Genshin Impact: I Am a Slime

Even Zhu Zi, a native of Daocheng, held Captain Beidou in high esteem, which undoubtedly added fuel to the fire in the hearts of travelers.

Travelers are visiting Lonely Cloud Pavilion Port more frequently now. Almost every time they pass by after completing a quest, they board the Death Star to inquire about departure information. Their eager and persistent enthusiasm is so overwhelming that even the generous Beidou can't keep up and can only scratch the back of his head and laugh it off.

But soon, another new thing, like a pebble thrown into calm water, stirred up ripples in the streets and alleys of Liyue Harbor, and firmly captured the attention of travelers.

Liyue Harbor is a bustling commercial hub where information flows like blood through a vast business network.

However, the flow of information and intelligence primarily benefits those merchants with keen senses and extensive networks. For ordinary people, dockworkers, and teahouse waiters, the main source of government decrees concerning people's livelihoods issued by the Liyue Sept is still those yellow papers posted on bulletin boards and stamped with the Sept's seal, and...

"Issue the Seven Star Order!"

A loud, booming voice rang out at the busiest market entrance in Feiyunpo, instantly drowning out the sounds of people haggling over prices.

A group of Thousand Rock Army soldiers, dressed in neat armor, stood upright like pine trees in front of the newly posted notice. The soldier in the lead had one hand on his spear and the other hand waving it vigorously, trying to attract the attention of passersby.

Behind him, the brand-new notice stood out prominently in the sunlight.

This is the somewhat archaic yet effective way of conveying government orders that Liyue has continued to this day.

Even though other nations in Teyvat have more efficient means of communication, the Liyue Septate still retains this down-to-earth tradition.

Firstly, it takes into account that not all Liyue people can read the written language; secondly, the ritual of announcing this in the street itself is a declaration of authority.

The traveler, who had just completed a delivery order nearby, was walking through the noisy crowd when the Thousand Rock Army soldier's penetrating announcement drew her over like a magnet. Even Paimon curiously peeked out.

The Thousand Rock Army soldier took a deep breath, his chest heaving, and with all his might, he clearly conveyed the words on the proclamation to every onlooker:
"Seven Stars plans to set up a arena in Yujing, Liyue Harbor, on the 23rd of this month to hold the first Liyue Martial Arts Tournament."

"We cordially invite all sects, heroes, and skilled individuals within Liyue to participate! Let's make friends through martial arts, compete to determine the number one martial artist in Liyue!"

The loud announcement of the Qianyan Army soldiers echoed over the market, like a drop of boiling oil thrown into water, instantly causing an uproar among the onlookers. The crowd whispered among themselves, their faces filled with confusion and bewilderment.

"Lady Ningguang... what are you going to do?"

"Why would you hold a martial arts tournament out of the blue?"

"Yes, what does this have to do with us ordinary people?"

Clearly, most people do not understand the deeper meaning behind this move by Tianquan Xing.

"Sir!" A gruff voice rang out from the crowd, cutting through the noise, "Is there any set rule for this martial arts tournament? Can just anyone go up and have a go?"

The man who asked the question was a burly man, who looked like a dockworker.

Upon hearing this, the Thousand Rock Army soldiers standing in front of the notice board straightened their backs and responded in clear and loud voices: "That's right! Lord Ningguang has ordered that this martial arts tournament invites heroes from all over the world, regardless of age or origin."

"There are no restrictions on whether participants possess a Vision of God. On the arena, all means are permitted, solely to determine the true number one martial artist in Liyue!"

Qian Yanjun paused, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, and he emphasized his words.

This resounding answer was like a larger stone thrown into the crowd; after a brief silence, an even more turbulent uproar ensued.

"No, not limited to the Eye of God?"

"How...how can this be fair?"

"Exactly, how can someone with the Eye of God be the same as someone without it?" "An ordinary person could practice martial arts their whole life and still not be able to withstand a few strands of elemental power from someone else!"

The discussions were incessant, and the reason was simple: the gap between those who possessed the Eye of God and those who did not was an insurmountable chasm.

This is not just a difference in physical strength, but a fundamental difference in the ability to communicate with the elements and unleash extraordinary power.

No matter how exquisite Liyue's traditional martial arts are, they often seem powerless in the face of pure elemental power.

If the competition is open to everyone, the title of Liyue's number one will likely end up in the hands of a Genshin Impact player. It would be more like a Genshin Impact tournament than a martial arts tournament.

The traveler stood at the edge of the crowd, listening to the surrounding noise, his brows unconsciously furrowing.

She instinctively took out the Adventurer's Handbook, flipped to the date page, ran her fingertip across the paper, and confirmed the specific date.

The martial arts tournament will be held in three days.

The traveler gently shook his head.

The time is too soon. Compared to the empty title of being the best in Liyue, she cares more about when the Beidou fleet can set sail. Besides, she had no intention of competing for such a title.

But Paimon, floating beside her, had an excited look on her face. As the Thousand Rock Army soldiers continued to explain the details of the competition, her eyes grew brighter and brighter. Finally, she couldn't help but float forward a little and eagerly asked in her unique, slightly childish voice:
"Hey! If you become number one, besides the prestigious title, are there any... um, more substantial rewards?"

"For example, a mountain of Mora!"

The Thousand Rock soldiers turned around at the sound and saw the little elf who always followed the blond traveler. A gentle smile appeared on their serious faces.

"The specific details of the reward are still under consideration by Lady Ningguang, but will the strongest person who can win the title of 'Number One in Liyue' have to worry about not having Mora? I'm afraid that when the time comes, the line of people who want to send Mora to make friends will stretch from Scarlet Cloud Slope to Tiger Rock!"

Upon hearing this, Paimon's eyes widened instantly, as if he could already see the golden, glittering Mount Mora.

"Mora! Mountains of Mora!"

She immediately grabbed the traveler's sleeve impatiently and shook it vigorously: "Hey, traveler, did you hear that? So many Mora! Let's go sign up, hurry up!"

Despite Paimon's persuasion, the traveler remained rooted to the spot.

She gently took Paimon's flailing little hand in her own, glanced calmly at the still noisy bulletin board, then pulled Paimon along, turned and squeezed into the bustling crowd, walking resolutely towards the port against the flow of onlookers.

"Huh? Aren't we participating?"

Paimon was being pulled along behind the traveler, his little face full of confusion and regret.

"That's a lot of Mora, Traveler. You've been working so hard on quests these past few days just to save up Mora for Inatsume, haven't you?"

The sea breeze ruffled the stray hairs on the traveler's forehead. She walked in silence, and after a long while, she sighed softly, her voice almost drowned out by the noise of the dock: "These days' commissions are not for Mora."

The girl shook her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over the undulating sea in the distance, carrying a hint of indescribable weariness and confusion.

"...I just wanted to keep myself busy so I wouldn't have time to think about things I couldn't understand."

Paimon looked at her travel companion's profile. The tightly pursed lips and the deep melancholy between his brows made her swallow back the words she was about to say. The little mascot floated silently beside the traveler, its small hand still being held, and its tiny body seemed to feel the heavy confusion as well.

The mountain of gold piled up by Mora no longer seemed so dazzling. (End of Chapter)