A frigid wind whispers through the mountain passes of The New West, carrying with it the weight of ancient secrets and the promise of arduous trials. This is Snowhill Path, the first crucible of Chapter 3, where the Destined One’s journey ascends into a realm of ice and peril. The path begins not with a roar, but with a silent deception—a young monk, observed in a brief cutscene, melts into the landscape, disguising himself as a statue among the frozen stones. The true journey commences when control is regained, and the pilgrim is immediately confronted by the resilience of this new land.
The initial challenge comes in the form of the Supporter Monk, a slow yet formidable foe who wields a massive stone with deliberate, crushing force. Its attacks, though ponderous, demand respect; they can be turned against it with a well-timed Rock Solid deflection, a lesson in patience for the battles to come.
Venturing deeper, the path winds upward into the heart of a cave. As one descends from a high ledge, the air grows colder, and a new threat descends from above: the Cyan Bat. These agile enemies cling to ceilings like frozen fruit, dropping to ambush with spears or launching chilling projectiles that inflict a creeping frostbite. Pursuit is key, and the Thrust Stance becomes a vital tool to chase down these elusive foes before they can retreat to their perches.
The cavern holds its treasures for the observant. To the left, another Supporter Monk stands sentinel over a glimmering gold chest, while nearby, a Jade Lotus rests serenely in a small, ice-rimmed pool—a moment of tranquil beauty amidst the tension.
Emerging from the cave’s final tunnel, the world opens into the vast, snow-swept expanse that truly defines Snowhill Path. The biting air carries the scent of Gentian plants, their hardiness a testament to life in this frozen realm. Just ahead, the Frost-Clad Path Shrine offers a brief sanctuary, a place to gather strength before the ascent continues.
From this respite, paths diverge. To the right, near a lonely stone pillar, the earth stirs slightly—a Ginsengling burrows just beneath the snow, waiting to be discovered. The main trail, however, leads upward, where a grisly scene unfolds: a field of frozen bodies, preserved in a macabre tableau. A cutscene triggers, revealing a strange, mischievous monkey perched on a rooftop. With a cackle, it hurls a fruit, and one of the corpses shudders, ice cracking as it awakens.
These are the Frozen Corpses. Not all will rise, but vigilance is paramount. Those armed with spiked maces and halberds pose a significant threat. A cruel trick awaits the unwary: even in death, a corpse wielding a mace may unleash a final, flailing attack, demanding a swift dodge after victory. Past the monkey’s perch, a green wisp of energy floats, guarded by two more of these frigid warriors.
The climb grows steeper, the air thinner. More Frozen Corpses litter the path; the wise combatant engages them singly, lest they be overwhelmed. Even the unarmed corpses can be shattered, yielding precious fragments of Will. At the summit of this grueling ascent lies a vast, white field—and the strange monkey awaits, triggering the first major confrontation: the Macaque Chief.
This battle is a lesson in endurance and elemental peril. The Macaque Chief, a formidable simian warrior, wields a massive, curved blade with terrifying proficiency, using all four limbs in a whirlwind of offense. His true danger, however, lies in the Frost that imbues his strikes. As the Frost meter fills, mobility seizes, turning dodges into sluggish struggles. Preparation is non-negotiable: Body-Warming Pills are essential before setting foot in this arena.
The fight is intense but incomplete. After depleting roughly a quarter of his health, the Macaque Chief vanishes in a swirl of snow, retreating to higher ruins. No “Boss Defeated” banner appears, but the reward of substantial Will marks a hard-won progression. The path forward leads up ancient stairs toward a distant temple, where a Cyan Bat hangs ominously from a skeletal tree.
The temple complex is a labyrinth of ice and shadow. Within its halls, Frozen Corpses stand in silent ranks; often, only one among several will stir to life. New adversaries emerge here: the Yaksha Patroller, a more agile and aggressive foe. One, engulfed in eerie blue flames, guards a descent where a group of corpses awaits. The spell A Pluck of Many can thin their numbers before facing the flaming Yaksha, who, upon defeat, yields the Mountain Patroller Spirit.
Treasures are scattered throughout this icy maze:
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Another Ginsengling lies buried to the left of the main courtyard.
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A chest rests near the large central temple.
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Across a broken bridge, on a wooden platform, a final chest is guarded by yet another Cyan Bat.
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Below, in a small pool, a second Jade Lotus glimmers.
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Fire Bellflowers can be gathered near the water’s edge, their warmth a stark contrast to the surroundings.
The path culminates at a bridge. Crossing it triggers a pivotal encounter. The Keeper of the New West appears, a mysterious guide who, without ceremony, transforms the Destined One into a bat and leads a breathtaking flight across the mountain peaks. Returning to mortal form near a new shrine, the pilgrim gazes upon the next great challenge: a giant, perfectly frozen lake.
Before venturing onto the ice, a detour to the right reveals a path teeming with Frozen Corpses and Cyan Bats lurking in the trees. Here, one can also find Celestial Pears alongside more Fire Bellflowers. Dozens of frozen bodies line the lake’s shore near a wooden chest and a solemn statue. Not all will awaken, but they can still be shattered for Will. A Meditation Spot rests on a platform by a large, enduring tree, offering a final moment of peace.
At the lake’s heart stands a solitary temple. Approaching it, the young monk from the path’s very beginning reappears. With a sly smile, he opens a small pouch, and from it erupts Kang-Jin Loong, a majestic, serpentine ice dragon who takes to the sky with a roar that cracks the silence. The final boss fight of Snowhill Path begins.
Kang-Jin Loong is a battle of aerial dominance and elemental mastery. She soars and dives, difficult to pin down, and her attacks are charged with Shock energy. Without Shock-Quelling Powder, the pilgrim risks taking devastating double damage throughout the protracted duel. The fight is a dance of patience and precision, culminating in her final, desperate lunge. With her health depleted, she crashes through the ice, dragging both combatants into the black, watery depths below—a dramatic conclusion that washes the Destined One into the next mysterious realm, the Pagoda Realm. For those who return, a final prize, the Stranded Loong's Whisker, awaits, soaking in the frigid waters of the right side of the shattered lake, a relic of the magnificent beast now fallen.
Snowhill Path is more than a trail; it is a symphony of frost and fury, a narrative carved in ice and fought for with every step. From deceptive monks and ambushing bats to the commanding presence of the Macaque Chief and the awe-inspiring fury of Kang-Jin Loong, it forges the pilgrim in the coldest of fires, preparing them for the wonders and horrors that lie beyond the frozen veil.