Chapter 985: START OF THE OPENING CEREMONY

EVEN though, on the outside, the stadium looked like it was totally made of glass. The interior wasn't exactly like that. The walls and floors looked more like frozen ice. That's why it felt like they were walking inside an ice castle, minus the coldness. But this was probably better than having everything made of glass. At least people with acrophobia wouldn't be so uncomfortable.

As team Yunyue followed the little fairy, they met other teams along the way. The others obviously did a double-take when seeing them. Most were surprised, probably because they didn't expect to see them. While others raised their fighting spirit and blatantly looked at them as if saying 'we're not afraid to fight you!'.

Sadly for them, team Yunyue didn't have much reaction. Except for Bai Ze, who didn't hesitate to grin at them, showing his feline fangs.

The little fairy guiding them then stopped in front of a wall. The wall then opened like a sliding door. It was the same for the other teams near them.

[Please, go inside and enjoy tonight's opening ceremony!]

After saying that, the little fairy just disintegrated into small light particles.

The members of team Yunyue walked inside the room that the little fairy led them to. The inside was like that of a private box of an opera theater. There were about 10 seats inside. A transparent glass was in front, so they could see what was outside.

Since the building was similar to a stadium, there were different floors of the same private box, circling around a stage at the very middle. They could not only see the wide stage at the center, but also the other boxes around.

"Well, this is definitely better than sitting in a space together with all the other teams," Bai Ze said as he sat down on one of the seats. "At least everyone has their privacy."

Usually, during the past opening ceremony, there would be a space in the audience area where all the teams participating sat together. Only those in the top four of the previous season were allowed to have their own private space. That's why some team didn't even bother to attend the opening ceremony or they would just send one or two representatives.

"There's a privacy setting here so people from the outside can't see us," Luo Jin said, looking at a set of buttons beside the transparent window. "Should I turn it on?"

"Yeah, do that," Su Yuqi said.

Considering how their team's participation in this season's Arcadia Cup created a lot of buzz, the other teams' curiosity about them couldn't be easily stopped. As evidence of how those teams they encountered earlier who couldn't stop looking at them. She was sure that it would be the same when they entered this private box. Those who could see them from the outside would definitely gawk.

She didn't want to be treated like some spectacle in a zoo. So, having this privacy setting was definitely good.

After Luo Jin pushed the button, all five of them had already sat down in their seats. Wait- five?

All four almost turned to 'Luo Yan' at the same time.

"Where's the fox?" Luo Jin asked, only now realizing that Eclipse was not there. Then, he noticed that something was 'off' about his brother as he stared at the other.

He was not the only one who felt that.

Shen Ji Yun had already noticed it way earlier. Even before they entered this private box. He knew that the other was definitely not his Luo Yan. Because if it was, then his heart rate would speed up the moment he gazed at him. Just like it always did from the moment they met.

But right now, as he looked at this 'Luo Yan', his heart was as calm as a lake. There was no wave, not even a slight ripple. Add that to the fact that Eclipse was currently missing, he could already guess what was happening. At least, a part of it.

Before 'Luo Yan' could give an answer, the surrounding suddenly turned dark. Then a single spotlight shone on the stage in the middle, shining at a man standing there.

It was a tall man with black hair neatly combed back. Only a few strands strayed on his smooth forehead. He was wearing all black—black coat tails, black tie, black undershirt, black trousers, and black shoes. A monocle covered one of his dark purple eyes. A black spade-shaped earring was dangling in one of his ears.

Any player from Arcadia who had been seriously playing the game for at least five years would know the identity of the person at the center of the stage.

It was one of the four dukes of Arcadia — the Duke of Spades.

"Welcome to all the warriors here. I will be the host of this year's Arcadia Cup," he said in a deep baritone voice. His voice reflected the lack of expression on his face.

Just like the Rookie Carnival, one of the four dukes always hosted the Arcadia Cup. So, this year, it was the turn of the Duke of Spades.

"To start this opening ceremony, do enjoy the performances we had prepared for you."

After saying that, he disappeared from where he was standing and the surroundings turned dark again. Once the stage was finally fully illuminated, several female NPCs appeared.

All of them were wearing ancient clothing. Some were sitting behind a guqin, others were standing holding a bamboo flute, while the rest were just standing around the female NPC that was the most eye-catching of all.

It was a 'woman' with long black hair that was freely flowing behind 'her' back. 'She' was wearing a red dress with a bold and vibrant hue, instantly drawing gazes. The silhouette gracefully contoured the wearer's figure, showcasing 'her' form with understated allure. Delicate threads of intricate embroidery intertwined across the dress, forming exquisite patterns.

When the 'woman' raised 'her' head, revealing a pair of beautiful peach blossom shaped eyes, Shen Ji Yun unknowingly stood up from his seat.