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Wei Wuxian to Represent Yunmeng Alongside Jiang Wanyin in 48th World Nighthunting Championships at Lotus Pier
by RACHEL WONG
Wei Wuxian, upstart newcomer to the competitive cultivation world with an astounding victory in February’s Yunmeng National Nighthunting Competition, has been selected by the Yunmeng Nighthunting Federation to represent the country alongside his adoptive brother Jiang Wanyin at the 48th World Nighthunting Championships, held this year at Lotus Pier.
Yunmeng, as one of the Big Five nations that contributes the most to the sport of competitive cultivation, has traditionally been allowed to send two entrants. Jiang Wanyin’s place has been earmarked since he aged out of the junior international circuit this year, but speculation about the person selected alongside him can finally be put to rest with Wei’s appointment. Despite the two training closely together at the same arenas, the divergent paths between the two brothers has been cause for many a rumour regarding the state of the Jiang family.
“Those rumours are all unfounded,” said Wei, when asked to comment. “I simply didn’t want to attend the junior international circuit. It’s not my style.”
Certainly, we can all remember the incident during the 45th World Nighthunting Championships in Yiling, where the highly-accurate Burial Mounds segment caused extensive emotional damage to many of the competitors… [MORE]
Wei Wuxian has never seen such a crowd before.
Even one step removed on a TV screen, it seems entirely unreal. The Lotus Pier Stadium is packed full of national flags and colours, fans filling the air with screams and noisemakers. As the camera closes in on the vast sea of Yunmeng supporters, Wei Wuxian can even see banners bearing his name, of all things. He’d rarely seen those, even at Nationals.
“Intimidating, huh?” Jiang Cheng asks from next to him. They’re with the other competitors in the green room, moments before they’re scheduled to ride out in the opening ceremony. Wei Wuxian looks away from the screen and laughs.
“Bigger crowd than Nationals,” he says, in an attempt to downplay his wrenching gut.
“Bigger crowd from juniors, too,” replies Jiang Cheng. “I mean, this is where it matters.”
At that, Wei Wuxian can’t help but snort. “If juniors didn’t matter, then why didn’t your mom ever let me go to Junior Worlds?”
A shadow passes over Jiang Cheng’s face. They both know why — even his scores from the last Nationals can speak for themselves. It’s why the YNF is sponsoring his entry to Worlds this year.
Before it gets too awkward, Wei Wuxian claps his shidi’s shoulder and laughs again. “It’s all right. We finally get to compete against one another for real. Isn’t that what we’ve always wanted?”
Jiang Cheng perks a little at that. “Yeah, prepare to get your ass handed to you,” he boasts, smacking him on the forearm. Wei Wuxian elbows him in return. They probably would’ve devolved into a bout of hits and giggles, except at that moment the doors to the green room swing open again, and a sudden hush falls over the rest of the competitors.
Calm footsteps. White robes. Long dark hair, skillfully braided in white ribbon. Wei Wuxian’s breath comes short as the doors close softly behind the newcomer, who looks up and pierces him immediately with a scrutinising topaz gaze.
This is him, the famous Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian’s seen the guy’s face on television too many times to count, making concentration into an art form with his focused gaze. And now that gaze is directed at him, evidently assessing whatever weaknesses Wei Wuxian might be presenting while loitering in the green room.
“You know, you’re the one to beat this year,” Jiang Cheng offers helpfully, having seen the glare from right next to him. “Hanguang-jun’s been through juniors with the rest of us; he knows all of our tics. You’re an unknown variable, since he’s never competed against you before.”
“Thanks,” says Wei Wuxian drily. “That’s very comforting.”
“You better give him hell, you hear me?” Jiang Cheng elbows him, as a gong rings for them to head to the stalls where their horses are waiting for them. “He sniped like half of my targets the last year he was in juniors. I want revenge.”
“And you’re going to use me for your revenge?” wonders Wei Wuxian. He casually swings himself onto Lil Apple, the grey stallion he was borrowing for the night. The horse tosses his head irritably, so Wei Wuxian offers him an apple slice he’d pilfered earlier from the refreshments. “A bit low, isn’t it? I don’t have anything against the guy yet, don’t drag me into your little vendetta.”
Jiang Cheng laughs at that. “You speak as if you aren’t already planning to mess with him,” he points out.
At that moment, a gun goes off, startling the horses out into the arena. Wei Wuxian focuses on keeping Lil Apple in line with the rest of the horses as they gallop in a circle around the stadium. Out of the corner of his eye, he can see himself on the screens above the crowd, larger than life.
Representing Yunmeng at his first international nighthunt — please welcome Wei Wuxian!
The crowd goes wild with chants and screams of his name. Wei Wuxian waves to them, catching a couple of the flowers and gifts being thrown into the stadium. As Lil Apple passes under the Jiang family box, he catches a glimpse of Jiang Yanli, Jiang Fengmian, and Madam Yu. Only the former two seem to put any enthusiasm into clapping for him.
He’s not bothered by that. Much. After all, it’s his first time on this side of the family box at an international competition, and Madam Yu can be as much of a sourpuss about it as she likes, but he got here without her. And he’ll win, with or without her applause.
Jiang Cheng is announced next, as Wei Wuxian pulls Lil Apple into position with the other horses. He cheers on his shidi, high-fiving him as soon as he pulls up. Jiang Cheng’s cheeks are flushed from the attention; he’d even cracked Zidian, his signature whip, to deafening roars of approval.
“Tacky,” Wei Wuxian ribs, grinning. “Not everyone gets to have a sword and a special weapon, you know.”
“Not everyone meaning just you, clearly,” says Jiang Cheng. “Hanguang-jun’s got a guqin. And besides,” he adds, looking a little sheepish, “it’s not like we’re allowed to use them in the actual hunt, otherwise someone would try to bring in a gun that shoots spiritual energy or something.”
Wei Wuxian snorts. “That’s a mental image.”
Lan Wangji brings up the rear, just before last year’s champion, Su Minshan. Wei Wuxian has to feel sorry for him — despite being the World Champion, Su Minshan’s already well-upstaged by both himself and the current favourite. As the announcer says Lan Wangji’s name, the stadium breaks out into deafening screams.
“He’s a hit with the ladies, too,” Jiang Cheng remarks, a little waspishly.
“I’m not surprised,” replies Wei Wuxian. “For some reason, women really dig emotionally constipated guys.”
At that, Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes. “Jin Zixuan’s not that bad,” he hedges.
“Jin Zixuan is the definition of ‘bourgeois’,” retorts Wei Wuxian. “If you look it up in the dictionary, all you’re going to get is a picture of his ugly mug. I don’t see what shijie sees in him.”
Jiang Cheng snorts, and then leans over to smack him again. “Shut up, he’s two horses down.”
Wei Wuxian mimes zipping his lips, just as Lan Wangji comes trotting by on his pure white stallion. As he passes them, Wei Wuxian can’t help but notice that Lan Wangji’s eyes narrow as soon as he catches sight of him. He immediately affects an expression of mock solemnity, much to Jiang Cheng’s amusement.
Lan Wangji tosses his nose in his air, almost in perfect tandem with his horse as he trots away. Wei Wuxian nearly falls off his own with laughter.
fyeahnighthunting
So You Want to Watch Competitive Cultivation? A Guide to Nighthunting Competitions
Competitive Cultivation is worlds away from the practices of old, where cultivators of various sects would travel the world to hunt the supernatural and defend the common folk. Here, in top secret, top-of-the-line special arenas designed to test skill and endurance alike, cultivators face off only against spirits and monsters created and sanctioned by the International Nighthunting Union.
Each type of beast unleashed carries a certain number of points, but the real jackpot is defeating the biggest obstacle in the arena — invariably some immensely deadly monster or some extremely twisted mind game, requiring the cooperation of multiple cultivators to properly conquer it. Each person to successfully aid in dispatching the biggest monster of the hunt is awarded enough points to skyrocket them to victory, or at least within the top five scores of the competition.
Of course, the most-watched nighthunt is the one at the Olympics, but for those who really follow the sport, the World Championships is the one to keep your eye on. Held annually in different countries of the International Nighthunting Union, the World Championships is not only a brilliant display of athletic and cultivational prowess, but also of technological game design and deployment. The location, layout, and contents of each arena are kept extremely secret, and for good reason — the gamemasters want to make sure everyone is surprised!
So, Can I Get Tickets to Watch the Competition Live?
No, because of the secretive nature of the actual competitive arena and the dangerous nature of the competition itself, the only tickets for spectators are for live viewings. However, VIP ticket purchasers at a certain tier have the ability to control one of the drone cameras in the arena to follow their fave during the competition. It’s basically like being there with them!
Who Should I Be Watching This Year?
Well, you could always root for the entrants from your country. Each member country of the INU are allowed to send 1 person to Worlds, but the ‘Big 5’ (Gusu, Qishan, Lanling, Qinghe, and Yunmeng) can send 2. If you don’t like the person or people from your country, here are some notables to watch for this upcoming Worlds:
LAN WANGJI — To the Cult, not knowing who Lan Wangji is is like being a human and not knowing who Beyoncé is. He’s the youngest cultivator ever to have won Olympic Gold, at the precious age of 15. He’s won 4 consecutive Junior Worlds and made his senior debut at 15 in his brother Lan Xichen’s last competition. Everyone knows he got robbed at that competition because the gamemasters in Moling are cheating cheaters who cheat and inflated Su Minshan’s score to beat him.
WEI WUXIAN — Dark horse on a grey horse. Never competed in juniors, kept his head down in regionals until last year when he BASICALLY DANCED OVER THE CORPSES OF HIS COMPETITORS at Yunmeng Nationals. Complete wildcard, so keep an eye on him.
JIANG WANYIN — Wei Wuxian’s adoptive brother and fellow competitor representing Yunmeng. He’s a solid competitor, having always made it to top 5 during Juniors. This year is also his senior debut, so expect him to be at his most determined. Wields a totally sexy purple whip passed down from his mother, THE Purple Spider (she won three consecutive Worlds titles and two Olympic golds before retiring to coach, and is basically a Head Bitch in Charge).
NIE HUAISANG — It’s not necessarily that you have to watch for his performance, because it’s kinda boring at best, but it’s a thing in the Cult to try and find him every competition because he’s a fucking cryptid sniper. It’s like Where’s Waldo, but 300x harder. Even in the desert. Yeah we don’t know how his camo uniform managed to blend into sand, but we guess he’s just that good.
#48wnc #compcult #lan wangji #wei wuxian #jiang wanyin #nie huaisang #mod post
There are a couple days of warm ups and practice before the competition itself, which Wei Wuxian spends the majority of at the training grounds working with his weapons. The Cultivators’ Pavilion boasts numerous fencing pistes and archery ranges, all with the ability to change the room layout to account for rougher terrain.
“You know half of the competition is survival, right?” asks Jiang Cheng, as Wei Wuxian takes a break from his sword, letting Suibian return to its scabbard as he fetches his water bottle. “Fat lot of help your sword will be if you get stranded without water and time out due to dehydration.”
“This is Yunmeng, not the desert,” Wei Wuxian points out, rolling his eyes. “Chances are, there’ll be plenty of water sources. And pheasants!”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if your kill total ends up being entirely pheasants,” mutters Jiang Cheng, as Wei Wuxian chugs the rest of his bottle. “I can see the headlines now: Wei Wuxian Wins Worlds With Only Pheasant Kills. The look on Lan Wangji’s face alone would make that worth it.”
“The look on his face?” echoes Wei Wuxian, snickering. “You mean like this?” He immediately adopts a poker face, causing Jiang Cheng to burst into laughter.
“Yes, exactly that one. The neutral face of displeasure.” His laughter peters off quickly, though, as his eyes widen at something over Wei Wuxian’s shoulder. Wei Wuxian turns, just to come face-to-face with Lan Wangji himself. The other cultivator’s hair has been carefully wrapped and pinned in braids, and his white training outfit somehow doesn’t seem to bear a single stain despite the exertion-induced sweat glistening at his brow.
Had he been a lesser man, Wei Wuxian would probably have even called the entire look ‘hot’. As it is, he just smiles and waves, while Jiang Cheng disguises his sudden laughter as a terrible coughing fit.
“Hey, Lan Wangji,” says Wei Wuxian, ever unrepentant. “Want to fence with us?”
Lan Wangji merely turns his head away. “Tedious,” he replies simply.
“Tedious?” echoes Wei Wuxian, loping up to him and trying to get back into his line of sight. But no matter how he moves, Lan Wangji keeps on turning his head. “What’s so tedious about a little sparring? The competition’s tomorrow; it makes sense to practice a little.”
Lan Wangji seems to consider it for a moment. The sword gleaming bright at his side twitches a little, almost as if its master was indeed tempted to take Wei Wuxian up on the offer. But at that moment, an announcement comes over the speakers, asking the competitors to gather for the presentation of the arena map. Chuckling, Wei Wuxian claps Lan Wangji on the shoulder and strides towards the presentation room.
“Bad timing, huh? Another time! I’ll make sure not to go easy on you.”
He doesn’t see the faintest hint of a blush at the bottom of Lan Wangji’s earlobe as he walks away.
“Why is Lan Wangji late?” wonders Jin Zixuan as the white form of Lan Wangji shows up in the projection room five minutes into the presentation. All heads turn to watch him walk down to an empty seat at the front, his expression unreadable despite the cloud of embarrassment that seems to cling around his frame.
“Probably reining in his urge to murder Xianxian here,” replies Jiang Cheng, rolling his eyes.
Everyone’s heads now turn towards Wei Wuxian, who promptly shakes his head. “Wasn’t me, I swear,” he insists.
“You really shouldn’t paint a target on your back like that,” remarks Nie Huaisang. Wei Wuxian opens his mouth to retort, but is interrupted by the gamemaster clearing his throat.
“Can we please return to the map, competitors? Unless you would like to go in completely blind?”
That gets everyone’s attention. Satisfied, the gamemaster plucks something from above the projection table, and suddenly a 3D projection of the arena appears on the table, showing numerous hills and mountainsides, as well as a large lake in the centre. A golden star hovers above the centre, marking the location of the largest monster to defeat.
“As always, the competition will conclude upon the defeat of this final creature, or the time-out of every competitor, whichever comes first,” says the gamemaster. “Special weapons are forbidden. Every competitor will have a sanctioned qiankun bag with basic survival tools and a medikit, a bow and quiver with twelve arrows, basic banishment and light talismans, and their sword. All other items must be approved by the gamemasters prior to being brought into the arena. Softswords are against regulation and will be confiscated.”
Wei Wuxian raises his hand. “What types of cultivation are allowed in the competition?”
The gamemaster raises an eyebrow. “Standard cultivation moves, with weapons or with spiritual energy, are permissible. As special weapons are banned, their accompanying cultivation moves are also banned.”
“What if, say, Hanguang-jun snuck in his guqin strings? Could he get those approved, even if he doesn’t bring the guqin itself?”
That earns him a dirty glance from Lan Wangji in the front, as if he’s offended by the mere concept of Wei Wuxian doubting his commitment to playing fair. Wei Wuxian sticks his tongue out in reply.
The gamemaster scowls. “Competitor Lan understands the rules very clearly. His guqin strings are not permitted in this competition, and he would be disqualified if he tried to bring them in.”
Wei Wuxian nods. “Okay, sure, maybe that was a bad example. How about if a competitor has been able to harness the energy used to create these creatures, and could, I dunno, improvise a method of controlling them through items in the arena?”
“I’m not quite sure if I follow, Competitor Wei,” replies the gamemaster, his frown deepening. “Are you implying someone could be able to control the command center outside the command center?”
“Energy is energy, right?” asks Wei Wuxian, shrugging. “If electricity and code is all it takes to create these creatures in the arena, then someone with the proper cultivation know-how could hypothetically be able to harness it. What would you do then?”
Next to him, Jiang Cheng is mouthing something that sounds like a prayer. Indeed, the gamemaster’s brows have knit so heavily together that he almost looks like he’s sporting a unibrow. The entire room is silent for a long while, before the gamemaster sighs, rubs his temples, and shakes his head.
“Competitor Wei, there are safeguards in place to prevent unscrupulous competitors from manipulating the competition for this reason,” he says drily. “If anyone is caught attempting such a feat, they, too, would be disqualified. Now, any questions from anyone who is not Competitor Wei?”
The room, unsurprisingly, is silent.
After the rest of the presentation, Wei Wuxian catches Lan Wangji just before the other cultivator is about to head into one of the empty fencing pistes. “Hey, I think we got off on the wrong foot, Wangji,” he says, grabbing the other cultivator by the shoulder.
Lan Wangji flinches out of his grip. “Do not call me that,” he says.
“Okay, what should I call you, then?” wonders Wei Wuxian. “Lan-er-gege? Lanlan? Ooh, I know —” He grins widely. “Lan Zhan!”
“Especially not Lan Zhan,” replies Lan Wangji coldly. “We are not close. Do not presume otherwise.”
“No one’s ever close to someone by default,” Wei Wuxian points out, slinging an arm around the other cultivator’s shoulder. Lan Wangji flinches out of his grip again, as if scalded. “Closeness is built from bonding activities, and I can think of no better bonding activity than drinking! Come on, let’s sneak out together. Lotus Pier’s nightclubs are lit!”
“No,” states Lan Wangji.
“Come on, you know you want to. The girls here are the prettiest in the world!”
“Absolutely not.”
“Okay, fine, have it your way.” Wei Wuxian shrugs. “I just can’t imagine what it’s like to live your life with no fun whatsoever, just pursuing gold medals like some nighthunting gold medal robot. Beep boop.” He makes a couple robot moves, despite the obvious dagger-laced glares that Lan Wangji was shooting towards him. “I am Lan Wangji. I am Cultivator Bot.”
For one brief, brilliant moment, Lan Wangji looks as if he’d like to punch him. But almost immediately, he clenches his fist and calmness passes over his features like a wave erasing footprints in the sand. “Pathetic,” he declares simply, taking a step away from Wei Wuxian.
“Oh come on, you have to admit it’s a pretty good likeness,” teases Wei Wuxian.
“This is evidently a tactic to unnerve your opposition with ceaseless inanity,” replies Lan Wangji flatly. “I have chosen not to rise to your bait.”
“See, that sounds exactly like something Cultivator Bot would say!” Wei Wuxian claps him on the shoulder again. Lan Wangji flinches again. He moves towards the door of the practice room, but Wei Wuxian quickly beats him to it, blocking the handle from his grip. “Spar with me, Lan Wangji.”
Lan Wangji looks at him for a long moment, topaz gaze scrutinising and unyielding. After a moment, he hums, before promptly turning on his tail and striding away. Wei Wuxian watches him go, a strange mix of satisfaction and sadness mingling inside him.
Natira Tucker (andorablecreature) wrote in nighthunt_fc:
48TH WORLD NIGHTHUNTING CHAMPIONSHIPS WATCH PARTY
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! This year’s competition is at Lotus Pier in Yunmeng. liz_wangji has splurged for access to one of the VIP drones, and will be streaming the feed on Rabbit:
Link to the stream: rabb.it/everythingandanything
Password to access the stream will be dropped when it opens at 6PM Yunmeng Standard Time.
Rules:
- We’re here to support everyone. No name-calling or insults.
- Wank will get you banned from the rest of the nights, no exceptions.
- Have fun!
tagged with: watch party, livestream, competitve cultivation, compcult, 48wnc
_______________________
1280 Comments
argent_argenti
MY BODY IS SO READY FOR THIS
futuremrslanzhan
Go Lan Zhan!! I love him so much
wwxno1fan
anyone else excited to see my little boi, wwx, who decimated everyone in nationals? fuck yea GO KICK LAN ZHAN’S ASS HONEY I GOT YO FLOWER
(Deleted Comment)
ebbehmoth
#lanzhanwasrobbed
The morning of the competition dawns cold and grey, with the hallways of the Competitors’ Pavilion eerily quiet. Even Wei Wuxian, who had never really considered himself spiritual, finds himself wondering where he could potentially direct a prayer or thought to for some good luck in the coming hunt.
Jiang Yanli comes to visit them in the early afternoon to help them suit up. Other competitors’ families are there too; when Wei Wuxian makes his way to the Pavilion’s dining hall to fetch some cutlery and napkins, he sees Lan Wangji meeting with a tall man with cropped dark hair who could only be his older brother, retired nighthunting champion Lan Xichen. The older Lan is resplendent in gamemaster robes, while Lan Wangji has already gotten dressed in his blue-and-white arena uniform. Trust the Gusu competitors to remain on aesthetic, even in situations where white could be a dead giveaway in an inhospitable environment.
His shijie is already pouring out two bowls of lotus and rib soup when he gets back, the delicious smell permeating even the hall outside their room. “Eat,” she instructs as soon as he sits at the table in their room, across from Jiang Cheng, who’s already halfway into his uniform.
“I should probably change,” Wei Wuxian says, nodding towards the red-and-black uniform laid out on his bed.
“Eat first,” insists Jiang Yanli, her tone clearly leaving no room for argument. Wei Wuxian complies, then, spooning mouthfuls of soup into his mouth.
“You’re a lifesaver, sis,” he says. “The cafeteria food was okay, but it held no candle to your cooking.”
“It was fine,” agrees Jiang Cheng, tucking into his own bowl.
“Thank you.” Jiang Yanli’s voice sounds wavery, and Wei Wuxian frowns as he looks up to see her wiping at her eyes. “Oh, it’s nothing,” she says, catching sight of his look. “I’m just happy to see you two finally able to compete together.”
“No thanks to mom,” mutters Jiang Cheng.
“She was always worried about A-Ying showing you up,” agrees Jiang Yanli. “But you two have trained for so long, and either of you winning would do Yunmeng credit. I’m proud of both of you.”
“What’s the odds this year?” asks Wei Wuxian. Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes.
“Isn’t it against the rules to bet if you’re in the competition?” he asks.
“I’m just asking,” Wei Wuxian points out innocently. Jiang Yanli chuckles.
“Well, the favourite is still Lan Wangji,” she says. “But a lot of people are betting for you both, as well. A little more for A-Ying, though, since he’s completely new to the international circuit.”
“It hasn’t seemed that different from Nationals, though,” Wei Wuxian points out. “Maybe a bigger arena and audience, but still.”
“The monsters are harder,” Jiang Cheng replies immediately. “And it’s not the case this year for us, but competitions held in other countries tend to disfavour foreign competitors in more ways than just different terrains and climate. I mean, just look at what happened to Lan Wangji his first year in seniors.”
“Oh, god, the inflation argument again.” Jiang Yanli rolls her eyes. “You do know the point system is fixed by the INU, right?”
“Sure, but Su She’s a mediocre cultivator at best,” Jiang Cheng retorts. “There’s no way he could’ve ever beat Lan Wangji without some help behind the scenes.”
“Su She won in Meishan, too,” Jiang Yanli shakes her head. “And since mom was a gamemaster for the Meishan competition, would you say she helped him win there?”
That shuts Jiang Cheng up. Wei Wuxian puts down his now-empty bowl with a satisfied sigh.
“Well, I wouldn’t want anyone trying to inflate my points just because the competition’s on home turf,” he declares, walking to the bed to grab his uniform. “I’m going to change in the bathroom.”
“We’ll be waiting,” says Jiang Yanli, smiling. “I’ll walk you two to the green room.”
At precisely four-thirty, a trailer pulls up to the green room, and the competitors silently file inside. There are no windows, to prevent people from trying to deduce their location, and everyone sits facing one another in two silent rows, fiddling with their weapons and qiankun bags.
The ride is extremely long and extremely bumpy. Wei Wuxian can’t help but look over at Lan Wangji whenever the trailer hits a bumpy stretch, as if hoping to catch the other cultivator in a moment of disarray. However, that never seems to be the case — Lan Wangji’s expression is more tranquil than a moonlit lake and his long plait never falls out of place, while with every other bump Wei Wuxian can feel his own much-shorter hair getting messier and messier.
“I feel like I’m going to be carsick,” mutters Nie Huaisang from next to Wei Wuxian. Wordlessly, another competitor hands him a paper bag from under their seat.
After what feels like an eternity, the trailer finally stops and pulls up somewhere, backing into something that locks into place with a loud whirr of machinery. Moments later, the doors swing open, and everyone stumbles out in one confused group into what looks like a loading dock.
The gamemaster from yesterday shows up again. “Are we ready?” he asks. Wei Wuxian can see in the back the other gamemasters — Lan Xichen notable among them. There are nods and murmurs of assent, so the gamemaster claps his hands, and the sound of klaxons begin to blare.
One minute until deployment, a voice announces. Screens light up all around them, showing cheering crowds all over the world as they gather for live viewings of the competition. Wei Wuxian’s heart begins to stutter with nerves at last, as the reality of the situation finally sinks in.
He’s about to compete in front of the entire world, for the very first time. The world is so much bigger than just Yunmeng, though for the past fifteen of his sixteen years of life he’d been content with thinking otherwise.
Thirty seconds until deployment. Wei Wuxian feels a hand on shoulder. He looks, and Jiang Cheng is smiling bracingly at him. He nods, patting his shidi’s hand.
Ten seconds.
Nine.
Eight.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
At one, the ground below their feet begins to move. People stumble; even Lan Wangji has to grab onto the nearest railing to steady himself as the platform rises upwards, and the roof above them slowly rolls back to let in the golden twilight. The sound of screaming spectators gets louder, even as they move farther from the screens.
Then, with a final crunch, the platform sets them at the top of a stony ridge, looking below into a valley with an ominously dark, smooth lake.