Some of the best gear and the true ending are locked behind optional bosses and hidden questlines — easy to miss on a first run, and often more rewarding than the mainline fights.
Don't miss
- Complete Yaoguai questlines to unlock their transformations and secret arenas.
- Chapter 3 hides an extended questline that leads to a major optional boss.
- Finishing the game's hidden objectives across all chapters unlocks the true ending.
- Meditation spots and hidden areas often gate the toughest optional encounters.
Unlocking them
- Talk to and follow NPCs (like the drunk Chief and various monks) across a chapter.
- Explore thoroughly — many secret arenas hide behind breakable walls and side paths.
- Some fights only appear after you've beaten specific optional bosses in order.
- Track the true-ending steps carefully; missing one usually means an NG+ cleanup run.
Rewards worth it
- Optional bosses drop unique transformations, Spirits and Celestial materials.
- Several gate the best staves and armour sets in the game.
- The hidden objectives across chapters unlock the true ending and Erlang Shen.
- Because they're missable, follow a checklist so you don't need an NG+ cleanup.
💬 Community Strategies & Discussion
Did you find a hidden chest? Struggling with a boss? Share your tips and questions with other mercenaries below!