Hua Ying did not leave the confines of Puqi Shrine since he was kicked out of Wangji's home. Hua Ying was heart broken. He just felt that he was not meant to be loved. He wanted a love like his parents love. Always there for each other and always supporting and keeping each other safe. Hua Ying wanted that more than anything. This tribulation really messed with Hua Ying's mind this time. He felt more alone than ever.

As he was feeling this way, he started to understand that this was his way of his body telling him that Mount Tonglu was opening again soon. Before the gates to the City of Gu open, all ghosts would become aroused months beforehand as an alert that Tonglu Mountain is about to reopen, causing them to become exceedingly rebellious and excited. Ghosts deal differently with this arousal, for example Hua Cheng is seen to turn into a smaller and younger version of himself. At that point the tens of thousands of ghosts would slowly gather at the gates of Tonglu Mountain until the gates open.

This was going to be Hua Ying's trial. He went through the Heavenly tribulation, now he has the ghost tribulation. His emotions were now what would drive him to go to the mountain. The ghosts face a small trial before being allowed to enter the mountain. In the reopening taking place for the next Ghost King to be born this trial consisted of finding a way past a mountain that could neither be flown over nor walked around. The mountains are considered landmarks, but they are known to be mischievous and play around as they will, shown when the entrance mountain had already trapped them inside when some wanted to back out.

Hua Ying knew he'd be gone for potentially, years. He did not mind as Lan Wangji wanted space from him, and he wanted to hold off on the wedding. Since that was the case, Hua Ying left for Tonglu Mountain. He left a not to his parents saying his goodbyes in case he did not make it through.

Once the gates have opened, the ghosts would start to slaughter each other, killing until only one of them remained. The more opponents one kills inside Tonglu Mountain, the stronger the slayer will become. After some time, Hua Ying reached the first level. The first level referred to the outer edges of Tonglu Mountain. The majority of the ghosts and creatures in that area are incredibly weak and easy to kill or scare away. It mostly consists of forest terrain and takes about a day to journey through.

The second level possesses less woods. The roads are wider, and it even possesses signs of habitations such as broken down houses. It took a few months before reaching the mountain. Hua Ying wasn't sure if he'd see his parents or Lan Wangji again but he didn't care anymore. It was like his heart was broken and he had no desires left. He didn't even want the remaining half of his god self, he just wanted to be a full ghost king, and he was going to stay inside the kiln of the mountain until he gets to that point. The Kiln is the core of Tonglu Mountain and the birthplace of Supreme ghosts. If the last standing ghost is able to break out of the Kiln, they would reach Devastation level of power. If they aren't strong enough they will suffocate and be burned to ashes.

There were so many ghosts wanting to take the challenge but Hua Ying was too strong to be beaten. His anger and his pain pushed him through it. He could feel himself changing, he lost his godhood but he was now full ghost like Hua Cheng. Hua Ying felt that change and he was happy about it. He now had proper ashes and he took them and crafted a ring to store them all the while he was still within the kiln. He didn't know how long he has been there but he did not care. He just hope his parents were okay.

Hua Cheng was furious when he found the letter left by his son. He immediately went to Xie Lian and told him. Hua Cheng and Xie Lian were actually putting a lot of the blame for Hua Ying's final decision on Lan Wangji and they were going to tell him what he was doing.

"Xie Lian, Hua Cheng, what brings you two back to Cloud Recesses?" Lan Qiren asked.

"Our son left this not saying that Lan Wangji called off the wedding for a while, as he was dealing with the aftermath of his brother's confessions. His actions have once again hurt Hua Ying and now Hua Ying is basically on a suicide mission. I hope Lan Wangji is real proud for breaking yet another promise he made to our son saying that he would never hurt him," Xie Lian explained.

Lan Qiren had no idea of this situation which took Xie Lian and Hua Cheng by surprise. Lan Qiren had a disciple go fetch Lan Wangji. When Lan Wangji arrived, he was a mess as it is. Looked as if he was crying and numb with pain and confusion. Xie Lian just let Wangji read the letter Hua Ying left behind.

"I hope you know his chance of surviving that mountain is very slim," Hua Cheng said, "and there is also a chance, if he does succeed we don't know what his status will be completely. While inside the kiln, he has the opportunity to rid of his godhood entirely and become a fully capable ghost king. His abilities are already very powerful, now that he has that chance to become a supreme, he could become more powerful. He may also be so full of pain that he may never wake from that and the only way to heal him, or maybe even stop him, is to kill him and hope we find his ashes before someone else does."

"What does having his ashes mean to anyone?" Lan Qiren asked.

"Having a ghost's ashes is the way to take control over the ghost's life. It is only entrusted to their most valuable person. Even then, betrayal can be around the corner and he will never be safe. Ridding of a ghosts ashes means he won't ever be reborn again. Last time I checked, Wangji is Hua Ying's soulmate and he just told Hua Ying that he wants to postpone the wedding. How much pain do you want him in?" Hua Cheng asked.

"Hua Ying has stood beside you so many times Wangji, even when you threw him aside," Xie Lian said, "why are you upset with him when it's his job to interrogate the prisoners? Why are you made at Hua Ying for your brother's words? It is not on Hua Ying. Or have you just always blamed Hua Ying like everyone else to begin with?"

"I never blamed him, I wanted to be there. I did not want to push him away, I just needed some space to think. I never wanted him to think that," Wangji told them.

"Yet he does anyway," Hua Cheng said, "if he makes it out of Tonglu, unless he says otherwise, this wedding is off. This is what you wanted anyway, right?"

Lan Wangji was now in even more pain and confusion. He knows that his words, as always, hurt Hua Ying and the misunderstandings will take forever to clear up. Even though Hua Cheng does not trust Lan Wangji anymore, Xie Lian still has faith in him. Xie Lian will still help him and help him ascend. He will do what he can to make Wangji understand how Hua Ying may feel.