Mo Dao Zu Shi 10 + 11 Early Access

it makes me cry everytime watching this eposide. And I think WeiYing took that blow on the back but was not seriously injuried also reveals that Madame Yu did not use full strength to wipe him in eposide 10, especially when comparing it to the punishment he took back in the Cloud Recesses. And yes, Golden Core is a very common element in the XianXia genre story so it wasn't explained in details. Basically it is the source of the cultivation power located somewhere below the cultivator's navel. That guy has to hit that specific spot to melt the core.

Ah these episodes are so good yet very painful, as you said. And it will just continue hurting... Also like you and @Carrie said, I think it's a testament for the greatness of the storytelling that even though we know what happens to some degree (like Wen Ning becoming the ghost general, shijie, madame Yu etc dying) it still doesnt lessen the experience nor the emotions that it evokes. I think it's very interesting way of story telling. Other thing I really like this story and especially this adaptation, is that in the darkest moments there can be surprisingly comedic or lighthearted scene without clashing with the tragedy. Otherwise it would probably be too heavy to watch. And comparing madame Yu to Catelyn Stark is quite appropriate I think, as both of them quite unfairly hate an innocent child for something their husband did (or at least they believe so). As a character madame Yu was truly amazing and the nuance she had was just something else, as I at least got the feeling that she did secretly crave the affection and love of Jiang Fengmian, but because she believed that he still loved another, she shielded herself with the bitterness and hatred.

Blau Beere

Oh yeah and you sort of touched on one of my favorite things in MDZS which is that you already know how this war ends and who dies and what relationships change from the first two episodes. But the intriguing part is the journey and the changing relationships between the characters, not necessarily who makes it out alive. (Since we have literally seen the future and know who makes it out alive) I'm not nervous that Jiang Cheng will die but I'm dreading to see how their relationship falls apart so terribly. It helps rewatchability at least haha

Its post ep 11 when I turned from "hey how are they going to convince me that Wei Wuxian, very good boy, will become the master of evil" to "okay Wei Wuxian please become the Yiling Patriarch yesterday and fuck some shit up"

The core melting hand dude has more attacks than just melting someone's core so he probably didn't use it at that time, but his hand has to come in contact where the core is (which is likely in the chest or abdomen) like @ Draac said, if he had gotten Wei Ying in the back instead of the shoulder it might've worked but his power isn't explained at all in the anime. And if the core gets melted you don't die, you just can't cultivate anymore and become a regular person! I can understand JC blaming WWX for what happened to their clan but the Wens would've gone after them at some point even if he wasn't involved for the 'riot' at the cave. Love your thoughts on these episodes can't wait for next week 💜

Yoori

I think Draac is right and Cor Melty Boy has to hit at a specific spot (where the golden core is located which is like... chesty stomachy area?) for it to have the full effect. Also melting the golden core doesn't kill you, it just takes away all your cultivation powers :( basically you "cultivate" inner energy into a core that you can use for magic-y things. So normal non-cultivators don't have a golden core. They also don't really go into it a lot, but Wei Wuxian's mom was actually a somewhat well-known and powerful "rogue" cultivator (aka one without a clan). Also appreciate your commentary on the animation cuz I don't notice a lot of it so it's interesting to pay attention to it :)

Well, actually! If you remember, Core Melty Boy got a hit on Madame Yu too, and she also brushed it off! The core melting technique seems like it needs to be dead center On The Chest to count? Maybe if Wen Zhuliu had hit Wei Ying in the back, it would have worked, but it looked more like he had turned just enough to where it was only his shoulder grabbed?? At least, that's my theory. Also, props to you for not outright crying, my dude.