The Painted Realm is a location players can unlock during Chapter 3 of Black Myth: Wukong. Reaching this hidden domain requires the Destined One to obtain the Ruyi Scroll , a legendary item that will transport the player to the Zodiac Village within the Painted Realm. Once unlocked, the Zodiac Deities, Xu Dog, and Shen Monkey will relocate to the village, making it an invaluable one-stop shop for upgrading equipment, making medicines, and gathering ingredients.

In addition to Xu Dog and Shen Monkey, two new NPCs can be found within the village. The first you will meet is Chen Loong, an elderly dragon who will plant the seeds you have gathered on your travels, allowing you to harvest ingredients periodically. The second is the blacksmith Yin Tiger, who will craft new weapons and upgrade any armor pieces you have crafted. The Destined One will need to overcome several challenges to acquire the Ruyi Scroll and gain access to the many benefits of the Painted Realm.

Yin Tiger is a fierce warrior and can be challenged to a duel. If defeated, he will reward the Destined One with a new Transformation and an additional Curio Slot.

Unlocking The Painted Realm

Defeat a Boss First

The first step to unlocking the Painted Realm is to find and defeat Chen Loong, a boss located close to the North Shore of the Bitter Lake Keeper's Shrine. From the Shrine, turn around to face the lake, then head to the right, along the shore. There, in a shallow pool, you'll encounter Chen Loong. Once defeated, speak to him, and he will say that only one of Xu Dog's Resurrection Pills will be able to save him.

Chen Loong will relocate to a small dwelling nearby along the lake shore. To continue your quest for the Painted Realm, you'll first need to meet the Zodiac Deity Xu Dog from the Yellow Wind Ridge area in Chapter 2 and complete his quest line. Once you have, he will be able to craft the pills requested by Chen Loong. Return the pills to Chen Loong, and he will reward you with the Ruyi Scroll, giving you access to the Painted Realm.

How To Unlock Xu Dog's Celestial Medicines

Gather The Ingredients

Xu Dog is near the Village Entrance Keeper's Shrine near Sandgate Village. Travel to the Shrine and head toward the village. At the wooden bridge, jump off to the right and continue straight into the caverns where Xu Dog is located. He will task you with finding his lost medicinal formulas, which the large frog, Lang-Li-Guhh-Baw, swallowed.

To find the frog, continue straight from where Xu Dog is standing; it will be in a pond outside the cave. After defeating Lang-Li-Guhh-Baw, give the formulas to Xu Dog; he will now craft medicines for you.

Equipping the Loongscale Battlerobe , Loongscale Greaves and Loongscale Armguard increases shock resistance and grants a special ability that shortens the duration of the shocked state. This, as well as other items such as Shock-Quelling Powder , will give you a leg-up in your fight against Lang-Li-Guhh-Baw.

Afterward, Xu Dog will search for his furnace, allowing him to craft even greater medicines. Once you have defeated the Tiger Vanguard in the Crouching Tiger Temple, you will meet Xu Dog again near the Cellar Keeper's Shrine found underneath the Temple.

He has found his furnace, allowing him to craft Celestial Medicines. He will also be able to craft a special medicine for Chen Loong. Return to Chen Loong, and he will reward you with the Ruyi Scroll, which, when used, forms a mystical gateway to the Painted Realm.

How To Use the Painted Realm

Harvest Seeds For Ingredients

You can now access the Painted Realm at any time using the Ruyi Scroll. Once you first enter the realm, you will see that Shen Monkey, Xu Dog, and Chen Loong have all taken up residence within its Zodiac Village. Speak to Chen Loong up the stairs from the Shrine, and you'll find he has a bit of a green thumb. He will plant any seeds you have found, tending the plants until they are ready to harvest for ingredients, which you can then bring directly to Xu Dog nearby to create medicines.

You will also be able to request medicine periodically from Xu Dog. Continue to explore the area, and you will soon meet the blacksmith, Yin Tiger, in the large clearing. He will be able to use his forge to upgrade any armor pieces you already own, provided you have the required materials. You'll now be able to upgrade the defense stats of your favorite armor sets, allowing you more freedom to equip armor pieces with unique abilities that will enhance your character's build.

Should you choose to challenge Yin Tiger, you'll be in for a difficult fight. You will likely need to try several times before you are able to learn his move set and how to properly time your dodging. However, once you beat him, you will be rewarded with a powerful new Transformation, Ebon Flow , as well as the ability to unlock a third Curio Slot. These rewards will give you a significant boost in strength, increasing your ability to survive tough fights.

Be sure to use the Ruyi Scroll to periodically return to the Zodiac Village to upgrade the Destined One's abilities and equipment. The NPCs there will also have new items for sale as you progress through the story, so don't forget to check in with them from time to time. As you continue to explore the world of Black Myth: Wukong in search of the Great Sage's Relics, the Painted Realm will become a refuge for you to grow stronger and prepare for the many challenges you will inevitably face.

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