Updated October 30, 2026
The Apprentice Healer side quest in Phantom Blade Zero requires you to collect three medicinal herbs for Yu'er in Weeping Creek Valley. Finding the first herb is relatively straightforward, but reaching the other two involves a locked gate, a hidden cave, and two different keys.
If Congealeaf or Blemish Goldweed appears on your map but you cannot reach it, you may be missing the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key, the Rusted Loong Key, or the traversal ability needed to access the correct route.
This guide covers all three herb locations, how to unlock both routes, where to return the ingredients, and how to obtain the Medicine Case before the quest becomes unavailable.
📋 Table of Contents
- How to Start Apprentice Healer
- Unlock the Hidden Valley First
- Blood-Stopper Vine Location
- Congealeaf Location
- Blemish Goldweed Location
- Sha-Chi Tower Key vs. Rusted Loong Key
- Herb Locations Unreachable? Fixes to Try
- Medicine Case Reward
- When Does Apprentice Healer Become Missable?
- The Healer's Legacy Trophy
- Final Apprentice Healer Checklist
- Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Answer: All 3 Apprentice Healer Herb Locations
To complete Apprentice Healer, collect these three herbs:
| Herb | Location | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Blood-Stopper Vine | River below the bridge near Axemaster's Holding Cell | Access to the lower river |
| Congealeaf | East of Long Pillar Overlook, opposite a locked cave | Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key |
| Blemish Goldweed | Northwest of Weeping Creek Long Pillar, near the dragon statue | Rusted Loong Key cave route |
Once you have all three herbs, return to Yu'er beside the Forge at the Outpost.
Completing the quest rewards the Medicine Case, a defensive accessory that increases healing from Medicine by 20%.
Missable warning: Finish Apprentice Healer before advancing through the Thieves' Camp Crane Bell sequence or confronting Jing Ye, the Outlaw. Do not leave the herb hand-in until after progressing into Crimson Forest.
How to Start Apprentice Healer
To begin Apprentice Healer, progress through Weeping Creek Valley until you defeat Peng Meng, the Axemaster.
After the encounter, travel to the Outpost Bell.
Find Yu'er beside the Forge and speak to her.
Choose the Gather Herbs dialogue option to accept her request.
Yu'er needs three medicinal plants:
- Blood-Stopper Vine
- Congealeaf
- Blemish Goldweed
You can collect the herbs as you explore, but make sure you return to Yu'er and finish the hand-in before advancing through the relevant story cutoff.
Do you need to complete Flesh Lily first?
No. Apprentice Healer and Flesh Lily are separate Yu'er-related quests.
You do not need to finish Flesh Lily before beginning the herb collection.
However, both quests have progression-related deadlines, so it is worth completing their available objectives before moving too far into the story.
Unlock the Hidden Valley First
One of the biggest obstacles in Apprentice Healer is reaching Congealeaf and Blemish Goldweed.
Both herbs are located along routes connected to the optional area beyond Creek Valley Plains Entrance.
If their map markers are visible but the paths seem inaccessible, check whether you have unlocked the valley.
Step 1: Obtain Hunter's Chain Sickle
Continue the Weeping Creek Valley story until you obtain the Hunter's Chain Sickle during the progression involving The Hunt, Sixfold Scythe.
The weapon provides a traversal ability that lets you grapple to distant points.
Once obtained, this traversal function remains available even when the weapon is not equipped.
You will need it to reach the upper rooftop route near Sha-Chi Tower.
Step 2: Find the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key
Travel to Valley Sha-Chi Tower Summit.
Look for the upper rooftop route that requires Hunter's Chain Sickle.
Use the available grapple points to reach the rooftop and collect the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key.
This key opens the gate leading toward the optional valley.
Step 3: Unlock Creek Valley Plains Entrance
Return to Creek Valley Plains Entrance.
Find the locked gate and use the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key to open it.
You can now continue toward Long Pillar Overlook and the routes containing Congealeaf and Blemish Goldweed.
Important: Hunter's Chain Sickle helps you reach the gate key. The gate key itself opens Creek Valley Plains. These are two separate requirements.
Blood-Stopper Vine Location
Nearest Bell: Axemaster's Holding Cell
Blood-Stopper Vine is found in the river beneath the bridge near Axemaster's Holding Cell.
You do not need either of the two keys to collect this herb.
How to find Blood-Stopper Vine
- Travel to Axemaster's Holding Cell Bell.
- Head toward the nearby bridge leading toward Creek Valley Plains Entrance.
- Look for a safe route down into the gorge.
- Descend to the lower river level.
- Clear any enemies blocking the area.
- Search near the water for the glowing collectible.
- Pick it up to obtain Blood-Stopper Vine.
The important landmark is the river below the bridge.
If you are searching along the upper road, you may be standing above the herb without realizing it.
Next step: Continue toward Sha-Chi Tower and unlock Creek Valley Plains to reach Congealeaf.
Congealeaf Location
Nearest Bell: Long Pillar Overlook
Required access: Creek Valley Plains Entrance
Congealeaf is found east of Long Pillar Overlook, beside a large rock formation opposite a locked cave.
The cave requires the Rusted Loong Key, but you do not need to open it to collect Congealeaf.
How to find Congealeaf
- Unlock Creek Valley Plains Entrance using the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key.
- Continue toward Long Pillar Overlook Bell.
- From the Bell, follow the main road east.
- Pass the watchtower.
- Stay on the elevated route instead of dropping into the lower valley.
- Use the wall-run section to continue along the upper path.
- Look for the large rocks opposite the locked cave entrance.
- Collect Congealeaf beside the rocks.
Congealeaf appears as a pale, broad-leaved plant that can be collected as a story item.
Congealeaf marker visible but unreachable?
The most likely problem is approaching from the wrong elevation.
If you are below the marker, return toward Long Pillar Overlook and follow the upper path.
Stay on the elevated route after passing the watchtower.
You do not need the Rusted Loong Key to pick up Congealeaf. That key is required for the cave leading toward the next herb.
Next step: Collect the Rusted Loong Key and open the cave opposite Congealeaf.
Blemish Goldweed Location
Nearest Bell: Weeping Creek Long Pillar
Required key: Rusted Loong Key
Blemish Goldweed is found northwest of Weeping Creek Long Pillar, along the route beyond the massive dragon statue.
If you have not reached this Long Pillar yet, you must first unlock the cave near Congealeaf.
Step 1: Find the Rusted Loong Key
Travel to Long Pillar Overlook Bell.
Search the nearby building and chest for the Rusted Loong Key.
This key is different from the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key.
The Sha-Chi Tower key opens the valley entrance, while the Rusted Loong Key opens the cave toward Weeping Creek Long Pillar.
Step 2: Open the locked cave
From Long Pillar Overlook, follow the main route east toward the cave entrance near Congealeaf.
Use the Rusted Loong Key to unlock the cave.
Continue through the cave route until you reach Weeping Creek Long Pillar.
If you have already unlocked this Long Pillar, you can fast travel directly to it instead of repeating the cave route.
Step 3: Collect Blemish Goldweed
From Weeping Creek Long Pillar:
- Locate the massive dragon statue.
- Take the path heading northwest.
- Continue away from the statue.
- Check the right side of the path a short distance ahead.
- Search near the riverbank for the glowing medicinal plant.
- Collect Blemish Goldweed.
The most useful landmarks are the dragon statue, the northwest path, and the right side of the route near the water.
If you are searching around the statue without finding the herb, follow the path farther northwest before checking the riverbank again.
Next step: Return to Yu'er at the Outpost and hand over all three herbs.
Sha-Chi Tower Gate Key vs. Rusted Loong Key
These two keys are easy to confuse because both are used while exploring the route toward the final herbs.
However, they unlock different locations.
| Key | Where to find it | What it unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key | Upper rooftop route near Valley Sha-Chi Tower Summit | Gate at Creek Valley Plains Entrance |
| Rusted Loong Key | Chest in the Long Pillar Overlook area | Cave leading toward Weeping Creek Long Pillar |
Which key do you need for Congealeaf?
You need the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key to reach the optional valley containing Congealeaf.
Once you reach the correct elevated path, you can collect the herb without opening the Rusted Loong Key cave.
Which key do you need for Blemish Goldweed?
You need the Rusted Loong Key to open the cave route toward Weeping Creek Long Pillar.
If you have already unlocked the Long Pillar, you can fast travel there and collect Blemish Goldweed without repeating the cave route.
Herb Locations Unreachable? Fixes to Try
If a herb marker appears on your map but you cannot reach the item, check the following progression requirements.
1. Creek Valley Plains gate is locked
Likely cause: You are missing the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key.
What to do:
- Progress until you obtain Hunter's Chain Sickle.
- Return to Valley Sha-Chi Tower Summit.
- Use the traversal ability to reach the upper rooftop.
- Collect the gate key.
- Return to Creek Valley Plains Entrance and unlock the gate.
A locked gate does not automatically mean Apprentice Healer has failed.
2. You cannot reach the Sha-Chi Tower rooftop
Likely cause: You have not obtained the required traversal ability or are approaching from the wrong route.
What to do:
- Check whether you have acquired Hunter's Chain Sickle.
- Look for grapple points along the upper route near the Summit.
- Once obtained, the traversal ability works even when the weapon is not equipped.
3. Congealeaf appears on the map but is missing
Likely cause: You are on the lower path instead of the elevated route.
What to do:
- Return to Long Pillar Overlook and follow the main road east.
- After the watchtower, stay on the upper route and use the wall-run section.
- Search beside the large rocks opposite the Rusted Loong Key cave.
4. The cave near Congealeaf will not open
Likely cause: You are missing the Rusted Loong Key.
What to do:
- Return to the Long Pillar Overlook area and check the nearby chest.
- Once you have the key, return to the cave entrance opposite Congealeaf and unlock it.
5. Blemish Goldweed is still missing
Likely cause: You are searching the wrong side of Weeping Creek Long Pillar.
What to do:
- Start at the Long Pillar and locate the massive dragon statue.
- Follow the path northwest and inspect the right side of the route near the river.
- Do not search only around the statue itself.
6. Quest direction or map guidance is confusing
If you are playing on PS5 and cannot get the quest-direction feature to work, check the touchpad controls.
Our Phantom Blade Zero Quest Direction Not Working? PS5 Touchpad Swipe Fix guide explains how to use the directional guidance feature.
Medicine Case Reward
After collecting Blood-Stopper Vine, Congealeaf, and Blemish Goldweed, return to Outpost Bell.
Find Yu'er beside the Forge and speak to her.
Hand over all three medicinal herbs to complete Apprentice Healer.
What does the Medicine Case do?
The main reward is the Medicine Case, a defensive accessory with the following effect:
Increases healing from Medicine by 20%.
This makes Medicine restore more health while the accessory's effect is active.
It is especially useful for players who want additional survivability during difficult boss encounters.
Is the Medicine Case worth getting?
Yes.
A 20% increase to healing is a straightforward defensive benefit that can help throughout the game.
Because the quest has a progression cutoff, it is worth collecting the reward early rather than leaving the herb hand-in until later.
Important: Simply collecting the three herbs does not complete Apprentice Healer. You must return to Yu'er and finish the dialogue.
When Does Apprentice Healer Become Missable?
Apprentice Healer has an important cutoff tied to early story progression.
For the safest playthrough, complete the quest before advancing through the Thieves' Camp Crane Bell sequence or confronting Jing Ye, the Outlaw.
Do not rely on being able to finish the herb collection after moving into the later Crimson Forest story.
What happens if you defeat Jing Ye first?
If Apprentice Healer remains unfinished when you pass the relevant story cutoff, the Tale can fail.
That means you may lose access to the Medicine Case reward during the current playthrough.
The safest approach is to complete the entire quest before advancing beyond Weeping Creek Valley.
Apprentice Healer failed: Can you fix it?
If the quest is marked failed in your journal:
- Check whether you have an earlier manual save.
- Load a save from before the relevant story progression, if available.
- Collect any missing herbs.
- Return to Yu'er.
- Hand over all three herbs.
- Confirm that you received the Medicine Case.
If you do not have a suitable earlier save, another playthrough may be required.
Returning to the Outpost alone does not guarantee that a failed Tale will reactivate.
For additional progression warnings, see our Phantom Blade Zero Missable Quests: Boss Cutoffs & Checklist.
The Healer's Legacy Trophy
Apprentice Healer is one of the Yu'er-related Tales required for The Healer's Legacy trophy or achievement.
The three relevant Tales are:
- Apprentice Healer
- Flesh Lily
- A Healer's Mercy
These quests have separate objectives and progression deadlines.
Completing Apprentice Healer does not automatically complete Flesh Lily or A Healer's Mercy.
What should you complete next?
After finishing Apprentice Healer, continue checking Yu'er's available dialogue and related quests as you progress through the story.
Before defeating Bai Chilian, make sure you have completed the Flesh Lily hand-in and helped the four injured thieves involved in A Healer's Mercy.
Our Phantom Blade Zero Bai Chilian: 4 Missable Quests to Finish Before the Boss guide covers the additional quests and interactions to complete before that encounter.
Final Apprentice Healer Checklist
Before progressing into Crimson Forest, confirm the following:
- ☐ Speak to Yu'er at the Outpost and accept Apprentice Healer.
- ☐ Collect Blood-Stopper Vine below the bridge near Axemaster's Holding Cell.
- ☐ Obtain Hunter's Chain Sickle.
- ☐ Collect the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key.
- ☐ Unlock Creek Valley Plains Entrance.
- ☐ Collect Congealeaf near Long Pillar Overlook.
- ☐ Find the Rusted Loong Key.
- ☐ Open the cave leading toward Weeping Creek Long Pillar.
- ☐ Collect Blemish Goldweed northwest of the dragon statue.
- ☐ Return all three herbs to Yu'er.
- ☐ Obtain the Medicine Case.
- ☐ Confirm that Apprentice Healer is complete before advancing through the relevant story cutoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I start Apprentice Healer in Phantom Blade Zero?
You can start Apprentice Healer by speaking to Yu'er at the Outpost in Weeping Creek Valley after defeating Peng Meng, the Axemaster. Find her beside the Forge and select the Gather Herbs dialogue option.
Where are all three Apprentice Healer herbs?
Blood-Stopper Vine is found in the river below the bridge near Axemaster's Holding Cell. Congealeaf is east of Long Pillar Overlook, opposite the Rusted Loong Key cave. Blemish Goldweed is northwest of Weeping Creek Long Pillar, along the path beyond the dragon statue.
Why can't I reach Congealeaf?
You may need to unlock Creek Valley Plains Entrance using the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key. Once inside the optional valley, follow the elevated route east of Long Pillar Overlook. Stay on the upper path after the watchtower instead of dropping into the lower area.
Where is the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key?
The key is found along the upper rooftop route near Valley Sha-Chi Tower Summit. You need Hunter's Chain Sickle to reach the relevant traversal points. The key opens the gate at Creek Valley Plains Entrance.
What does the Rusted Loong Key unlock?
The Rusted Loong Key opens the cave near Congealeaf, allowing access toward Weeping Creek Long Pillar. You can find the key in a chest in the Long Pillar Overlook area.
Can I complete Apprentice Healer after defeating Jing Ye?
Do not rely on being able to finish it afterward. Complete the herb hand-in before advancing through the Thieves' Camp Crane Bell sequence or confronting Jing Ye, the Outlaw. If you have already progressed, check whether Apprentice Healer remains active in your journal before assuming it has permanently failed.
What does the Medicine Case do?
The Medicine Case increases healing from Medicine by 20%. You receive it after returning all three medicinal herbs to Yu'er and completing Apprentice Healer.
Do I need to complete Flesh Lily before Apprentice Healer?
No. Flesh Lily and Apprentice Healer are separate quests involving Yu'er. You can complete Apprentice Healer without first finishing Flesh Lily, although both are important for The Healer's Legacy trophy.
Final Thoughts
Apprentice Healer is worth completing early because its reward, the Medicine Case, increases healing from Medicine by 20%.
The main challenge is reaching the last two herbs. Remember that the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key unlocks Creek Valley Plains, while the Rusted Loong Key opens the cave leading toward Weeping Creek Long Pillar.
Once you have all three herbs, return to Yu'er and finish the hand-in before progressing through the Thieves' Camp Crane Bell sequence or fighting Jing Ye. This gives you the safest opportunity to claim the reward without risking the quest's cutoff.
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