Tomb Raiders: After the Nine Gates Ancestor, they let loose and did whatever they wanted!

Watching the little figure still holding that rice paper candy, wobbling unsteadily, finally reach Wei Wuxian steadily.

The little boy tilted his rosy cheeks up, held the warm piece of candy high in the air, and presented it to his master as if it were the most precious gift in the world.

( *ˊ?ˋ)????

Wei Wuxian reached out and took it. His fingertips touched that soft little hand, and the sweet feeling in his heart, warmed by the sunshine and the fragrance of flowers, instantly overflowed.

I was so incredibly happy! "Wow, my child is so thoughtful and knows to remember their teacher!"

(/?＼*)?o○?

As the sunlight shifted, the warmth in the courtyard, carried by the changing light, gradually spread towards the secluded waterside pavilion where one could find respite from the heat.

The winding corridor divides a crystal-clear lake into staggered scenic views.

If one were to fly through the air on a sword, gazing into the distance, the hustle and bustle of Beiping City would be gently separated by an invisible ripple, revealing only verdant distant mountains shrouded in mist, and lush forests nearby, with a refreshing vapor rising in one's face.

The buildings, all with dark tiles and white walls, gracefully soar above the water with their upturned eaves, connected by ingenious corridors and floating bridges. From afar, they resemble a flock of elegant water birds perched on giant lotus leaves.

Because it is close to the foot of the mountain where the meditation hall of Baoshan Mountain is located, the spiritual energy is even more pure and serene. Even the wind that brushes across the water has been filtered away from the heat of the world, leaving only a refreshing coolness that soothes the mind. How beautiful!

??*(?o?╰?╯?o??)??

Wei Wuxian casually leaned against the vermilion balustrade by the water, one leg bent, his toes lightly touching the clear lake water below, which was almost level with the edge of the balustrade.

The ripples spread out in delicate circles, and the similar scenery was no longer the blood-red of Lotus Pier, but the tranquility of Weiming Mountain, evoking in Pipi Xian the childlike fun of his youth.

Using spiritual power as a blade, she didn't shave the peach wood. Between her fingers, she twirled a large lotus leaf she had picked from who-knows-where, its edges deftly curling up to form a natural shallow cup.

A faint light shimmered from Xianxian's fingertips, and several translucent, round water droplets rose gracefully from the lake's surface, gently falling into the center of a lotus leaf. They gathered into a small, shimmering pool, perfectly reflecting the sunlight, clouds, and the eaves—a truly delightful sight.

The little flower cub lay beside the beauty's chair, watching intently, its gaze following the magical water sphere's movement, its little mouth slightly agape in amazement.

"Oh~↗"

(??????)

Children really do change every day. Wei Wuxian looked at his little disciple and felt that he seemed to have grown a little taller today, and his features were even more delicate and refined.

The little guy was wearing a light red silk robe, which was originally an old garment that Wei Wuxian had put away years ago because he thought it was too bright and eye-catching.

Later, the embroiderers from "Hibiscus Spring Colors" were asked to alter the fabric. The new material was light and soft, like silk imbued with a touch of magic, and also offered good protection, making it perfect for this active little one.

For these "new humans" who have only recently learned to walk upright, these two days are the time when their excitement is at its peak.

With more practice, his steps became much more steady. Now, he cautiously yet curiously began his "adventure" along the edge of the narrow, waterfront boardwalk.

The lake water on both sides of the boardwalk is deep and mysterious, yet strangely, it is not covered with slippery moss. It is so clear that you can see several dark blue spirit fish swimming slowly with their tails swaying.

The child was so engrossed in watching that he tried to crouch down and reach out his chubby little hands to touch the fish that were so close.

Just as he leaned forward, the wooden edge under his foot, which he hadn't yet firmly planted, slipped slightly—

"Ouch!" Before the small exclamation could even be fully uttered, her lotus-root-like body involuntarily tumbled towards the lake surface.

In a flash, Wei Wuxian's languid smile vanished. The lotus leaf between his fingers, as if propelled by an invisible wind, instantly unfurled and extended. Its supple surface, enveloped in a faint spiritual light, glided precisely across the water's surface, landing perfectly beneath the child's small body as it was about to touch the water.

With a light and effortless lift, the limp, frightened little figure was caught steadily, just a hair's breadth above the water's surface.

The expected chill didn't come; instead, she felt a soft, slightly cool support beneath her.

The little girl blinked her big, dark eyes twice, paused for a moment, and instead of crying, she found the up-and-down motion like riding a swing quite interesting.

With a wiggle of its bottom, it lazily sprawled out on the broad lotus leaf, turned its head to look at its valiant master, and giggled. It even curiously poked the shimmering leaf beneath it with its little finger.

Wei Wuxian secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the weight of the leaves pressing down on his hands, and couldn't help but tease, "Little Bao, you should lose some weight~"

With a flick of her wrist, she gently withdrew her spiritual energy, and the lotus leaf carried the little guy steadily back into the corridor, landing in her master's outstretched arms. If it weren't for Zhiyun's repeated prohibitions against kissing his cheek for fear of making the child sick, Pipi Xian would definitely have given him a good thrashing.

Unfortunately, if they kept using spiritual power to block her, they were afraid that when Little Flower Baby left Yin Fusheng to play outside, she wouldn't be able to adapt to the outside world without the adults around, and would become exceptionally spoiled and suffer more.

His heart belatedly skipped a beat, and he reached out and gave that little bottom a light pat.

His tone was feigned seriousness: "You little rascal, you scared your master to death!" Wei Wuxian said it was a scolding, but his actions were incredibly gentle. This child was very perceptive; his fake crying and urgency were masterful, completely fooling Uncle Zhang.

O(n_n)O

Zhang Qiling (without fault): What's wrong now? Ah~ I'm fine again. Xiao Wu is much better behaved; this one's harder to appease. ↘

(′,,???,,`)

Wei Wuxian hugged the warm, milky-smelling, and slightly damp little body, carefully checking it from head to toe to make sure not a single patch of clothing was wet before he felt relieved.

Then came a flurry of snorting, his large hands roughly rubbing the head with its two little tufts of hair, then pinching the still chubby cheeks and arms, as if trying to suppress the sudden surge of surprise he had just felt through this tangible touch.

"Mmm... Master..." The little guy was being rubbed and swayed, but he still grinned from ear to ear, thinking that his master was playing a new game with him. He also reached out his little hand to grab Wei Wuxian's loose, silky hair.

After a while, Wei Wuxian finally straightened his askew shirt, tied it back up neatly, and tidied it up properly.

After this scare, I can't stay by the lake any longer, or I'll get into trouble sooner or later.

I lifted the little bundle in my arms and suddenly remembered the little guy's earlier clamor for "fish".

“Let’s go,” Wei Wuxian said, standing up with the baby in his arms. “Master will take you to your Aunt Jin Yan’s place. Her ‘Hibiscus Spring’ restaurant is sure to have the finest seafood today.”

Let's go get a free meal to calm you down, you little glutton—oh wait, I mean to calm down your teacher."

??(?????? ? ?????? ? )? л

Having said that, he picked up the giggling little flower cub and strolled leisurely through the winding water corridor. A gentle breeze swept across the lake outside the corridor, bringing a moist, refreshing fragrance.

The minor scare from before was over, leaving only the two figures, one big and one small, nestled together, and the increasingly strong anticipation for the food in the air.

……