LUO YAN didn't expect Shen Ji Yun to suddenly dash out like that. He was still immersed on the fact that the other might have just teased him. It was uncharacteristic. After all, Shen Ji Yun was like an expressionless iceberg during normal times. He didn't even have a playful bone in his body. But who knew there would come a day when Shen Ji Yun would also tease people? Even if it was subtly done, he still did.

Because of Luo Yan's very detailed explanation, Shen Ji Yun quickly understood that he experienced these things himself. Instead of saying something like 'okay, I understood and I'll be careful', he said 'you seem to speak from experience'. Along with that small teasing smile, it's almost like he was saying 'I know you were killed by that lotus, but since you seem embarrassed by that fact, I won't mention it straightforwardly'.

He felt a bit tangled. Was he being a bad influence to the strait-laced Shen Ji Yun?

[Mashter, let's follow Captain!]

Eclipse's voice woke him up from his entanglement and immediately ran towards the direction of the lake where Shen Ji Yun was heading. In any case, it's not really that bad of a thing for Shen Ji Yun to develop a playful character. Knowing him, he'd probably been a pretty staid child, like a small adult. A trait that no doubt continued on to his teenage phase. He was only 20 and yet it seemed like he had already experienced the vicissitude of life. At least now, he could have this playful side which anyone of his age should have.

When they reached the lake, Shen Ji Yun was already attacking the Eternal Lotus.

He was holding a sword with a black hilt and a long and thin blade. Purple lightning flashed from it whenever it slashed and cut one of the lotus' vines. This was the first time Luo Yan saw Shen Ji Yun used his sword using his real avatar. The one he had seen was the broadsword he was using with his alt account. That broadsword looked pretty simple and ordinary. Unlike the blade Shen Ji Yun was using now. It might look not so special at one glance. But if one looked closer, they would quickly notice that it was not just some ordinary blade. 

The blade was indeed thin but its sharp edge couldn't be hidden. As evidence of how easily it cut through the vines as if they were paper. The purple lightning added a light purple sheen on the surface of the blade. Making it look more formidable. Like some kind of demonic dark blade.

Shen Ji Yun seemed to be more at ease using this sword in comparison to the broadsword he used in his alt account. Well, that was understandable. He probably just picked that broadsword randomly somewhere.

A silver light floated near Luo Yan, he quickly dodged it and jumped to a safer position. When he looked back at Shen Ji Yun, he was slicing another vine. After that, all the attack from the lotus stopped. Then a wave of silver lights attacked Shen Ji Yun. It was a cluster of that small dandelion shaped flowers that the Eternal Lotus produced. Combined together, it looked like a silver streak. 

Because it could reach Shen Ji Yun, he raised his sword and then sharply slashed down. A purple energy slash appeared and cut through the cluster of silver lights. As that happened, Shen Ji Yun dashed forward through the pathway that the purple slash made. He moved in a blur. As if he's a bullet that was just released from its cartridge. Then he pierced his sword on top of the Eternal Lotus. 

A bright silver light gushed out from the stabbed part of the lotus flower. It became brighter and brighter until Luo Yan had to close his eyes because of it. When he opened his eyes once again, the silver lights floating around the lake suddenly stopped. Their shine disappeared and then they all slowly fell on the ground. He looked back at where Shen Ji Yun was and saw a silver lotus shaped crystal floating on the top of his palm. 

He was certain that that was the core of the Eternal Lotus. Because right after that blinding silver light disappeared, he could suddenly hear the rustling of the wind. Which meant that the Silent Marsh was no longer at a state of suspended animation.

[Wow. Captain is so handsome!] – Eclipse commented, looking at Shen Ji Yun with bright eyes.

Luo Yan stared at Shen Ji Yun. He was floating on the lake with his long dark purple hair swaying with the wind. He was holding a sword with one hand and the other was holding on to the lotus shaped crystal. Remembering the fight just now, a smile crossed Luo Yan's face. 

[Yes, he's indeed handsome.]

Eclipse suddenly turned towards him. [Eclipse knew Mashter feel the same.]

Luo Yan didn't say anything more lest this little fox started with his teasing again. 

Shen Ji Yun jumped down in front of Luo Yan and gave the lotus shaped crystal to him without hesitation. "For you."

Luo Yan looked down at the crystal floating on top of Shen Ji Yun's hand. "I can really have this?"

"Yes."

He raised his head and looked at Shen Ji Yun's determined gaze. It's as if he was silently telling him that he only fought the Eternal Lotus because he wanted to give this core to him.

[Mashter, quickly take it. That's the result of Captain's hard work and the manifestation of his lov--] Luo Yan glanced sideways at Eclipse before he could finish that sentence. [Sorry, Mashter. Eclipse didn't say anything. Please don't squeeze Eclipse into a ball.]

The corner of Luo Yan's lips twitched hearing the last part of what Eclipse said. Then he turned back to Shen Ji Yun. He smiled and picked up the lotus shaped crystal. "Thank you, Brother Ji Yun. I'll use it well."

A small smile crossed Shen Ji Yun's lips. He looked very pleased with himself.

Luo Yan could only shake his head and put the crystal in his Items Tab. He'd check its description later.

Right after he did that, a holographic image of a boy who looked like he was 7 or 8 years old suddenly appeared in front of them. He had dark blue hair and a pair of blue eyes. He was wearing a butler uniform with matching monocles. It was the Gamekeeper who Luo Yan hadn't seen in a long while.

Seeing the little butler again, the feeling that he had seen the other somewhere appeared in his mind again. He stared at the Gamekeeper's blue eyes. He felt like a light bulb suddenly turned on in his head. He looked at Shen Ji Yun standing beside him and then at the holographic image of the Gamekeeper. 

Wasn't this just a mini-version of Shen Ji Yun?

[It's a small Captain!] – Eclipse said, proving that his guess was indeed correct.

The Gamekeeper made a gentlemanly bow, which was really adorable by the way. And then said;

[Congratulations dear players on unlocking the hidden task 'Awakening Dragon'!]

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