The disciples of the five great clans stood in line before Wen Chao. You looked around, searching for Lan Zhan, when suddenly Wen Chao shouted for him to be brought in. As you turned, you caught sight of Lan Wangji walking in, his back straight and his face expressionless.

Unlike the others, he did not lower his gaze nor try to ease the tension.

Your face immediately showed concern. As he approached, you spoke quickly: “Lan Zhan, what is happening?”

There was no reply. Your worry grew, and you called out again, more urgently: “Lan Zhan!”

Lan Wangji lifted his gaze just slightly. His voice, cold and cutting, broke the air: “Silence.”

The murmurs died at once. No one dared to continue speaking. The silence was broken only by Wen Chao’s laughter, just before he began to give orders and demand that the disciples hand over their swords. You noticed how Lan Wangji’s hand tightened around Bichen, and how for a brief moment his face tensed—before returning to its usual mask of calm indifference.