Hua Qianxiao waits drunk on the bridge to Pangzhen, at the start of the Crimson Forest. When he drinks he covers himself with a bubble that gives him back Sha-Chi: break it with a charged Dread Axe and he’ll be stunned. He gives you The Fanatic’s Broken Blade.
Boss profile
Health, Sha-Chi, recommended level and elemental weaknesses
Weaknesses
Phases: 1 · Region: Crimson Forest
Bars relative to the boss with the most health (Mo Yuan, 186,000) and the most Sha-Chi (Huangxing, 55,860) in the game.
Where he is and how to get there
On the bridge that leads to Pangzhen, next to the Pangzhen Bridge Overlook bell. When you beat him the bridge falls and you’ll have to cross with the sickle.
How to beat Hua Qianxiao
Attacks
- Alcohol bubble: when he drinks he protects himself and recovers Sha-Chi. Use a charged Dread Axe to break it.
- Area push after drinking: back off.
- Flurries that almost always end with a red hit: dodge the finish.
- Swords thrown from the air: block them.
- Grab from behind: don’t turn your back on him.
The general rule applies here: deflect the blue flashes, dodge the red ones and never block the dark signal.
Strategies to beat him
Pick the one that fits your playstyle. We only recommend gear you can have by the time you reach the Crimson Forest.
Fast weapon strategy (one-handed and dual)
This is a fast opponent: don’t chase the long combo. Land two or three hits and back off before the response. The best options here are The Fanatic’s Broken Blade and White Serpent & Crimson Viper. Punish when you break his alcohol bubble, since he’s left stunned, and keep your other weapon in reserve: switching restores all your Sha-Chi.
Heavy weapon strategy (two-handed)
Against such a fast opponent, only use heavy hits after a deflect or a perfect dodge. Try Scarlet Wraithblade or Outlaw Warblade. The Outlaw Warblade restores health on hit, ideal if you struggle to survive.
Elemental strategy (exploit his weaknesses)
He is weak to lightning. Equip:
- Lightning: you won’t have gear of this element yet; if you come back later, use Thunder Spear (Chang Hong’s Phantom Edge that also paralyzes).
Defensive strategy (deflects and dodges)
His most dangerous attacks are the flurries that end in red and the grab from behind: learn the animations and always dodge them. Deflect every blue flash to drain his Sha-Chi without spending yours, and execute as soon as he is stunned. If you are struggling, the Counterstrike Bracers accessory (first Long Pillar) rewards deflects.
Phantom Edge strategy
Bring Iron Gauntlets to break his guard or defenses. Remember that sparks refill when you rest at a bell: spend them freely on the boss.
If you get stuck
- Upgrade your two main weapons before going back (the boss is level 5).
- Upgrade your medicine with the healer at Green Serpent House once you have it.
- Drop to Wayfarer: it does not affect any trophy and you can raise the difficulty again later.
Recommended gear
- Dread Axe with full charges.
- A fast weapon to punish after breaking the bubble.
Rewards
- The Fanatic’s Broken Blade (one-handed; skills «Bebida ilimitada» and «Beber hasta el amanecer»). With the Soul Temper it becomes a drunken version.
- A Thousand Cups Drained trophy (bronze).
Looking for another boss? You have the full list in all Phantom Blade Zero bosses in order.
Frequently asked questions
How do you break Hua Qianxiao’s bubble?
With a strong breaking attack, especially the Dread Axe’s full charge. When you break it he’s left stunned.
