met free Chapter 771 Being second in the world is pretty good too
Chapter 771 Being second in the world is pretty good too
"Actually, I'm not that interested in that Eye of God..."
The salty sea breeze ruffled the stray strands of golden hair at the traveler's temples. Facing the wind, she gazed at the churning, leaden sea. Her voice was soft, yet it clearly pierced through the wind.
"That's it!"
Paimon stomped his feet in the air, his small body swaying slightly in the wind, and shouted loudly towards the Big Dipper.
"Rather than fighting to the death in the ring, we just want to know when we can finally go to Inazuma!"
Paimon's face flushed red with eagerness, his eyes filled with impatient anticipation.
Wan Ye, who had been standing to the side, turned his head slightly, his white hair fluttering in the sea breeze, a few strands brushing past his calm crimson eyes.
His gaze fell on the traveler, his eyes deep and unfathomable, carrying an indescribable complexity of emotion.
Inatsuma, a country that everyone avoids like the plague, is this traveler truly determined to visit it?
"Ha, going to Inazuma is a piece of cake!"
Beidou slapped his thigh hard, making a crisp cracking sound, and a bold yet sly smile spread across his face, revealing his white teeth.
"Leave it to me, your big sister... but for this martial arts tournament organized by Ningguang, you'll have to wear the battle robes of our Southern Cross fleet."
Beidou abruptly changed the subject, leaning slightly forward.
"If you can win the championship on the stage, it will be an opportunity for our Southern Cross fleet to make a name for itself. We won't have to worry about not being able to attract good brothers who dare to take risks and fight."
"The ship is almost fully loaded with cargo. Once we find the right crew, we'll set sail immediately, take advantage of the good winds, and head straight for Inazuma. You won't even have to pay the fare. Isn't this a good deal?"
Beidou gestured towards the busy ship's side, and the traveler, hearing Beidou's words, crossed her arms, a knowing smile playing on her lips. She tilted her head slightly, meeting Beidou's intense gaze:
"So that's how it is. After all that going around in circles, the boss was setting a trap for me?"
Paimon also understood the undisguised manipulation in Beidou's words, so he flew to Beidou, pointed his little finger at Beidou's nose, and angrily exposed him, his cheeks puffed out like little buns:
"Beidou, you're just using Travelers as a front to bolster your martial arts tournament!"
"Hahaha, saying 'supporting the scene' sounds awful!"
Beidou laughed loudly without any attempt to hide it. His laughter echoed in the empty temporary dock, startling several seabirds.
"A tournament with many masters is the most exciting. Traveler, you are the one I, Beidou, most want to invite to the arena in Liyue Harbor, without exception. Even if the champion is Ningguang now, I, Beidou, will still agree with this!"
The leader stopped laughing, her nonchalant expression fading, leaving only a pure sincerity and unwavering determination, like the sea breeze.
Upon hearing this, Paimon floated back to the Traveler's side, his gaze shifting back and forth between Beidou's expectant face and the Traveler's calm profile, his voice tinged with grievance and helplessness.
"Then... what do we do now? In order to go to Inazuma, do we have no choice but to agree to fight?"
The traveler sensed Paimon's inner turmoil, and then glanced at Beidou's almost burning expectant eyes. She took a deep breath, the salty sea breeze filling her lungs, and finally nodded slowly, her voice carrying a calm acceptance of fate:
"Alright, in that case, I'll give it a try."
"That's great! That's more like it!"
Beidou's eyes instantly shone with astonishing light, and his large, fan-like hand, carrying immense force, slammed heavily onto the traveler's shoulder with a resounding thud, so powerful that the traveler's legs swayed.
The other hand of the Big Dipper pointed deep into the Lonely Cloud Pavilion, where crowds of people and fluttering flags could already be seen in front of the makeshift sheds.
"Let's not delay. Let's go to the registration point first and put our names on. The Ocean branch of the Martial Arts Tournament is located at Guyun Pavilion, which is very close. Wan Ye and I will take care of this little matter and then we'll be there."
Beidou seemed to suddenly remember crucial information and slapped its forehead:
"Oh right, Ningguang divided the competition into three parts."
"Besides the ocean venue with howling sea breezes right beneath our feet, there is also the bustling venue in Liyue Harbor, and the mountain forest venue shrouded in clouds and mist atop Tianheng Mountain."
"In each sub-venue, only two tough guys will remain until the very end. Only the final six will be qualified to step onto the final arena of Yujingtai in Liyue Harbor and compete for supremacy under the watchful eyes of the crowd to determine the true champion of Liyue." Beidou looked the Traveler and Paimon up and down, his gaze sweeping over the sword at the Traveler's waist.
"The drums and gongs at the branch venue are not to be underestimated; they can start at any time."
"If you are ready, sign up as soon as possible."
"When you register, remember to loudly announce the name of the Southern Cross fleet; it's a matter of pride for our fleet."
The traveler nodded solemnly.
The barrage of information from Beidou, including the competition format, venue, right of representation, and the weight of that Eye of God without a master, flooded my mind like a tidal wave, and I definitely need a moment to sort it out.
The girl nodded slightly to Hokuto and Man'yō, who was standing quietly to the side.
"Okay, let's go register first."
Following the direction indicated by the Big Dipper, the temporary registration point set up by Guyun Pavilion is now clearly visible.
Several clerks dressed in the standard gray robes of the Liyue General Affairs Department were sitting behind a long table under the shed, methodically receiving the few applicants.
The table was piled with thick lists of names, inkstones, and brush holders, and the air was filled with a faint aroma of ink mixed with the smell of the sea.
According to Beidou, the registration process is not complicated; all that is required is to state your name, your affiliation, and complete a simple registration.
Of course, if you are not affiliated with any sect or faction, you don't need to report your affiliation.
The traveler tightened his grip on the sword at his waist, and with the still somewhat bewildered Paimon in tow, he strode across the rough gravel ground toward the flag that fluttered with the words "Martial Arts Tournament Ocean Venue Registration Office".
The sea breeze whipped her cloak, making it flutter loudly.
Yingmei accepted Beidou's request, but she didn't feel much anxiety about winning the championship.
She agreed to represent the Southern Cross fleet with Beidou mainly out of a promise to the generous captain. If she could achieve a good enough ranking to bring fame to the Death Star and help the other party recruit reliable crew members, then the trip would not have been in vain.
As for the outcome itself...
The traveler unconsciously ran his fingertips along the fine wear marks on the hilt of the bladeless sword at his waist, and memories of his glorious past slowly unfolded in the depths of his mind like a scroll.
Dvalin, the East Wind Dragon of Mondstadt, unleashes destructive storms with his wings that blot out the sky; outside Liyue Harbor, the vortex demon Ocel unleashes towering waves and elemental raging torrents that tear the sea and sky apart; not to mention the enormous mechanical constructs dwelling in the lost ruins, the elemental monsters roaming the treacherous lands, and even the treacherous schemers in human hearts…
Compared to these calamities that could topple cities and alter landscapes, a martial arts arena in the mortal world, even with participants including many skilled individuals possessing divine vision, is in the eyes of travelers as nothing more than a gentle breeze brushing across a hillside.
Moreover, she is no longer the clueless traveler she was when she first arrived in Teyvat.
The girl quietly clenched her fist, and a sense of power, both warm and profound, surged through her meridians.
Wind and rock, two completely different elemental forces, flow freely within her body like breathing. Wherever she desires, they can transform into sharp blades that tear through the air or indestructible barriers.
This unique talent, originating from another world yet resonating with the Teyvat elements, is her greatest asset.
Admittedly, among the contestants, there must be powerful individuals who possess the Eye of God and can wield the power of a single element.
But those who can simultaneously harness and integrate the power of two elements like the Traveler are extremely rare, even among the Seven Kingdoms.
This ability to control two elemental forces grants the Traveler tactical versatility and a level of power that surpasses most Genshin Impacts.
Even if we can't win the championship, getting second place in Liyue shouldn't be too difficult, right? (End of Chapter)