Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

Above the verdant terraces of the cascading fields, Famas's gaze passed over the uneven ridges and landed on an old man and a young man fishing by a stream in the distance.

Knowing the easy way is precisely the goal of his trip.

Even though Zhiyi's scheme was ultimately exposed in the original course of fate, his courage and ability should not be underestimated.

His meticulously planned policies and strategies far surpassed those of his two competitors, demonstrating his keen mind. Even the tracking experts under Ye Lan's command were repeatedly detected and cleverly evaded by him, and his words and actions were impeccable.

What's even more remarkable is his precise understanding of human nature.

"While you are making a deal with me, I am also dealing with your people."

His ability to persuade members of the Fools' Clan to become his allies in just a few months was truly unexpected.

Zhiyi was ruthless to others, but even more so to himself. In order to lull the officials into a false sense of security, he risked his life by drinking wine laced with slow-acting poison. Alone, he regarded this as a desperate gamble.

Even though his actions were contrary to human ethics, he still wanted to seize the power he had always dreamed of.

Even when his conspiracy was exposed by Ye Lan on the spot, he was still able to fabricate excuses without changing his expression, trying to win people over on the spot. His downfall was that he was blinded by the temptation of power and his deep-seated inferiority complex.

The original intention of Tian Shu Xing in presiding over the selection was to pave a fair path for Zhi Yi's advancement.

Unfortunately, Zhiyi was too clever; clever people often overthink.

Perhaps because he had seen too much of the fickleness of human nature, Zhiyi could not easily place his trust in others and was also suspicious of Tianshu's expectations. He habitually calculated the social status and background of his opponents, but underestimated his own intelligence.

His burning ambition for power drove him to take risks and stop at nothing.

He poisoned his mentor without batting an eye, and then casually handed poisoned wine to his trading partner. Every step Zhiyi took was fraught with danger and trepidation.

If it weren't for Ye Lan's keen observation and Tian Shu's insight into people's hearts, he might have truly been able to ascend to the position of Tian Shu Star.

However, using other people's lives as stepping stones is ultimately a path to utter ruin.

In Famas's view, Zhiyi's only problem in the whole scheme was that he was too hasty.

Just like when fishing, lifting the rod too early will scare away the fish that are about to take the bait.

Uncle Tian's calm and insightful advice was still ringing in his ears, but he was deeply mired in his own turbulent emotions and calculations.

Despite all his scheming, he ultimately lost to the very heart that he could never truly give himself to due to suspicion.

However, this was not Zhiyi's fault. Given the dual disadvantages of limited access to information and humble origins, his ability to turn the situation around with his wisdom is proof of his exceptional abilities.

Zhiyi is exactly the kind of talent that FAMAS urgently needs right now.

He wanted someone who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals, someone with a decisive and ruthless nature.

However, FAMAS did not intend to follow the usual pattern of waiting for the enemy's plan to be exposed before offering help and then winning them over.

This tactic of bestowing favors in return might win over the dull-witted, but for a clever person like Zhiyi, a little reflection afterward will reveal the scheming behind it.

Rather than letting the other party have doubts later, it's better to be honest now and directly express your intention to cooperate and provide protection.

When dealing with intelligent people, frankness is the best policy.

Besides, Famas was also curious whether Zhiyi could have successfully ascended to the coveted position of Tian Shu Star through his own schemes without the intervention and revelation of Yelan and the traveler. Taking advantage of the fine afternoon sun, Famas walked leisurely along the winding field ridge towards the stream where Uncle Tian and Zhiyi were fishing.

The boy did not deliberately conceal his presence; as the footsteps drew closer, Zhiyi and Tianshuxing, who were fishing on the shore, noticed him.

Upon hearing the sound, Tian Shuxing turned his head. The moment his gaze fell upon the boy's face, his pupils suddenly contracted, and a look of astonishment flashed by. However, he quickly suppressed the shock and his face returned to its usual calm.

After the war at Sunshade Harbor ended, as the creator of this conflict and the god of war, Famas' portrait had already been passed on to the other members of the Liyue Seven and their core subordinates through the hands of Ningguang of Tianquan.

As the Heavenly Uncle of the Heavenly Pivot Star, he had naturally seen that portrait and recognized Famas's true appearance.

In addition to the portrait, Ningguang also conveyed to all the Seven Stars the proper attitude towards Famas.

That is, without touching Liyue's bottom line, we should avoid this boy and grant him any reasonable requests.

With the Geo Archon having relinquished his divine authority, Liyue Harbor is unlikely to be entirely confident in dealing with a raging god. If they were to offend Famas over some trivial matter, it would be a huge loss for Liyue Harbor.

In Ningguang's view, the best situation is one where neither side disturbs the other and they live in peace.

Even if Samas started a war, weren't all those who died resurrected by the enemy?
Zhiyi, standing beside Tian Shuxing, seemed even more nervous than Tian Shu.

The young man tensed his back, and fine beads of sweat even appeared on his forehead. This cool afternoon felt like the sweltering heat to him.

The chance encounter and probing at the South Wharf of Liyue Harbor last time had already led Zhiyi to regard Famas as a reclusive immortal in Liyue.

The expensive cloak that the other party gave him, which belonged to Pantalone, was interpreted by Zhiyi as a stern warning.

As everyone knows, immortals are insightful about worldly affairs. That dark cloak seemed to be a warning to Zhiyi. Famas was already well aware of the schemes and personas he had devised to ascend to Tian Shu Star.

The appearance of FAMAS at this remote fishing spot was nothing short of a death knell in Zhiyi's eyes.

Could it be that this immortal has already discovered his trick of poisoning Uncle Tian's fish soup and is now here to expose him on the spot?

All the painstaking efforts were about to vanish into nothingness, and Zhiyi even completely ignored FAMAS's promise that "you can call my name in times of trouble."

Fear gripped him, almost preventing him from thinking clearly.

But if Famas is truly a member of the Liyue Clan, there's no need for evidence; we can simply take him down.

As the boy drew closer, Zhiyi tried to remain calm, while Tian Shuxing calmly reeled in his fishing rod and wound up the line. His movements appeared composed, but in reality, they were filled with extreme vigilance.

Uncle Tian did not retreat, but naturally moved to the position facing Famas and sat down again, turning his body slightly to the side, subtly blocking Zhiyi behind him.

Tian Shuxing was unaware that the fish soup he often drank contained a slow-acting poison. In Tian Shu's heart, Zhiyi was not only his close friend despite their age difference, but also the junior he had carefully taught. This affection and sense of responsibility made him instinctively choose to protect Zhiyi behind him.

Just as Famas took a few steps away, Tian Shuxing's finger rested on the edge of the fish basket, pretending to tidy up the water plants inside, but his fingertip quickly traced a tiny arc along the inside of the basket's rim, silently pointing towards the ground.

This is an extremely subtle gesture, a code word often used in Liyue for transmitting information, meaning "silence".

Zhiyi's gaze quickly swept over Uncle Tian's tense profile before returning to Famas, who was approaching step by step.

Upon receiving the instruction, he paused slightly, a thought flashing through his mind with a mixture of hope and doubt.

Could it be that there is some unknown rift between Uncle Tian and this immortal?
Or perhaps... FAMAS's target wasn't him? (End of Chapter)