Phantom Blade Zero: Complete These Side Quests to See the True Ending

Preparing for the True Finale

Phantom Blade Zero offers four different endings, but only the 'Final Battle' conclusively weaves together every plot thread. To access it, you'll need to finish a series of optional side quests before reaching the climax at Mount Soulrend's peak. This isn's a simple choice at a dialog prompt—the most rewarding ending is locked behind tangible in-game actions.

The Three Essential Side Quests

Before you enter the Mirage State area in Pangzhen, make sure these are done:

• Bloodline Awakening: Destroy five Lóng Pillars scattered across locations like Weeping Creek Valley, Crimson Forest, and Meigu Lake. Interacting with a pillar triggers a duel against the Gold-Masked One, and these fights grow harder as you progress. Since you can's teleport inside the Phantom Illusionist Ruins, tackle the Four Guardian's Mirror pillar early.
• Secrets at the Heart of the Lake: Collect four Acolyte masks by defeating the bosses Yanru, Lei Ting, Guhe, and Hansui (who appears during the secret Puppet Scavenger fight beneath Crimson Manor). Take the masks to the mirror in northwestern Meigu Lake to reach the Phantom Illusionist Ruins. After besting the area's final boss, the Blizard Blademaster, insert the two Crystal Puppet Eyes into the statue that appears.
• Quick Hand Zhang's Questline: Rescue Zhang in Crimson Forest, then locate his hideouts in five regions. Each area holds jade boxes containg unique treasures; collect all 16 across the map and deliver them to the corresponding hideout. Zhang provides a list of targets the first time you speak to him in a new zone.

Necessary Items and Progression

Some of these quests have prerequisites. Complete the 'Illusory Pipa' side quest first for its reward weapon, advance the main story until you obtain the Flame Mane phantom edge, and then unlock both Crimson Manor and the Mountain of Imprisonment to gather the Crystal Puppet Eyes. With all three quests done, simply continue the campaign and head toward the summit of Mount Soulrend—the true ending will trigger automatically.

Why It Matters

Skipping these tasks leaves the narrative incomplete. The true ending pays off hours of exploration, giving context to Soul's journey that you'd otherwise miss. For competionists and lore enthusiasts, it's the only way to fully appreciate the game's finale.

Have you managed to unlock the true ending yet, or are you still hunting for those last few treasures?