When you begin the game, you’ll immediately be asked if you want to play as a single player (Lone Wanderer) or with others (Shared Journey). This might seem like a big decision at first, since you haven’t had a chance to learn about the game yet.
Where Winds Meet is initially presented as one type of game, but after spending a significant amount of time with it, it feels more like a simplified massively multiplayer online game. There’s a ton of content you can enjoy on your own, and you can completely ignore other players and the multiplayer aspects if you prefer – though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that, it is possible.
So, why should you explore Shared Journey? I’ll break down the advantages and disadvantages of both options, and explain how to get the best results from each.
Your First Choice
The initial decision is an easy one without a doubt.
Pick Lone Wanderer!
You might be eager to join the social side of the game, but those features are really best enjoyed once you’ve progressed further.
When you first start playing, focus on exploring the game world and experiencing everything Qinghe has to offer. After you’ve gained some levels and learned how the core systems work, then you can start focusing on the social features of Where Winds Meet.
If you start a game with the Shared Journey option by mistake, you can easily switch it in the settings menu once you’re controlling your character.
Perks of Lone Wanderer (Solo Play)
Exploration
Although there isn’t a true Offline mode, Lone Wanderer allows for a largely solitary experience. You’ll rarely need to interact with other players, except maybe to get help healing or to read the short messages other players leave behind – similar to the style of the game Dark Souls.
In Where Winds Meet, you level up your character by doing almost anything! Completing quests, participating in world events, playing mini-games, earning achievements, tackling challenges, and even just exploring all give you experience points or currency to help you progress.
Leveling
After playing the game by yourself for a bit, you’ll eventually hit a level limit. That’s when the ‘Break Through’ feature kicks in, but the game doesn’t really explain how it works.
After reaching level 15 in Solo Mode Level 1, click the “Mode Switch” icon at the top of the screen and choose the box with the golden symbol. This will let you complete a Break Through Trial and increase your maximum level. You’ll repeat this process to progress through all eleven Solo Modes.
After you finish a Break Through Trial, you’ll need to tackle challenges within the Taiping Mausoleum to continue progressing.
To begin, navigate to the Wandering Paths menu and choose Taiping Mausoleum. There, you’ll find a series of 10 Foundation Trials. These trials are mostly about defeating enemies and bosses quickly. Completing them within the time limit will earn you better rewards.
Okay, so even if I don’t quite hit the target time, it’s not a total loss! The attempt still counts as finished, and I can keep pushing forward to reach the next level. That’s a relief!
Gear and Skills
Whenever you increase your maximum level, it’s crucial to keep upgrading your gear as well.
If you don’t improve your gear, you’ll have a hard time with the next Foundation Trials, and you won’t even be able to defeat the regular enemies you find in the game world. Keep in mind that the game’s difficulty adjusts to your character’s level, so it will always be challenging.
Currently, I’m at Solo Mode Level 6, allowing me to increase my character level up to 55. My Martial Art, Strategic Sword, is also at level 50 and needs to be upgraded to 55 using Coins and Pine Resin Ointment. This will let me continue battling enemies and finding better gear. Keep opening chests for items with higher Tier levels, and don’t forget to improve your Inner Way skills to help you progress further.
You can’t rush through everything here – the game requires you to wait for certain things to happen in real time before you can continue. It’s designed with real-world timing in mind.
If you’re struggling with the battles, you can lower the difficulty of Solo Mode. Just be aware that you’ll lose any rewards you earned at the higher level.
Perks of Shared Journey (Co-op and Multiplayer)
Online World
After you’re comfortable playing on your own (around level 10) and ready to experience everything Where Winds Meet offers, you can switch to Online Mode by selecting the Mode Switch icon at the top of the screen.
Okay, so when you first jump into this new mode, you’re immediately with a bunch of other players – everyone’s just hanging out, chatting, or doing these small team-up things. Just a heads-up though, starting this mode completely pauses your story and stops you from exploring more of the map. Honestly, it feels a lot like a big waiting area while you look for multiplayer stuff to join!
Wandering Paths
If you’re curious about what you can do in this new mode, the best place to start is the Wandering Paths menu. You’ll recognize it – it’s the same one you used to access the Taiping Mausoleum Trials. From here, you can join these cooperative events:
| Event | Description | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Challenges | You have the option to try the Campaign Boss Challenges, Outpost Challenges, Hero’s Realm and Sword Trials. You can fight bosses solo or clear outposts as a team to earn rewards. This uses energy that restores every day. | Gear, Caskets, Inner Way Notes, Development Materials, Adventure Slips, EXP. |
| Casual Co-op | Here, you can play various minigames with other players, like Mahjong, Pitch Pot, and Wrestling, among other things. You can even see and ride the ridiculously expensive Mirage Boat. | Lingering Melody, Echo Jade, Development materials, Adventure Slips, EXP |
| Arena | If you like PvP, then this option is for you. Here you can face other players in a tense 1v1 format. After your first match, you will receive a rank and can climb the rank ladder. | Echo Jade |
| Trials | Here you can take on various bosses, with challenges attached to each one. For example, you might have to beat the Heart Seeker fight on greater difficulties within a time limit or without being hit. | Echo Jade, Development Materials, Player Avatars, Badges |
| Bounties | There are a few options here. You can post bounties on characters and players for others to claim, or claim these bounties for yourself and earn rewards. This category also covers character professions such as healing, where you can ask for help or heal other players’ ailments and diseases. | Fourfold Coin, Jade Fish, EXP |
You’ll usually find a new shop where you can spend each type of currency you earn. If you’re looking for cool cosmetic items, check out the Gacha Draw options in the main shop!
Social Menu
We’ve already discussed most of the ways to play with others, but the social menu offers even more detailed options for players who want to customize their experience and connect with friends.
- Form a partnership with another player by heading to the Red Maple Forest Landmark
- Complete Nodes on the Intimacy Tree for rewards
- Purchase cosmetics with Harmony Charms
- Become a Disciple or a Master
Guilds and Sects
You can also choose to join a Guild or a Sect.
Guilds come in many varieties, focusing on activities like exploring, fighting, or just relaxing. When you participate in events and activities with your guildmates, you’ll get bonus rewards in addition to what you normally earn.
You can start your own guild for 300 Echo Jade, build it up with members for your Garrison, or join an existing guild created by someone else.
When you begin the game, you won’t belong to any Sect, but you can join one as you play. There are several Sects to choose from, each with a different focus. For instance, the Silver Needle Sect specializes in healing, while the Midnight Blades are geared towards combat.
Each Sect has unique rules that you need to follow to improve your skills. Joining a specific Sect also allows you to unlock powerful new abilities for your Martial Arts.
The Sects are as follows:
- Well of Heaven
- Silver Needle
- Raging Tides
- Midnight Blades
- Nine Mortal Ways
- Velvet Shade
- The Masked Troupe
- Lone Cloud
- Hollow Vale
- Inkbound Order
- Mohist Hill
Currently, only a limited number of Sects are available to join. More will be added as the game receives updates.
Through Errands, you can earn Reputation, which can be spent on cosmetics in the Sect Shop.
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2025-11-30 03:44