Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation

Thirteen years after his death, the "Yiling Patriarch" Wei Wuxian finds himself back among the living once more thanks to Mo Xuanyu, who summoned his spirit into his body to exact revenge on his abusive family.

With Mo Xuanyu's revenge completed, Wei Wuxian flees the village. Before he could venture far, he realizes that his luck is worse than he thought as he encounters not only one, but two important figures of his past. The worst part is the last time he recalled, he did not get along with either of them.

The story goes back twenty years ago, when life was simpler and Wei Wuxian was but a youngster lazing his way through school. As it turned out, even before he founded demonic cultivation, he and Lan Wangji were already like oil and water.

Thanks to the Wen Sect's manipations, a malicious spirit begins to cause trouble in Caiyi Town, and Wei Wuxian and co. are sent to investigate and deal with the matter.

As always, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji continue to not get along. If that wasn't enough trouble for them, some corpses escape confinement at a time when both are without their weapons and within the corpses' line of sight.

After getting into trouble one too many times, Wei Wuxian is sent back home to Lotus Pier where life is almost perfect for him. Almost.

The Qishan Wen Sect calls for a Discussion Conference in the form of an archery tournament, and it becomes blatantly obvious that the event is less of a friendly gathering and more of a display of power.

With the clear intention to divide and conquer, the Wen Sect makes its move and attacks several clans, including the Lan Sect, before conscripting the younger cultivators for "reeducation".

Everyone finds themselves in a tight spot as inside the cave, there is a malevolent spirit ready to devour anyone who disturbs it, and outside the cave are Wen clansmen waiting to kill anyone who escapes.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji defeat the Tortoise of Carnage, and with some outside help they return back to their homes. However, the trouble doesn't stop there as the rift between the Jiang family continues to grow, and some people from the Wen Sect are not the type to let go of grudges so easily.

Now that the negotiations for peace have ended on less than amicable terms, the Jiang Sect and the Wen Sect engage in an all-out war. But as the Jiang family is currently divided, so is their strength against the enemy.

With their home lost and the Wen Sect hot on their trail, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng go on the run while trying to hold on. But it's in times of duress where surviving is easier said than done.

Two events simultaneously play out, both of which will be marked in history. Firstly, the Four Great Sects unite to form the Sunshot Campaign. And second, unbeknownst to everyone at the time, is the founding of demonic cultivation.

The war between the Four Clans and the Wen Sect begins. The Wen Sect initially has the advantage, although they are eventually worn down by the former's willpower and growing numbers. Then to the surprise (and horror) of both, a third party joins the fray.

Even as they are saved from certain death, Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng are not certain on whether their rescuer is ultimately a friend or a foe. They get their answer, and it is not what they expected.