"THESE 16 participants will fight it out in a tournament style battle right in which only one will prevail.  And it will happen right here.  At Arcadia's most famous arena – The Colosseum," the duke continued.  "But as much as we all wanted to have that tournament now, we sadly can't.  We all have to wait until the 26th of October.  In the meantime, all of you, whether you're watching here or at somewhere else, are welcome to participate at our Carnival Gamble!"

As soon as the duke said that, the game account name of the 16 players who passed the preliminary round appeared at the bottom of their faces that were on the big screen. 

Luo Jin groaned when he saw that.  "Shit."

Luo Yan who heard that couldn't help but chuckle.

"It's still the same procedure as last year.  You can cast your bet at the special station on the PvP Arenas on each of the four major cities of Arcadia.  Pick the player that you think will most likely win the championship.  But do gamble in moderation.  Because this lord doesn't want all of you to lose your crystal coins."

Luo Yan raised one of his brows.  He heard that there would be this kind of gambling activity.  But he didn't expect that players who wanted to bet would have to go to PvP Arenas in order to do so.  He thought it would be done like some kind of poll on the game's official website or something.

Maybe this was the game's way of making sure that only Arcadia's players would be able to make a bet or something.

"And that concludes everything.  See you all again on the tournament, you plebeians!"

With that, the Duke of Hearts disappeared like a puff of smoke.

After the duke left, some of the players on the audience area jumped onto the stage.  Luo Yan scowled.  What were these people doing?  Were they planning to surround them or something?

"There's Noctis!" 

"Let's take a picture with him!"

Hearing that, Luo Yan's scowl just became more pronounced.

"Let's teleport out of here," Luo Jin said.

Luo Yan agreed.  Since the preliminary was now over, they were definitely able to use teleportation scroll.  But before he could do so, someone suddenly appeared beside him and held his shoulders.  He would have retaliated if not for the familiar feeling he felt.

And just as he thought, when he raised his head, he first saw a pair of amethyst beast-like eyes. 

"Brother Ji Yun?"

The corner of Shen Ji Yun's lips tilted upward, showing a small smile.  "Let's get you out of here."

And then, Luo Yan felt that usual feeling of being pulled into vacuum.

Luo Jin who saw all of this cursed quite crisply.  That bastard.  He really just had to snatch his brother right under his nose.  He tried to think where that Shen Ji Yun could have taken his brother.  But seeing as how the other players who jumped from the audience area, he didn't really have much time to think or even to message someone.  So, he simply took out a teleportation scroll and tore it.

And he was teleported to Yunyue's headquarters.

----------

When Luo Yan opened his eyes, he saw something very familiar.  The huge tree with white leaves.  He immediately knew where he was – at Shen Ji Yun's floating island.  He tried not to smile.  Because if he did, then it would be nothing but overly bright and big.

He raised his head to look at Shen Ji Yun who was still hugging his shoulders and holding him close.  He once again observed how handsome the other was.  Even his chin was attractive.

"Brother Ji Yun, when will you let go?" he asked in an innocent voice.

Shen Ji Yun, who just heard that question, quickly let go of Luo Yan.  He even stepped back a bit, in case he was tempted to hug him again. 

"Sorry," he said, his face heating up a bit.  He didn't want to appear like someone who was trying to take advantage of the other.

"Why did Brother Ji Yun bring me here?" Luo Yan asked while looking around the island.

"Ahm, about that, I was actually planning to go to our team's headquarters.  But I must have picked the wrong teleportation scroll," Shen Ji Yun said while glancing sideways. 

Luo Yan observed Shen Ji Yun.  He bit the inside of his cheek to prevent himself from chuckling.  Because he knew that the other was lying.  He even knew why he teleported here instead of their headquarters as he said.

"Hmm…"  He closed the distance between him and Shen Ji Yun.  "Does Brother Ji Yun know that you have a tell when you lie?"

Shen Ji Yun's eyes visibly widened when he heard that.  Showing just how much he was surprised by this revelation.  "I- I mean—"

"You always glance sideways when you do."

Luo Yan could have let it slide like he always did before.  But one thing he realized during the Chengdu event was that he shouldn't let this become a habit.  If he continued to lie like this whenever it suited him, it would definitely become a problem sooner or later.  Especially if they ever became a couple.

Shen Ji Yun's face turned red in shame.  He knew he was not a good liar, but he didn't know he had a tell.  If Luo Yan knew about it, wouldn't that mean that every time he had lied before, he knew about it?  How shameful!

Luo Yan, of course, knew what was going on inside that head.  So, he said to not let the other overthink, because he would certainly do, "It's just something I noticed recently.  I'm right, correct?"

Shen Ji Yun felt a bit relieved when he heard that.  At least Luo Yan didn't know about the other times he tried to lie.  But still, he couldn't help but feel ashamed.  He looked down. 

"I'm sorry," he could only say.

Luo Yan stared at Shen Ji Yun who looked like a puppy with downcast ears and tail.  He smiled helplessly. 

"I'm not mad at you, Brother Ji Yun.  I just wish you won't do it again."

Shen Ji Yun raised his head.  "Of course!  I promise I will never do it again!"

"Then, can Brother Ji Yun tell me the real reason you brought me here?" Luo Yan asked, changing the topic.

"I—" Shen Ji Yun seemed like he was hesitating at first.  But then at the end, he still said, "I wanted to be the first one to congratulate you."

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