Where Winds Meet 1.4 Home Afar: Hexi Region Complete Guide

The Where Winds Meet 1.4 update, titled Home Afar, marks the biggest content drop since the game's global launch. Released on March 6, 2026, this patch introduces the mythical desert region of Hexi, starting with Jade Gate Pass, a sweeping new area packed with boss encounters, story quests, fresh weapons, and a wave of limited-time events. Whether you're pushing through the main campaign or hunting every secret in the sands, this guide covers everything you need to hit the ground running.

What's New in the Where Winds Meet 1.4 Home Afar Update?

Version 1.4 brings the first major map expansion to Where Winds Meet, and it's substantial. The Hexi region opens with Jade Gate Pass as its introductory zone, with a second area (the Liangzhou mountains) confirmed to follow in subsequent months based on the CN server rollout.

Here's a quick breakdown of the major additions:

• New Area: Jade Gate Pass (Hexi region)
• New World Boss: Wandering Ark, found at Straying Steed Sands
• New Campaign Boss: Guo Xin at Whitecrown Fortress
• New Martial Art Path: Bamboocut - Dust (featuring the Everspring Umbrella and Unfettered Rope Dart)
• New Mystic Skill: Flute of Tides
• New Main Chapter: Burlap Sack
• Three Jianghu Legacies: In the Quiet of Night, Desert Without Sails, A Wellspring of Hope
• Level Cap Increase: Breakthrough Lv. 13 raises the cap to Level 90 (available March 20)
• Gear Tier Increase: Gear, Gear Tuning, and Attuning all increase to Tier 86

How to Unlock Jade Gate Pass and the Hexi Region

Getting into Hexi isn't automatic. You need to satisfy two conditions before the desert opens up:

1. Reach Level 14
2. Complete the main quest By Lamplight

Once inside, two new Mystic Skills become relevant immediately. Cosmic Reversal (carried over from earlier content) lets you reverse time on broken objects scattered throughout the region. The brand-new Moonleap Morph allows you to transform into a fish, which unlocks entirely new traversal and puzzle options tied to Hexi's waterways.

For collectors, the Gilt-Fin Collection rewards you for finding Hexi poems hidden across Jade Gate Pass. Rewards include Mystic Skill Enhancement Item - Fleeting Scales, Recipe - Chao-an Gate Diagram, Lingering Melody, Echo Jade, and more.

How to Beat the Wandering Ark (World Boss Guide)

The Wandering Ark is the new World Boss lurking in the Straying Steed Sands area of Jade Gate Pass. To find it, teleport to the boundary stone located northeast of the Jade Gate Pass map and push through the sandstorm.

This boss presents itself as a colossal ship-like entity. Its sheer size makes positioning tricky, and it opens combat by launching volleys of arrows the moment you close the gap.

Phase 1: Targeting the Leg Supports

In the first phase, your priority is taking down the leg supports one by one. Don't rush the main body. The Wandering Ark will attempt to charge directly at you during this phase, so stay mobile and circle around after each support falls.

Phase 2: Moonlight Reversal

Once the supports are destroyed, the boss transitions into a moonlight-gathering phase, unleashing a barrage of powerful attacks. Here's the key: use your Cosmic Reversal Mystic Skill to turn the Wandering Ark's own Moonlight energy back against it. Footwork is critical in this phase since the attack patterns become much faster and wider.

How to Beat Guo Xin (Campaign Boss Guide)

Guo Xin is the last grand protector of Anxi and the featured Campaign Boss for the Whitecrown Fortress quest. He's accessible at Whitecrown City and is one of the most narratively rich fights in the 1.4 update.

Phase 1: The Aging General

Guo Xin opens the fight as a weathered veteran, wielding a massive spear with disciplined, sweeping combo attacks. He also brings veteran soldiers into the fray alongside him. Deflects are your best friend here. Time them carefully against his combo strings and look for openings after his longer sweeps.

Phase 2: Army of the Prime

When sand swirls and time reverses, Guo Xin is restored to his prime and the fight escalates dramatically. He summons archers who attack simultaneously, while mo blade soldiers jump into close range. You're no longer fighting one general; you're facing a full military force protecting Jade Gate Pass.

The strategy in phase 2 comes down to three things: stay calm, keep your deflects and dodges ready, and identify the brief openings between enemy waves to deal meaningful damage to Guo Xin directly.

Beating Guo Xin rewards you with Accessory - Iron Domination, obtainable either as a direct drop or purchasable through the Season Shop.

What Are the New Weapons in 1.4?

The Bamboocut - Dust Martial Art Path introduces two new weapons designed for players who prefer swift, wide-reaching combat:

This path excels in crowded battles due to its speed and extended area-of-effect coverage. If you've been playing a more single-target focused build, Bamboocut - Dust offers a compelling alternative for taking on the dense enemy groups found throughout Hexi.

The Flute of Tides is the new Mystic Skill added alongside these weapons. Unlock it by completing the monk's quest at Peaceward Camp (requires Level 14 and completion of By Lamplight). It functions as a ranged skill that deals continuous damage to multiple enemies at once while boosting allies' ranged damage output.

What Events Are Available in Version 1.4?

The 1.4 update runs a staggered event schedule. Here's the full lineup:

Chorus of Life is worth highlighting because all four of its activities (Heroic Gauntlet, Desert Clash, Sand Race, and Unfading Memories) support both Solo and Online Modes, making it one of the more flexible events for different playstyles. To unlock it, reach Level 3 and complete Another New Wing.

What Are the New Cosmetics and Appearances?

Version 1.4 brings an extensive wave of cosmetic content rolling out across March. Highlights include:

• Tiger's Bane (Battle Pass Appearance): Available March 6 - April 1
• Desert Cavalry (Shop Appearance): Available March 6
• Snowy River (Draw Shop Appearance): Available March 13
• Bactrian Camel (Mount): Available March 6
• Moonlit Umbra (Weapon Appearance): Available March 6
• Fieryheart of War (Martial Art VFX): Available March 6
• Crane Pierces the Azure Sky (Mystic Skill VFX): Available March 9

Cosmetics continue releasing through late March, so check the shop regularly if you're chasing specific looks.

How Does the Level Cap Increase Work?

The level cap expansion arrives in two stages during 1.4:

• March 6: Base 1.4 content launches with current caps
• March 20:Breakthrough Lv. 13: Universal View becomes available, raising the level cap to Level 90

Alongside this, Gear tiers and Gear Tuning and Attuning tiers increase to Tier 86, and Gear Enhancement levels 41-45 unlock. The new enhancement material Howling Ore: Glint becomes required for these higher enhancement levels and restocks every Monday at 5:00 AM (UTC+8) via the Season Shop.

The Sword Trial: Abyssal Lament also drops on March 20, featuring the Coffin Master and River Master as its bosses. A new Taiping Mausoleum - Path Trial challenge arrives on the same date.

Heroes' Realm: Yama's Seal launches in two tiers: Yama's Seal Lv. 81 on March 6, followed by the harder Yama's Seal - Supreme on March 20. Leaderboards for each tier open the day after release at 5:00 AM (UTC+8).