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Very interesting and for the most part, complete spot on. But one tiny point I think is definitely worth clarifying - XY is not using guidao at all. He can't.

He is so inept at it he thinks that Chenqing must hold some special secret power that helped WWX use it. What XY is doing is using living humans and is therefore more closely aligned with modao. XY is the one and only, demonic cultivator of the novel.

they said it so well

In hindsight the popularity of using “demonic cultivation” for what Wei Wuxian uses is running counter to what is actually in MDZS being used. It is resulting in a lot of fandom confusion, particularly since demonic cultivation is a xianxia genre standard. But that’s not what is going on in MDZS. The genre standard demonic cultivation revolves around stealing qi, absorbing life energy from others, possessing others to get access to their greater cultivation abilities, and in general much more assholery than what Wei Wuxian does. The actual term used by Wei Wuxian and most of the narration in the novel is Guǐdào; aka Ghost Cultivation. It revolves around manipulating the dead, using resentful energy as a power source, and to be absolutely blunt it is a form of necromancy. It is the “redirection” option in dealing with the dead; drain away resentful energy so that you can convince the dead to finally let go and be liberated. Either by getting the justice they were denied in life or having lifted the worst of their anger and attachment so they can think clearer. Not demonic cultivation. The very title “Mo Dao Zu Shi” is part of the subversion element and part of setting in motion assumptions about the story for the original Chinese readers who know the genre and what the usual tropes are. Because calling it “Gui Dao Zu Shi” would give away too much from the start of what is actually going on. Also per MXTX, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian are “morally perfect” and as that is the intention given by the author herself, that means nothing Wei Wuxian does with ghost cultivation has to actually harm the ghosts in a way that would be morally wrong. Like destroying them, preventing them from reincarnating, that kind of thing. He does not hurt the dead. He’s honestly shown to be more friendly with the undead; he is endlessly kind to them in fact and even gentle. Polite too and that deserves marking because Wei Wuxian ignores most manners because he generally doesn’t care. But he puts that care into how he treats the gui (undead) he commands and works with. He gives them rewards for a job well done as shown in the Yi City arc! The one who does use ghost cultivation to hurt both the living and dead is Xue Yang who is repudiated by Wei Wuxian; “Xue Yang has to die” is what he says and that is what he helps Lan Wangji do. But the actual founder? The guy who made it and is the absolute master of it? Rejects that kind of thinking all the way through the story, even at his lowest.

written by lovepsychothefirst on pillowfort

the tag on ao3 is Demonic Cultivation (Modao Zushi) when it should really be Ghost Cultivation | Guidao (Modao Zushi) or something similar, and there should also be specification on which canon is being used, bc in CQL, the manhua, and the donghua, Guidao has adverse affects when in the novel it doesn't do shit to the practitioner.

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #wei wuxian #mdzs novel #its guidao not modao

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Sorry dude, but WWX was never unsportsmanlike... it was a competition and no one said a thing about NMJ doing the exact same thing! It was completely fair and was not only something JC allowed him to do in order to attract new disciples, but JYL literally pointed out it was not against the rules either.

Also, just for your reference. LWJ didn't come across WWX by accident - he was practically summoned there when WWX played Wangxian on his dizi. If you read the description of the tune WWX plays, it's the love song LWJ wrote for him.

Now, imagine being LWJ, who thought that the song would have been long forgotten now some 3 years (if memory serves me correct) since he hummed it to a feverish WWX slipping in and out of consciousness. Imagine him suddenly hearing his own love song being played on a distant dizi, how must he have felt? "WWX remembers the song! He's playing it somewhere right now! Is he teasing me?" Only to find him lounging against a tree blindfolded and vulnerable. A potent mixture of lust and anger probably overwhelmed him at this point.

I also doubt LWJ really thought he was kissing him back much either tbh - if you read the text he does fight against it in the beginning and then feels bad for whoever it is so stops, only to fight again when they get more aggressive. I think the only thing LWJ felt was shame and disgust at what he'd forced WWX to do - when he had been trying so hard not to force anything upon him for so long. I think this part is very poignant and great character development, because he vows never to do anything like that again and it really shows.

i’m a little obsessed with the blindfold scene tbh and what it must have been like from Lan Wangji’s perspective. because there is no reason for Wei Wuxian to be blindfolded, nobody actually expected him to do that. he’s already captured more prey than is sportsmanlike and is just chilling in a tree, and the only reason he wore it in the first place was to be an asshole and show off and prove that he’s better than Jin Zixuan. so when he senses a person nearby, it would make sense to lift up the blindfold to see who it is. even if he can tell they don’t have killing intent, that’s not the only way a person can cause harm! and there are plenty of people there who wish him harm. but no, he’s a stubborn and arrogant little shit who refuses to take off the blindfold even as the person approaches him.

so we have LWJ probably accidentally coming across WWX, and then intentionally walking in his line of sight hoping to get teased a little, since he’s been, like, pining over him for a few years now, so he can allow himself a little torture, as a treat. but this little jackass still refuses to take off the blindfold, and instead just asks who it is, and LWJ is determined to win this battle of wits and keeps walking closer without saying anything, but WWX doubles down, and then he’s standing right in front of him, examining his face from way too close, and he can see the curves of his lips and probably smell his scent and his heart starts to pound, and when WWX finally reaches for the blindfold, he’s too close and too excited, so he impulsively grabs his wrist and pins him back and then is just like, fuck - in for a penny, in for a pound - and just fucking kisses him on the mouth without thinking of the consequences. but then when WWX kisses him back?? and it’s like, oh god, he’s such a slut that he’ll make out with anyone without even seeing their face, what am i doing!!

and then ofc, the self loathing after he runs away but i care less about that part, personally.

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #wei wuxian #lan wangji #wangxian #wangxian.mp3

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Holy shit people are actually claiming that! Wtf?!

That is another level of delusional. LWJ and WWX are very much alike in their morals and view on the world. If WWX wouldn't be friends with JC if debt was no longer at play, why the hell would LWJ ever be?!

JC actually embodies everything WWX hates in a person, save JC isn't overly showy or vain (hello JZX). We see what WWX truly thinks of JC when he thinks about JL possessing all JCs and his father's bad traits and none of his mother's good ones lol.

If WWX wouldn't even hang around with him if he didn't have to, why would LWJ? Lmao!

The amount of delusion of people confidently saying "LWJ and JC could have been closer if there's no WWX" is just...out of this world~

It's like saying JFM and YZY would be a lovey dovey couple if there's no Zangse Sanren.

Dude, read the goddamn book! JFM disliking YZY is due to her personality, not because of someone else.

And LWJ, you think Hanguang-Jun who comes out at every chaos regardless of it's size , will be closer to JC who will only take care of cases in Yunmeng if there's a death report??

LWJ who has a peerless virtue will be closer to JC who "Forget Gratitude, Remembers only Grudge" ??

Whoaaa...

#mdzs #lan wangji #wei wuxian #canon jiang cheng

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Pfft! Well we all know that this is certain stans making shit up - I have seen the screenshots to prove it and it is dismal. But, that being said...

Perhaps if you can't read and need everything dumbed down for you, then yeah, I guess 🙄

looking at the wikipedia page for the novel The Untamed is based on and I have not seen a more "please contain your fandom urges for like two seconds" message from this website before lmfao

#mdzs #stick with your picture books then #can't be that hard to follow #it's literally a New York Times best seller lmao

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WWX has trained as an accomplished musician on his way to becoming a refined cultivator skilled in the six arts. This is something gentlemen of the time learnt alongside other skills like martial arts and other disciplines.

So, WWX can most likely play a number of instruments and probably picked up the flute as a hobby on the side as it is considered more folk or common than what the snobby cultivation world would probably consider refined instruments. It is most likely a nod to his heritage and is definitely a powerful message when he uses it as his spiritual weapon.

It's the perfect instrument for him as he's battling a classist world and showing them all up in the process.

when did wei wuxian learn how to play the flute

like lwj spent years learning how to play the guqin

did wwx practice flute at some point or did he just pick it up and know how to play it by feeling where the notes go in his balls or what

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #wei wuxian #wwx is a master of the six arts #and a talented musician because of it #i love how he picked a dizi as his spiritual weapon #holding onto his heritage and literally rubbing it in the snobby cultivation worlds face in the process #the sass

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Off the back of something I've just read...

I just love the way LWJ deals with his emotions. Rolling a rock underfoot when he's jealous and frustrated. Chopping down a bunch of trees when he's angry and disappointed with himself. From a psychological pov, this is actually considered quite healthy - releasing and to some extent addressing the emotions rather than bottling them up or directing them at others and causing further harm to those you care about.

Which brings me to modern au LWJ. He would, without a shadow of a doubt, carry at least one stress ball or something around with him at all times. Squeezing it for dear life once he's walked away from WWX teasing him to the point where he'd much rather squeeze the tempting peach of his coworker instead. Of course, WWX would gift him a bunny shaped one just before they get together and become the shameless office couple that take too long in the office supply room 🤭

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #wei wuxian #lan wangji #wangxian #mdzs modern au

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Idk who's going around thinking Wangxians relationship was bad - even WWX admits that it wasn't as bad as the gossiping idiots of the cultivation world claimed. So we know it's not as bad and we even see it isn't when LWJ visits the burial mounds. WWX wouldn't have dragged him around Yiling and eventually to a restaurant if it was that bad haha.

Also, WWX didn't think LWJ truly hated him until he was driven mad with a potent mixture of grief, trauma and anxiety. When he isn't thinking clearly and is too far gone to realise LWJ is there for him. But prior to that he clung on to the hope he did not hate him.

Also, if it makes you feel any better OP, it's pretty much insinuated that LWJ told WWX his feelings when he was trying to get through to him while hiding in a cave post Nightless City bloodbath. So I think, although WWX was obviously catatonic and telling him the same words LWJ used to say to him every time he tried to get close to him as teens ("Get lost", or one of the other more strongly worded translations), at least LWJ was able to admit something to him prior to his death. It must have given him a semblance of closer. But, I agree with you. The pain he must have felt, it doesn't bear thinking about. It's too much for me to even handle.

Though, I do admire how he was able to pick himself up and live his life still. Raising LSZ and going where the chaos is. By living the way he did and instilling his and WWXs shared beliefs into the next generation of cultivators, he kept WWX's spirit alive. He even told LSZ silly stories about him just so the real WWX s memory lived on and might even be told over the bullshit rumours that others spewed. LWJ truly honoured his lost love in the most beautiful and healthy way.

sometimes I think about wangxian and how some people think that lan wangji’s mourning didn’t make the most sense with the context that before wei wuxian’s death they were never described as having a good relationship. and wei wuxian died thinking lan wangji hated him …

but I think about lan wangji’s real feelings, and how much harder it is to deal with the grief of death when you had so much you never got to say to someone who is now permanently gone. the knowledge or even the uncertainty, that someone died thinking you didn’t like them, when you loved them; it is not something I could put into proper words. I understand how lan wangji’s mourning was incomprehensible to most people.

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #lan wangji #wei wuxian #wangxian

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There are some absolute balls to the wall crazy posts on here about how JC is a better "brother" than LXC.

The way some people in this fandom will literally rewrite an entire novel just to make their favourite character less of a prick never ceases to astound me...

#mdzs #canon jiang cheng #lan xichen

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OP, you get it 🤣

book!Wei Wuxian so far is like “i like to pretend to be gay to manipulate people and freak them out and sometimes just for fun bc i’m shameless haha but i’m totally 100% straight even though i’ve never so much as noticed a woman in my life. totally unrelated, but has anyone else noticed how pretty Lan Wangji is and how piercing his eyes are and how pleasantly he smells of sandalwood? i’m going to play with his clothing while he carries me in his strong, muscular arms tralala.”

#mdzs #wei wuxian #lan wangji #you might have arrived “late” my friend #but you seemed to have grassped WWXs character more than some in the fandom haha #WWX and his canon comphet #the comphet is strong in this one

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How can people genuinely believe WWX wasn't a people person!? How can people claim he wasn't agreeable or nice to people, only speaking to people when he was in a good mood or they were talking about subjects he liked?! 🤣

Are these people reading the same novel?!?

Then again, this person also said there was no classism in MDZS so...

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #wei wuxian #mdzs novel #what is going on lmao

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Oh yeah, because that's mature 🤣 I think those idiots better get used to it because if they actually breed and their kids inherit their personality, every kid will be better than them!

Honestly... So not liking a child for whatever reason gives her the right to beat him for no reason? Omfg!

Some idiots claiming YZYs abusive actions were justified because of the historical and cultural setting of MDZS... Because I used this very argument against one of their little friends and their claims WWX's revenge and JGYs are similar, and if WWX could be "excused" so could JGYs.

Firstly, there's a fine line between discipline and unnecessary cruelty. What YZY does crosses that line unequivocally. She does this not only physically, but mentally. She wears him down with lashing of both vicious tongue and cracking whip. Yes, discipline is very much part of that era, but singling out one child specifically and beating them for reasons that are far from punishable is abuse no matter what. Let's not forget WWXs back was covered in scares, both new and old. These are marks from a high-class spiritual weapon! This is not an official method used for disciplinary purposes.

And the major thing here is, it's not JUST the setting that shows us how the MDZS universe works, but MXTXs worldbuilding and the examples of what is expected culturally in her fiction. The Yi City arc shows us how revenge works in her universe - similar to the era. She also shows us what is acceptable punishment and how such things are carried out in the Cloud Recesses arc - again, somewhat similar to the era. These are shown to the reader so we understand the clear boundaries world and the rules MXTX has set in place in her fic.

It really is all there in black and white if you'd just actually read 🤣

#I've had people actually say “what scars on wwxs back... #and “wwx said she never hit him” 🙄 #YZY stans with their heads so far up their own asses they can't read the text 🤣

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Lmao! I know right?! I honestly don't get it.

No matter how you look at it, YZY was an absolute vile person who was vicious both verbally and physically to WWX so no god damn reason 🙄

I think anyone who claims otherwise is just some weird YZY apologist and secretly hates WWX. Why bother? Just read a different book lol 🤣

Some idiots claiming YZYs abusive actions were justified because of the historical and cultural setting of MDZS... Because I used this very argument against one of their little friends and their claims WWX's revenge and JGYs are similar, and if WWX could be "excused" so could JGYs.

Firstly, there's a fine line between discipline and unnecessary cruelty. What YZY does crosses that line unequivocally. She does this not only physically, but mentally. She wears him down with lashing of both vicious tongue and cracking whip. Yes, discipline is very much part of that era, but singling out one child specifically and beating them for reasons that are far from punishable is abuse no matter what. Let's not forget WWXs back was covered in scares, both new and old. These are marks from a high-class spiritual weapon! This is not an official method used for disciplinary purposes.

And the major thing here is, it's not JUST the setting that shows us how the MDZS universe works, but MXTXs worldbuilding and the examples of what is expected culturally in her fiction. The Yi City arc shows us how revenge works in her universe - similar to the era. She also shows us what is acceptable punishment and how such things are carried out in the Cloud Recesses arc - again, somewhat similar to the era. These are shown to the reader so we understand the clear boundaries world and the rules MXTX has set in place in her fic.

It really is all there in black and white if you'd just actually read 🤣

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #madam yu #yzy is abusive through and through #stop trying to excuse her abuse 🙄

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Some idiots claiming YZYs abusive actions were justified because of the historical and cultural setting of MDZS... Because I used this very argument against one of their little friends and their claims WWX's revenge and JGYs are similar, and if WWX could be "excused" so could JGYs.

Firstly, there's a fine line between discipline and unnecessary cruelty. What YZY does crosses that line unequivocally. She does this not only physically, but mentally. She wears him down with lashing of both vicious tongue and cracking whip. Yes, discipline is very much part of that era, but singling out one child specifically and beating them for reasons that are far from punishable is abuse no matter what. Let's not forget WWXs back was covered in scares, both new and old. These are marks from a high-class spiritual weapon! This is not an official method used for disciplinary purposes.

And the major thing here is, it's not JUST the setting that shows us how the MDZS universe works, but MXTXs worldbuilding and the examples of what is expected culturally in her fiction. The Yi City arc shows us how revenge works in her universe - similar to the era. She also shows us what is acceptable punishment and how such things are carried out in the Cloud Recesses arc - again, somewhat similar to the era. These are shown to the reader so we understand the clear boundaries world and the rules MXTX has set in place in her fic.

It really is all there in black and white if you'd just actually read 🤣

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #wei wuxian #madam yu #mdzs novel #learn to read #yzy is an abuser #no matter what cultural setting mdzs is in #i can't actually believe people are saying it was justified that yzy whipped wwx because he didn't have a top on while on the training field #on the hottest day of the year 🤣 #when everyone else including her son were all in the same state #yet he was the only one to get punished #yeah... perfectly acceptable 🤣🤣🤣 #these people need help

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Our first glimpse at how deep WWXs feelings for LWJ truly were

I just adore the archery competition flashback, where WWX meets LWJ a year after his short-lived stay at the CR. When I first read this scene, my heart ached a little at WWX's subconscious pining for LWJ and the cold shoulder he seemingly received. Obviously, poor LWJ doesn't mean to be so cold with him, he just doesn't know how to express, or even comprehend his own feelings for WWX at that moment in time. I think this scene really shows the reader how deep WWX's latent feelings truly are. It also gives quite an interesting insight into WWXs psyche, as he lies to himself about his own feelings and tries to downplay his affection for LWJ.

Chapter 45

Yawning as he walked toward the hunting grounds, he suddenly caught sight of a handsome boy with a fair face and a cold demeanor to the side of him. He wore a red round-collar robe with sleeves that had tight openings and a belt of nine golden rings. This was the uniform attire of all of the juniors who came to the Qishan Discussion Conference. On him, it looked exceptionally good. He had a dash of elegance, a few traces of vigour, but a whole lot of good looks. One couldn’t help but brighten up at the sight of such a boy. The boy was in the middle of trying out his bow, carrying a bundle of arrows with white-feathered fletchings. Brushing past the bowstring, his slender fingers made it sound as though it were a guqin string, strong yet beautiful. To Wei WuXian, the boy felt a bit familiar. After he thought for a while, he finally remembered and greeted the boy with enthusiasm, “Hey! WangJi-xiong, it’s you!”

WWX is momentarily blinded by LWJs beauty. He then goes on to lie to himself about taking a 'while' to realise who he was. WWX has already hinted that he knew exactly who he was when he mentioned a guqin string - which is what LWJ plays. Not to mention, 'handsome', 'fair face' and 'cold demeanor' is literally a description of LWJ! He's trying to downplay his excitement at meeting him again, especially as he was so entranced at seeing him and very clearly extremely physically attracted to him.

At the time, it had already been a year since Wei WuXian studied at Gusu and was sent back to Yunmeng. After he arrived at Yunmeng, he told the people there all about what he had seen in Gusu, especially things such as how although Lan WangJi’s face looked nice he was so stiff as to do this, so boring as to do that. Not long afterward, he had forgotten all about his days at Gusu and continued to fool around in the lakes and mountains. In the past, he had only seen Lan WangJi in the plain “mourning clothes” of the GusuLan Sect’s uniform, never in such a bright, eye-catching outfit. Along with that overly-pretty face of Lan WangJi’s, now that they met again, Wei WuXian’s eyes had momentarily been blinded by his looks, failing to immediately recognize him. On the other hand, as soon as Lan WangJi finished testing his bow, he walked away at once. Awkwardly, Wei WuXian turned to Jiang Cheng, “He ignored me again. Huh.” Jiang Cheng glanced at him with indifference, also deciding to ignore him.

Here WWX is trying very hard to reason with himself for the emotions and attraction he just felt. It's rather like: "Well I haven't seen him in such a long time and I had almost forgotten all about him... So of course I was staring at him. I was so used to seeing him in the 'mourning clothes', he just attracted my attention for a moment because of the vivid colour (that everyone else is wearing!) I should go say hi.."

He's trying to justify his excitement at seeing him. At first, WWX acknowledged he did indeed talk about LWJ... Quite a lot when he first got back, from the sounds of it! He then goes on to contradict what he just claimed earlier about him taking a while to remember who LWJ was. It seems that under the surface, he's actually quite flustered at seeing him again after so long. His thoughts are all over the place! Again his mind wanders towards how good looking LWJ is once more - he's got it bad bless him. His reaction and his contradictory thoughts are enough of a hint to the reader not to take WWXs claims he 'forgot all about his days in Gusu' as the truth. There's so much internal conflict about his feelings for LWJ and the heteronormativity that was embedded in him from a young age, that his thoughts are a little erratic. Simultaneously admiring LWJ and trying to justify his wandering thoughts about him at the same time.

It isn't until the Lotus Seed Pod extra that we actually see the true extent of WWX's lie to himself back at the archery competition. This extra chapter is one of the sweetest. It shows WWX, and later LWJ, essentially pining for each other around the same time (possibly the exact same day). In the extra, it's been a year since they've seen each other, but WWX is still bringing him up in conversation and thinking about him back at Lotus Pier. So we can safely assume that the Lotus Seed Pod extra is set just before the archery competition, as both are a year later from when he left the CR.

There were more than twenty entrances to the shooting range; each sect was different. As Lan WangJi walked toward the entrance of the GusuLan Sect, Wei WuXian sneaked over before he could. Lan WangJi shifted to the one side, and he shifted to the side as well; Lan WangJi moved to the other side, and he moved to the other side as well. In short, he simply refused to let Lan WangJi pass. In the end, standing where he was, Lan WangJi raised his chin slightly. In a serious tone, he spoke, “Excuse me.”

LWJ tries his best to ignore him, possibly due to his reluctance to face his feelings and because it seems he finds it hard to communicate with his crush. But, WWX just wants his attention and will do anything to get it! Which is exactly what he does next, the little minx!

Wei WuXian, “You’re finally gonna talk to me? Were you pretending that you didn’t know me or that you didn’t hear me?” Not far away, the boys from other sects all stared at them. Some laughed, some exclaimed. Jiang Cheng clicked his tongue impatiently. With arrows on his back, he walked toward another entrance. Lan WangJi raised his eyes coldly and repeated, “Excuse me.” A faint smile by his lips, Wei WuXian raised his brows and turned to the side. The arch door of the entrance was rather narrow. Lan WangJi could only brush by him as he walked in. After he entered, Wei WuXian shouted from behind him, “Lan Zhan, your forehead ribbon is crooked.” All disciples from prominent sects took great care to maintain their appearances, especially those from the GusuLan Sect. Hearing this, Lan WangJi reached to adjust it without a second thought. Yet, the forehead ribbon was clearly as proper as always. Turning around, he cast an annoyed look at Wei WuXian. The latter only laughed as he turned to the YunmengJiang Sect’s entrance.

So as usual, WWX resorts to his 'teasing' in order to get LWJ to look at him. WWX even blocks the GusuLan Sect's entrance LWJ has to use, and only moves once LWJ has finally looked at him. Succeeding in getting LWJ to look at him, he turns to the side, allowing him access through the arch - but only if he brushes past him. It's such a small moment, but it's so cute how much WWX can't stand to be ignored by him. The sexual tension in this scene, just screams off the page to me. I think you can really feel all those hormones raging - especially once you read the LPS extra as well. It's his little smile and the way he raises his eyebrows as he makes LWJ brush up against him. He's just such a flirt with him! He knows LWJ doesn't like physical contact with others, but he does this anyway. He hasn't seen LWJ in quite a while and must get some form of interaction with him however he can.

I love how WWX only laughs when he's walking back to his Sect entrance where JC and the others are waiting. To me, this small and simple sentence is very telling. It helps the reader understand WWX's feelings, probably better than he did at the time. WWX didn't laugh in LWJ's face - in the past he has, but this time he doesn't. He didn't do it for entertainment, he didn't do it to amuse himself or others. From the text, it seems he didn't smirk or grin either. He stood in the archway without any of his usual cheeky expressions when teasing LWJ. In fact, he seemed pretty flat - not the usual vivacious WWX we all know and love. He just stood there taking it all in, watching LWJ walk away, before shouting to him and waiting for a reaction. It almost feels like he wound him up, not only to get a reaction, but because he felt dejected and was slightly hurt. This tiny moment has such a delicate hint of melancholy to it, and it makes my heart hurt a little every time I read it.

It's obvious from the above text, WWX has actually made a little bit of a scene! Other disciples were watching from afar, some amused and some surprised by the commotion in front of them. But he was so desperate for LWJs attention, he didn't even care at that exact moment. WWX only laughs once he heads over to his own Sects entrance. As if he has to cover up what he just did with bravado. Making it out he was just being a 'lad' and winding LWJ up... WWX didn't get upset LWJ wouldn't give him attention, forcing him to brush up against him and then teasing him to get one last reaction and a look from those cold sexy eyes of his before he left... Noooo, that's not what just happened at all. Just bros, being bros here... He definitely wasn't fawning over the second most handsome young master of the cultivation world. Nope.

The subtext in this scene actually escapes some people and they don't see the chemistry or absolute flirtatious tension between them - especially on WWX's behalf. They just see him winding LWJ up. But I pose this to those that don't see WWX's actions as flirting - would you think the above scene was WWX flirting, if LWJ was a girl instead? If he was paying the same attention to a girl, forcing 'her' to brush against him - would you not think he liked 'her'? Of course you bloody would! You'd think he had a mad crush on them!

A little while later during the archery competition, WWXs encounters LWJ once more.

Just as he was thinking about what would happen if he shot with his other hand, suddenly, something drifted to his face. Softer than even the touch of catkin blossoms carried by the wind; the object made Wei WuXian’s cheek itch. Turning around, he saw that Lan WangJi had somehow already walked near him. With his back facing Wei WuXian and front to a paper mannequin, he was in the process of drawing his bow. The ends of his forehead ribbon danced in the breeze, gently brushing against Wei WuXian’s face. He squinted, “WangJi-xiong!” With his bow already in the shape of a full moon, Lan WangJi still responded after a short moment of hesitation, “What?” Wei WuXian, “Your forehead ribbon is crooked.” This time, Lan WangJi refused to believe him again. As he released his arrow, he replied without even turning around, “Ridiculous.” Wei WuXian, “It’s true this time! It really is crooked. Just watch if you don’t believe me. Let me straighten it up for you.” He proceeded as he spoke, grabbing the ribbon tail that kept on fluttering in front of his eyes. Alas, however, his hands were simply too unruly. In the past, he made a habit of pulling on the Yunmeng girls’ braids. Whenever he touched a strip-like object, he’d have the urge to tug it. Thus, without a second thought, he tugged it this time as well. However, since the forehead ribbon was already slightly askew, a bit loose, now that he pulled on it, it fell from Lan WangJi’s forehead at once. The hand that Lan WangJi held the bow with immediately gave out a shiver. He only managed to turn around after quite a long while. Slowly, his eyes finally locked into Wei WuXian’s. Wei WuXian was still holding the soft ribbon in his hand, “I’m sorry. It wasn’t on purpose. Here, you can tie it up again.” Lan WangJi’s expression was darker than ever.

So WWX is claiming it was an accident.. but this is obviously not the case. Just before this all happened, he hinted to us he was getting rather bored of the competition. He started to think about using his other hand, because he wanted to find it more of a challenge. Then he notices the tall glass of ice cold water that is LWJ was just behind him... WWX goes on to tell LWJ his forehead ribbon is crooked once more and offers to straighten it for him. Apparently it was, but that's not the point here. He literally pulls at it! Then he pretends it was an accident! But his thought process at this point is rather telling as he states he got into the habit of pulling girls pigtails when he was younger. Why would he think such things and pull on LWJ's forehead ribbon if it wasn't intentional at least on a subconscious level. So to some extent he definitely knew what he was doing and it wasn't an accident. Again, I think this is partly because he just needs LWJ's attention. It's also show how he truly think of LWJ once more. The classic pulling on pigtails, a favourite pastime of young boys who like to tease girls. WWX is around 16 now I think, yet he's treating LWJ like a little girl who has hurt the ego of the little boy that still resides inside him. It's quite sweet really.

Also, let's not forget the fact he has admitted elsewhere in the novel, that he still remembers many of the CR sect rules after copying them so many times. But funnily enough, he's managed to forget this one... * Exaggerated eye roll * Suuure...

I just love how MXTX adds layers of meaning to past chapters, by leaving tiny breadcrumbs throughout the book for her readers. I think this might be my favourite one to be honest. We don't fully understand how truly head over heels they both actually are for each other at the above point in time, until the LP extra hits us in the face with such a touching revelation and we piece it all together ourselves.

I also wrote a post as to why LWJ might be acting so cold towards WWX in the above scene. For anyone who is interested it's here.

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #mdzs novel #wangxian

[lancabbage]

How can people claim JC is not homophobic and is just "Wangxianphobic"...

Liiike... Did you read the first few chapters? You know, the ones where, after he had been told about MXY being gay (literally just finding out the dude likes men, not the apparent inappropriate behaviour towards JGY) his reaction is clearly homophobic.

JC was staring at "MXY" with such HATRED when he suspected he was WWX and the text literally states his look of detest INCREASED when he was told MXY was gay!

He was disgusted and his disciples were frightened of telling him such a fact because they knew how awful he would react.

At this point he now assumes MXY is just another person who follows the ghost path! Yet he is still repulsed by his sexuality.

MXTX clearly wrote that little exchange to show us it was more than just "JC doesn't like WX". Stop glazing over JCs blatant homophobia ffs 🙄

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #canon jiang cheng #mdzs novel #jiang chengs canon homophobia

[lancabbage]

I'd actually disagree that the setting is homophobic to be honest. We don't see much evidence of this in the text of that. Most reactions "MXY" WWX receives are due to him apparently hitting on his own half-brother. Bar JC, I can only think of JL (who is of course influenced by his uncle) and LJY who kind of said it as a throwaway comment in defence of his beloved Hanguang-jun. A few of the Jin disciples seem to show some hatred for MXY, but that could be due to the rumours of him lusting after JGY.

Other than that, people don't seem overly shocked by two men being together (and naturally, ancient China was at some point rather accustomed to and somewhat accepting of such things) and don't seem to bat an eyelid at them. The general consensus I got from the novel was it was nothing particularly out of the ordinary or offensive. When LWJ bridal carried WWX into the inn, everyone there bar one reacted without much interest, as if it wasn't anything overly scandalous.

Hating Jiang Cheng for being a homophobe is ridiculous because the world setting is homophobic and his homophobia is a throwaway joke (it's not given it upsets WWX on multiple occasions) sure is a take on here... like you telling others to hate him for another reason is giving this energy

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #mdzs novel #i don't dislike jc just because he's a homophobe #but the reaction he had towards two men hugging each other was rather sickening and should still be acknowledged #some will outright claim it's simply because jc has an aversion to pda or it's because it's his “brother” #which of course are both wrong #but yeah #i always felt like the mdzs universe was a little more welcoming of same sex relationships #after all #the term cultivation partners is gender neutral

[lancabbage]

I think people need to use the extras more when they are talking about mdzs theories and meta, because they are very cleverly crafted to compliment and further certain points made in the novel.

The above comments pointing out how those specific extras are just brilliant examples of how much WWX understands and respects are dead is just spot on.

The extras are often overlooked. We need more extra meta!

A lot of stuff floating around about the Chinese concept of hun and po souls in reference to MDZS at the moment, as well as the usual stuff concerning WWX's cultivation, yet again.

Very, very brief explanation on hun/po: When a person dies po souls stay with the dead body and eventually go back to the earth. The hun souls go up to the heavens to face retribution and eventual reincarnate.

Firstly, before I continue, this is not the same for all xianxia novels and beliefs around hun and po. But, from what I can see in the Chinese text, MXTX has it that the hun souls that usually go off to eventually reincarnate when someone dies are trapped on the earth and form ghosts/various types of moving corpses when they possess resentment. Hun is mentioned in a number of places and the most compelling evidence I've found is the name of the Gusu Lan's "evocation" song which is aptly named 招魂 (zhāo hún) - this is the song they play when they are trying to contact a restless spirit using a part of it's body or a beloved item.

This shows us that it is not the po souls they are trying to save or suppress, but the hun souls - they are actively trying to help people move on, unless they have to suppress or even destroy them (preventing them from reincarnating ever again) if they refuse to see reason and pose a threat to the living.

WWXs cultivation gives the souls trapped on earth another chance to move on if 'liberation' does not work. Rather than suppressing the soul and prolonging their time trapped on earth or completely destroying them as is the third and final option available to cultivators, he has invented a fourth option - to help the souls use up their resentment (in a safe and controlled manner) that allows them to move on and reincarnate also. WWXs cultivation method is NOT EVIL and does NOT DISRUPT the reincarnation cycle - he's helping the souls that would usually be suppressed or exterminated. He is saving hun souls by using guidao, he is helping them move on and live again where most cultivators would hunt and destroy them instead.

#mdzs #wei wuxian