Genshin Impact: I Am a Slime

Chapter 768 Ten Thousand Winds Brushing Leaves

At noon, the sea breeze at Guyun Pavilion carries the unique salty and rocky smell of the sea.

The makeshift dock berths were empty and deserted, with only a few old wooden crates, scattered crates, and some miscellaneous items emitting a strong fishy smell surrounding a few simple sheds.

The massive Death Star is quietly docked here, undergoing resupply operations.

Travelers have wondered why Beidou didn't dock the Deathstar at the busy and convenient regular dock in Liyue Harbor.

It wasn't until late one night, when she inadvertently caught a glimpse of a group of people carrying heavy, tightly wrapped cargo boxes, silently transporting them along the coastline onto the Death Star, that she thoughtfully understood the reason behind it all.

The Southern Cross was a renowned armed privateering fleet that sailed the seven kingdoms of the Sea of ​​Clouds. Besides their overt cargo transport, their secret, clandestine trade was probably the key to their dominance at sea.

Docked in Lonely Cloud Pavilion, far from the hustle and bustle of Liyue Harbor, this undoubtedly provides excellent convenience and cover for such activities.

However, the traveler had no interest in what kind of business the Southern Cross fleet was engaged in. She only cared about one thing: when the Death Star would be able to carry her and Paimon, cutting through the waves, and sailing towards Inazuma.

The Adventurers' Guild's requests for today have all been completed by the travelers.

Without further delay, the girl led Paimon straight to Lonely Cloud Pavilion.

Unexpectedly, the anchorage of the Death Star was unusually busy today. Crew members were constantly moving around, shouting as they cleared the area, carrying boxes of supplies up the gangway, and unloading others.

Beidou himself stood on the edge of the bustling scene, arms crossed, his eyes scanning the crew's movements.

Beside her stood a young man dressed in a red maple-colored Inazuma Ronin outfit. The two stood close together, talking in hushed tones, their manner quite familiar.

The traveler stepped forward and greeted the two.

Beidou turned around at the sound and saw the weary traveler. A look of helplessness and guilt flashed across his handsome face.

The travelers have been coming frequently lately, and Hokuto did promise to take them to Inazuma, but for various reasons, it has been delayed again and again.

"Ah, it's you guys."

Beidou patted the boy next to him on the shoulder, as if he suddenly remembered something, and laughed heartily, changing the subject.

"Come, come, let me introduce you! This is Maple Plains Man'yo, the kid I told you about going to 'Wind Color Hunt'!"

The sea breeze ruffled Maple Plains Manba's soft white hair. He tilted his head slightly, his crimson eyes, filled with a calm inquiry, falling on the approaching blond traveler. After a brief silence, a faint smile curved his lips, and his voice was as gentle as a breeze through the forest:

"Hmm... I vaguely remember you. You're the traveler who stood up in Liyue Harbor to fight against the Fatui's conspiracy and ultimately joined forces with everyone to defeat the Maelstrom, right?"

Wan Ye's gaze lingered on the traveler for a moment, with a hint of confirmation, before sweeping over the little Paimon floating on the traveler's shoulder, and he continued:

"The eldest sister often mentions you. She said there was a traveler from a foreign land who saved Liyue from danger. He was incredibly knowledgeable and skilled."

"There aren't many people who can receive such praise from the boss. At that time, I wondered what kind of person deserved such acclaim, and I hoped to have the chance to meet her."

Wan Ye's tone carried a lingering appreciation for Bei Dou's words, along with a hint of genuine approval. Her gaze returned to the traveler, carefully sweeping over her attire before settling on Paimon's pouty little face, finally settling on a gentle nod.

"Judging from your style of dress and this unique little guy, I think it must be you."

"It's not a little guy, it's Paimon!"

Paimon immediately stomped his foot in the air, put his hands on his hips, and protested loudly, his little face full of seriousness.

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Man's crimson eyes, as if piercing through the surface and capturing something deeper.

"Paimon, huh..."

"What a wondrous existence. I not only sense the flow of wind and earth from you two, but also a kind of... um... profound feeling, like the distant starry sky?"

Man Ye murmured the name, then narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, as if trying to discern something invisible in the air.

"Hmm? What wind, earth, and stars?"

"This is truly the strangest compliment I've ever heard!"

Paimon tilted his little head in confusion, his eyes full of bewilderment, gesturing in the air with his little hands, seemingly unable to understand what Wanye was saying at all.

However, the other person was probably praising themselves.

I think so?

Upon hearing this, Wan Ye simply smiled gently, then returned to silence. "It's alright... I always believe that every encounter of fate has its own profound meaning."

The boy's voice remained calm, carrying a sense of detachment from worldly affairs. His gaze passed over the traveler and Paimon, landing on the vast sea, as if he were tracing the direction of the invisible threads of fate.

As the traveler looked at Maple Leaf's poetic and enigmatic manner, a certain green figure involuntarily came to mind.

Wendy.

The girl couldn't help but blurt out:

"So Manyo was also a bard?"

Upon hearing the traveler's words, Beidou crossed his arms and burst into laughter, his laughter as hearty as waves crashing against the rocks.

"Ha! They look alike in some ways, but they're also different in others."

“In the land of Inazuma, they probably have a different name.”

The leader glanced sideways at the white-haired boy beside her, casually waved her hand, and continued:

"This kid is temporarily staying on my ship for personal reasons, and he's now the trainee navigator of the Death Star."

"Don't take his flowery language too seriously. That's just his personality. When he's in the mood, he can always come up with a few phrases that leave you scratching your head."

As Beidou spoke, he raised his hand and nudged Wanye with his elbow. Wanye, who was almost knocked off balance, tilted his head back slightly and tried to stand up.

He wasn't angry; he simply felt the salty sea breeze brushing against his face, a relaxed smile playing on his lips.

"The boat sails on the blue waves, the sea breeze fills my sleeves. In such a scene, if I do not compose a few verses, would I not be doing a disservice to the beauty of this world?"

The boy's voice was like the gentle tinkling of a wind chime, carrying a unique rhythm.

"Haha, you're right!"

Beidou was amused, put his hands on his hips, and smiled broadly on his bronze face.

"Perfect timing! Our Southern Cross Martial Arts Tournament starts in a couple of days. I'll give you a chance to entertain everyone and recite a few poems!"

Wan Ye shook his head slightly, his crimson eyes carrying the persistence unique to poets: "Poetic inspiration should come spontaneously. If one forces new words to be written for a particular event or moment, it may lose its true meaning and become merely a formality."

"Hey, don't be in such a hurry to refuse!"

"This is a rare opportunity, and besides, a great hero will be coming to lend his support. Why don't you consider it adding a touch of good fortune to the grand event?"

Beidou waved his hand, giving Wan Ye a look that said, "This kid is too rigid."

"and many more!"

"What is the Southern Cross Martial Arts Association? And who is the great hero you mentioned, Beidou?"

Paimon, who had been floating nearby listening in a daze, keenly grasped the two keywords "martial arts tournament" and "great hero," stomped his little feet in the air, and widened his eyes.

Beidou was taken aback, his handsome eyebrows raised high, looking quite surprised: "Huh? You didn't come to Guyun Pavilion for this?"

She noticed the identical blank look on the faces of the traveler and Paimon, and then she understood.

"Wow, after all this time, you still don't know?"

Beidou cleared his throat and announced with a touch of captain's pride:

"The Southern Cross Martial Arts Tournament is a martial arts competition organized by Beidou!"

"At that time, all those guys from all over the world who possess extraordinary skills and are eager to show off their abilities will gather in Liyue for a good fight!" (End of Chapter)