Phantom Illusionist Ruins at a Glance
- Way in: the Four Guardians' Mirror opens once you hold all four Acolyte Masks.
- Long Pillar: number four of five, featuring a duel with a Gold-Masked One. Getting through the last gate requires the Dread Axe.
- Treasures: inside you will find the Blight Astrolabe and the Sundial of Impermanence, each an item for Quick Hand Zhang.
- Boss: at the far end is the Blizzard Blademaster, who holds the main weapon Whiteshadow.
- Timing: finishing the Long Pillar and the boss during a single trip spares you coming back again.
Overview
A hidden realm, the Phantom Illusionist Ruins, is reached through the Four Guardians' Mirror up in Meigu Lake's frozen northwest. As a dungeon connected with the Secrets at the Heart of the Lake quest, it houses the Blizzard Blademaster, a Long Pillar, and a couple of Quick Hand Zhang treasures.
A hidden realm, the Phantom Illusionist Ruins, is reached through the Four Guardians' Mirror up in Meigu Lake's frozen northwest. As a dungeon connected with the Secrets at the Heart of the Lake quest, it houses the Blizzard Blademaster, a Long Pillar, and a couple of Quick Hand Zhang treasures.
Closer look
How to enter the realm
Once all four are in hand, sail to the icy fishing village in the northwest of Meigu Lake, rest at the Four Guardians' Mirror bell, then interact with the mirror.
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Yanru's Blazing Mask | a scarecrow in the Village of Lu's northern fields. |
| Leiting's Thunder Mask | a scarecrow wrapped in lightning, found by Old Man Gen's house in Pangzhen and reachable using the Flaming Mane. |
| Guhe's Venom Mask | a scarecrow on the island to the east, next to Meigu Village East Dock. |
| Hansui's Frost Mask | during the encounter called The Puppet Scavenger, inside Crimson Manor, which is unlocked by the Puppet's Tongue. |
Crossing the ruins
The Discordance realm is where Soul wakes. Expect to cross walkways of wood, trails along cliffs, drifting structures, timber bridges and crumbled platforms. When you get to the third bell, the Dread Axe will smash the barrier, and the trail along the cliff then takes you on to the Long Pillar.
Long Pillar
Of the Long Pillars, this one is number four, and a duel with a Gold-Masked One (one of five) happens here. The winner collects Chaos Iron Fragment I, which the Sanguine Twin uses as a Soul Temper material.
Treasures for Quick Hand Zhang
Bring the three treasures of Meigu Lake to Zhang's hideout as a set, and Zhang pays you Sha-Chi Blood Catalyst. This medicine restores health and raises the damage of Sha-Chi combos, at the cost of setting you alight.
Realm's final stretch
The Blizzard Blademaster is waiting where the ruins end. Once he falls you receive Whiteshadow and the trophy The White Shadow. Further on, put the Crystal Puppet Eyes into the red statue, then kill the puppet monks it summons; doing so wraps up the tale and opens Forbidden Arts Beneath the Lake. A Perfect Ending likewise requires you to beat the final boss here.
Pickups and loot
Items to collect
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Blight Astrolabe | at the spot where wooden planks slope down to a lower level, ride the chain up onto the raised platform, then take the upper path to a green chest by the sheer drop. |
| Sundial of Impermanence | beyond bell five, hop over the timber decks and the airborne hulls; you will arrive at a chest in green wedged between two staircases, beside the wrecked vessel's helm. |
Connected Entries
Nearby locations
Crimson Manor · Village of Lu · Pangzhen · Meigu Lake · Forbidden Path
Characters
Soul · Quick Hand Zhang · Blizzard Blademaster
Weapons
More Meigu Lake
Meigu Lake
Northward from Pangzhen spreads this lake of islands, which you sail with a Sha-Chi-powered boat. On it are White Serpent House, a trio of optional bosses, a pair of Lóng Pillars, a mirror concealing a secret realm, and the way to the Mountain of Imprisonment.
View location ↗Blackwater Crew Dock
On the northern island of Meigu Lake sit a bell and a boss arena; the optional battle with You Loong happens there, and so does the Loong Trident reward.
View location ↗Forbidden Path
The way through the Phantom Illusionist Ruins in Meigu Lake, finishing at the Blizzard Blademaster.
View location ↗Frequently Asked Questions
What is required prior to going in?
Every one of the four Acolyte Masks, plus the Dread Axe to pass the last gate.
Should I complete it all in a single trip?
Yes. Inside the ruins you will find the Long Pillar, the boss and both treasures, so remaining there avoids a repeat journey.