Wuchang: Fallen Feathers exemplifies the Soulslike genre, offering players a unique progression style that allows for exploration across multiple regions simultaneously. While this open-ended approach is enticing, it can create uncertainty about the most advantageous route through the game.
In this guide, I aim to demystify the experience. The game’s intricate level design stands out, but I recognize that having too many choices can sometimes lead to confusion. After thoroughly experiencing all that the game has to offer, I have identified an optimal route that balances efficiency with the exploration necessary for survival.
Consider this guide a helpful resource, especially if you feel lost at any point. While player decisions will play a role in routing, there are specific areas that should be prioritized, often contrary to what the game suggests. By following my recommended path, you will have the best chances of navigating the challenges ahead in this exhilarating Soulslike adventure.
Please note that the following content contains spoilers regarding the narrative. If you wish to experience everything unspoiled, proceed with caution.
This guide will primarily focus on critical path routing, rather than side quests which will require revisiting certain locations throughout your journey. If you’re looking to explore every NPC storyline, we also provide dedicated guides for that purpose.
Following the proposed route may restrict you to specific endings, as the order in which you undertake certain challenges is crucial in determining which of the four possible endings you can achieve. However, since Wuchang encourages multiple playthroughs, the suggested route is not explicitly tied to any particular ending.
Part One: Worship’s Rise – Critical Path Progress
Journey To Shu Sanctum
Your adventure begins in a secluded cave, leading you to the Revenant Temple, where a Shrine awaits at the entrance. After completing initial story segments and tutorials, you’ll be ready to delve deeper.
In the temple courtyard, use the right gateway to reach the Buddha Cliffs Shrine. Continue forward to discover Lightzen Temple, where you’ll find an additional shrine at hand.
Your first boss confrontation occurs here against the Master Raider – Man-Eating Dhutanga. Defeating him grants you the Lightzen Key to access a village—a relatively straightforward area that ultimately leads to Shu Sanctum, your initial sanctuary on this journey.
The Shu Sanctum Hub
Claim the Shu Sanctum Shrine and ascend to confront the Feathered Priest – Lu Bingchang.
Catch your breath, then navigate across the fallen tree on the second floor. To your left, climb the hill and open the doors ahead to face Boss #3, Gluttonous Monstrosity – Lu Hongliu. This fight is optional but serves as excellent practice for future encounters.
Your exploration of the Shu Sanctum area will also reveal secret paths, spells, and loot. While nothing else is mandatory for the story, it’s worth investigating.
The Mercury Workshop
Utilizing the key obtained from the Feathered Priest, rotate the Shu Sanctum’s central mechanism on the ground floor to uncover a basement. Here, a treacherous path leads to the Mercury Workshop Shrine and a series of traps.
Make use of lifts as shortcuts before proceeding to the depths, ultimately locating the Bandit Cave Shrine.
Doomwillow Beach
The Doomwillow Beach Shrine will catch you off guard as it transforms into a Mimic upon interaction. Defeat it and unlock the shrine.
Though relatively linear, this area has numerous ambushes. After conversing with the Red-Clad Lady, proceed to face the Reborn Treant – Soulwood, who rewards you with the Corpse Pits Shrine upon defeat.
Tang Emperor’s Palace
As you progress toward the Tang Emperor’s Palace from the Corpse Pits, prepare for your greatest challenge yet. There’s no shrine until you arrive at the end of this area, so tread carefully.
Locate a large gateway on the left side of the palace complex to return to Shu Sanctum. Near the back of the palace, you’ll engage in a mini-boss fight with the Tang Palace Maid, which is relatively easy. Beyond this point, you will discover the Palace Hill Shrine.
Descend from the shrine to locate a Buddha statue, then follow the upwards path to place the statue in a device that will drain the water surrounding the palace.
Returning to the palace, jump into the shallow water to confront Commander Honglan. Once defeated, you will be teleported back to the Revenant Temple.
Part Two: Cloudspire – The Path To Zhenwu
From the Revenant Temple, take the left gateway toward Cloudspire, the next expansive section of the game. You will soon reach the Hillswatch Shrine and can proceed into Cloudspire. However, a detour could be worthwhile.
At the Hillswatch Shrine, look to your right for a breakable wooden wagon. Strike it to uncover a passage that leads to the Battlefield Pass Shrine and subsequently the Refugee Camp.
Part Three: Mt. Zhenwu – Ethereal Form And South General
Upon reaching the Refugee Camp, engage with the NPCs while checking out their goods. This hub-like space will eventually split into multiple directions.
Search for a slope descending behind one area of the camp, leading to a flooded section next to Zhenwu Temple. Be wary of the mighty avian foe and the demon that will emerge as you navigate down a ladder to an enemy encampment.
Fight your way through this encampment until you reach the base of Zhenwu Temple. Ascend the substantial stairway to find the Zhenwu Antechamber Shrine.
With no immediate onward path, descend one flight of stairs, turn left, and navigate the buildings, rooftops, and courtyards until you circle back to a shortcut door leading into the antechamber.
Amid your journey, you’ll encounter a courtyard populated with enemies waiving battle flags. Among them lies a corpse from which you can retrieve the Ethereal Form spell—the most powerful in the game, warranting the detour to Zhenwu Temple.
From here, proceed to your next boss encounter with South General – Liu Wenxiu. Note the shortcut you can unlock back to the Refugee Camp, allowing you to teleport back to the Hillswatch Shrine in Cloudspire.
Part Four: Cloudspire – Opening The Palace Gates
Returning to Cloudspire, you are now free to move along the main path, fortified by the Ethereal Form. Take the natural progression route to encounter the Snowy Passage Shrine and then the Cloudspire Outskirts Shrine.
Your goal now is to find a route or ladder further up the snowy incline, eventually reaching a heavily-guarded shrine at the Rebel Camp. Opt to head downward from this shrine for a chance to fight the optional General Of The North – Ai Nengqi. Defeat this boss to trigger a cutscene that opens up the path to the Snowfall Palace.
If you prefer to bypass this fight, the Cloudspire Outskirts house three tall towers. Ascend these towers to light the beacons, allowing you to lower the Snowfall Palace gates as an alternative means of progression.
Regardless of how you proceed, cross the bridge and defeat Ming General – Liu Cheng’en. A new shrine, the Snowpeak Pass Shrine, becomes accessible at the conclusion of his arena.
Part Five: Mt. Zhenwu – The Avian Dwelling
Warp back to the Refugee Camp prior to continuing through Cloudspire. Locate the White-Robed Elder NPC standing near a tall ladder leading downwards. Speak with him to enter the Avian Marsh.
This area presents formidable adversaries but also serves as an excellent mid-game XP grinding location. Work your way toward the Avian Marsh Shrine. Continuing upwards should direct you toward the Avian Dwelling Shrine.
From this shrine, you can traverse a downed bridge to face the Bo Sorcerer, an optional but rewarding boss fight that ties in with several NPC quests.
Afterward, return once again to the Refugee Camp.
Part Six: Mt. Zhenwu – The Path To Bai Mansion
Route To The Fierce Tiger
Utilize that shortcut you recently unlocked from the South General‘s arena. Return to the Refugee Camp and navigate towards the back of the boss arena to access the rooftops of Zhenwu Temple.
This journey can be perilous, with enemies capable of inflicting massive damage through Despair buildup. Equip armor that resists Despair to improve your chances.
After traversing the rooftops, you will enter a cave with a much-needed shrine waiting. Surprise! It’s another Mimic to defeat before unlocking the Pavilion Of Knowledge Shrine. Ascend the stairs leading outside to a settlement surrounded by blood-colored water.
Outside, you will find another shrine positioned just before a boss door called the Altar Gate Shrine. Claim this shrine, and proceed to battle the Fierce Tiger. Victory here rewards you with the Zhenwu Altar shrine.
Continue along the path behind the boss arena until you reach the next shrine located on a bridge.
Bai Mansion
From this shrine, a nearby boat landing rests adjacent to a sizable water body. Interact with the empty boat at the end of one of the piers to transport yourself to Bai Mansion.
Upon arrival, claim the shrine, battle the Monstrous Toddler – Bai Kru, and use the nearby shrine to warp back to Cloudspire – Snowpeak Pass. That constitutes the majority of your tasks at Bai Mansion.
Part Seven: Cloudspire – Snowfall Palace And The Shafts
Snowfall Palace
Welcome back to Cloudspire! Your next destination is the Cloudspire City shrine. Be prepared for extensive navigation through village streets, building interiors, and rooftops to emerge unscathed on the opposite side. The area’s verticality can be disorienting, but a clear path forward exists.
This route leads to the Snowfall Palace Shrine. Don’t be misled—while the giant palace beckons, the true path lies elsewhere. Climbing to the top allows you to collect a new spell if desired.
From here, return outdoors and seek a concealed route to the right of the palace steps leading into a corridor, which eventually reaches an elevator to the basement. Here, you must confront Mistress Of The Night – Huang Yan. Upon victory, you will unlock the Treasure Trove Shrine and a door leading further into the palace.
Shafts And Bride’s Boudoir
Next, descend from the Shaft Entrance Shrine, guiding you through a mine-like terrain until you reach the next shrine at Bride’s Boudoir.
These areas are populated with challenging enemies and numerous traps, including spikes and pendulums. The experience is reminiscent of Sen’s Fortress—exercise caution and avoid any suspicious pressure panels scattered about.
Eventually, you will traverse a rickety bridge laden with items. Once you proceed, the bridge collapses, dropping you into a boss arena where you’ll face Perfect Bride – Fang Ling—the last boss before you reach a critical point in Wuchang.
Rest at the shrine after the boss fight, where you will find the Storyteller NPC next to you. Ready to advance the story? Engage with him to warp back to Mt. Zhenwu. Post-conversation, you’ll be set on a path toward the game’s conclusion.
Progressing beyond this point alters Worship’s Rise forever—ensure you are primed for this shift.
Part Eight: Worship’s Rise In Ruins – Working Backwards
Back To Shu Sanctum
You now find yourself in Annalum, the new hub of Worship’s Rise In Ruins. This is the same locale from earlier but now set ablaze and heavily infested with demons.
Interact with the NPCs and merchants, paying special attention to the Panda located on a small path downhill within Annalum. Once you’re well-prepared, exit through the front door and activate the Annalum Shrine.
If you’ve memorized the area map, your objective is to navigate back to Shu Sanctum. Keep an eye out for a significant boss door on the left path, where you can take on the optional Nightmare Demon, if you choose.
Eventually, you will return to a transformed Shu Sanctum, now consumed by flames. Feel free to explore the area, where various branching paths may yield useful items or treasure. Do note that many shrines here are Mimics, so be prepared for battle to unlock them.
When you’re ready, navigate back to the Revenant Temple, where your journey commenced hours ago.
Back To Revenant Temple
Claim the nostalgic Revenant Temple Shrine, and ascend through the temple until you reach a door on the top floor leading back outside.
Approaching the cave where your journey began, you will encounter a couple of NPCs.Xuanyangzi will request a chisel. If you comply, he will become a summonable NPC for your next battle, but this decision could lead to a negative ending. The choice is yours.
Regardless of your choice, claim the Burning Cave Shrine, and head down the large cave to confront The Reborn – Dragon Emperor. Following this battle, you will be transported to the final area of the game.
Part Nine: Bo Capital – Reaching The Final Boss
Welcome to Bo Capital, a truly harrowing realm. First, claim the Capital Entrance Shrine before making your way through this intimidating world.
The area is vast and perilous, yet pathways are generally straightforward. While navigating, beware of the imposing skeletons with glowing purple eyes; their beams of Corruption can be treacherous. Approach the large golden pillars positioned near them to deactivate the skeletons and clear your route.
Continue along this path, unlocking shortcuts back to the Capital Entrance Shrine for rest regenerations. You will also come across the Depths Of The Capital Shrine, so be sure to activate that as well.
Within a cave, you’ll encounter your Panda companion again. Purchase whatever you need, then open the Benediction Gateway leading into a room housing the Storyteller. Exhaust his dialogue for a new spell before leaping downward.
From this point, you have two possible routes: an upward shortcut back to the Capital Entrance Shrine or a downward path through a skeletal area that takes you to a vast, open space. Your ultimate goal here is to collect two halves of a large ring that will unlock a giant doorway at the back of the area.
This task is straightforward—circle the expansive area, take any available paths, locate and interact with the golden pillars to gather the ring halves.
Although the task seems simple, the presence of dangerous enemies makes it challenging, necessitating careful evasion of most foes when possible.
Once you have obtained both ring halves, use them to unlock the gate and cross the stone bridge that follows.
In a stunning area, proceed until you find the Forbidden Lands Shrine. It’s time for a final cleanup effort before concluding your journey through Wuchang.
Part Ten: Various Locations – End-Game Clean-Up
Having reached the final obligatory boss fight, it’s time to tackle any lingering tasks before finishing Wuchang.
Unfinished engagements could involve bosses like Vermillion Feathers and Bo Magus within Worship’s Rise In Ruins, Eternal Glory near the Avian Dwelling, or the Demon Of Obsession in Bo Capital. Note: ensure you have met all criteria for accessibility to these fights.
These bosses can realistically be saved for last and addressed as part of this concluding stage. Many will require completed NPC quests, so proceed with unlocked challenges.
When you’re equipped and ready after any last explorations, return to the Forbidden Lands in Bo Capital.
Part Eleven: Bo Capital – The Final Boss
This is your moment! Enter the doorway behind the Forbidden Lands Shrine to confront the final boss: Feathery Ambition – Xuanyangzi.
Upon defeating your last adversary, simply interact with the colossal glowing gateway at the battle’s conclusion to finalize your playthrough of Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. Get ready for New Game Plus!
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