Quest Location: Velvet Shade, Kaifeng

Head to the Velvet Shade district and approach the crowd gathered by the water. A cutscene triggers featuring a Nine Mortal Ways Disciple — he mentions Aunt Han’s nickname, “Water Lady,” and bolts. The quest officially starts rolling once he runs. Chase him across the rooftops and poles and stop him before he causes chaos. Once you catch up, speak with him in seclusion — he’ll ask for your help sneaking into the Hero Assembly and hand you the clothes of the famous musician Master Jiang Yi. Wear them when prompted.

If you’re working on building relationships with different sects, check out our guides on how to join the Nine Mortal Ways or how to join Midnight Blades.

Getting Into the Hero Assembly: Passing the Songstress Test

When you arrive at the Heroic Assembly, a Revelry Hall Manager stops you. Select the option that you are Master Jiang Yi. This leads to an interruption from Songstress Bai Rong, who recognizes the name and decides to test whether you’re really who you claim to be — by asking you to tune her guqin.

When prompted, choose Easy mode. Bai Rong will sing the correct tune for you as a hint: Sol, La, Do, Mi, Re — which maps to the drum sequence below.

1. Speak with the Revelry Hall Manager and claim to be Master Jiang Yi
2. Songstress Bai Rong interrupts and offers to test your musical knowledge
3. Choose Easy mode — she will sing the correct tunes as a clue
4. Approach the drums and hit them in this exact order: Zhi, Yu, Gong, Jue, Shang

Get the sequence right and you’re cleared to proceed. After passing the test, speak with the Boatman to enter Revelry Hall. A beautiful cutscene plays — then it’s time to start collecting clues.

How to Find All 7 Clues at the Hero Assembly in Where Winds Meet

After the cutscene, you’re free to start collecting clues. There are seven clues total, spread across three floors of Revelry Hall. Each clue requires you to interact with specific NPCs, and many involve mini-games. It’s also worth chatting with other patrons for Anecdotes and collectibles — they don’t contribute to the seven main clues, but are worth grabbing for completionists.

Clue #1: Liu Rui (First Floor)

Location: Right side of the entrance, near the white board / central staircase

From the main entrance, head to the right side and find Liu Rui standing near a white board with writing on it. Read the board first, then talk to Liu Rui — the dialogue won’t trigger correctly if you skip reading it. No mini-game required. This is the easiest clue in the quest.

Clue #2: Hua Jieyu (First Floor)

Location: Left side of the entrance, among the crowd

From the main entrance, head left and look for Hua Jieyu standing with other guests. Challenge her to a game of Pitch Pot and win to obtain the clue. Pitch Pot is forgiving — just aim carefully and take your time. A single round is enough to get the clue.

Clue #3: Ling Yuming (First Floor)

Location: Left section of the first floor

Proceed left to find Ling Yuming. Compete in a Graceful Melodies rhythm match to obtain the third clue. This is the hardest clue to get — the music piece looks intimidating, but the game is lenient on timing. Controller tip: Hit all displayed buttons simultaneously as each note approaches the circles at the bottom — the game won’t penalize near-misses, making this much easier to clear.

Clue #4: Jia Wenqu (Second Floor)

Location: Crowded room on the second floor

Climb to the second floor and find Jia Wenqu in the crowded room. This triggers a Gift of Gab debate mini-game, where you draw and play verbal “attack” cards using Inspiration to deplete your opponent’s Mental Focus. Tip: Prioritize the “Yapping” card set — it does heavy pressure damage and makes this encounter trivial. Pay attention to UI flashes that signal when to trigger your defensive or offensive reactions.

Clue #5: Fu Rong (Second Floor)

Location: Near the stairs on the second floor

Still on the second floor, walk near the stairway area to find Fu Rong talking with one of the sisters. This clue requires you to use Celestial Seize to steal the Gift Book (Guest List) without being noticed. Stand behind Fu Rong and activate the skill — no combat or reputation penalties are triggered. If you haven’t unlocked Celestial Seize yet, check our guide on how to get Celestial Seize before attempting this quest.

Clue #6: Wen Zixuan (Third Floor)

Location: Third floor main area

Head up to the third floor and find Wen Zixuan. When you speak with her, pick the option that has you join the performance — this is required to trigger the dance clue. The dance mini-game is mostly about following on-screen prompts. Stay focused and the clue is yours.

Clue #7: Ren Jiayu (Third Floor)

Location: In front of Sister Qiang’s room on the third floor

Approach Ren Jiayu standing in front of Sister Qiang’s room. Simply talk to her — no mini-game required. With all seven clues collected, the next phase begins.

How to Investigate the Restricted Scene in Shadows in Bloom

Just as you’re about to piece everything together, an accident on the third floor interrupts the investigation. A servant blocks the door and won’t let you through. Here’s what to do:

1. Go outside and around the corner, then crouch and sneak into the restricted room through the side
2. Inside, examine all four highlighted objects: the Five Minerals Powder, Spilled Wine, Unconscious Person, and Fallen Pipa
3. Once all four are examined, press Start Deduction on the Clue Screen that appears

Don’t rush through this segment — examining all four objects adds crucial narrative context and is required to advance.

How to Piece the Clues Together and Find the Jiangnan Envoy

Now combine specific clue pairs to answer three deduction questions about the Jiangnan Envoy. Select the conclusion “The Jiangnan Envoy has gone to Nimbus Tower” at the end to submit the full deduction.

Question 1: What Does The Jiangnan Envoy Favor?

Clue 1: Many guests in Jinling came to see the Shimmer
Clue 2: A rich guest purchased a guqin for a huge sum of money
Result: The Jinling Envoy loved the guqin

Question 2: Who Does The Jiangnan Envoy Admire?

Clue 1: The Jinling Envoy loved the guqin
Clue 2: The notes were about her longing
Result: The Jinling Envoy also admired Ruolan

Question 3: Where Did The Jiangnan Envoy Go?

Clue 1: The Jinling Envoy also admired Ruolan
Clue 2: Ruolan played the guqin in Yunhua Tower
Result: The Jiangnan Envoy has gone to Nimbus Tower

How to Complete Shadows in Bloom: Nimbus Tower and Ending

Getting to Nimbus Tower

Leave Revelry Hall and head north to Nimbus Tower on the Kaifeng map. A quick exit route: jump from a window into the water below, then swim to shore and run toward the tower marker. Alternatively, use a nearby Boundary Stone fast travel point if you have one unlocked.

Finding the Envoy and the Combat Encounter

Enter Nimbus Tower, follow the sound of a song, and climb to the upper floor. You’ll find a small room filled with pink smoke from an incense burner — the smoke is making your character dizzy. As you enter, you’ll be ambushed. This is the only combat encounter in Shadows in Bloom and is not especially demanding. Use your standard weapon combos, dodges, and parries to win — no special mechanics required.

After the fight, the attacker is revealed to be the Jiangnan Envoy himself. Now search the room:

1. Find the Yin-Inscribed Booklet on a wooden table near the balcony, next to where a blue fan is mounted
2. Also read the Letter and Floral Paper for additional backstory context (optional but recommended)
3. Burn the Yin-Inscribed Booklet in the incense burner on the other side of the room — this is a required step that many players miss

The Firework Finale with Qin Ruolan

After burning the booklet, the smoke knocks your character unconscious. You wake up to find Qin Ruolan waiting near the balcony. Speak with her — ask every question available (the first three dialogue options unlock additional story context; there is no penalty for exhausting them), then close with “I understand the situation now” to advance. Ruolan explains her connection to the envoy and the Scorched-Tail Guqin, and grants you honored-guest status at the Heroic Assembly.

Finally, accept her invitation and accompany her to the lakeside to watch fireworks. Interact with Qin Ruolan one last time and bid her farewell — Shadows in Bloom is complete.

Tips for Completing Shadows in Bloom Efficiently

• Complete New Guest in Kaifeng and Gathering of Heroes first — both are hard prerequisites that must be done before the quest unlocks
• Unlock Celestial Seize before you start — it’s mandatory for Clue #5 (Fu Rong’s Gift Book). See our Celestial Seize unlock guide
• For the Ling Yuming rhythm challenge on controller, press all displayed buttons simultaneously when notes approach — the game’s lenient timing window makes this far easier than it looks
• For the Gift of Gab debate, use the Yapping card set — it deals heavy pressure and trivializes the encounter
• Don’t forget to burn the Yin-Inscribed Booklet at the incense burner in Nimbus Tower — this is a required step that blocks progress if missed
• Talk to every NPC on all three floors — only the seven listed above give quest clues, but others grant Anecdotes and collectibles worth grabbing
• Always choose easy mode on mini-games if you’re unfamiliar — it has no bearing on rewards or story outcome
• If you’re working through daily activities, check our daily activities checklist to maximize event rewards alongside this quest

Shadows in Bloom Quest — Frequently Asked Questions

Shadows in Bloom: Quest Summary

Shadows in Bloom is one of the more elaborate side quests in Where Winds Meet, blending stealth, mini-games, detective work, and narrative storytelling into a cohesive wuxia evening. The clue-combining puzzle is the most commonly stuck point for players — the game doesn’t clearly explain which clues to pair — but with the combinations above, it’s just a matter of selecting the right pairs. The Blossom Barrage Tome reward also makes this quest particularly valuable for players building around the Vernal Umbrella.

Ready for more Kaifeng adventures? Check out our guides on how to get to Kaifeng, all free outfits and hairstyles, or tackle some dungeon content with our Coppergold Hollow guide.

Now available on PlayStation and PC — go enjoy those fireworks!

For more beginner-friendly tips, don’t miss our complete beginner’s guide and best starting weapons guide.