Lan Wangji leapt atop a high roof, trying to get a better view from which to spot Wei Wuxian. He had a direction. The transformations of the battlefield fires had spread out from somewhere. That point would be where Wei Wuxian was. Wei Wuxian had not mentioned if demonic cultivators could cause such a change, but Wei Wuxian spoke very little about demonic cultivation. It was a wound that remained raw and sensitive, like Wei Wuxian expected any mention of it to be met by rejection. It hurt Lan Wangji to think that it was a version of himself that may have played a large part in instilling that fear.

A distant spark of violet electricity immediately draws Lan Wangji's gaze. Lan Wangji does not even think before he begins closing the distance. It was the distinctive colour and pattern of Zidian. On his way towards the spot he begins to try and take in as much of the scene as possible. Zidian appears to be wrapped around someone. No, it is wrapped around two people. Jiang Wanyin and Wei Wuxian are both tied by Zidian. There are several QishanWen sect cultivators near them, but all of them appear to be stunned in a similar manner to those he just left on the battlefield. Most of the cultivators are faceless unknowns to Lan Wangji, but one of them has him very concerned.

Wen Zhuliu seems to be looking directly at Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji is now close enough to see why. Zidian begins to spark angrily, the deep black of resentful energy is curling around Zidian. Snaking around the binds of the whip like smoke given substance. A red light crackles within the dark tendrils, growing in intensity as Zidian resists. With a sound like the clap of thunder Zidian's binds break, returning to the ring on Jiang Wanyin's finger.

Wen Zhuliu charges forward, spiritual energy gathering around his hand. Lan Wangji is too far away to get there in time, but he doesn't need to. Wei Wuxian charges forward to meet Wen Zhuliu head on. Lan Wangji had seen Wei Wuxian fight before. He has seen Wei Wuxian's feet dance swiftly while deftly wielding his sword. He has seen Wei Wuxian's face light up while they sparred. Seen as Wei Wuxian finally was able to take joy in the practices of a typical cultivator. Finally use his sword and spiritual energy without hesitance and sorrow. He has even seen Wei Wuxian fight in battle. Agile and brutal, and everything Lan Wangji would ever want beside him on the battlefield.

Resentful energy covered the ground, thick and tangible. While Lan Wangji always thought of it as looking like smoke, it was clear that it was so much more than that. Smoke could be seen through, it was wispy and obscure. Some of the resentful energy Wei Wuxian was wielding moved a bit like smoke, becoming transparent and seeming to dissolve into the air. Yet most of it was undeniably solid. It was the kind of darkness you might see if you were sealed inside a cave. Impenetrable blackness, and that was what Wei Wuxian was wielding. The resentful energy seemed to be darkness given form. It could not be seen through.

Lan Wangji had seen Wei Wuxian wield resentful energy a few times. He expected dark amorphous smoke that might hit something across a room. Lan Wangji had not paid it much thought, but he only now realized he had only seen Wei Wuxian using resentful energy in an unconscious or semi conscious state. He had always been defensive and vulnerable. He had never truly seen Wei Wuxian wield resentful energy like the fearsome demonic cultivator that won them a war.

From the tangible darkness that covered the ground forms began to rise. A young teen's pale form climbed from the darkness. His hair dripping wet, like he had just emerged from a lake. A woman, dressed in red with nails elongated into sharp claws. A third figure, a woman dressed in fine robes with a ghostly sword in her grip. Wei Wuxian snapped his fingers and the three ghosts shot out with a speed like lightning. There were close to twenty QishanWen sect cultivators in the area, maybe a few more than that. Lan Wangji watched as they were slaughtered by the resentful spirits Wei Wuxian had summoned.

Lan Wangji watched breathlessly as Wei Wuxian's glowing red eyes crackled with energy. The green light of the fires blanched Wei Wuxian's skin, making him look almost as pale as the ghosts he commanded. Almost as if on command ,resentful energy shot out from the ground in a pillar. Wen Zhuliu barely dodged it in time. It was clear to Lan Wangji that Wen Zhuliu was never going to make to Wei Wuxian. The only way he would get close to Wei Wuxian is if Wei Wuxian let him.

Wei Wuxian and Wen Zhuliu fought as the three ghosts obliterated the QishanWen sect cultivators in the area. Only once those cultivators were slaughtered did the two female ghosts come for Wen Zhuliu. Watching Wei Wuxian like this was... Lan Wangji was not certain of the word. It was dark, macabre, and enchanting. Wei Wuxian dancing on a battlefield, with eyes glowing more vibrant than rubies. Summoning the darkness of a moonless night into something solid enough to touch, sparks of ruby red energy erupting through it in small bursts. The green firelight illuminating Wei Wuxian's features. Hauntingly beautiful, that was what Wei Wuxian looked like right now.

With Wen Zhuliu restrained Wei Wuxian looked at the man with a cold glare before thrusting his palm against Wen Zhuliu's dantian. Wei Wuxian's eyes sparked with energy and suddenly resentful energy was erupting from Wen Zhuliu's body with a horrific scream. Lan Wangji finally continued his journey forward, scolding himself for becoming so distracted, but unable to deny that seeing Wei Wuxian like this had been unexpectedly overwhelming. Lan Wangji had not even processed that Wei Wuxian had planned to not use resentful energy until after the war started. He wasn't going to use it until he crafted Chenqing, but he was using it right now. Something must have happened for Wei Wuxian to change the plan that he himself had insisted on.

Lan Wangji landed on the resentment covered ground, The ghosts glanced at him, but Lan Wangji did not hesitate to approach Wei Wuxian. The resentful energy had never hurt him before and Lan Wangji did not expect it to start now. Lan Wangji waited little more than an arm's length away from Wei Wuxian. From here he could see blood pouring from Wen Zhuliu's eyes, mouth, nose, even his ears. Recognition of what Wei Wuxian was doing suddenly dawned on Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian was pouring resentful energy directly into Wen Zhuliu's core. Wen Zhuliu was qi deviating, and most likely Wei Wuxian was destroying Wen Zhuliu's golden core in the process. It was a rather horrible way to die, but Lan Wangji couldn't say Wen Zhuliu didn't earn such a death.

Wen Zhuliu is suddenly dropped to the ground. Wei Wuxian stares at the limp bloody corpse. Lan Wangji expects Wei Wuxian to turn around. Wen Zhuliu is dead, after all, no point staring at him. Yet that is exactly what Wei Wuxian seems to be doing. The seconds tick by long, and longer, and Lan Wangji's face begins to crease in concern. He takes in Wei Wuxian's appearance more closely. There is a very slight tremble in Wei Wuxian's arms, Lan Wangji had to look close in order to notice it. It is the confirmation to a concerned suspicion, something is wrong.

"Wei Ying?" Lan Wangji calls softly. There is no answer. Wei Wuxian always answers, unless he cannot hear Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji feels like a fool all over again. Was he not worried about something like this when he was racing across the battlefield? It was entirely too easy for Wei Wuxian to become caught in a flashback, or to become disconnected to everything around him. This was the most likely situation for why Wei Wuxian did not answer, and it is consistent with something happening that would lead to Wei Wuxian using demonic cultivation now.

Wei Wuxian never lashed out with spiritual energy when he was distressed. It was always resentful energy. Wei Wuxian had explained that resentful energy reacts to his emotions. This was his reasoning as to why he would summon resentful energy when distressed. Lan Wangji believed that explanation, but felt it was incomplete. Wei Wuxian had explained losing his golden core. For years Wei Wuxian did not have access to spiritual energy with which to defend himself. He had resentful energy to defend himself. So when he was being pulled back into that vulnerable state and trying to protect himself, it was natural that he would reach for resentful energy instinctually. It was what he had had available to him at the time.

"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji's voice was gentle as he placed a hand on Wei Wuxian's shoulder. Wei Wuxian did not flinch from the touch. Of course Wei Wuxian rarely ever flinched from Lan Wangji's touch, even when Wei Wuxian was too disconnected from his surroundings to consciously recognize Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji stepped in front of Wei Wuxian. The two ghostly women moved backwards as though to give him space. That was interesting. Lan Wangji had not been sure how the vengeful spirits would react to him. By now Lan Wangji was certain that any resentful energy Wei Wuxian had summoned would not attack him, but vengeful spirits were still a question. They had form and at least some level of cognizance. Lan Wangji could see a flicker in their eyes that spoke to some level of identity and emotion. Lan Wangji could not help but think such entities would require more active control to keep them in line.

"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji's voice came in a whisper as he gently lifted Wei Wuxian's chin to try and capture his gaze. Tears glittered in Wei Wuxian's eyes. Eyes that were slightly unfocused, confirming Lan Wangji's suspicions further.

"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji began softly. "We need to leave. More soldiers will arrive soon." Wei Wuxian stared at him, eyes half focused and Lan Wangji understood Wei Wuxian needed more direction from him. Lan Wangji gently tucked a loose hair behind Wei Wuxian's ear.

"Dismiss the resentful energy and spirits." Lan Wangji said in a gentle, but commanding tone. Lan Wangji could feel the shift in the air as Wei Wuxian followed his direction. Glowing red withdrew into Wei Wuxian's irises until Lan Wangji was staring into the beautiful dark eyes he knew. The warmth in their centre was dimmer than Lan Wangji would have liked, but still there. Lan Wangji gave Wei Wuxian a very faint smile.

"Good, Wei Ying." Lan Wangji praised softly as he kissed Wei Wuxian's forehead. He felt Wei Wuxian lean into the touch and Lan Wangji wrapped his arms around Wei Wuxian protectively. "Wei Ying did very good. Stay close to me and we will leave now." Lan Wangji whispered. He did not expect an answer, but he felt Wei Wuxian nod against him.