Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

Chongzuo said no more, turned around and pushed open the heavy captain's cabin door again, his figure disappearing behind the door.

Taking advantage of this brief break, Furong's enthusiasm was instantly ignited, and she transformed into the most proactive guide.

She grabbed the traveler's arm and excitedly pointed to the giant log at the very center of the ship:
"This is the mainmast sail. When sailing at full speed, the wind it carries is enough to propel the entire Dark Star through the waves. And as far as I know, our Dark Star is also the fastest ship in Liyue."

Following Furong's description, the traveler looked up and saw that the towering mast seemed to stretch endlessly, with a lookout tower at the top, which was presumably where Xu Liushi was located.

Paimon was clearly more interested in the crossbows on the ship's side, and Hailong calmly added, pointing with his thick fingers to the massive objects gleaming with a cold metallic sheen on either side of the ship:
"The ship is equipped with the Returning Machine specially approved by Lady Ningguang. Its power is enough to pierce through reefs and intimidate deep-sea monsters. It is an important guarantee for the safety of the route and the Liyue sea frontier."

The sea dragon's voice carried the sailor's awe of powerful force, while the traveler was somewhat curious that the Returning Machine, which was used to deal with the vortex demon god Oser in the Jade Pavilion, was also installed on the Southern Cross of the Big Dipper.

It seems that BeiDou and Ningguang have an excellent relationship.

Seeing that the traveler had been taken over by his companions, Xu Liushi stopped lingering. He waved to everyone deftly, then slid down the rope ladder like a nimble cat, quietly gliding his small sampan toward the shore to continue his watchmanship.

As the traveler listened to the enthusiastic introduction, his gaze swept across the brightly lit deck. In the distance, sailors shouted rough chants as they worked together to tighten the thick ropes; others carried windproof lanterns and bent down to carefully inspect every inch of the ship's plank joints.

The air is filled with the pungent smell of the sea, the scent of sweat, and the metallic tang, painting a vibrant picture of the sea.

Furong seemed to think that a mere introduction wasn't enough; she patted her seemingly not-so-strong arm forcefully, raised her chin, and wore a hint of smugness:

"I forgot to mention, I'm the number one fighter on the Death Star! Don't let the First Officer's big size fool you, he's never beaten me in an arm wrestling match!"

Furong hummed twice, then, as if remembering something, looked at the traveler with bright eyes, adding with a mix of embarrassment and anticipation:
"Well... my criteria for finding a partner is very simple: anyone can beat me in an arm wrestling match. Unfortunately, so far, only one person has managed to do that..."

"Oh? Who is it?"

Paimon curiously drifted closer.

Furong immediately puffed out her chest, her face full of admiration: "Of course it's our Big Sister Beidou! Big Sister is the most amazing!"

After saying that, Hibiscus turned to the Traveler with a burning gaze, rubbing her hands together eagerly, "Traveler! I heard you're a great hero too, you must be quite strong, right? How about... we give it a try?"

This sudden challenge left the traveler momentarily bewildered. But the word "competition" seemed to ignite a fuse, and several sailors who heard the commotion immediately gathered around, clapping and stomping their feet excitedly, cheering loudly.

In the blink of an eye, a corner of the deck transformed into a vibrant mini-arena atmosphere.

"Come one! Come one!"

A rough voice led the shouting.

"Someone wants to challenge Sister Furong? This is going to be interesting!"

Another sailor whistled.

"The betting has started! Place your bets!"

Some people, seemingly eager to stir up trouble, started shouting.

In fact, from the moment the Traveler stepped onto the deck of the Death Star, this hero who saved Liyue became the focus of attention for the entire ship.

The busy ship's doctor, Ginkgo, stopped grinding medicine; the shrewd accountant, Money Eyes, looked up from his ledger; even the shipwright, Su Ling, who was hammering away deep inside the cabin, peeked out... Everyone's gaze quietly focused on the traveler. However, due to their duties and the fact that the captain was talking to him, the crew members suppressed their curiosity and did not immediately approach him to strike up a conversation.

With the First Mate temporarily away, Fu Rong's challenge seemed to lift an invisible ban. As long as the crew and sailors didn't have urgent work to do, they all put down their tasks and gathered around with smiles of excitement, making the small circle completely crowded.

The traveler, looking at the eager hibiscus before him and the enthusiastic sailors around him, felt caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to agree or politely decline.

"Hey! What are you all doing crowding around the guests! Have you finished your work?"

A light cough, carrying an air of authority, was like cold water poured onto boiling oil.

The captain's cabin door opened again, and Colonel Chongzu's tall figure appeared in the doorway. His face still carried a trace of solemnity, and his sharp eyes swept over the gathered crowd.

The sailors who had been jeering immediately dispersed like mice before a cat, grinning and returning to their posts.

Chongzuo's gaze fell on the traveler and Paimon. He nodded slightly, stepped aside to make way, and spoke in a deep, clear voice:
"Travelers, Paimon, the boss is waiting for you. Please go in immediately."

The traveler nodded to Chongzuo, smiled apologetically at Furong, and then walked with Paimon toward the captain's cabin where Beidou was.

Pushing open the heavy hatch, Beidou's private domain is revealed.

The captain's cabin is not elaborately furnished, but it reflects Beidou's personality in every way. Various trophies are displayed on the racks hanging above the cabin.

Exquisite ships in bottles, shimmering pearls, miniature seabirds carved from a single piece of crystal, nautical clocks with tortoiseshell shells, scimitars inlaid with sapphires, and several uniquely shaped exotic coins... each item seems to record a thrilling maritime adventure.

A simple little bed was placed against one side of the wall, and opposite it was a huge captain's table occupying the center of the cabin.

In the darkest corner, several books were casually piled up, their spines covered with a thin layer of dust, silently telling of the owner's alienation from reading.

But what made the traveler and Paimon pause was not the view of the ship's cabin at sea, but the figures of several people inside.

Beidou wasn't sitting behind the captain's table, but rather lazily curled up on the edge of the bed in the corner, idly wiping a gleaming heavy sword over and over again, his expression one of casual languor.

But the two figures who were actually sitting on either side of that large captain's table, playing chess, were two people that the traveler knew all too well.

The radiance of Tianquan Star, and Zhongli, a guest of the Hall of Rebirth.

Unfolded on the table is Liyue's unique board game, Liyue Millennium.

The black and white chess pieces are scattered like stars, silently engaging in a battle of wits.

"Huh?!" Paimon's eyes widened in surprise, his crisp voice breaking the silence of the room, "Ningguang? Zhongli?! What are you doing here?"

The sound of the hatch opening had already alerted the three people inside.

As Paimon spoke, Ningguang gracefully raised her head, as if she had expected it, a polite smile curving her lips, her gaze gently falling on the two visitors: "Traveler, Paimon, it's been a long time."

Zhongli turned around at the sound, a hint of surprise flashing in his deep golden eyes. He nodded slightly and said, "It has indeed been a long time since we last met."

The guest elder's voice remained steady, carrying a hint of joy at a reunion. (End of Chapter)