He never had a plan, he just went with the flow

Chapter Eighteen

Lan Xichen had been on guard all day. This was the last day of the storm, and Wei Wuxian had admitted to having something planned for today. He had warned him that it would be big and might give him a headache and extra work, so he's been checking for any signs of him.

Standing outside amidst the gently falling snow was all so tranquil. The servants swiftly traveled to each resident to supply food and clean robes. A few children were playing in the snow as their parents watched.

Of course, nothing goes perfectly for him, so the sky sets ablaze immediately after. Screams fill the air as parents rush to guard their children, and the senior disciples gather to counter this unknown foe. Lan Xichen covers his eyes as the crimson light on the horizon blinds him.

Damn you, Wei Wuxian! You said it would be a minor headache and inconvenience!

The light gets brighter as it changes into a brilliant silver before it's sucked back where it came from. Despite things seeming calm again, all the alarm bells in his head went off. There was something bad coming, "GET DOWN!"

That was the only warning he could get out before the light exploded, sending a shockwave so powerful they were all thrown off their feet. Even those who attempted to remain firm and stay grounded were knocked down.

It took a few seconds before his ears stopped ringing, and he could see clearly again. Slowly, he lifted himself to his feet. "Is anyone hurt?"

"No, just minor bruising."

"No, we're fine."

"Bobo!" He pulls his nephew to his chest before checking him over. There is no blood, so that's good. Sizhui looks slightly shaken by the Shockwave, but he is fine. "Are you alright?"

"Mmm," Sizhui lays his head in the crook of his neck. Lan Xichen looks around as the senior disciples all turn to him. "Zewu-jun, the blast came from the Burial Mounds."

"I know, come, " he ordered, handing Sizhui to Shan Wufu. "We must investigate the source of that explosion." Looking at Shan Wufu, he nodded, understanding his message. I'll see if any repairs need to be done."

Stepping on his sword and taking to the sky, he prayed that Wei Wuxian hadn't gone too far this time.

"How could this be!"

"Is this the wrath of the gods?"

"No, I'm sure this is the second coming of Wei Wuxian!"

The sects inadvertently ended up having an emergency meeting in Yiling. Everyone had gathered to investigate the cause of the blast, which was so strong that it dispersed the clouds and that storm along with it.

Lan Xichen had been expecting this; if the blast had been strong enough to reach them, it must have also reached the other sects. But he was truly surprised by this turn of events. The Burial Mounds appear to have been cleansed, and not only that a powerful barrier now surrounds it. Despite their best efforts, they have yet to make it through.

It was as troubling as it was worrisome.

"Sect Leader Lan was the first to arrive, so maybe he would clue us in on the situation." At Jin Guangshan's words, everyone turned to him. Lan Xichen mentally flinched at being suddenly addressed but quickly composed himself. "I believe that we are still missing some important sect leaders. So, I would prefer to wait until they arrive before recounting today's events."

He left them to continue panicking as the door was kicked in a few minutes later. "Sorry for the wait. I was a bit busy with the clean up."

"Ah, Jiang Cheng, how nice of you to..." Jin Guangshan trails off as his eyes fall onto the beast wrapped around Jiang-zongzhu's neck. Lan Xichen looked at his smooth neck intently as he swallowed nervously. Wrapped around his neck was the largest snake he's ever seen. With beautiful shimmering lilac scales and pricing scarlet eyes, it was as majestic as it was frightening.