The Gamer who traveled to Honkai: Star Rail

In Elio's prophecy, there were two potential outcomes for this meeting with Kafka. One was that both Kafka and Blade would be captured by the Xianzhou and eventually leave after paying a certain price. The other had Stelle coming alone to assist, which would normally lead to a clash with the Cloud Knights—but upon hearing the prophecy, Stelle might deliberately refuse to fight them.

However, such a predictable future lacked surprises. Kafka, having joined the Stellaron Hunters for her own reasons, was curious to see a different outcome if it was possible.

Little did she know that Pei Guang's presence would create a result far beyond anyone's predictions. 

After all, according to the original destiny: Stelle and the Astral Express crew would help the Xianzhou defeat the Lord Ravager. "Helping" meant Dan Heng would remove the seal, then unlock Scalegorge Waterscape and the Arbor. 

Stelle and the others would then assist with chores, strengthen ties with the Xianzhou, and ultimately, the Xianzhou would lend them significant aid in future confrontations with the Aeons.

But Pei Guang's sudden appearance led to massive, unforeseen changes:

The Astral Express crew wasn't just doing chores; they fundamentally altered Xianzhou's outcome. People fated to die were spared!

The Xianzhou Alliance's combat strength even rose by a solid ten percent, which in terms of raw numbers was terrifying. 

Also, against the Lord Ravager, Pei Guang and his allies became absolute core fighters, meaning the Xianzhou owed the Express—or more precisely, Pei Guang—a huge debt of gratitude.

Add to that the odd friendships forged, and only Pei Guang could be the one leading a troop of Cloud Knights in dancing and spectating, all while letting Kafka peacefully suppress Blade's corruption.

Still, Kafka found the scene rather amusing.

"How's everything going?" Pei Guang asked.

Kafka smiled. "Just one more round of sealing his memories. By the way, the little gift you gave Blade really helped him regain his confidence—but that also means he may continue pestering Dan Heng in the future. In other words, you've created your own trouble."

Pei Guang glanced at Blade. "Is that trouble? I wouldn't call it that. But hey, weren't we in the middle of Truth or Dare? Shall we keep playing?"

Originally, Kafka had planned to keep playing, but she glanced over at the Cloud Knights who were now armed, dancing, and surrounding the area. After a moment of thought, she looked at Stelle. "Of course, but let me and her continue. I do have some questions for her…"

Stelle, however, cut in before Kafka could proceed. "Don't ask. If you do, all I can say is: I don't know. If the question is why I feel some kind of bond with you—hey, maybe I just like good-looking people, and you fit the bill. 

If you ever try to hurt me, Ah Guang, March 7th, or anyone else I care about, I'll have Ah Guang round up all you Stellaron Hunters, throw you into the warship as power cells, and hook you up to the grid."

She knew herself well—smart, pretty, charismatic, and sweet, but definitely not one for deep interrogation.

Time spent with Pei Guang had also taught Stelle to think ahead. Whatever Kafka wanted to ask her about Pei Guang, she could just as easily ask him directly. It wasn't hard to guess that her objective was more about gleaning some insight rather than prying into Stelle's personal secrets.

Deep down, Stelle couldn't be certain whether her hunch was correct, but she decided to give independent thinking a shot. Though she usually relied on Pei Guang, the "external brain," sometimes she wanted to figure things out on her own.

Hearing Stelle's response, Kafka paused in surprise, then smiled. "You've changed—you're not so easy to read anymore."

Stelle just beamed. "That's okay. If you can't see through me now, let's get to know each other better, and then you'll find out…"

Kafka declined the offer. "No can do~ It's not time for that yet. But if we ever get the chance… want to catch a movie together?"

March 7th, overhearing this, quietly asked Pei Guang, "Ah Guang, why do I get the feeling this woman cares a lot about Stelle?"

Pei Guang shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe Stelle really is her daughter. Or maybe she's her redemption, or her hope, or some vital friendship. I've seen folks risking their lives for a fifty-day friendship. I've seen one person and one dog entrust their entire lives to each other. I've even seen two people who met only a day ago fight for the same goal. 

Sure, all of that might sound like a story, but reality can be even more ridiculous. Take us, for instance—we've only known each other a few days, yet I already can't imagine being without you."

March 7th nodded. "You've got a point. Our time together might've been short, but it feels destined. You, Stelle, Dan Heng, Himeko… I don't want to lose any of you. I feel a bit greedy about that. I also…"

She tightened her grip, fear flickering in her eyes—fear of losing someone dear again.

Sensing the mood shift, Pei Guang's next words scattered that gloom entirely.

"Greedy for what? Only kids have to pick and choose. We're adults, so we take it all!"

March 7th: "?"

What sounded casual to Pei Guang carried a world of meaning in March 7th's ears. She glanced at him, then at Stelle, then at Kafka—and, recalling Pei Guang's distinctive way of thinking, she even glanced at Blade.

In that moment, March 7th was reminded of certain scenes from novels she'd read, and her eyes flew wide open.

"Terrifying! It's just too terrifying!"

Pei Guang, oblivious to March 7th's overactive imagination, turned his attention to the Cloud Knight captain who'd been practicing the dance moves he taught. Feeling he'd had a breakthrough, the knight approached Pei Guang.

"Benefactor, while refining the dance steps you showed us, I noticed something special. It's like… these movements hold hidden power. It's as if I'm practicing real combat techniques."

Qualifying as a squad captain and garnering respect from fellow Cloud Knights meant this knight was extremely capable. The "New Treasure Island" dance might've looked goofy at first glance, but the knight's training had revealed an unexpected depth.

Hearing his query, Pei Guang's eyes sparkled. "Exactly. This dance is special. I tested it before—if you spread your wings, jump up, do the 'Immortal Knocks at the Door' with your upper body, sway your lower body left and right, then land using the same force you jumped with and repeat, you'll enter a continuous acceleration jump."

The captain echoed, "Spread my wings… 'Immortal Knocks at the Door'? Acceleration jump?"

Pei Guang nodded. "Yup! There are loads of special tricks to it. Let me teach you guys bit by bit."

He began detailing the series of moves from "New Treasure Island," moves he'd memorized in his school days thanks to internet fandom. Back then, every line of homework needed rote memorization, yet these silly dance steps seemed engraved in his DNA. Now, they'd found a new home here in the Xianzhou.

"For instance, before starting the dance, there's a particular standing posture—referred to as a 'Jojo Pose.' You might not know what 'Jojo' is, so let me summarize: 'Jojo' is shorthand for the names of some characters in a series. In Part One, the character Dio tries to escape his humanity, becomes a vampire who fears sunlight and feeds on blood for immortality. In Part Two, Jojo fights against immortal beings…"

As soon as Pei Guang brought up this particular story, he realized he wanted to spread it among the people of Xianzhou. 

He wasn't about to just toss off a casual mention of an old joke from his home, then move on. If someone was intrigued, he'd teach them diligently!

Whether it was March 7th, Stelle, or the Cloud Knights, if they were curious, Pei Guang told them everything. He wouldn't say he was some incredible storyteller, but he wasn't terrible either, and for the Cloud Knights—especially those on the Xianzhou—this was easy enough to grasp.

From their perspective, the character Dio was like someone who'd accepted Abundance's blessing and become an Abundance follower. Meanwhile, the Joestar family across generations fought against that individual or others like them. And when Pei Guang reached the part about "The Hymn of Humanity is the Hymn of Courage", the greatness of mankind is the greatness of courage," the Cloud Knights got fired up.

And when he moved on to the "Golden Spirit," they practically buzzed with excitement. In Pei Guang's telling, this "Golden Spirit" was humanity's most noble, most magnificent quality—something impossible to define with any one action.

But for the Cloud Knights, for the people of Xianzhou, they couldn't help but feel that Pei Guang's story was praising them.