The “Yin and Yang, Shadow and Echo” side quest in Where Winds Meet is a captivating but challenging puzzle that continues the Fragment Chapter storyline. Located in the scenic Moonveil Mountain of Qinghe, this quest tests your wits and combat skills, offering valuable rewards for those who can master the balance of opposites.
This guide will walk you through how to start the quest, solve the core Yin-Yang puzzle, defeat the powerful boss, and claim your well-earned treasures.
How to Start the Yin and Yang Quest
Before you can begin, you must meet a few prerequisites:
Progress in the Main Story: You need to have completed a portion of the early main quests in Chapter 1 to ensure the Qinghe region is fully accessible.
Find the Wayfarer: Travel to Moonveil Mountain in Qinghe. You will find a Wayfarer who initiates the quest.
Select the Correct Volume: This quest is part of the “Fragment Chapter” series. To activate it, open your menu, go to the Exploration tab, select Side Story, and choose Volume VI. This will place a quest marker on your map.
Step-by-Step Yin and Yang Puzzle Solution
The centerpiece of this quest is a mechanical puzzle involving four discs or pillars, each representing a fundamental pair: Heaven, Earth, Water, and Fire.
The key is understanding that the pillars are grouped into two pairs: one independent pair (Heaven and Earth) and one interconnected pair (Water and Fire) that are linked via a central Yin-Yang dial.
The Solution:
Address the Independent Pair First: Focus on the Heaven and Earth pillars. Your goal is to rotate them until they are aligned in a mirrored or harmonious state. This often means they face opposite directions or create a symmetrical pattern.
Adjust the Central Yin-Yang Dial: Once Heaven and Earth are correctly positioned, interact with the central dial mechanism. Adjust it so its light and dark sectors align with the configuration you just created. When done correctly, you will hear a sound cue, and the link between the Water and Fire pillars will be broken.
Solve the Second Pair: Now you can independently rotate the Water and Fire pillars. Adjust them to create a contrasting formation that fits the quest’s theme of balance (e.g., one facing light, the other facing shadow).
Complete the Mechanism: After all four pillars are in their correct positions, the central mechanism will activate. This typically causes a platform to descend or a new path to open, allowing you to proceed.
Pro Tip: You will need to use your Meridian-style skills to rotate the statues and your Fire Arrows to burn away any obstructive vines or to light braziers that are part of the puzzle’s triggers.
Boss Fight: Thick-Skinned Albino Black Bear
After solving the puzzle, you must prove your strength in combat.
The Enemy: The Thick-Skinned Albino Black Bear is a formidable foe, true to its name. It has high health and deals significant damage.
Key Mechanic: Watch out for its Gold Glow attacks. When you see the bear glow with a golden aura, these attacks are unblockable. Your only option is to dodge them perfectly.
Strategy: Adopt a patient hit-and-run approach. Land a few hits when there’s an opening, then retreat to avoid its powerful swipes and charges. Do not get greedy with your combos. This is a battle of attrition, similar to other Fragment Chapter encounters.
Quest Rewards
Completing “Yin and Yang, Shadow and Echo” is highly rewarding. Upon defeating the bear and speaking with Brother Feng to conclude the quest, you will receive a generous haul of items, including:
Currency & Points:
40-54 Echo Jade
60-80 Qinghe Exploration Points
100 Enlightenment Points
6,000 – 17,000 Character EXP
Zhou Coins (equivalent to the EXP gained)
Upgrade Materials:
Ebon Iron (Level 1 or 2)
Oscillating Jade
Skill Tomes: Various Mystic Arts or Martial Arts Tomes.
Crafting Items: Medicinal Tales and other resources.
Potential Loot: A chance to obtain additional equipment or accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why can’t I find the Wayfarer to start the quest?
A: Ensure you have made sufficient progress in the main story’s Chapter 1 to unlock the Qinghe region. Also, check your Side Story menu to see if “Volume VI” is available for activation.
Q: The Water and Fire pillars won’t move independently. What’s wrong?
A: This means you haven’t correctly aligned the Heaven and Earth pillars and the central Yin-Yang dial. Re-check the first two steps. The link between Water and Fire will only break after the dial is properly set.
Q: Is the Thick-Skinned Albino Black Bear optional?
A: No, defeating the bear is a mandatory objective to complete the quest.
Q: Are the rewards from this quest worth the effort?
A: Absolutely. The combination of Echo Jade, Exploration Points, rare upgrade materials, and skill tomes makes this one of the most valuable side quests in the Qinghe region.
Conclusion
The “Yin and Yang, Shadow and Echo” quest perfectly encapsulates what makes Where Winds Meet special: a blend of thoughtful environmental puzzles and demanding combat. By following this guide to solve the pillar puzzle and defeat the Thick-Skinned Albino Black Bear with patience, you will not only experience a satisfying piece of world-building but also walk away with resources that will significantly empower your character for the adventures ahead.