It was a frost-blue short sword, floating in the air with a buzzing sound, expressing its dissatisfaction.
However, its frustration wasn't directed at Yanqing, but rather at the one controlling his body: the Heliobus.
When it sensed Pei Guang's arrival, it immediately sought him out because it knew Pei Guang could help it return to its rightful owner's hands.
Looking at the sword, Sushang spoke up with a nervous tone, "This is Yanqing's personal sword. I saw him wielding it during the Cloud Knights' training."
Pei Guang: "Hiss, how could Yanqing throw away his wife?"
"Huh?"
This comment immediately left everyone speechless, and Huohuo quietly asked, "Wife?"
Pei Guang nodded. "Yeah! There was once a master who said, 'Treat your equipment like you would treat a lover.' For a warrior, mass-produced weapons are tools, used and discarded as needed. But your personal weapon? That one's something you take care of and maintain, just like a wife."
Guinaifen: "Huh? That makes sense, and a lot of fantasy stories have this kind of idea…"
Pei Guang: "This isn't just fantasy! Besides, if this world is all stitched up, it's totally normal for some weapons to have anthropomorphized traits, right?"
Pei Guang fell into thought. "Weapon girls, sword girls, gun girls… you name it, weapons can turn into beautiful girls. Of course, if you like beautiful boys—sword boys, ship boys—those exist too. But if you ask me, my favorite is Murasame, the eternal god of Senren Banka!!!"
But that's beside the point. Sure, some people might dislike girl transformations, but in a free world like this, I think weapon anthropomorphization might be based on the user's preferences?"
As Pei Guang thought about weapon anthropomorphization, he recalled many games he'd played in the past. Of course, there were also games with male versions, though Pei Guang wasn't a fan of those.
He'd only seen them, not played them.
Sushang pulled out her own sword. "Can a sword turn into a person?"
Pei Guang nodded. "Isn't that obvious? A weapon that accompanies you through your life will definitely take the shape you like. I'm sure one day my weapon will turn into a cute girl. Wait, I already have March, never mind, no need to transform."
Though before entering this world, Pei Guang had fantasized about having a weapon like that, now, with March 7th around, he had no desire for it anymore.
As everyone's minds were still processing Pei Guang's words, Yanqing's sword trembled, almost as if it were agreeing with him.
Its buzzing grew louder, expressing its discontent. As a weapon, when its master didn't need it, it naturally would leave.
But it had been living a blissful life with Yanqing. He had been growing stronger with its aid! But now, suddenly, a Heliobus had appeared, stealing its master's focus?
If this Heliobus was another sword stronger than it, it could accept that. But Heliobus was a villain, controlling Yanqing to make him do things he didn't want to?
Yanqing could endure for the sake of strength, but this sword couldn't. As a sword, it could never allow anyone to harm its master, even if that meant being controlled.
So, it flew out, looking for someone who could help Yanqing, and, by chance, it found Pei Guang.
What thrilled the sword even more was that Pei Guang was someone who could understand it! But the talk about "wives" felt a little awkward for the sword.
As a sword, it never expected to become a "wife." It just wanted to be held by Yanqing's hand, fighting strong enemies together until it was no longer needed, or until Yanqing no longer required it.
It would fight until that day came.
Pei Guang sensed the weapon's will and encouraged it. "I've got your mission. Let me help your master regain his consciousness and be himself again!"
"What? You can't cut down the Heliobus? How is that possible! You're a sword, after all! Clearly, you and your master haven't reached that perfect harmony where the sword and the wielder become one. Let your master try talking to you, or you should try communicating with him first."
"Ah~ don't be shy! It's just like humans chasing after swords through layers of mountains; swords chasing humans through layers of gauze. Be bold! Be proactive! Show some sword spirit!"
"In these times, talented and strong people are hard to find. That kid, that Heliobus, looks pretty talented if you ask me. If you don't grab the chance now, other swords will beat you to it! Look at it this way: because you and your master haven't reached the peak of sword mastery, a Heliobus managed to sneak in. Otherwise, wouldn't you have just cut him down?"
"What? Strength issues? Don't worry, if you feel you're not strong enough, come find me. Enhancing is my specialty, just remember to bring some concentrated Aether!"
"What? The highest form of swordsmanship is turning everything into a sword? You're limiting yourself. Wait until your master reaches that point, and you'll transform into whatever he needs. Little boys love big sisters, so just transform into the older sister he imagines, and you'll have him wrapped around your finger."
Under Pei Guang's words, the sword slowly started to veer off track.
After all, Pei Guang was the only one who could understand its thoughts and communicate with it.
Although what he said seemed a little off, upon closer inspection, there was some truth to it. Plus, as a sword, it had seen Pei Guang's power firsthand.
Now, without a clear direction for its own development, it figured there was no harm in trying.
The interaction between Pei Guang and the sword left everyone around them confused.
All they could hear was the sword buzzing, but based on Pei Guang's words, it seemed like this was no simple buzzing… was the sword actually talking?
Shocked, Huohuo swallowed and asked, "Uh… Ah Guang, can you talk to swords now? Or is the Synesthesia Beacon getting new features?"
Pei Guang: "No! I'm using the Chinese translation patch, and it's all patched in!"
"???"
Everyone's heads were filled with question marks. What on earth was a Chinese translation patch?
Pei Guang: "Stop dwelling on this, let's go! Let's help this sword get its master back. Tsk, just think about it, the sword and its master were living a peaceful life, and now the body has been taken over. How painful must that be for the sword? As someone who follows the pure love route, I absolutely won't allow this kind of plot to unfold!"
As a first-time player, Pei Guang still has certain bottom lines. While he's okay with the harem route triggered by unexpected events, he has no interest in NTR.
In short, Yanqing's sword must remain his sword.
What? Let it all go? That means your sword is my sword, and my sword is still my sword.
Feeling the momentum from Pei Guang, the sword let out a louder hum, its confidence soaring. It had found its rightful dignity as a sword!
As they proceeded along with the sword, Guinafen quietly asked Sushang, "Sushang, are swords really this amazing?"
Sushang, still confused, replied, "I don't know? When my mother gave me this sword, she never said it could talk."
She raised her sword and asked seriously, "Hey! Are you there? Are you there? Are you there?"
Sushang repeatedly asked, but the sword didn't respond.
Sushang: "See, I've used this sword for years, and it never responded."
Huohuo: "Maybe you're using it wrong? How about letting Ah Guang try?"
Sushang glanced over at Pei Guang: "After we finish, I'll let Ah Guang try~"
Sushang was very curious about Pei Guang's ability to communicate with the sword.
If her sword could talk like Yanqing's, maybe she could even achieve sword and person unity, making her stronger?
Just thinking about becoming stronger made Sushang happy.
Under the sword's guidance, Pei Guang and the others arrived at the ferry to Dragonprayer Terrace. Looking in that direction, they saw clouds swirling as if something big had happened.
Looking at the direction indicated by the sword, Huohuo explained to Sushang and Guinafen, "This is the ferry to Dragonprayer Terrace. From the looks of it, Yanqing should be at Dragonprayer Terrace."
Sushang felt a little anxious: "Are we just going in? Even without the Heliobus possessing him, Yanqing is still an exceptional swordsman!"
Pei Guang: "No problem, just go straight in. If it's a one-on-one fight, I'm confident I can take him down."
Pei Guang had carefully observed Yanqing's fighting style.
There were no magical attacks, only pure physical ones. In a one-on-one battle, even with elite monsters or small bosses, Pei Guang was confident.
Now with his current skills, equipment, and combat experience, he was confident enough to face a small boss alone.
Besides, he wasn't alone now.
Sushang was getting a bit excited for the battle, and if Huohuo and Tail transformed, they could easily overwhelm the enemy.
Guinafen was great at lifting the mood, so with this four-person team, although they couldn't easily defeat a weakened background character, taking down an elite monster was a piece of cake.
However, while boarding the starship to Dragonprayer Terrace, Pei Guang still took a moment to organize his inventory.
As a player, Pei Guang was all about living freely, but at the same time, he had the unique personality that all players share: caution.
Of course, this caution depends on the game. If the game had unlimited respawns with no item loss, there would be no waiting for the third day.
The first minute in the game could end up with a totally random moment that catches you off guard and becomes a running joke in the community.
But when respawns are limited, or there are limited chances of revival, Pei Guang would absolutely be one of the most cautious players in the world, never going into battle without sufficient weapons, equipment, and supplies.