The Whitecrown Fortress Campaign is one of the standout quests introduced in Where Winds Meet Version 1.4: Home Afar, set in the newly opened Hexi region. This story-driven quest sends you on a haunting journey through echoes of a past siege, culminating in a two-phase boss fight against Guo Xin, the Grand Protector of Anxi. Whether you're chasing the exclusive cosmetic rewards or just want to experience one of the update's best narrative moments, this walkthrough covers every step.
How to Unlock Whitecrown Fortress
The Whitecrown Fortress Campaign is located in Jade Gate Pass, the introductory area of the Hexi region added in Version 1.4. To access it, you must first speak to the Wayfarer of Jade Gate Pass and track the quest through your Journal. The entrance sits southeast of Jade Gate Pass, where a beam of white light shines through the fortress gates. Interact with that beam to trigger the quest.
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You must have progressed far enough into the Hexi content to freely explore Jade Gate Pass before this quest becomes available. Complete the mandatory Jianghu Legacy quests In the Quiet of Night and Desert Without Sails first.Full Whitecrown Fortress Walkthrough
Step 1: Enter Whitecrown City
Head to the fortress entrance and interact with the white beam. When the city guard challenges you, choose to insist on entering. You'll be transported into a vision of Whitecrown City as it appeared in the past. Follow the road east until you reach an arena, where a surprise boss encounter with the Grand Protector of Anxi begins. Notably, the outcome of this fight doesn't matter. Win or lose, you'll be returned outside the city gates to continue the quest.
Step 2: Find the Five Scattered Military Flags
Your next task is to track down five military flags spread across Jade Gate Pass. They don't appear as pins on the map, so rely on your in-game quest markers to navigate. Here's where each flag is found:
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You don't need to defeat the enemies guarding Flag 3 at Howling Sand Outpost. Simply grab the flag and move on to keep your momentum.
Once all five flags are in your possession, return to the white beam outside Whitecrown City and speak to the city guard again.
Step 3: Enter Whitecrown City Again
After talking to the guard, you'll re-enter the past version of the city. Touch the military flag ahead to trigger a time-shift that transports you to a grain tower in Wraithridge Pass. Inside, follow a soldier through the hallway to a table, where you'll write a family letter and hand it to a courier. When an explosion blocks the upper floor, use Cloud Steps to leap across the floating debris and reach the military flag. Touch it to continue.
Step 4: Defend the City from Siege Monsters
This section mixes environmental puzzle-solving with combat across multiple phases:
- On a rooftop, activate Cosmic Reversal to piece together a bridge from floating debris.
- Man the ballista on the assembled bridge and shoot down the flying siege monsters until a fireball destroys it.
- Use Cosmic Reversal again to build makeshift platforms and descend, then reach a second ballista on another rooftop.
- After the second ballista section, reverse the roofs once more to drop onto the fortified wall below.
- On the wall, help the soldiers eliminate seven Utuk Raptors, then speak with the wounded soldier on the ground.
Another explosion will freeze time. Use Cloud Steps to vault across the suspended objects and grab the next military flag.
Step 5: Place Down the Military Flags
Back on a dusty road, activate the Hero's Tomb to set up the final boss encounter. Place all the military flags you've collected onto the highlighted positions in front of you. This is a quiet but meaningful moment before the fight ahead.
Step 6: Defeat Guo Xin (Boss Fight)
With the flags planted, the fight against Guo Xin, the Grand Protector of Anxi, begins in full.
How to Beat Guo Xin: Phase 1 and Phase 2
Guo Xin is rated ★★★★☆ in difficulty. His Phase 1 attacks are notably slow, giving you clear windows to strike between animations. He will also summon soldiers to fight alongside him, but these guards are temporary.
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Parrying the attacks of Guo Xin's summoned soldiers is one of the most efficient ways to drain his Qi gauge quickly. Prioritize parrying troops over attacking the boss directly during Phase 1.When Guo Xin's health drops low enough, he transforms into the Iron-Blooded Prince for Phase 2. His behavior changes significantly:
- Movement speed increases, allowing him to close distances rapidly.
- He incorporates lightning attacks and ranged strikes into his rotation.
- He uses feints designed to bait early parries, so wait for the attack to fully commit before countering.
Stay patient, watch for feint animations, and keep pressure on him during the windows between his ranged volleys.
Step 7: Uncover Guo Xin's Predicament
After the Iron-Blooded Prince falls, Guo Xin reverts to his normal form. Speak with him to inform him that the siege has finally ended. A closing cutscene plays, and the quest concludes.
What Are the Whitecrown Fortress Rewards?
Completing the Whitecrown Fortress quest nets you a solid haul of progression materials and cosmetics, split between quest completion rewards and Campaign mode rewards.
Quest Completion Rewards
- Echo Jade x50
- Call of Camps - Tome x1
- Veteran's Gleaming Cuirass x1
- Copper Coin Greaves x1
- Medicinal Tales x1
- Oscillating Jade x5
- Hexi Exploration x100
- Character EXP x37,500
- Coin x37,500
Campaign Mode Rewards
After finishing the quest, the Whitecrown Fortress Campaign unlocks, letting you rematch Guo Xin for additional loot:
- Starweave Set or Jadeclasp Set x2
- Gear Echo - Glint x2
- Whitecrown City Appearance Chest x1
- Crimson Leaves Chest x1 (Chance drop)
- Bamboocut - Dust Tips x2
- Inner Way Note - Custom Chest x1
- Attunement Stone - Glint x1 (Chance drop)
- Oscillating Jade x3
- Coin x3,200
- Character EXP x7,560
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The Accessory - Iron Domination tied to Guo Xin can also be obtained through the Season Shop if it doesn't drop directly from the Campaign fight.Version 1.4 Context: Why This Quest Matters
Whitecrown Fortress is part of the much larger Version 1.4: Home Afar update, which launched on March 6, 2026 (UTC+8) and introduced the Hexi region to Where Winds Meet for the first time. Jade Gate Pass serves as Hexi's entry point, and Whitecrown Fortress is the region's signature Campaign quest.
Beyond this quest, the update also brought the new Bamboocut - Dust Martial Art Path (featuring the Everspring Umbrella and Unfettered Rope Dart), the Flute of Tides Mystic Skill, the Wandering Ark World Boss in Straying Steed Sands, and a level cap raise to Level 90 (available from March 20, 2026 via Breakthrough Lv. 13: Universal View).
If you're working through all the Hexi content, completing Whitecrown Fortress early is worthwhile. The Hexi Exploration points reward helps push your regional completion, and the gear pieces from the Campaign rematch are useful for players upgrading toward the new Tier 86 gear cap.
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The five military flags in Step 2 are not marked on the world map. Only your HUD quest markers will guide you. Opening the map to navigate won't help here, so keep your HUD active and follow the on-screen indicators.