Yellow Wind Ridge is a brutal jump in difficulty compared to the lush forests of Chapter 1. As you navigate the dust-choked canyons and face off against the King of Yellow Wind, you’ll quickly realize that standard gear isn’t going to cut it. To survive the onslaught of sand-based magic and high-poise enemies, you need the Gold-Suited Armor set. However, this isn’t something you simply craft after a story boss. Obtaining the “Golden” gear—specifically the pieces that form the Gold-Suited set—requires completing one of the most elaborate secret questlines in the early game, leading you to a hidden prehistoric realm known as the Kingdom of Sahālī.
Step 1: The Quest of the Drunken Boar
Your journey toward the golden set begins with a seemingly pathetic NPC: a drunken boar found in the Rockrest Flat area of Yellow Wind Ridge. He isn’t interested in fighting; he just wants a way to sober up.
Finding the Sobering Stone
The first hurdle is finding a Sobering Stone. While you can occasionally find these as random drops, the most reliable way to get one is to purchase it from the Stone Man vendor. If you haven’t unlocked him yet, you must defeat the Mother of Stones boss in the nearby caves and complete his “essence” quest. Once he’s a vendor, buy the stone and return it to the boar.
The Jade Lotus and the Gold Arhat Shard
After sobering up, the boar will move to the Crouching Tiger Temple. You can find him near the entrance, leaning against a wall. This time, he’s hungry.
- The Request: He asks for a Jade Lotus. If you’ve been exploring the rivers in Chapter 1, you likely already have plenty of these in your inventory. Give him one.
- The Final Trigger: After eating, he mentions a “Gold Arhat Shard.” You obtain this by defeating the First Prince of Flowing Sands boss. Once you have the shard, return to where you first met the boar in Rockrest Flat. He will now challenge you to a duel. Defeat him to unlock the path to the secret area.
Step 2: Entering the Kingdom of Sahālī
Defeating the boar reveals a crack in the mountain wall. Passing through it transports you back in time to the Kingdom of Sahālī, a vibrant, sun-drenched version of the desert you’ve been traversing. This area is home to unique bosses and, most importantly, the materials needed for your golden gear.
Defeating the “Tiger Vanguard” of the Past
Before you get to the main event, you’ll encounter a younger, more noble version of the Tiger Vanguard. This fight is mandatory to progress. He is fast and aggressive, but defeating him proves you are worthy of the golden reward.
The Fuban Boss Fight and the Wind Tamer
At the end of the Kingdom of Sahālī, you will assist a giant beetle named Fuban—or rather, you will fight on top of him. This cinematic encounter is the key to the set.
- The Vessel: Upon defeating Fuban (and the boss riding him), you receive the Wind Tamer Vessel.
- The Gold Suited Set: Completing this secret area unlocks the ability to craft the Gold-Suited Armor set at any Keeper’s Shrine.
Step 3: Why the Gold-Suited Set is Essential
The Gold-Suited set (including the Gold-Suited Mask, Armor, Bracers, and Greaves) isn’t just about the aesthetics; its set bonuses are specifically designed to synergize with your Spirit and Vessel abilities.
Set Bonuses and Combat Utility
- 2-Piece Bonus: Increases Attack for a short duration after using a Spirit Skill or Vessel.
- 4-Piece Bonus: Grants a small amount of Qi whenever you land a Critical Hit.
In a game where Qi (which fuels your powerful Spirit transformations) is the most valuable resource, being able to regenerate it through aggressive play is a massive advantage. When combined with the Wind Tamer Vessel—which provides massive damage reduction and immunity to wind stagger—you become nearly unstoppable against the Chapter 2 final boss.
Final Tips for Perfectionists
If you want to maximize the “Golden” theme, don’t forget to explore the edges of the Kingdom of Sahālī before leaving. There are several chests containing Silk and Cold Iron Leaves, which are necessary to upgrade the armor pieces from Common to Rare and Epic tiers later in the game. Once you leave the secret area, you can return at any time via the “Travel” menu, but getting the gear before fighting the Yellow Wind Sage makes that encounter significantly easier.
GGC