Maps and Navigation#

Map System Overview#

The game uses a semi-open map design, with each chapter being a relatively independent large region. The map is not displayed on screen, so players must navigate by landmarks, environmental clues, and Shrines. This design encourages players to observe the environment carefully and increases the immersion of exploration.

The size of each map is roughly proportional to its number of Shrines; the denser the Shrine coverage in an area, the more room for error you have while exploring. Chapter 6’s Mount Huaguo shows a surface count of 11, but hidden Shrines are included in that figure — 57 in total once all are activated.

Shrine System#

Shrines are the game’s travel points and save points. Once a Shrine is activated, you can fast-travel between any Shrines. The distribution of Shrines in each chapter has been carefully designed to ensure that players never stray too far from a supply point while exploring.

Shrine Activation Rewards#

Shrine activation rewards are settled by cumulative count; players going for full completion are advised to activate every Shrine they pass while pushing the main story, so as to avoid backtracking later to fill in gaps. Hidden Shrines are often the key source of Chaos-tier rewards.

Chapter One: Black Wind Mountain#

Black Wind Mountain is a region dominated by forests and mountain ranges, with a relatively linear map structure that nevertheless contains several branching exploration areas. Its main landmarks include Black Wind Cave, the ruins of Elder Jinchi’s temple, and a hidden cave on the mountainside.

Regional Breakdown#

Shortcut List#

Chapter Two: Yellow Wind Ridge#

Yellow Wind Ridge is a semi-open desert region with vast dune fields and several oasis strongholds. The map design is freer, letting players explore at their own pace. The sandstorm weather system affects both visibility and movement.

Regional Breakdown#

Weather System Effects#

During sandstorm weather it is advisable to activate the nearest Shrine first and wait inside a safe zone for the weather to change, avoiding a head-on clash with powerful enemies in an area with no supplies.

Chapter Three: Lesser Western Heaven#

Lesser Western Heaven is a multi-layered, vertical map containing an above-ground temple complex, underground tombs, and floating islands in the sky. Vertical navigation is the greatest challenge of this chapter, and you need to make full use of jumping and Cloud Step.

Regional Breakdown#

The floating island cluster in the sky is the part where it is easiest to get lost; it is recommended to activate all the floating island Shrines first, then look down from above with Cloud Step to confirm their positions relative to one another.

Vertical Navigation Techniques#

Cloud Step is the core of movement in this chapter; mastering the landing cancel can greatly cut travel time between floating islands.

Chapter Four: Webbed Cave#

Webbed Cave is the largest underground maze in the game, with a multi-level cave network, spider-web passages, and underground waterways. The map is intricate, making it the chapter with the highest rate of getting lost. It is recommended to carry plenty of lighting materials and to carefully record the paths you have taken.

Regional Breakdown#

Maze Navigation Techniques#

The underground river area of Webbed Cave has monotonous terrain and is where circling back happens most easily, so be sure to mark with torches. At forks that turn out to be dead ends, marking in reverse with scratches is the most efficient way to retreat.

Chapter Five: Flaming Mountain#

Flaming Mountain is a linear map with a mainly vertical structure; the path from the foot of the mountain to its peak is covered with lava rivers and flame obstacles. Terrain destruction is the signature of this chapter — some terrain changes over time or in response to the player’s actions.

Regional Breakdown#

Terrain Change Mechanics#

Terrain destruction makes for a “flowing” map, and some shortcuts exist only for a short time. After passing through once, restock at a Shrine promptly, because collapsed bridges do not recover on their own.

Chapter Six: Mount Huaguo#

Mount Huaguo is the largest open area in the game and the main stage of the final chapter. The map stretches from the peach grove at the foot of the mountain to the Water Curtain Cave at its peak, and contains a large number of hidden areas and explorable landmarks. As the final chapter, its exploration rewards are also the most generous.

Regional Breakdown#

Full Hidden Area Summary#

The unlock conditions of the hidden areas are mostly interlinked with the suspense left after the main story; the Water Curtain Cave Heaven, for example, requires gathering all six roots, and is the final objective that completionist players must fulfill.

Efficient Exploration Routes#

Below are the recommended efficient exploration routes for each chapter, which let you collect most items with the least backtracking.

Chapter One Recommended Route#

Chapter Four Recommended Route#

Navigation Aids#

Since the game has no built-in minimap, the following methods can help you navigate better.

The lack of a minimap is a double-edged sword, and community map resources are an important reference. In the early stage you can rely on landmarks and Shrines, then combine community maps in the full-collection phase to fill in gaps.

Common Navigation Problems and Solutions#

Below are the navigation problems players most often run into in each chapter, along with their solutions.

The root cause of getting lost is mostly wandering at random without marking anything. Quickly confirming each crossroads once and leaving marks along the paths you have walked will basically avoid most circling problems.

Full Shrine Location Summary#

Below is the location summary table for all 57 Shrines, arranged by chapter.

The summary above lists most of the Shrines by chapter; used together with the exploration route for each chapter, it lets you complete a full collection in a single run.

Related Guides#

• Full Walkthrough
• All Chapter Guide
• Hidden Content Summary
• Complete New Game Plus Guide