If you’ve been exploring the wuxia world of Where Winds Meet, you’ve probably noticed that sects aren’t just cosmetic factions—they fundamentally shape how you experience the game. Unlike typical MMORPGs where guilds are just social groups, sects in Where Winds Meet come with strict rules, unique martial arts, exclusive rewards, and genuine roleplaying consequences.
After spending considerable time with the game’s faction system, I can tell you that choosing the right sect (or staying sectless) is one of the most impactful early decisions you’ll make. Here’s everything you need to know about joining sects and what each faction offers.
How to Unlock and Join Sects in Where Winds Meet
The sect system unlocks fairly early in your adventure, but you’ll need to progress through the initial tutorial sections first. Here’s the step-by-step process:
Accessing the Sects Menu:
- Open your main in-game menu and look for the Sects button in the bottom-right corner
- If you don’t see it yet, continue leveling up—it becomes available within the first few hours of gameplay
- Once accessible, the Sects screen displays all available factions with their descriptions and requirements
Finding Your Chosen Sect:
- Navigate to the Join Sect screen and browse the available options
- Select a sect that matches your playstyle (more on this below)
- Click the “Entry Clue” button in the lower-right corner
- You’ll receive cryptic hints about where to find your sect’s recruitment location
- Travel to the indicated area and search for the recruitment NPC
- Complete the initiation quest to officially become a sect member
Pro tip: Don’t rush this decision. Each sect has mandatory rules that can penalize you if violated, and switching sects later means losing your accumulated reputation and progress. Take time to understand what each faction demands before committing.
For more beginner guidance, check out our Where Winds Meet tips and tricks for beginners.
Understanding Sect Rules and Reputation
Here’s what makes Where Winds Meet’s faction system compelling: every sect has enforceable rules that affect your Precept Value or Virtue points. Break these rules, and you’ll face actual consequences—including potential banishment.
As you follow sect guidelines and increase your reputation, you unlock:
- Exclusive sect shop items with unique cosmetics
- Sect-themed outfits at higher reputation ranks
- Special martial arts techniques tied to your faction
- Roleplaying opportunities that make the world feel more immersive
This system creates meaningful choices rather than superficial faction labels. Your sect membership genuinely influences your daily gameplay loop.
All Available Sects in Where Winds Meet (Complete List)
Well of Heaven – The Righteous Brotherhood
Theme: Vigilante justice and unwavering brotherhood
Signature Martial Art: Thundercry Blade
Starting Location: Find San Qian’er in Harvestfall Village, Qinghe (though he may not be what he seems)
Well of Heaven attracts players who value honor codes over legal systems. These righteous warriors believe true justice transcends laws and morals, prioritizing what’s right over what’s lawful.
Sect Rules:
- Heroic Righteousness: Complete weekly Chivalrous Deeds with sufficient Adventure Slips as proof
- Unrestrained Spirit: Accept potential 1,000 Precept Value deductions for rule-breaking
- Generous and Righteous: Keep weekly earnings moderate or lose 100 precept value
- Brotherhood: Never harm fellow sect members
Best for: Players who enjoy heroic storylines and blade combat. The brotherhood requirement makes this ideal for cooperative players who want faction identity to mean something.
Silver Needle – Healers with a Business Mindset
Theme: Medical practitioners and support specialists
Signature Martial Art: Inkwell and Panacea Fans
Starting Location: Seek Doctor Yuan in Sage’s Knoll
Don’t mistake Silver Needle for purely altruistic healers—this sect operates on a fascinating principle: every healing has a price. It’s perfect for support-minded players who want to feel valued for their assistance role.
Sect Rules:
- One Life, One Price: You must charge payment for all healing services (emergency or otherwise)
- Shared Healing: Gain 10 precept value for successful multiplayer healing
- Healing Bodies and Minds: Maintain at least 15 weekly likes or lose 10 precept value
Best for: Support players who enjoy healing mechanics and social interactions. The payment requirement adds interesting roleplaying dynamics—will you be expensive or affordable?
If you’re optimizing your early game, also read our guide on best starting weapons in Where Winds Meet.
Midnight Blades – The Asura Path Assassins
Theme: Ruthless killers who embrace violence
Signature Martial Art: Infernal Twinblades
Starting Location: Visit Halo Peak on Sundara Land
This is Where Winds Meet’s most aggressive faction. Midnight Blades members walk the path of carnage, rewarded for PvP kills and penalized for showing mercy.
Sect Rules:
- Kill to Seize Karma: Earn Karma Points by defeating wanderers; lose points when defeated
- Ultimate Bliss for All Beings: Farm Karma Points in Perception Forest
- Meditative Samadhi: Show no mercy in Open World combat encounters
Best for: PvP enthusiasts and players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay. Fair warning: this sect makes you a target and demands aggressive playstyles.
Nine Mortal Ways – Tricksters and Illusionists
Theme: Mischief-makers between the mortal and spirit realms
Signature Martial Art: Mortal Rope Dart
Starting Location: San Qian’er in Harvestfall Village may know the way
Nine Mortal Ways is the prankster’s paradise. This sect thrives on deception, disguises, and causing harmless (or not-so-harmless) chaos throughout the game world.
Sect Rules:
- Jianghu Fun: Earn weekly Fun Points through tricks and pranks
- A Thousand Faces: Participate in Disguise mechanics to blend in and experience different lives
- Deceiving Heaven: Failed tricks or jail time costs 10 Virtue points
Best for: Players who love unconventional gameplay and creative problem-solving. The rope dart combat style is also incredibly unique and visually impressive.
For more unconventional gameplay mechanics, explore our gacha system guide.
Velvet Shade – The Alluring Spies
Theme: Female-led espionage faction
Signature Martial Art: Vernal/Ninefold Umbrella
Starting Location: TBA (currently unavailable)
This passionate, women-founded sect operates in shadows, using charm and intelligence as weapons. Members specialize in espionage and information gathering.
Sect Rules:
- Full Bloom: Reveal charm, follow your heart, and trade affection for trust
- Drunk on Flowers: Don’t limit yourself to stealing just one heart
Best for: Players interested in spy gameplay and social manipulation mechanics. Currently unavailable but expected in future updates.
Raging Tides – The Military Martial Artists
Theme: Honorable warriors pursuing martial perfection
Signature Martial Art: Heavenquaker and Stormbreaker Spear
Starting Location: TBA (currently unavailable)
Raging Tides represents the disciplined military approach to martial arts. These pure-hearted warriors constantly hone their skills through rigorous training and combat.
Sect Rules:
- Spears Still Sharp?: Daily combat practice is mandatory—neglecting training dulls your weapon and skills
Best for: Players who appreciate structured progression and spear-based combat. The daily practice requirement suits players with consistent playtime.
Lone Cloud – Strategic Swordmasters
Theme: Mathematician warriors valuing precision over power
Signature Martial Art: Strategic Sword
Starting Location: TBA (currently unavailable)
Lone Cloud combines intellectual pursuits with martial excellence. These disciples solve problems through calculated strategy rather than brute force.
Sect Rules:
- Forgotten by the Jianghu: Disciples reconnecting must seek blessings from old comrades
- The Riddle of Love: Love’s puzzle can only be solved once
- Streetwise Strategist: Engage with get-rich-quick schemes or lose 10 Precept Value
Best for: Players who enjoy tactical combat and puzzle-solving elements.
Hollow Vale – Masters of Life and Death Balance
Theme: Dual-natured practitioners of healing and poison
Signature Martial Art: TBA
Starting Location: TBA (currently unavailable)
Hollow Vale disciples walk the fine line between healer and poisoner, believing one cannot exist without the other. It’s a philosophical sect with unique gameplay mechanics.
Sect Rules:
- No Living Puppets: Creating Sleeping Puppets from living beings is absolutely forbidden (self-experimentation exempt)
- Balance of Life and Death: For every healing action, you must use poison once; imbalance causes self-inflicted suffering
Best for: Players who enjoy complex, balanced playstyles and hybrid support/damage roles.
The Masked Troupe – Performers and Hidden Warriors
Theme: Artists who favor song and dance over traditional martial displays
Signature Martial Art: TBA
Starting Location: TBA (currently unavailable)
This mysterious faction disguises martial prowess behind theatrical performances. Don’t underestimate them—their artistic appearance hides genuine combat capability.
Best for: Roleplayers interested in performance arts combined with surprising combat effectiveness.
Inkbound Order – Imperial Scholars and Swordsmen
Theme: Literary warriors with court connections
Signature Martial Art: TBA
Starting Location: TBA (currently unavailable)
The Inkbound Order values literature as highly as martial arts. These scholar-warriors have close ties to imperial power structures.
Sect Rules:
- Writing and Scholarship: Sages’ words become law for all under heaven
Best for: Players interested in political intrigue and intellectual pursuits alongside combat.
Mohist Hill – Utilitarian Protectors
Theme: Truth-seekers believing in the greater good
Signature Martial Art: TBA
Starting Location: TBA (currently unavailable)
Mohist Hill disciples aid everyone without compromise, following utilitarian principles of universal benefit.
Sect Rules:
- Universal Love: Practice mutual benefit—helping others ensures they help you in return
Best for: Cooperative players who enjoy helping the community and philosophical gameplay.
Should You Stay Sectless?
Here’s an option many players overlook: you don’t have to join any sect.
Staying sectless means:
✅ Complete freedom from restrictive rules and penalties
✅ No precept value management required
✅ Flexibility to play however you want
✅ Access to unique Sectless cosmetics from the Sect Shop
❌ Miss exclusive sect martial arts
❌ No access to sect-specific shop items
❌ Reduced roleplaying immersion
You’ll still earn Reputation points by completing Sect Commands under the Jianghu Errand section, which lets you purchase the exclusive Sectless outfit. This is honestly a viable choice if you prefer unrestricted gameplay or want to experiment before committing.
After testing different character customization options, I’ve found that sectless players have just as much fashion flexibility as sect members.
Which Sect Should You Choose?
Your ideal sect depends entirely on your preferred playstyle:
For Healers/Support: Silver Needle (currently available)
For PvP Enthusiasts: Midnight Blades (currently available)
For Tricksters: Nine Mortal Ways (currently available)
For Honorable Warriors: Well of Heaven or Raging Tides
For Tactical Players: Lone Cloud
For Hybrid Builds: Hollow Vale
For Freedom: Stay Sectless
The sect system rewards commitment. Higher reputation ranks unlock better rewards, so pick something that matches your long-term playstyle rather than what seems coolest initially.
Tips for Sect Success
Based on extensive gameplay, here are some practical tips:
Read the Rules Carefully: Each sect has specific weekly requirements. Missing them tanks your reputation quickly.
Plan Your Daily Routine: Some sects (like Raging Tides) require daily activities. Make sure your play schedule accommodates this.
Consider Your Friends: If you’re playing with a group, coordinate sect choices. Some rules (like Well of Heaven’s brotherhood requirement) benefit coordinated play.
Start Reputation Early: The best cosmetic rewards require significant reputation. Start grinding Sect Commands from day one.
Test Combat Styles First: Try different weapon types in the early game before committing. Each sect’s signature martial art determines your combat experience. Our weapon guide can help with this decision.
Explore Entry Quests: The sect recruitment quests are some of the game’s best content. They introduce you to faction philosophy and test your commitment.
When you’re exploring sect locations, you might also encounter challenging dungeons like the Echoes in Shrine General’s Statue or puzzle areas like the Wall Puzzle in Echoes of Old Battles.
Final Thoughts on Where Winds Meet’s Sect System
The sect system is one of Where Winds Meet’s most distinctive features. It transforms faction membership from cosmetic labels into meaningful gameplay choices with real consequences. Whether you choose the righteous brotherhood of Well of Heaven, the mercenary healing of Silver Needle, the ruthless path of Midnight Blades, or complete independence as a sectless wanderer, your decision genuinely impacts your experience.
Many sects remain unavailable as of this writing, but the developers have confirmed they’ll arrive in future updates. This gives early players time to master currently available factions before new options appear.
Remember: sect membership isn’t just about martial arts and cosmetics—it’s about finding your place in the wuxia world. Choose carefully, honor your sect’s rules, and watch your reputation grow as you become a legendary figure in the jianghu.
For more Where Winds Meet content, including combat tips and emote guides, explore our other guides. You can also grab the game on Steam or PlayStation to start your martial arts journey.
What sect are you joining in Where Winds Meet? Let us know your choice and why in the comments below!
