Interlude Chapter: Act 1 Story Walkthroughs | Wind Archon Quest | Version 2.4 of Genshin Impact

Interlude Chapter: Act 1 Story Walkthroughs | The Crane Returns on the Wind Archon Quest | Version 2.4 of Genshin Impact

Interlude Chapter: Act 1 - The Crane Returns on the Wind Walkthrough
How to Unlock the Quest
To access The Crane Returns on the Wind, you must meet the following requirements:

Adventure Rank: Reach at least Adventure Rank 28.
Prerequisite Quest: Complete Chapter I: Act III - A New Star Approaches.
Once these criteria are met, the quest will appear in your Quest Menu (accessible by pressing “J” on PC, tapping the Quest Menu icon on mobile, or holding L1 on PlayStation).

Quest Overview
This Interlude Archon Quest focuses on the restoration of the Jade Chamber, Ningguang’s former residence, and introduces characters like Shenhe and Yun Jin, who play significant roles in the story. The quest involves exploration, puzzle-solving, combat, and uncovering Liyue’s deeper lore. It is divided into several subquests, each with specific objectives.
Walkthrough of Subquests
1. Bygones Times Like Dust Passing

Objective: Begin the quest by meeting Ningguang in Liyue Harbor.
Steps:
Head to Liyue Harbor and overhear Ningguang’s announcement about rebuilding the Jade Chamber. She requires Sunset Vermillionite, Wonder Core, and Adepti Sigils and offers to answer any question for the first three people who provide these materials.
Approach Ningguang, who is pleased to see the Traveler and encourages participation in the material-gathering task.
Travel to various locations in Liyue to collect the required materials. Follow the quest markers to locate Sunset Vermillionite (often found in rocky areas) and Wonder Core (from specific enemies or puzzles).
Tip: Use characters with Geo resonance (e.g., Zhongli, Ningguang) to make resource collection easier, as some materials are tied to Geo-based puzzles.

Key Interactions: Speak with NPCs like Ningguang to progress the story and learn about the Jade Chamber’s significance.

2. The Clouds Stay Unblemished

Objective: Assist Shenhe in resolving a conflict and explore a new domain.
Steps:
Travel to the quest location where Shenhe is confronted by two men. Approach them to trigger a cutscene.
Enter a new domain where you must activate seals to progress. To activate seals:
Collect crystals from glowing rocks near lanterns.
Use the crystals to unlock seals, which will spawn a wind current leading to the next area.
Defeat waves of enemies (e.g., Treasure Hoarders) to damage Ancient Array Cores. Focus on bursting down the cores quickly with high-damage abilities after clearing enemies.

Navigate through the domain, moving stone walls to create paths. Look for a Common Chest hidden near a large rock during this section.
Tip: Bring a balanced team with a healer (e.g., Barbara, Qiqi) and a DPS character (e.g., Hu Tao, Diluc) to handle the combat sections efficiently.

Key Interactions: Shenhe’s backstory and connection to the Adepti are explored, adding depth to her character.

3. Where the Heart Finds Rest

Objective: Continue the journey to restore the Jade Chamber and uncover deeper mysteries.
Steps:
Follow the quest markers to Pervases’ temple, where Xiao invites the Traveler. This section involves a reflective conversation with Xiao about Bosacius, a lost Yaksha, and the heroes of Liyue’s history.
Complete tasks related to gathering Adepti Sigils, which may involve solving puzzles or defeating enemies tied to Adepti lore.
Return to Ningguang with the collected materials. She answers your question to the best of her ability, potentially revealing lore about Liyue or the Traveler’s journey.
Tip: Pay attention to dialogue for lore insights, especially regarding Xiao’s past and the Adepti’s role in Liyue.

Key Interactions: This subquest ties up the narrative, focusing on Xiao’s growth and the significance of the Jade Chamber’s restoration.

Rewards
Completing The Crane Returns on the Wind grants:

Primogems: For quest completion.
Hero’s Wit: For character EXP.
Mora: For in-game currency.
Adventure EXP: To increase your Adventure Rank.
Specific rewards may vary based on World Level, but typical Archon Quest rewards include Intertwined Fate ×1, Hero’s Wit ×3, Sanctifying Essence ×3, and Mystic Enhancement Ore ×6.

Tips for Completion

Team Composition: Use a versatile team with a healer, a main DPS, and characters that can trigger elemental reactions (e.g., Hydro, Pyro, or Anemo). Geo characters are particularly useful for puzzles.
Combat Strategy: For the Ancient Array Cores, prioritize crowd-control characters (e.g., Venti, Kazuha) to manage enemy waves and high-damage dealers to destroy the cores quickly.
Exploration: Check for hidden chests in the domain, as they provide extra rewards like Mora and enhancement materials.
Story Context: Completing Shenhe’s and Yun Jin’s Story Quests (if available) enhances the narrative experience, though they are not mandatory.

Additional Notes

This quest is permanent and remains available after Version 2.4, so there’s no rush to complete it during the update period.
The quest introduces Shenhe and Yun Jin, who assist the Traveler, providing insight into their backgrounds and affiliations with Liyue.
For a smoother experience, ensure your characters are adequately leveled (around Level 40–50, depending on your World Level) to handle combat encounters.
If you encounter issues with locked chests in the domain, they may require specific actions (e.g., moving stone walls correctly) to unlock.