Chapter 276 - HIS CONFIDENCE IN ME

"BEFORE we go inside, there's some information that I have to tell you first," Luo Yan said turning to Shen Ji Yun. "There's a plant there called Eternal Lotus. It turned the whole area in a suspended state. You couldn't hear a sound once you enter inside. And it's also very likely that once it's destroyed, the dragon sleeping in the cave would wake up."

He remembered that 'saving Filli' task where he first experience 'death' in this VR version of the game. That's a black history he truly didn't want to remember. It reminded him of how he overestimated himself too much thus leading to such a pitiful and stupid 'death scene'. 

Shen Ji Yun became interested when he heard about that. A plant that could suspend time – the design team of his uncle's company really did have some novel ideas. "Do you know if this plant will wither and die once it's destroyed?"

"It won't wither if only some parts of it are cut off. It will only be destroyed once it's core is taken out," Luo Yan said, relaying what the Elder told him before.

"So, it has a core, huh," Shen Ji Yun said before turning to him. "Should we get this core for you? It would be a good material for a weapon."

"There's no need," Luo Yan shook his head and rejected. "I already have all the materials I needed for a weapon."

He had that Umbra metal that would be use as the base metal of his weapon. Other materials that he found at their team's treasury. And then the Saspalt that could perfectly integrate these materials together.

Speaking of that, he hadn't still asked Yu Jiao if she could make a weapon for him. But knowing her, now that she revealed her identity as the top Blacksmith of the game, she would definitely volunteer to make his weapon without him asking.

"I think this lotus' core would be a good core for your weapon. If it has the ability to suspend time, the attribute it would give any weapon it has been crafted into would be pretty powerful. Don't you think so as well?" Shen Ji Yun explained.

Luo Yan fell into a deep thought. It did cross his mind to use the core of the Eternal Lotus before when he heard the explanation of the Elder about it. But he quickly let go of that idea because he didn't want to wake the sleeping dragon. His level was still too low back then to even fight it. Though his current level right now was still not that high. He's currently at level 79. Only one level away before he could be eligible to participate in the upcoming Rookie Carnival. But still not high enough to face a dragon.

"If you're planning to win the Rookie Carnival, then you needed a good weapon with you. Don't hesitate to take a good material when you see one," Shen Ji Yun added.

Luo Yan suddenly stopped thinking when he heard what the other said. He raised his head and stared at Shen Ji Yun's usual expressionless face. "You really think I would win the Rookie Carnival?"

"Yes," Shen Ji Yun answered without any hesitation.

Luo Yan chuckled. "Such confidence in me. Then I better live up to your expectation."

"You will. I'm sure of it," Shen Ji Yun said in a voice that didn't warrant any debate.

Luo Yan's smile became even brighter upon hearing that.

[Aww… Captain is so thoughtful.] – Eclipse's childish voice suddenly echoed in his mind. When he turned to him, the little fox readily said, [Mashter, I didn't say anything bad so Mashter shouldn't threaten Eclipse.]

[Did I say anything?]

Eclipse pouted. [But Mashter was thinking about it.]

He only ruffled the little fox's head. Then he led them towards the area covered by the Silent Marsh. 

Just like the firs time he was here, the place still looked like it was in a stand-still. No sound could be heard. Not the swaying of the trees against the wind nor their very own footsteps. The place was completely devoid of any sound.

[Mashter, this place is creepy. Did Mashter found Eclipse in this place?]

[Yes, over there inside a cave with a sleeping dragon.]

[Eh? Eclipse was with a dragon? Could it be that the dragon is Eclipse parent?] – Eclipse said, his sapphire eyes as round as saucers.

Luo Yan pinched Eclipse's cheek. [Stupid. How could a dragon give birth to a fox?] 

[Maybe the dragon is Eclipse's father and Eclipse takes after his mother.]

Luo Yan just ignored the little guy's nonsense and turned to Shen Ji Yun. 

"Brother Ji—" he stopped because he couldn't hear his own voice. 

He almost cursed. This was a big carelessness on his part. He should have known that the possibility of them not hearing their voice here was high. He just didn't think of it because when he came here the first time, he never spoke. He was alone then. Who would he speak to? But still, he's the one at fault now. 

Shen Ji Yun must have also noticed this, so he sent a message to him. Luo Yan immediately opened it.

YUN: [If you have things you still need to explain, just reply to this.]

Luo Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Shen Ji Yun was really mindful when it came to things like this. So, he readily replied.

Noctis: [The Eternal Lotus is on the lake located at the West part of the marsh. When you see a silver light that looks like little dandelion flowers, please avoid it. If you touched it accidentally, your body would be in a state of stand-still. Then that lotus would entangle you with its vines and absorb your HP at a fast speed.]

YUN: [You seem to speak from experience.]

Luo Yan sharply turned to Shen Ji Yun when he read that. He wasn't sure if it was just his illusion but he seemed to see a teasing smile on Shen Ji Yun's lips. Before he could send another reply, Shen Ji Yun already ran towards the direction of the lake.