Genshin Impact: I Am a Slime

The safe house remained silent, with the only source of light being a crystal lamp hanging from the dome, emitting a constant and warm pale yellow glow that enveloped the entire space in a warm halo.

Dust particles floated in the beam of light, like solidified stardust.

After listening to Zhiyi's explanation, Famas nodded in understanding. The warm light fell on his well-defined face, but it added a touch of inhuman detachment.

The boy mentally traced the timeline of events.

The Fools' injection of Mora into Zhiyi must have happened several months ago, but even with this windfall, it is unlikely that such a well-equipped base could be built in the short term.

FAMAS's gaze returned to Zhiyi, carrying a silent sense of deconstruction, as if dissecting an exquisite counterfeit.

This seemingly humble student not only secretly poisoned the food of his predecessor, Tian Shu Xing, but now sits calmly in the shelter that the other party told him about, as if he has already claimed the place as his private property.

"Before the Geo Archon took control of Liyue, the native inhabitants of this land firmly believed that those who committed grave sins would inevitably fall into the Avici Hell after death, where they would suffer eternal torment from the flames of karma."

A pale yellow light swirled in FAMAS's eyes, yet it did not reflect any ripples.

"Zhiyi, I think you're not far from that place."

Famas's words were clearly a warning, yet the boy's expression remained unchanged, showing neither blame nor anger, only a pure judgment.

Zhiyi's signature gentle smile remained unchanged, but a cold glint seemed to flash deep in his eyes, like an undercurrent beneath the ice.

He placed his hands on his knees, and inexplicably raised the corners of his mouth: "Lord Famas, I didn't expect you to have a theological inclination."

Each of the seven kingdoms of Teyvat has its own nature. Some kingdoms still regard gods as supreme and hold great sacrifices, while others have extremely advanced technology and have lived in harmony with the gods. As a result, they have developed a subject that studies demons and gods, called theology.

Zhiyi remained upright as he sat, but his fingertips, which were resting on his knees, curled up almost imperceptibly before straightening up again.

He finally spoke, breaking the silence, his voice maintaining its usual gentle tone, with only a hint of urgency at the end:

"You used a secret code to invite me here... surely it wasn't just to discuss matters after your death?"

Famas did not respond immediately. After a moment, he raised his eyes and fixed his gaze on Zhiyi's flawless smile. His voice was calm and clear, spreading throughout the safe house.

"Today, Tian Shu Star entrusted Traveler and Ke Qing to conduct the selection of the next successor of Tian Shu Star."

Want to know how it goes?

Famas's tone remained unchanged, as if he were stating something unrelated to himself. He paused briefly, but the invisible pressure suddenly intensified.

Zhiyi's gentle smile froze instantly, as if a crack had appeared in a meticulously crafted mask. Her hands, which were resting on her knees, tightened abruptly, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force, but she still maintained her upright posture.

He originally thought that this so-called selection was just a formality, but he did not expect so many twists and turns to occur.

Zhiyi remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on Famas, awaiting the final outcome.

"Everything was going as we expected. After the selection process, Keqing recommended you to Uncle Tian to serve as the next Liyue Tian Shu Star."

"Unfortunately, after Keqing mentioned your name, your teacher did not immediately agree to push forward the process. Instead, she deliberately emphasized that Keqing should set aside her prejudices and thoroughly investigate the backgrounds of all candidates."

Famas's face took on a mocking expression, piercing through Zhiyi's carefully maintained composure.

The selection process is merely a necessary formality.

"You should know perfectly well what all this means. Who will occupy the position of Tian Shu Star is entirely up to Uncle Tian."

"But your teacher never seemed to let down his guard against you from beginning to end, and never truly trusted you."

Famas shook his head slightly and made his final conclusion.

A deathly silence descended. Warm yellow light enveloped the two of them. Zhiyi sat upright, like a meticulously sculpted jade statue, frozen in place. Only his hand, resting on his knee with knuckles pale from excessive force, betrayed the raging storm within him.

Time flowed by in a suffocating silence, the light of the crystal lamps remaining constant, as if mocking the ups and downs of the world.

Famas crossed his arms and waited calmly.

Just as the long silence seemed to freeze the air, Zhiyi's body trembled violently, as if struck by an invisible force.

He clenched his hands on his knees into fists, his knuckles making a slight cracking sound from the extreme force.

The next second, the clenched fist slammed hard against the edge of the bed next to him.

"Boom!"

The muffled sound echoed between the stone walls, but the bed remained motionless, demonstrating its sturdy construction.

Zhiyi slowly raised her head, and the frozen smile on her face gradually pieced itself back together, forming an extremely distorted and chilling arc. The corners of her mouth were pulled upward, while the corners of her eyes twitched slightly.

"Uncle Tian, ​​Lord Tian Shu Xing, hehehe..."

The young man let out a series of low, suppressed laughs, his voice still deliberately steady, even with a slightly eerie gentle tone, but inside it was a deep-seated resentment and mockery.

"Just as I thought... I should have realized it sooner..."

Zhiyi tilted her head slightly, as if exploring a ridiculous riddle, her voice as soft as a whisper.

"A poor student who crawled out of the muddy docks, a peasant... how could he possibly... how could he be worthy of the favor of Liyue's Celestial Shu?"

“He never intended to give me that position; he was toying with me, from beginning to end.”

Zhiyi's voice suddenly rose, sharp and broken, but he forcibly suppressed it, turning it into a deeper sneer.

"It's ridiculous... I actually felt a moment of guilt, and I almost sincerely called him 'teacher'."

The last few words were almost squeezed out between his teeth. Zhiyi suddenly stopped, clenching his teeth to swallow back the out-of-control roar. His body trembled slightly from restraint, but his back remained straight.

His plan wasn't disrupted by FAMAS's appearance; it was simply wishful thinking on his part.

Uncle Tian never trusted him.

FAMAS stood in the warm yellow halo, his posture unchanged.

The steady light from the crystal lamp shone on his face, illuminating the boy's calm and unwavering crimson eyes.

He calmly watched the dramatic scene unfold beneath a seemingly gentle exterior, which was actually breaking down violently.

In fact, as a demon god, Famas didn't need complicated codes or secret meetings in a small space to communicate with Zhiyi.

The Liyue Celestials can transmit their voices over long distances, and Famas can certainly do the same. His voice could have easily reached Zhiyi's ears without attracting anyone's attention, but Zhiyi, who only regarded Famas as a demon, was clearly unaware of this.

These meticulously designed secret communication methods and codes were all carefully and solemnly planned by Zhiyi in the cold and damp underground cave of Qingce Village, informing Famas of the arrangements.

Famas simply nodded in agreement.

To him, everything Zhiyi had painstakingly built up—that gentle facade and the desperate struggle he was currently in—was nothing more than a pre-arranged drama.

Famas was happy to play the role of an audience member, and could even occasionally tug at the strings behind the scenes, because he also wanted to know whether Zhiyi could really become Tian Shu Star as he wished, with his participation.

Only the warm-colored crystal lamps silently and eternally bear witness to everything within this safe house. (End of Chapter)