SHEN JI YUN was stunned for a second.  It's like his body just became a statue.  Then his whole face heated up.  Before he recovered, he only saw Luo Yan's back.  The other was even skipping, as if he was in a very good mood.  Seeing that his rabbit was probably just teasing him, he didn't know if he should laugh or cry.

Suddenly, he had a realization.  Didn't it seem like Luo Yan was enjoying teasing him too much?  Now that he thought about it, it was something that had been happening ever since the two of them met.  He just didn't notice because he didn't do it quite often.  But after the preliminaries of the Rookie Carnival, it seemed that Luo Yan decided to no longer pull his punches.

Take today for example.  He already couldn't count how many times he felt that his heart would jump out of his body.  And his rabbit seemed to enjoy seeing him in such a state.  As evidence of the teasing smile he would always inadvertently show.

Shen Ji Yun actually didn't know how to react to that realization.  Should he be happy that Luo Yan was paying attention to him?  Of course, it was something to be happy about.  It's just… he didn't want Luo Yan to just approach him like this because he simply enjoyed his reaction.  He wanted it to be more than that.

Aside from that, there was also that obvious issue that his rabbit continued on like this, his virtual heart might not be able to take it.  He would probably be the first person who would ever be sent to the emergency room because of too much heart palpitation because of playing a virtual game. 

Should he discuss this with Luo Yan?  But what would he say, 'Yan Yan, can you stop teasing me?  If you continue, I might have a heart attack'.  That would certainly be too shameful.

He shook his head.  Let's not think about that now.  He should focus on the task at hand.  At least for now. 

So, he walked towards the direction where the dragon went.

-----

Luo Yan happily followed Eclipse.  That last expression on Shen Ji Yun's face was truly lovely.  Ah, if only he could tease him every second, every minute of the day, that would be the dream.  Just thinking of that, he could already envision how wonderful their future would be together. 

[Mashter, why do you have such a weird smile on your face?]

Eclipse's sudden voice in his head woke him up from his daydreaming.  Then he thought of what the little fox said.  He was actually smiling?  He touched his lips and just like what Eclipse said, the corner of his lips was indeed bent into an arc.  Well, that's not really surprising. 

Every time he thought of Shen Ji Yun, he always had a smile on his face.  It had become almost an automatic response now. 

[This is not a weird smile.] – he said to Eclipse.  That was the smile of someone thinking of doing weird things to the person they liked.  He almost added that but he quickly stopped himself.  He didn't want to corrupt Eclipse any further.  [Have you noticed anything?] – he asked instead, changing the subject.

Eclipse shook his head.  [Not yet.  But since walking to this direction, the gem on Eclipse's head started to feel hot.]

When he heard that, Luo Yan crouched down and touched the blue spherical gem on the little fox's forehead.  But it just felt cold to his touch.  He didn't consider if Eclipse was lying because he was sure that he's not. 

Eclipse's current identity in the game was his pet.  As his master, he wouldn't lie to him.  That meant that only Eclipse could feel the change in temperature of the blue jewel.  Considering how this gem was also on Kagetsuki's forehead before she died, the change in it now definitely meant something.

[Try to go to the direction that would make the gem on your forehead heat up even more.] – he said, then he gently rubbed the little fox's head.  [But if it's too uncomfortable, tell it to me quickly and we will stop.  Don't try to take everything by yourself.  Remember, your master is always right behind you to give you support.]

[Okay, Mashter.  Eclipse knows.] – Eclipse said, his sapphire blue eyes even more determined than before.

The little fox glanced from left to right, then chose the one to his left.  Luo Yan stood up and followed.

As they went deeper and deeper into the forest, Eclipse would stop from time to time.  Most likely because he was pondering where the right direction was.  He wanted to communicate with Shen Ji Yun using the earring.  But he was worried that he might get distracted if he did that.  That guy was probably thinking the same, because if not, he would have long contacted him.

This continued on until they reached a very steep cliff.  Eclipse stopped at the very end of that cliff.  Luo Yan looked below the cliff.  There was a river below.  Seeing how he could clearly see the rock formation in it, the river must be very shallow.  He was about to say something to Eclipse when he saw that his little fox suddenly collapsed.

[M-Mashter, the gem, it's like on f-fire!] – Eclipse exclaimed.  [I-it hurts!  It h-hurts so much!]

Luo Yan quickly crouched down and gently held the little fox in his arms.  [It's okay.  Everything is going to be okay.]   

As soon as he said that, the gem on Eclipse's forehead suddenly glowed, releasing a bright blue light.  That scattered light condensed and became a straight line, pointing at something ahead of the cliff.  Then something weird happened right after.

The air in front of them flicker.  As if a drop of water fell on a silent lake, disturbing its tranquility.  Then the scene around them slowly changed.  The cliff disappeared and they were back again at the forest.  And in front of them appeared a long stair.  At the top was one of those red torii gates that could be found in a Japanese shrine.

Luo Yan gazed down at the fox in his arms.  Eclipse was panting and sweating.  He looked really uncomfortable.  He had a feeling that it had something to do with whatever was on top of this set of stairs. 

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