Updated October 30, 2026
Spoiler warning: This guide discusses late-game locations, optional bosses, and the requirements for unlocking the True Ending. Major story revelations are kept to a minimum.
Trying to unlock the True Ending in Phantom Blade Zero? One of the most important things to know is that you must complete 10 purple-icon quests before entering Mirage Estate. If you progress beyond that checkpoint with required quests unfinished, you may lose access to the True Ending in your current playthrough.
However, completing those quests is only part of the process. You also need to finish Bloodline Awakening, clear five Long Pillar challenges, and meet the additional endgame requirements.
This guide explains which purple quests matter, where to find them, how their objectives connect, what the Mirage Estate warning means, and what to check before the final boss.
📋 Table of Contents
- Quick Answer: How to Unlock the True Ending
- All 10 Purple Quests Checklist
- Where to Find the 10 Required Quests
- Three Complicated Quests & Dependencies
- Mirage Estate Warning Explained
- Bloodline Awakening: All Five Long Pillars
- Zhu Yuan and Bi Feng: Optional Bosses
- The Last Chance Bell: Is It Safe?
- Normal Ending vs. True Ending
- Missed a Purple Quest? Recovery Options
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final True Ending Checklist
Quick Answer: How to Unlock the True Ending
To unlock the True Ending in Phantom Blade Zero:
- Complete all 10 required purple-icon quests before entering Mirage Estate through the Green Serpent House in Pangzhen.
- Progress through Mirage Estate and continue the story.
- Complete Bloodline Awakening by clearing all five Long Pillar challenges.
- Defeat the required optional blade masters, Zhu Yuan and Commander Bi Feng.
- Continue toward the final boss after confirming the requirements in your Journal.
Important: The warning at The Last Chance Bell can appear even when you've completed everything needed for the True Ending. It does not automatically mean you've missed a quest.
The safest approach is to complete the purple-quest checklist, preserve a separate manual save before Mirage Estate, and review your progress again before the final boss.
All 10 Purple Quests Checklist
Before entering Mirage Estate, open the Story menu and check the purple-icon quests.
You need to complete the following ten Mysteries:
- ☐ Deep in the Valley
- ☐ Illusion of Inanis
- ☐ Sha-Chi Powered Boat
- ☐ Allure of Vanity
- ☐ Illusory Pipa
- ☐ Pillars of Kunlun
- ☐ Whence the Weeping
- ☐ The Herald's Illusion
- ☐ Crimson Manor
- ☐ Secrets at the Heart of the Lake
Do not treat this as a strict completion order. Some of these quests involve multiple regions, optional encounters, or objectives that overlap with other Mysteries.
The important requirement is that all ten are completed before you cross the Mirage Estate checkpoint.
How to Check Your Progress
- Open the Story menu.
- Find the purple-icon Mystery entries.
- Review the progress of each required quest.
- Return to any unfinished objectives before continuing the main story.
- Make a separate manual save after completing the checklist.
A quest being discovered or added to your Journal does not necessarily mean it is completed.
Where to Find the 10 Required Purple Quests
The ten quests are spread across several regions. Some can be finished relatively early, while others require access to later locations or the completion of related objectives.
1. Deep in the Valley — Weeping Creek Valley
Region: Weeping Creek Valley
Deep in the Valley is one of the purple Mysteries associated with Weeping Creek Valley.
Explore the region and follow the Mystery objectives shown in your Story menu.
Before leaving the area for later story progression, check whether this quest still has outstanding objectives.
Completion check: Deep in the Valley should appear as completed in your Journal before entering Mirage Estate.
2. Illusion of Inanis — Crimson Forest
Region: Crimson Forest
Illusion of Inanis is connected to the Crimson Forest region.
Follow its Mystery objectives and complete the associated encounters and interactions before the Mirage Estate checkpoint.
If you're also clearing Crimson Forest's optional content, remember that the region contains an earlier missable-quest cutoff involving Bai Chilian.
Our Phantom Blade Zero Bai Chilian: 4 Missable Quests to Finish Before the Boss guide explains the separate Tales you should finish before that encounter.
Completion check: Make sure Illusion of Inanis is completed, rather than merely discovered.
3. Sha-Chi Powered Boat — Pangzhen
Region: Pangzhen
Sha-Chi Powered Boat is a purple Mystery associated with Pangzhen.
Follow the quest objectives involving the boat and its related progression requirements.
Because Pangzhen also contains important late-game story routes, check your remaining purple quests before advancing toward the Green Serpent House and Mirage Estate.
Completion check: Confirm that Sha-Chi Powered Boat is completed in the Story menu.
4. Allure of Vanity — Meigu Lake
Region: Meigu Lake
Allure of Vanity is a required purple Mystery associated with Meigu Lake.
Explore the region, follow the quest objectives, and complete the associated interactions.
Meigu Lake also contains objectives connected to other required Mysteries, so you may find it useful to review several purple quests while exploring the area.
Completion check: Allure of Vanity must be completed before Mirage Estate.
5. Illusory Pipa — Multiple Regions
Regions: Village of Lu, Mandate Encampment, Meigu Lake, and Pangzhen
Illusory Pipa requires you to collect three parts of a musical instrument and return them to Myst.
The required pieces are:
- Illusory Pipa Head
- Illusory Pipa Backplate
- Illusory Pipa Strings
The Head is associated with Dusk, the Puppeteer. The Backplate is found through Mandate Encampment progression, and the Strings are connected to Yan Qiansui.
After collecting the parts, return to Myst in Pangzhen to repair the instrument.
The repaired Pipa is important for removing the mist barrier blocking the route toward the Mountain of Imprisonment.
Completion check: Do not stop after collecting the three components. Finish the repair and related quest interaction.
A more detailed breakdown of the three parts appears later in this guide.
6. Pillars of Kunlun — Multiple Regions
Regions: Village of Lu, Mandate Encampment, Mountain of Imprisonment, and Meigu Lake
Pillars of Kunlun is a multi-region Mystery involving the Kunlun Pillars and their history.
The quest connects to progression through the Mountain of Imprisonment, including the encounter with Huangxing and the Flying Guillotine Phantom Edge.
After obtaining the Flying Guillotine, use it where required to interact with the Lady's statue mechanism and continue the associated progression.
Important: Pillars of Kunlun is not the same quest as Bloodline Awakening.
The five Long Pillar challenges required for Bloodline Awakening are covered separately below.
7. Whence the Weeping — Multiple Regions
Region: Multiple areas
Whence the Weeping is another required purple Mystery that spans more than one location.
Follow its objectives as you progress through the game, and revisit the Story menu whenever a new stage becomes available.
Because the quest extends across multiple areas, avoid assuming it is complete after finishing an early encounter or conversation.
Completion check: Confirm the entire Mystery is completed before entering Mirage Estate.
8. The Herald's Illusion — Multiple Regions
Region: Multiple areas
The Herald's Illusion is one of the required Mysteries and also connects to the broader quest progression involving Crystal Eyeballs.
One of its important associated items is the Crystal Eyeball [Yin], which is relevant to Secrets at the Heart of the Lake.
Complete the Mystery and collect its required items before progressing beyond Mirage Estate.
9. Crimson Manor — Weeping Creek Valley
Region: Weeping Creek Valley
Crimson Manor is another required purple Mystery.
It also connects to Secrets at the Heart of the Lake through the Crystal Eyeball [Yang].
Complete Crimson Manor and secure its associated quest item before attempting to finish the lake-related Mystery.
Completion check: Make sure Crimson Manor is marked as completed.
10. Secrets at the Heart of the Lake — Multiple Regions
Region: Multiple areas, including Meigu Lake
Secrets at the Heart of the Lake is one of the more complicated purple Mysteries because it involves several items and related questlines.
Important objectives include:
- Firefly's Memory Flowers
- Dusk, the Puppeteer
- Four Acolyte masks
- Crystal Eyeball [Yin]
- Crystal Eyeball [Yang]
- Puppet No. 99
- The underwater ritual at the Heart of the Lake
Some of these objectives connect to other required Mysteries.
For example, the Crystal Eyeballs are associated with The Herald's Illusion and Crimson Manor.
Completion check: Do not assume that collecting the required items is enough. Continue through the lake-related objectives until the entire Mystery is completed.
Three Complicated Quests and Their Dependencies
Three of the ten Mysteries deserve special attention because they involve multiple regions or important progression items.
Secrets at the Heart of the Lake: Important Requirements
Secrets at the Heart of the Lake involves several interconnected objectives.
You should pay particular attention to:
| Objective | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Firefly's Memory Flowers | Connected to reaching Dusk |
| Dusk, the Puppeteer | Associated with the Illusory Pipa Head |
| Four Acolyte masks | Needed for the Forbidden Ruins progression |
| Crystal Eyeball [Yin] | Associated with The Herald's Illusion |
| Crystal Eyeball [Yang] | Associated with Crimson Manor |
| Puppet No. 99 | Requires the Crystal Eyeballs |
| Heart of the Lake ritual | Part of the final Mystery objectives |
The four Acolytes are Yanru, Guhe, Lei Ting, and Hansui.
Their masks are associated with talisman-marked scarecrows found across different regions.
Once you have the necessary items, continue the Forbidden Ruins and Puppet No. 99 objectives before proceeding toward the final underwater ritual.
Tip: If the lake quest seems to have stopped progressing, check whether one of its related Mysteries or required items is still incomplete.
Illusory Pipa: All Three Parts and Locations
Illusory Pipa is especially important because the repaired instrument is needed to clear the mist barrier toward the Mountain of Imprisonment.
| Pipa component | Where to obtain it |
|---|---|
| Head | Dusk, the Puppeteer — Temple of Blue Fireflies route |
| Backplate | Mandate Encampment — area beyond Yubi, No. 21 Swordfighter Puppet |
| Strings | Yan Qiansui, the Zither Maiden — sunken opera house in southern Meigu Lake |
After obtaining all three parts:
- Travel to Pangzhen.
- Find Myst in the secret underground tavern.
- Give her the three Illusory Pipa components.
- Complete the instrument repair.
- Return to the mist barrier and use the repaired Pipa to open the route.
Myst's tavern is accessed through a hidden passage near the Huang Manor Crossroads area.
If you cannot reach one of the components, check whether you have completed the earlier regional objectives needed to access its location.
Pillars of Kunlun vs. Bloodline Awakening
These two questlines are easy to confuse because both involve pillars.
Pillars of Kunlun is one of the ten required purple Mysteries.
It involves Kunlun-related history, Mountain of Imprisonment progression, and the Flying Guillotine.
Bloodline Awakening, on the other hand, is a separate requirement involving five Long Pillar challenges.
Completing one does not automatically mean you've completed the other.
Before Mirage Estate, check that Pillars of Kunlun is completed alongside the other nine purple quests.
You can then address Bloodline Awakening as part of the later True Ending requirements.
Mirage Estate Warning: What Happens If You Proceed?
Mirage Estate is the most important early point of no return for the True Ending requirements.
Where Is the Mirage Estate Point of No Return?
The relevant story progression occurs when you enter Mirage Estate through the Green Serpent House in Pangzhen during The Four Serpent Houses.
Before entering, check that all ten required purple Mysteries are completed.
Can You Still Finish Purple Quests After Entering?
You should not rely on being able to complete missing True Ending requirements after crossing this checkpoint.
The safest approach is to treat entering Mirage Estate as the deadline for finishing all ten purple quests.
If the game warns you about unfinished quests, return to your Journal and resolve them before proceeding.
What Should You Check Before Entering?
Before entering Mirage Estate:
- Open the Story menu.
- Confirm that all ten purple Mysteries are completed.
- Check for any unfinished quest interactions.
- Create a separate manual save.
- Proceed only after reviewing your checklist.
Important: This checkpoint concerns True Ending eligibility. It should not be interpreted as proof that every earlier region becomes permanently inaccessible.
Bloodline Awakening: All Five Long Pillars
Bloodline Awakening is another important requirement for the True Ending.
Unlike the ten purple quests, this requirement can be completed later in the story.
To complete it, you must clear five Long Pillar challenges.
All Five Long Pillar Locations
| Long Pillar | Region |
|---|---|
| 1 | Weeping Creek Valley |
| 2 | Crimson Forest |
| 3 | Eastern Meigu Lake |
| 4 | Phantom Illusionist Ruins, Meigu Lake |
| 5 | Pangzhen |
Travel to each location and complete its associated Long Pillar challenge.
After clearing all five, check your Journal to confirm that Bloodline Awakening is completed.
The related Phantom and Blade achievement is another useful indication that you've finished the required challenges.
Do You Need Bloodline Awakening Before Mirage Estate?
No. The ten purple Mysteries are the priority before Mirage Estate.
Bloodline Awakening is a separate requirement that you can complete afterward, before finishing the game.
However, completing it earlier where possible can reduce the number of objectives left before the final boss.
Zhu Yuan and Bi Feng: Optional Boss Requirements
In addition to the ten purple quests and Bloodline Awakening, the True Ending route involves optional blade-master encounters.
The two important names to check are:
- Zhu Yuan
- Commander Bi Feng
Complete their associated encounters before proceeding to the final boss sequence.
Because these bosses are tied to optional progression, do not assume that simply reaching the end of the main story means you've satisfied every True Ending condition.
What If One of the Bosses Is Missing?
If you cannot find an expected encounter:
- Check whether the related region is accessible.
- Review your unfinished Mysteries and optional objectives.
- Confirm that you have completed the necessary progression steps.
- Avoid entering the final boss sequence until you've resolved the missing encounter.
If you're preparing your equipment for difficult optional fights, our Phantom Blade Zero weapon upgrade refund guide explains how to recover materials from previous weapon upgrades.
The Last Chance Bell: Is It Safe to Proceed?
The Last Chance Bell is another major warning point near the end of the game.
It appears at Mount Soulrend before the final boss sequence.
Why Does the Warning Still Appear?
The Last Chance Bell warning can appear even when you've already completed the True Ending requirements.
The warning is not necessarily telling you that a purple quest is missing.
Instead, it alerts you that continuing will commit you to the final sequence.
What Happens After Continuing?
Once you proceed into the final boss sequence, you cannot freely leave until the ending sequence is completed.
That makes this a good time to review your remaining quests, equipment, and save files.
Final Checks Before Proceeding
Before continuing from The Last Chance Bell:
- Confirm all ten purple Mysteries were completed before Mirage Estate.
- Confirm Bloodline Awakening is completed.
- Check the required optional boss encounters.
- Review your Journal for unfinished objectives.
- Preserve a separate manual save if available.
If everything is complete, the warning alone should not be treated as evidence that the True Ending is locked.
Normal Ending vs. True Ending
Phantom Blade Zero has two main endings: Normal Ending and True Ending.
| Requirement | Normal Ending | True Ending |
|---|---|---|
| Progress through the main story | Required | Required |
| Complete all ten purple Mysteries | Not required | Required |
| Complete Bloodline Awakening | Not required | Required |
| Finish additional blade-master encounters | Not required | Required |
| Meet the special ending conditions | No | Yes |
What Makes the True Ending Different?
The True Ending requires additional preparation and quest completion before reaching the end of the story.
It is not simply a different dialogue choice offered at the final moment.
Completing the necessary objectives unlocks the additional ending route and the associated With Heart and Blood achievement.
Can You Get Both Endings?
The Normal and True Endings are separate outcomes.
If you're aiming to experience both, preserve suitable save files before major progression checkpoints and follow the game's available ending and replay options.
Do not overwrite an important pre-ending save unless you're certain you no longer need it.
Missed a Purple Quest? Recovery Options
If you've already entered Mirage Estate and are worried about missing the True Ending, check your progress before restarting.
Step 1: Check Your Story Menu
Open the Story menu and review the ten required Mysteries.
Look for unfinished or failed entries.
If a required quest is incomplete, determine whether its objectives are still accessible.
Step 2: Check for an Earlier Manual Save
If you have a manual save from before entering Mirage Estate, it may allow you to return and complete the missing quests.
Remember that loading an earlier save can remove progress made afterward.
Preserve your current progress if possible before returning to an older save.
Step 3: Consider New Game+
If you no longer have a suitable earlier save, you may need another playthrough to complete the missed requirements.
New Game+ can provide another opportunity to work toward the True Ending, but it does not automatically restore quests that failed in your current playthrough.
Can You Fix the Problem at The Last Chance Bell?
If you already missed the Mirage Estate cutoff, reaching The Last Chance Bell does not automatically restore the missing requirements.
The Bell's warning is separate from the earlier purple-quest checkpoint.
If you're unsure whether you're missing an optional boss or Bloodline Awakening instead, check those requirements before assuming the ten-quest cutoff is responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Unlock the True Ending in Phantom Blade Zero?
Complete all ten required purple Mysteries before entering Mirage Estate, finish Bloodline Awakening's five Long Pillars, complete the required optional boss encounters, and proceed through the final story sequence.
Do You Need All Ten Purple Quests?
Yes. All ten required purple Mysteries must be completed before the Mirage Estate checkpoint for the True Ending route.
Which Purple Quests Must Be Finished Before Mirage Estate?
The ten are Deep in the Valley, Illusion of Inanis, Sha-Chi Powered Boat, Allure of Vanity, Illusory Pipa, Pillars of Kunlun, Whence the Weeping, The Herald's Illusion, Crimson Manor, and Secrets at the Heart of the Lake.
Can You Return After Entering Mirage Estate?
Do not assume that returning to an earlier region will restore missed True Ending requirements. Complete the ten purple Mysteries before entering Mirage Estate.
Does the Mirage Estate Warning Mean the True Ending Is Locked?
A warning before entering Mirage Estate is a reason to check your unfinished objectives. It does not automatically mean you've already lost the True Ending. Review your Journal before proceeding.
Is Pillars of Kunlun the Same as Bloodline Awakening?
No. Pillars of Kunlun is one of the ten purple Mysteries. Bloodline Awakening is a separate requirement involving five Long Pillar challenges.
Where Are the Five Long Pillars?
They are located in Weeping Creek Valley, Crimson Forest, eastern Meigu Lake, the Phantom Illusionist Ruins in Meigu Lake, and Pangzhen.
Do You Need to Defeat Zhu Yuan and Bi Feng?
The additional blade-master encounters are part of the True Ending preparation. Complete them before the final boss sequence.
Why Does The Last Chance Bell Still Show a Warning?
The warning can appear even when all True Ending requirements are satisfied. It indicates that you're about to enter the final boss sequence and cannot freely leave until it is complete.
Can You Get the True Ending in New Game+?
Yes, another playthrough can provide an opportunity to complete requirements you missed previously. However, you must still satisfy the relevant quest and progression conditions.
Final True Ending Checklist
Before completing Phantom Blade Zero, review these requirements.
Before Entering Mirage Estate
- ☐ Deep in the Valley completed
- ☐ Illusion of Inanis completed
- ☐ Sha-Chi Powered Boat completed
- ☐ Allure of Vanity completed
- ☐ Illusory Pipa completed
- ☐ Pillars of Kunlun completed
- ☐ Whence the Weeping completed
- ☐ The Herald's Illusion completed
- ☐ Crimson Manor completed
- ☐ Secrets at the Heart of the Lake completed
- ☐ Separate manual save created
Before the Final Boss
- ☐ Bloodline Awakening completed
- ☐ All five Long Pillar challenges cleared
- ☐ Zhu Yuan defeated
- ☐ Commander Bi Feng defeated
- ☐ Remaining Journal objectives reviewed
- ☐ Final manual save preserved
Once these requirements are satisfied, you can continue toward the final encounter without treating The Last Chance Bell warning as proof that you've missed the True Ending.
Bottom line: The most important deadline is Mirage Estate. Complete all ten purple Mysteries before entering, finish Bloodline Awakening and the additional boss requirements, and check your Journal before committing to the final sequence.
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