Wei Wuxian, the Yiling Patriarch, is declared dead following the Siege of the Burial Mound, led by the four great clans.

News of his death spreads quickly across the cultivation world, sparking discussions among prominent clans and rogue cultivators alike.

Many believe that Jiang Cheng, his shidi, was responsible for Wei Wuxian's death, with people praising the Jiang Clan of Yunmeng for their role in vanquishing him.

Wei Wuxian is widely condemned for betraying the Jiang Clan and embarrassing them by defecting, nearly leading them to destruction.

Speculations arise about Wei Wuxian's demise, with some believing his demonic cultivation backfired and caused him to be devoured alive by the ghosts he controlled.

Cultivators express satisfaction with his death, considering it karma for his actions, particularly his use of ghost generals.

While Wei Wuxian destroyed the Yin Tiger Tally before dying, preventing further harm to the world, many still view his death as justified due to his character and choices.

A brief moment of silence and caution arises when discussing the Yin Tiger Tally, reflecting lingering fears about its destructive potential.

Conversations shift to reflecting on Wei Wuxian's once-glorious past as a young master of a prestigious sect and his ultimate downfall.

The discussions reinforce the belief that the demonic path leads to ruin, and that Wei Wuxian’s fate was deserved due to his bad character.

Despite his death, anxiety lingers about the possibility of Wei Wuxian’s soul returning and seeking vengeance by taking over a new body.

The major clans conduct repeated soul-summoning rituals and heighten security, fearing his potential reincarnation.

For thirteen years, all remains peaceful, leading many to believe that Wei Wuxian truly perished and that his legacy has finally ended.

Wei Wuxian, once a powerful and feared figure, is now seen as just another legend, his influence gradually fading.

Wei Wuxian awakens in a new body after being summoned via a sacrificial ritual.

He is kicked and berated by a youth named Mo Ziyuan, who ransacks the house.

Wei Wuxian realizes he has been reincarnated into the body of Mo Xuanyu, a disgraced former disciple from a cultivation sect.

Mo Xuanyu's background reveals he was driven mad and humiliated by his family, leading him to perform the sacrificial ritual for revenge.

The sacrificial ritual forces Wei Wuxian to fulfill Mo Xuanyu's vengeful wish, or else he will be destroyed.

Wei Wuxian finds remnants of Mo Xuanyu’s writings, describing his tragic life and mistreatment by the Mo family.

Wei Wuxian decides to explore the Mo Estate and encounters servants gossiping about the arrival of cultivators from the Lan Clan of Gusu.

Wei Wuxian interrupts a meeting between the Mo family and the Lan cultivators, causing a scene and accusing Mo Ziyuan of stealing his belongings.

Tensions escalate between Wei Wuxian and the Mo family, with Wei Wuxian threatening to retaliate if they continue to torment him.

Wei Wuxian causes more chaos by falsely insinuating that Mo Ziyuan has improper intentions toward him, humiliating the family in front of the Lan cultivators.

That night, Mo Ziyuan is found dead, his body shriveled and missing his left arm.

Wei Wuxian discovers Mo Ziyuan stole a spirit-attraction flag from the Lan cultivators, which caused his death by summoning an evil spirit.

The spirit begins killing others in the Mo Estate, including Mo Ziyuan's father and the servant A-Tong.

Each death causes the cuts on Wei Wuxian’s wrists, part of the sacrificial curse, to heal.

Wei Wuxian realizes that the spirit is possessing people and killing them by taking over their left arms.

Madam Mo is also possessed and killed by the spirit, which heals the final cut on Wei Wuxian’s wrist.

The Lan cultivators, led by Lan Sizhui, struggle to contain the spirit and the ghostly left arm.

Wei Wuxian raises the corpses of Madam Mo, Mo Ziyuan, and Mo Ziyuan’s father as fierce corpses and orders them to attack the left arm.

Despite their efforts, the ghostly arm is too powerful for them to fully subdue.

Just as Wei Wuxian is about to intervene, Lan Wangji arrives, playing the Eradication Tone on his guqin, which subdues the spirit and the left arm.

Wei Wuxian flees the scene, trying to avoid Lan Wangji's detection.

He finds a spotted donkey to escape on and leaves the Mo Estate before Lan Wangji can find him.

Wei Wuxian realizes he made a mistake stealing the donkey because it is too picky and difficult to please.

The donkey refuses to eat anything but fresh grass and throws tantrums when it is not satisfied, causing Wei Wuxian problems on the road.

He misses his sword, imagining it now hangs as a trophy on a clan leader’s wall.

Wei Wuxian and the donkey reach a paddy field near a village, where the donkey refuses to move further, forcing him to stop.

A group of people with a compass pass by, avoiding Wei Wuxian because of his disheveled appearance. They are on a Night Hunt to track down a soul-eating fiend.

Wei Wuxian deduces that the group is from a small cultivation clan, and they plan to hunt a fiend on Mount Dafan.

The group takes a break, and a round-faced girl gives Wei Wuxian an apple as thanks for yielding space.

Wei Wuxian uses the apple to motivate the donkey, dangling it in front of the animal, causing it to run faster than any steed he’s seen before.

Wei Wuxian reaches Mount Dafan before dark and finds it full of tense cultivators, all searching for the fiend that has been eating the souls of the townspeople.

A debate ensues among the cultivators, some doubting the existence of the fiend because their compasses show no activity, while others point out that seven people have already lost their souls.

Wei Wuxian finds himself amused that his past creations, such as the Compass of Ill Winds, are still causing disagreements years after his death.

He investigates the area and overhears townspeople talking about strange incidents related to the old graveyard on Mount Dafan, where coffins were disturbed during a landslide.

Several townspeople, including a deadbeat, a girl named A-Yan, and her father, have lost their souls after strange events, leading Wei Wuxian to believe that a soul-eating fiend is involved.

Wei Wuxian learns that the townspeople believe their souls were lost due to the disturbance of the graves, and the fiend may be linked to the old graveyard.

Wei Wuxian moves on to Mount Dafan, where he encounters a group of cultivators who have fallen victim to a trap and are suspended in a net. They beg for help, but a rich young master from the Jin Clan of Lanling appears and mocks them instead of assisting.

Wei Wuxian is insulted by the young master, who recognizes him as the outcast Mo Xuanyu and calls him names, but Wei Wuxian decides to teach him a lesson.

Wei Wuxian uses a talisman to pin the young master to the ground and frees the trapped cultivators, who flee in fear.

Wei Wuxian realizes the young master is Jin Ling, Jiang Cheng’s nephew, and tries to deescalate the situation, knowing that angering Jiang Cheng could lead to more trouble.

Before Wei Wuxian can leave, Jiang Cheng arrives and berates Jin Ling for dawdling. Wei Wuxian tries to stay unnoticed, but Jin Ling reveals him.

Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian exchange hostile words, but before Jiang Cheng can strike, Lan Wangji intervenes.

Lan Wangji's arrival prevents a fight between Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji remains calm and composed, using his presence to defuse the situation.

Lan Wangji rebukes Jin Ling and helps the Lan Clan juniors stay focused on their mission, while Jiang Cheng continues to argue.

Jiang Cheng eventually leaves with Jin Ling, frustrated that he was unable to settle things with Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian continues his investigation on Mount Dafan and learns about the Shrine of the Heavenly Maiden, where villagers have worshiped a dancing stone statue that may be related to the fiend.

Inside the shrine, the Heavenly Maiden statue comes to life after being disturbed by the cultivators. Wei Wuxian realizes the statue is the soul-eating fiend in disguise.

The statue begins attacking cultivators, sucking out their souls despite their efforts to fight back with spiritual devices.

Wei Wuxian summons Wen Ning, the Ghost General, to fight the statue. Wen Ning’s appearance terrifies the cultivators, but he helps defeat the statue.

Despite the victory, Wen Ning’s presence causes fear and confusion among the cultivators, and some begin to question Wei Wuxian’s identity.

Lan Wangji intervenes again when Jiang Cheng tries to capture Wei Wuxian, preventing a confrontation between the two.

Wei Wuxian plays off the situation with humor, denying he is Wei Wuxian and claiming to be Mo Xuanyu, which frustrates Jiang Cheng.

Lan Wangji declares that he will take Wei Wuxian back to the Lan Clan, leaving Wei Wuxian surprised at Lan Wangji’s sudden intervention and calm demeanor.

The Lan Clan Residence, also known as the Cloud Recesses, is described as a tranquil and mist-covered sanctuary.

Wei Wuxian cries in front of the main gate of the Cloud Recesses, clinging to a donkey as he tries to avoid being dragged inside.

Lan Wangji remains calm and indifferent to Wei Wuxian's antics, stating that he can be dragged inside once he's tired from crying.

Wei Wuxian laments the strictness of the Lan Clan and the four thousand rules on the Wall of Discipline.

Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui try to calm Wei Wuxian, reminding him that Lan Wangji brought him there for his own safety, given that Jiang Cheng wouldn't have let him go otherwise.

Wei Wuxian, in an attempt to escape the situation, teases that he might not be able to control himself around the many handsome men of the Lan Clan.

Lan Xichen, the leader of the Lan Clan, arrives and greets Lan Wangji, referring to him as looking happy, which Wei Wuxian finds unbelievable.

Lan Xichen mentions that their uncle is examining something from the Mo Estate.

Lan Wangji dismisses the idea of punishing Wei Wuxian and instructs for him to be taken to the Tranquility Room, which surprises the junior disciples.

Wei Wuxian explores the Tranquility Room, discovering it to be sparsely decorated and filled with the scent of sandalwood.

While in the room, Wei Wuxian stumbles upon a secret compartment containing jugs of Emperor's Smile, a liquor he once loved.

Wei Wuxian drinks two jugs and then decides to sneak out to find a jade travel token to escape the Cloud Recesses.

He finds the cold spring, where he discovers a set of folded robes and a man bathing in the cold water, revealing the man’s back covered in discipline whip scars.

Wei Wuxian realizes the man is Lan Wangji and is shocked to see such scars, especially the branding mark near his heart.

Lan Wangji attacks Wei Wuxian with his sword, Bichen, but Wei Wuxian dodges and runs away.

Wei Wuxian attempts to get punished by admitting he was peeping at Lan Wangji bathing, but Lan Wangji unexpectedly dismisses the junior disciples without punishing him.

Lan Wangji drags Wei Wuxian back to the Tranquility Room and throws him onto the bed.

Wei Wuxian notices Lan Wangji's slightly disheveled appearance, particularly the branding mark on his chest, which is identical to the one Wei Wuxian had in his past life.

Lan Wangji tells Wei Wuxian that he will sleep there and leaves to the adjacent room.

Wei Wuxian suspects Lan Wangji might know his true identity but dismisses the idea as unlikely.

Wei Wuxian tries to sneak into Lan Wangji’s room to find the jade travel token but ends up straddling Lan Wangji in an attempt to provoke a reaction.

Lan Wangji remains calm and immobilizes Wei Wuxian by making his body go limp.

Lan Wangji extinguishes the candle, leaving Wei Wuxian immobilized and confused.

Wei Wuxian reflects on his poor relationship with Lan Wangji, which started when he was fifteen and studying at the Lan Clan of Gusu with Jiang Cheng.

Lan Qiren, a strict and respected elder, is known for his rigid rules and training exceptional students. Despite his strictness, parents send their children to be educated by him.

Wei Wuxian jokes about how he will likely be a mark of shame on Lan Qiren's teaching career.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng are among several other young masters sent to study under Lan Qiren, including Nie Huaisang from the Nie Clan.

Wei Wuxian describes his more relaxed lifestyle at Yunmeng and how it's vastly different from the rigid structure of the Lan Clan.

Nie Huaisang warns Wei Wuxian not to provoke Lan Wangji, Lan Qiren's favorite disciple, who is stiff and strict like his uncle.

Wei Wuxian reveals that he met Lan Wangji the previous night after sneaking out to get Emperor’s Smile liquor. He offered to share it with Lan Wangji when caught, but Lan Wangji refused due to the prohibition of alcohol in the Cloud Recesses.

Despite breaking multiple rules, including sneaking out and drinking, Wei Wuxian brushes off the situation, even boasting about drinking in front of Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji enters the Orchid Room, where Wei Wuxian and the others are gathered, casting a cold glance at Wei Wuxian.

Lan Qiren begins lecturing the students on the numerous rules of the Lan Clan, singling out Wei Wuxian for questioning.

Wei Wuxian correctly answers all of Lan Qiren’s questions but is then asked how to handle a particularly difficult ghost. He hesitates to answer immediately, prompting Lan Qiren to have Lan Wangji explain the correct approach: deliverance, suppression, and obliteration.

Wei Wuxian introduces a controversial fourth option, suggesting to awaken resentment to use against the ghost. This idea enrages Lan Qiren, who throws books at him and calls him ignorant.

Wei Wuxian is kicked out of the class but feels no remorse, instead wandering around the Cloud Recesses and joking with his peers.

Nie Huaisang admires Wei Wuxian’s unconventional thinking but warns him not to actually pursue deviant paths of cultivation.

Wei Wuxian is punished by being ordered to copy the Lan Clan's "Highest Justice" chapter three times. Nie Huaisang initially offers to help him, but Lan Qiren forbids it, ensuring Wei Wuxian must copy the texts alone under supervision.

Lan Wangji is assigned to supervise Wei Wuxian during his punishment in the Lan Library Pavilion. Wei Wuxian grows bored quickly and attempts to annoy Lan Wangji by constantly talking to him and even addressing him by his birth name.

Lan Wangji remains stoic despite Wei Wuxian’s attempts to apologize and provoke a reaction. However, Lan Wangji finally silences him using a Lan silencing spell.

Over the next few days, Wei Wuxian tries to amuse himself by drawing pictures of Lan Wangji and sending them across the table, but Lan Wangji continually dismisses them.

Wei Wuxian swaps one of Lan Wangji's scrolls with erotica disguised as a Buddhist sutra, causing Lan Wangji to react angrily. This prank provokes Lan Wangji into telling Wei Wuxian to "get lost," a rare outburst that amuses Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian celebrates his victory, feeling triumphant for having successfully provoked a reaction from Lan Wangji.

Nie Huaisang admires Wei Wuxian’s boldness, while Jiang Cheng warns that Wei Wuxian will face more consequences later.

Lan Qiren leaves to attend a symposium, giving Wei Wuxian and the others a few days of freedom. They plan to have fun and hunt pheasants.

Wei Wuxian encounters Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji while they are preparing to leave for a mission to exterminate water ghosts. Wei Wuxian offers to help, and despite Lan Wangji's objections, Lan Xichen agrees to let them join.

Lan Wangji is perplexed by Lan Xichen’s decision to allow Wei Wuxian to accompany them, and Lan Xichen teases him by suggesting that Lan Wangji might have wanted Wei Wuxian’s company.

The group goes to Caiyi Town, a water town with a dense network of waterways, to deal with water ghosts.

Wei Wuxian buys two jugs of sticky rice liquor, teasing Lan Wangji, who cannot drink because of the Lan Clan’s strict rules.

The group boards sampans to investigate the water ghosts near Biling Lake.

Lan Xichen explains the recent increase in water ghosts in the area and how they’ve been capturing multiple ghosts using nets.

Wei Wuxian cleverly reveals that water ghosts are clinging to the bottom of his sampan by flipping it, surprising the others with his skill.

Lan Wangji is irritated by Wei Wuxian’s playful behavior but continues to suppress the water ghosts.

As the group encounters more water ghosts, Wei Wuxian uses his sword to aid in the fight, impressing Lan Wangji, who asks about his sword's name. Wei Wuxian jokingly reveals that his sword is named "Suibian" (Whatever).

A strange black shadow in the water catches their attention, but it isn't a human ghost, confusing the group.

Su She, a sect disciple, loses his sword to the water, which adds to the tension, but Lan Wangji manages to retrieve only a black robe from the water.

The group realizes they are dealing with a dangerous entity known as the Waterborne Abyss, a powerful force within the lake.

The Waterborne Abyss pulls Su She into the water, and Wei Wuxian rescues him with difficulty, with Lan Wangji helping stabilize them in the air using his sword, Bichen.

Lan Wangji refuses to physically touch Wei Wuxian while helping him, claiming that he doesn’t touch others.

Lan Xichen confirms that the Waterborne Abyss was likely driven to Caiyi Town by the Wen Clan of Qishan, a powerful and dominant clan in the cultivation world.

Despite knowing the Wen Clan is responsible, the group can do nothing about it due to the Wen Clan’s overwhelming power.

Wei Wuxian flirts with local women as they return to the town, teasing Lan Wangji by involving him in his playful banter.

Back at the Cloud Recesses, Wei Wuxian and the others throw a wild party, breaking numerous Lan Clan rules, which leads to Lan Wangji storming in and dragging Wei Wuxian to the ancestral hall for punishment.

Both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are beaten with ferules as punishment. Despite Wei Wuxian’s wailing, Lan Wangji remains stoic throughout.

Lan Wangji also punishes himself since they both broke curfew together, shocking Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian recounts to the group how he got both himself and Lan Wangji outside the Cloud Recesses by physically latching onto him, forcing them both to break curfew.

Lan Xichen shows concern for Wei Wuxian’s injuries, giving him a remedy to recover faster.

Later, Wei Wuxian sneaks into the Cold Spring where Lan Wangji is meditating. Wei Wuxian joins him, claiming Zewu-jun allowed it for healing purposes.

Wei Wuxian repeatedly tries to get closer to Lan Wangji in the cold spring, even offering friendship, but Lan Wangji rejects his advances.

Wei Wuxian continues to tease Lan Wangji by talking about Yunmeng, their food, and offering to share erotica, but Lan Wangji sternly tells him to "get lost."

After returning from Qinghe, Lan Qiren scolds Wei Wuxian in front of everyone, condemning him as unruly, impossible, and shameless, but does not punish him further.

Lan Qiren focuses on solving the Waterborne Abyss issue, making his lectures shorter. Wei Wuxian takes advantage of this, leading the other students to fool around on the mountain more often.

Wei Wuxian teases Lan Wangji, noting that he had been watching them earlier, and hops into the Library Pavilion through the window to visit him.

Wei Wuxian brings two rabbits to Lan Wangji, teasing him that if he doesn’t take them, he’ll have them killed and roasted.

Lan Wangji initially refuses the rabbits, reminding Wei Wuxian of the Cloud Recesses rule prohibiting killing, but eventually asks for the rabbits after Wei Wuxian insists.

Wei Wuxian continues teasing Lan Wangji, commenting on the male rabbits' behavior, leading to Lan Wangji becoming flustered and physically throwing Wei Wuxian out of the Library Pavilion.

Lan Wangji shuts the window, trying to block out Wei Wuxian's laughter, but remains exasperated by the mess left behind and Wei Wuxian's lingering energy.

Lan Wangji stopped attending class after the erotica and rabbit incidents. Wei Wuxian was moved back to his original seat and had a half-month of peace.

Wei Wuxian and the other students found the story of the Lan Clan’s founding father, Lan An, interesting. He had been a monk who left the secular world for his cultivation partner, surprising the students with his romantic history.

During a discussion about ideal partners, Jin Zixuan was asked about his fiancée, Jiang Yanli. He expressed dissatisfaction with her, which angered Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng.

Wei Wuxian confronted Jin Zixuan, leading to a fight between them. Wei Wuxian punched Jin Zixuan, which escalated into a serious conflict.

Jiang Fengmian and Jin Guangshan were called to Gusu to resolve the matter. Jiang Fengmian proposed canceling the engagement between Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli, and Jin Guangshan agreed after considering the situation.

Wei Wuxian was punished for the fight, kneeling on the cobblestone path. Jiang Cheng visited him, and they discussed the situation.

Wei Wuxian joked about Jin Zixuan's humiliation but also revealed some tension between him and Jiang Cheng over their father’s treatment.

Wei Wuxian teased Lan Wangji, who had been sent to check on him during his punishment, causing more trouble by playing with an anthill.

That night, Wei Wuxian returned to Yunmeng with Jiang Fengmian.

Wei Wuxian woke up to find Lan Wangji gone, leaving him properly arranged on the bed. Wei Wuxian felt unsettled by the situation.

Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi knocked on Wei Wuxian's door, asking him to control his noisy donkey, Little Apple.

When Wei Wuxian arrived at the pasture, he saw a group of rabbits around Little Apple, which amused him. He joked about roasting the rabbits, which were kept by Lan Wangji.

A loud, alarming bell rang from the Nether Room, indicating a soul-summoning accident.

Wei Wuxian followed the juniors to the Nether Room, where the sect disciples were distressed. A disciple stumbled out, bleeding and speaking of an accident inside.

Wei Wuxian entered the Nether Room, finding Lan Wangji, who was still seated calmly, while the soul-summoning ritual had gone awry, summoning only the ghost arm from the Mo Manor.

Lan Qiren and other disciples had collapsed, bleeding from their apertures. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji worked together, using music to suppress the ghost arm’s energy.

Lan Qiren briefly regained consciousness in a fit of rage due to Wei Wuxian's terrible flute playing but quickly fainted again.

Despite the chaotic music, the arm was eventually suppressed, and the sect disciples rushed in to assist Lan Qiren and the others.

Wei Wuxian reassured Lan Sizhui, who felt guilty about summoning the ghost arm, telling him that the blame lay with whoever unleashed the arm.

Lan Wangji determined that the ghost arm was pointing toward the northwest, indicating the direction of either its remaining body parts or the culprit.

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian prepared to descend the mountain to investigate further, with Wei Wuxian joking about them eloping, much to the horror and amusement of the disciples.

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian traveled alone, following the pointing arm, which required daily "Rest" performances to pacify it. Wei Wuxian repeatedly tried to escape or provoke Lan Wangji but was always gently restrained.

The arm clenched into a fist near Qinghe, indicating that what it was pointing at was nearby. They followed its direction to a small city.

Wei Wuxian encountered a fake doctor selling cheap goods and Yiling Patriarch posters. While examining them, Jin Ling appeared, kicking the doctor for mentioning Wei Wuxian.

Jin Ling summoned his spirit dog to chase Wei Wuxian, who frantically hid behind Lan Wangji, terrified of the dog. Jin Ling fled as soon as Lan Wangji intervened.

The doctor mentioned strange occurrences near Xinglu Ridge, where a "Man-Eating Fortress" was rumored to exist. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji went to investigate.

In the forest at Xinglu Ridge, they encountered low-level walking corpses that fled in terror upon seeing Wei Wuxian. They then heard Jin Ling’s spirit dog howling crazily, which led them to a sealed stone fortress.

After entering the fortress through a hole in the wall, they found themselves in a maze-like structure filled with coffins, each containing a long saber. As they ventured deeper, they encountered intense spiritual disturbance.

Using the "Inquiry" technique, Lan Wangji discovered that Jin Ling's soul was within the stone fortress but could not locate his body.

Following directions from the spirit communication, they found Jin Ling buried alive within a wall. He was near death but was revived just in time.

Alongside Jin Ling’s body, they found multiple corpses hidden within the walls of the stone fortress, including a decayed female corpse and a child, indicating the walls were filled with bodies.

The fortress was a burial site for countless corpses, but its exact purpose and origins remained a mystery.

Jin Ling suddenly sat up unconsciously, walked back to the wall, and attempted to re-bury himself in the exact position he was previously found.

Wei Wuxian pulled him out again, feeling weirded out. The black-haired spirit dog started barking aggressively outside, signaling that something was wrong.

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian rushed outside, and the dog brought them a piece of cloth from someone spying on them. Lan Wangji identified who it was.

Lan Wangji chased after the spy while Wei Wuxian took Jin Ling to a nearby inn and cleaned him up. During this, he found a curse mark on Jin Ling's leg that indicated something extremely wicked would come for him soon.

Jin Ling woke up and panicked upon realizing his clothes were removed, accusing Wei Wuxian of being a cut-sleeve. Wei Wuxian brushed it off playfully.

Wei Wuxian warned Jin Ling about the curse mark, but Jin Ling brushed it off and ran away.

Wei Wuxian tried to catch up to Jin Ling but instead overheard a conversation between Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling. Jiang Cheng scolded Jin Ling for going to Xinglu Ridge alone and for looking disheveled.

Wei Wuxian was discovered by Jiang Cheng, who immediately captured him with Zidian, paralyzing him. Jiang Cheng interrogated him in an inn while Jin Ling was ordered to watch over him.

Wei Wuxian tried to reason with Jiang Cheng, but their discussion became heated. Jiang Cheng's deep-seated hatred for Wei Wuxian and Wen Ning was evident.

Jin Ling lied to Jiang Cheng, claiming he had seen Wen Ning, which led Jiang Cheng to leave Wei Wuxian and set out to find the supposed Wen Ning.

Jin Ling helped Wei Wuxian escape using Zidian. They sneaked out of the inn and ran into the forest, with Wei Wuxian panicking upon seeing the black-haired spirit dog following them.

Jin Ling, feeling proud of his cleverness, was annoyed by Wei Wuxian's comments on his dog's name, Fairy. He refused to express gratitude for being saved but eventually ran off after Wei Wuxian apologized for what he said at Mount Dafan.

Wei Wuxian transferred Jin Ling's curse mark onto himself before Jin Ling woke up. When Jin Ling found out, he was furious and threatened Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian met up with Lan Wangji, who noticed the curse mark on Wei Wuxian's leg. Lan Wangji was concerned and asked if it had been transferred from Jin Ling.

They both returned to their inn and interrogated Nie Huaisang, who was the spy. Nie Huaisang confessed that the "Man-Eating Fortress" was actually a Saber Offerings Hall, part of his family's ancestral grave, designed to pacify the resentful sabers of past Nie Clan leaders.

The fortress was built to house fierce corpses that would balance the violent nature of the sabers, preventing them from causing havoc. Nie Huaisang admitted that graverobbers who had disturbed the balance were devoured by the fortress many years ago.

Nie Huaisang begged Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian not to reveal this secret, as it would destroy his family's already fragile reputation.

After Nie Huaisang left, Wei Wuxian noticed that the curse mark had spread further up his leg. Lan Wangji insisted on expelling it, but Wei Wuxian brushed it off.

The ghost arm they had been carrying in an evil-sealing pouch reacted violently, indicating that something connected to the curse mark triggered it.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji deduced that the ghost arm might be connected to the Nie Clan's Saber Offerings Hall, hinting that part of the arm's body could be buried there.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji returned to Xinglu Ridge early the next day, where Nie Huaisang was already trying to repair the damage from the previous day’s investigation.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji insisted on reopening the section of the wall where Jin Ling had been buried, despite Nie Huaisang’s protests. They began tearing down the wall again to continue their search.

Nie Huaisang swore that none of the corpses in the Saber Offerings Hall were missing limbs, but the investigation continued regardless. Wei Wuxian suggested they might find a corpse missing a leg instead of an arm.

Lan Wangji stopped Wei Wuxian from physically stripping the corpses and instead used Bichen’s sword qi to cut open their clothes and check for abnormalities.

They discovered a male corpse with legs stitched onto it. The stitches were faint but visible, indicating the legs belonged to another person.

The stitched legs were carefully removed and placed into an evil-sealing qiankun pouch. The legs were determined to belong to the same person as the ghost arm.

Nie Huaisang revealed that he had personally helped select some of the corpses for the Saber Offerings Hall, but he didn’t know who could have tampered with the bodies.

After leaving Xinglu Ridge, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji examined the legs and arm back at the inn. The limbs had the same skin color and reacted violently when placed near each other, indicating they were part of the same person, though the torso remained missing.

The ghost arm pointed them toward their next destination: southwest, leading them to the city of Yueyang.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji arrived in the bustling city of Yueyang.

Lan Wangji inquired about Jin Ling’s curse mark, which had slightly faded but would require finding the complete corpse or head to fully remove.

Wei Wuxian referred to the dismembered corpse they were tracking as their "good buddy" since they didn’t know his real identity.

Wei Wuxian speculated on the connection between the group that hid the corpse's legs and the one that threw the arm at Mo Manor. Lan Wangji agreed with his theory that the two groups were separate.

Wei Wuxian jested about his past actions and referred to Lan Wangji’s sobriquet with a mix of seriousness and humor.

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian discussed the intricacies of finding information in the city, with Wei Wuxian suggesting taverns as good sources of rumors.

They entered a tavern district, where Wei Wuxian teased Lan Wangji about drinking. Wei Wuxian engaged with a tavern waiter, inquiring about strange happenings.

The waiter recounted a strange and terrifying event involving the extermination of the Chang Clan, who had been terrified to death one night after strange banging noises came from inside their residence.

Lan Wangji recalled the Chang Clan case and confirmed its connection to Wei Wuxian.

The waiter revealed that Xue Yang had been involved in the extermination of the Chang Clan and that Xiao Xingchen, Wei Wuxian’s mother’s martial brother, had been involved in tracking him down.

The story revealed Xiao Xingchen’s noble character, how he had brought Xue Yang to justice, and how the Jin Clan of Lanling protected Xue Yang because of his knowledge of the Yin Tiger Tally.

Xiao Xingchen’s attempts to punish Xue Yang were complicated by the Jin Clan’s political maneuvers and protections for Xue Yang.

The story further revealed the tragic fate of Xiao Xingchen and his friend Song Lan, with Xiao Xingchen blinding himself to save Song Lan after Xue Yang’s revenge.

Lan Wangji explained how Xue Yang had rebuilt a portion of the Yin Tiger Tally based on the remaining half left behind by Wei Wuxian, revealing the Jin Clan’s involvement in protecting him for this purpose.

The two speculated on the identity of the person who had hidden the corpse parts and how they were connected to both the Nie Clan and Lan Clan.

While investigating the Chang family cemetery, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji discovered someone digging up a grave.

They confronted the gravedigger, who fought using Lan Clan sword techniques, indicating a deep familiarity with the clan’s style.

The gravedigger used a transportation talisman to escape, but not before Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian managed to take the fake corpse the gravedigger had been trying to retrieve.

Upon examination, they realized the torso of their "good buddy" had been buried in the Chang family cemetery with fake limbs and a head made of cotton.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji concluded that the person behind the dismembered corpse was becoming increasingly desperate and would likely make further moves to hide the remaining body parts.

That night, Lan Wangji, under the influence of alcohol, revealed a more relaxed and uncharacteristic side, much to Wei Wuxian’s amusement.

Wei Wuxian summoned Wen Ning in secret, but Lan Wangji, in a drunk state, unexpectedly arrived and reacted with childish aggression toward Wen Ning.

After an amusing interaction, Lan Wangji, in his drunk state, refused to let Wei Wuxian play the flute for Wen Ning, and the two went back to the inn.

The next morning, Lan Wangji, embarrassed by the events of the night, asked Wei Wuxian about what had happened, leading to playful teasing.

As they discussed the case further, Wei Wuxian speculated that the dismemberment of the corpse had been done to create a balance between evil spirits and resentment, similar to the Nie Clan’s Saber Offerings Hall.

The two prepared to continue their search for the remaining body parts, now focusing on a ghost city in Shudong.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji travel through a misty region and reach a small village.

They notice a path that is overgrown with weeds and find a weathered stone marker with only one legible word: "City."

Wei Wuxian speaks to some villagers, who reluctantly provide information about the road leading to a place called Yi City.

Yi City is known for its mortuaries and funerary crafts due to its residents' short lifespans and expertise in making coffins and other funeral goods.

The villagers rarely travel to or from Yi City, and the road to the city is deserted.

Wei Wuxian gives the villagers a small gift of rouge in exchange for the information.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji head toward Yi City, walking through dense fog, which grows thicker as they approach the city.

They reach the city gates, which are dilapidated and surrounded by oppressive mountains, giving off an ominous atmosphere.

Inside the city, thick fog and an eerie stillness prevail. They encounter no living souls and walk closer together due to the increasing danger.

Wei Wuxian stumbles upon a lifelike paper effigy of a human head used in funerary rites, which startles him.

A fast-moving shadow rushes past them, too quick to be human, leaving Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji on edge.

They hear footsteps in the fog and encounter a group of juniors, including Jin Ling, Lan Sizhui, and others from various clans, who were also led to Yi City.

The juniors reveal they have been stalked by something that makes the sound of bamboo tapping the ground, which has been following them since they arrived.

Wei Wuxian deduces that the group may be trapped in a recursive maze and suggests they seek shelter in one of the houses.

Despite their reservations, the group knocks on doors and eventually finds an occupied house.

An old lady opens the door slightly but is initially reluctant to let them inside. Wei Wuxian persuades her, and the group enters.

Inside, they find the house filled with paper effigies of people, menacingly lifelike but incomplete without their pupils dotted.

The old lady allows them to use the kitchen, which is filthy and reeks of decay, but they clean it and begin cooking glutinous rice congee to treat the juniors' corpse poisoning.

The juniors recount how they ended up in Yi City after being led by a series of strange dead cat incidents that targeted them during their Night Hunts.

Wei Wuxian connects their situation to his own experiences, suspecting that the Yin Tiger Tally may be involved and that someone intentionally led the juniors to meet him and Lan Wangji.

Wei Wuxian serves the spicy congee to the poisoned juniors, who suffer through the taste but manage to eat it.

While reflecting on Lan Wangji’s tolerance for spicy food, Wei Wuxian realizes that he may have misremembered some details from their past encounters.

As they continue, Lan Sizhui quietly informs Wei Wuxian that the door to the old lady’s room has opened, heightening the sense of impending danger.

A gust of wind opens a door to a small room. Inside, Wei Wuxian finds the old lady doing stiff needlework.

He realizes the old lady is a "living corpse"—a still-breathing, stiff-bodied person who hasn't fully realized she's dead.

Living corpses are usually artificially created for control, making them better puppets than the dead.

The juniors panic as they hear the tapping of bamboo outside the house. Wei Wuxian peers through a crack in the door and sees white eyes glaring at him—a blind phantom girl.

He encourages the juniors to look and learn from the situation, despite their fear.

The girl, appearing blind and mute, tries to communicate but fails due to her missing tongue. She flees when the sound of frantic footsteps is heard approaching.

A man, pursued by walking corpses, rushes through the street. Despite killing some corpses, he is poisoned by their toxic powder.

Wei Wuxian summons two paper effigies, using the "Final Eyes Summoning" to animate them into powerful fighters. They decimate the corpses and carry the injured man inside.

The man is blind and possibly poisoned. Wei Wuxian recognizes his sword as Shuanghua, indicating that the man is Xiao Xingchen.

Xiao Xingchen is in a dire state but expresses no concern for his life, believing the situation hopeless. Wei Wuxian tries to help him recover with glutinous rice congee.

Just as the group tries to regroup, hundreds of walking corpses gather outside, threatening to overwhelm the paper effigies guarding the door.

Wei Wuxian uses a talisman to animate more paper effigies to battle the corpses.

As the corpses are finally defeated, a fierce corpse dressed in black Daoist robes breaks through the ceiling, attacking Jin Ling and the others.

Xiao Xingchen helps Jin Ling block the fierce corpse's attack but collapses from the poison.

The fierce corpse, revealed to be Song Lan, is strong and controlled by black nails in his temples.

Lan Sizhui performs Inquiry to question Song Lan's spirit, learning that Xiao Xingchen had killed Song Lan, but it's unclear why.

The juniors are shocked by this revelation and suspect the situation is more complex than it seems.

Just as they discuss Song Lan's control, Xiao Xingchen, who had been lying unconscious, suddenly sits up smiling, revealing himself as a potential threat.

Song Lan hears a crisp sound that shatters the control over him. He frees himself from the Yin Musclemen and threatens Wei Wuxian and the juniors.

Wei Wuxian advises the juniors to leave, knowing they can't fight Song Lan.

The juniors hesitate but follow Wei Wuxian's instructions to exit, with Lan Sizhui leading them.

Xiao Xingchen takes an antidote for corpse toxin, revealing he had faked his injuries to deceive them.

He acknowledges Wei Wuxian as the Yiling Patriarch, confirming he knew his identity all along and claims to control Yi City's walking corpses.

Xiao Xingchen, who is actually Xue Yang in disguise, asks Wei Wuxian to restore a shattered soul he has trapped in a spirit pouch.

Wei Wuxian refuses, knowing the soul is too broken and unwilling to return to life.

Xue Yang drops the charade and removes his bandages, revealing his true identity.

Xue Yang had been impersonating Xiao Xingchen to manipulate the group, having even tricked Song Lan into following his orders.

Wei Wuxian deduces that Song Lan tried to warn them about Xue Yang during the Inquiry but couldn't communicate effectively.

Xue Yang and Wei Wuxian engage in a battle of wits and swordplay, but Xue Yang is outmatched when Lan Wangji arrives to assist.

Xue Yang draws his own sword, Jiangzai, and dual-wields it alongside Xiao Xingchen's sword, Shuanghua, but Lan Wangji overpowers him.

Wen Ning arrives after being summoned by Wei Wuxian and battles Song Lan outside, leading to a fierce fight between the two powerful corpses.

Xue Yang tries to attack Wei Wuxian during the chaos, but Lan Wangji intercepts and continues to push Xue Yang back.

Xue Yang uses his cunning to stall Lan Wangji, but the situation remains in Lan Wangji's favor.

As the battle continues, walking corpses approach in large numbers, putting the group in greater danger.

Wei Wuxian instructs the juniors to follow the sound of a bamboo pole tapping, which belongs to the blind phantom girl, A-Qing.

Wei Wuxian explains that the phantom girl had been trying to save them by leading them out of the city earlier, and they decide to follow her now.

As they follow A-Qing's phantom, they reach a charitable mortuary, where the phantom gestures for them to open a coffin.

Inside the coffin, they discover the real Xiao Xingchen's body, his eyes missing, confirming that Xue Yang had been impersonating him.

A-Qing, in her phantom form, tries to communicate with them but struggles without a voice.

Wei Wuxian decides to use Empathy, allowing A-Qing's spirit to possess him so he can relive her memories.

Through A-Qing's memories, Wei Wuxian learns she had once pretended to be blind to survive, but she eventually became truly blind after meeting Xiao Xingchen.

A-Qing had encountered Xiao Xingchen while pretending to be blind and ended up traveling with him. During their travels, they unknowingly rescued Xue Yang, who had been severely injured.

Xue Yang, recognizing that Xiao Xingchen didn't realize his true identity, took advantage of the situation and stayed with them while plotting to manipulate them further.

Despite A-Qing's attempts to warn Xiao Xingchen, Xue Yang's cunning allowed him to deceive and ultimately lead to Xiao Xingchen's demise.

Wei Wuxian realizes the tragic extent of Xue Yang's manipulation and cruelty, which had doomed both Xiao Xingchen and A-Qing.

Xue Yang tests A-Qing by throwing something at her to check if she's truly blind.

A-Qing cleverly lets the object hit her without dodging, fooling Xue Yang.

Xue Yang and A-Qing banter, with Xue Yang giving her candy to keep her off guard.

Xue Yang tries to manipulate A-Qing with his friendly demeanor, but she remains suspicious.

Xue Yang draws his sword and silently aims it at A-Qing, testing her blindness again.

A-Qing remains calm and doesn't expose her ability to see, successfully avoiding the trap.

Xue Yang continues questioning A-Qing about Xiao Xingchen's whereabouts.

A-Qing and Xue Yang exchange more banter, with A-Qing testing Xue Yang without revealing her suspicions.

A-Qing becomes increasingly wary of Xue Yang and tries to warn Xiao Xingchen about him.

Xiao Xingchen dismisses A-Qing's concerns and continues to trust Xue Yang.

Xue Yang stays in the charitable mortuary, though he's mostly healed, raising further suspicions.

Xue Yang manipulates Xiao Xingchen into letting him join Night Hunts.

A-Qing secretly follows Xiao Xingchen and Xue Yang on Night Hunts, sensing Xue Yang's ill intentions.

A-Qing witnesses Xiao Xingchen killing living humans, believing them to be walking corpses due to Xue Yang's trickery.

A-Qing remains silent, terrified, but she understands Xue Yang's deception.

Xue Yang poisoned the villagers and cut out their tongues, making them appear as walking corpses.

Xiao Xingchen unknowingly kills them, thinking he's eradicating evil.

A-Qing realizes the extent of Xue Yang's manipulation and becomes determined to protect Xiao Xingchen.

Song Lan arrives in the village, searching for Xiao Xingchen.

A-Qing recognizes Song Lan and tells him about Xiao Xingchen's situation.

Song Lan becomes enraged upon learning about Xue Yang's presence and vows to confront him.

Song Lan confronts Xue Yang, but Xue Yang taunts him, revealing his manipulation of Xiao Xingchen.

A battle ensues between Song Lan and Xue Yang, with Xue Yang eventually overpowering Song Lan.

Xue Yang cuts out Song Lan's tongue, rendering him unable to speak.

Xiao Xingchen arrives, unaware of Song Lan's identity, and unknowingly kills his old friend, mistaking him for a walking corpse.

A-Qing is devastated by Song Lan's death but remains silent to avoid suspicion.

A-Qing prays for Song Lan's spirit and resolves to save Xiao Xingchen from Xue Yang's clutches.

Xue Yang returns to the charitable mortuary in a good mood, having successfully manipulated Xiao Xingchen again.

A-Qing fakes a tantrum about her appearance to divert Xue Yang's suspicions.

A-Qing plans to reveal Xue Yang's true identity to Xiao Xingchen, hoping he will flee.

A-Qing lies to Xiao Xingchen, claiming Xue Yang killed a woman, not wanting him to know he killed Song Lan.

A-Qing reveals that she isn't blind and has known all along that Xue Yang is the bad man staying with them.

Each clap of thunder grew louder, and Xiao Xingchen was stunned by the noise.

Xiao Xingchen questioned A-Qing, asking if she could see.

A-Qing, fearful, admitted she wasn’t blind and had lied out of fear of being abandoned by Xiao Xingchen.

Xiao Xingchen began to bleed from his eyes as he became emotionally overwhelmed by the revelations.

Xiao Xingchen struggled to understand why Xue Yang had stayed with him for years without killing him immediately.

A-Qing urged Xiao Xingchen to flee with her, but he refused, saying he had to confront Xue Yang to protect the people of Yi City.

Xue Yang returned from grocery shopping, unaware of what had happened inside.

Xiao Xingchen instructed A-Qing to escape while he confronted Xue Yang.

Xue Yang entered the house, greeted by Xiao Xingchen stabbing him with his sword, Shuanghua.

A-Qing ran away but eventually circled back to spy on the confrontation between Xiao Xingchen and Xue Yang.

Xue Yang mocked Xiao Xingchen, revealing the traumatic story of his childhood and his vendetta against the Chang Clan.

Xiao Xingchen was horrified by Xue Yang's justification for his mass murders and atrocities.

Xue Yang taunted Xiao Xingchen further, revealing that many of the "walking corpses" they had killed together were actually living people.

Xiao Xingchen realized the truth—he had unknowingly killed innocent people, including his friend, Song Lan.

Xue Yang revealed that the corpse standing before Xiao Xingchen was Song Lan's, which broke Xiao Xingchen emotionally.

In his despair, Xiao Xingchen realized he had killed Song Lan with his own hands.

Devastated, Xiao Xingchen wept uncontrollably at Song Lan's feet, and Xue Yang mocked him with cruel laughter.

Xiao Xingchen, overwhelmed by guilt and grief, took his own life by slitting his throat with Shuanghua.

Xue Yang, seemingly stunned by Xiao Xingchen’s death, attempted to revive him by cleaning his body and preparing a resurrection ritual.

Despite his efforts, Xiao Xingchen did not come back to life, as his soul had shattered.

Xue Yang grew increasingly desperate, thrashing about the house in frustration when his ritual failed.

Xue Yang threatened Xiao Xingchen’s corpse, vowing to make Song Lan kill people if Xiao Xingchen didn't revive.

Xue Yang carried Xiao Xingchen's body away, mumbling about needing a spirit-trapping pouch to capture his soul.

A-Qing, who had been hiding, fled from Yi City after witnessing the tragedy and began searching for a strong cultivator to avenge Xiao Xingchen.

Xue Yang caught up to A-Qing and blinded her with powder before cutting out her tongue, killing her.

Wei Wuxian, through Empathy, witnessed all of these events unfold from A-Qing's perspective.

After experiencing A-Qing’s memories, Wei Wuxian vowed to kill Xue Yang for his actions.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji arrived at the final battle against Xue Yang outside Yi City.

Wen Ning subdued Song Lan, allowing Wei Wuxian to remove the nails in his head, which restored Song Lan's mind.

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian continued their fight against Xue Yang.

A-Qing’s ghost aided Lan Wangji by tapping her bamboo pole, revealing Xue Yang’s location in the fog.

Lan Wangji delivered a fatal blow to Xue Yang, cutting off his arm, but Xue Yang escaped with the help of the mysterious gravedigger.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji found Xiao Xingchen’s body and retrieved his and A-Qing's shattered souls in spirit-trapping pouches.

Song Lan, having regained his mind, vowed to carry on Xiao Xingchen’s legacy by walking the world and exorcising evil spirits.

The juniors, moved by Xiao Xingchen and A-Qing's tragic fates, burned paper money in their honor, despite being scolded by a villager.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji discussed the aftermath and responsibilities of handling the situation in Yi City.

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian had dinner together, and Wei Wuxian remarked on Lan Wangji's preference for plain food.

Wei Wuxian drank and was surprised when Lan Wangji joined him, finishing a cup of liquor before immediately falling asleep.

Wei Wuxian, amused and intrigued by Lan Wangji’s behavior, playfully whispered to him before getting interrupted by Wen Ning's voice from outside the window.

Wen Ning, regaining his senses, appeared at the window after falling from the eaves. Wei Wuxian met him outside, where they discussed the years Wen Ning was under control and how he found Wei Wuxian again after hearing his command.

Wen Ning mentioned hearing about the destruction of the Burial Mounds and how Jiang Cheng attacked it. Wei Wuxian clarified that his death was due to spiritual rebound, not Jiang Cheng’s actions.

Inside the tavern, Jin Ling angrily argued with Lan Sizhui and the juniors about demonic cultivators and Wei Wuxian, blaming him for his parents' deaths. Wen Ning, overhearing this, became visibly distressed, and Wei Wuxian reassured him.

Lan Wangji, now fully drunk, appeared and kicked Wen Ning before being stopped by Wei Wuxian.

Wen Ning left at Wei Wuxian’s suggestion, and Wei Wuxian tried to manage a drunk Lan Wangji, who tied Wei Wuxian’s hands with his forehead ribbon.

Despite Wei Wuxian’s attempts to get Lan Wangji to untie him, Lan Wangji only tied more knots, further indulging in his drunken antics by playing tag with Wei Wuxian.

After much playful chasing, Wei Wuxian teased Lan Wangji by kissing his hand, which caused Lan Wangji to back away shyly, though he continued to want to play tag.

Eventually, Lan Wangji willingly let Wei Wuxian catch him and seemed to expect another kiss, which Wei Wuxian reluctantly delivered, teasingly escalating the kisses until finally kissing Lan Wangji on the lips.

Realizing what had happened, Lan Wangji knocked himself unconscious by slapping his own forehead, leaving Wei Wuxian to free himself from the tight knots.

Wei Wuxian reflected on his teasing behavior and felt guilty for crossing a line but comforted himself with the thought that Lan Wangji wouldn’t remember anything when he sobered up.

The next morning, Lan Wangji applied medicine to Wei Wuxian’s wrists, acting as if nothing had happened, which reassured Wei Wuxian that Lan Wangji remembered nothing.

As they prepared to leave, the juniors shared farewells, and Wei Wuxian spoke to Jin Ling, encouraging him to be more cautious and advising him not to quarrel with Jiang Cheng.

Jin Ling questioned whether Wei Wuxian was really the infamous Wei Ying, to which Wei Wuxian deflected.

Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and the juniors continued their journey, with Lan Wangji deciding they would join Lan Xichen on a Night Hunt in Tan Prefecture.

Wei Wuxian wondered how Lan Wangji had recognized him as Wei Wuxian, but Lan Wangji implied it should be obvious, leaving Wei Wuxian puzzled.

The group arrived in Tan Prefecture and passed by a neglected but once-beautiful garden. The juniors explored it and discovered it was the famous garden of the Damsel of Annual Blossoms.

Lan Sizhui shared the story of the Damsel of Annual Blossoms, who rewarded excellent poetry with a magical flower but punished poor poetry by pelting people with flowers until they lost consciousness.

The juniors learned that Wei Wuxian had once annoyed the Damsel by repeatedly reciting bad poetry, getting pelted over twenty times before seeing her face.

The group decided to camp out in the garden. Wei Wuxian questioned the juniors about the meaning of the Lan Clan’s forehead ribbon, learning it symbolizes self-restraint and can only be touched or removed by one’s fated person.

Wei Wuxian was shocked and embarrassed by the significance of the forehead ribbon, reflecting on the many times he had touched Lan Wangji’s ribbon.

A flashback revealed an event from the past: Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji participated in an archery competition during a Qishan symposium. Wei Wuxian teased Lan Wangji by falsely claiming his forehead ribbon was crooked and accidentally pulled it off. Lan Wangji was deeply upset, but Wei Wuxian didn’t understand the significance at the time.

Back in the present, while Wei Wuxian was reflecting on the forehead ribbon, a headless corpse appeared in the garden, identified as the reassembled body parts they had been collecting.

The headless corpse, wearing funeral robes, searched for something—likely its missing head—by feeling around and smashing objects in frustration.

Wei Wuxian explained that the corpse couldn’t see or hear but could sense the presence of life and yang energy, so they put out the campfire and scattered to avoid detection.

The headless corpse pursued the juniors slowly, trying to grab their heads to see if one fit its body. Wei Wuxian diverted the corpse’s attention with rocks, allowing the juniors to escape.

Wei Wuxian called for Lan Wangji, who returned alongside Lan Xichen. Together, Lan Wangji, Lan Xichen, and Wei Wuxian used their musical instruments to subdue the fierce corpse, which eventually collapsed into pieces again.

Lan Xichen recognized the corpse as Nie Mingjue, the former leader of the Nie Clan, now dismembered and reanimated.

Wei Wuxian suggested that the person trying to collect Nie Mingjue’s body parts likely had connections to both the Lan and Nie Clans and didn’t want others to know about the dismemberment.

Lan Xichen defended their prime suspect, refusing to believe that this person could be responsible for such atrocities, despite evidence pointing in their direction. He trusted in the years of friendship and what he had witnessed personally.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji remained skeptical, understanding Lan Xichen's reluctance to accept the truth but believing that more investigation was needed into who had dismembered Nie Mingjue and why.

The Grand Symposium hosted by the Jin Clan of Lanling at Golden Carp Tower was approaching, and Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian arrived, admiring the extravagant murals depicting Jin Guangyao's and Jin Zixuan's heroic deeds.

Jiang Cheng exchanged hostile words with Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji upon arrival, but Jin Guangyao intervened, personally greeting them and showing warmth to Lan Wangji.

During the banquet, Jin Guangyao's wife, Qin Su, appeared composed but grew increasingly troubled later, leading to her strange behavior.

Jin Ling had a brief confrontation with Wei Wuxian and other Jin disciples led by Jin Chan, but Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling fought them off using a new technique Wei Wuxian taught Jin Ling.

Wei Wuxian discovered from Jin Ling that Mo Xuanyu had been expelled from Golden Carp Tower for harassing Jin Guangyao, which led to awkwardness between Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling.

Wei Wuxian used the Papercut Incarnation spell to send a paper effigy to investigate the inner workings of Golden Carp Tower, slipping into Jin Guangyao's quarters unnoticed.

In Blooming Garden, Wei Wuxian overheard a drunken Nie Huaisang pleading with Jin Guangyao, while Lan Xichen remained troubled.

Wei Wuxian found a heavily sealed letter in Fragrance Palace, later witnessing Qin Su discovering it and having a breakdown. Qin Su confronted Jin Guangyao, accusing him of lying about the contents of the letter and their son, A-Song's death.

Jin Guangyao tried to comfort and manipulate Qin Su while she vomited and sobbed uncontrollably, seemingly repulsed by the revelations in the letter.

Qin Su, devastated, refused to reveal who had given her the letter, fearing for their safety. Jin Guangyao eventually subdued her, dragging her into a secret chamber behind a bronze mirror.

Wei Wuxian followed them into the secret chamber, discovering shelves filled with books, torture devices, and other treasures, including manuscripts written by Wei Wuxian himself on forbidden magic.

In the chamber, Wei Wuxian discovered Nie Mingjue's head, heavily sealed and hidden by Jin Guangyao. The powerful seals prevented Nie Mingjue's head from sensing his body's whereabouts.

Just as Wei Wuxian contemplated removing the seals, he was sucked against Nie Mingjue's forehead by an unexpected force.

Lan Wangji observed Wei Wuxian while he was unconscious and touched his lips, reflecting on the earlier interaction with the paper effigy.

Wei Wuxian, while inhabiting the paper effigy in the secret chamber, was affected by Nie Mingjue's overwhelming resentment and found himself reliving a memory through Empathy.

The memory showed Nie Mingjue beheading Wen Xu, Wen Ruohan's eldest son, during the Sunshot Campaign, displaying his brutal and efficient battlefield tactics.

After the battle, Nie Mingjue discovered a terrified mother and daughter hiding from the carnage, and he reassured them they were safe, showing his compassionate side.

Nie Mingjue questioned his subordinates about the last person who left the previous battlefield, and they informed him it was Meng Yao (later Jin Guangyao).

Flashback to Meng Yao’s early life: Meng Yao, the son of a prostitute and Jin Guangshan, sought acceptance from his father but was cruelly rejected at Golden Carp Tower. He later joined the Nie Clan during the Sunshot Campaign.

Meng Yao worked diligently under Nie Mingjue’s command, gaining his favor and becoming his deputy envoy. Despite hardships and insults from other cultivators due to his background, Meng Yao persevered and earned Nie Mingjue's trust.

Lan Xichen visited the Nie Clan’s camp and recognized Meng Yao, showing kindness to him while others were disdainful. Lan Xichen encouraged Meng Yao to seek his father's approval at Golden Carp Tower, with Nie Mingjue offering a letter of recommendation.

Meng Yao left the Nie Clan to join his father’s forces at Golden Carp Tower. However, his superior at the Jin Clan mistreated him, taking credit for his work and insulting him, pushing Meng Yao to murder the man and frame the Wen Clan for it.

Nie Mingjue caught Meng Yao in the act of killing the Jin Clan cultivator and confronted him. Meng Yao tried to justify his actions, claiming he was forced to kill due to unbearable mistreatment.

Nie Mingjue saw through Meng Yao’s lies and demanded he confess to his crime at Golden Carp Tower. Meng Yao pretended to agree but then attempted to commit suicide in front of Nie Mingjue.

Meng Yao tricked Nie Mingjue by faking his suicide and stabbing him instead. Meng Yao fled, leaving Nie Mingjue wounded and furious.

Nie Mingjue’s anger at Meng Yao’s betrayal led him to become even more ruthless in battle. When Lan Xichen later arrived to help, Nie Mingjue recounted Meng Yao’s treachery, vowing vengeance if they ever met again.

Meng Yao disappeared entirely after betraying Nie Mingjue, leaving Nie Mingjue enraged whenever he was mentioned.

Wei Wuxian, while connected to Nie Mingjue through Empathy, witnessed a scene where Nie Mingjue and his men were captured by Wen Ruohan during a failed surprise attack on Yangquan, leading them to Nightless City as prisoners.

Meng Yao, now working for Wen Ruohan, approached the severely injured Nie Mingjue, mocking him before killing two of Nie Mingjue’s fellow cultivators for insulting the Wen Clan.

Meng Yao revealed that they were in Scorching Sun Palace, Wen Ruohan’s stronghold, and taunted Nie Mingjue with his saber, Baxia.

Meng Yao angered Nie Mingjue by bringing up the painful memory of his father’s death, caused indirectly by Wen Ruohan years prior.

In a rage, Nie Mingjue attempted to fight back, but Wen Ruohan’s overwhelming strength left him severely injured, with Meng Yao kicking him while he was down.

Wen Ruohan intervened before Nie Mingjue could kill Meng Yao, dragging Nie Mingjue across the hall and displaying his terrifying power by killing a disciple with just a gesture.

Despite Nie Mingjue’s best efforts to resist, he was beaten down by Wen Ruohan’s immense strength.

Meng Yao persuaded Wen Ruohan to send Nie Mingjue to Inferno Palace, Wen Ruohan's torture chamber, but before Wen Ruohan could act, something unexpected happened, leading to Wen Ruohan’s death.

Meng Yao was found helping a barely conscious Nie Mingjue escape from Nightless City, claiming Wen Ruohan was dead. Nie Mingjue, still suspicious, demanded his saber and accused Meng Yao of killing their fellow cultivators.

Meng Yao insisted he had no choice but to kill them to save Nie Mingjue’s life, causing Nie Mingjue to struggle between anger and gratitude.

Just as Meng Yao and Nie Mingjue’s fight escalated, Lan Xichen intervened, revealing that Meng Yao had been secretly feeding them information on Wen Clan movements and had orchestrated Wen Ruohan’s downfall.

Meng Yao confessed his actions during his time undercover, apologizing to Nie Mingjue for his past transgressions, while Lan Xichen defended Meng Yao’s actions as necessary for the mission.

Nie Mingjue, torn between his principles and gratitude, ultimately spared Meng Yao but remained deeply mistrustful of him.

After the Sunshot Campaign, Meng Yao gained widespread recognition for his undercover efforts and became sworn brothers with Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen, thanks in part to Lan Xichen’s influence.

At a Jin Clan banquet, Meng Yao, now known as Jin Guangyao, presented himself as a respected figure, and Xue Yang was revealed to be working with him.

Nie Mingjue expressed his distrust of Xue Yang, recognizing him as a notorious figure from Kui Prefecture, while Jin Guangyao evaded the topic.

Lan Wangji, Lan Xichen, and Nie Mingjue attended the banquet, where they encountered Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian, still arrogant and rebellious, clashed with Jin Zixuan, leading to a heated argument.

Wei Wuxian stormed off after the confrontation, and Lan Wangji attempted to approach him but hesitated, resulting in them passing each other without interaction.

The Three Zun were at the Impure Realm, where Lan Xichen played the guqin. Jin Guangyao joked about smashing his own guqin after hearing Lan Xichen play.

Jin Guangyao shared that his mother bought him fraudulent swordplay and cultivation manuals in hopes of preparing him for meeting his father. He taught himself how to play the guqin and swordplay.

Lan Xichen offered to teach Jin Guangyao the Purification Tone, despite Nie Mingjue’s warning not to divulge it to outsiders.

Nie Huaisang was caught obsessing over his collection of fans by Nie Mingjue, who demanded to know where his saber was. Nie Huaisang couldn't remember.

Jin Guangyao arrived and deflected Nie Mingjue's anger by defending Nie Huaisang's interests in the arts. Nie Huaisang showed great enthusiasm for Jin Guangyao's gifts, to Nie Mingjue’s frustration.

Nie Mingjue continued to criticize Nie Huaisang’s lack of interest in training and leadership, but Jin Guangyao encouraged Nie Mingjue to take a softer approach with his brother.

Jin Guangyao frequently visited the Impure Realm to play the Purification Tone, soothing Nie Mingjue’s growing resentment, but tension persisted between them.

Nie Mingjue grew suspicious of Jin Guangyao’s connection to Xue Yang, who had committed atrocities. Nie Mingjue demanded Xue Yang’s execution, but Jin Guangyao claimed he couldn’t disobey his father’s orders to protect Xue Yang.

Jin Guangyao defended himself against Nie Mingjue’s accusations of being untrustworthy and manipulative, highlighting his difficult position in the Jin Clan and his lack of resources compared to Nie Mingjue.

Nie Mingjue kicked Jin Guangyao down Golden Carp Tower after a heated confrontation, calling him the "son of a prostitute."

Lan Xichen intervened, trying to mediate between Nie Mingjue and Jin Guangyao. Jin Guangyao accepted blame and promised to kill Xue Yang within two months.

Nie Mingjue grew increasingly harsh with Nie Huaisang, demanding he improve his saber skills, but Nie Huaisang resisted, leading to a breakdown in their relationship.

Jin Guangyao continued to try to soothe the tension, playing the Purification Tone for Nie Mingjue, but Nie Mingjue’s resentment continued to build.

Nie Mingjue overheard Jin Guangyao venting to Lan Xichen, feeling betrayed by his complaints about being called the "son of a prostitute." This enraged Nie Mingjue, causing him to qi-deviate.

Nie Mingjue hallucinated that everyone around him was Jin Guangyao and began attacking people indiscriminately.

Nie Huaisang attempted to stop Nie Mingjue, but before Nie Mingjue collapsed, he briefly regained clarity and saw the real Jin Guangyao watching from a distance with tears in his eyes.

At the end of the hallucination, Wei Wuxian pulled himself out of the Empathy session, realizing he had little time left before returning to his physical body.

Wei Wuxian, in his paperman form, encountered Jin Guangyao in a secret chamber. Jin Guangyao attacked him with his soft sword, Hensheng, a flexible and deadly weapon.

Paperman Wei narrowly dodged Jin Guangyao’s attacks and discovered his old sword, Suibian, on a shelf. Suibian responded to him, and the two swords, Hensheng and Suibian, fought against each other.

Wei Wuxian used the distraction to escape the chamber and returned to his body, which was in Lan Wangji’s presence. He quickly recovered, despite some initial dizziness, and decided to confront Jin Guangyao.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji headed for Fragrance Palace, where Jin Guangyao’s secret chamber was located. They barged in, raising the alarm, which attracted numerous cultivators, including Jin Ling.

Lan Xichen confronted Jin Guangyao and demanded that he open the secret chamber. Jin Guangyao hesitated but ultimately complied, opening the chamber to reveal a dagger instead of Nie Mingjue’s head.

Qin Su, Jin Guangyao’s wife, was in the chamber, seemingly calm despite the earlier conflict. However, she suddenly grabbed the dagger and stabbed herself in the stomach, committing suicide in front of everyone.

Jin Guangyao pretended to be shocked and distraught over his wife's death, accusing Wei Wuxian of causing it and indirectly revealing that Wei Wuxian was the Yiling Patriarch, not Mo Xuanyu.

Jin Guangyao manipulated the crowd with a convincing story about Wei Wuxian’s identity, and many cultivators, including Jin Ling, turned on Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji defended Wei Wuxian, and the two of them fled from Golden Carp Tower. Jin Ling, confused and hurt, confronted Wei Wuxian, stabbing him in the stomach out of anger and confusion.

Wei Wuxian was severely injured, but Lan Wangji carried him away on Bichen. Despite his pain, Wei Wuxian had a moment of emotional clarity, remembering that he had once carried Lan Wangji on his back in the past.

Wei Wuxian awoke in Lotus Pier after being rescued from the underground cave by Jiang Cheng, who brought him back home.

Wei Wuxian reconnected with Jiang Yanli, who cared for him during his recovery. He learned that the Wens were falsely claiming credit for killing the Xuanwu of Slaughter, which had actually been slain by him and Lan Wangji.

Jiang Cheng expressed his frustration about not being able to slay the beast, showing his insecurity about living up to his family’s expectations.

Madam Yu interrupted a discussion between Jiang Fengmian, Wei Wuxian, and Jiang Cheng, chastising Wei Wuxian for constantly causing trouble and endangering the Jiang family.

Madam Yu and Jiang Fengmian argued over their treatment of Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian, with Madam Yu accusing Jiang Fengmian of favoring Wei Wuxian over his own son.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng had a heart-to-heart, with Wei Wuxian reassuring Jiang Cheng that Jiang Fengmian cared for him deeply, despite his stern treatment.

Their conversation was interrupted when a Jiang disciple was seized by the Wen Clan, led by Wang Lingjiao, who accused the disciple of mutinous intent based on a kite design.

Wang Lingjiao arrived at Lotus Pier and demanded punishment for Wei Wuxian, accusing him of disrespecting the Wen Clan during the Xuanwu incident.

Madam Yu whipped Wei Wuxian severely to appease Wang Lingjiao, though the punishment was not enough to satisfy her.

Wang Lingjiao demanded that Wei Wuxian’s right arm be cut off as further punishment, but Madam Yu eventually refused, revealing her growing anger.

Wang Lingjiao declared that Lotus Pier would be turned into an Overwatch Office for the Wen Clan, enraging Madam Yu.

Madam Yu slapped Wang Lingjiao and killed several Wen sect disciples, asserting her dominance and rejecting the Wen Clan’s control over Lotus Pier.

Wen Zhuliu, the Core-Melting Hand, arrived to protect Wang Lingjiao and engaged in a fierce battle with Madam Yu, who held her ground but was forced to retreat.

Madam Yu prepared Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng to flee, giving Jiang Cheng her spiritual weapon, Zidian, to protect him. She stayed behind to defend Lotus Pier.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng were forced onto a boat and bound by Zidian to ensure their escape. Jiang Cheng was devastated, calling out for his mother.

As they drifted away, Jiang Fengmian returned, freeing them momentarily before ordering them to continue their escape while he went back to help Madam Yu.

Jiang Fengmian bid farewell to Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian, leaving them to continue their escape as he returned to Lotus Pier.

Jiang Cheng screamed in anguish as their boat sailed away, unable to return to help his parents.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng escaped from Lotus Pier after being bound by Zidian and forced to flee by Madam Yu. They paddled back to Lotus Pier with their bare hands, hoping to return in time to help their parents.

Upon arriving, they found Lotus Pier surrounded by Wen Clan soldiers in blazing sun uniforms. They snuck in and witnessed piles of bodies of Jiang disciples in the drilling grounds, unable to tell if their parents were among them.

Wen Chao and Wang Lingjiao were nearby, gloating about their victory. Wang Lingjiao gloated over Yu Ziyuan’s death, mocking her marriage and her domineering personality.

Wen Chao, satisfied with his new control over Lotus Pier, ordered the removal of all symbols of the Jiang Clan and planned a feast to celebrate his conquest.

Overcome by grief and anger, Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian fled the scene but soon argued. Jiang Cheng, devastated by his parents’ death, blamed Wei Wuxian for saving Lan Wangji during the Xuanwu incident, thinking it brought disaster to their family.

Jiang Cheng violently attacked Wei Wuxian in his grief, attempting to strangle him, but soon broke down, crying for his lost parents. The two cried together, grieving the loss of their family and home.

The next day, they set off toward Meishan to find Jiang Yanli. Exhausted and starving, they entered a nearby city where Wei Wuxian left Jiang Cheng to find food. When he returned, Jiang Cheng was missing.

Wei Wuxian, fearing Jiang Cheng had gone back to Lotus Pier to retrieve their parents' bodies, ran back but found no sign of him.

Wei Wuxian, feeling powerless and overwhelmed, captured a Wen Clan disciple who turned out to be Wen Ning. Wen Ning revealed that he wanted to help Wei Wuxian save Jiang Cheng.

Wen Ning, who had seen Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng the previous day but kept silent, promised to help them escape, showing unexpected kindness.

Wen Ning retrieved the injured Jiang Cheng from inside Lotus Pier and handed him to Wei Wuxian, along with Zidian, which Wen Chao had taken from Jiang Cheng.

Wen Ning offered to help Wei Wuxian hide from the Wen Clan, knowing Wen Chao would soon be searching for them. He also promised to retrieve Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan’s bodies.

Wei Wuxian, despite his doubts, accepted Wen Ning’s help. Wen Ning guided them to a boat, treated Jiang Cheng's injuries, and helped them escape.

Wei Wuxian reflected on his earlier encounter with Wen Ning during the Qishan Grand Symposium, remembering how Wen Ning had been a skilled archer but too nervous to perform well in front of others.

Wen Ning, despite being part of the Wen Clan, proved to be a loyal and kind-hearted ally, aiding Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng during their time of need.

Wei Wuxian recalled his first encounter with Wen Ning while watching over the still-unconscious Jiang Cheng.

Wen Ning arranged for their transportation and hid them in the Yiling Overwatch Office, a Wen Clan-controlled property that Wen Ning believed would be the last place the Wen Clan would search for them.

Wei Wuxian remained suspicious of Wen Ning's motives despite his continued help and confronted him, but Wen Ning explained that he had no ill intentions.

Wen Ning's sister, Wen Qing, unexpectedly appeared. Wen Qing was a high-ranking member of the Wen Clan, and she discovered Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng hiding in the Overwatch Office.

Wen Qing covered for them and left, scolding Wen Ning for harboring them and warning him of the dangers.

Wen Ning explained that Wen Qing was helping out of gratitude and confirmed that they could stay temporarily.

Jiang Cheng awoke but was disturbingly calm and emotionally distant. He revealed that Wen Zhuliu had used his Core-Melting Hand to dissolve his golden core, making him powerless and unable to form a new one.

Jiang Cheng fell into despair, believing his life was now meaningless without his spiritual power and his ability to seek revenge.

Wei Wuxian, desperate to save his friend, decided to take Jiang Cheng to Baoshan-sanren, an immortal who could potentially help restore Jiang Cheng's golden core.

Jiang Cheng, clinging to this hope, agreed to go with Wei Wuxian. They traveled to the mountain, where Wei Wuxian instructed Jiang Cheng to blindfold himself and follow specific instructions to ensure Baoshan-sanren would help him.

Wei Wuxian watched Jiang Cheng ascend the mountain alone, while he took another path, hoping this journey would restore his friend's cultivation and bring them closer to vengeance.

Jiang Cheng spent seven days on the mountain, during which Wei Wuxian waited anxiously for his return in a small, remote town.

Wei Wuxian, exhausted and suspicious, entered a teahouse in the town but sensed something was off. He tried to leave but was ambushed by Wen Chao, Wen Zhuliu, and other Wen Clan members disguised as patrons.

Wen Chao and Wang Lingjiao discussed torturing Wei Wuxian, eager to dissolve his core like they did to Jiang Cheng, while Wei Wuxian taunted them, saying he hoped to return as a malicious ghost to haunt them.

Wen Chao hesitated, fearing Wei Wuxian might indeed turn into a vengeful ghost, but Wang Lingjiao insisted on going forward with the torture, claiming the Wen Clan could handle any ghost that might arise.

Wei Wuxian was beaten severely, coughing up blood and preparing for what he believed to be his imminent death, all while maintaining his defiant attitude.

Wen Chao, furious at Wei Wuxian's resistance, ordered his men to restrain him. Wen Zhuliu grabbed Wei Wuxian, and they took off on their swords, flying him to an ominous mountain called the Burial Mounds.

Wen Chao explained that the Burial Mounds, located in Yiling, were a cursed mountain filled with corpses and dark energy. It was said that no one who entered the mountain ever returned, either in body or soul.

With a final taunt, Wen Chao threw Wei Wuxian off his sword, sending him plummeting toward the cursed Burial Mounds below.

Wang Lingjiao had a nightmare about Wei Wuxian, waking up screaming, and expressed fears that he might have survived being thrown into the Burial Mounds and could return as a malicious ghost.

Wen Chao dismissed her concerns, assuring her that no one had ever survived the Burial Mounds and that even if Wei Wuxian had died, his soul would be trapped there.

Wang Lingjiao found out that Wen Xu, Wen Chao’s eldest brother, had been beheaded in the Sunshot Campaign, leading her to worry about her own safety and future with Wen Chao.

Feeling uneasy about her standing with Wen Chao, Wang Lingjiao decided to take inventory of her valuables. Upon opening her chest, she was horrified to find a pale child inside.

Terrified, Wang Lingjiao scrambled to put a talisman on her chest for protection, but when she looked again, the chest contained only her valuables. However, she soon saw the same pale child under her bed, staring at her with glowing eyes.

Wen Chao, frustrated with the situation and Wang Lingjiao’s repeated screams, became angry. When Wang Lingjiao appeared in his room with her face grotesquely distorted, begging for help, Wen Chao attacked her with a sword and a stool, but she continued to behave erratically, shoving pieces of the broken stool into her mouth.

Wen Chao attempted to escape through the window, but he suddenly noticed a figure dressed in black standing in the courtyard, illuminated by the moonlight.

Jiang Cheng was standing before a forest and met Lan Wangji. After exchanging greetings, they set off with their sects to raid the Overwatch Office where Wen Chao was hiding.

Two months earlier, they had raided Wen Chao’s “Education Office” to retrieve the confiscated swords, including Sandu and Bichen. Lan Wangji asked Jiang Cheng about Wei Wuxian’s whereabouts, but Jiang Cheng had no news.

Arriving at the Overwatch Office, they found it filled with corpses of Wen sect disciples, all of whom had died in various horrific ways. Lan Wangji noticed that the residence protection talismans had extra strokes, which changed their function from repelling evil to attracting it.

The pair did not find Wen Chao or Wen Zhuliu’s bodies and assumed they had fled towards Qishan. Jiang Cheng pursued them while Lan Wangji briefly returned to Gusu, later rejoining Jiang Cheng.

Lan Wangji revealed that the talismans had been reversed to summon evil creatures, implying that someone had manipulated the talismans to kill the Wen disciples.

As they continued their pursuit, they discovered that high-ranking Wen cultivators had been mysteriously killed in violent ways, leading them to believe the same person was responsible.

They eventually tracked Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu to a remote post station. Wen Chao had been horribly disfigured, bald, and scarred, while Wen Zhuliu tended to his injuries.

Wen Chao was paranoid and terrified, believing he could hear the sound of a flute, which Wen Zhuliu dismissed as the wind.

Wei Wuxian, now dressed in black and radiating a sinister aura, appeared at the post station. His appearance shocked Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji, as he had undergone a significant change in demeanor.

Wei Wuxian taunted Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu, revealing that Wen Chao had been tortured and forced to eat his own flesh. Wen Chao's legs had been stripped of their flesh, and his fingerless hands suggested more gruesome torture.

Wei Wuxian was accompanied by a ghostly child and a pale-faced woman, both of whom attacked Wen Zhuliu when he tried to protect Wen Chao. The ghostly child chewed on Wen Zhuliu's hand, while the pale woman tore off Wen Chao's bandages, causing him immense pain.

Just as Wen Zhuliu lunged at Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng intervened. Jiang Cheng used Zidian to strangle Wen Zhuliu, snapping his neck.

Jiang Cheng was overjoyed to see Wei Wuxian again after three months and scolded him for not returning sooner. Wei Wuxian explained he had been captured and thrown into a "hellhole" by the Wens but had managed to survive.

Lan Wangji questioned Wei Wuxian about the methods he used to manipulate nefarious creatures. Wei Wuxian dodged the question and implied that his methods were his own business.

Lan Wangji insisted that Wei Wuxian’s new cultivation path was dangerous and could harm both his body and nature. Wei Wuxian dismissed his concerns, claiming he was in control of his actions and that the methods were effective for killing the Wen sect.

Lan Wangji urged Wei Wuxian to return to Gusu with him, but Wei Wuxian refused, unwilling to be judged or punished by the Lan Clan for his unorthodox practices.

With Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu at their mercy, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng reveled in their revenge. Wei Wuxian revealed that Wen Chao's high-pitched voice was due to his lover biting off his genitals when she went mad.

Wei Wuxian told Lan Wangji to leave, as what would follow was a personal matter between him, Jiang Cheng, and the Wens. Lan Wangji reluctantly departed but remained outside, keeping watch.

Later, a long, shrill scream pierced the night, signaling the end of Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu’s lives as dawn began to break.

Wei Wuxian, still asleep, clung to Lan Wangji, mumbling in his dreams about not wanting Lan Wangji to be mad and asking to be taken home. He woke up and awkwardly withdrew, realizing he had been clutching Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji checked Wei Wuxian’s wounds, confirming that he had been unconscious for four days. Thanks to the Lan Clan’s medicinal pills, Wei Wuxian had healed completely.

Lan Wangji returned Suibian, Wei Wuxian’s sword, to him. Wei Wuxian tried to unsheathe it but realized it had sealed itself off, further confirming his identity.

Wei Wuxian found out he was in the Cloud Recesses and learned that Lan Xichen was aware of his presence but had not revealed it to others or arrested him.

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian discussed the whereabouts of Nie Mingjue's body and Jin Guangyao's suspicious behavior. Lan Xichen acknowledged that Jin Guangyao was putting on a flawless act.

Wei Wuxian played the song of purification that Jin Guangyao had used on Nie Mingjue, revealing that Jin Guangyao had altered the melody with a dangerous section from the Collection of Spirit Turmoil—a book of wicked songs from Dongying that could manipulate a person’s mind.

After discovering this, Lan Xichen felt conflicted, realizing Jin Guangyao had deceived him. He vowed to test the melody and deal with the truth, even if it meant acknowledging Jin Guangyao’s treachery.

Lan Xichen confided in Wei Wuxian about his parents' tragic love story, where his father, Qingheng-jun, confined his mother in a cottage after she killed his mentor. Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen were only allowed to visit her once a month until her death when Lan Wangji was six years old.

Wei Wuxian observed the bond between Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji, noting Lan Wangji's care and unwavering support for him.

Lan Wangji brought wine (Emperor’s Smile), and Wei Wuxian attempted to prank him by replacing it with water but ended up drinking the water himself, much to his frustration.

Lan Wangji alerted Wei Wuxian to an uninvited guest in the Cloud Recesses. They followed him to the Wintry Room, where they eavesdropped on Jin Guangyao's meeting with Lan Xichen.

Jin Guangyao returned his travel token to Lan Xichen, implying that his access to the Cloud Recesses had been revoked. He also informed Lan Xichen about anomalies involving corpses heading toward the Burial Mounds.

Jin Guangyao suspected that Wei Wuxian was preparing to use the Yin Tiger Tally again, and a second Siege of the Burial Mounds was imminent. He asked Lan Xichen to attend Golden Carp Tower for a meeting with other clans.

After Jin Guangyao left, Lan Xichen told Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian to go to the Burial Mounds while he attended the meeting at Golden Carp Tower, signaling the beginning of their respective missions.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji left the Cloud Recesses, encountering a group of white rabbits and Wei Wuxian's donkey, Little Apple. The rabbits showed a peculiar attachment to Lan Wangji.

As Wei Wuxian feigned injury, Lan Wangji lifted him onto the donkey. Wei Wuxian was reminded of a childhood memory of his parents, riding a donkey and being lifted onto his father's shoulders.

They traveled toward Yiling, taking a countryside route to avoid being detected. Wei Wuxian playfully asked Lan Wangji to hold Little Apple’s reins, reminiscing and enjoying the moment.

Wei Wuxian asked Lan Wangji about the song he had hummed to him in the cave of the Xuanwu of Slaughter. Lan Wangji revealed he composed it himself, and that he had never shared it with anyone else.

Along the way, they stopped at a farmhouse where Wei Wuxian, for unclear reasons, pushed Lan Wangji into a pile of straw to hide. As they eavesdropped on the homeowners, Wei Wuxian teased Lan Wangji by calling him "Lan-er-gege."

The couple inside the farmhouse discussed recent grave disturbances, linking them to the Yiling Patriarch. This conversation caused Wei Wuxian to reflect on his infamous past, feeling a weight of guilt.

Wen Ning appeared, disguised as a fierce corpse, to scare away the family so that Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji could leave the farmhouse. Wei Wuxian humorously complimented Wen Ning’s scare tactics.

Wen Ning revealed he had been secretly following them and had cleared fierce corpses from their path. He showed them a pit of dismembered corpses that he had fought to protect them.

The trio reached the Burial Mounds and found that sections of the wall meant to seal it off had been broken. They observed destruction, including headless stone beast statues meant to guard the area.

Wen Ning showed signs of emotion as they passed through the ruins of the huts where he once lived. A walking corpse emerged, manipulated by the Yin Tiger Tally, and Wen Ning swiftly tore it apart.

They continued fighting waves of walking corpses controlled by the Yin Tiger Tally as they ascended the mountain. Lan Wangji used his guqin to suppress the corpses, while Wen Ning fought them off physically.

After reaching a cave, they discovered over a hundred young disciples from various clans bound by Immortal-Binding Ropes. Among them were Jin Ling, Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi, and others.

Jin Chan, one of the disciples, insulted Wei Wuxian, blaming him for their capture, while Jin Ling and others tried to stop him. A fight broke out among the juniors, leading Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji to intervene and free them.

Lan Sizhui expressed complete trust in Wei Wuxian, who was touched by his faith. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji freed the juniors and prepared to help them escape the cave.

Wen Ning scouted ahead to clear the way of corpses while the juniors, led by Lan Sizhui, followed. Despite their fears, the disciples began to leave the cave.

Suddenly, Jiang Cheng appeared at the entrance of the cave, having fought his way through the corpses. He attacked Wen Ning with Zidian, sending him flying into the cave wall.

The cave was soon surrounded by a couple of thousand cultivators, including Lan Qiren, who was visibly older and worn. Jiang Cheng called Jin Ling to his side, while Lan Qiren exchanged a brief, disappointed glance with Lan Wangji, understanding his unwavering stance.

A female cultivator questioned Lan Wangji’s loyalty, accusing him of being bewitched by Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji ignored her.

Jiang Cheng and Su She arrived with a crowd of cultivators. Su She accused Wei Wuxian of digging up corpses and taking hostages.

Wei Wuxian defended himself, claiming he saved the juniors, but the crowd scoffed at his words.

Wei Wuxian sarcastically asked about the absence of Jin Guangyao and Lan Xichen. Su She revealed that Jin Guangyao had been seriously injured by an assassination attempt, and Lan Xichen was trying to save him.

Wei Wuxian found the news of Jin Guangyao’s injury amusing, recalling how Jin Guangyao faked injuries to kill Nie Mingjue.

Ouyang Zizhen timidly defended Wei Wuxian, suggesting he wasn't the culprit, but his father immediately rebuked him.

Wei Wuxian realized that nothing he said would change their minds, and that Lan Wangji’s association with him had diminished his credibility.

The first Siege of the Burial Mounds was recalled, led by Jin Guangshan, Jiang Cheng, Lan Qiren, and Nie Mingjue, with Jiang Cheng still showing hostility toward Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian took solace in Lan Wangji’s unwavering support, recognizing he was no longer standing alone.

Several cultivators stepped forward to accuse Wei Wuxian of personal wrongs: Yi Weichun claimed Wei Wuxian had maimed his leg; Fang Mengchen accused Wei Wuxian of killing his parents.

Another man, Sect Leader Yao, stated he had no personal grudge but was there to fight for righteousness, declaring that Wei Wuxian, as an enemy of the world, deserved to be condemned.

Inspired by Sect Leader Yao, more cultivators voiced their grievances against Wei Wuxian and Wen Ning, blaming them for various deaths and injuries, all while proclaiming their actions were in the name of justice.

The crowd grew fervent, believing they were on a righteous crusade to punish Wei Wuxian and eradicate evil.

The story begins with a grand Siege Hunt event at Mount Baifeng, where various cultivation clans gathered to showcase their strength.

Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji of the Gusu Lan Clan arrived on horses, attracting admiration from the crowd, especially female cultivators who threw flowers at them.

Wei Wuxian playfully threw a flower at Lan Wangji, who confronted him but was teased by Wei Wuxian and the female cultivators around him.

Jiang Cheng, accompanying Wei Wuxian, apologized to Lan Xichen for Wei Wuxian’s antics, who dismissed it with humor.

The Nie Clan of Qinghe, led by Nie Mingjue and Nie Huaisang, made their grand entrance, with Nie Mingjue intimidating the crowd and Nie Huaisang taking a more leisurely approach.

When the Jiang Clan of Yunmeng arrived, Wei Wuxian reveled in the attention, much to Jiang Cheng’s annoyance. Jiang Yanli, watching from the observation deck, tossed flowers to her brothers, causing them both to smile.

Jin Zixuan made a grand entrance on horseback, impressing the crowd with his archery skills. Wei Wuxian mocked him, calling him a “colorful peacock,” which irritated Jiang Cheng.

Wei Wuxian showed off his archery skills by blindfolding himself and hitting the bullseye, drawing applause and jealousy from Jin Zixun, who challenged Wei Wuxian to keep the blindfold on for the entire hunt.

As Wei Wuxian strolled through the forest blindfolded, he was ambushed by someone who kissed him forcefully. He assumed it was a shy girl and didn’t fight back, though the mysterious kisser left before he could identify them.

When Wei Wuxian later encountered Lan Wangji in the forest, Lan Wangji was acting out of character, angrily destroying trees and telling Wei Wuxian to stay away. His uncharacteristic anger left Wei Wuxian puzzled.

Wei Wuxian joked about kissing, unknowingly teasing Lan Wangji, who appeared affected by the discussion.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji then spied on a conversation between Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli. Jin Zixuan awkwardly tried to make conversation with Jiang Yanli, revealing his feelings but doing so in a clumsy and conceited way.

Jin Zixuan accidentally insulted Jiang Yanli, causing Wei Wuxian to intervene, leading to a confrontation between Jin Zixuan and Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji stepped in to defuse the situation, stopping the fight between Jin Zixuan and Wei Wuxian.

Madam Jin, Jin Zixuan’s mother, arrived on the scene and tried to mediate, while Jin Zixun, Jin Zixuan’s cousin, taunted Wei Wuxian and criticized his use of demonic cultivation techniques to summon a large portion of the hunt's prey.

Jin Zixun accused Wei Wuxian of breaking the rules, but Jiang Yanli stood up for Wei Wuxian, defending his actions and calling out Jin Zixun for his unfairness. She even demanded an apology from Jin Zixun.

Jin Zixuan, flustered by the events, suddenly shouted out in front of everyone that it was his own desire, not his mother’s, to invite Jiang Yanli to the hunt. Embarrassed by his outburst, he fled into the forest, leaving everyone in shock.

Madam Jin chased after her son, leaving the scene in chaos as cultivators began leaving the hunt, dissatisfied with how events had unfolded.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli left the scene together, while Lan Wangji watched them quietly.

Jin Guangyao and Lan Xichen arrived to try and settle the crowd, but the damage had already been done, with many cultivators abandoning the hunt in frustration.

Jiang Cheng, arriving late, heard gossip about how Wei Wuxian’s fame overshadowed the Jiang Clan of Yunmeng, leading to dark feelings of resentment and unease within him.

Following the collapse of the Wen Clan of Qishan, Nightless City was reduced to ruins, and cultivators migrated to cities like Lanling, Yunmeng, Gusu, and Qinghe.

Two months later, Lan Wangji walked through the streets of Yunmeng, receiving greetings from various cultivators.

Girls continuously threw flowers at Lan Wangji, which he collected in his arms, expressionless.

Wei Wuxian appeared from a nearby building and called out to Lan Wangji, teasing him for his reaction to the flowers.

Lan Wangji, after some hesitation, ascended the stairs to Wei Wuxian’s location.

Wei Wuxian invited Lan Wangji to drink, but Lan Wangji declined, reminding him that alcohol was forbidden for him.

Wei Wuxian teased Lan Wangji about his serious nature and invited him to sit, but Lan Wangji expressed concern about Wei Wuxian’s use of demonic cultivation, warning him about its dangers.

Wei Wuxian dismissed Lan Wangji’s concerns and hinted that Lan Wangji’s warnings were getting repetitive. Tension arose between them, but they ultimately parted on somewhat polite terms.

Wei Wuxian returned to Lotus Pier, where Jiang Cheng noticed his gloomy demeanor and correctly guessed that Wei Wuxian had run into Lan Wangji.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng discussed the possibility of Jiang Yanli being with Jin Zixuan. Wei Wuxian expressed his disdain for Jin Zixuan due to past grievances, but Jiang Cheng revealed that Jiang Yanli still had feelings for him.

Jiang Cheng reminded Wei Wuxian of an incident from their childhood involving Jiang Yanli, where she had taken care of both Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng after they’d gotten into trouble.

In a flashback, young Wei Wuxian was afraid of dogs and climbed a tree to escape them. Jiang Yanli found him and reassured him. Jiang Cheng, upset and jealous at the time, also got into trouble by falling into a pit while searching for Wei Wuxian.

Jiang Yanli carried both boys back to Lotus Pier, showing her caring and protective nature.

Wei Wuxian recalled this moment fondly, linking it to his favorite memory of Jiang Yanli making lotus root and pork rib soup for him and Jiang Cheng, which became a cherished comfort food for him.

Reflecting on these memories, Wei Wuxian wandered out of Lotus Pier to reminisce about the past and the stability he felt with the Jiang siblings.

As he walked through the bustling market, he encountered a familiar person, which surprised him greatly.

Lan Xichen noticed Lan Wangji was troubled and asked about it.

Lan Wangji revealed he wanted to bring someone back to the Cloud Recesses and hide them away, but the person was unwilling.

They overheard Jin Zixun scolding a young man in white, Su She, who had lost his way. Jin Guangyao defused the situation and praised Su She.

Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji attended a banquet at Golden Carp Tower, but the peace was interrupted by a drunken Jin Zixun, who insisted they drink with him.

Jin Zixun’s behavior was disrespectful, but Jin Guangyao attempted to intervene. Wei Wuxian suddenly arrived and drank the wine on Lan Wangji’s behalf.

Wei Wuxian confronted Jin Zixun, asking about the whereabouts of Wen Ning and other Wen Clan survivors that Jin Zixun had captured.

Jin Zixun denied knowing anything about Wen Ning, but Wei Wuxian revealed details of Jin Zixun using Wen survivors as bait during a Night Hunt.

A heated argument ensued, with Jin Guangshan stepping in to reprimand Wei Wuxian for intruding on the banquet and raising concerns about the Yin Tiger Tally.

Wei Wuxian retorted, accusing the Jin Clan of behaving like the Wen Clan by mistreating innocent Wen survivors.

Wei Wuxian threatened Jin Zixun, counting to three, which forced Jin Zixun to reveal that the Wen survivors were at Qiongqi Path.

Wei Wuxian and Wen Qing rushed to Qiongqi Path, where they found Wen Clan captives forced into hard labor. Wen Qing was searching for her brother, Wen Ning.

They encountered an elderly woman carrying a tattered Wen Clan flag, and Wen Qing learned that Wen Ning was missing.

Wen Qing searched the valley, calling for Wen Ning, but found no sign of him. The overseers were nervous at Wei Wuxian's presence.

Wei Wuxian used his flute, Chenqing, to summon Wen Ning, who appeared as a fierce corpse, badly injured and clearly dead.

Wen Qing broke down in tears upon seeing Wen Ning’s body and fainted. Wei Wuxian caught her and demanded to know who killed Wen Ning.

The overseers tried to lie, claiming Wen Ning died from an accident, but Wei Wuxian saw through their deception.

Wen Ning, now a fierce corpse, began killing the overseers under Wei Wuxian's command, exacting revenge for his death.

Wei Wuxian found other Wen Clan survivors locked up in a shack and helped them escape on horseback with Wen Qing and Wen Ning.

As they fled, Wei Wuxian took a child named A-Yuan from the elderly woman and led the group to safety, galloping into the night.

A large gathering took place at Touchstone Pavilion, where around fifty family heads and cultivators, including Jiang Cheng, Nie Mingjue, Lan Xichen, and Lan Wangji, convened to discuss Wei Wuxian's actions.

Jin Guangyao reported that Wei Wuxian had led the Wen Clan survivors to the Burial Mounds and summoned fierce corpses to protect them.

Jiang Cheng apologized for Wei Wuxian’s behavior and explained that Wen Ning and Wen Qing had saved them during the Sunshot Campaign.

Nie Mingjue criticized Wen Qing for not opposing the Wen Clan's atrocities, and other family heads agreed, condemning the entire Wen Clan.

Jin Guangshan shifted the conversation, claiming Wei Wuxian was arrogant and disrespectful to Jiang Cheng and suggested he planned to break away from the Jiang Clan.

Jin Guangshan fabricated a story about Wei Wuxian insulting Jiang Cheng, but Lan Wangji interrupted, stating that Wei Wuxian had never disrespected Jiang Cheng.

The conversation escalated, with some family heads criticizing Wei Wuxian's background and his cultivation of the demonic path, while Mianmian defended him.

After Mianmian was mocked and insulted by her peers, she angrily quit her sect and left. Lan Wangji followed and showed her respect with a solemn bow before she departed.

Jin Guangshan implied that Wei Wuxian intended to break from the Jiang Clan and urged Jiang Cheng to take action against him.

Jiang Cheng decided to go to the Burial Mounds to confront Wei Wuxian, feeling pressure from the other clan leaders.

Jiang Cheng visited the Burial Mounds, where he found Wei Wuxian living among Wen Clan survivors, including women, children, and the elderly.

They discussed the Wen Clan survivors, and Jiang Cheng expressed disbelief that Wei Wuxian intended to settle at the Burial Mounds and grow crops.

Jiang Cheng inquired about Wen Ning, whom they found sealed in a cave as a fierce corpse. Wei Wuxian explained that he intended to awaken Wen Ning’s mind rather than refine him into a powerful fierce corpse.

Jiang Cheng grew angry, demanding that Wei Wuxian burn Wen Ning’s body and hand over the Wen Clan survivors to avoid further trouble.

Wei Wuxian refused, reminding Jiang Cheng of the Wens’ past kindness in saving them during their darkest times.

Jiang Cheng argued that defending the Wen survivors would bring universal condemnation and that Wei Wuxian’s actions would harm the Jiang Clan.

Wei Wuxian suggested that Jiang Cheng publicly cut ties with him to protect the Jiang Clan from being associated with his actions.

Jiang Cheng was furious and challenged Wei Wuxian to a fight, and they parted on bitter terms.

Three days later, Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian dueled in Yiling, with neither emerging as the victor. Wei Wuxian had Wen Ning break Jiang Cheng’s arm, while Jiang Cheng stabbed Wei Wuxian.

Following the duel, Jiang Cheng publicly declared that Wei Wuxian had defected from the Jiang Clan and that his future actions would no longer be associated with the Jiang Clan.

Wen Ning gained a fearsome reputation after the fight, but Wei Wuxian remained unfazed by his injuries and returned to the Burial Mounds with potatoes, where Wen Qing berated him for not buying radish seeds.

Wei Wuxian and the Wen survivors lived peacefully on the Burial Mounds for several months, where Wei Wuxian took care of Wen Yuan (A-Yuan), played with him, and handled the fierce corpses on the mountain.

One day, Wei Wuxian took Wen Yuan to town to get supplies. Wen Yuan got lost in the crowd and accidentally bumped into Lan Wangji, who remained stoic as Wen Yuan cried.

Wei Wuxian found them, amused at Lan Wangji's helplessness with the child. Bystanders assumed Lan Wangji was the father, and when Wei Wuxian appeared, the crowd thought they were a family.

Lan Wangji ended up buying Wen Yuan toys to stop him from crying. The child grew attached to Lan Wangji, clinging to his leg, much to Wei Wuxian's amusement.

Wei Wuxian convinced Lan Wangji to join them for a meal at a restaurant, where they discussed recent events. Lan Wangji informed Wei Wuxian of the upcoming marriage between Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan, which left Wei Wuxian shocked and conflicted.

While eating, Wei Wuxian received an alert from a talisman indicating trouble at the Burial Mounds. Lan Wangji accompanied him and Wen Yuan back to the mountain.

Upon arriving, they discovered that the fierce corpses had broken free from the Demon-Quelling Cave, with Wen Ning going berserk after tearing off his talismans.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji worked together to subdue Wen Ning, with Wei Wuxian using his flute and Lan Wangji his guqin. After a struggle, Wen Ning regained consciousness, much to the joy and relief of Wen Qing and the Wen survivors.

After fulfilling his promise to Wen Qing that he would awaken Wen Ning’s mind, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji retreated to the Demon-Quelling Cave, where they discussed the challenges Wei Wuxian faced in maintaining control over the fierce corpses and the difficulties of walking the demonic path.

Wei Wuxian reflected on his inability to abandon the demonic path because of his commitment to protect the Wen survivors. Lan Wangji expressed concern about whether Wei Wuxian could maintain control, but Wei Wuxian dismissed the idea of losing control.

Wen Qing slapped Wei Wuxian hard enough to make him cough up blood, forcing him to expel the bad blood from his lungs. Lan Wangji panicked, but Wei Wuxian was fine.

The Wen survivors threw a feast in Wei Wuxian’s honor, thanking him for all he had done for them. They expressed their gratitude by sharing food and drink with him, and Wei Wuxian felt touched by their efforts, realizing that despite the darkness of the demonic path, there was light in the bonds he had formed with the Wen survivors.

As the evening progressed, Wen Qing noted Wei Wuxian's friendly relationship with Lan Wangji, which contradicted the rumors of their enmity.

Wei Wuxian offered to cook, but his culinary skills were terrible, much to Wen Qing’s frustration, and A-Yuan ended up crying after trying his food.

The cultivation world quickly learned that Wei Wuxian had refined a powerful, conscious fierce corpse, Wen Ning, and feared that Wei Wuxian would create an army of such beings, threatening their way of life and their control over the cultivation world.

Despite the rumors, Wei Wuxian mainly used Wen Ning to help with manual labor, such as carrying goods up the mountain. However, Wei Wuxian’s growing reputation attracted many people wanting to join his supposed sect, which led to an influx of visitors to the Burial Mounds.

Wei Wuxian started using different routes to avoid the increasing number of visitors and managed to avoid conflicts despite his fame.

One day, while shopping in Yiling, Wei Wuxian encountered Jiang Cheng, who led him and Wen Ning into a secluded courtyard. Jiang Cheng dismissed Wen Ning rudely, revealing his lasting resentment toward the Wen Clan.

Inside the courtyard, Wei Wuxian was surprised to see Jiang Yanli dressed in her bridal robes. Jiang Yanli had come secretly to show her brother how she looked on her wedding day, as he couldn't attend due to his current situation.

Jiang Yanli asked Wei Wuxian to choose a courtesy name for her future son, which led to a playful argument between Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng over the name "Jin Rulan."

Jiang Yanli brought soup for Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng, and even Wen Ning, showing her kindness toward the latter despite his undead state.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng briefly discussed the injuries they inflicted on each other during their fight, with Jiang Cheng expressing his frustration that Wei Wuxian never heeded his warnings about the dangers he faced.

After some banter, Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli prepared to leave. They didn't want Wei Wuxian to see them off for fear of being seen by others and breaking the pretense they had maintained.

Wen Ning clutched the bowl of soup Jiang Yanli had given him, unable to consume it but cherishing the gesture nonetheless.

Wei Wuxian knew it would be a long time before he saw his family again, but he also anticipated reunions with others from his past.

Inside Lanling City's largest Pavilion of Treasures, cultivators discussed the election of a Cultivation Chief and recent celebrations, including Jin Ling's one-month celebration.

Some discussed Wei Wuxian's invitation to the celebration, which caused shock and controversy due to his dark reputation.

Wei Wuxian, disguised in white, bought a gift for Jin Ling, a silver bell for protection, but kept the true gift a secret even from Wen Ning.

On their way back through Qiongqi Path, Wei Wuxian and Wen Ning were ambushed by Jin Zixun and 300 armed cultivators. Jin Zixun believed Wei Wuxian had cursed him with the malicious Thousand Sores and Hundred Holes curse.

Wei Wuxian denied the accusation, stating he never used such underhanded methods, but Jin Zixun didn't believe him and demanded he lift the curse or face death.

Jin Zixun crushed Wei Wuxian's gift for Jin Ling in front of him, enraging Wei Wuxian, but before a full confrontation, Jin Zixuan arrived and intervened, trying to stop the ambush.

Jin Zixuan was furious that he hadn't been informed of Jin Zixun's plot. Jin Zixun dismissed Jin Zixuan's objections, prioritizing his life over the family's honor, and continued the attack.

In the ensuing chaos, Wen Ning, who had gone berserk, suddenly killed Jin Zixuan by piercing his chest, shocking everyone, including Wei Wuxian, who lost control of Wen Ning.

Jin Zixuan died in Wei Wuxian’s arms, telling him that Jiang Yanli was waiting for him at Jin Ling’s celebration. Wei Wuxian was devastated by the unintentional death.

Panic broke out, and Jin Zixun ordered the cultivators to fire on Wei Wuxian. Wen Ning killed Jin Zixun, but Wei Wuxian was mentally broken, unable to comprehend what had happened.

Wei Wuxian woke up later in the Demon-Quelling Cave, realizing the gravity of what had transpired and the implications of Wen Ning's actions.

Blaming himself for the deaths, Wei Wuxian lashed out at Wen Ning, demanding to know what they were supposed to do now.

Wen Ning and Wen Qing, who had decided to surrender themselves to the Jin Clan, explained their plan to plead guilty to end the conflict.

Despite Wei Wuxian’s protests, Wen Qing paralyzed him with a needle, rendering him unable to stop them. They explained that by turning themselves in, they hoped to stop the Jin Clan’s retaliation against Wei Wuxian.

Wen Qing and Wen Ning said their goodbyes to Wei Wuxian, apologizing for the trouble they had caused and thanking him for everything before leaving to face their fate at Golden Carp Tower.

Wei Wuxian lay paralyzed in the Demon-Quelling Cave for three days, regaining movement exactly after that period as Wen Qing predicted.

Once able to move, he rushed out of the Burial Mounds in a panic, unsure of where to go but eventually decided to retrieve Wen Qing and Wen Ning’s remains from Golden Carp Tower.

Upon sneaking into Golden Carp Tower, Wei Wuxian discovered Jiang Yanli grieving beside Jin Zixuan’s coffin with their infant son, Jin Ling, in her arms. Madam Jin, also in mourning, tried to console her.

Wei Wuxian accidentally alerted Madam Jin to his presence, leading her to call for the guards. Wei Wuxian fled without confronting Jiang Yanli.

Wandering aimlessly after his escape, Wei Wuxian overheard gossip from a group of cultivators about how Wen Ning went berserk at Golden Carp Tower, killing many, including members of the Gusu Lan Clan. They also mentioned that Wen Ning had been destroyed, reduced to ash.

The cultivators mocked and cursed Wei Wuxian, calling him a creator of monsters, which enraged him. He retaliated violently, summoning spirits to attack and terrorize the group.

After suppressing the crowd, Wei Wuxian left them pinned by spirits and vowed to confront the major clans at the Pledge Rally in Nightless City.

At Nightless City, the major clans held a ceremony led by Jin Guangshan, scattering the ashes of the Wen siblings and declaring their intent to kill Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian made a dramatic entrance, mocking the gathered clans and challenging their accusations, including the ambush at Qiongqi Path and the killing of Jin Zixuan.

Tensions escalated as Wei Wuxian and the clan leaders exchanged barbs, leading to open conflict. Wei Wuxian used his flute, Chenqing, to summon corpses from the ground, throwing the rally into chaos.

Lan Wangji attempted to stop Wei Wuxian using his guqin but was unsuccessful. The two nearly fought until Jiang Yanli’s voice suddenly interrupted the chaos, calling out to Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng frantically searched for Jiang Yanli amidst the battle. They found her, but she was fatally wounded by a fierce corpse under Wei Wuxian’s control.

Despite Lan Wangji’s help in destroying the corpse, Jiang Yanli was mortally injured. She used her last moments to ask Wei Wuxian to stop, expressing her love and concern for him.

A young cultivator, seeking revenge for his brother, mistakenly stabbed Jiang Yanli instead of Wei Wuxian. Jiang Yanli died in Wei Wuxian’s arms, devastating him and Jiang Cheng.

In a fit of rage, Wei Wuxian killed the young cultivator by snapping his neck, leading to further outrage from the assembled clan leaders.

Overwhelmed by grief and anger, Wei Wuxian retrieved the Yin Tiger Tally, an ominous and powerful object capable of controlling hordes of corpses, signaling his complete descent into darkness.

The Nightless City Massacre is a legendary event where Wei Wuxian supposedly single-handedly slaughtered all three to five thousand cultivators present at the Pledge Rally, transforming the ruins of Nightless City into hell. Despite being the target, he retreated to the Burial Mounds unscathed.

Three months after the massacre, the major clans launched a siege on the Burial Mounds, slaughtering the Wen survivors and Wei Wuxian.

Back in the present, Wei Wuxian faces cultivators who hold him accountable for the Nightless City massacre. He denies killing all three thousand and corrects exaggerated accusations.

Su She suggests Wei Wuxian still controls fierce corpses, but Wei Wuxian points out that anyone could control them with the Yin Tiger Tally. He accuses the Jin Clan of secretly keeping Wen Ning alive after claiming he had been reduced to ash.

As a wave of fierce corpses attacks, the cultivators lose their spiritual powers and begin to bleed from their noses and mouths, rendering their talismans, swords, and instruments ineffective.

Lan Sizhui urges the group to take shelter in the Demon-Quelling Cave, where there is an incomplete array that could help ward off the fierce corpses. The cultivators are reluctant to trust Wei Wuxian, but eventually, many retreat into the cave.

Su She opposes entering the cave, raising suspicions about his intentions. Wei Wuxian’s remarks make others question Su She’s behavior.

Inside the cave, Lan Qiren repairs the array with his blood, creating a temporary barrier that holds off the fierce corpses. The cultivators are now trapped in the cave with no spiritual powers.

Wei Wuxian engages in conversation with Lan Wangji and the cultivators, trying to figure out why everyone lost their spiritual powers. After a series of discussions, it is revealed that Su She altered the battle music played by the Su Clan of Moling, which caused the cultivators to lose their spiritual powers.

Wei Wuxian tricks Su She into revealing that he still has spiritual power. Su She tries to destroy the array and uses a Transportation Talisman to escape.

The broken array causes the fierce corpse horde to pour into the cave. A bloody battle ensues, with the cultivators, including the juniors, fighting the corpses despite their weakened state. Wen Ning and Lan Wangji help hold the line.

As the battle intensifies, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are surrounded. Just as the situation becomes dire, a new wave of bloody corpses emerges from the Blood Pool, attacking the fierce corpses.

The bloody corpses are revealed to be the remains of the Wen survivors who had been thrown into the Blood Pool during the previous siege of the Burial Mounds. They fight fiercely, protecting Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji.

The Wen corpses eventually collapse into piles of ash after their fight, and Wen Ning tearfully collects their remains with the help of the juniors.

Fang Mengchen, still holding a grudge, accuses Wei Wuxian of trying to atone for his past crimes, but Wei Wuxian rebukes him, stating that he remembers his past actions as well.

The group realizes their spiritual powers are slowly returning, and they decide to regroup at Lotus Pier until they recover enough strength. Despite their history with Wei Wuxian, they reluctantly agree to let him and Lan Wangji join them on their journey back to Lotus Pier.

The group returned to town in a weary state after the battle at the Burial Mounds.

They decided to travel by boat to Lotus Pier due to their depleted spiritual energy.

Lan Sizhui and other juniors struggled with seasickness on the decrepit boats.

Lan Sizhui saw Wen Ning clinging to the side of their boat, causing a brief scare.

The boys joked about Wen Ning looking like a sea turtle before Wen Ning climbed onto the boat.

Wen Ning approached Lan Sizhui and began questioning him about his name and family.

Wen Ning seemed excited when Lan Sizhui revealed that his name was given by Lan Wangji, implying a deeper connection.

Jin Ling became angry at Wen Ning due to Wen Ning's involvement in his father's death, leading to tension between the boys.

Jin Ling accidentally pushed Lan Sizhui, almost knocking him into the river.

Wen Ning caught Lan Sizhui and apologized for causing trouble.

Jin Ling, upset and feeling isolated, burst into tears, revealing deep emotional scars from being orphaned and friendless.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji arrived, with Wei Wuxian attempting to calm the situation, but Jin Ling continued to sob.

Jiang Cheng arrived on another boat and comforted Jin Ling, taking him away while glaring at Wen Ning and Wei Wuxian.

Sect Leader Ouyang scolded his son, Ouyang Zizhen, for defending Wei Wuxian publicly.

The boys reflected on the tension, feeling awkward about their reactions and emotions.

Lan Wangji carried an exhausted Wei Wuxian into the cabin, tenderly caring for him while the boys awkwardly watched.

The boys fled the cabin, feeling embarrassed by the intimate scene between Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian.

Lan Sizhui bonded further with Wen Ning outside, while Wen Ning showed deep respect for Lan Wangji.

They arrived at Lotus Pier just before dawn, and the leaders convened to discuss the day's events.

Jiang Cheng was informed of two mysterious women waiting to speak with him, bearing valuable medicinal herbs.

Jiang Cheng brought the two women to Sword Hall to reveal their shocking stories.

The first woman, Sisi, recounted how she and other prostitutes were forced to engage with a dying Jin Guangshan as Jin Guangyao watched, leading to Jin Guangshan's death.

Sisi was the only survivor after the others were killed, and she had been held captive for eleven years before escaping and deciding to expose Jin Guangyao.

The second woman, Bicao, revealed that Jin Guangyao and his wife, Qin Su, were actually half-siblings, a secret she had kept for years.

Bicao had revealed the truth to Qin Su before her suicide, leading to the current scandal.

The room erupted in outrage as the cultivators condemned Jin Guangyao for his incestuous marriage and various other crimes.

Sect Leader Yao suggested attacking Golden Carp Tower in retaliation.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji expressed skepticism about the women's stories, but the crowd was too incensed to listen.

The cultivators praised Wei Wuxian, asking for his help with the Yin Tiger Tally, though Wei Wuxian felt uneasy about the sudden shift in public opinion.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji skipped the celebratory feast, opting instead to take a walk.

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian took a walk outside Lotus Pier, where Wei Wuxian reminisced about his past and shared stories with Lan Wangji.

Wei Wuxian humorously struggled to treat Lan Wangji to pancakes, as he had no money.

They wandered around, with Wei Wuxian pointing out familiar landmarks, eventually climbing a tree from his childhood memories.

Wei Wuxian deliberately let himself fall from the tree, and Lan Wangji caught him, triggering an emotional moment between them.

They returned to Lotus Pier, where Wei Wuxian led Lan Wangji to the Jiang Clan's ancestral hall to pay respects to Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan's memorial tablets.

Wei Wuxian offered incense and kowtowed, reminiscing about being punished by kneeling there in the past.

Lan Wangji joined him in paying respects, and Wei Wuxian jokingly considered their bows to be wedding bows in front of Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan.

Jiang Cheng arrived and confronted Wei Wuxian, berating him for returning to Lotus Pier and bringing Lan Wangji.

Tensions escalated as Jiang Cheng accused Wei Wuxian of causing the downfall of Lotus Pier and criticized him for bringing Lan Wangji and Wen Ning, whom Jiang Cheng blamed for his family's destruction.

Jiang Cheng insulted Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s relationship, which enraged Wei Wuxian, leading to a heated argument.

Wei Wuxian used a talisman to strike Jiang Cheng, injuring him and sparking a brief fight between Jiang Cheng, Lan Wangji, and Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian suddenly collapsed, bleeding from his nose and mouth due to stress and exhaustion.

Lan Wangji tried to carry Wei Wuxian away, but Jiang Cheng demanded they stay, leading to another confrontation.

Wen Ning appeared and intervened, shielding Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji from Jiang Cheng’s attacks.

Wen Ning handed Jiang Cheng Wei Wuxian’s sword, Suibian, and instructed him to unsheathe it. Jiang Cheng successfully did so, shocking him, as Suibian had been sealed for years.

Wen Ning revealed that Jiang Cheng had been able to unsheathe the sword because he now possessed Wei Wuxian’s golden core, which had been transferred to him by Wen Qing years ago.

Jiang Cheng was in disbelief and denial, but Wen Ning provided specific details of the core transfer, explaining that Wei Wuxian had undergone the painful procedure, remaining conscious for its entire duration.

Jiang Cheng was devastated by the revelation and ran off with Suibian, looking deranged and conflicted.

Lan Wangji carried the unconscious Wei Wuxian to a boat, with Wen Ning following. They left Lotus Pier, drifting down the river in silence.

Wen Ning asked Lan Wangji not to tell Wei Wuxian about the core transfer revelation, as Wei Wuxian had kept it secret for years.

Lan Wangji agreed to keep the secret for now, though he was deeply affected by what he had learned.

Wen Ning thanked Lan Wangji for taking care of Lan Sizhui, whom Wen Ning was relieved to learn had survived the massacre years ago.

Lan Wangji reflected on the immense pain Wei Wuxian had endured during the core extraction process, leading to a somber conversation with Wen Ning about the sacrifices Wei Wuxian had made for Jiang Cheng.

Wei Wuxian finally woke up, signaling the end of the chapter.

Wei Wuxian woke up on a boat with Lan Wangji and Wen Ning after fainting at Lotus Pier, suffering from a headache and coughing up blood.

Lan Wangji used his spiritual energy to help Wei Wuxian recover.

Wei Wuxian confirmed they had escaped Lotus Pier after a fight with Jiang Cheng, who had harshly insulted both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji.

Wei Wuxian tried to reassure Lan Wangji that Jiang Cheng’s words shouldn’t be taken to heart, but Lan Wangji seemed upset by the insults.

They decided to head to Yunping City, suspecting that Jin Guangyao’s hidden secrets were linked to the area.

Wei Wuxian was startled to realize Wen Ning had been rowing the boat silently, unaware of his presence the entire time.

They changed course toward a lotus pond, where Wei Wuxian stole lotus pods despite Lan Wangji’s knowledge that the pond belonged to someone.

Lan Wangji joined in, picking one lotus pod for Wei Wuxian, but warned there would be no next time.

After a few hours of floating, they reached Yunping City, where locals stared at the extraordinary appearances of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji.

Boys playing in the water teased Wen Ning, splashing him and rocking the boat until Wei Wuxian distracted them by throwing lotus pods.

The trio strolled through the city, with Wen Ning disappearing due to his discomfort with crowds.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji visited a Guanyin Temple, suspecting it held secrets related to Jin Guangyao.

They discovered an array sealing something inside the temple, planning to unravel it at night when the temple was deserted.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji checked into a reputable inn. The proprietress assumed they wanted one room, and despite Wei Wuxian’s internal turmoil, Lan Wangji didn’t object.

Wei Wuxian secretly asked the innkeeper to bring strong liquor with dinner, hoping to learn more about Lan Wangji’s feelings.

Lan Wangji examined Wei Wuxian’s health, declaring there were no major issues, while Wei Wuxian reassured Lan Wangji about his brother, Lan Xichen, possibly being safe from Jin Guangyao’s plans.

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian shared suspicions about Jin Guangyao’s uncharacteristic behavior, with Lan Wangji believing hidden motives were at play.

Wei Wuxian, anxious to learn Lan Wangji’s feelings, drank the strong liquor with him, and Lan Wangji fell into a drunken state.

Wei Wuxian mischievously poked and examined a docile, sleeping Lan Wangji but pulled back before crossing any serious lines.

Lan Wangji woke up, still intoxicated, and bit Wei Wuxian’s finger in response to his teasing.

A playful chase ensued as Lan Wangji, in his drunken state, attacked the floor with Bichen and pulled Wei Wuxian back by his collar.

Wei Wuxian managed to calm Lan Wangji down, hiding the damage they caused and joking that Lan Wangji needed to patch his torn robe.

Lan Wangji, trying to make amends, gave Wei Wuxian his money pouch but quickly took it back when Wei Wuxian jokingly claimed to be rich.

The two locked eyes in an intense moment, with Wei Wuxian’s heart racing as he tried to figure out Lan Wangji’s feelings.

Lan Wangji suddenly dragged Wei Wuxian outside the inn for an unknown reason, leaving behind a confused innkeeper and their uneaten dinner.

Lan Wangji dragged Wei Wuxian out into the street and stopped at a house courtyard, where he mysteriously pointed out a chicken coop.

Lan Wangji jumped into the yard and stole a chicken, handing it to Wei Wuxian. He ignored Wei Wuxian's protests about stealing and continued stealing chickens.

Wei Wuxian noticed a chicken feather in Lan Wangji’s hair and laughed, but Lan Wangji was too focused on his actions to care.

Lan Wangji then leaped into a tree and began stealing jujubes. He was enthusiastic about collecting them and gave them to Wei Wuxian.

After Wei Wuxian jokingly praised Lan Wangji, Lan Wangji got upset and took back the jujubes and chickens, but eventually gave them back after Wei Wuxian sincerely asked for them.

Lan Wangji drew his sword and carved "Lan Wangji was here" on a wall, followed by graffiti of two little figures kissing.

Wei Wuxian realized Lan Wangji was recreating mischief that he had once done as a child, repeating stories Wei Wuxian had told him.

Wei Wuxian struggled to control the mischievous Lan Wangji and finally dragged him back to the inn, where he told the proprietress they found the chickens on their walk.

Wei Wuxian noticed Lan Wangji was covered in chicken feathers and dirt. Lan Wangji asked Wei Wuxian to wash his face, but Wei Wuxian suggested a full bath instead.

After Wei Wuxian prepared the bath, Lan Wangji stripped without hesitation, leaving Wei Wuxian shocked and flustered by seeing him fully naked for the first time.

Lan Wangji approached Wei Wuxian, but Wei Wuxian deflected by convincing him to bathe alone. However, Lan Wangji quickly got out of the bath and refused to continue without Wei Wuxian’s help.

Wei Wuxian, touched by Lan Wangji’s vulnerability, agreed to bathe him, carefully washing Lan Wangji while noticing the discipline whip scars and the brand on his body.

Wei Wuxian, despite being curious about the scars, decided not to ask Lan Wangji about them out of respect.

After washing Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian’s playful teasing escalated into a physical and passionate encounter. Overcome by desire, they ended up intimately involved.

Wei Wuxian realized that Lan Wangji was still drunk and couldn’t fully consent, making him feel guilty after the passionate moment passed.

Lan Wangji, now sober, was visibly distressed, and Wei Wuxian was overcome with shame and regret for having taken advantage of him while he was intoxicated.

Both of them dressed silently, awkwardness and tension lingering between them. Wei Wuxian apologized to Lan Wangji, but Lan Wangji dismissed the apology.

The proprietress interrupted, informing them of damage caused by water leaking into the room below due to the broken bathtub. Lan Wangji paid for the damages, and Wei Wuxian asked for two separate rooms to avoid further discomfort.

Wei Wuxian, still consumed by guilt, fled the inn after Lan Wangji quietly returned to his own room. He couldn’t bear the weight of what had happened and the strain it placed on their relationship.

Wandering the streets, Wei Wuxian found the wall where Lan Wangji had scribbled graffiti. Reflecting on Lan Wangji’s playful drunkenness, he regretted his actions even more.

Wei Wuxian encountered Wen Ning, who was trying to scrape off the graffiti to avoid trouble for the townspeople.

Wen Ning noticed the physical signs of Wei Wuxian’s recent encounter with Lan Wangji, prompting Wei Wuxian to express regret and frustration over drinking.

Wei Wuxian confessed that he couldn’t live without Lan Wangji and struggled with his emotions, growing increasingly restless.

Desperate to release his pent-up feelings, Wei Wuxian told Wen Ning they were going to cause trouble, signaling his need for distraction and action amidst his emotional turmoil.

Wei Wuxian and Wen Ning arrived at the Guanyin Temple, noticing a special barrier around it.

They found Lan Xichen inside, unbound but surrounded by monks and Jin cultivators.

Wei Wuxian sent Wen Ning to bring Lan Wangji.

Jin Ling and his dog Fairy arrived at the temple, with Fairy barking and alerting everyone.

Jin Ling climbed the wall, alerting the guards, but Wei Wuxian saved him from an arrow.

Wei Wuxian was forced to reveal himself and was captured by Jin Guangyao.

Inside the temple, Jin Guangyao manipulated Lan Wangji into sealing his spiritual powers by threatening Wei Wuxian with a guqin string.

Wei Wuxian, in a moment of desperation, loudly confessed his romantic feelings for Lan Wangji, which distracted Jin Guangyao and loosened his control.

Lan Wangji arrived to save Wei Wuxian, but Jin Guangyao still held the advantage.

Jiang Cheng arrived at the temple, rescuing Jin Ling from the monks.

Jiang Cheng engaged in battle but was stabbed by Jin Guangyao's softsword.

Jin Ling, Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian, and Lan Wangji sat awkwardly together in the temple, with Jiang Cheng severely injured.

Wei Wuxian reflected on the awkwardness of the situation, particularly his relationship with Jiang Cheng.

Jin Guangyao continued to unearth something buried behind the temple.

Lan Xichen revealed to Wei Wuxian that Lan Wangji had known about Wei Wuxian's memory loss and had never blamed him for anything.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji exchanged heartfelt confessions, confirming their love for each other.

Jin Guangyao dug up something behind the temple, creating tension as they waited for what would happen next.

Jiang Cheng confronted Wei Wuxian about the past, bringing up old grudges, including Wei Wuxian's broken promises and the core transplant.

Jiang Cheng broke down crying, expressing his frustrations and pain.

Wei Wuxian apologized, and they reached a moment of uneasy peace, though the emotional damage remained.

Nie Huaisang, who had been captured earlier, woke up in confusion.

Strange sounds and a foul smell began to emanate from the rear of the temple as something was unearthed, causing alarm among everyone inside.

Su She assists Jin Guangyao, who is suffering from a severe injury on his left hand and is poisoned. Jin Guangyao takes medicine and wraps his wrist to slow the toxin.

Jin Guangyao, Lan Xichen, Wei Wuxian, and others head to the temple’s rear grounds, discovering that the coffin they were guarding is empty, and a deadly poison has killed the nearby cultivators.

Wei Wuxian reveals that someone else had tampered with the site before Jin Guangyao arrived, causing Jin Guangyao great frustration.

Wei Wuxian implies that someone is secretly watching Jin Guangyao's every move.

Su She attempts to blame Wei Wuxian for the disturbance, but Wei Wuxian dismisses it and mentions previous events involving Jin Guangyao’s actions being exposed by others.

A monk reports that the ground was previously disturbed, confirming that someone had gotten to the coffin before Jin Guangyao.

Jin Guangyao realizes someone has beaten him and replaced what was in the coffin with poison, causing him to panic.

Wei Wuxian hints that Jin Guangyao is like the mantis being stalked by an unseen oriole, potentially a ghost or unseen figure.

Jin Guangyao instructs Su She and the others to prepare for departure while he recovers from his injuries.

Su She, badly injured from fighting Fairy earlier, receives treatment and continues serving Jin Guangyao loyally.

Lan Wangji notices something suspicious about Su She and orders him to turn around. Everyone sees that Su She bears the curse marks from casting the Thousand Sores and Hundred Holes spell, revealing him as the one who cursed Jin Zixun.

This revelation leads Wei Wuxian to realize that Su She had cursed Jin Zixun, leading to the Qiongqi Path Ambush and the series of tragic events, including Jin Zixuan’s death.

Jiang Cheng angrily accuses Jin Guangyao of orchestrating everything, from cursing Jin Zixun to the deaths that followed, clearing Wei Wuxian of responsibility.

Su She coldly admits to casting the curse out of his own hatred for arrogant people like Jin Zixun and Lan Wangji.

Wei Wuxian realizes that Su She was the disciple from earlier incidents and laughs at the absurdity of how the curse was not intended to frame him.

Jin Guangyao cynically explains that even if Su She hadn’t cursed Jin Zixun, Wei Wuxian would have still ended up being blamed for something else because of his personality.

Jin Guangyao reflects on how his father's neglect and favoritism fueled his ambition and bitterness, leading him to kill his father, wife, son, and brothers.

Lan Xichen questions Jin Guangyao about the Qiongqi Path Ambush and his other crimes. Jin Guangyao admits to many of them but tries to justify his actions as being out of necessity.

Jin Guangyao confesses to intentionally bumping into Jin Zixuan during the Qiongqi Path Ambush but denies foreseeing the deaths that followed.

Jin Ling confronts Jin Guangyao, asking why he had to kill his father, Jin Zixuan.

Jin Guangyao reveals deep-seated hatred for his father, Jin Guangshan, who treated him and his mother poorly, leading him to kill those favored by Jin Guangshan.

Jin Guangyao unexpectedly takes Jin Ling hostage using a guqin string he had hidden inside his body, planning to escape.

Lan Wangji swiftly cuts off Jin Guangyao’s hand, freeing Jin Ling and saving his life.

As chaos ensues, Nie Mingjue’s fierce corpse, sewn back together, arrives at the temple, sending Jin Guangyao into a panic.

Nie Mingjue attacks Jin Guangyao, but Wen Ning intervenes and is seriously injured while protecting Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling.

Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji attempt to subdue Nie Mingjue with their instruments, but his overwhelming resentful energy proves difficult to control.

Wei Wuxian tries to calm Nie Mingjue by whistling to him, hoping to make a connection despite the fierce corpse's violent nature.

Lan Xichen stopped playing his guqin and tried to caution Wei Wuxian about Nie Mingjue’s potential reaction.

Lan Wangji reassured Lan Xichen not to worry, signaling Wei Wuxian would be fine.

Wei Wuxian began whistling a soothing tune that drew Nie Mingjue towards an empty coffin.

Nie Mingjue began approaching the coffin under the influence of Wei Wuxian's tune, but was interrupted by Su She.

Su She had Jin Guangyao on his back, while Nie Huaisang had been injured by Su She’s sword.

Lan Xichen disarmed Su She, and Nie Mingjue, recognizing Jin Guangyao, grew uncontrollable and went after him.

Su She made a final, powerful attack on Nie Mingjue, but his sword shattered, and Nie Mingjue killed Su She by crushing his chest.

Jin Guangyao witnessed Su She’s death but couldn’t rest, as Nie Mingjue continued to pursue him.

Jiang Cheng threw Wei Wuxian the flute, Chenqing, which Wei Wuxian used to assist Lan Wangji in subduing Nie Mingjue.

Together, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji forced Nie Mingjue into the coffin and sealed it, with Wei Wuxian drawing a sealing spell.

Nie Huaisang cried out in pain, seeking comfort from Lan Xichen for his leg wound.

Lan Xichen tended to Jin Guangyao’s injuries despite Wei Wuxian's warnings to be cautious, placing a silence spell on him to prevent speech.

Nie Huaisang suddenly warned Lan Xichen of an attack from Jin Guangyao, causing Lan Xichen to stab him in the chest.

Jin Guangyao, breaking the silence spell, accused Nie Huaisang of trickery and professed his innocence in the alleged attack.

Jin Guangyao expressed his bitterness and hatred towards Lan Xichen but claimed he never intended to harm him.

As Jin Guangyao attempted to flee, he triggered a ritual by bleeding onto the coffin, releasing Nie Mingjue.

Nie Mingjue seized Jin Guangyao by the neck and killed him by snapping his spine.

Lan Wangji used his guqin strings to seal Nie Mingjue back into the coffin.

Nie Huaisang showed suspicious behavior, raising Wei Wuxian's questions about his involvement in orchestrating events leading up to this confrontation.

Wei Wuxian suspected Nie Huaisang had manipulated Mo Xuanyu to perform the sacrificial ritual to resurrect Wei Wuxian, using him as a tool to take down Jin Guangyao.

Lan Xichen was left in shock, feeling conflicted about his relationship with Jin Guangyao and the truth behind his actions.

Jin Guangyao’s coffin was secured and buried deep to prevent further disturbances.

Jin Ling struggled with emotions, remembering Jin Guangyao’s past kindness, and was angered when Sect Leader Yao chastised him for crying over Jin Guangyao.

Lan Qiren arrived with reinforcements but was left fuming when he couldn’t find Lan Wangji or Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and Wen Ning slipped away unnoticed, while the juniors and others tried to make sense of the aftermath.

Jin Ling reflected on his mixed feelings of grief and anger, unable to reconcile his past with the tragic events that transpired.

Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling had a brief moment of understanding, though Jiang Cheng refrained from confessing his lingering thoughts about Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji rode on Little Apple in the early morning, with Wei Wuxian snacking on an apple from the donkey's saddlebag.

Wei Wuxian mentioned learning through Empathy that Jin Guangyao's mother was cared for by Sisi, a friend, which likely led to Jin Guangyao sparing Sisi’s life.

Wei Wuxian refrained from telling Lan Xichen the truth, and Lan Wangji promised to inform him if asked in the future.

Lan Wangji hinted he had something important to tell Wei Wuxian but was interrupted when Lan Sizhui caught up to them.

Lan Sizhui confronted Wei Wuxian, remembering bits of his past, including the fact that Wei Wuxian had cooked poorly and buried him in a radish patch.

Sizhui then revealed that he remembered his original surname: Wen, and finally confirmed that he was Wen Yuan, the child Wei Wuxian had raised.

Wei Wuxian was stunned and emotional, realizing Lan Wangji had saved A-Yuan after the Burial Mounds incident.

Lan Sizhui became emotional and hugged Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji tightly, overwhelmed by feelings of both sadness and joy.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji shared a tender moment as they acknowledged their roles in raising Lan Sizhui.

Lan Sizhui revealed that Wei Wuxian had taught him mischievous things as a child, such as disguising erotica and paying attention to beautiful girls, much to Wei Wuxian’s embarrassment and Lan Wangji’s quiet amusement.

Lan Sizhui admitted that seeing the flute, Chenqing, triggered his memories, reminding him of his childhood.

Wei Wuxian teased Lan Sizhui about his younger years, including a moment when Sizhui called Lan Wangji his daddy in public, which embarrassed the boy further.

Wen Ning revealed that he had known about Sizhui’s identity but didn’t tell Wei Wuxian because Lan Wangji hadn’t instructed him to do so, leading to Wei Wuxian’s playful complaint about Wen Ning being too obedient to Lan Wangji.

The chapter ended with Lan Sizhui repeatedly apologizing to Lan Wangji in embarrassment.

Wen Ning and Lan Sizhui announced they would part ways from Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji to return to Qishan and bury their family's ashes. They planned to search for any of Wen Qing’s belongings to build a cenotaph in her honor.

Wei Wuxian offered to accompany them, but Wen Ning declined, saying Wei Wuxian had already done enough for them. Wen Ning planned to send Lan Sizhui back to the Cloud Recesses afterward and then decide on his own path.

Wei Wuxian was saddened by Wen Ning and Sizhui’s departure, realizing Wen Ning had his own life to lead now. However, he took comfort in knowing that Lan Wangji would stay by his side.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji discussed the future, and Wei Wuxian teased Lan Wangji by suggesting they could settle near the Cloud Recesses to stay close to Lan Sizhui.

Wei Wuxian reflected on how he had always said “thank you” to Lan Wangji in his past life whenever they parted, and it had always been followed by worsening circumstances. He realized they no longer needed to draw lines between themselves with such words.

Wei Wuxian suddenly kissed Lan Wangji, who initially remained stoic but eventually kissed him back passionately, fulfilling Wei Wuxian's earlier teasing about being "violently pinned to the ground."

Lan Wangji’s affection escalated, and he carried Wei Wuxian off the donkey before pinning him to the ground and kissing him intensely.

Wei Wuxian recognized a sense of deja vu and questioned Lan Wangji if he had kissed him during the Siege Hunt at Mount Baifeng when he had been blindfolded. Lan Wangji confirmed it had been him, leaving Wei Wuxian in disbelief but also amusement.

Lan Wangji admitted that at the time, he knew it was wrong to kiss Wei Wuxian but had acted on impulse. Wei Wuxian reassured him that he was happy it had happened, as it had been his first kiss.

The couple’s conversation turned intimate, and Lan Wangji began to undress Wei Wuxian and touch him in ways that led to their first sexual encounter. Lan Wangji, despite being a restrained and proper person, struggled to control his emotions and actions during the encounter.

The scene described Lan Wangji taking control, though he was apologetic and concerned about Wei Wuxian’s comfort. Wei Wuxian, on the other hand, encouraged him to continue despite the discomfort, enjoying the closeness and physical connection.

As they continued, Wei Wuxian teased Lan Wangji with playful words, even while enduring the intense physicality of their lovemaking. Lan Wangji, while frustrated with Wei Wuxian’s teasing, was also deeply affectionate and attentive to his needs.

The chapter culminated in a lengthy and passionate love scene, with Wei Wuxian alternating between teasing Lan Wangji and expressing his love for him. Lan Wangji, though focused on their physical connection, responded with warmth and devotion.

The chapter ended with Wei Wuxian playfully negotiating how often they could have sex in the future, jokingly trying to reduce the frequency to every four days, but Lan Wangji firmly insisted on "every day means every day."

Three months later, villagers and cultivators gathered on a mountain in Guangling to deal with haunting ghosts from abandoned graves.

As they explored the area, mutilated corpses began raining down from the sky, causing panic among the villagers and cultivators. The cultivators fled in fear.

A villager, lagging behind, encountered a man dressed in white—Lan Wangji—who reassured him before he fled as well.

Wei Wuxian, sitting leisurely in a tree, watched the chaos. When Lan Wangji appeared, Wei Wuxian teasingly pinned him to a tree, but Lan Wangji quickly restrained him.

Wei Wuxian playfully begged for mercy, which led to flirtatious banter between him and Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian asked Lan Wangji to tie his hands with his forehead ribbon, which Lan Wangji did.

The two were interrupted by the cry of a child, who had seen them in a compromising position. Wei Wuxian realized it was the daughter of an old acquaintance, Mianmian, whom he had known in the past.

The child, also named Mianmian, ran back to her parents. Her mother, Luo Qingyang (the adult Mianmian), recognized Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian greeted Luo Qingyang and met her husband, a former merchant who accompanied her on Night Hunts. Wei Wuxian explained that the disturbances were caused by the villagers desecrating graves, not by malevolent spirits.

Wei Wuxian had scared the villagers earlier, ensuring they would stop robbing graves and the spirits would no longer retaliate.

The group had a friendly conversation before Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji took their leave. Wei Wuxian gave the little Mianmian evil-repelling money, which she accepted, despite not liking him for what she had witnessed earlier.

As they departed, Luo Qingyang explained to her daughter that Wei Wuxian had once saved her life, and Lan Wangji was known for helping those in need, regardless of the situation’s significance.

Her husband marveled at Lan Wangji’s dedication and asked why Luo Qingyang had never mentioned Wei Wuxian before, prompting her to reflect with a mysterious smile.

Wei Wuxian commented on how a young lady from their past now had a daughter, but was disappointed that the girl disliked him after seeing him with Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji asked Wei Wuxian to return his forehead ribbon, and Wei Wuxian teasingly accused him of being jealous, mentioning how Lan Wangji had taken his perfume sachet in the past.

Wei Wuxian taunted Lan Wangji about stealing the sachet and teased him about their relationship, suggesting that Lan Wangji had secretly harbored feelings for him for years.

Lan Wangji countered by saying they were married after completing their three bows, and thus their relationship wasn’t improper. Wei Wuxian continued to joke, prompting Lan Wangji to kiss him to silence his teasing.

The next day, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji arrived at a small town in Guangling, where they took a break at a tavern after months of wandering and helping people with hauntings.

While at the tavern, they overheard cultivators gossiping about Jin Guangyao's downfall and his twisted actions, which reminded Wei Wuxian of the baseless rumors spread about him in the past.

The gossip turned darker when the group discussed the Yin Tiger Tally and whether it might be inside the sealed coffin with Jin Guangyao and Nie Mingjue. Wei Wuxian noticed a young man with a suspicious look in his eyes.

After leaving the tavern, Wei Wuxian played the flute, performing the song Lan Wangji had sung to him in the Cave of the Xuanwu of Slaughter. Lan Wangji complimented his memory.

Wei Wuxian reminisced about his mother’s advice to remember the good and not burden oneself with bad memories, a philosophy that helped him live freely.

Wei Wuxian playfully teased Lan Wangji again, declaring that his mother had said Lan Wangji was already his.

Lan Wangji revealed that the song they had been talking about was named "Wangxian," much to Wei Wuxian’s amusement. He burst out laughing but ultimately said he liked the name, and both agreed it was fitting.

They discussed returning to Gusu to visit Caiyi Town and enjoy some Emperor's Smile. Wei Wuxian suggested they might even sneak some liquor past Lan Qiren.

As they continued their journey, Wei Wuxian playfully maintained his balance on the donkey, calling Lan Wangji to look at him. Lan Wangji’s gaze remained fixed on Wei Wuxian, as it always would be from that moment on.

Lan Wangji told Wei Wuxian to wait outside while he met with Lan Qiren to avoid causing his uncle further distress.

Wei Wuxian played with rabbits in the Cloud Recesses while waiting, encountering a shy female cultivator, which surprised him due to the clan’s conservatism. They briefly fed the rabbits together before Lan Wangji’s arrival scared her away.

Wei Wuxian teased Lan Wangji, leading to playful banter and antics. Lan Wangji mentioned that a family banquet would be held the next day.

They visited Lan Sizhui and the other juniors, who were being punished by doing handstands while copying family precepts due to their repeated offenses during Night Hunts.

Wei Wuxian learned that the juniors had involved Wen Ning in a Night Hunt and that Jiang Cheng had encountered him during this.

The family banquet was a silent, solemn affair with bland food and strict rules. Lan Wangji secretly helped Wei Wuxian by eating his portion of bitter medicinal soup.

Lan Xichen appeared distracted during the banquet, which caused Lan Qiren to huff in disapproval. The banquet ended without incident but left Wei Wuxian feeling unsatisfied and bored.

Wei Wuxian later sneaked off to talk to the juniors, learning more about Wen Ning’s situation and the interactions between Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji spent a cozy evening together after Lan Wangji snuck out to get him spicy food from Caiyi Town. They shared playful banter and flirtation, eventually leading to an intimate moment.

The chapter concluded with Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji enjoying each other’s company behind closed doors, suggesting that private moments were the best "family banquets."

Wei Wuxian finds an incense burner in the Cloud Recesses' Treasure Pavilion that appears harmless.

He and Lan Wangji decide to examine it later but fall into a deep sleep.

They wake up in a dreamlike wilderness, where Wei Wuxian realizes he has the appearance from his former life.

They wander the woods and come across a familiar-looking cottage.

Inside the cottage, they find a version of Lan Wangji weaving fabric, and another version of Wei Wuxian returns from work in the fields.

Wei Wuxian realizes this is his dream from his former life, where he imagined a simple life of domesticity with Lan Wangji.

The dream shifts to the Cloud Recesses' Library Pavilion, where they observe younger versions of themselves.

Younger Wei Wuxian teases younger Lan Wangji with an erotic picture book, leading to a playful scuffle that turns into a dream-based swordfight.

In Lan Wangji's dream, he and Wei Wuxian's younger selves end up in a sexually charged situation that escalates into explicit sexual encounters.

Lan Wangji ties up younger Wei Wuxian and dominates him sexually, with Wei Wuxian enjoying the experience.

The dream continues with vivid and intense sexual activity, including both romantic and physically explicit interactions.

After waking up from the dream, they discuss the effects of the incense burner and how it continues to influence their dreams.

On subsequent nights, they fall into similar dreamscapes involving different stages of their relationship, from domestic life to sexual encounters.

Wei Wuxian confronts younger Lan Wangji in one dream, teasing him with future revelations about their relationship, including their eventual marriage.

The dreams blur the line between reality and fantasy, with Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji engaging in intimate encounters within the dreamscape.

The chapter culminates in the two waking up after each intense dream, with Wei Wuxian demanding that Lan Wangji stop spanking him during their sexual interactions.

Xue Yang is eating tangyuan at a roadside stall but gets upset with the meal's quality.

He kicks over the stall and leaves with a grin, intimidating the owner with his sword and walking away.

Jin Guangyao catches up to Xue Yang and chastises him for causing trouble, but Xue Yang remains nonchalant.

They continue walking and reach the Corpse Refinery, where Jin Guangshan is attempting to replicate Wei Wuxian’s Yin Tiger Tally with demonic cultivators.

Xue Yang has been successful in his corpse-refining work and has earned significant privileges from the Jin Clan, including use of the Corpse Refinery.

At the Corpse Refinery, Xue Yang commands two fierce corpses to fight. Growing bored, he orders them to decapitate themselves.

Jin Guangyao hands Xue Yang Wei Wuxian’s incomplete manuscripts, sparking Xue Yang’s interest.

Xue Yang asks for Wei Wuxian’s flute, Chenqing, but Jin Guangyao explains that Jiang Cheng has it and refuses to part with it.

Two Jin Clan disciples bring in a cultivator named He Su, who has been accused of stirring trouble against the Jin Clan.

He Su accuses Jin Guangyao of setting him up and declares that his clan will oppose Jin Guangshan’s plans to become cultivation chief.

Jin Guangyao orders the capture of He Su’s entire clan, including women, children, and elders, and implies they were plotting against the Jin Clan.

Despite He Su’s protests of innocence, Jin Guangyao dismisses them and orders him gagged.

Xue Yang cuts out He Su’s tongue and locks him in a cage, expressing an interest in refining corpses using living humans, a practice Wei Wuxian avoided.

Xue Yang teases Jin Guangyao about a bruise on his temple, which Jin Guangyao explains was caused by Madam Jin, who is furious with Jin Guangshan’s behavior.

Jin Guangyao and Xue Yang search for Jin Guangshan at a brothel, where Jin Guangshan drunkenly complains about women with unrealistic fantasies and criticizes his past lover for having a son.

Xue Yang mocks Jin Guangyao for his fake smile after listening to Jin Guangshan's disparaging comments about him.

Jin Guangyao explains that he has no choice but to endure these insults, but Xue Yang suggests he would take a more violent approach.

The two continue walking and encounter a peddler whom Xue Yang had previously harassed. Xue Yang attempts to kick over his stall again but is stopped by Song Zichen, a Daoist cultivator.

Xue Yang and Song Zichen nearly fight, but Jin Guangyao intervenes and introduces Song Zichen and his companion, Xiao Xingchen, as virtuous cultivators.

Xiao Xingchen advises Xue Yang to exercise more restraint, but Xue Yang mocks him and remains defiant.

After Xiao Xingchen and Song Zichen leave, Xue Yang expresses his hatred for their self-righteousness and vows to one day gouge out Song Zichen’s eyes.

Jin Guangyao warns Xue Yang not to provoke virtuous cultivators, as they are relentless and hard to deal with.

The two part ways, with Jin Guangyao returning to Golden Carp Tower and Xue Yang heading back to the Corpse Refinery.

Three days prior, Young Master Qin hears frantic banging on his door late at night.

A servant climbs the wall to investigate, sees a blood-drenched monster in funeral clothes, and passes out in fear.

Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and Lan Sizhui visit the Qin residence after hearing about the incident.

Young Master Qin explains that the creature clawed at the door all night but failed to get inside.

Wei Wuxian deduces it is a fierce corpse that likely knew someone in the household when alive.

They leave after advising Young Master Qin to replace the door bolt but remain suspicious of him.

Later, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian explain that residences have natural barriers to keep evil spirits out unless invited in.

The group notices inconsistencies in Young Master Qin's story; Wei Wuxian suspects he’s hiding something.

They return the next day after the fierce corpse reappears and manages to breach the front door, leaving red footprints throughout the courtyard.

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian deduce that the fierce corpse has a broken leg, allowing it to hop higher than a normal one.

Young Master Qin reveals that the fierce corpse was once a servant he knew in childhood.

The servant attended school with the clan's juniors but was ostracized, leading to resentment.

Young Master Qin had a fight with the servant over a lost jade pendant, which led to the servant being beaten, possibly resulting in his broken leg.

Wei Wuxian suspects the servant’s death may have been indirectly caused by his broken leg, possibly leading to his transformation into a fierce corpse.

That night, the fierce corpse returns to the Qin residence, but instead of killing Young Master Qin, it attacks him lightly and places the missing jade pendant around his neck.

The fierce corpse, seemingly satisfied, leaves after delivering a single punch to Young Master Qin and returning the pendant.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji conclude that the fierce corpse only wanted to settle its lingering grudge by returning the pendant and expressing its frustration.

Young Master Qin is left unharmed aside from the punch, which leaves him unconscious.

Seven days later, news reaches Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji that Young Master Qin paid for the proper burial of a decayed body, presumably the remains of the fierce corpse, and his reputation is restored in the community.

The Bai residence had a haunted room known as the White Chamber, infamous for its unsettling reputation and inexplicable occurrences.

The White Chamber's construction halted due to strange events, and it was left stark white and cold, giving it an eerie presence.

Jin Ling narrated a story about the master of the Bai residence's father, who had a traumatic experience after peeking through the slit in the door as a child.

A burglar was found dead outside the White Chamber, with his veins bulging and his face ashen. It was concluded he died of fright after seeing something in the chamber.

The Bai family decided they needed help and approached the Jin Clan of Lanling for assistance in dealing with the evil inside the chamber.

Jin Ling led Wei Wuxian and a group of Lan Clan juniors to investigate the burglar’s death.

They examined the corpse, but Jin Ling concluded that the burglar’s soul could not be summoned because it had dissipated after death by fright.

The group went to inspect the White Chamber, but Jin Ling stayed outside, sitting at a tea stall.

Wei Wuxian sat with Jin Ling, and they discussed the Jin Clan’s declining power and Jin Ling’s struggles as its head.

Wei Wuxian advised Jin Ling to seek help from Jiang Cheng more often, leading to playful banter between them.

The group investigated local folklore and learned about a blacksmith named Hookhand, who was mutilated and killed by his wife. He became a vengeful spirit targeting beautiful women.

Wei Wuxian deduced that Hookhand was connected to the White Chamber’s haunting and examined the burglar’s corpse, finding an image of Hookhand in its eyes.

They ventured to find Hookhand’s iron hook, which was possessed. After capturing it, the group struggled to contain it, eventually smelting it in a stove.

Wei Wuxian suggested they spend the night in the White Chamber to confirm that the haunting was resolved, and Jin Ling volunteered.

Jin Ling spent a restless night in the White Chamber and saw a woman’s figure tied to a chair, with a face covered in bloody slashes.

The woman turned out to be a man disguised as a woman who had lured Hookhand into a trap.

The group concluded that the evil spirit in the White Chamber was the hero who had defeated Hookhand but had died in the process.

They realized that the hero’s spirit lingered because he was missing a part of his body—his tongue.

After a five-day search, the group found the hero’s missing tongue, burned it, and believed the case was closed.

However, two days later, the Bai residence was haunted again, this time by the agonized screams of a man.

Wei Wuxian explained that the hero’s true obsession was not just to be reincarnated but to finally release the screams he had suppressed while fighting Hookhand.

The haunting persisted for months until the hero’s grievances were satisfied, and he was able to move on, but the Bai residence’s reputation remained haunted due to the sleepless nights of its residents.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng, along with other disciples, lounged around due to the heat, lying shirtless on the floor of Lotus Pier's Sword Hall.

They bickered playfully, disturbing the others, until Jiang Yanli arrived with watermelon, causing the boys to enthusiastically gather around and eat.

Wei Wuxian reminisced about Lan Wangji, telling stories about their interactions, which sparked more teasing and bickering between him and Jiang Cheng.

As they lounged, Madam Yu caught them shirtless and scolded Jiang Cheng, with Wei Wuxian getting the brunt of her anger, receiving a lash from her whip.

Wei Wuxian and the others fled to a boat and escaped to the lake, where they swam and played, overturning the boat and having a water fight.

Afterward, they decided to steal lotus seed pods from a nearby lake, a common mischief for the group, knowing the local farmers tolerated it.

While stealing the pods, they noticed an old man rowing a boat that was moving strangely fast, with Wei Wuxian spotting a water ghost helping the old man.

They encountered the water ghost, who was young and seemed harmless, only interested in lotus seed pods. The old man, grateful for the ghost's help, fed it pods, treating it kindly.

Despite getting hit by the old man's bamboo pole, Wei Wuxian let the water ghost go, realizing it hadn’t caused harm and was likely just fulfilling a lingering wish.

The boys rowed back with a bounty of stolen lotus seed pods, laughing and joking along the way, while Wei Wuxian pondered why he was always the one who got hit during their antics.

As they passed some farm girls who had brought them watermelon earlier, they tossed lotus seed pods to them, laughing and flirting lightheartedly.

Wei Wuxian sighed, lamenting how Lan Wangji had turned down his invitation to visit Yunmeng, joking about dragging him there someday to join in their mischief.

Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen practiced their training by doing upside-down handstands outside the Orchid Room, switching hands as part of their regimen.

While upside-down, Lan Wangji asked Lan Xichen if he had ever picked lotus seed pods, revealing Lan Wangji's unexpected knowledge that those with stems taste better, which intrigued Lan Xichen.

Two of Lan Wangji’s pet rabbits approached him, seeking his attention while he was still upside-down, nuzzling against his hand. Lan Xichen asked their names, but Lan Wangji remained silent, possibly refusing to disclose them.

After their training session ended, Lan Wangji brought up the idea of stir-frying watermelon rinds, claiming he heard it tasted good, which surprised Lan Xichen. They ultimately decided against trying it.

The next day, Lan Wangji left the Cloud Recesses alone and ventured into the bustling marketplace, which he found unfamiliar and crowded. People avoided him due to his austere appearance and cold expression.

Lan Wangji asked an old woman for directions to the nearest lotus lake. Despite her warning that the lake's owners didn’t allow entry at night, Lan Wangji thanked her and proceeded.

On his way, Lan Wangji encountered an injured farmer who had been gored by a bull. The surrounding farmers were struggling to lift a heavy shed roof to shelter the injured man from the rain.

Lan Wangji single-handedly lifted the roof, surprising the farmers, who couldn't explain why the shed was so heavy. Unbeknownst to them, an evil spirit was hanging from the roof, causing its weight to increase. The spirit tried to interact with Lan Wangji, but he ignored it.

After the rain stopped, Lan Wangji finally reached the lotus lake by sunset. However, the lotus-picker woman informed him that the lake was closed to visitors at night, as per the rules.

Despite being soaked from the rain and tired from the journey, Lan Wangji remained calm but disappointed. He explained that he was specifically seeking lotus seed pods with stems, which surprised the woman as she didn't believe there was a difference in taste.

After seeing how far Lan Wangji had come and his determination, the lotus-picker woman softened and eventually let him in for a short time to pick the lotus seed pods, but warned him to be quick so she wouldn't get in trouble.

After the rain, the magnolias in the Cloud Recesses bloomed beautifully, inspiring Lan Xichen to paint by the window.

Lan Wangji visited Lan Xichen, who invited him to try some lotus seed pods that had been brought up the mountain by their shufu.

Lan Wangji declined, stating he had already eaten some.

Lan Xichen was slightly surprised by this and watched Lan Wangji leave to return to the Tranquility Room after exchanging a few more words.

Later, when Lan Xichen went to practice his Purification Tone, he found a vase filled with lotus seed pods on the wooden veranda outside the building. The pods were arranged elegantly, with their long stems creating a pleasing display.

Lan Xichen, tempted to peel one of the lotus seed pods to test if those with stems really did taste better, ultimately resisted the urge, thinking that if Wangji enjoyed them so much, they must have been delicious.

Lan Wangji returned to find Wei Wuxian surrounded by children, boasting about kicking a shuttlecock 1,600 times, though he had been blatantly cheating.

Wei Wuxian roped Lan Wangji into helping him prove his counting to the children, with Lan Wangji confirming Wei Wuxian's incorrect number to back him up.

Wei Wuxian won a bet against the children and received a skewer of candied hawthorns as a reward.

Wei Wuxian offered Lan Wangji the candied hawthorns, and after some hesitation, Lan Wangji ate one, causing Wei Wuxian to tease him about his reticence.

The pair strolled around town, with Wei Wuxian leading Lan Wangji to try various street snacks, some of which Lan Wangji found strange.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji sat down for lunch, but Wei Wuxian complained that the soup wasn’t as good as his shijie’s cooking. Lan Wangji asked detailed questions about cooking, raising Wei Wuxian's suspicions that Lan Wangji wanted to cook for him.

Wei Wuxian discovered that Lan Wangji had cooked the dishes at a previous family banquet, much to Wei Wuxian’s surprise.

Delighted, Wei Wuxian enthusiastically kissed Lan Wangji, and the pair shared a light-hearted moment in a secluded spot at the restaurant.

Later, they played a ring toss game, where Lan Wangji accurately snared Wei Wuxian with a ring instead of an object, leading to laughter.

They won a large porcelain turtle and an ugly stuffed donkey at the game, with Wei Wuxian struggling to decide where to place the turtle due to its unsightly appearance.

Wei Wuxian eventually suggested placing it in the Orchid Room as a symbol of Lan Wangji's defeat of the Xuanwu of Slaughter, which amused Lan Wangji.

In the end, the porcelain turtle was placed in the Orchid Room, and it became a mysterious presence during Lan Wangji's lessons with the juniors, though no one dared to ask about its significance.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji put away their newly acquired items and left, feeling triumphant.

Wei Wuxian insisted on showing Lan Wangji the beautiful scenery of Yunmeng's lotus lakes and wanted to take him out on a boat tour. However, they could only find a small, rickety boat.

Wei Wuxian joked about the boat capsizing and reassured Lan Wangji not to move too much. Lan Wangji promised to save him if he fell into the water.

As they floated through the lotus lakes, Wei Wuxian lounged with his legs almost in Lan Wangji’s lap, and they enjoyed the peaceful scenery together.

Wei Wuxian reminisced about the old man who used to grow lotus seed pods in the area and admitted to Lan Wangji that he had wanted him to visit Lotus Pier back then so the old man could hit him with his boat pole, which hurt worse than the Lan Clan’s disciplinary rod.

Lan Wangji smiled slightly at the memory, which made Wei Wuxian feel dizzy with affection.

Suddenly, the boat capsized, sending both of them into the water. They laughed about the incident and questioned who tipped the boat.

After surfacing, they embraced in the water and shared a kiss.

Wei Wuxian confessed that back then, he just wanted to hang out with Lan Wangji and was making excuses for it.

Lan Wangji helped Wei Wuxian back onto the boat and handed him a red cord.

Wei Wuxian asked if Lan Wangji had the same feelings for him back then, mentioning how his rejections had hurt his pride.

Lan Wangji subtly reassured Wei Wuxian that he wouldn’t deny him anything now, which caught Wei Wuxian off guard and made him flustered.

Wei Wuxian laughed at Lan Wangji's ability to casually say sweet things, asking for a warning next time so he could handle it better.

The chapter ended with their affectionate laughter and embraces, deepening their bond.

Lan Wangji waited late into the night for Wei Wuxian's return, becoming anxious when he didn’t come back.

Just as Lan Wangji was about to leave the Tranquility Room, Wei Wuxian snuck in through the window and wriggled under the covers, dirty from being outside.

Wei Wuxian was cold and dirty but sought warmth and affection from Lan Wangji, who welcomed him despite the mess.

Wei Wuxian teased Lan Wangji with playful, suggestive behavior, but Lan Wangji remained concerned about his uncle, Lan Qiren, overhearing.

Lan Wangji eventually pinned Wei Wuxian down and initiated a passionate encounter, despite Wei Wuxian’s teasing and the potential for being heard.

After their intimate time together, Wei Wuxian, content and sleepy, resisted bathing until Lan Wangji insisted, leading to a playful discussion about their past broken bathtubs.

Lan Wangji fetched bathwater and tended to Wei Wuxian, who eventually started marking reports written by the Cloud Recesses juniors while soaking in the bath.

Wei Wuxian found Lan Jingyi’s report filled with mistakes, earning a "yi" grade from Lan Wangji, while Lan Sizhui received a top "jia" grade for his well-organized work.

Despite Wei Wuxian’s playful attitude, he gradually became sleepy from the day’s activities and their earlier lovemaking.

Lan Wangji tenderly dried Wei Wuxian and carried him to bed, joining him after a brief bath of his own.

Wei Wuxian mentioned his plans to take the juniors on more training exercises and asked Lan Wangji for money after spending it all at a restaurant with the boys.

Wei Wuxian finally fell asleep in Lan Wangji’s arms after a brief kiss and sleepily whispered goodnight.

Lan Wangji, filled with affection, quietly kissed Wei Wuxian on the forehead and whispered his own goodnight in return.