Xing clutched closer to his side, "I don't want you to leave us, Mother."
With a quiver in her voice, Ye asked, "Aren't you going to be with us anymore?"
Bao Bei's heart tightened at their anxious words, and she quickly knelt to their level, her voice soothing as she reassured them. "No, no, what are you thinking, my little fools? I have no intention of leaving you. You must learn to hunt, but that doesn't mean I'll be gone. Will you do it for your mother?"Relieved, the three nodded happily, no longer worried about abandonment. Bao Bei chose not to disclose the actual reason behind their training, not wanting to burden them with unnecessary concerns.After finishing their meal, they ventured out of their massive spiderweb home to embark on their first hunting lessons."Always remain vigilant, my little ones. No matter how weak a creature is, approach cautiously and assess the situation carefully. If you decide to attack, do so and end their life quickly. Playing with prey is not acceptable, understood?" Bao Bei instructed, her gaze sternly fixed on Hei, Xing, and Ye.Hei immediately signaled his understanding, and his sisters followed suit. Seeing their comprehension, Bao Bei continued her explanation."Respect what you kill and eat. Every creature has its purpose; taking a life means getting your hands stained with blood. Only kill when necessary and never for amusement. And when you do kill, waste nothing. Honor the life you've taken by using the prey's body fully."Bao Bei then led them through the underbrush, her movements a silent whisper against the foliage. She skillfully demonstrated how to blend into the shadows of the vegetation for an ambush and how to artfully set traps with twigs and leaves. She executed several strategic maneuvers to simulate capturing prey, each move precise and calculated to teach them the essentials of survival.Xing and Ye initially struggled, as it was their first time applying their skills voluntarily. However, being spirit beasts, an instinct guided their movements and actions. It took them only a short time to internalize the lessons. Nevertheless, they still needed practice with a real, moving target to truly master the art of hunting.On the other hand, Hei faced a more significant challenge as a human. Lacking specialized abilities like web-spinning or venomous fangs, he found it more difficult to adapt to the hunting techniques taught by his spider mother. Being a spider herself, Bao Bei possessed extensive knowledge of spider and snake tactics, but translating them into something usable for a human presented a unique challenge."Mother, I can't do it. I'm not like Xing and Ye, who have poison and powerful fangs. I can't produce webs either. Why am I so different?" Hei expressed his frustration, his face filled with sadness.Whenever he gazed into the water, Hei saw only his own two eyes reflecting back—so unlike the numerous eyes of his mother, a stark reminder of their differences. A pang of alienation would grip him, a quiet yearning to understand why he didn't possess the same gifts as his sisters.Born and raised in an environment devoid of humans, Hei was unfamiliar with the concept of being human. Bao Bei purposely kept him in the dark about his origins, fearing their species differences might cause her to lose her beloved son.Seeing his sad face, Bao Bei hurriedly reassured him while ordering Xing and Ye to continue their training. "Hei, listen to me. You don't have to be sad. Being different is nothing to be ashamed of. Just like Xing and Ye, you are special in your own way. There's nothing wrong with that, and I love you just the same, okay?"Hei listened to his mother's comforting words, wiping away his tears, his eyes still red. "But I want to hunt just like Xing and Ye, with you by my side. Why can't I do it?""Don't lose hope, my dear. You will succeed, I promise. You worry so much about being different, but did you know you can acquire sharp fangs and inject venom, too? For example, you can let your nails grow and shape them into claws. By biting with enough force, your teeth can become weapons.As for producing poison and webs, there is a way for you to develop those abilities, too. But for now, it's still too early. In the meantime, you can use weapons to improve your hunting skills." Bao Bei explained, offering a glimmer of hope to her son.Hei's excitement reignited upon hearing that he could eventually possess the same abilities as his mother and sisters. He eagerly anticipated his future growth. "Alright, mother, I'll be patient and wait until I'm older. Until then, I'll learn how to use weapons. But what exactly are weapons?" Hei inquired curiously."Good boy, that's the spirit. Weapons come in various forms, each with its characteristics. While I'm no expert, I have a basic understanding of their usage. The one I want to teach you to wield is the spear," Bao Bei declared.Weapons, the tools of death used by humans and demons. Bao Bei's eyes clouded with a dark memory. She had witnessed countless spirit beasts felled by the thrust of a gleaming weapon wielded by a human or a demon. However, she couldn't let her personal feelings hinder her son's future. For Hei's sake, she set aside her aversion and decided to introduce him to the world of weaponry.With a graceful sweep, Bao Bei extended one of her formidable spider legs, the movement fluid like silk floating on a breeze."Before wielding a spear, you need to understand its anatomy. It combines a long shaft with a piercing tip. Just as my leg serves as an extension of my body, your spear needs to be an extension of your body."With a swift lunge of her leg, it snapped crisply in the air, creating a resonating rumble. Hei instinctively recoiled, feeling the weight of the sheer force, realizing the fatal power behind such a strike."Spear materials vary. The lightest and most delicate are made of wood. However, a wooden one is just fine since you're still small. Besides, I'm not able to shape the metal, so it's the only choice at the moment."She went on, creating a vivid mental picture of spear combat, emphasizing the balance between range and maneuverability."The spear is mainly used from a mid-range distance. The longer it is, the greater the range advantage, reducing the chance of being reached by the enemy. However, a long spear can impact your agility due to its reduced maneuverability.In the future, you can choose the length of your spear depending on what size you feel comfortable with. Occasionally, you might throw the spear to hit an enemy from a distance, but be cautious; losing your weapon could leave you unarmed."Hei absorbed her teachings, a collage of images and sounds flooding his young mind. Thanks to her ability to communicate via the mind, Bao Bei's unique method of blending visual and auditory lessons allowed him to grasp complex concepts, even though he had yet to experience them directly. The spear's resemblance to a spider's leg fascinated him, solidifying his yearning to master it. To him, it was the ideal weapon.Hei's identity had been a growing ache in his heart. His distinctiveness from the forest creatures, coupled with the advent of his siblings, Xing and Ye, amplified his insecurities despite his mother's love. After all, he never met another human. Yet, the promise of becoming like his mother, paired with the allure of the spear, ignited fresh hope in him.While finishing her detailed spear overview, Bao Bei's multi-faceted eyes studied Hei's reactions, "So what do you say? Do you like it as a weapon?"Hei's eyes sparkled, "Absolutely! When do we begin?""First, choose your tree," she replied, her tone playful. "Since your first spear will be a wood one, then you can choose which tree you want your spear to come from."Hearing that he could choose the tree from which his weapon would emerge, Hei smiled and immediately rushed to look around for the most majestic and robust tree in the area.They were at the forest's heart, and there was much thicker vegetation than the outside area. After all, the trees were older and more resistant. Choosing which one was the most robust was a difficult task.'Where do I start? Mother said I could pick anyone, but the trees look the same, though. I don't know what to choose...' Hei thought to himself as he struggled to find the right tree.Unable to see the difference in hardness between the trees, he decided to go according to the hue of the leaves. After all, although they were similar in the trunk, the trees had leaves of different colors. The tree that Hei chose had a nocturnal blend of deep purple, green, and blue, reminiscent of the night sky.Ever since he and his two little sisters received their names, he had begun to appreciate the night more than the day, despite Bao Bei still not allowing him to stay awake late into the night."Mother, I want that one," Hei said as he pointed at the chosen tree.Upon seeing his choice, Bao Bei felt a warmth surge in her. Without a word, she deftly snapped a branch using a spiderweb thread. Bao Bei immediately took the branch that was about to fall to the ground and started quickly working on it by cutting it at various points. It didn't take long before the thick branch took the form of a spear.When the spear was finished, Bao Bei placed it on the ground near Hei's feet to make him look closely. "Here, this is your spear. For now, you can use this. In the future, we'll see if we can find you a metal one when you grow up, okay?""Yes, thank you, mother. I'm really happy. Thank you very much."In a burst of emotion, Hei rushed into his mother's embrace, every ounce of him pulsating with joy and gratitude. Bao Bei, perceptive as always, allowed the moment, understanding the depth of his feelings.Once he calmed down, Hei set his eyes on the spear resting on the ground. Meanwhile, Xing and Ye, intrigued by what was happening, curiously came closer to inspect the unfamiliar object on the ground.With a gentle nudge from Bao Bei, Hei grasped the spear. It was a solid wooden construct, demanding a fair bit of effort from a child of his age and size. Furthermore, since it was 1 meter long, it was somewhat strenuous for Hei to maneuver it, considering he was just a meter and a few centimeters tall.As Hei lifted it, a torrent of emotions flooded Bao Bei: pride for the boy she'd raised and fear for the future she'd crafted for him. The path she set him on was irreversible, especially since she had infused him with her blood, steering his destiny toward the path of cultivation.Yet, she believed in the spear's potential as a tool for protection, not malice. Weapons were not inherently evil but extensions of the wielder's intentions.Bao Bei wanted Hei to learn to use the spear to protect himself and his two little sisters. Moreover, she trusted him fully — a human raised by a spirit beast that wanted to be like them.In her eyes, Hei wasn't just a human; he was a bridge to the old dreams of her long-lost companion. While she hoped he'd forge his own path, her maternal instincts yearned to protect him from the burdens of destiny. Pushing these thoughts aside, she introduced Hei to the rudiments of spear handling.Although Bao Bei's expertise wasn't rooted in human techniques, her experiences battling foes gave her insights into the weapon's potential. She knew, however, that Hei's true mastery would come from human guidance and actual combat. But all in due time.Fumbling initially, Hei's determination was unyielding. Inspired by his mother's grace, he persevered. He knew it would be difficult, but the thought of looking like his mother spurred him on."Keep it up, Hei," Bao Bei encouraged. "Train with it every day, and in the future, you will see that you will be familiar with it. Xing, Ye, come with me. Let us resume your workouts. You must put the same commitment as your big brother into training, alright?""Yes, we will do our best. We promise." the little spider and the little snake said in chorus.Both of them saw how hard Hei was training, and they didn't want to be outdone. But, at the same time, they were also eager to hone their unique abilities. They wanted to be able to use them quickly.To increase their survival skills, Bao Bei made them undergo intensive physical workouts in addition to their hunting training. After all, the body was a fundamental aspect of a spirit beast that should be strengthened absolutely. This concept was valid even for humans and demons, especially for martial artists—in the cultivation world, the body was both a shield and weapon.This rigid training regime soon became a habit in Hei and his two little sisters' lives. Although it was tiring, they still practiced hard every day under the strict supervision of Bao Bei, making her heart swell with pride due to their improvements.***A month into their rigorous training, the trio's progress was becoming palpable, and with that came a thirst for more intense sessions. However, Bao Bei firmly resisted their pleas, emphasizing the significance of rest.Determined to enforce adequate rest, she began herding them into their den for a post-lunch siesta, even joining them to ensure they indeed rested.It was during one of these afternoon naps that the unexpected occurred.A sudden disturbance jolted Bao Bei from her slumber. To her immediate concern, Xing and Ye were squirming beside her, their distress evident in their rapid breaths. Moments later, they awoke, their eyes wide with confusion and fear."Mother, what's going on? I feel something pinching all over me." Ye said with fearful eyes. It was the first time she felt such a sensation, and she didn't understand why. Then, turning around, she saw that Xing was also in the same condition, and she started to get even more panic-stricken.Bao Bei swiftly recognized the symptoms. "Ye, Xing, take deep breaths." she began, her voice steady and reassuring as she examined their condition. In an instant, she immediately recognized what was wrong and hastened to explain to them."Calm down. There is nothing to be afraid of. You are simply molting."They exchanged puzzled looks. "Molting?""Remember that day we see those translucent husks of beetles and butterflies on tree barks? That's molting, too. It's nature's way of saying you've outgrown your past selves. So, every now and then, parts of you are shed. Xing, you'll shed your exoskeleton, and Ye, your skin.""And does it take a lot?" As Ye felt the initial discomfort, panic consumed her. It felt alien, and for a moment, she wished she could escape her own skin. But a realization dawned as Bao Bei's calm voice filtered through her distress. This was growth, natural and inevitable. She took a shaky breath, reminding herself to trust the process and the comforting presence of her family beside her.As for Xing, while discomfort was undeniable, she couldn't help her innate curiosity. Each segment of her exoskeleton that shed revealed a newer, tender layer beneath. It was a bizarre mix of vulnerability and exhilaration. "This is me," she thought, "evolving, becoming.""Well, it depends. But it is an important process, and it shouldn't be rushed. So stay calm and let the molting continue. You must complete it properly and throw away every single old part of your body. You also have to remember that the molting should only be done if you are in a safe place."Ye and Xing's tension eased somewhat with their mother's reassurances, though a trace of apprehension lingered in their eyes since it was a new experience. However, the warmth of their mother's confidence wrapped around them like a comforting silk. Finally, they decided to listen to their mother and let the molting process take its course. Meanwhile, Hei, who had woken up from the bustle in the den, stood by his two little sisters with a careful look."Mother, will I also molt as Xing and Ye?""For you, Hei, it's different. You don't need to molt, but it's a good thing, you know? Molting is a delicate process if you don't have someone to protect you. You have to stand still, and if you move a little, you can cause bad molting, which could lead to serious consequences.Therefore, Hei, your role becomes even more crucial now. You must safeguard Xing and Ye during their molts when they are most vulnerable. Can I count on you?"Hei nodded, determination clear in his eyes. "Yes, mother. I'll protect them."Seeing Ye and Xing's frightened faces and feeling that the molting was dangerous, Hei thought, for the first time, it was okay to be different from them since he would be able to protect his two sisters during those times. Then, thinking back to his mother, he said, "And you, mother? Don't you molt? I never remember seeing you do it.""Good boy, you have watchful eyes. As for me, I also have to molt, but not as much as Xing and Ye. They were born recently and grow fast, so they often have to molt. I am already in the adult phase, and therefore, I don't have to do it so frequently. I also have some control over this process, so I can decide when to do it. When the time comes, you must protect me, okay?"As she said this, Bao Bei put one of her legs down to caress Hei's head. Happy to be able to help his mother, Hei focused on the two that were molting. Under the Bao Bei's guidance, he occasionally helped Xing and Ye with their molting, cutting off, with his two hands, the parts that were being thrown away.Three hours passed before the molting process ended. Then, finally, Xing and Ye, exhausted, were laid on one side by Beo Bei while, helped by Hei, she used some water to clean them. The two of them then went to sleep after the grueling process.In the meantime, Hei looked at the discarded exoskeletons; he found them very alluring. They were a tangible testament to growth and transformation. He felt a twinge of envy but also a burgeoning sense of responsibility. He might not have experienced molting in the literal sense, but his journey had its unique challenges. And now, he had the added duty to protect his siblings during their vulnerable phases."Mother, what do we do with these? Can I keep them?""And what would you like to do?""I don't know... but throwing them away would be a waste.""You are right. Then, how about eating them?"To this answer, Hei was stunned. He didn't think these wastes could be eaten. Then, seeing him speechless, Bao Bei said."The molting process is very tiring and consumes a lot of energy. So, it happens to become hungry after finishing it, and being in the wild without energy is very dangerous. Therefore, sometimes eating one's molting becomes necessary. But don't worry; it tastes good if you cook it first with fire."Convinced by his mother, Hei decided to help her with preparing food. Ultimately, they opted to prepare Xing and Ye's molts together with a couple of rabbits caught in the morning.As Bao Bei knew that humans had trouble eating raw food, ever since Hei had become able to eat solid food, she had always prepared cooked food for him, and this custom was also passed to Xing and Ye.A fragrant smell was soon transmitted in the den, which awakened the two sleeping little creatures. Being still exhausted by the molting, they were more hungry than ever. So, together with their mother and brother, they put themselves in a circle around the fire. Then, the whole family ate together to recover from that tiring day.