Yu Ziyuan forcibly sends Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng away as the battle at Lotus Pier commences. They return in the aftermath to find most of the Yunmeng Jiang Clan, including Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian, massacred.
Wei Wuxian reveals himself as the flute player and the inventor of Demonic Cultivation. Lan Wangji clashes with him, angered by his heretical methods. Back in the present day, Wei Wuxian awakens at the Cloud Recesses once more.
After three months no news of Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng finally reunites with Jiang Yanli. Meanwhile, the Wens are haunted by a strangely demonic flute player.
As Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji encounter the mysterious Yi City, Lan Wangji informs Wei Wuxian and of the massacre of the Yueyang Chang Clan and the inexplicable disappearances of Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan.
Lan Xichen absorbs the truth about Jin Guangyao's actions with difficulty, and Wei Wuxian learns more about Lan Wangji's history. Across the cultivation world, corpses begin to set off for the Burial Mounds.
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji observe the circumstances surrounding Nie Mingjue's demise in the past. Unfortunately, in the present day, Wei Wuxian's true identity is exposed.
Wen Ning confronts Jiang Cheng, revealing that Wei Wuxian once donated his own golden core to save Jiang Cheng's life. As the cultivation world faces the aftermath of Jin Guangyao's downfall, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji set off on their own.
At the Second Siege of the Burial Mounds, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji face off against a mob of accusations before the situation turns into a battle for everyone's survival.