The “Echoes of Old Battles” is a multi-layered side quest in Where Winds Meet that offers a compelling story, a challenging boss fight, and intricate puzzles. Located in the Verdant Wilds, this quest rewards players with valuable loot and a powerful Mystic Skill. This full walkthrough will guide you through every step, from finding the quest to solving the final puzzle.
How to Start Echoes of Old Battles
Your journey begins in the Verdant Wilds region, near Battlecrest Slope. You can find the quest marker by speaking with the Wayfarer in either Moonveil Mountain or Verdant Wilds.
To initiate the quest, head to the ruins and speak with a nervous scout standing in front of a large, ruined gate. He will warn you about the Tiger Fort troops occupying the area. Opening this gate officially starts the quest and triggers the first wave of enemies.
Boss Fight: How to Defeat Zhang Bao
Once you open the gate to the Northern Vow Ruins Training Ground, you’ll be met by a group of guards and archers. After dispatching them, the boss, Zhang Bao, will appear.
Zhang Bao’s Attack Patterns:
Wide Swings: He uses his dual axes for broad, horizontal attacks. Dodge sideways or parry.
Overhead Chop: A powerful telegraphed downward strike. Sidestep to avoid.
Double Thrust: A quick, forward lunge with both axes.
Teleportation Slash: Zhang Bao can vanish and reappear with a swift attack. Stay mobile and be ready to block or dodge immediately after he disappears.
Boss Strategy: The key to defeating Zhang Bao is patience. His wide swings have significant recovery time, creating an opening for a few quick attacks. Focus on dodging his teleportation move and punishing him after his slower overhead chop. Keep your distance when he glows, signaling a more powerful attack.
The Four Brazier Puzzle Solution
After defeating Zhang Bao, a cutscene with Lie Bumie will play. A glowing chest behind the arena will now be accessible, containing a Treasure Map that hints at the brazier puzzle.
You must find and light four braziers in the ruins:
Brazier #1: Directly next to the chest where you found the map.
Brazier #2: On the rooftop directly opposite the main gate you entered.
Brazier #3: On a tower connected by a wooden bridge.
Brazier #4: On the right-side rampart when facing the main gate from the arena.
Once all four braziers are lit, a stone circle will rise from the ground in the center of the training ground. Use the Mighty Drop ability on this circle to break it, revealing a spiral staircase leading down into the catacombs.
Solving the Yanyun Oath Slate Puzzle
Inside the catacombs, you will find a corpse in a ceremonial pose holding the Yanyun Oath. This item contains eight characters: 山 河 寸 土 誓 死 不 易.
You will enter a large room with a movable statue and a puzzle wall.
Use the appropriate gesture on the statue to move it aside, revealing the puzzle mechanism.
The puzzle involves moving stone blocks inscribed with the characters from the Yanyun Oath.
You must pull the block that contains all eight characters and push the other blocks out of the way until the gate opens.
Final Area and Quest Rewards
Proceeding forward, you will find a broken waterwheel. To progress, you need to find and activate a hidden mechanism located behind a nearby waterfall. This will repair the waterwheel and open the final door.
Inside the last chamber, you will discover a poignant scene: the armor and bodies of Northern Vow soldiers in their final defensive stance. Loot the chest here to obtain the Warrior’s Pledge, which unlocks the powerful Mystic Skill: Touch of Death.
Completing the entire “Echoes of Old Battles” quest grants you a wealth of rewards, including:
Wind Beneath Wings Page
Medicinal Tales
Ebon Iron (Various Grades)
Oscillating Jade
Echo Jade
Qinghe Exploration Points
Enlightenment Points
Character EXP
Zhou Coins
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the most important reward from this quest?
A: Without a doubt, the Touch of Death Mystic Skill is the most significant and unique reward, offering a powerful new combat ability.
Q: I can’t find the fourth brazier. Where is it?
A: The fourth brazier is easy to miss. It’s on the right-side rampart. Use your gliding ability to get a higher vantage point and scan the edges of the ruin’s walls.
Q: Is the Zhang Bao boss fight optional?
A: No, defeating Zhang Bao is a mandatory step to progress the quest and access the puzzle area beneath the arena.
Q: What if the waterwheel doesn’t work?
A: Ensure you have found the hidden lever behind the waterfall near the waterwheel. Activating this lever is essential to fixing the mechanism and opening the final door.
Conclusion
The “Echoes of Old Battles” quest is a standout example of the deep and engaging content in Where Winds Meet. It seamlessly blends challenging combat, environmental observation for the brazier puzzle, and intellectual problem-solving with the Yanyun Oath slate. By following this walkthrough, you can efficiently navigate the ruins, claim the powerful Touch of Death skill, and secure all the valuable rewards, leaving no stone unturned in this echo of a forgotten conflict.