Wen Tang Changpu arrives three days later with Wen Qing. They are announced and brought to the Great Hall where they are greeted as the new Wen-Zhongzhu and her heir.

The formalities are endless and Lan Qiren wishes he could have avoided the delay but as a visiting Sect Leader, Wen Tang Changpu must be given the due respect. The GusuLan elders attempt to ask her in a roundabout way the reason for her visit, but she blithely tells them that she was passing by and decided to drop in.

As soon as an acceptable amount of time has gone by, Lan Qiren clears his throat loudly.

"While you're here, how about we go and visit the waterfalls that you mentioned wanting to see the last time we met in Nightless City? It will be dark soon, and I wouldn't want you to miss your chance."

"What a great idea!" Wen Tang Changpu says, playing along while Wen Qing rolls her eyes at both of them.

They walk along the old stone slate paths, admiring the last of the pink and white blossoms fluttering about their feet, and Wen Tang Changpu breathes in deeply, a bittersweet melancholy on her face.

At Lan Qiren's questioning look, she smiles. "I never thought I'd miss this place quite so much as I just realised. Maybe it's the mists, the low sitting clouds by our feet and out there," she carelessly waves a hand to encompass the entire scenery emerging from the tight, freezing winter like a maiden shucking off her coat.

Lan Qiren fills her in on some of the things that have been happening recently, though he's careful about not mentioning anything about the Yin Iron.

"As you know, Cangse Sanren and Wei Changze are staying with us for a while. This is where they're staying." He pushes open the door of the guest house where four children and two adults are anxiously waiting for them.

Wei Ying jumps up from the floor and rushes over to hug Wen Qing while everyone looks on in surprise.

Greetings and introductions are exchanged and then Lan Qiren throws out the silencing talismans to secure the premises. Wen Tang Changpu raises a brow in question but refrains from saying anything yet.

"A-Pu, I think the time has come that we must let you in on a serious secret, one that I was unaware of when we last met," Lan Qiren glances at Wei Changze and Cangse Sanren for permission. They nod, so he continues. "We are about to reveal some highly sensitive information and you know it goes without saying that it remains in our best interests to maintain the secrecy."

"Of course, A-Ren. Anything you choose to tell me will be in the strictest confidence. Is this about the Yin Iron?" She correctly guesses.

"Smart," Cangse Sanren mutters with a smile directed her way.

So Lan Qiren begins the tale of how the children, A-Zhan and A-Ying, time travelled to their past and began changing things. It is a lengthy story, and he leaves nothing out, detailing the Sunshot Campaign and the aftermath, the impact of all that happened to get to where they are now.

This is the first time Xue Yang also gets to have his theories proved correct from what he's pieced together, and he's excited about meeting his Wen Qing-Laoshi once again.

Wen Tang Changpu is obviously shocked, and processing the information is difficult for her. But things come to a head when she finds out about Wen Qing also having come back from the future. She cries when she is told what actually happened to the Dafan Wens, not only in the temple of the Dancing Maiden when her children were left as orphans, but as Wen Ruohan's greed for world dominance grew, how her own family suffered more than anyone else, especially at the end of the Sunshot Campaign, after which not a single one survived.

Lan Qiren tries to keep it short by summarising parts that he thinks are nothing to do with her, but frankly, it's an astonishing account and he doesn't blame her for requesting a break. Tea and snacks are shared out, and then Wei Ying goes to sit next to Wen Qing.

"You asked for me. Is something wrong?" Wen Qing questions him. "We came as soon as we could. A-Ning and Baba had to stay to keep the order, but already many servants had left. They're all rightfully scared to stay in Nightless City. And how come Xue Yang is here? Didn't he want to go with A-Qing? Baixue Temple?"

"We'll get to all that in a moment," Wei Ying says, neatly sidestepping the question and holding his wrist out towards her. "The reason why I wanted to see you is because you know everything there is to know about golden cores. I need you to check the condition of mine and tell me what I need to do to make it grow faster."

A look of understanding passes over Lan Qiren and Wei Ying's parents. Meanwhile, Lan Zhan is scooting closer to do the same.

Wen Qing takes his wrist and examines his meridians, and the state of his internal energies, and how well his core is developing. Her eyes close and a look of concentration fills her expression as she sends her own spiritual energy into Wei Ying, probing, assessing, checking.

When she opens her eyes, Wei Ying knows it's not going to be good news. He withdraws his wrist, dejected.

"I'm sorry, A-Ying. It's there, no question about that."

Wei Ying looks up sharply at her tone, seeing the regret fully in her downturned lips.

"But it is in no way, shape or form to take on something of the magnitude of the Yin Iron."

He nods, scooting out of the way thoughtfully, so Lan Zhan can be checked out, too.

Wen Qing takes Lan Zhan's wrist and performs the same examination, with not much better results. He, too, is disappointed with it.

"I guess we called you for nothing," Wei Ying is trying hard not to cry.

"A-Ying, not nothing," Lan Qiren corrects him immediately. "After your analysis of what is required to destroy the Yin Iron, I knew we would have to confide in someone trustworthy soon, and who better than A-Pu? Sooner or later, she would have found out."

Wei Ying nods slowly, but anyone can see he doesn't believe Lan Qiren.

"There are still things you can do to improve it," Wen Qing tells them, aware that Xue Yang has inched his way closer to hear more.

"Like what?" Wei Ying asks her suspiciously.

"Meditation. It's hands down the fastest way to improve yourselves, but why the rush?" Wen Qing looks back at Lan Qiren, ignoring the way her mother's jaw has dropped at her behaviour. That, if anything, should cement the belief in the adults' minds that she really has come here from the future where she was a famous, unrivalled, super skilled doctor, and that's just the truth.

Wei Ying groans and buries his face in his arms. Lan Zhan rubs his back sympathetically with understanding.

"We were hoping to destroy the Yin Iron by the time the GusuLan Sect hosts the next Cultivation conference. In three months' time," Lan Qiren explains.

"Oh, well, that's not happening." Wen Qing agrees.

"But what about the myths and legends of our history?" Lan Zhan suddenly says, thinking back to when he had extensively read up on the history of the Lan Sect. "There were cultivators who managed to reach immortality via meditation in a matter of weeks. A strong golden core is needed for that."

"Exceptions to the rule, not the norm." Lan Qiren tells him, not wanting to sound harsh.

"Um...he might have a point," Wen Qing says, obviously having thought about it.

"You know something!" Wei Ying shouts at her, feeling comically betrayed.

"Well, it's not proven but even in the Wen Medical tomes, there are accounts of people in secluded Meditation emerging after a few weeks making significant breakthroughs. I can't say it'll work for sure, but it's worth a try. Especially since you both know the basics, seeing as this is your second time around," Wen Qing replies.

"As much as I hate it, sitting down and doing nothing, I'm willing to give it a try," Wei Ying says, his silver eyes burning with determination.

"Mn." Lan Zhan takes his hand in agreement.

"I wanna give it a go, too." Xue Yang chimes in.

"Me, too." Lan Huan has been silent up until now.

Out of the three of them, his golden core is the strongest one. He's been a child prodigy so far, able to establish a spiritual connection with Shuoyue, his sword, and Liebing, his Xiao.

"There's a leaf, it has been known to grow in the upper altitudes of the Nanjing mountains. This leaf, once consumed, has the ability to sustain a person's body for a whole year. If you want to try this path, we can send for it." Lan Qiren informs them. He glances at Wen Qing for confirmation, and she nods.

"There's no way to tell how powerful your golden cores will become - that's up to you. But I can vouch for the leaf. If you are properly sustained for however long your seclusion lasts, your progress should be significantly better."

"I want to meet my new brothers or sisters," Wei Ying says, with determination. There's a new fire of anticipation in his eyes, one that Lan Zhan prefers over the sad dejection of defeat.

"Then we can do it for three months. Shufu will come and wake us." Lan Zhan not-glares at his uncle, who quickly agrees.

"There is another matter," Lan Qiren says, turning to the Wen Sect Leader. "If you are amenable, we would ask for your assistance when the time comes to destroy the Yin Iron. A-Ying has worked out that we will need twenty-eight able-bodied strong cultivators to power the arrays needed. You're one of the people who came to mine immediately."

"Then I am honoured to be of assistance. Anything for you, A-Ren."

"She's happily married," Lan Qiren tells Cangse Sanren sharply, already anticipating her teasing.

The shameless woman simply throws back her head and laughs knowingly.

"Don't worry about it," Wei Changze tells Wen Tang Changpu, at her look of confusion. "They have some kind of rivalry going on. I don't bother questioning it," he grins amicably.

"Well then, when the time comes, I shall hand pick the strongest disciples to accompany me when I return," Wen Tang Changpu replies.

"That is very kind of you," Lan Qiren tells her, grabbing a new parchment paper. "Who else do you have in mind?"

They bend their heads together and begin compiling a list.

"So...Laoshi..." Xue Yang winks at Wen Qing.

"Don't call me that!" She snaps back at him, half-heartedly. "What is it?" She relents.

"I don't know anything about meditation, like, at all. What should I do?"

Wen Qing has never not helped anyone in need, and she's long been an expert at determining sincerity when she sees it. She gives him a basic understanding of what it is and how to go about cultivating it to become stronger.

"You know, A-Ren, I can't help feeling that we as the adults, did such a poor job of looking after the next generation that they had to come back in time just to teach us how to do better," Wen Tang Changpu murmurs, her gaze drifting over the five children, who are discussing matters way over and beyond the capacity of normal kids, let alone the average cultivator.

"You're not the only one," Lan Qiren confides. "I am constantly appalled by my own behaviour in whatever future these children came from, and we can only thank our lucky stars that they came back at all. Otherwise, the brutal pictures they painted with their words would have become our reality, and the worse thing? We never would have been any the wiser. A-Pu, there is much to be grateful about, as well."

"You've been thinking about this a lot," she surmises.

"I can think of little else. I wake up full of regret and go to sleep having put most of it to rest, only to do the same the following next day. But I'm getting better at counting my blessings," he assures her. "How are your investigations going on, regarding the traitor?"

"Nothing new, I'm afraid. Whoever it was that ransacked our rooms knew what they were doing. They timed it perfectly to coincide with everyone leaving, so that suspicion could fall on anyone, not just my own disciples." She looks worried.

"I agree, they are smart whoever is still searching for the Yin Iron. I'm thinking it has to be someone who knew Wen Ruohan well enough to know what he was doing beneath Nightless City. They must have some kind of inkling on what the Yin Iron is to want to pursue it so diligently. That's another reason why we want to destroy all four pieces before the hosting of the next Cultivation conference here. We don't want anyone to get an idea that the Yin Iron is here or that we are planning to destroy it."

"But the moment you start asking about able cultivators with strong golden cores, you may as well make a public announcement."

"That's what he said," Cangse Sanren laughs gently. "Both of you think alike."

"That's to be expected since we studied together," Wen Tang Changpu agrees easily, smiling herself.

"What's it like being Wen-Zhongzhu?" Cangse Sanren asks her, relishing the chance to speak with a like-minded female cultivator.

"Not that different from sitting under my brother and wondering if today's the day he finally loses whatever patience he had and actually kills us. I suppose I'm calmer for it, but the everyday stresses of running a Sect are gruelling. Things would be so much simpler if people took the time out to think before opening their mouths." She says that normally, as if it wasn't a scathing put down.

Cangse Sanren snorts out a laugh. "That's one of the reasons why we opted to stay away from the sects for now. Though in terms of stability, there are good points as well. If Qiren hadn't offered us a place to stay because of my condition, I'm not sure what we would have done." She tilts her head in thanks.

Lan Qiren waves it away quickly. "Looking at those two, I'm not sure if it was wholly for your benefit alone." He turns the attention of all the adults towards Wei Ying and Lan Zhan, sitting so close together as to be practically in each other's laps.

"Such a connection is rare, A-Ren." Wen Tang Changpu murmurs, smiling at the way they look.

"I think so, too. At any rate, I'm not going to question it." Lan Qiren knows there might be opposition from the Elders of the Lan Clan, but he is going to make sure his nephews are content in this life.

As long as he is alive, he will stand between them and whatever threatens their happiness.