How to beat Zhu Yuan in Phantom Blade Zero (the Searing Blade)

Where is he and how do you get there?

Zhu Yuan is inside the Pangzhen Sha-Chi Tower and unlocks after you defeat Soulclaimer.

1. Go to the towerThe fastest route starts at the Pangzhen Sha-Chi Tower Upper Level 1 bell, next to the bridge to the tower’s southwest entrance. Other guides place it next to the Pangzhen Sha-Chi Tower Furnace bell.
2. Blow up the barricadeAt the back there is a wooden blockade and an explosive (kamikaze) enemy that respawns. Lure it to the barricade so it explodes against it.
3. Take the lift downBehind the opened passage, the lift drops you in Zhu Yuan’s arena.

How to beat Zhu Yuan

Guides give very little information about him, and what there is agrees that he is not a hard opponent. Vandal (Spanish guide) says that, with the Flameward equipped, he barely attacked and posed no threat at all.

His attacks

• Fire wave: his flaming sword sends out a wave that can be blocked or parried. Without protection, it burns you.
• Guard breakers: some hits break your guard. Learn which ones they are and dodge them instead of blocking.
• Red attacks: dodge them at the last moment; the phantom counter leaves you behind him with an opening to attack.

The key: combos with weapon switching

Vandal recommends mastering combo chaining with weapon switching: finish a combo, switch weapons to recover Sha-Chi and keep pressing. With that and the Flameward you should have no trouble.

Strategies to beat him

Pick the one that suits the way you play. We only recommend gear you can have by the time you reach the Sha-Chi Tower after Soulclaimer.

Fast weapon strategy (one-handed and dual)

Keep the pressure on without giving him room to charge his fire waves. The best options here are Parting Hooks and Wild Oriole Sword. Punish after every dodged red and keep your other weapon in reserve: switching restores all your Sha-Chi.

Heavy weapon strategy (two-handed)

Punish with a charged Sha-Chi attack when you leave him without a guard. Try Outlaw Warblade or Armybreaker. The Outlaw Warblade restores health on hit and offsets the burns.

Elemental strategy (exploit his weaknesses)

He is weak to ice and water (wet). Equip:

• Water (Wet): You Loong’s Deluge (Edge from You Loong in Pangzhen).
• Ice: you will not have gear of this element yet; if you come back later, use Whiteshadow (the Blizzard Blademaster’s two-handed weapon).

Avoid fire Edges (Fire Meteor, Flaming Mane): fire is not his weakness.

Defensive strategy (parries and dodges)

Equip the Flameward (−50% fire and burn damage; chest at the South Gate Bridge bell). His most dangerous attack is the guard breaker: always dodge it. Parry the fire waves to drain his Sha-Chi and execute as soon as he is stunned. The Counterstrike Bracers (first Long Pillar) reward parries.

Phantom Edge strategy

Bring Iron Gauntlets or the Dread Axe to break his guard, and the Puppeteer’s Bell if you want someone to distract him while you heal. Sparks recharge when you rest at a bell.

If you get stuck

• Upgrade your two main weapons before coming back.
• Make sure you are wearing the Flameward: it is what changes this fight the most.
• Drop to Wayfarer: it does not affect any trophy and you can raise the difficulty again later.

Recommended gear

• Flameward.
• You Loong’s Deluge.
• A fast weapon and a heavy one to chain combos with weapon switching.

Rewards

• Scorching Flames.
• Progress toward the The Two Blade Masters trophy (bronze): also defeat Bi Feng, Giant Saber Commander, in the Mountain of Imprisonment. More details in the trophy guide.

You have the rest of the region in the Pangzhen guide and other secret bosses in Meigu Lake secret bosses. Looking for another boss? You have the list in all Phantom Blade Zero bosses in order.

Frequently asked questions

Kaarosu Damu Kira