Penglai has been open since October 29. The date in our previous WWM preview has become a destination for the next few evenings: Three new story and puzzle activities, two Mystic Skills and additional Inkbound Order activities are available.
The next region also has a date: Hutuo arrives on November 13, 2026, alongside the first global anniversary update. Before then, we should check the Battle Pass – its deadline has moved forward by eleven hours. Here is our overview for the global PC version, as of October 30, 2026.
Penglai: A murder mystery, time puzzles and an eerie academy
Penglai adds a second part to Qingzhou. If you are still preparing to enter the region, our version 2.3 overview covers the basic requirements. The new activities take different approaches:
Mount Tai Blizzard: A century-old murder
The new Mount Tai Blizzard Campaign takes us to a snowbound inn. We collect letters, personal belongings and other evidence concerning a murder committed a century ago. The Gong-Note Zither lets us investigate frozen scenes from the past, while the Case Room brings the clues together.
The Beyond the Cycle inscription is a possible reward from repeated clears or available through the Season Shop. That does not guarantee a drop on the first run.
Cast in Currents: Movement changes time
The third Qingzhou Jianghu Legacy uses an unusual puzzle mechanic: Walking forward advances time, while walking backward reverses it. We use this to change the situation and solve spatial puzzles. Rewards include Echo Jade and Medicinal Tales.
Spirit of the Grove: Look closely
In an abandoned academy, bronze mirrors help us spot changes in seemingly endless corridors. Spirit of the Grove focuses on eerie exploration and careful observation.
Our take
Penglai offers three different ways to engage with the surroundings: Combining evidence, changing the flow of time and spotting differences. Players who enjoy exploring Qingzhou now have several specific activities to try.
Unlocking Inkwash Splendor and Dear Sword
Both new Mystic Skills have been available since October 29. Their unlock routes lead to the Essence Retreat in Qingzhou:
| Mystic Skill | How to unlock |
|---|---|
| Inkwash Splendor | A secret manual from Xiao Heyi at the Essence Retreat |
| Dear Sword | Clues at the inscriptions of two old friends at the Essence Retreat |
Inkwash Splendor combines a forward attack with several brush strikes. If the initial attack connects, a follow-up can be triggered within three seconds. Outside combat, we can use it to create custom calligraphy objects.
Dear Sword combines sword attacks and Sword Essence for a finishing attack in solo combat. Eligible non-arena settings add a party function: Participating party members who also have Dear Sword equipped can perform a shared Rapport Combo.
Regular groups therefore have a reason to visit the Essence Retreat together. The described functions alone do not establish which skill is strongest or whether the build meta has changed; reliable damage comparisons are still missing.
Inkbound Order: Mentor rank and shared academy life
The Inkbound Order has also offered additional goals since October 29. The Core Disciple Trial provides a path to Mentor rank. Other activities include scripture recitation, calligraphy, sect competitions and dining hall tasks.
The Dormitory allows us to share a room with up to three friends. Dorm Patrols involve inspecting rooms and finding contraband. Shared cooking is available at three kitchen stations, and enrolled students receive five free meals per week.
These additions give members more reasons to return to the academy regularly. The update details do not yet amount to a complete rank and rewards guide.
Battle Pass and Guild War: Check these times
Scarlet Whispers ends eleven hours earlier
The Scarlet Whispers Battle Pass deadline has moved forward. All times in the following table use CET, or UTC+1, the current time zone in Germany:
| Deadline | Previously | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Scarlet Whispers ends | November 13, 21:59 CET | November 13, 10:59 CET |
The weekly Battle Pass EXP cap now resets on Mondays at 05:00 UTC+8. That corresponds to Sundays at 22:00 CET.
Everstone has also announced a retroactive EXP credit for players on all servers. Individual amounts have not been specified, so this does not promise automatic completion of the pass. Anyone with levels remaining should plan around the earlier deadline.
The patch notes also list fixes for Qinghe Homestead tasks that could not be completed, unusable titles and certain mail rewards.
Guild War: An earlier bug explained, local times need checking
The newly published patch notes explain an issue from October 18: A conflict when merging time-zone code caused Guild War battles to open outside their intended times. European servers and parts of the Americas were affected.
The fix was completed on October 18 itself. Ratings from the erroneous opening period were reset, and affected players received compensation according to the developer.
Separately, server-side event times remain unchanged. The end of daylight saving time on October 25 can nevertheless shift German local start times by an hour. For the next guild session, check the current in-game schedule rather than an older calendar entry.
Hutuo arrives on November 13
Hutuo opens a new story arc on Friday, November 13, alongside the first global anniversary update. The war-torn frontier region centres on the battle at Zhongdu Bridge, with a greater emphasis on military conflict and dramatic decisions.
Three opponents have already been named:
| Opponent | Announced content |
|---|---|
| Xiao Han | A Khitan general with Blood-forged Super Armor in the new Hutuo River Campaign |
| Bingshen | A world boss at Moonveil Knoll |
| Yelu Abuli | Another world boss, described as a Khitan shaman |
Additional combat challenges are confirmed. Exact access requirements and reward tables are still pending.
Our take
The announced Campaign and two world bosses make Hutuo particularly interesting for shared PvE sessions. There is not enough information yet for specific material checklists or equipment recommendations. We can put the date in the calendar without committing to a particular build.
Anniversary, developer broadcast and Dual Spears
Two board game modes have also been announced for the anniversary update on November 13:
- Horse Racing Chess: Characters become playing pieces. Dice rolls move them across a board featuring events and familiar abilities.
- Jianghu Tactics: Assemble groups and coordinate positioning, equipment and synergies.
NetEase promises generous anniversary rewards. Specific contents, quantities and unlock conditions have not been announced. Further information is expected in the First Anniversary Special Broadcast on Monday, November 2. The official YouTube stream is linked, but the supplied information does not include a confirmed broadcast time.
Dual Spears follows its own schedule: The Martial Art, choreographed by action director Yuen Woo-ping, is planned for late November. Light Spears provide fast offensive attacks, while Heavy Spears break enemy stances. A special Dual-Weapon ability switches between the forms and builds Spear Stance for longer combinations.
Dual Spears is therefore not yet confirmed for Hutuo's November 13 launch. Damage multipliers, associated Inner Ways and unlock costs have not been announced.
The overview also mentions new cosmetics for October 29, November 1 and November 8. The supplied research does not establish a new officially documented gift code, a comprehensive new PC balance patch or a confirmed general solution to FPS issues.
Conclusion
Penglai, the two Mystic Skills and the new Inkbound activities are concrete options for the next few evenings. The Battle Pass deadline to remember is November 13 at 10:59 CET. Hutuo provides the next major story date, with further anniversary details expected first in the November 2 broadcast.
Sources
- Where Winds Meet – October 28 developer letter
- Where Winds Meet – October 29 update overview
- Where Guilds Meet – October 29 update overview
- Where Winds Meet – October 29 patch notes
- NetEase and Everstone – Hutuo and the anniversary update
- PlayStation Blog – Hutuo and Dual Spears
- Where Winds Meet – First Anniversary Special Broadcast