The hidden passage behind the Great Waterfall leads Soul to the Crimson Desert, where he’s supposed to find the bridge leading to Pangzhen. This transition to the next area sets the stage for some intriguing encounters and challenges ahead.
Upon entering this new region, you’ll surprisingly meet Lady Inanis. Their conversation reveals important backstory elements and hints at the journey you’re about to undertake together, adding depth to the narrative as you navigate through the landscape.
Before diving in, make sure you’re prepped with some basic abilities and gear. You’ll want to grab a few key items early, especially the Shieldbreaker Talisman, to make future encounters much easier!
Once you arrive, your first task is to move through the Crimson Forest. Be on the lookout for the illusion of a lady standing beside a Crane Bell; this triggers your first major cutscene with Lady Inanis, who provides essential background and gameplay elements.
During your chat, Inanis shares insights about Soul’s Tainted Heart and hints at the forest’s dark history. You’ll learn about the conflicts that shaped this world and her connection to the Chord. It’s a vital moment that ties the narrative to the gameplay.
Completing this interaction not only enriches the story but also unlocks new gameplay opportunities. Pay attention to each detail as you proceed!
At the end of the cave, you’ll enter the Crimson Forest’s second region. As you progress, catch sight of the Crane Bell glowing in the distance.
Interacting with this bell reveals a flashback sequence that brings back memories of a past battle alongside Inanis and the Order. Watching it unfold gives context to the current struggles in the game.
Upon returning to the present, you can now access a whole new skill tree, thanks to some blessings from Inanis. The upgrades will be essential as you engage in tougher battles ahead!
From the Crane Bell, look for a glowing Memory Flower nearby. Interacting with it will help you gain crucial health points and augment your abilities. Remember, each flower set you complete increases your maximum HP, making this a vital task.
Progress through the area and collect as many Memory Flowers as possible. Each one you gather not only boosts your health but also aids in unlocking skills that can make combat much smoother.
Make this a habit as flowers often hold echoes of the past that benefit your journey.
Enter The Crimson Forest
Your first major boss encounter is with Hua Qianxiao, known as the Sword Fanatic. This drunken foe isn’t to be underestimated! He takes a swig mid-fight, recovering his health and enhancing his attacks.
Prepare for swift sword combos, requiring you to keep your parries sharp and switch your weapons as needed. Start using your Dread Axe strategically when he charges his drinking attack to get a solid opening.
This fight is just a taste of what’s to come, and it’s fun once you figure out the patterns and timings!
As you defeat Hua Qianxiao, you’ll earn his weapon, the Fanatic’s Broken Blade, which has some unique abilities. You can engage with it normally, but drinking wine during battle allows you to enter a unique state, unleashing powerful attacks at a distance.
Be ready to experiment with this newly acquired weapon; it can change the dynamics of your combat style!
However, don’t get too comfortable. That bridge collapse will necessitate a detour, leading you into further challenges.
While exploring, you’ll meet quick Hand Zhang, who offers to lead you to a shortcut through the Village of Lu. Helping him with his predicament lets you gather some information you’ll need for your journey.
Your decision to agree to the side quest not only aids Zhang but sets in motion additional story threads revealing more about the world and its characters.
Being thorough now will pay huge dividends when you get deeper into Phantom Blade Zero!
Continue forward to navigate through the cave, retrieving the Memory Flower for added HP before working to free Quick Hand Zhang. Use the crank inside the cave to release him and trigger further quest lines.
Don’t forget to explore for additional items while moving through these areas, as they can change gameplay dynamics significantly.
Completing side quests enriches the overall experience, and enhances your character’s capabilities.
Now, move through the environment attentively to obtain the Cavalrybane, another accessory that boosts your damage against mounted foes. This becomes particularly useful for the upcoming battles.
Having this accessory can be a game-changer, particularly against certain bosses and mounted enemies that you’ll encounter later in your journey.
Keep exploring; you never know what you might find to aid in your quest.
Touch The Crane Bell
Next, make your way through the cave where you’ll encounter more enemies. Acquiring the Crimson Forest Tunnel Crank inside provides access to further sections of the game.
Don’t rush through; take your time to reveal all hidden treasures, as they often hold vital items or resources.
Every hidden treasure increases your character’s edge, making the exploration worthwhile.
After successfully acquiring the items, be sure to engage with any hidden treasures and quest items, such as the Preservation Jar. This accessory reduces poison damage, making it invaluable in combat.
Prioritize items that bolster your survivability and effectiveness, especially when you begin facing off against more dangerous foes!
Every collected item paves the way toward mastering the character’s abilities.
In your ongoing exploration, you may come across Quick Hand Zhang’s Hidden Treasures. Keeping track of these treasures adds depth and keeps side quests from piling up.
Ensure to engage promptly with these quests so they don’t become overwhelming as your main story progresses.
Each small quest enriches your overall character journey!
During the first phase of fighting Jing Ye, focus on recognizing his attack patterns. His horse grants him exceptional mobility, making dodging and positioning essential.
Make good use of your surroundings to avoid his attacks, particularly the ranged blood knives which are powerful.
Keeping your distance can grant you valuable time to strike back effectively.
Check The Memory Flower
Explore additional walkthroughs through the links below:
Obtain The Shieldbreaker Talisman
Start off from the Bell, and head up at first to scoop up some sweet loot and snag a collectible. After you’ve filled your pockets, make sure to backtrack a bit and take the path that leads down to the stream. It’s a great way to gather what you need before you continue on your adventure.
Once you’re ready, make your way towards the torii gate and follow the path as it winds uphill, battling any enemies that cross your path. Don’t forget to keep your wits about you; every encounter can prepare you even more for the journey ahead!
Ascend the wooden platform, then dash along the wall to reach the other side. It’s a place that calls for a little agility, so take a deep breath and jump right in!
As you explore, you’ll find two collectibles waiting for you—one resting on a broken carriage and the other near a dead body. Keep your eyes peeled! Up ahead, there’s a Bell, just waiting to be activated, so don’t miss the chance to give it a ring. It’ll be worth your while!
Continue heading north, and don’t forget to cross over to the other side while snagging the golden chest along the way. Inside, you’ll find the coveted Shieldbreaker Talisman, a worthy prize for your efforts!
This nifty accessory boosts the damage you deal to shielded foes, making it a game-changer during your fights.
Obtain A Blackstone Shard
Keep heading north, my adventurous friend! Make your way up the hill and then drop down onto the wooden platform waiting for you below. You’ll find a nifty collectible here, so grab it! Once you’re done, execute a wall-run across the gap to reach the building structure that lies ahead. Adventure waits!
As soon as you touch down, an enemy will come charging at you, so be ready to either dodge or parry that attack. Remember, you need to defeat this foe to clear the way. But don’t rush ahead just yet! Instead, turn around and drop down towards that enticing purple item sitting on the ground — trust me, it’s worth your time.
Take down the two enemies lurking in this area, and don’t forget to snag the item they were guarding — it’s a Blackstone Shard, which you’ll find handy on your journey ahead!
Reach Pangzhen Bridge Overlook
Now, it’s time to backtrack a bit. You’ll want to head back up, as there’s a way through the chasm that leads you back to the comforting embrace of the forest. As you move forward, be sure to pick up the collectible book located near the broken cart — it’s a neat little find! Get ready, though, because you’re about to face your first mounted enemy, and it’s going to be quite the tussle.
Make your way to the impressive torii gate and don’t forget to interact with the Bell on your right. Before you set foot on the bridge ahead, make sure you’ve got your upgrades and abilities in check because you’re gearing up for a boss fight!
When you reach the bridge, you’ll encounter a rather tipsy gentleman who looks suspiciously similar to one of the Mandate members we saw in that flashback at the Crane Bell. Looks like you’ll have to prepare for a showdown with him!
Defeat Hua Qianxiao, The Sword Fanatic
Meet Hua Qianxiao, our boozy boss buddy who’s got a penchant for knocking back drinks even while he’s swinging that sword. Don’t let his tipsy demeanor fool you, though! Every swig he takes helps him recover some Sha-Chi and buff up his offensive moves. So while he’s having his drink, you might want to be extra careful—the fight could turn on a dime!
This guy’s all about those rapid-fire ranged sword combos, giving you a serious workout when it comes to your defense. To tackle his onslaught, you’ll want to master your parries and make sure you’re switching between your weapons often, especially when your Sha-Chi starts to run low. Keeping that agility and adaptability in mind will really pay off in this dance of blades!
As the fight kicks off, expect Hua to unleash a powerful drinking attack that will turn his meter a striking blue. Forget about landing regular hits during this phase; you need to act fast! If you immediately charge up a Dread Axe attack, you can cut through his drinking defense and break his guard. This is your golden moment to put some serious hurt on him, so be ready!
If by chance you don’t manage to take down his guard, Hua has a backup plan—he’ll launch two AoE shockwaves your way. These don’t hurt, but they’ll definitely send you flying back if you’re not ready for it. Keep on your toes to avoid getting tossed around like a rag doll!
You might want to really focus on that Dread Axe for this phase, as it’s a chance for you to exploit a key attack. This is arguably the move you should use the most, so make sure to hold onto it and don’t waste it on anything else. For Hua’s onslaught, save that charge just for this moment—it could really change the tide of battle!
As the fight progresses, Hua Qianxiao will unleash a barrage of blockable flurries. These are pretty straightforward to handle with your blocks or parries. Just a little heads up though: keep an eye on that last hit! Sometimes it might surprise you with a red-flash attack that you’ll definitely want to dodge or block, as it packs a punch you don’t want to underestimate.
You definitely want to keep an eye out for this sneaky little move he has: the pin. He’ll knock you down and hold you there while sipping on his wine and regaining some Sha-Chi. It’s a bit of a power move, and you don’t want to let him get away with it!
Though the initial damage isn’t much to worry about, the real danger comes right after. He loves to unleash a red-flash attack as a follow-up, and that can deal some serious harm! So remember, dodge it immediately to avoid getting hurt!
This fight is actually a blast and not overly challenging, which is nice. Once you finally take down the Sword Fanatic, you’ll score his weapon: the Fanatic’s Broken Blade. Trust me, this sword is one of the most distinctive in the entire game, and you’ll love adding it to your collection!
Feel free to use the sword just as you would any normal weapon, or you can really spice things up by drinking wine to enter the Drunk state and unleash the sword’s true potential. It’s a fun twist on gameplay!
This allows you to command Soul, sending it flying through the air to strike foes from a distance, just like Qianxiao did. You’ve got to give it a try—it’s an absolute blast and really adds a new layer to your combat strategies!
Take The Long Detour
Now that the way is clear, let’s not waste any time—cross the bridge. Just a heads up, though: halfway across, watch out for the bridge collapsing! It’ll send you tumbling down. Our martial arts master surprisingly can’t make that simple climb back up, so you’ll need to find a little detour to get around that!
Obtain The Simmering Brew
Once you make it past the fall, take a moment to look back and grasp your trusty Hunt weapon to swing across. You’ll want to grab that shiny golden loot hanging in the air because it’s the Simmering Brew, and trust me, you won’t want to miss it!
This amazing Medicine works wonders by continuously generating Sha-Chi for a solid 15 seconds! Plus, it gradually restores 30% of your HP during that time, making it a must-have for those tougher moments.
From this point forward, it’s pretty straightforward—just stick to the path leading you toward the cave and take out the enemies you encounter along the way. Keep your eyes peeled because halfway through, you’ll stumble upon a pack of dogs gathered around a Memory Flower. Quite the sight, isn’t it?
Battle your way through them and listen closely to the memories held by the flower. This encounter rewards you with one petal from the Fellow Disciples set, so it’s definitely worth the struggle!
Continue moving forward until you finally exit the cave. Next, stick to the cliffside path until a Bell catches your eye. Once you’ve located it, give it a touch to unveil the map and reveal more of your surroundings.
Start The Wily Hare’s Three Den Collectible Quest
Just a few steps ahead, you’ll hear the call of a trapped thief pleading for Soul’s assistance. He’s hanging out in a cage above and is none other than Quick Hand Zhang. Soul sees an opportunity here and plans to turn this unexpected encounter to his advantage.
Soul is curious about an alternative route around Pangzhen and makes it clear he might bail if he doesn’t get some answers. Fortunately, he reveals there’s indeed another pathway to the town, and it lies through the Village of Lu.
This guy seems pretty friendly, so we went ahead and chose “Agree to help Quick Hand Zhang”. He fills us in about a crank that can lower his cage, and it’s just a short trek through the cave just ahead of us.
Find A Way To Free Quick Hand Zhang
The entrance to the cave he spoke of is just a bit further on the right side. Make sure to step inside and grab the second Memory Flower petal from the Fellow Disciples collection while you’re at it—they’re really valuable!
You can make your way down from here to snag the chest waiting below, but beware; that green gas is toxic and will sap your health in no time. Go ahead and crack open the chest to find the Blackstone Shard, then make your way back up safely.
Climb your way up until you spot the crank for the cage. Give it a good interact to lower that cage for Quick Hand Zhang. He’ll appreciate it!
Obtain The Cavalrybane
Once you’ve done that, take a leap down to the lower level and pop open the golden chest to score yourself the Cavalrybane. It’s definitely worth the drop!
This nifty offensive accessory will boost your damage output against mounted foes by a solid 25%. Such a perk will undoubtedly come in handy as you gear up for that upcoming boss showdown.
With the cage now lowered, make your way down, unlock that door, and have another chat with Quick Hand Zhang. After you finish this dialogue, you’ll kick off the Wily Hare’s Three Den collectible adventure!
Your next task is to track down Zhang at his secret hideout, but don’t worry—this isn’t something you need to rush into yet, so just set it aside for the moment until we’re ready to dive back in.
Progress Whence The Weeping Story
Now, keep following the path along the cliffside, cross the bridge, and take care of the enemy encounter waiting for you ahead. Don’t forget to grab the collectible book located near the body right at the edge of the chasm.
As you navigate through the chasm, you’ll soon recognize the sound of weeping, similar to what you heard earlier in the valley. This will prompt an update to the objective marker for the Whence the Weeping Story, nudging it towards the far northeast of the forest.
The Outlaw Trap Bell
The Bell is just up ahead, but be careful—there’s a large enemy here capable of causing poison to build up. So take your time. Be sure to give the Bell a touch when you’re ready!
When you make your way from this Bell, you’ll find yourself faced with three intriguing paths ahead of you: one veers off to the right, one meanders to the left, and the third is a locked gate that’s teasingly waiting for you to unlock it with the Crimson Forest Tunnel Crank.
Obtain The Crimson Forest Tunnel Crank
Let’s kick things off by venturing down the right path and climbing up the hill. But hang on a sec! Before you propel yourself onwards, make sure to interact with the Memory Flower you spot here; it’s a gem that rewards you with the final petal of the Fellow Disciples set, and on top of that, it boosts your HP. Isn’t that a sweet bonus?
With that under your belt, it’s time to step into the cave, tackle the foes lurking inside, and grab the quest item — the Crimson Forest Tunnel Crank — which you can find nestled near the cage. You’ll want to clear out those enemies quickly so you can snag what you need!
Next up, don’t forget to grab the Preservation Talisman Fragment 1 sitting on the table. It’s a handy little find that could prove useful down the line.
Obtain A Sha-Chi Amber Shard
Now that you’re armed with the crank, make your way back to the device, unlock that mysterious entrance, and take a leap down. Head off to the left toward the door and pop it open. Oh, and don’t miss the treasure chest up ahead; it holds a Sha-Chi Amber Shard for you! Score!
As you explore, you’ll notice a curious patch on the ground — it seems the floor is hollow underneath! Unfortunately, your current weapon isn’t quite up to the task of smashing it in. Fortunately, it will be marked on your map, so keep that in mind and feel free to come back later when you’re better equipped!
Obtain The Kuye Dew
Before you set off on your next adventure, don’t forget to dive down to the left and search for that hidden golden loot lurking at the edge. Snagging this treasure rewards you with the Kuye Dew, and trust me, this Medicine is a gem we still cherish, even as we delve deeper into our journey.
This handy item not only cuts down damage you take by 20% for a neat 15 seconds, but it also helps to heal up to 40% of your health over a span of 10 seconds. Its usefulness really shines, especially when you find yourself facing off against those epic bosses.
Obtain The Preservation Jar
Next up, make your way to the other side and grab that second Preservation Talisman Fragment. Once you have it, you’ll complete the accessory and be all set!
Don’t forget about the Preservation Jar; it’s a real lifesaver! It reduces poison damage by a whopping 50%, making it incredibly handy when you encounter foes that are infamous for their venomous attacks.
Find One Quick Hand Zhang’s Hidden Treasures
From this point, keep progressing forward until you spot a bright green chest perched at the edge of the hill. When you open it, you’ll score the Sect Leader’s Snuff Bottle. This little beauty is one of Quick Hand Zhang’s prized possessions, so make sure to hold onto it until our paths cross with him again.
Start The Honor Among Thieves Tale
Now, make your way back to the surface, veer to the right, and trek up the hill. You’ll come across an enemy stationed by the bonfire. Take it out, and you’ll be rewarded with the Blood Letter from the Nimble Thief. It’s a neat little trophy!
So, you’ve got a quest item that’s meant for you to snag right after chatting with the quest giver. But let’s be real, we got a bit side-tracked in our adventures and explored a whole lot more than just that!
Defeat Jing Ye, The Outlaw
Alright, adventurer! The last route we can take is to the left of the Bell. Just a heads up, though: make sure you’re all geared up for battle because you’re about to face off against a boss. This foe is a mounted opponent who fights in two distinct phases—first while on horseback and then he’ll dismount to fight you on foot.
Phase One: On Horseback
Now, since Jing Ye is riding high on his horse, he moves around with a quickness that can catch you off guard. He can zip in to attack or back off in an instant, which makes his attack patterns a bit tricky to predict. Keep your wits about you and be ready to adjust your positioning as he scouts the arena.
Most of Jing Ye’s sword strikes are pretty straightforward to identify. You’ll see him delivering several typical swings alongside blue-flash attacks that you can parry effectively. However, watch out for his combo moves that culminate in a red-flash attack – those are your cue to dodge out of the way!
If you find yourself standing a little too far away, he can leap toward you using either type of flash attack. So, keep your guard up and parry or dodge just in the right moment to avoid getting hit.
When you’re up against Jing Ye in this phase, his most menacing ranged attack comes in the form of blood knives, which he can conjure up in three different styles. Definitely keep your eyes peeled for this one—it can hit hard!
Side-stepping is your best friend here. Instead of trying to block this nasty attack, which has a fun little bonus of bleed damage, just dodge to the side. You’ll still take the hit if you try to stand your ground, so create some space and keep your wits about you for a quick reaction time.
As you battle it out, keep in mind that the Outlaw loves to play dirty with tricks like throwing dust in your face. This sneaky move will blur your vision, making it tough to get a read on his next actions. When you find yourself clouded, either back away as far as you can or keep dodging and guarding to stay safe.
Phase Two: On Foot
When his health dips to around halfway, you’ll notice a significant change: his horse will go down, and from then on, the fight shifts to ground combat. He’ll be sporting a thorn shield, making things a bit trickier. To shatter that shield, you’ll need a weapon that can pierce through it, like the Dread Axe or the Scarlet Wraithblade.
Your game plan here is clear: whittle down that blue meter and break that shield as quickly as possible. Simply parrying or attacking will build up Bleed pretty fast, which is something you want to avoid at all costs.
Jing Ye isn’t holding back and throws in some basic sword combos mixed with kicks and leaps, which are manageable enough for parrying if you stay alert.
The biggest threat in this phase is his sneaky attack where he drags his sword along the ground, kicking up a dust cloud that obscures his position, only to leap at you after a brief pause. You’ll want to keep your guard up and react quickly to avoid this tricky onslaught.
When facing this opponent, it’s essential to stay alert, as there’s no flashy indicator to point you to his location. So, make sure you’re watching closely for his leaps and dodges when he charges at you. Keeping your wits about you will help you evade his attacks!
Once you’ve successfully broken through his shield, the dynamics of the battle shift dramatically, making things much simpler for you. You can take the offensive now since he utilizes the same attack patterns. Stick to the strategy that got you this far, and you’ll find that engaging him becomes a lot less daunting.
Defeating Jing Ye, The Outlaw, rewards you with the powerful Outlaw Warblade! This two-handed sword comes with high stakes — if you’re not familiar with it, you might find it trickier to handle, as it does consume your HP to unleash devastating attacks. However, don’t fret! You can regain some of the health you expend by landing basic attacks, which gives you a chance to balance things out.
It’s important to exercise caution when wielding the Outlaw Warblade; one misstep could lead to losing more HP than you intended while dealing minimal damage. Its unique mechanics can definitely add excitement to your battles, but we recommend testing it against regular foes first. Save the boss encounters for after you’ve really gotten a feel for its combat style — you’ll be glad you did!
That’s a wrap for this segment of our adventure in Phantom Blade Zero; we appreciate you joining us!
Take a look at these extra walkthroughs by clicking on the links below. You might just find the insights you need to power through your gaming journey!
With a tenure as a Staff Writer at TheGamer that includes over 1,000 captivating articles, the author has delved into the vast universe of gaming covering everything from big-budget AAA hits to charming indie gems. There’s a lot of gaming ground covered, and plenty of insights to enjoy!
