[there's no value in avoiding the use of spiritual energy to keep the ghouls less interested at this point. as Wei Wuxian's control continues to crumble he summons his sword back from their defense and flies close to the ground in a near streak of light to the cave mouth, dodging the many, many enemies closer to the escape route than they are..

turns and plants himself solidly just inside it as soon as they get there, the mass of wraiths nearly on their heels, and pulls his guqin out now to blow them all back from the entrance with a few notes, the song modulating up and up and up into something strident and powerful as he backs up one step, then another--

the rocks at their feet begin to tremble and dance, everything shakes, and then the mouth of the tunnel fucking caves in]