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.
De retour dans les recoins du nuage, Lan Wangji est réprimandé pour avoir envoyé des disciples à la recherche des deux car c'est trop dangereux, mais Lan Qiren défend ses motivations. Lan Wangji déplore ensuite que Wei Wuxian et Jiang Cheng soient encore introuvables même si Jiang Yanli a déjà été sauvé. Wei Wuxian et Jiang Cheng parviennent à se mettre à l'abri dans un village, mais le premier trouve Jiang Cheng disparu à son retour avec de la nourriture. Il se précipite vers la jetée du Lotus pour sauver un Jiang Cheng affaibli et Wen Ning les cache dans sa chambre pour les empêcher d'être pris. Alors que la sœur de Wen Ning, Wen Qing, avait initialement désapprouvé, elle accepte finalement de guérir les frères et de les garder en lieu sûr pendant quelques jours avant le retour de Wen Chao. Lorsque Jiang Cheng se réveille, il révèle que son noyau doré a déjà fondu et que son énergie spirituelle a disparu.
De volta ao Recanto das Nuvens, Lan Wangji é repreendido por enviar discípulos para procurar Jiang Cheng e Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian e Jiang Cheng conseguem se proteger em uma vila, mas Jiang Cheng desaparece. Wuxian corre de volta para o Píer Lótus.
Вэй Ин и Цзян Чэн убегают от людей из клана Цишань Вэнь. Клан Цишань Вэнь захватывает Цзян Чэня. Вэй Ин отправляется его спасать.
De vuelta en Cloud Recesses, Lan Wangji es reprendido por enviar discípulos a buscar a los dos, ya que es demasiado peligroso, pero Lan Qiren defiende sus motivos. Lan Wangji luego lamenta que Wei Wuxian y Jiang Cheng aún no hayan sido encontrados a pesar de que Jiang Yanli ya fue salvado. Wei Wuxian y Jiang Cheng logran refugiarse en una aldea, pero el primero descubre que Jiang Cheng ha desaparecido cuando regresa con comida. Se apresura a regresar al Lotus Pier para salvar a un debilitado Jiang Cheng y Wen Ning los esconde en su habitación para evitar que los atrapen. Si bien la hermana de Wen Ning, Wen Qing, originalmente lo desaprobaba, finalmente acepta curar a los hermanos y los mantiene escondidos de manera segura durante unos días antes de que Wen Chao regrese. Cuando Jiang Cheng se despierta, revela que su núcleo dorado ya se ha derretido y su energía espiritual se ha ido.
