Against the Flow Walkthrough (Chapter 2) - Phantom Blade Zero

Against the Flow Summary

After fighting the Hunt and falling from the cliff, Soul continues his journey. Along the way, he meets the Jagged Steel and Peng Meng.

Against the Flow Walkthrough

[1] Follow the path upstream.

As Soul walks along the stream, he hears someone weeping. This will mark a side quest, Whence the Weeping. The area is filled with enemies called the Transcended.

[2] Interact with the Bell.

The Bells serve as a fast travel point and healing spot to restore your HP and Medicine. The first touch of the bell unlocks the area on the map.

You can also train abilities and save your game. Make sure to save your progress at the start of the region and before leaving the region. This is a safety net in case you want to complete all trophies and want to get the true ending of the game.

[3] Climb toward the huge log and follow the path.

Near the bell, you can find a traversal point to go up and see a huge log that creates a path upwards. You can then follow this path and watch out for more enemies. Before climbing the ladder, pick up the Abandoned Land Deed. During this section, you will be taught how to assassinate enemies. Just continue following the path from there.

[4] Descend to unlock the second Bell.

Descend and unlock the second Bell. There is a Rift nearby. Powerful Sha-Chi pours from the Rift. The game warns you that challenging it may be unwise. Enter it to unlock a tale.

[5] Climb back up and follow the path again.

Pick up the item, Traversal Talisman, along the way. Continue the path and you will fight a dual-wielding enemy that drops the Hunter's Insight.

[6] Following the path, you will eventually meet Yu'er.

Following the path, you will have to cross a wall and swing through two ropes. After that, you will enter a cutscene.

NOTE: Talking to Yu'er will also unlock the Flesh Lily side quest.

Near Yu'Er, pick up the Sanguine Twin on the weapon rack near the ladder.

[7] Climb the ladder and unlock 2 Bells.

Follow the path that will lead you to enemies who are fighting one another. One of them will drop the accessory Battle Wraps. Continue ahead and you will see the Red Thread Barrier. There is another Bell here. From the bell, you can swing to the other side. You can pick up a Forged Metal below and then go back up. The path here is straightforward.

[8] Follow the wooden bridge path.

Following this path, go down the ladder and pick up the Farmer's Loan Receipt. You can also push the boulder nearby to get some Remnant Dust.

[9] Unlock the next Bell.

Go further down and cross the wall. There will be enemies below. Clear them first, then unlock the Bell. Pick up the Four Axes Rebellion: Calamity as part of the "Four Axes" case files.

NOTE: Picking up the Four Axes Rebellion: Calamity unlocks the tale, Four Fierce Axes.

Inside the house nearby is the Four Axes Rebellion: Chaos. Now you have 2 of 8.

[10] Defeat the enemy with a shield, then go back to the Red Thread Barrier.

Go back out from the house and meet an enemy with a shield by the camp. Defeating this enemy unlocks the Red Thread Barrier. You can then return to it.

Upon entering the Red Thread Barrier, pick up the Captain Chen Zhu's Secret Letter from the Wulin Tales.

[11] Defeat the Jagged Steel, the Frenzied Brute.

Defeat the Jagged Steel. This boss is quick with their attacks. Be on the defense and unleash your wrath when they are staggered. You will get the Jagged Steel weapon when you defeat them.

[12] Unlock the Rustblade Pavillion Bell.

Once you unlock the Bell, you can pick up the Forged Metal nearby and then climb up. Pick up the book, Outposts, Rare Places of Rest (Reflections) in the pavilion. Continue going up the path. Beware of the enemies hiding. The path ahead is linear, so there is no need to worry about getting lost.

[13] Unlock the Outpost Courtyard Bell.

Following the path, you will reach the Outpost Courtyard Bell. Drop down from the Bell and assassinate the enemies below. Inside one of the houses, you will find the book, Four Axes Rebellion: Confusion. Climb up the side of the house to pick up some loot. Clear the group of enemies.

[14] Report to the Guard by the Broken Wall and enter the Outpost.

Talk to the Guard by the broken wall to let you enter the Outpost. Inside the Outpost, they are talking about Maskwalkers. Inside the houses, make sure to talk with the Petrified Mandate Disciple.

On the roof, talk to the Brooding Old Archer. This starts another tale.

NOTE: Talking to the Brooding Old Archer unlocks the tale, Purge the Sect.

[15] Meet Forge.

Meet Forge to unlock Weapon Upgrades. She gives the tutorial. After this, you can upgrade your weapon at any Bell. Next to Forge is the weapon, Sanguine Reach.

Near the Bell, listen to the Ironchain Gate Guards to unlock another tale.

NOTE: Talking to the Ironchain Gate Guards initiates the tale, Festering Secret.

[16] Go up the stairs and head right.

Go up the stairs. And once you see a diverging path, go right. You will find the Cell Key near a corpse. This opens the locked entrance you can find on your map. Open it to get the Blackstone Shard.

Now going back to the diving path, go left.

[17] Peng Meng, the Axemaster.

It's best to attack Peng Meng from behind. Use the Jagged Steel and Sanguine Reach against him. Once defeated, you will be rewarded with a Dread Axe, a powerful Phantom Edge. You also get the case file necessary for the Four Fierce Axes Tale: The Axemaster's Final Request.

[18] Rest at the Crane Bell.

Unlock the Azemaster's Fall Bell. Catch a glimpse of Zuo Shang's memories to uncover the truth. You can go back to the Outpost to continue the Festering Secret tale. You can break the chains using the Dread Axe you obtained from Peng Meng.

[19] Talk to Yu'Er.

You will find Yu'Er again near the Oupost Bell. Talk to her and select "Gather Herbs" option to start the Apprentice Healer tale. You will also receive a Wulin Tale from her.

You can also talk to the Swordsman Captain to progress the Festering Secret Tale.

[20] Fast Travel to Axemaster's Fall Bell.

Use the Dread Axe to break the chains at the location of the Axemaster's Fall Bell. The path is clear toward your next destination. You will meet the Hunt, but you do not get to fight him. After the scene, you can unlock the Axemaster's Holding Cell Bell.

Make sure to pick up the following in this area:

When you leave the area toward the east of the map, the chapter ends.

You can continue on the path. Clear the group of enemies and then pick up the Blood-Stopper Vine necessary for the Apprentice Healer tale. Turn back and head toward the blocked path that you can break using the Dread Axe at the west side. Here, you can see someone kneeling. Pick up the Fragments of the Mandate beside the NPC and open the chest containing a Focus Pill.

At the stone bridge, you will meet enemies with big shields. This is your chance to use your Dread Axe again. Head to the other blocked path that you can use the Dread Axe on, marked on your map. Then before heading to the next area, pick up the Phantom Reforge Talisman near the Mandate Disciple NPC glowing purple.

Moving forward, your next quest begins.

Against the Flow Route

Against the Flow Rewards

• Jagged Steel
• Dread Axe

Related Guides

Weeping Creek Valley Map

List of Main Stories

List of Side Quests

Phantom Blade Zero Wiki