[Honkai: Star Rail] Sword Cultivators and Master Forgers Are Made for Each Other

Lu Qingyan was a sword cultivator who sought to prove the Dao through the sword. Gifted beyond compare and obsessed with swords, he was nevertheless troubled by the fact that everyone in his sect cultivated swords, so when their equipment broke, there was no one to repair it. Unluckily, he died when his sword shattered while he was fighting the extraterrestrial demons.

After transmigrating, he learned that no one in this new world cultivated immortality. Everyone was a Pathstrider following in the footsteps of the Aeons. Lu Qingyan was bewildered for a while, and his Dao heart nearly wavered.

But he soon found his goal. If no one else dared to contend with the heavens, then he would become the greatest person above the Aeons!

To that end, he deliberately chose a place much like his old home to settle down in.

One day, he ran into a group of decrepit Long-Life Species bullying a short-lived species outside the Artisanship Commission.

Lu Qingyan: ?

Lu Qingyan: Born with an exceptional metal spiritual root, and you work for the Artisanship Commission? Ha! Heaven has treated me well. My good days are finally here!

To have countless high-quality wives for free in the future, Lu Qingyan charged in.

Lu Qingyan: I want to see who dares lay a hand on my people!

Yingxing: Your people? Who? Me?

Baiheng: Oh! So this is what they mean by love at first sight! (Watching the drama)

...Years later...

Xianzhou natives: How is this short-lived species, this master craftsman, still alive? He must be coveting immortality and have committed one of the Ten Unforgivable Sins! I'm reporting him! I'm reporting him to the Ten-Lords Commission!

Lu Qingyan: You Xianzhou natives should mind your own business when it comes to us cultivators.

After his usual retort to the decrepit old-timers, Lu Qingyan headed straight to the Artisanship Commission. By then, Yingxing had been egged on by his friends: If you're a man, you should be brave and confess your feelings.

Yingxing made his move.

Yingxing: A-Yan... Actually, there's something I've always wanted to ask you.

Lu Qingyan: Go ahead! Oh, right, I have something to ask you too. When will my new wife be ready? I can't wait to take it to Nanook and prove the Dao!

Yingxing: ... (A beat behind) Do you like me, or do you like my sword?

Lu Qingyan: ? Isn't that obvious? Sword cultivators like swords, of course! So when will my sword be ready?

Yingxing: )

Fine. Fine.

You only like swords, is that it?

Starting today, Lu Qingyan, you won't have a sword until the person you like is him, Yingxing!

Lu Qingyan: But the thing I like isn't a person, it's a sword...

Yingxing: Oh, then find someone to like. For example, me.

Blade: Or you could like me.

Yingxing: ???

Wait, where did this Abomination of Abundance who looks exactly like him come from?!

[Reading Guide]

1. This is my own take on cultivation. Don't compare combat strength, don't compare combat strength, don't compare combat strength!

2. He isn't the aloof type of sword cultivator. He's a bit of a goof and only cares about swords.

3. Don't ask why Yingxing has a spiritual root. The answer is that the plot needs it... No logic, just sweet, feel-good fun.

4. Of course a sword cultivator's wife is a sword, and the person who forges the sword is the husband. They've already cultivated immortality, so what's wrong with having one in each arm?

Thesis: Of course a sword cultivator's wife is a sword!