Where Winds Meet: How to Get and Use Dragon Keys

Dragon Keys—or Loong Keys as they’re sometimes called—represent gated progression in Where Winds Meet. They’re not common drops or easy-to-obtain items. Instead, they’re carefully placed rewards tied to specific achievements and completions. And that rarity is exactly what makes them valuable.

What makes Dragon Keys interesting is that they open doors to some genuinely powerful weapons and martial arts you’d otherwise miss. The first time you stumble upon a locked dojo with a Dragon Key pedestal, you realize these aren’t just collectibles—they’re progression gatekeepers protecting meaningful rewards.

The challenge for new players is figuring out how to get enough keys before you hit these locked doors. Miss a few key sources early on, and you’ll find yourself locked out of content later. Understanding where to find them takes the frustration out of the hunt.

What Dragon Keys Unlock

Hidden Passages and Secret Areas

Dragon Keys open:

• Dragon Pillars – mysterious structures that require key activation
• Locked Dojos – sanctuaries containing rare weapons and martial arts
• Secret Sect Hideouts – powerful training grounds with high-tier equipment

These aren’t just cosmetic secrets—they contain meaningful gear upgrades and combat abilities that can shape your character’s development.

Weapon Examples:

Some of the most desirable early weapons are locked behind Dragon Keys, including Panacea Fan, Heavenquaker Spear, and Inkwell Fan. Missing these early means you’re using suboptimal gear longer than necessary.

How to Check Dragon Key Sources

Viewing Reward Info

You can actually see where specific Dragon Keys come from by checking your inventory:

1. Open your Bag and locate a Dragon Key
2. Hover over it to see tooltip information
3. The tooltip displays which activity or quest rewarded it
4. This helps you track which keys you’ve claimed and which sources remain uncollected

It’s a simple feature but incredibly helpful for planning your key-hunting route.

Three Reliable Ways to Get Dragon Keys

Understanding the Sources

There are three guaranteed, reliable methods to obtain Dragon Keys early in the game. Each method provides exactly one key, so you need to complete all three to maximize your early collection. These aren’t farmable—once you’ve done them, that source is exhausted.

Method 1: Complete Outposts

The Most Common Source

Outposts scattered across Qinghe are your primary Dragon Key source. These are small combat challenges—think of them as mini-dungeons or arena encounters designed to test your combat skills.

How They Work:

• Each Outpost in Qinghe holds one Dragon Key
• Rewards trigger the first time you complete them—one-time only
• You can’t farm these; clearing an Outpost a second time yields nothing
• There are multiple Outposts across Qinghe, giving you multiple opportunities

Finding Outposts:

Outposts are marked on your map once discovered. As you explore Qinghe, you’ll naturally encounter these locations. They’re typically indicated by specific markers or architectural features (often small fortified structures or arena-like spaces).

Strategy:

Make clearing Outposts part of your regular exploration routine. Don’t treat them as optional side content—they’re essential for key collection. Each one completed puts another key in your pocket.

Method 2: Complete “Skill Theft: Rightful Acquisition” Quest

The Level 8 Gateway Quest

This is a straightforward quest that opens up surprisingly early.

Requirements:

• Minimum level: 8
• Can be started almost immediately after leaving the tutorial area

What You Get:

• One guaranteed Dragon Key upon completion
• This quest is designed to be quick and simple
• No complex puzzles or lengthy prerequisites

Finding the Quest:

Check your Journal’s quest tab. If you’ve reached level 8, this quest should be available for tracking. It typically appears in Qinghe and involves a straightforward objective that won’t take long to complete.

Why It’s Important:

This is often your first Dragon Key source if you actively pursue it early. Since it’s level-gated at only level 8, it’s essentially accessible immediately after character setup.

Method 3: Breakthrough Level 2 – Emerging (Solo Mode Only)

The Level Cap Challenge

This method specifically applies to Solo Mode play and is tied to the game’s progression ceiling system.

How Level Caps Work:

• Your level is initially capped at level 15
• When you hit this cap, you can’t progress further through normal grinding
• To push past level 15 to level 20, you need to complete a Breakthrough challenge

The Breakthrough Progression:

• Once you reach level 15, a new objective becomes available: Breakthrough Level 2 – Emerging
• This is a specific challenge designed to test your skills and knowledge at that power level
• Completing it lifts your level cap and allows you to reach level 20
• As a bonus reward, you receive one Dragon Key

Important Note:

This method only works in Solo Mode. If you’re playing in co-op, this key source isn’t available.

Strategic Timing:

Plan to complete your Breakthrough challenge purposefully. You’ll get the key as a reward, so prioritize this challenge when you’re ready to progress past level 15 anyway. It’s an efficient use of time—you’re progressing your character and collecting keys simultaneously.

Using Dragon Keys: Where to Find Locked Dojos

The Basic Usage

Once you have Dragon Keys, you’ll use them on pedestals outside locked dojos. These pedestals are Dragon Key locks—insert a key, unlock the dojo, and gain access to the weapons and martial arts inside.

Step-by-Step:

1. Approach a locked dojo with a Dragon Key pedestal
2. Open your inventory and select a Dragon Key
3. Use it on the pedestal
4. The dojo unlocks, revealing the weapon or martial art inside
5. Collect your reward

Notable Locked Weapon Locations

Panacea Fan

• Location: Near the Northern Bamboo Grave Boundary Stone
• Why It’s Worth Getting: This fan is excellent for utility builds and offers solid early-game value
• Boundary Stone Navigation: Use the Northern Bamboo Grave Boundary Stone as your reference point

Heavenquaker Spear

• Location: Wildsmane Ranch, positioned across the river from General’s Shrine
• Why It’s Worth Getting: One of the game’s best DoT-focused weapons; pairs excellently with Fivefold Bleed and other bleed-based builds
• Navigation: Head to General’s Shrine, then cross the river to reach Wildsmane Ranch. The spear dojo is nearby
• Build Synergy: Check our Fivefold Bleed guide for how this weapon pairs with damage-over-time builds

Inkwell Fan

• Location: Buddha Village, found on the far northwest edge of Sundara Land in Qinghe
• Why It’s Worth Getting: Another solid fan option for different playstyles
• Navigation: Head to the northwest section of the Qinghe region, specifically the Sundara Land area. Buddha Village is tucked into the far corner

Finding Weapons Easily: The Map Navigation System

Never Get Lost Again

If you’re unsure about exact dojo locations or which weapons are where, the game provides an excellent built-in tool:

How to Use It:

1. Open your Menu
2. Go to the Develop section
3. Select Weapons
4. Hover over any weapon you want to unlock
5. Press the “Obtain” button in the bottom-right corner

What Happens:

• Your map automatically zooms to show the weapon’s location
• A quest marker appears guiding you to the dojo
• No more wandering around looking for NPCs or hidden locations
• This works for any locked weapon, not just Dragon Key doors

This feature is genuinely helpful and removes navigation frustration entirely. Use it liberally.

Strategic Key Prioritization

Which Weapons Should You Unlock First?

With limited Dragon Keys early on, prioritize based on your build:

If Using Spear Weapons:

• Unlock Heavenquaker Spear first
• It’s one of the strongest early weapons and pairs beautifully with bleed-focused builds

If Using Fan Weapons:

• Panacea Fan and Inkwell Fan offer different playstyle variations
• Pick based on which feels better in your hands

If Unsure:

• Heavenquaker Spear is generally the strongest all-around unlock for pure damage output

Planning Your Key Collection Route

Optimal Progression:

1. Level to 8 – Complete “Skill Theft: Rightful Acquisition” quest for your first key
2. Explore and complete Outposts – Gather keys as you naturally traverse Qinghe
3. Reach level 15 – Complete Breakthrough Level 2 when you hit the cap, earning your third key
4. Use keys strategically – Unlock weapons that sync with your preferred playstyle

By the time you’ve done all three sources, you should have 3 guaranteed Dragon Keys. Additional keys may come from other sources later in the game as you progress, but these three form your reliable early foundation.

Related Progression Systems

If you’re interested in weapon upgrades and gear optimization, check out our best starting weapons guide to understand which unlocked weapons pair well with different playstyles.

For community features and exploration, our signposts guide can help you find other players sharing hidden weapon locations via in-game messages.

Ending Note

Dragon Keys are gating mechanisms with purpose. They’re not arbitrary—they protect genuinely powerful gear that would otherwise trivialize early combat. By understanding the three reliable sources, you can ensure you never feel locked out of content.

The quest, Outposts, and Breakthrough challenge align naturally with your progression curve. Complete them as you level, and you’ll accumulate keys without needing to grind specific farms. By the time you encounter your first locked dojo, you’ll likely have the keys ready.

The real value emerges when you realize these locked weapons aren’t just stat upgrades—they’re playstyle enablers. A Heavenquaker Spear changes how you approach combat. An early fan weapon opens different tactical options. Dragon Keys don’t just unlock doors; they unlock possibilities.

Collect methodically, use strategically, and watch your arsenal expand into genuine power.

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Useful Resources

For more information about Where Winds Meet and its features, check out these official links:

• Official Website: Where Winds Meet
• Steam Store Page: Where Winds Meet on Steam
• PlayStation Store: Where Winds Meet on PlayStation
• Wikipedia Entry: Where Winds Meet