Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

Amidst the surging cheers and exclamations from the audience, Zhong Li walked calmly and composedly down the jade steps of the arena, disappearing into the entrance to the passage leading to the players' lounge.

In the center of the arena, the elderly referee cleared his throat and once again announced in a loud and clear voice:

"Silence! The final three winners of the Liyue Martial Arts Tournament have been determined!"

"They are Ying, a traveler from a foreign land, and FAMAS, representing the Northern Kingdom's financial clique!"

"And... Mr. Zhongli, a guest elder of the Hall of Rebirth!"

The elderly referee deliberately added an honorific title after Zhongli's name and extended the time it took to call out Zhongli's name.

The pronouncement of the verdict was like a spark thrown into boiling oil, instantly reigniting an even more intense wave of discussion in the audience, who had just paused for a moment.

This time, the focus is no longer on amazement, but on the upcoming showdown and the ultimate winner.

"Mr. Zhongli, it must be Mr. Zhongli!"

“That’s right, this is our own martial arts tournament in Liyue, so the champion should naturally be a Liyue person.”

"Mr. Zhongli's move just now... my god, that was simply superhuman! With that kind of skill, isn't winning the championship a sure thing?"

The voices supporting Zhongli were the absolute mainstream, filled with a strong sense of local pride and awe and admiration for the strength Zhongli had shown. After all, among the three finalists, only Zhongli was a true and undisputed Liyue native.

People spontaneously began to analyze the relative strengths of the three finalists and debate the possible outcome of the afternoon's chaotic battle.

"That young traveler girl is indeed rare and amazing to be able to wield dual elemental powers at the same time, but her victory in the last match against the second young master of the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild was not exactly impressive."

"She relied on exhausting her opponent's strength to win the victory, which was more about trickery than brute force."

An elderly man with half-white hair and beard stroked his beard and slowly shook his head to comment.

The old man's words prompted a sharp-looking martial artist to chime in, his tone carrying a more scrutinizing tone.

"That's right. As for that stranger named Famas, his fist and foot skills are swift and ruthless. I heard it's called something like Fist Fighting Technique. His moves are tricky and his strength is heavy. He took down his opponent in just a few moves. His strength should not be underestimated."

"Hmph, not to be underestimated?"

The old man chuckled, his voice suddenly rising, full of certainty and pride.

"Think about it again. No matter how fast, how fierce, or how powerful his punch was, could it compare to Mr. Zhongli's move just now?"

"That's a dazzling, molten rock light that can transform the entire arena into a molten inferno with a mere wave of the hand; it's an absolute power that makes the world lose its color and all laws fall silent!"

The old man pointed excitedly to the arena, as if the shocking scene was still vivid in his mind. Then he looked around, his eyes gleaming, and his voice was firm and resolute:
"This is hardly a competition; it's like a firefly trying to rival the moon's brilliance. The difference between them is beyond description!"

These words were like cold water poured into boiling oil, instantly evoking a deeper resonance and amazement from the surrounding audience, who all nodded in agreement. Zhongli's unfathomable power had already erected an insurmountable peak in their hearts.

The uproar nearly lifted the dome of Yujingtai.

Amidst this uproar, in the VIP section, Tianquan Star Ningguang and Yuheng Star Keqing, who had maintained composure throughout and watched all three key matches, rose almost simultaneously.

Ningguang's pipe emitted its last wisp of smoke, and a deep, unfathomable meaning flashed in the depths of her beautiful red eyes. Keqing, on the other hand, habitually straightened her clothes, her purple pupils flashing with lightning-like sharpness and contemplation.

The two did not exchange a word, but simply looked at each other tacitly before quietly leaving their seats and departing, surrounded by a group of guards.

This scene, witnessed by those with ulterior motives, immediately sparked much speculation.

As a rare grand event in Liyue, Ningguang did not personally preside over the event, but instead had an old man act as the referee. Now, the two stars who were in the audience left the scene. Were they going to discuss important matters or to prepare for the possible changes that might come with the finals?

As Ningguang and Keqing departed, the elderly referee raised his voice once more. "Ladies and gentlemen! Please listen attentively!"

"To ensure that all finalists are in top form for the final competition, the organizing committee has decided that the final match will officially begin at 3:45 PM this afternoon!"

"The final will be a three-way free-for-all!"

"In the end, the only one who can stand firm on this stage will be the champion of this Liyue Martial Arts Tournament!"

These words did not diminish the discussion in the audience; instead, they seemed to be fueled by new firewood, burning even more fiercely. The core of the discussion was now focused on the upcoming epic battle between the three and the most exciting suspense.

Who will ultimately stand in the center of the ring?

At the same time, some audience members began to get up and leave in twos and threes.

After all, there were still a few hours before the afternoon match started, so it was a good time to have lunch or take a short rest.

They planned to come back early in the afternoon, but little did they know that the seats that had just been vacated were filled by a flood of new audience members in the blink of an eye.

Many of these new faces are weary travelers from other kingdoms of Teyvat, including adventurers and warriors from Mondstadt, Inazuma, and Sumeru. They have come all this way from Liyue to witness the birth of the ultimate champion.

For them, securing a prime viewing spot a few hours early, even if it means enduring the afternoon heat and waiting, is an absolutely worthwhile price to pay.

The entire Yujingtai Square was still bustling with people, and their enthusiasm had only increased.

Inside the passageway, the scene where Zhong Li politely declined the Fontainebleau medical team was quite dramatic.

The attending physician from Fontainebleau, who was leading the team, rushed to greet Zhong Li with a slightly enthusiastic attitude as soon as he stepped off the stage. The portable vital signs scanner in his hand, which was flashing with a dark blue light, was almost pressed against Zhong Li's face.

"Mr. Zhongli, please make sure you undergo a comprehensive physical examination!"

"The level of elemental power you just released is extremely high. We need to ensure that your body does not suffer any excessive damage."

Zhongli didn't stop walking. She simply turned slightly to the side and, with impeccable Liyue ancient etiquette, gracefully raised her hand and flicked it, a gentle force perfectly separating the enthusiastic doctor from the cold instruments.

"Thank you for your concern. No need to trouble yourself. I am fine."

Zhongli's voice was gentle yet carried an aloofness that kept people at arm's length. The doctor from Fengdan was slightly startled by the gentle force that pushed him, and watched helplessly as Zhongli walked past him with composure.

He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes behind the lenses gleaming with a mixture of extreme excitement and regret, as if he were looking at a rare treasure, filled with a researcher's longing for top-notch experimental material.

But when Zhongli's calm and unwavering gaze swept over him, the doctor instantly shuddered, recalling the overwhelming tide of golden light that had just swept across the arena.

All the fervor was instantly extinguished by reason. Dr. Fontaine awkwardly put away the equipment and wisely did not pursue the matter further.

After all, in the face of absolute power, any tactless behavior seems foolish and superfluous.

Meanwhile, in the rather empty players' lounge.

The Traveler and Famas returned to the lounge the moment Zhongli won. Instead of discussing the afternoon's melee like the spectators, they stood side by side in front of a staff member dressed in the General Affairs Department's uniform.

The official, holding a roster and a whiteboard, was conducting a routine pre-match inquiry:
"Your Excellency Traveler, Your Excellency Famas, I apologize for disturbing you. I am here on the orders of the General Affairs Department to routinely check the physical condition of the finalists."

"After the previous battles, are you feeling any discomfort? Do you have enough confidence and stamina to participate in the final match this afternoon? If needed, the organizers can provide necessary medical support or rest time."

The General Affairs official spoke in a businesslike tone, showing no change in attitude despite the two men's backgrounds and identities.

But before the impending storm, this brief, calm inquiry carried an inexplicable air of impending doom. (End of Chapter)