Genshin Impact: I Am a Slime

Chapter 774 Semifinals

When the referee's loud pronouncement fell, it was like throwing the last drop of water into boiling oil; the already enthusiastic cheers from the audience instantly exploded.

Cheers and excited discussions blended into a boiling ocean, almost tearing the clouds above Guyun Pavilion apart.

"We won! That's great!"

Little Paimon shot out like a cannonball from the safe zone at the edge of the arena, excitedly circling the Traveler who had just sheathed his sword, kicking his legs wildly in the air, his little face flushed.

"That's amazing! Traveler, I knew you were the best. That flashy guy is no match for you at all!"

The traveler nodded slightly in greeting to the surging crowd and the directions of Hokuto and Manyo, then nimbly leaped off the stage.

As soon as their feet touched the solid sand, the referee's loud voice rang out behind them again, announcing the entry of the next group of contestants.

Just as the tides rise and fall, the onlookers' gazes and enthusiasm, as the new contestants appeared, began to linger on the travelers and reluctantly turned to the new focus. The clamor gradually subsided like the receding tide, turning into anticipation and discussion for the next competition.

Just then, Paimon pounced on the traveler with the precision of a shooting star.

She mimicked the traveler's gesture of sheathing his sword, striking a serious pose before placing her hands on her hips, tilting her head high, and imitating the traveler's calm demeanor during battle. Her voice was childish yet she tried her best to appear serious.

"Hmph! See that? This is the power of me, Paimon... no, I mean, this traveler!"

"That was absolutely amazing! That last move, whoosh! And then, bang! It was so cool!"

After Paimon finished imitating, he immediately couldn't hold back anymore and reverted to his excited state, flying around the traveler twice with his big eyes full of admiring stars.

"Hahaha!"

As Paimon finished speaking, Beidou's signature loud laughter rang out in the noisy arena. She strode towards the Traveler who was walking off the stage, slapping the girl's shoulder hard with a force that made the Traveler stagger.

"Well played! You truly deserve to be my top pick! That was exhilarating!"

Beidou turned to look at the white-haired boy standing quietly beside him, his crimson eyes filled with smugness:

"You saw it too, didn't you, Manyo? He didn't waste any time in the fight, winning cleanly and decisively."

Wan Ye withdrew his gaze from the arena and placed it on the traveler, his posture remaining calm, yet carrying a glimmer of insight:

"Indeed, judging from the traveler's actions, it seems that he deliberately restrained his strength, not wanting to inflict too much damage on his opponent."

His voice was gentle, like a sea breeze brushing against the rocks, casually pointing out that the traveler had shown mercy.

"Haha, I've been through countless battles, big and small. Just from this one, I can clearly feel your formidable strength."

With his arms crossed and chin slightly raised, Beidou praised the traveler with the sharp gaze of a naval commander, making the girl a little embarrassed.

"Wanye, there's no need to hold back. If you have any good words to praise someone, quickly share them with our great hero."

Beidou mischievously nudged Wanye with his elbow, hoping the other would come up with some words to praise the traveler. Wanye, upon hearing this, lowered his eyelids slightly, as if genuinely considering his words. After a moment, he raised his eyes, a very faint smile playing on his lips, his voice remaining calm:

"If I had to give a compliment, it would be 'Well played.'"

Beidou was taken aback by Wanye's bluntness, then chuckled, shook her head, and waved her hand, displaying a kind of magnanimity that came with her demanding nature.

"Alright, I was hoping to hear you recite a couple of lines of poetry to liven things up, but never mind."

"I shouldn't have expected you, you blockhead, to blossom."

After exchanging pleasantries with the two, Beidou changed the subject and looked at the Traveler with great interest: "Speaking of which, quite a few of the contestants came over just now, their eyes practically popping out of their sockets. They all said they never would have imagined that the great hero who saved Liyue would come to fight in this arena!"

Beidou glanced around the venue, which was even more crowded and noisy than yesterday, lowered his voice, and spoke with the shrewdness and pride of a captain.

"Look, the registration area is packed! A lot of tough guys who usually don't show their faces have come out. I think a lot of people are here specifically for you, eager to test their skills against this legendary figure!"

The traveler raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly recalling the truth behind the invasion of the Vortex Demon God, and said with a hint of helplessness, "I didn't expect I would have such influence."

"Haha! Of course!" Beidou laughed heartily again, slapping his thigh hard. "So I've been thinking that I should give you, the favorite to win the championship, some treatment befitting your status!" "On the one hand, I don't want you to expend too much energy fighting against ordinary players. On the other hand, you should also be looking forward to a more intense showdown, right?"

Beidou's smile faded, and without waiting for the traveler's reply, she waved her hand and announced:

"It's settled then, you advance directly to the semifinals!"

"Huh?!" Paimon jumped in surprise, pointing his little finger at Beidou. "Was that just a qualifier? Jumping straight to the semifinals? That's too... too casual!"

Wan Ye, standing beside him, gently shook his head, his white hair fluttering slightly in the wind, his tone carrying a hint of understanding of Bei Dou's temperament:

"That's how the boss always acts; she does things on a whim, and you can't persuade her otherwise."

"Besides, with the Travelers' strength, even if they fight their way up, they will definitely have a place in the semifinals."

The boy's gaze shifted to the traveler, carrying a gentle affirmation.

"That...that's true..."

Paimon scratched his head and muttered to himself.

The traveler didn't object, but simply winked at the Big Dipper.

"Alright, let's go. Let's watch the show with the others first and see what those guys who are qualified to stand in front of you are really capable of and what their backgrounds are!"

With a wave of his hand, Beidou determined the travelers' rankings, and then pointed to several other arenas where fierce competitions were taking place.

All eyes were drawn to the central arena, where two formidable martial artists faced off, the atmosphere tense and fraught with danger. Beidou clenched his fist, his eyes gleaming with intense excitement, and even his voice rose a few decibels:

"Here it comes! This is the main event besides you, the traveler!"

Seeing Hokuto's unusually cheerful expression, Man Ye smiled knowingly and then explained to the traveler.

"Our leader has been looking forward to this competition for a long time. I haven't seen her so excited in a long time."

Wanye shook his head, then turned to the side, his calm gaze falling on the traveler, his voice gentle yet carrying a clear warning:

"Your opponent in the semi-finals has fought his way through several rounds of fierce battles to get here. He is also a seasoned and experienced martial artist, and is by no means an ordinary opponent."

"Perhaps in terms of strength alone, you are still superior, but even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit, and the slightest carelessness could lead to a fall into the abyss."

Wan Ye paused slightly, his crimson eyes staring directly at the traveler with unprecedented solemnity.

"I never underestimate my opponent."

The traveler met his earnest gaze and gave a concise yet steady and resolute answer.

Wan Ye nodded slightly, but his gaze was already fixed on the distant horizon, where leaden clouds hung low, and faint purple lightning moved silently in the depths of the clouds, like a lurking beast.

"Then let me witness with my own eyes whether you have forged the sharpness to tear apart that eternal thunderstorm."

The boy's voice carried a hint of etherealness, as if he were reciting an ancient prophecy. His words seemed to carry a heavy burden, and also seemed to point to the sea in Inazuma that was sealed off by thunder.

"Alright, alright! Stop it!"

With a wave of her hand, Beidou decisively cut off the cryptic words, then gestured with her chin toward the restless, eagerly waiting crowd below the arena.

"See? Everyone can't wait any longer."

"Go find the crew member in charge of registration on the sidelines. She'll take you to the waiting area. Don't dawdle!"

Beidou's gaze shifted to the traveler, pointing to a female sailor not far away who was trying to maintain order, her arm prominently adorned with the red armband of the Southern Cross fleet.

"Go! Show everyone what you've got!" (End of Chapter)