Where Winds Meet walkthrough: How to complete Volume II - The Abandoned Shrine side quest (Clouded Steps Ability)

Volume II - The Abandoned Shrine side quest is one of the many optional missions in Where Winds Meet. You will come across this fairly early in the game, especially during the prologue chapter, Another New Wing. Similar to The Echoes of Old Battles side quest, this mission will take you through a dungeon, full of traps and rewards, including the Clouded Steps Ability.

This article will provide you with a walkthrough of The Abandoned Shrine side quest in Where Winds Meet.

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How to complete Volume II - The Abandoned Shrine side quest in Where Winds Meet

The Abandoned Shrine side quest can be started once you reach the General's Shrine during the prologue of the game, Another New Wing main quest in Where Winds Meet. You will come across a deranged man near the shrine, and interacting with him will begin the quest.

Entering Underground

Interact with the man till he passes out, and then interact with him again to wake him up. After the conversation, check the ground, which will lead you into a short cutscene showcasing a crater in the floor to the Shrine's right. You can find a small boy and a dog nearby, and talk with them.

Break the floor (Image via NetEase)

Then double jump and use Mighty Drop when standing on the crater. This will break the floor, dropping you into the dungeon underneath the Shrine. Pick up the nearby Cuju Ball and then the fire arrows from the chest. There is also a Courier Post that you can activate.

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Exploring the area underneath the Shrine

Burn the vines (Image via NetEase)

Equip and shoot the fire arrow into the vines blocking the doorway. Head in and light the torch. A little down the path, you will find two bandits that you will need to defeat. Make sure to open the chest and collect the loot it contains. Shoot another fire arrow into the second door, which is blocked by vines, to open a path.

You will be able to spot a few bandits standing near some explosive kegs, which you can detonate by shooting an arrow, which will in turn take out the enemies. This will also open up a path to your right where you can find another chest. Pick it up and then go back and follow the objective marker.

Use the keg (Image via NetEase)

Burn the vines to drop the log, which will, in turn, make a bridge that you can use to make it across the gap. Activate the contraption nearby to obtain an explosive keg that you will need to place near the broken wall. Shoot it with your fire arrow to clear the rubble and make a path.

Here you will find another bandit, so make sure to defeat him before opening the door to the next room. There is a room hidden by vines that you can clear using your fire arrow. Inside, you will find another chest. Make sure to collect it before proceeding with The Abandoned Shrine side quest in Where Winds Meet.

Investigate (Image via NetEase)

Interact with the corpse to obtain the Clouded Steps ability. If you are injured and low on healing items like the Wound Balm, you can interact with the Hero's Tomb. Now keep on moving down the path to continue The Abandoned Shrine side quest in Where Winds Meet.

Defeat Zhang Lang (Image via NetEase)

Open the big gate, and you will come across a room with many bandits. Defeat them and the archers, but make sure not to trigger the explosive barrels, as these will come in handy later. Now, Zhang Lang, the leader of the bandits, will challenge you, and here you can use the barrels to take him out easily.

Once you defeat him, make sure to collect the chests in the room. Two of them are located on the ramparts to your left and right, respectively, where you defeat the two archers. Once you take him down, interact with the stone tablet to continue The Abandoned Shrine side quest in Where Winds Meet.

You will find a grass mat nearby, interacting with which will perform the Kowtow bow move. Do so three times, and the statue will move, revealing a hidden chest. Loot it and leave the room via the big door.

Return the Cuju ball (Image via NetEase)

Collect the chests on your way, and you will soon come across a ladder. Leave the underground area and pay respect to the General's statue to conclude The Abandoned Shrine side quest in Where Winds Meet. Make sure to return the ball to the boy playing near the hole.