Eddie almost feels his veins popping with the overwhelming revelations. "You have a tome as well?" he murmurs, his head swirling with countless questions.
Could this little one have memories from a past life?
Or perhaps she still possesses her past life's summoning tome?
Was she really the captain of Vivien's guard, or could she be Vivien's daughter or even an avatar?
These thoughts whirl in his mind as he tries to make sense of the loli's true identity. But deep down, he feels a strong paternal bond with her, viewing her more like a daughter.
As Little Frost bursts into the room, Eddie breathes a sigh of relief. In the nick of time, the little loli transforms into a streak of rainbow light and retreats into Eddie's body, unseen by the young girl who's now convinced there's some hidden treat in the room because of the lingering scent.
"It's so fragrant!" she exclaims, sniffing around curiously, believing Eddie has hidden some delicious treat.
Grace, the Fourth Lady, enters to scold Little Frost gently, "Silly girl, if your brother had treats, wouldn't he share them with you? That must be the scent of your brother's flowers. Always thinking about food, you little glutton!"
Eddie, trying to divert Little Frost's attention, offers, "If you eat your meal quietly, later, I'll buy you some sweet brown sugar glutinous rice cakes."
The promise works like magic, and her attention shifts immediately. She cheers, lifting her tender little hands, and celebrates, wanting to jump into his embrace.
Grace watches the scene with an amused and slightly exasperated expression. Little did Eddie know, his attempts to keep the little loli a secret wouldn't last.
The very next day, Grace and Little Frost discover her. It wasn't due to Eddie's carelessness but rather because the loli has a will of her own. She had ventured out at night to eliminate two vengeful mercenaries and continued nurturing the flowers.
By morning, Eddie wakes to find Little Frost and the loli sitting together at the table, messily enjoying their meal, while Grace tenderly wipes their faces with a damp cloth, reminding them to eat slowly.
Stunned, Eddie wonders how they aren't afraid of the loli with six arms and a serpent tail.
As Grace serves him a bowl of steaming porridge, she remarks, "So, this little one is your life-guarding beast 'Mist,' right? You've finally summoned her. I'm so proud of you!"
Eddie is left speechless at the misunderstanding. The little loli has nothing to do with 'Mist,' nor does she have the ability to produce mist.
But perhaps this misunderstanding is timely, he thinks, grateful for the inadvertent cover it provides, sparing him from having to explain the unexplainable.
Curiosity brimming at full capacity, Little Frost wrinkles her nose and asks,
"Big brother, why does she have six arms? "
"And a long tail too? Can we call her 'Little Monster'?"
Eddie quickly dismisses the idea. Considering she's a miniaturized version of Queen Vivien and effectively his and Vivien's 'daughter', he decides to name her 'Little Wenli' as a tribute and a keepsake of her origin.
The black jade necklace's portal has resealed itself, unresponsive to blood now. Eddie wonders what level he'll have to attain before he can revisit the sleeping Queen Vivien.
Deciding to honor her with a similar name for the little loli feels like a fitting homage for now.
As Little Frost continues her playful banter, Eddie corrects her gently, "Frost, she's not a 'Little Monster,' okay? Her name is Wenli, Little Wenli."
With that, a new piece of information flashes through Eddie's mind. The snake loli's image in his bronze tome, previously unnamed, is now officially inscribed with her name. This marks the first time Eddie has formally named one of his summoned beasts.
Little Wenli tilts her head, blinking her large eyes, leaving Eddie to wonder if she's satisfied or wanting more from her new name. He can't quite guess what's on her mind but knows this little creature can be quite possessive.
When Little Frost jumps into his arms for a cuddle, Wenli swiftly encircles his legs, gazing up at him with those sapphire-like eyes, appearing every bit the daughter yearning for her father's affection.
Little Frost is thrilled with Little Wenli's arrival, as she now has a constant companion for her endless mischief and play.
She takes on the role of a big sister, leading Wenli around the yard chasing butterflies, catching dragonflies, climbing trees, and creating all sorts of chaos. And of course, her proudest achievement is attempting to teach Wenli to speak.
"Aren't you big enough to talk? Silly, I'll teach you!" Little Frost proclaims, taking on the role of a teacher. But all her efforts are in vain as Little Wenli remains silent.
Eddie knows it's unreasonable to expect a being who's only been 'born' for three days to speak, despite her appearing to be about the same size as Little Frost.
As evening arrives, Eddie decides to stroll through the eastern taverns of the city, leaving the girls to their play.
In the shadowy corner of the street, the buxom woman discreetly hands Eddie a small pouch filled with gold coins, her voice barely above a whisper, "Master Eddie, I've exchanged some smaller items for thirty-five gold coins. Please count them. And beware, Evil Fire has placed a bounty for revenge through the Assassin's Guild. I suggest you leave WhiteStone City for your safety. The Tie family is also seeking retribution for Tie Kuang; they're gathering information in the tavern as we speak."
Unperturbed, now backed by the formidable Little Wenli, Eddie inquires with a hint of eagerness, "Where might I find this Evil Fire?"
"He's rumored to be at the Happy Forest on the western side of the city. Please tread carefully, Master," she cautions, her concern evident.
Eddie dismisses her worry with a wave of his hand, "No need to fret."
Whitestone City's Happy Forest is more than just an entertainment venue; it's an architectural marvel and the country's entertainment crown jewel.
Its main branch, an embodiment of luxury and power, overshadows even the royal gardens in the capital city, commanding respect and admiration from all corners of the Great Xia Kingdom.
As Eddie stands before the grand facade of the Happy Forest, a sense of anticipation washes over him.
He spots a familiar face amidst the crowd and calls out with a grin, "What a coincidence meeting you here! Life is full of surprises. Come, let's celebrate our chance encounter with some drinks inside."
The bright-eyed thief, who was fixed on a particular balcony, starts at the unexpected tap on his shoulder. Recognizing the source of the interruption as the notorious Eddie, his immediate reaction is a swift and instinctive punch.