Blazing Edge.

Once the Soul Tempering of Sanguine Reach is finished, the result is Blazing Edge: an identical long blade, but with Sha-Chi converted into fire.

Little about the frame differs, since the Sanguine line's size and heft carry over. Its combat style is what shifts. Sha-Chi serves as the blade's fuel, and a bigger investment produces bigger flames. Its strengths revolve around setting enemies alight, damage over time from burning, and a charged chop that breaks defences.

This sword belongs to the endgame. Its two fire ingredients can be gathered only after you get to Pangzhen and Meigu Lake, and later the plot has you carry it to Crimson Forest, since Yucong in the frozen Mirrorwood demands it.

It suits a player who prepares a fight instead of striking and retreating, because the important damage frequently shows up following the opening slash, once the burning sets in.

Before you start:

• Own Sanguine Reach
• Meet Myst in Pangzhen
• Defeat Zhu Yuan
• Win the third duel at the Long Pillar

1. Grab Sanguine Reach from the rack of arms standing at the back of Forge's stall; the stall is found at the Outpost, Weeping Creek Valley.
2. Make your way into Pangzhen, where Myst can be met inside the Order's tavern below ground.
3. Obtain the first fire ingredient by beating Zhu Yuan, the Searing Blade, at the base of the Pangzhen Sha-Chi Tower. The way there runs via Meigu Lake: head north out of Pangzhen, trail the shoreline, then use an exploding enemy to destroy the barrier that obstructs the lift.
4. The second fire ingredient is the reward for Long Pillar contest number three, staged on Meigu Lake's eastern side at the Midlake Long Pillar dock.
5. Go back to Myst and have him Soul Temper Sanguine Reach into Blazing Edge.

No fire burns inside the blade by itself. Sha-Chi ignites it, and its effects grow in proportion to the amount you use.

Enhanced strikes and the Sha-Chi combo

You can launch the Sha-Chi combo following any step of a regular combo. When Sha-Chi is plentiful, it upgrades into a stronger attack with higher damage and greater Guard Break, and anything it strikes catches fire.

Sunderflame: the charged downward chop

Holding the button costs 1 Sha-Chi and lifts the sword over your head. Letting go hits the target, sets it ablaze and shatters whatever guard it has. Foes already Frozen receive more damage, so the sword combines well with cold effects.

Versus a boss that has lots of health, pair a charged release with an accessory boosting your output once you have paused your offence for several seconds, Talisman of Despair being one such item.

Burning Blade and Flame Wave

Flame Wave uses Sha-Chi to launch a fiery wave that scorches everything in its path. Burning Blade works passively: each strike adds to Burning Energy, and once the gauge is full the sword ignites, making all attacks inflict Burn damage.

Perks by level

Upgrading the sword grants Whirlwind Slash at level 5, Fatal Execution at levels 10, 20 and 30, Sweeping Slash at level 15 and Tempest Wheel at level 25. Sanguine Reach follows an identical timetable.

Levelling steps

Materials for conversion

Myst cannot convert Sanguine Reach until you hold both.

Strengths

• Sunderflame shatters every guard, so enemies behind shields and defensive bosses cannot halt it.
• Damage from burning goes on once the opening blow connects, which is useful against opponents with large health pools.
• The charged chop deals extra damage to Frozen enemies, making it a fine follow-up after cold effects.

Weaknesses

• Sha-Chi drives most of its strength, so when that meter runs empty you are left with just the basic combos.
• Because the conversion comes late, you cannot pick it up in the early game.

Best used for

• Extended boss battles that give burning time to stack up.
• Enemies sheltering under shields or a defensive stance.
• Closing out the questline Triple Threat via a duel with Yucong, in Mirrorwood.

According to its in-game blurb, the long blade converts murderous intent into raging fire, with enough force to split shields and burn foes to ash. The steel holds no flame; Sha-Chi draws it forth. Forge began the Sanguine line as imitation work, and at this point the imitation has learned to summon fire of its own.