The Valiant-Adavocating Camp, nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, was modest in size but well-arranged. It housed everything from the Mercenary Guild to the Assassin Guild.
Leaving the Valiant-Adavocating Hall, where warriors were inspected before entering the Heaven-Reaching Tower, Eddie headed towards the small training field with a massive teleportation array.
If one wasn't scheduled for immediate teleportation, they could visit the camp's market area, complete with taverns, lodgings, stables, blacksmiths, and beast care facilities.
Eddie arrived at the teleportation field for the Heaven-Reaching Tower. The teleportation array there was a hundred times larger than the one in the city lord's manor, with a hundred crystal pillars each at least five meters tall.
Invisible energy permeated the air, emitting a faint glow. Stepping into this area felt like bathing in a lake of light, utterly refreshing both body and mind.
Throughout the centuries since the Great Xia Dynasty was established, its capital had been conquered several times, but the Valiant-Adavocating Camp, guarding this teleportation array, never fell.
This fact alone spoke volumes about the importance the dynasty placed on this site.
"Brother, heading to the Heaven-Reaching Tower too? Alone?" Eddie was approached by a chubby man with a friendly smile and fair skin.
Before Eddie could respond, the man, Hessian, slapped a plump hand on his shoulder. "You look a bit familiar, first time here? Nervous, huh? "
"Let me tell you, it's nothing to worry about. The Tower is much easier and a hundred times more thrilling than you think. Being nervous is normal on your first time, just like losing your virginity. Once you break through the first time, it's not so mysterious anymore!"
"So you're an expert then?" Eddie thought to himself, drawing a parallel between entering the Tower and losing virginity? This guy must be quite the character.
"I wouldn't say expert, but in the younger generation, who doesn't know about Hessian the Great? I'm almost legendary," the chubby man boasted, almost claiming he could fly.
"Hessian the Great, with a face full of fortune and a generous spirit, you indeed have the air of a master," Eddie replied, giving him a thumbs up.
"Hah, it's nothing really. I always keep a low profile. Even though I'm a grimoire contractor with a Bronze Level 2 Ironskin Rhino, I never brag about it. I'm not that kind of person."
" Hey, is that your beast? Looks like a Bronze Level Iron Ridge Wolf, right? Wait, its nose is smoking and it's breathing out sparks. Is that a Demon Wolf?" Hessian exclaimed, his chubby cheeks quivering in surprise as Grey wagged its tail beside Eddie.
"Ah, that's just my guard dog. He ate some fire-breathing peppers recently, that's why he looks like that," Eddie explained, deadpan.
"Woof woof!" Grey barked on cue, its foreign language skills noticeably improving.
"A guard dog? But why hasn't it signed a contract with you? There's no contract mark on its forehead. Aren't you afraid it'll run off with someone else?" Hessian looked genuinely concerned for Eddie, glancing around nervously.
He whispered conspiratorially, "Brother, listen to me, you've struck gold! That's no ordinary dog, it's a wolf. I'm certain it's a Bronze Level Iron Ridge Wolf! "
"Look at its wolfish features, steel-like fur, iron skin, green eyes with a hint of blue. Check this beast manual; it's identical to your guard dog, and yours even seems stronger and more majestic. "
"Maybe it mutated after eating those fire-breathing peppers. You should contract it right away. This is a valuable beast, worth more than a hundred gold!"
"It's just a guard dog, not worth much," Eddie casually kicked Grey, who instead of dodging, wagged its tail more eagerly, perfectly playing the part of an unimpressive guard dog.
"Am I seeing things? You're abusing a battle beast? Aren't you worried about its loyalty dropping? Oh wait, you haven't signed a contract!"
Hessian was almost beside himself. Others would treat a good battle beast like a treasure, afraid of upsetting it and decreasing its loyalty.
Eddie's nonchalant attitude struck a chord in Hessian. Perhaps he could persuade this clueless youngster to hand over the Iron Ridge Wolf.
The more Hessian looked at the Iron Ridge Wolf, the more he felt it was meant to be his.
He tried to contain his excitement as he made an offer: "Brother, if you don't need that dog, why not sell it to me? I'll give you fifty gold, no, sixty gold for it!"
Eddie inwardly scorned the greedy Hessian.
Sixty gold for Grey? He couldn't believe how naive Hessian was.
Besides, it was his right to handle Grey however he wanted. How could he possibly sell it, especially to someone like Hessian?
"Sorry, Hessian the Great, this guard dog is the only one I've got. Without it, who will guard my house?" Eddie waved off the offer.
"Just call me boss. If you do, I'll take care of you. Do you know who I am? I'm from the Hessian family of the eight great clans. My uncle is a renowned disciple of the Eastern Sea Crystal Palace. "
"Impressive, right? Don't worry, if you recognize me as your boss, I won't let you down. Not only will I give you sixty gold, but I'll also throw in a lion or tiger beast, your choice. "
"Want dogs to guard your house? I'll get you a hundred of them. But this Iron Ridge Wolf, I must have it. Can't you see how much it resembles me? We're both so strong!" Hessian flexed his arms, his fat jiggling.
Eddie couldn't help but notice the similarity between Hessian and Grey – both seemed equally deserving of a good punch. He suppressed a laugh and feigned surprise, "I thought there were only the four great clans: Wind, Snow, Yue, and Flame. When did it become eight?"
"Wind, Snow, Yue, and Flame are the old guard. We're the new elite. Though a bit less famous, people are starting to recognize us as the eight great clans. You must be from the countryside to not know about the Hessian family. We're especially renowned for our water-element beasts," Hessian bragged effortlessly.
"Oh, I see," Eddie nodded, pretending to be naive. Brother, sell me the wolf. Not only will I give you sixty gold and a lion beast, but I'll also guide you through the trials. "
"I guarantee you'll pass within ten days. I'll even handle the exchange of trial proofs and rune crystals for you," Hessian puffed up his chest, full of promises.
"Is this fat guy trying to swindle your Iron Ridge Demon Wolf?" a pleasant voice suddenly sounded behind Eddie, accompanied by a waft of subtle fragrance.
Eddie turned around to find the clear-eyed thief standing there.
Seeing Eddie, the clear-eyed thief's eyes briefly lit up with excitement before returning to her usual composed demeanor. "There you are! Where have you been these past few days?"
Hessian, whose flirting was interrupted, was about to protest when his attention was caught by the clear-eyed thief.
His eyes lit up even more than when he saw Grey. Eagerly extending his hand, he said, "Hello, I'm Hessian, but everyone calls me Hessian the Great! You misunderstood me earlier. I swear I had no intention of deceiving my brother. Think about it, I'm his boss. Would I lie to him? And you, beautiful lady, you know my brother? Great, we're all friends here! Let's go have a drink, my treat!"
"Back off, fatso, or I'll drain your blood with my dagger," the clear-eyed thief retorted, sending Hessian flying with a kick much like Eddie's to Grey.
"You okay?" Eddie asked, watching Hessian scramble back up, wondering if there was some familial resemblance to Grey.
"I'm fine, really, don't worry about me. "
"Don't you know what my battle beast is? "
"It's an Ironskin Rhino, tough as steel. I'm not hurt! "
"This blood? Oh, it's just from a gum bleed, you know, a bit of inflammation. "
"And with all this fat, do I look like I can be easily hurt?" Hessian quickly wiped away the blood and struck a 'tough guy' pose.
"Where have you been?" called a voice from afar. A lady in palace attire with a white veil approached.
"My aunt is here. I'll talk to you later!" the clear-eyed thief whispered to Eddie and hurried off to meet the veiled lady.
"You know her? Even behind a veil, I'd give her ninety-nine out of a hundred!" Hessian's mouth hung open, almost drooling, in a manner that was begging for a punch.
"I'm not interested in men," Eddie replied, suppressing the urge to stab Hessian, and walked away.
"I can't believe you," Hessian muttered to himself, almost on the verge of tears.
"This guy has a great beast but doesn't care."
"And, a beautiful lady shows interest, yet he's indifferent. "
"Is he not afraid of divine retribution?"