Back in the Cloud Recesses, Lan Wangji is reprimanded for sending disciples to search for Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng as it is too dangerous, but Lan Qiren defends his motives. Lan Wangji laments the two are yet to be found, even though Jiang Yanli was safe. Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng 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 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 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 is quickly healed but Wen Qing says the only reason he recovered so fast is that Madame Yu didn't put her full force into whipping him. Wei Wuxian looks at his spiritual energy as he decides to help Jiang Cheng get back his golden core.
