Genshin Impact: I Became The Son Of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata

Yu lay on Little Blue's back like a dead fish. Although Little Blue was technically pink, her muscles were firm and surprisingly comfortable to the touch.

Ei stood silently nearby, keeping Yu company.

"I… I'm sorry. I didn't think it would turn out like this," she said, a rare hint of guilt in her voice.

Yu's exterior seemed calm, but inside, he was screaming: Like hell I'm okay! I'm never touching anything she cooks again. If Celestia itself ordered me to eat her food, I'd rebel against the heavens.

He shifted slightly, grateful that Little Blue's broad back could support his movements. In a weak voice, he managed, "It's fine… I'm not dying."

Ei hesitated, then quietly said, "Thank you. From the moment I started cooking until now, you're the only one who's ever dared to try my food. Even my sister would only sniff it cautiously, maybe scrape a tiny bite with a utensil. But you… you actually finished the entire plate. You're the first."

Yu forced a smile, though his thoughts betrayed him: Letting you cook in the first place is the biggest waste of food!

"Well," he said aloud, "food shouldn't be wasted. If it's made, it should be eaten."

Ei looked slightly moved. "I've always wondered… Why do you take food so seriously?"

Yu pondered her question, then answered earnestly, "It's just a personal belief. As a ruler, I'd rather my people die in battle than from hunger. To me, food is the foundation of everything."

Ei nodded in agreement. "That's a reasonable perspective."

An awkward silence fell between them. After a while, Yu sat up, breaking the stillness.

"Would you… stay with me tonight?"

Ei's face flushed a deep crimson. Memories of certain… tender moments rushed to her mind.

"Alright," she replied, trying to compose herself. "But don't pull on my braid."

In truth, neither of them was particularly good at expressing affection. For them to open up fully would take a monumental effort—or perhaps a mutual, catastrophic embarrassment.

Beneath them, the Dragon grumbled irritably, gnashing its teeth. Its protests were ignored; Yu didn't feel like translating, and Ei couldn't understand it anyway.

---

Later that night, Yu suddenly jolted awake, as did Ei, her violet hair shimmering in the dim light.

"Why do you… spark in your sleep?" Yu asked groggily.

"You're still going on about that?" Ei muttered, her tone slightly annoyed.

"Sorry," Yu apologized sheepishly. "I guess I accidentally triggered your hypercharged state."

He noticed that even in sleep, Ei kept her long braid intact, using it as a pillow. Somehow, it didn't bother her that he had also been resting his head on it.

As they lay back down, Yu found himself marveling at Ei's delicate features. Her face was like a sculpture of the finest jade—cold and emotionless on the surface, yet hiding a fiery passion beneath.

Turning to face him, Ei's large violet eyes locked onto Yu's.

"There's something I've always wanted to ask you," she said suddenly.

"Go ahead," Yu replied.

"Why did you choose me as your partner?"

Yu hesitated. He wasn't skilled with flowery words; in fact, he could be downright clumsy.

"You're… really cute," he finally said.

Ei blinked, caught off guard. Though she had expected this answer, hearing it directly still felt different.

"And… is that all you want?" she asked, her voice steady as she lowered the top of her robe. Two flawless, snow-white curves were revealed without hesitation, her expression as blank as ever, like a doll devoid of emotion.

Yu's initial reaction was a mix of temptation and heartache. There was something both alluring and deeply saddening about her detached demeanor.

"Would you have… taken me by force if I'd refused you back then?" Ei asked quietly.

Yu's mind raced. A smooth talker might have denied it and spun some elegant excuse, but Yu wasn't one to lie—especially not to someone he cared about.

"Maybe," he admitted after a long pause. "But probably not. You saved my life, after all. As long as you didn't pose a threat to me, I wouldn't repay kindness with cruelty."

Ei's eyes softened. His honesty caught her off guard. She had anticipated a thousand possible responses, most of them empty flattery, but his candidness was disarming.

"To be honest," Ei said, "if I'd known how strong you were back then, I wouldn't have saved you. I'd have finished you off with one strike."

Yu sighed internally. He knew she wasn't lying. It was the logical choice.

The conversation lapsed into awkward silence once more. Yu lowered his gaze, catching a glimpse of Ei's crimson tail peeking out from her robe. He swallowed hard.

Without warning, Ei leaned in and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace.

Yu's thoughts spiraled. Why didn't I just take action back then? Colonize her land, establish a puppet regime, infiltrate her economy… Everything could've been mine!

But as he felt the warmth of her embrace, he dismissed those thoughts. Breaking her heart wasn't worth it.

---

Meanwhile, Zhong Xiaochen knelt before her father, her expression unusually serious.

"Father, please teach me how to fight. I want to be like Bro Yu," she said earnestly.

Zhongli, surprised by her determination, nodded. "Very well. But first, we must sign a contract."

"Understood!" she agreed without hesitation.

This uncharacteristic compliance left Zhongli stunned. Was this truly his rebellious daughter?

Over the following weeks, Zhongli observed his daughter's transformation. She had become focused and diligent, dedicating herself entirely to martial training.

On the training grounds, Xiao stood before her. "Miss, you may attack first," he said, feeling a strange sense of dissonance as she brandished a spear.

Nearby, a Yaksha and Zhongli observed the duel.

"Are you sure this is wise, Archon?" The Yaksha asked. "Xiao's fighting style is… ruthless."

Zhongli remained composed, sipping tea. "She will endure," he replied, though his trembling hand betrayed his anxiety.

Xiaochen initiated the fight with a burst of Geo energy, sending spears of rock shooting upwards. Xiao leapt into the air, evading the attack, but Xiaochen anticipated this. Another spear struck downward, aimed directly at him.

However, Xiao adjusted mid-air, deflecting the spear with a well-placed kick. He descended upon Xiaochen with a powerful strike, leaving her nearly defeated.

Blood trickled from a small cut on her cheek. Still, she refused to yield. "I'm not done yet!" she declared.

Drawing a smoldering Everflame Seed, she consumed it, transforming as her skin glowed like molten lava. She charged Xiao with newfound power, abandoning technique for raw strength.

At that moment, Xiaochen was like a living volcano, unrelenting and unstoppable.

~~~~

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