Black Myth: Wukong - Defeating the Keeper of Flaming Mountains and Yin-Yang Fish

In Black Myth: Wukong, the Keeper of Flaming Mountains is a formidable mid-chapter boss in the fifth chapter. At the start of the battle, the Keeper will summon the Destined One and Bajie into a unique dimension of his own making. This ghostly arena can only be escaped by either defeating the Keeper or falling yourself.

Once the battle begins, the Keeper will unleash a variety of spells and attacks. To overcome him, players must skillfully dodge and counterattack. But be prepared for a surprise: even after you seem to have defeated the Keeper, he'll unveil the Yin-Yang Fish as his final trick.

Preparations for the Fight

Before taking on the Keeper of Flaming Mountains and the Yin-Yang Fish, equip the Azure Dust transformation. This will help you withstand the boss's projectile barrages and can stagger him with its attacks. Utilize the Immobilize Spell and Pluck of Many to deal substantial damage quickly, but make sure to immobilize the boss in a spot where you can strike effectively. Cloud Step is valuable for creating distance and healing, especially against the Yin-Yang Fish. Meanwhile, Rock Solid can be useful for parrying and countering the Fish's melee strikes if timed correctly.

Facing the Keeper of Flaming Mountains

The fight starts with the Keeper teleporting in front of the Destined One. If you don't move swiftly, he will attempt a grab, lifting the Destined One before slamming them down. The warning for this grab is subtle—a hand wave and a brief bluish-white light—so stay alert. After the grab, you’ll have a chance to inflict damage, but watch out for his retreating attack. The Keeper will turn into bolts of light that spread outward before homing in on you upon reappearing. Dodge through or to the side to avoid these attacks.

When the Keeper floats into the air and a Yin-Yang Symbol appears around him, be ready to dodge as he swings his arm to release a spread of bolts. Dodging towards him is the safest option. If his hand glows with darkness and he pulls it close to his chest, black orbs will erupt from the surrounding water. Dodge the initial burst and keep your distance, luring him to a more open area for a more effective attack.

Phase 2: New Tactics

Once the Keeper reaches half-health, he will initiate a new strategy. He will hover and fire bolts of light and dark in all directions, which then transform into weaker enemies matching the colors of the bolts. The white enemies use melee attacks, while the black ones are ranged with bows. Focus on eliminating the ranged enemies first to simplify the battle. After dispatching these minions, the Keeper will descend, allowing you to resume attacking him. Additionally, he may summon white orbs that fly up and shoot beams of light down. Avoid standing under these orbs to prevent damage.

As the Keeper's health decreases further, he will summon a Horse Yaoguai to aid him. Defeating this Horse Yaoguai will conclude the battle with the Keeper. The Horse Yaoguai uses various whip combos, such as a shoulder barge followed by an overhead swing and a three-hit whip sweep. Dodge its attacks and use heavy attacks to stagger it, ending the fight quickly. However, the Keeper has one final trick up his sleeve.

The Yin-Yang Fish

After vanquishing the Horse Yaoguai, the Keeper will summon the "Yin-Yang Fish," a massive creature that swallows Bajie, removing him from this segment of the fight.

The Yin-Yang Fish has several attacks to be wary of. It can perform a long-reaching tail slam, which you can avoid by dodging left or right. It may also rear up and spray water from its mouth, requiring similar dodging. After these attacks, you’ll have a brief opportunity to counterattack, though the Fish may quickly retreat.

When at a distance, the Fish can execute a tail slam or leap into the air before crashing down. Maintain a safe distance when it jumps to avoid the impact and be ready to dodge the tailspin that follows. It can also charge at high speed, which can be dodged by moving or rolling to the side. Be cautious when approaching from behind, as it can spin and swipe its tail. Another attack involves the Fish jumping into the air and using its tail to launch projectiles. Watch for these projectiles and dodge accordingly.

One of the Fish's most dangerous moves involves soaring into the air and releasing dark orbs that home in on you. Quick and precise dodging is necessary here, though Azure Dust can absorb the damage while you build focus to counterattack. The Fish can also "roar" to summon orbs of light from the ground. These orbs cause damage if touched but can be easily avoided.

Once you deplete the Yin-Yang Fish’s health, the Keeper is defeated, ending the encounter. You'll be rewarded with a Celestial Ribbon, two pieces of Fine Golden Thread, and the Yin-Yang Daoist Robe. Don’t forget to collect the Loong Balm drink from the nearby altar and make use of the meditation spot close by.