didn't help either.
To distract herself, she lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and gazed outside with her pale purple eyes.
It was now late afternoon, nearing dusk.
The convoy had left the remote mountain region and was approaching a more populated area of towns and cities.
But after watching the scenery for a short while, Bibi Dong lost interest.
She dropped the curtain and turned her gaze to the still soundly sleeping Ye Qifeng beside her.
Looking at the little one, with his chubby cheeks and delicately sculpted features, she suddenly found him irresistibly adorable.
She couldn't help herself again.
The next second, her fair, jade-like hand reached out and gently pinched the baby's plump, round cheeks.
Then Bibi Dong froze.
Because in that moment—when her hand touched the baby's face—she felt something strange.
A wave of calm washed over her, dispelling her negative emotions. Even the persistent headaches she had been suffering from were significantly alleviated. Her mind became clear and focused.
It was a very soothing sensation. Not only did it stabilize her mood, it also helped her suppress her killing intent.
Even the two Spider Emperor spirits within her seemed to stir faintly.
After a few more experimental pinches, she confirmed—it was definitely this baby.
Bibi Dong stared intently at the little one in front of her.
There was something mysterious and extraordinary about the aura emanating from his body, drawing her in.
She even felt an uncontrollable urge to get closer to him.
She wanted to hold him.
But when she noticed the golden silk scarf embroidered with chrysanthemums that wrapped around him, a few black lines appeared on her forehead—she clearly disliked it.
With a simple slicing gesture through the air, the scarf was instantly torn apart.
With another wave of her hand, it floated into the air, and a final palm strike turned it into fine dust.
Then, Bibi Dong took out a violet infant wrap from her soul tool.
It had originally been prepared for that other child she disliked—but had never been used. Now it came in handy.
She carefully tried to rewrap the baby. However, as someone with no experience caring for children, her movements were clumsy and a bit rough.
Ye Qifeng, who was already starting to stir from the sudden loss of his original wrap and the chill that followed, finally woke up from all her fussing.
He blinked open his sleepy eyes to find a pair of delicate hands fiddling all over his tiny body.
"Yiya yiya~ (What's going on here?)" he babbled, confused.
"Ah! He's awake! What do I do? What do I do?" Bibi Dong panicked, her hands fumbling even more. She was flustered, afraid the baby might cry.
Fortunately, Ye Qifeng quickly realized she was simply trying to wrap him up. He quietly watched, letting her do as she pleased.
Seeing the baby not cry or fuss and being so obedient, Bibi Dong let out a breath of relief.
With much effort, she finally finished wrapping him up.
A strong sense of accomplishment washed over her.
"Ha ha~"
Ye Qifeng looked at Bibi Dong—disheveled yet unexpectedly adorable—and couldn't help but let out a baby's chuckle.
Hearing that soft laugh, Bibi Dong felt her heart melt.
Her mood instantly lifted, and she found herself smiling sweetly.
To Ye Qifeng, it was a breathtaking sight—one that stirred his soul.
At that moment, his resolve to protect her from her eventual tragic fate only grew stronger.
Bibi Dong picked the little one up into her arms.
"Little guy, it seems you're not so ordinary after all," she teased, gently rubbing his nose.
"Stop touching me like that…"
Ye Qifeng wasn't fond of her repeated pinching and poking at his face. He tried to push her mischievous hands away.
Unfortunately, the more he resisted, the more she enjoyed teasing him.
"Fine. You're pretty, you win. Have it your way…"
Helpless, he gave up resisting. After all, he was just a little baby now.
He fell silent—but his stomach began to growl.
"You're hungry, aren't you? Makes sense. You've likely gone without food for a long time while in the hands of those evil soul masters. I should get something for you to eat."
Bibi Dong heard the baby's rumbling tummy.
…
"Elder Chrysanthemum, how far are we from our destination?" she asked Yue Guan, who was driving the carriage.
"Your Holiness, there's a city about ten miles ahead—Wu Ye City," Yue Guan replied. "Our Spirit Hall has a branch stationed there. We can rest for the night in the city."
"Proceed at full speed. We'll let the troops rest once we reach Wu Ye City."
"Yes, ma'am."
Yue Guan wasn't sure why Bibi Dong wanted to hurry, but he didn't question her further.
Under his command, the convoy quickened its pace.
Within minutes, they arrived at Wu Ye City.
The local bishop from the Spirit Hall branch had been waiting at the city gates.
With no need for inspection, the convoy was led directly to the Spirit Hall's exclusive inn.
Bibi Dong stepped out of the carriage, holding Ye Qifeng in her arms.
Yue Guan moved to take the baby from her, but she didn't hand him over.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, please fetch some fresh beast milk. This little guy is hungry," Bibi Dong said calmly.
"…Understood," Yue Guan responded, slightly surprised.
He noticed the baby's wrap had been changed, likely because the Holy Maiden disapproved of his silk scarf. Though a bit miffed, he let it go.
Of course, Yue Guan didn't fetch the milk himself. He simply instructed the local bishop to handle it.
Soon after, a large bowl of fresh beast milk was brought to him, which he delivered to the carriage personally.
Bibi Dong initially intended to feed the baby herself.
But despite his infant body, Ye Qifeng had the mind of an adult. Being hand-fed felt incredibly awkward.
Still, he was so hungry that he just grabbed the bowl and started drinking on his own.
Watching the baby drink so quietly and cleverly, Bibi Dong's heart melted even more. She adored him.
In no time, the large bowl of milk was emptied.
Ye Qifeng even let out a contented burp.
Now full and satisfied, sleepiness quickly overtook him.
He was, after all, still a baby—frequent naps were inevitable.
He quickly drifted off to sleep.
So fast, even Bibi Dong was surprised.
But she didn't plan to go to one of the rooms in the inn to rest.
The carriage's inner chamber was spacious and fully equipped with a bed and blankets—everything she needed for comfort.
She always preferred to rest in the carriage when traveling.
With the little one sleeping soundly and nothing else to do, Bibi Dong entered a meditative state to cultivate.
Sitting cross-legged on the seat, she held Ye Qifeng in a comfortable position.
Sure enough, once she began meditating, her mind became exceptionally clear, and her soul power cultivation rate increased several times over.