Dictatorship

Wen Chao reports back to the Wen sect leader Wen Ruohan about the incident at the archery competition, stating that the four clans had tricked him. This leads to the start of a series of malicious plans to take control over the four clans. The Cloud Recesses is burned down by Wen Xu, leaving the Lan sect leader gravely injured and Lan Xichen to disappear without a trace. The Wen sect also orders for disciples to be dispatched to Qishan as an attempt to keep them hostage. Their swords are confiscated and they are forced to search for the cave that Wen Chao wants to nighthunt in. Anyone who disobeys will have their Golden Core melted by Core-melting Hand Wen Zhuliu. When Wei Wuxian learns of the burning of the Cloud Recesses, he offers to carry Lan Wangji on his back as his leg is injured. But the latter once again refuses the kind offer. During the search, Wei Wuxian saves Mianmian who is being harassed by Wen Chao, stalling him so that his lover Wang Lingjiao can see his actions. In the cave, Mianmian is offered as a sacrifice to lure the beast out, but some disciples disobeyed and protected her instead, causing Wen Chao to order his people to kill them. The commotion causes the beast to wake up and Wei Wuxian sacrifices himself to protect Mianmian from Wang Lingjiao's branding iron.