Genshin Impact: I Am a Slime

The sea breeze, carrying the acrid smell of gunpowder and the heavy stench of blood, swept across the deck, blowing Ningguang's long, silvery-white hair, which cascaded like moonlight, and the tassels on her forehead.

Stray hairs brushed against her calm, deep eyes, but failed to disturb the slightest ripple within them.

Tianquanxing's gaze pierced through the noisy battlefield, the deafening cannon fire, the clanging of clashing weapons, the shouts and cries of soldiers, and finally landed on the figure that had always stood quietly in the center of the ship's hull.

Zhongli.

He was like an invisible barrier, keeping all the chaos and bloodshed at bay.

His dark robes remained motionless, his figure as upright as a solitary peak, completely out of place with the hellish scene in the distance. He simply gazed quietly at the merchant ships in the distance, bearing the emblem of the Fools, struggling in flames.

Ningguang approached the other person with steady steps, her voice clearly penetrating the noise of the wind and gunfire, carrying a hint of imperceptible solemnity.

"Mr. Zhongli."

The guest minister did not turn around; his gaze remained fixed on the merchant ships that were sinking.

Ningguang's voice was crisp and direct, her gaze also fixed on the chaotic remnants of the Fools' fleet in the distance.

"Most of those Fools veterans who charged ahead were driven by orders. Once upon a time, they also explored the Lava Abyss for Liyue. Do you have a way... to save them from this pointless sacrifice?"

Ningguang's words revealed a rare consideration that transcended factional positions.

Zhongli finally slowly withdrew his gaze from the distance and turned to Ningguang. A long and heavy sigh escaped from the depths of his chest, as if carrying a great deal of helplessness and sorrow, which gradually dissipated in the sea breeze.

"What... has ceased in the war?"

Zhong Li's deep voice rang out, his words clear and carrying an undeniable power.

These words struck Ningguang's mind like a thunderclap, causing her pupils to contract sharply. Her composure was instantly shattered by immense shock and doubt, and her thoughts flew uncontrollably toward the abyss of craggy rocks.

The contents of Ke Qing's secret letter were exactly the same as the prophecy that Zhong Li was uttering at this moment.

This was Ning Lan's last words as she breathed her last.

Ningguang's heart sank suddenly, and her fingertips unconsciously rested on her arm.

Ning Lan's death was only told to the traveler, and she was sure that the traveler would never leak it out. So how did Zhong Li know about this proverb that should only exist in top-secret letters and on the lips of the deceased?

Unless he is...

A thought that had long been suspected and was about to emerge under various signs began to grow wildly in Ningguang's mind.

"If we want to stop the fighting, we must address the root cause."

“If Miss Ningguang trusts me, I am willing to board the ship and persuade Pantalone to surrender.”

Zhongli's steady voice rang out again, interrupting Ningguang's turbulent thoughts.

This resounding promise, like ice thrown into boiling water, instantly calmed the turbulent waves in Ningguang's heart.

The doubts about her identity were temporarily overshadowed by more pressing practical needs. A genuine surprise lit up her eyes. Before she could even delve into the shock she had just felt, Ningguang nodded emphatically, her tone resolute:
“Very well! As long as Pantaloneken lays down his arms and surrenders, I swear in the name of Tianquan Star that I will ensure the safe return of all the Fools soldiers on board to winter.”

However, at this moment, a loud voice filled with utter bewilderment suddenly rang out, interrupting Ningguang's thoughts.

"Hey! Wait!"

Beidou strode over, his crimson single eye scanning between Ningguang and Zhongli, exuding an undeniable sense of oppression.

"Ningguang! We're currently dominating those Fools, our fleet has superior firepower, and our cannons are practically poking the tips of their flagship's masts!"

Beidou questioned with a strong voice, one hand habitually placed on her hip, her posture as straightforward as when she wielded a giant blade.

"Why make Mr. Zhongli take this risk at a time like this? Wouldn't it be simpler to just go all out and send them all to feed the fish?"

Her words were filled with a pirate-like exhilaration.

If before the war Beidou had worried about attacking ships carrying wounded soldiers, which might affect the reputation of the Southern Cross fleet at sea, now that the flames of war have been ignited and her blood is boiling, those rules and regulations have long been thrown to the winds.

Driven by a bloodlust, Beidou acted only with swift and decisive action. In her view, completely eliminating this group of fools would prevent gossip and save her from a host of subsequent troubles.

Persuade them to surrender? Negotiate terms?

In her mind at that moment, it was completely superfluous.

If there are any problems, just talk to the gun barrels on her ship.

Ningguang looked at Beidou's posture and felt helpless.

She understood perfectly well the simple and brutal calculations her old partner was making at that moment. Normally, such swift and decisive methods would be in line with their style of handling certain thorny issues.

But things are different now. Ningguang knows perfectly well that Famas is standing right next to Pantalone.

Ningguang was absolutely certain that Beidou could sink all the enemy ships, but she clearly didn't think she could eliminate that dangerous FAMAS in the devastating barrage. Once she completely offended such a being, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Ningguang secretly rejoiced that she had been farsighted in inviting Mr. Zhongli to the Death Star.

Just as Beidou's war-torn words landed on the deck and the echoes had barely faded, two figures, one tall and one short, quietly and swiftly stood beside Zhongli.

The traveler's face had lost its previous ease, replaced by a serious focus, his amber eyes looking at Zhong Li with clear and firm eyes:

“Mr. Zhongli, this journey is too dangerous. Paimon and I will go with you.”

The traveler knew, of course, that with Zhongli's strength, not to mention Pantarone, even if all the executives of the entire Winter Kingdom came together, they probably wouldn't be able to do anything to him.

The girl actually wanted to see Famas on the Pantalone ship.

Upon hearing Yingmei's words, Zhongli merely turned his head slightly, his gaze calmly sweeping over Traveler and Beidou. His steady, mountain-like aura seemed to silence the noisy wind on the deck for a moment.

"No need."

His voice remained deep, carrying an unwavering certainty that brooked no argument.

"I am sufficient for this trip on my own."

This brief refusal cut off all the suggestions from his peers. Zhongli did not explain the reason, but the all-knowing calmness in his eyes seemed to have already taken into account all the variables and risks on the flagship ahead, and was sure that no one else needed to share the burden.

Upon hearing this, Beidou frowned even more, clearly extremely dissatisfied with Zhongli's stubbornness. However, due to Zhongli's status as a special advisor and his intangible authority, he couldn't find a suitable rebuttal and could only let out a heavy snort.

Ningguang looked at Zhongli's resolute expression, hesitated, and finally took a deep breath and solemnly said:

"Then, be careful in everything, Mr. Zhongli."

The traveler pursed his lips, not insisting, but silently placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, his gaze fixed on Zhong Li's retreating figure as he walked towards the ship's railing, ready to deal with any unexpected situation at any time.

"Ceasefire!"

Seeing that Zhong Li was determined, Bei Dou had no choice but to sternly order the crew to cease firing. He then turned to arrange for a small boat to escort Zhong Li: "Prepare a small boat to take Zhong Li away first..."

Before the crew could even begin to move, Beidou abruptly stopped speaking.

Zhongli gently shook his head at her, his movements calm and unhurried. The next moment, to everyone's astonishment, Zhongli's tall and straight body suddenly shattered.

This was not the disintegration of flesh and blood, but rather like the purest gold being shattered, instantly turning into countless tiny, shimmering golden particles that vanished into the air like sand in the wind, leaving no trace.

When I looked up again, the golden light had already been carried by the sea breeze and had re-condensed on the Yermak in Pantalone.

Beidou's eyes widened instantly, his pupils filled with disbelief and shock.

Of course she knew that Zhongli possessed the Eye of God, since he wore it on his lower back, making it difficult for ordinary people not to notice.

Beidou herself also possessed a Divine Eye, but she never imagined that Zhongli could wield its power to such an extraordinary degree, transforming reality into illusion.

The Eye of God can be used like this? (End of Chapter)