Six chapters, each a self-contained region ending in a Yaoguai King. This page is the map of the journey — what each chapter is about, what to look for before you trigger the boss, and where the easy-to-miss content sits. The step-by-step for each one lives on its own page.
Ch.1 — Black Wind Mountain
- Learn the ropes: staff combos, Focus and the Immobilize spell you earn here.
- Hunt the Wandering Wight and Guangzhi for early materials and a transformation.
- Boss: Black Bear Guai — dodge his charging slams, Immobilize, then punish with charged Heavies.
Ch.2 — Yellow Wind Ridge
- A sandy, cursed land; watch for the Tiger Vanguard and the Stone Vanguard mid-bosses.
- Collect gourds and drinks to expand healing before the finale.
- Boss: Yellow Wind Sage — a huge, fast fight; keep moving and freeze him during openings.
Ch.3 — New West
- Snowbound temples and pagodas; the chapter is dense with optional bosses and lore.
- Beware the Macaque Chief and the Non-Void monk fights.
- Boss: Yellowbrow — a three-stage gauntlet with no shrines between; bring full resources.
Ch.4 — Webbed Hollow
- A poison-soaked estate of spiders; keep antidotes and watch the Violet Spider.
- Explore for the secret boss and extra Vessels.
- Boss: Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master — punishes greed; dodge his laser sweeps and beam.
Ch.5 — Flaming Mountains
- Scorched terrain and fire enemies; fire-resist gear and cooling items help.
- Face the chapter's fiery mid-bosses; the Yin Tiger is not one of them — he is an optional Chapter 3 fight in the Zodiac Village.
- Boss: Red Boy (the Yaksha King) — a multi-phase duel of fire; parry the flame combos and burst between.
Ch.6 — Mount Huaguo
- The Monkey King's home and the grand finale; mop up any remaining collectibles first.
- Meet the Great Sage's Broken Shell and the climactic set-pieces.
- Boss: the finale, the Great Sage's Broken Shell — and, if you've done the secret steps, Erlang, fought beforehand in Chapter 3's secret Mount Mei area.
Don't-miss reminders
- Revisit each chapter map for Meditation Spots and side areas before moving on.
- Complete Yaoguai questlines while you're in their chapter — some lock later.
- Bank boss drops to craft the newest staff and armour set at the shrine.
- Chapter 3's hidden questline is the biggest optional thread — pursue it carefully.
Chapter pacing
Each chapter escalates in size and difficulty, ending on a hand-animated cutscene. Don't sprint to the boss — the optional Yaoguai and questlines hand out transformations, Spirits and gear that make the finale far easier. Clear a chapter's Meditation Spots and craft the newest staff before its King fight, and remember Chapter 3 hides the game's biggest optional thread.
How to play any chapter
Explore before you advance
Chapter bosses are the door out. Side paths, optional fights and upgrades are best done while you still have easy access.
Bank at every shrine
Shrines refill the gourd, respec your build and unlock fast travel. There is no reason to walk past one.
Craft at the chapter break
The materials you gathered usually complete something. Check before moving on, not three chapters later.
Then take the King
Go in with a full gourd, a Transformation unspent, and a loadout you picked for *this* fight.
Cross-checked
Cross-checked on 5 September 2026 and re-checked on 26 September 2026 against the guides of PowerPyx, Gamer Guides, Vandal, Fextralife and Game8. Each chapter also has a second, more literary title alongside the location name used above (Chapter 1 is also 'Black Cloud, Red Fire'). What is still unverified is the only thing reading cannot settle — nobody here has played it.