The Untamed - Blog Posts

Day 5. Raven

I overdid it a little with the airbrush 🙊

I just wanted to draw zidian, but I ended up drawing zidian along with Jiang Cheng 🤷‍♀️

Wangji and Wuxian

does anyone else here want to read a cql and spn crssover fic or am i insane

(i am currently 20k into a wip)

(this is the first longfic i’ve ever attempted to write)

(this is also my first post on this app because i just redownloaded it today)

I screamed “YES GAY MAN PLAY THAT FLUTE” at like 2 am while watching this show and now my mom is worried about me

The Disappearance of Xiao Xingchen

Fandom: The Untamed Pairing: Song Lan/Xiao Xingchen/Xue Yang Rating: Explicit Words: In progress!

Xiao Xingchen has been a hostage to the Jin Empire for as long as he can remember. When a dark matter cultivator forces the surrender of Baixue Station, he is chosen as the imperial representative to tie them to the empire in marriage. He is prepared to be a friend to his new husband; but Song Zichen, furious and grieving the massacre that led to his people’s conquest, wants nothing at all to do with him. Alone in his new home, shut out of the governing council and estranged from his husband, Xingchen befriends Xue Yang, a Jin agent who has been assigned to Baixue Station. Their relationship fast grows dangerously close; and meanwhile the political situation on Baixue is getting worse. Resistance groups are fighting Jin control, Xue Yang and Zichen are both keeping secrets, and not all is as it seems. It will take everything Xingchen has to save his home, hold his relationships together—and uncover the secret, concealed where he least expects it, that might just break an empire.

Read it here.

Welcome to my first chaptered WIP since I was a teenager! This story has been in the works, somewhere in the background, since 2020, and I am so excited to finally be bringing it into the world. Some of you have been waiting for this one for a very long time. I hope it's everything you could have dreamed.

This is my entry for the @mdzsbigbang 2024. The gorgeous cover art was drawn by @svetlacreates, and the fic was betaed by yellingloud_zu (on twitter).

•••

“Pardon me, Lianfang-zun,” Xiao Xingchen says politely, “but I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

Jin Guangyao gives him a look that is just as polite but nonetheless conveys a businesslike impatience in the arch of his perfectly manicured eyebrows. “Surely the esteemed Xiao Xingchen-daozhang knows the meaning of the word ‘marriage,’” he says.

They are in Jin Guangyao’s private office, at the heart of Jinlintai’s Imperial Administration Pavilion. Jin Guangyao is seated very properly on an artificial silk cushion, behind a beautifully carved desk of imitation elm. A tidy stack of flimsy has been set at his right elbow, a brush and inkstone arranged just so beside it. On his opposite side, a delicate ceramic vase holds a single blooming orchid, its pale greenish petals veined with brilliant purple; a sleek tablet rests in front of it, its screen pulsing with the subtle golden glow of sleep mode. The broad window behind him opens onto a manicured view of one of Jinlintai’s innumerable peony courtyards; on the wall to his left—tastefully displayed for the benefit of both occupant and visitors—is a set of four elegant scrolls depicting the change of the seasons.

Those, Xingchen is fairly sure, are on real paper, painted in traditional inks that have never so much as gestured at a synthetic manufacturing process. A priceless treasure. He is very out of his depth.

He takes a slow breath. “I do, of course,” he says. “But I hardly understand why Jin-zongzhu would consider me a suitable marriage candidate in this case.”

“You may be confident that he does,” Jin Guangyao reassures him, though Xingchen does not feel especially reassured. “You have been an honoured member of the Jin imperial household for some time now.”

“For as long as I can remember,” Xingchen agrees. His voice is very neutral.

“When your virtuous teacher Baoshan Sanren sent you to us as part of our peace agreement, it was with the understanding that you would become a full member of the imperial court,” Jin Guangyao says. “Jinlintai would house you, feed you, and train you in the cultivation arts as a guest disciple. In exchange we would be assured of her willing cooperation with imperial rule.” He pauses there, evidently expecting some response, and after a beat of confused stillness Xingchen gives him a nod of acknowledgement. “In your time here you have been loyal, gracious, courteous, and obliging. You were the first among our selection when considering an alliance marriage.”

But it doesn’t make sense, Xingchen thinks. “Would it not be more appropriate to marry the representative from Baixue Station to a member of the imperial family?” he says. His voice feels very far away. “Surely that would be more effective in binding them to the empire.”

“There is no one in the family who is considered suitable at this time,” Jin Guangyao says. “All members of the royal household who are of marriageable age are thought to be too high in rank for this particular alliance, or else needed in another position. In their stead, you are an entirely acceptable alternative.”

His smile is as poised as ever, but there is something almost bitter now in the lines around his mouth. Xingchen considers him in silence for a moment. He himself has never paid any mind to the whispers about Jin Guangyao’s parentage, but he is also one of few in Jinlintai who has no interest in rumour. Though Jin Guangyao is second only to Jin Zixuan in the line of imperial succession, Xingchen is sure the Jin cannot have dismissed his suitability on the grounds of high rank.

“Very well,” he says eventually. It still hardly feels real, but somehow he finds himself opening his mouth to say, “When shall I expect the ceremony to take place?”

“In political matters such as this, much of the more traditional ritual must unfortunately be foregone,” Jin Guangyao says. His voice is brisk again, as it always is in discussion of logistics. “There is also the issue of standardizing your bazi across the different planets and systems of your births, not to mention the travel time between Baixue Station and Lanling. We have chosen the soonest realistic date after your betrothed’s projected arrival at Jinlintai.” He picks up his tablet, waking it from sleep and turning it to show Xingchen its display: a calendar, with a single date highlighted in matrimonial red. “The ceremony will take place in approximately three weeks. Your schedule has already been cleared.”

The air feels abruptly too tight in Xingchen’s lungs. “So soon?” he says. His voice is thin. “Forgive me, Lianfang-zun, but the surrender of Baixue Station was quite recent, wasn’t it? Are you certain it’s proper?”

“Entirely,” Jin Guangyao says. His expression hasn’t changed, but Xingchen has the sense that he is starting to lose his patience. “There are other matters to consider as well. The ceremony must of course take place at the palace, as this is an imperial treaty marriage, and the Jin delegation that will be taking over administration of Baixue Station should depart as swiftly as possible. Even three weeks is longer than we would prefer to wait.”

“Why wait at all?” Xingchen says. His head is spinning. “Would it not be more efficient for them to depart immediately? They could be in place on Baixue only a short time after the marriage is solemnized.”

It takes a long moment before Xingchen recognizes the look on Jin Guangyao’s face. There is exasperation, he realizes, in the twitch of his eyebrow, and a touch of condescension in how he wields his smile like he’s drawing a sword. “Because, Xiao Xingchen,” he says, “yourself and your new husband will also be part of that delegation.”

Read the rest on AO3!

A cover image I created for "The Disappearance of Xiao Xingchen", a SongXueXiao fanfiction by the incredible @iodhadh for this year's @mdzsbigbang.

The fic will be up today and I (who got to see the chapters early and read through all the detailed planning) am so excited to share!

Wei Ying...

Okay so... I'm giving fanart a try

click for better quality~

Jin Guangyao has one of the most punchable faces in The Untamed

things Wei Wuxian and I have in common:

chaotic bisexual

dark magic

possible adhd let's be real\

misunderstood genius

wanna marry Lan Wangji

“If he catches me, I’ll…”

Untamed Fall Fest | Day 17: Falling

Chapters: 4/? Fandom: 陈情令 | The Untamed (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín/Lán Huàn | Lán Xīchén, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī/Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Jiāng Yànlí/Jīn Zǐxuān, Mèng Yáo | Jīn Guāngyáo/Niè Míngjué, Niè Huáisāng & Wēn Níng | Wēn Qiónglín Characters: Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī, Lán Huàn | Lán Xīchén, Jiāng Yànlí, Jīn Zǐxuān, Wēn Níng | Wēn Qiónglín, Wēn Qíng (Módào Zǔshī), Original Characters Additional Tags: Fluff and Angst, Murder Mystery, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Non-Sexual Intimacy, Slow Burn, Misunderstandings, Eventual Happy Ending Summary:

Jiang Cheng has known all his life that things don't last. Love, friendship, bonds all are temporary and so he finds comfort in his routine life circling between his work and a social life consisting of handful of friends.

But when he encounters a strange case and a stranger Lan Xichen after a fateful string of events, he is forced to reassess his values

Oh God!!!

Now they’re all dead hearts to you

Untamed Fall Fest: Day 28 - Decay

Chapters: 2/? Fandom: 陈情令 | The Untamed (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín/Lán Huàn | Lán Xīchén, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī/Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Jiāng Yànlí/Jīn Zǐxuān, Mèng Yáo | Jīn Guāngyáo/Niè Míngjué, Niè Huáisāng & Wēn Níng | Wēn Qiónglín Characters: Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī, Lán Huàn | Lán Xīchén, Jiāng Yànlí, Jīn Zǐxuān, Wēn Níng | Wēn Qiónglín, Wēn Qíng (Módào Zǔshī), Original Characters Additional Tags: Fluff and Angst, Murder Mystery, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Non-Sexual Intimacy, Slow Burn, Misunderstandings, Eventual Happy Ending Summary:

Jiang Cheng has known all his life that things don't last. Love, friendship, bonds all are temporary and so he finds comfort in his routine life circling between his work and a social life consisting of handful of friends.

But when he encounters a strange case and a stranger Lan Xichen after a fateful string of events, he is forced to reassess his values.

Updated the thing 😬😬 

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: 陈情令 | The Untamed (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín/Lán Huàn | Lán Xīchén, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī/Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Jiāng Yànlí/Jīn Zǐxuān, Mèng Yáo | Jīn Guāngyáo/Niè Míngjué, Niè Huáisāng & Wēn Níng | Wēn Qiónglín Characters: Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī, Lán Huàn | Lán Xīchén, Jiāng Yànlí, Jīn Zǐxuān, Wēn Níng | Wēn Qiónglín, Wēn Qíng (Módào Zǔshī), Original Characters Additional Tags: Fluff and Angst, Murder Mystery, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Non-Sexual Intimacy, Slow Burn, Misunderstandings, Eventual Happy Ending Summary:

Jiang Cheng has known all his life that things don't last. Love, friendship, bonds all are temporary and so his finds comfort in his routine life circling between his work and a social life consisting of handful of friends.

But when he encounters a strange case and a stranger Lan Xichen after a fateful string of events, he is forced to reassess his values.

Soo... I wrote a fanfiction if anyone's interested 🥺🥺🥺

This is my first ever work so constructive criticism will be highly appreciated.

MDZS CQL wei wuxian / wei ying

My taste in romance media or romance in media back then:

My taste now:

I need to get this out of my mind because rushing to finish the drama and constantly rewatching the donghua when exams and final requirements are coming up are gonna bite me in the ass:

I don't think I'll ever be able to emotionally recover from WangXian (HuaLian too but I'm kinda obsessed with MDZS rn).

I love Lan Zhan and Wei Ying so much it hurts. Having watched the donghua, read the manhua, watched the chibi Q version, read the novel and nearing the end of the live action, I know that they're happy. After everything they went through because of the shitty, greedy and hypocritical cultivation world, all that are left are happy things and a lifetime of being together, making new memories and moving on from the pain. But whenever I smile from seeing them happy, my feel my chest scrunch up because all the pain they went through comes into mind and it just reminds me of how much love they have for each other and it overwhelms me.

I obsess over them, but I understand that they're fictional, but damn... WangXian and the whole MDZS series will have a chokehold on my feelings for the rest of my life.

A wise philosopher once said “Everyday means everyday”.

WWX should go to horny hail, Lan Zhan should go to horny jail, we all should go to horny jail.

I'm also going to hell for reading these chapters during Holy Week

CQL/MDZS ULTIMATE CHARACTER RE-DESIGN Added sect leaders + some additional designs for the different time periods/stages for some of the characters!

ALSO! if anyone wants to use these designs for art or edits or fics, please feel free to, i'd be so honored! all i'm asking for is to tag me/send it to me so i SEE AND DIE OF HAPPINESS

First wangxian art~

I really like this design so I decided to turn them into a full illust! ✨

What is (for you personally) the most tragic moment of The Untamed?

I am looking for a FanFiction about Jin Guangyao, Xue Yang, Su She and Mo Xuanyu working together on some task (for example deciphering Wei Wuxian's texts etc.). Preferably humor or absurdist comedy. Does anything exists?

i genuinely feel like The Whole Point of Jin Guangyao’s demise is that it was not justice. in-universe, it did not actually come about because of any of his deeds that we the modern audience would consider the most heinous. Nie Huaisang plotted against him because he killed Nie Mingjue specifically, and… like, Mingjue explicitly and with pre-meditation tried to kill Jin Guangyao three separate times, with the novel (my preferred text source) heavily implying he only started playing the evil music after that third time. this could very reasonably be argued to be self-defense.

i’m not necessarily interested in re-litigating which of JGY’s worst acts were, which ones were justified, which ones he maybe didn’t do, which ones were okay because they were sexy, how unforgivable any of them are, etc, but i think we can all agree that if he simply avoided killing NMJ, his other deeds would not instantly become fine. so NMJ is not the golden snitch of fucked-upness in his repertoire. it is far from The Worst Thing He’s Done.

but it is the reason that NHS hunted him.

JGY’s punishment was not about justice on a moral scale, but on a personal scale. (this is a narratively valid reason to destroy someone, btw. JGY clearly did not kill his own father because his dad was a graceless abusive imperialist sex offender and war profiteerer who ordered the slaughter of dozens of innocents and ruined countless lives. he killed JGS because JGS insulted his mother. so while i sincerely believe that NHS wanted personal vengeance, with moral justice being relatively unimportant to him, that’s not at all meant to be a criticism of him.)

to further cement it, the final blow dealt against JGY was explicitly for a deed he did not do. narratively, it would have been SO EASY to write him making a last desperate attempt to run and getting caught on a sword, or lunging for some final hostage and missing. this would be completely in line with his behaviour leading up to that point: the author created COUNTLESS opportunities for some hero or another to run him through when he was actively scheming and manipulating. but she deliberately didn’t.

she deliberately made JGY, a person who had committed so many vile deeds that anyone in the jianghu could accept his execution as just, die an unjust death, slaughtered for something he didn’t do.

(do you think the characters cared that JGY had killed some nameless working women, btw? even LXC was more concerned about his scumbag father. that time he slaughtered an entire family of civilians as enrichment for Xue Yang? to the best of my recollection, that wasn’t even brought up in the main book. that was just for us.)

i’m making this post because a lot of people have told me point blank that JGY “earned” his miserable ending by doing bad shit, that Jiang Cheng/JGY/LXC/whoever the person thinks is an antagonist because they were mean to wangxian were “punished” with horrible fates, and this is how MXTX is codifying who the villains and who the heroes are, and the story is actually explicitly about moral uprightness prevailing over repugnance. and i just think that’s kind of a lackluster reading for a text that’s so blatantly explained that in this universe, good or bad things will simply happen to people completely regardless of whether or not it’s fair.

friend izzy points out that in the world of MDZS, “justice only happens on a personal scale”. there is no societal change. there is no large-scale justice. guilt is basically determined whenever some powerful people get in a room together and agree on it. and neither of the protagonists actually bother to change this. WWX’s big heroic stand was to save a village of a few dozen family members and retreat from larger society completely. LWJ’s heroic deeds account to literally just vigilantism. and this is good. the Wen ghosts coming out of the blood pool said: that was enough. sizhui’s whole existence says: protecting a handful of “unimportant” people for a year was worthwhile.

(XXC, SL, Mianmian etc also just kind of peaced out and wandered around helping people on an individual basis. and since I’m being petty anyway, I’ll once again throw out the fact that the person who affected the largest-scale positive societal change was in fact JGY, whose watchtowers were repeatedly praised for saving countless civilian lives, by the narration and by WWX himself.)

NHS committed himself to vengeance, neglecting his duties to his sect, killing animals, catching Qin Su in it as collateral, endangering children, desecrating the grave of an innocent woman, traumatising Jin Ling and thrusting him into a massive power vacuum at age 14, and destablising the politics of the entire Jianghu because there was no other way to get the piece of justice he personally needed.

any family member of any of the 3,000 people that Wei Wuxian killed at Nevernight have exactly as much right to do to Wei Wuxian exactly what Huaisang did to Jin Guangyao.

but nobody in this story “got what they deserved”. they just got it.

I’m 2nd of four sisters and I relate to him strongly. Every day. Every one of his choices is completely understandable to me. 

I have a hypothesis that needs testing

Reblog with how many siblings you have, your place in the birth order, and your opinions on Jiang Cheng.

would you like to explain the untamed like im -5 ? just are they brothers? friends? (google exists but mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh no)

Local man in black does a little necromancy and Goes Through Some Shit and both he and Mr. Headband are real gay about it.

(Like...really, really gay about it.)

This is your local hated necromancer’s brother, who will deny to the ends of the earth that he still loves and cares for his brother, and proceeds to have 50 episodes worth of big feelings about it.

This is that other dude’s brother, who spends approximately 40+ episodes pretending that he’s got his shit together and the other 5 having a big gay existential crisis, and I think that’s very sexy of him.

And this is Nie Huaisang who’s just happy to be here.

(I’m so sorry if you wanted a serious answer; it’s like 3:30 in the morning and I’m exhausted and also dying. GODSPEED.)

One year ago, on August 14th, The Untamed’s last episode aired, and our best summer memories began.