Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

The moment the Traveler and Paimon pushed open the side door, which was heavily guarded by the Thousand Rock Army, and stepped into the Exchange, it felt as if they had entered another world.

Silence, with a cold sense of luxury.

In stark contrast to the suffocating noise and heat of the square, the interior of the exchange was spacious and bright, yet exuded an almost frozen tranquility.

Beneath the high dome, the smooth, mirror-like obsidian floor clearly reflects the exquisite Liyue-style coffered ceiling pattern and the expensive crystal lamps embedded within it. The air is filled with a faint scent of incense and paper ink, replacing the smells of sweat and food in the plaza.

The interior was indeed not that lively, because most of the people who could step into this space at this moment were either rich or noble, and the traveler even saw a few familiar faces.

For example, Bo Lai, the owner of Bo Lai Shop, Lin Lang, the owner of Xi Gu Ju, and even Ying Er of Chun Xiang Yao are among them.

Groups of two or three people, dressed in fine robes or exquisitely tailored foreign formal wear, gathered calmly around the private seats, whispering to each other, or intently examining the wooden signs displaying various ticket prices. Their conversations were kept extremely low, like undercurrents beneath the surface of water.

As the traveler and Paimon walked in, several pairs of eyes swept over them.

Some were surprised, recognizing the hero who saved Liyue; others cast inquisitive glances over their travel-worn clothes; but most wore a knowing calm. Some gave a barely perceptible nod, a gesture that served as a greeting, as if to say:

"Oh? This traveler recognized by Ningguang has also entered."

"call……"

Seeing this completely different atmosphere, Paimon finally dared to breathe a sigh of relief. The tension he felt from being the center of attention in the square eased slightly, and the traveler felt his tense nerves relax for a moment.

Almost simultaneously, a female receptionist in a silver-gray uniform with a meticulous smile appeared silently in front of them like a shadow, her movements fluid and imperceptible.

"Welcome to the Liyue Exchange. You two distinguished guests must have come for the Lantern Festival event?"

The receptionist bowed slightly, her voice gentle and clear. When her gaze swept over the Traveler and Paimon, it was clear that she recognized their identities.

"Please allow me to give you a detailed introduction to the 'Lucky Ticket Inheritance' program, which is exclusive to this year's Lantern Festival."

What followed was like falling into a labyrinth woven from unfamiliar languages ​​for the traveler and Paimon.

The receptionist spoke fluently, but the words she uttered were like cold, glassy beads, striking at their meager financial knowledge:
"Currently, we are mainly promoting the 'Eternal Glory of Huaxiao' basic voucher, with a minimum investment of two million Mora to enjoy basic returns... Oh, if you have higher requirements for steady growth, you can consider the 'Radiant Clouds' value-added package, which includes a reserved amount of leverage and priority redemption rights..."

"Alternatively, we also offer the 'Brilliant Stars' co-branded gift package for high-end clients, which includes a limited-edition lantern design, reserved seats for the Yujingtai viewing platform, and a holiday greeting letter personally signed by the Seven Stars."

Leverage, options, guaranteed floating returns, forward hedging, asset portfolios...

A series of cold and unfamiliar terms, like invisible ropes, entangled the traveler's and Paimon's minds.

Paimon stared wide-eyed, his mouth slightly agape, his little head filled with the endless loop of the words "So expensive."

Despite the receptionist's affable smile and exemplary professionalism and patience, the traveler felt his face burning and his palms sweating.

The little bit of Mora she had painstakingly saved seemed as insignificant as a pebble on the roadside compared to these glittering words.

Under the receptionist's gentle gaze, the traveler forced himself to remain calm, cleared his throat, and uttered his decision in a dry voice:
"Thank you... thank you for the introduction. We'll just take one 'Eternal Glory' card."

"Okay, of course."

The receptionist's smile remained unchanged, and her eyes showed no sign of disdain.

She quickly confirmed and registered the information, then led the traveler and Paimon to the front desk, where she retrieved a thin paper voucher from an elegant metal safe, printed with intricate cloud patterns and a number.

Then, using the same meticulous method, it was placed into an elegant paper envelope bearing the exchange's logo and presented with both hands.

"Thank you for your patronage, Your Excellency Traveler. Your Excellency Paimon, please keep your voucher safe."

The receptionist's voice remained steady.

"The Lantern Launching Ceremony will be held at 3:45 PM on the night of the Lantern Festival in the designated area of ​​Yujingtai. Please present this ticket for entry. The relevant details are attached inside the cover."

The exchange wasn't bustling, but the receptionists were unusually busy. This was all to protect customer privacy, especially regarding the great hero who saved Liyue in the eyes of the people of Liyue.

After completing the transaction, the traveler didn't even have time to take a good look at his surroundings before being led, in a daze, to another hidden corridor by the smiling guide, and quietly sent away through an inconspicuous back door.

The square in front of the Yiyan Hall outside the gate was empty and quiet, with only the rustling of the ancient trees in the breeze.

The bright afternoon sun was a bit too dazzling, causing the traveler to squint instinctively.

The commotion in the square seemed to belong to another world. The girl lowered her head and stared blankly at the light paper envelope in her hand.

Paimon also came over and stared at the thin envelope with him.

For many days, I have been traversing mountains and valleys, enduring wind and rain, and working like a dehydrated fish to take on all sorts of commissions. All the hardships I have endured and all the money I have saved through careful budgeting have finally condensed into this piece of paper in my hand that feels almost weightless.

An indescribable sense of emptiness and absurdity, like a cold tide, quietly overwhelmed the traveler's brief moment of relief after escaping the frenzied crowds.

"Traveler..."

Paimon's voice carried a hint of bewilderment as he gently tapped the envelope.

"We...all our money, and this is what we got?"

The traveler opened his mouth, but something seemed to block his throat, and he ultimately couldn't answer Paimon's naive question.

A strong feeling of regret welled up inside me.

Pantalone's elegantly smiling face appeared in his mind, his promise like a honeyed mist: "I will notify you when the value of the lantern tickets is at its highest."

really?
Those seemingly light words now carry the weight of a thousand pounds.

What would be the highest amount Pantalone mentioned? How would he inform them? Could a thin piece of paper really be exchanged for an astonishing amount of Mora, as he claimed? Or... could the dinner party itself be an elaborate scam?

Countless questions entwined the traveler's mind like vines, causing him to feel anxious and uncertain. His fingers, gripping the sealed paper, unconsciously tightened, and his knuckles turned slightly white.

Paimon, standing nearby, clearly noticed the traveler's solemn expression, and a rare look of worry appeared on his small face.

However, this worry lingered in her little head for only about as long as she ate a delicious sunset fruit.

"Well... at least we don't have to go hungry while doing quests now!"

Paimon tried to comfort his companion with optimism, but to little avail.

Fortunately, Paimon was optimistic by nature, and her attention was quickly drawn to the spacious and solemn scene of Yiyan Palace Square.

As the core hall for enshrining the divine tablet of the Rock King Emperor, the Yiyan Hall's plaza exudes a solemn and dignified aura.

The enormous stone incense burner stands silently. Due to the emperor's majesty and the reverence for the temple, it is usually deserted except during festivals when incense is burning brightly. It appears particularly cold and quiet, with only the wind rustling through the branches of the tall ancient trees at the edge of the square, adding to the sense of emptiness.

Paimon hovered aimlessly, his eyes darting around, scanning the smooth, mirror-like stone floor, the silent incense burner, and the rows of rooftops in Liyue Harbor in the distance.

In this almost still scene, a strange color entered her field of vision.

"Eh?!"

Paimon tugged at the traveler's sleeve, his voice low and urgent.

"Traveler! Look over there! Over at the railing!"

The traveler, pulled by her, temporarily escaped the mire of frustration and looked in the direction Paimon's little finger was pointing. (End of Chapter)