Where Winds Meet 1.2 adds two new maps, Guild Battle preseason, events, and a big photo-mode upgrade

Everstone Studios will take Where Winds Meet offline for maintenance from 05:00 to 10:00 (UTC+8) on January 9, 2026. New content and systems become available at 10:00 (UTC+8) the same day. Players who log in before the update will receive Echo Jade x50 as compensation.

The 1.2 update introduces two new maps, a Guild Battle preseason, fresh lost chapters and encounters, a seasonal event lineup, and a heavy set of quality-of-life additions including a revamped photo mode and new auto-recycle tools. Several features roll out on staggered dates through January and into March 2026.

Highlights

Nine Mortal Ways Base arrives January 23, 2026 with exploration encounters, anti-fraud themed encounters, and rewards such as the accessory [Stone of My Heart] and the hero title [Notorious Rodent].
Mistveil Prison (a solo mysterious stage) appears January 16, 2026 after an encounter in Mistveil Forest.
The Kaifeng final volume “Gambit Beneath the Shimmer” unlocks the “Campaign: Supreme Freedom” and new decoration and accessory rewards for players who meet the listed progression requirements.
Guild Battle – Preseason begins after the January 9 update with a Preparation Phase from January 9 – 16, 2026 and Competition Phase from January 17 – February 6, 2026. Matchmaking happens on Saturdays and Sundays within regional Battlegrounds.
New limited events include the First Jianghu Martial Games (January 9 – February 3, 2026) and the Swallow’s Bond event (January 9 – March 5, 2026). A Year of Abundance login event runs January 30 – February 12, 2026.
New player systems include the Fledgling status for new characters, a Divination test feature for unaligned characters, and an Exploration Book with weekly recommendations.
Photo Mode receives major improvements on January 9, 2026: multi-lighting, 2× device resolution ultra HD mode, silhouette and night modes, and expanded templates and controls across platforms.
Inventory changes add Auto-Recycle and Gear Retrieval so players can set recycling rules and recover materials from gear recycled in the past seven days.

The update also includes controller-specific improvements, a new web-based Account Center, and a long list of bug fixes and localization fixes that touch UI, audio, loading, and reward systems. Where Winds Meet was recently in the conversation around the Steam Awards, readers can vote for the game in our Steam Awards coverage.

Patch Notes

The 1.2 update mixes new content with systems aimed at making exploration and co-op smoother. The biggest additions are two new maps and a preseason of Guild Battle, while Photo Mode and gear management get practical upgrades that affect most players. Below are the official notes reproduced in full.

Version 1.2 [Live to Game] Update Overview

Dear Wanderers,

Eastwind Pavilion will conduct server maintenance from 05:00 to 10:00 (UTC+8) on January 9, 2026. During this period, the game will be unavailable for login. Thank you for your understanding!

Below is the latest version content and optimization preview

Maintenance Schedule

New Content Available At: 10 AM (UTC+8), January 9, 2026
Maintenance Compensation: Echo Jade x50
Eligibility: Players who registered before the version update

Major Updates
New Map: Nine Mortal Ways Base

Family isn’t just about blood, but loyalty and support.

Participation Requirements: Reach Lv. 5 and complete Qinghe Main Chapter: Another New Wing
Area Description: The branches of the Nine Mortal Ways hide in plain sight amid the city’s endless crowds. Yet their true heart lies in the underground Ghostlight Market. Starting January 23, 2026, by exploring the “Nine Mortal Ways Base,” Wanderers can obtain the “Amidst Ghosts,” experience the top ten Scams, learn how to guard against fraud, and claim generous rewards such as the accessory [Stone of My Heart], hat [Iron Rice Bowl], hair ornament [Golden Rat], hero title [Notorious Rodent], and [Lingering Melody].
New Encounter: The Kaifeng Prefecture reminds all citizens to stay vigilant against widespread scams recently. Complete the encounters “Honest Shovel,” “Anti-Fraud Ambassador,” and “Crazy Stones” to claim rewards including the accessory [Honest Shovel] and the hero title [No Free Lunch].
Mysterious Stage: “Broken walls and ruins, echoes of catastrophe – all tell the tale of this ancient site. The layers of the city are the layers of civilization. The entrance lies hidden deep within the Nine Mortal Ways Base, awaiting a destined wanderer.”

New Map: Mistveil Prison

Introduction: Starting January 16, 2026, a new character will appear in Mistveil Forest, Kaifeng. After you complete the Mistveil Dungeon and return to the entrance, you’ll encounter an unexpected guide who will lead you into a new adventure. What awaits is for you to discover… Note: This “Mysterious Stage” is designed for solo play.

Kaifeng Final Volume: Gambit Beneath the Shimmer

Complete to unlock “Campaign: Supreme Freedom”

A grand feast, a mythic treasure.

A pleading melody, a city in turmoil.

Participation Requirements: Complete Kaifeng Jianghu Legacy: Volume II: Shadows in Bloom; Complete Kaifeng Main Chapter: Furnace of Heaven and Earth; Kaifeng exploration progress reaches 6000.”

- Introduction: First clear rewards Lingering Melody. Collect Kaifeng: Tales and Echoes clues for Decoration: Spring Seeking.

Complete both tasks above to unlock Revelry Hall’s fourth-floor key and Shimmer of South Easter eggs.

Wanderers who replay the final volume’s “Campaign: Supreme Freedom” will have a chance to obtain the decoration [Into the Dream], which can also be exchanged through the “Season Shop”.

Moreover, clearing all Kaifeng campaigns rewards the accessory [A Zephyr’s Answer].”

Guild Battle – Preseason

On their own turf, wanderers thrive and master their craft.

A warmup for the Guild Battle!

Event Time:Preparation Phase: January 9 – 16, 2026
Competition Phase: January 17 – February 6, 2026. Matchmaking opens every Saturday and Sunday.
Participation Requirements: Reach Guild Lv.3 and achieve a Guild Prosperity of 30,000.

IntroductionFollowing the version update on January 9, 2026, the Guild Battle: Preseason will officially commence. The preseason is divided into a Preparation Phase and a Competition Phase.
(1) Preparation Phase:

Guild members can learn special skills exclusive to the Guild Battle through [Technique Development], which will play crucial roles in the battles. Guild Leaders can recruit more like-minded members to strategize together for the upcoming battles.

Guilds will be divided into Battlegrounds. Before the battle begins, the Guild Leader and Deputy Leader must choose one of the following Battlegrounds. This choice can only be made once per season.

Note: It is recommended to join the Battleground corresponding to your region for the smoothest gameplay experience.

Canglang: Asia & Oceania

Yunya: Europe & Africa

Yougu: North & South America

(2) Competition Phase:

Matchmaking for the Preseason will be available at designated times every Saturday and Sunday.

In battles, leverage the preparations made during the Preparation Phase – recruitment, tactical planning, and skill training – to gain an advantage!

Note: Battle times differ for each Battleground.

Canglang: Saturdays & Sundays, 20:30 (UTC+8)

Yunya: Saturdays & Sundays, 20:30 (UTC+1)

Yougu: Saturdays & Sundays, 20:30 (UTC-5)

After the battles begin, matchmaking will only occur within the same Battleground. Rankings within each group will be based on match score.

Participants will earn rewards such as [Guild Reputation], [Wonder Jade], and [Treasure Token] for each Preseason battle. Additional ranking rewards will be distributed at the end of the Preseason based on final standings.

Joint Punishment

Availability: After the version update on January 9, 2026
Introduction: Players who commit repeated offenses or frequently escape capture may be sentenced to “Joint Punishment”.Once sentenced, the player’s partners, sworn cohorts, masters/apprentices, and friends with Intimacy ≥16,000 may also be implicated and jailed. Implicated players will receive a confirmation prompt before the process continues. After being jailed together, both primary and implicated players can activate a Joint Parade – facing public admonishment together. The more participants, the greater the sentence reduction!

New Encounter: Bellman’s Oath

Hear the sky’s song: flowers sink, bells chime, a harmony both real and rare.

Heed the land’s call: mists part, a mysterious figure speaks the secrets there.

Participation Requirements: Complete Quest: Melodies of Peace.

Introduction: The new encounters “Voices in the Air” and “Bellman’s Oath” are now available. Bury the seeds of Moonlit Flowers in the Flower Expanse and restore the great bell atop the Peace Bell Tower. When the bell tolls once more, the ethereal symphony heard through the aid of others echoes between heaven and earth – a sound seemingly not of this world…”

New Lost Chapter: The Gilded Chase

Wealth is born unto you, only to be scattered like dust.

For the Master’s birthday, I invite all to celebrate on the Mirage Boat and ensure he will not feel lonely.

Unlock Requirements: Complete the Main Chapter: A Horse Neighs in the Forest (Still Shore, Qinghe).
Introduction: After January 16, 2026, Wanderers can visit the Bounty Board in Qinghe – Harvestfall Village. Master Wuhen of Weiyang City has posted a bounty for Jun Bu Jian, the elusive Master Thief. Wanderers may take up the contract to witness the thief’s so-called “elegance” firsthand.
Completing this quest rewards items including [Lingering Melody] and [Echo Jade].

New Lost Chapter: Whispers Beneath the Moon

“Love and romance? They’ll only slow my sword arm!”

Participation Requirements: Reach Lv.32 and complete the Kaifeng Main Chapter “New Arrival in Kaifeng – Setting Out.
Introduction: With the Jan 26, 2026 update, seek out a hidden ancestral hall in Prosperity Haven. If you’ve already rescued the runaway bridegroom Xiao Shi, you can now unfold the “tragicomic tale” of two young souls with him.
Rewards: Accessory: Cool Breeze Fan, Hero Title: Little Matchmaker, Echo Jade and other rewards.

Training Ground Update: Boss Dummy

Introduction: Within “Sword Trial”, wanderers can access the “Training Ground” to summon “Boss Dummy” targets for combat practice. These dummies are modeled after various major bosses and are categorized into three types: Timed Boss Dummy, Fixed-HP Boss Dummy, and Free Boss Dummy.
During practice sessions, wanderers may also apply buffs to better simulate the conditions of an actual battle.

New Gamplay: Divination

Test Feature: After the January 9, 2026 version update, Wanderers who have not yet joined a sect can visit [Mysterious Daoist · Yuanzhen] at Qinghe – Harvestfall Village to participate in the Divination gameplay.

New Event: First Jianghu Martial Games

Faster, Higher, Stronger, Together!

Recently, bounty boards across Kaifeng have been buzzing with excitement. A closer look reveals: The First Jianghu Martial Games are underway! Great rewards await all participants!

Puzzled, you ask, “What’s a Jianghu Martial Games?” “A brawny uncle nearby laughs heartily: “It’s human ladder building, carrying grannies, escaping secret chambers, and building guilds!””

Event Time: After update on January 9, 2026 – Februry 3, 2026, 04：59：59
Participation Requirements: Reach Lv. 5 and complete Qinghe Main Chapter: Another New Wing
Event Description: After the update, the Jianghu Martial Games events [“Faster” – Elder Express], [“Higher” – Masters Rise from Flat Ground] , and [“Stronger” – Test of Courage] will open simultaneously; [“Together” – Myriad Boards] will open on January 12.Complete these events to earn [Little Red Flowers], which can be exchanged at the event-limited [Provision Store] for rewards including the appearance [Hide & Seek (hat)], [Pretty Terrifying (face accessory)], the docoration [Moonrise Over the River], [Resonating Melody], and more!
After the event ends, members of the top 30 guilds will receive the title [Hero Paragon: Five Virtues], [Wonder Jade], and [Treasure Token]. Guild Leaders and Deputy Leaders will additionally receive the badge [Gold Leader]. Members of guilds ranked 31-200 will receive the title [Hero Paragon: Three Virtues], [Wonder Jade], and [Treasure Token]. Guild Leaders and Deputy Leaders will additionally receive the badge [Silver Leader]. Furthermore, all guilds will receive [Wonder Jade] and [Treasure Token] when their total accumulated [Little Red Flowers] reaches 50,000 and 100,000. This count only includes flowers obtained by members who are currently in the guild.

Gifts for Fledgling and Friends

Event Time: After the version update on January 9, 2026
Participation Requirements: After the maintenance update on January 9, wanderers who create a new character and enter the Jianghu will gain the “Fledgling” status for 14 days.
Introduction: Fledgling wanderers can earn [Fledgling Growth Chests] by taking on the Energy Challenge in solo, team, or co-op mode. Fledgling’s Gifts – With the launch of the Fledgling system, all existing players can also receive [Fledgling Appearance Chest] and other rewards. Cooperating with Fledgling players grants extra benefits in Guild, Hero’s Realms, and Sword Trial modes.A “Fledgling Bonus” is now available in Guild events – completing them with a “Fledgling” player gives a chance to earn extra [Guild Fledging Gift], with rewards for all participating players.”

Swallow’s Bond

New swallows arrive with the season, traveling together with the wind.

Event Time: After the version update on January 9, 2026 to March 5, 2026
Participation Requirements: Reach Lv.5 and complete Qinghe Main Chapter: Another New Wing.”Fledgling”: Wanderers who, at the time of their first event participation, have either the Fledgling (within 14 days of character creation) or Returning Swallow (having triggered the “Swallow’s Return”) marker, and are below Level 60, will participate as “Fledglings.”
“Guide Swallow”: Wanderers with a Character Level ≥ 60 at the time of their first event participation will participate as a “Guide Swallow.”

Note: Wanderers who, at the time of first participation, have the Fledgling or Returning Swallow marker and have reached Level 14, may choose either of the two identities to participate.
Introduction: Wanderers familiar with the jianghu are encouraged to team up with new friends just starting their journey or old friends returning from afar to complete objectives and earn bountiful rewards.
Fledglings can obtain cultivation item rewards such as [Gear Catch-up Chest], [Tuning Stone Catch-up Chest], and [Attune Stone Catch-up Chest]. Guide Swallows can obtain appearance rewards including the accessory [Familiar Branch], the hero title [Grand Leading Swallow], and the badge [Leading Swallow].

Year of Abundance

A fresh start! Log in daily to claim gifts!

Event Time:2026/1/30 – 2026/2/12
Introduction: Log in for a total of 7 days during the event to claim gifts including the accessory [Fish Incense] and [Resonating Melody]!

Version 1.2 Appearance Showcase

Battle Pass Appearance: “Inkstone Reverie”