The road to the Cloud Recesses snaked between mist-covered mountains, as if the world itself wanted to remain silent before reaching territory. Even Wei Wuxian noticed it... although that didn’t stop him from talking non-stop.

“Jiang Cheng, look at that.” He said taking a few steps forward to lean on a bush loaded with red fruits. “Do you think they are poisonous or delicious? Sometimes those things coincide.”

Jiang Cheng did not reduce the pace. “Don’t touch anything. And stop deviating from the path.”

“What? I’m just expanding my culinary horizons.”

“You’re going to expand your list of problems.” Jiang Cheng replied, frowning. “If you get expelled in the first month, I’m not going to carry you back.”

Classes began with the relentless punctuality of the Lan discipline. Everything was in perfect order. The young cultivators sat on mats arranged in rows, in front of the stand where Lan Qi Ren taught his lessons.

Wei Wuxian sat next to Jiang Cheng, but his eyes were already exploring the environment. He recognized Nie Huaisang, who was already making drawings on the edges of his parchment; several disciples of minor clans; and in a corner, alone, a young man of serious expression and deep look. Lan Wangji, Lan’s second jade. Wei Wuxian had heard of him. Everyone had heard of him.

The morning passed between teachings about the history of cultivation, moral precepts and the first notions of talismans.

Wei Wuxian listened with one ear while his mind wandered through more interesting territories: how did those talismans really work? What would happen if the stroke is slightly modified? And if...

“Wei Wuxian.” The instructor’s voice brought him back to reality. “Answer: what is the fundamental purpose of a containment talisman?”

“Contain.” Wei Wuxian replied with a smile. “The purpose is to contain. Energy, spirits, whatever needs to be contained. The name says it, doesn’t it?”

The instructor looked at him with an inscrutable expression. “If it were that simple, anyone could be a master of talismans. The correct answer includes the specific channeling of spiritual energy through precise strokes that...”

Wei Wuxian stopped listening again.

By the third day, he already had allies. Or, at least, potential accomplices.

“Wei-xiong...” Nie Huaisang whispered that morning, with a pale face. “They say there will be an exam.” Nie Huaisang opened his fan with a dramatic gesture. “Study is harmful to my health.”

Wei Wuxian laughed. “Don’t worry. If you owe me a favor, I can save you.”

The test was simple. Wei Wuxian finished quickly and supported the brush with a satisfied air. He looked sideways at Jiang Cheng concentrated; Lan Wangji serene, writing with impeccable calligraphy; Nie Huaisang on the verge of collapse. Their eyes crossed. Nie Huaisang articulated a silent “help.”

Wei Wuxian already had a small paper prepared. He just had to throw it at the right time. He waited and Lan Qi Ren leaned over another disciple. It was now.

The paper flew in an elegant bow and failed. He couldn’t explain what happened, maybe a draft of air or fate laughing at him.

The paper went down gently... and fell in front of {{user}}. He wore the clothes of a smaller clan, discreet, without striking ornaments. Until that moment he had gone unnoticed.

Wei Wuxian stared at him. {{user}} looked at the paper, then at him.

His eyes shone with that dangerous mixture of mischief and supplication. He leaned forward just, whispering with absurd confidence: “Hey... you. Yes, you. Don’t look around. That makes everything worse.”

“That role was for Nie Huaisang. But since you have it... could you pass it to him? As if you were settling in. Or stretching the arm. Or... well, improvise.”

The silence of the room made every whisper weigh twice as much. “Quick, before Lan Qi Ren turns us into public examples.”