Golden Core

Back in the Cloud Recesses, Lan Wangji is reprimanded for sending disciples to search for the two as it is too dangerous, but Lan Qiren defends his motives. Lan Wangji then laments that Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng are yet to be found even though Jiang Yanli was already saved. Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng manages to take cover in a village, but the former finds Jiang Cheng missing when he returned with food. He rushes back to the Lotus Pier to save a weakened Jiang Cheng and Wen Ning hides them in his room to prevent them from being caught. While Wen Ning's sister Wen Qing had originally disapproved, she eventually agrees to heal the brothers and keeps them safely hidden for a few days before Wen Chao returns. When Jiang Cheng wakes up, he reveals that his golden core has already been melted and his spiritual energy is gone. To make matters worse, his instability causes him to get defensive against Wen Ning as he is of the Wen sect. Wen Qing then makes him sleep and tells Wei Wuxian to wake him up when he has recovered. Wei Wuxian then looks at his spiritual energy for one last time as he is faced with the decision to help Jiang Cheng get back his golden core.