Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 Sword Seeker Chronicles Guide: How to Get the Free Cauldron of Clarity W-Engine

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The epic saga of Season 2 in Zenless Zone Zero may have reached its dramatic conclusion, but for Proxies chasing power, lore, and limited-time rewards, the journey is far from over. Following the climactic finale of “To Be Fuel for the Night,” Version 2.5 introduces one of its most ambitious side events yet—Sword Seeker Chronicles.

This event isn’t just another combat grind. It’s a self-contained sandbox adventure set within the legendary Qingming Sword, blending exploration, lore-driven challenges, and escalating difficulty. Best of all, completing it rewards every eligible player with a free A-Rank W-Engine, Cauldron of Clarity, along with upgrade materials, Polychrome, cosmetics, and exclusive achievements.

If you’re wondering how to unlock the event, how it works, or how to claim every reward before it expires, this guide breaks it all down step by step.

๐Ÿ—“️ Event Basics: Unlock Requirements, Dates, and Story Context

Before entering the Qingming Realm, make sure you meet the following conditions.

Event Period

  • December 31, 2025 (10:00 AM Server Time)

  • February 5, 2026 (3:59 AM Server Time)

You have just over a month to complete all objectives and secure the limited-time rewards.

How to Unlock Sword Seeker Chronicles

You must:

  • Reach Inter-Knot Level 20

  • Complete Main Story Chapter 1 – Intermission

  • Unlock and access Failume Heights (introduced in Version 2.0)

Story Placement

Sword Seeker Chronicles serves as an epilogue-style narrative following Version 2.5’s Chapter 6, “To Be Fuel for the Night.” While you can technically play the event without finishing the main chapter, doing so first is highly recommended to fully appreciate the story beats and character motivations.

๐ŸŽฎ How Sword Seeker Chronicles Works: A Sandbox-Style Event

Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 Sword Seeker Chronicles Guide

Unlike traditional ZZZ events, Sword Seeker Chronicles uses a sandbox exploration format.

You’ll enter the Qingming Realm, a contained world housed within the Qingming Sword itself. Throughout the event:

  • You primarily control a trial version of Ye Shunguang (S-Rank)

  • Select combat sections also allow you to test the free S-Rank Zhao

Progression revolves around two core systems:

Qingming Sword Abilities

By completing trials, you unlock unique combat and traversal techniques for Ye Shunguang—such as Swift Strike—which are essential for:

  • Reaching hidden areas

  • Clearing advanced combat encounters

  • Completing collectible-related achievements

Sword Will Resonance

This event-exclusive buff system enhances Ye Shunguang’s performance inside the realm. Activating Resonance effects dramatically increases survivability and damage, especially in late-game challenges.

Your main objectives include:

  • Completing combat and exploration trials

  • Collecting Sword Memories

  • Unlocking lore entries and notes

  • Facing the event’s ultimate challenge: the Nightmare Gauntlet

๐Ÿ† Complete Reward Breakdown: Everything You Can Earn

Sword Seeker Chronicles is one of the most rewarding Version 2.5 events to date.

Event Rewards Overview

Headline Reward

  • Cauldron of Clarity (A-Rank W-Engine)

  • Exclusive enhancement materials
    Earned by completing limited-time reward missions

Premium Currency

  • Polychrome
    Awarded for mission completion, stage clears, and achievements

Upgrade Materials

  • W-Engine Energy Modules

  • Original Chips

  • Denny

  • Hamster Cage Passes

Exclusive Cosmetics

  • Earrings for Belle and Wise (Suibian Temple outfits)

  • Special event title

Achievements

  • 5 unique achievements, including:

    • Qingming Vagrant

    • Truth in Ink

  • Grants bonus Polychrome and completion prestige

⚔️ Is the Cauldron of Clarity W-Engine Worth It?

Yes—absolutely.

Cauldron of Clarity is a powerful A-Rank Rupture-type W-Engine with a highly flexible passive that:

  • Boosts overall damage output

  • Increases Critical Rate

  • Synergizes well with both Attack and Anomaly agents

For new players, it’s an excellent early-to-mid game weapon. For veterans, it’s a strong free option that fills multiple team compositions without needing banner investment.

๐Ÿ’Ž Pro Tips for Efficient Event Completion

To avoid wasted time and missed rewards, keep these strategies in mind:

Focus on Limited-Time Missions First

These missions directly unlock:

  • The Cauldron of Clarity

  • Its enhancement materials

  • The bulk of event rewards

Unlock Sword Abilities Early

Rush the early trials to unlock Ye Shunguang’s Qingming Sword techniques. Many exploration paths and collectibles are inaccessible without them.

Explore Every Corner

Sword Memories and Yijiang’s notes are hidden throughout the realm. Collecting them all is required for:

  • Multiple achievements

  • Additional Polychrome

  • Deeper lore insights

Prepare for the Nightmare Gauntlet

This is the toughest challenge in the event. Before attempting it:

  • Activate multiple Sword Will Resonance buffs

  • Familiarize yourself with Ye Shunguang’s kit
    Clearing this mode unlocks “The Sword Keeper’s Full Power!” achievement.

Mind the Deadline

After February 5, 2026, the story will move to the Ridu Chronicles archive, but:

  • The W-Engine

  • Materials

  • Cosmetics

  • Titles
    will be permanently unavailable

✅ Sword Seeker Chronicles Completion Checklist

Use this quick checklist to stay on track:

  • ✔ Reach Inter-Knot Level 20

  • ✔ Complete Chapter 1 – Intermission

  • ✔ Enter the Qingming Realm via Suibian Temple in Failume Heights

  • ✔ Unlock Ye Shunguang’s Qingming Sword abilities

  • ✔ Clear all Limited-Time Reward Missions

  • ✔ Obtain Cauldron of Clarity

  • ✔ Find all Sword Memories and notes

  • ✔ Activate Sword Will Resonance buffs

  • ✔ Defeat the Nightmare Gauntlet

Final Thoughts

Sword Seeker Chronicles is more than just a side event—it’s a polished blend of lore, challenge, and meaningful rewards. It deepens the mythology of the Qingming Sword, gives players hands-on time with Ye Shunguang’s combat style, and offers one of the best free W-Engines available in Version 2.5.

If you want a powerful weapon, valuable Polychrome, and a memorable post-season experience, don’t put this off. Step into the Qingming Realm and claim everything before the event disappears on February 5, 2026.                   

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