Midterms have passed and the night hunt was fairly successful. Though, Xichen, Qingheng Jun, and Lan Qiren were concerned about the fact that there was a lot of resentment within the area of the hunt. Wei Ying found an array to summon more to a specific location and deactivated it. It still raises the question on who made the array and why.

Lan Zhan was to stay near Wei Ying as classes were still under way. Many students have long left Wei Ying alone, but the Lan's still worry about Wei Ying. While Lan Zhan kept close attention to Wei Ying, Lan Xichen took the initiative to look into the resentment situation.

Lan Xichen soon came across the Water Ghouls within Biling Lake, just like last time. This time, Qingheng Jun ended up being the one to go to Qinghe for a meeting instead of Lan Qiren. So Lan Qiren was able to assess the situation more in person. Wei Ying and Lan Zhan still went with him and Lan Xichen. Jiang Wanyin was also not a part of this matter so it was definitely different than before.

"Being so close to Biling, this doesn't seem like ordinary Water Ghouls," Wei Ying said.

"Can you sense them?" Lan Zhan asked.

"Yes," Wei Ying replied, "the resentment is very strong...and angry, almost like someone is trying to stir it up."

"Meaning someone is deliberately making it angry enough to act out," Lan Qiren said.

Wei Ying nodded, "I would advise not taking boats as they are more attracted to them," he said, "I also do not think it is safe to be in a boat."

"We can fly on our swords for now," Lan Xichen said.

Lan Zhan stuck close to Wei Ying. Wei Ying used some of his techniques he learned from the spirit of his father, to see if he cannot settle to ghouls a bit. The person who was controlling the ghouls seemed to have a hard time keeping them under their grasp. As Wei Ying was now a master of demonic cultivation, he could take control over it with ease. Lan Zhan and Lan Xichen stayed close as Wei Ying lured the ghouls into a space to trap them.

"Well done, A'Ying," Lan Qiren said, "Xichen and I will handle the rest. Head back to Cloud Recesses with Wangji and let him tend to you."

"Okay," Wei Ying agreed. Lan Zhan was to play cleansing when they returned as it would help calm the resentment that Wei Ying had called upon to stir. Once back, Wei Ying sat in meditation as Lan Zhan played.

Lan Zhan smiled as he saw Wei Ying at ease. It was not often that he saw Wei Ying get calm this quickly after using resentful energy. Lan Zhan was just happy Wei Ying was doing better.

"Lan Zhan?" Wei Ying called.

"Mnn?"

"Lectures will be ending soon, won't they?" Wei Ying asked.

"Yes," Lan Zhan replied.

"How long before the Conference Meeting in Qishan? The archery competition?" Wei Ying asked.

"About a month," Lan Zhan answered, "our robes have already been ordered."

"Our robes?" Wei Ying questioned.

"Those who are competing in the archery competition will have to wear red robes," he told him.

"Oh," Wei Ying said. He got off the bed and moved to sit on Lan Zhan's lap, "I appreciate you playing for me."

"Mnn," Lan Zhan nodded with a smile, as he placed his hands on Wei Ying's hips and his chin on Wei Ying's shoulder, "anything for my Wei Ying."

"Lan Zhan, I told you, you need to warn me before you say sweet nothings to me," Wei Ying teased, "My heart cannot possibly take it."

"Alright," Lan Zhan said.

"Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying laughed.

Lan Zhan reached his hand around Wei Ying and placed it on Wei Ying's face. He then turned his head and pulled him in for a kiss. Wei Ying moaned upon contact. He couldn't help but turn his body so he was now straddling Lan Zhan's lap, his arms wrapping around Lan Zhan's neck. Wei Ying could still taste the remnants of Peony White Tea on Lan Zhan's lips.

As they kissed, Wei Ying realized that Lan Zhan may have a bit more experience in this endeavor, only because he grew more confident and took the lead from Wei Ying. Lan Zhan pried Wei Ying's lips open with his tongue before hooking it over Wei Ying's. Just as things seem to get a bit too heated, Lan Zhan took a soft bite at Wei Ying's bottom lip before pulling back.

Wei Ying couldn't stop smiling like the goofball he was, so all he could do was shyly hide his face within the crook in Lan Zhan's neck. Lan Zhan smiled softly at Wei Ying's reaction. It was not often that Lan Zhan saw Wei Ying get flustered, so when it happened, Lan Zhan reveled in it.

"Xiongzhang and Shufu should be back soon," Lan Zhan said after a brief moment of silence.

"Did you want to meet with them somewhere?" Wei Ying asked.

"Yashi," Lan Zhan replied.

Wei Ying nodded and stood up, "Alright, let's get going then. They should be back by the time we reach the courtyard."

Lan Zhan nodded and took his hand before the two walked out of the Jingshi and to the main courtyard. On the way, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan took their time as it was a nice day, and a lot of the students were out in town due to classes being cancelled today due to Qingheng Jun being out of town.

When they reached the main courtyard, Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen were not back yet, so the two went to spend some time in the Library Pavilion to pass the time.

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Butterfly Effect is back, updates will be posted on Tuesdays until it is finished. Thank you for reading.