Hey everyone! As a fellow player who's spent countless hours in the incredible world of Black Myth: Wukong, I know the struggle of being limited to just two curio slots early on. Those powerful artifacts are game-changers, offering essential buffs and abilities for our simian hero, the Destined One. It feels incredibly restrictive, right? Well, buckle up, because I'm here to break down exactly how to unlock all five curio slots, turning our Monkey King into an unstoppable force. This guide is based on the latest 2026 gameplay, so you're getting the most up-to-date info!
The First Big Upgrade: From 2 to 3 Slots
The first major expansion happens in Chapter 3. This is where the real adventure begins for your inventory. You're not just getting one more slot; you're unlocking a whole new layer of strategic depth for your build. Here’s the step-by-step quest chain:
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Find Chen Loong: Head to the "North Shore of the Bitter Lake" Keeper's Shrine. From there, venture north along the lake's edge. You'll find this melancholic, lightning-wielding dragon boss chilling in the water near a hut. Defeat him (dodge those electric attacks!) to start his quest.
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The Quest for Medicine: Chen Loong, now a gloomy NPC, asks you to find Xu Dog and bring back resurrection pills. Xu Dog is the medicine seller you (hopefully) met in Chapter 2.
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Locate Xu Dog: If you haven't met him yet, don't panic! In Chapter 2, go to the "Village Entrance" Shrine in Yellow Wind Ridge. Jump off the path near the village, explore the ditch under a wooden bridge, and go through a tunnel. You'll find Xu Dog, who needs you to defeat the giant frog boss, Lang-Li-Guhh-Baw, to retrieve some medicine. Help him out, and he becomes a permanent ally.
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Complete the Delivery: Teleport to the "Cellar" Shrine in Crouching Tiger Temple to meet Xu Dog. He'll give you the Special-made Bone-Strengthening Pellet. Take it back to Chen Loong.
Pro Tip: Xu Dog isn't just for this quest! He's a crucial merchant for buying formulas for consumables. Building a good relationship with him early pays off massively throughout your journey.
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Receive the Ruyi Scroll: As a reward, Chen Loong gives you the Ruyi Scroll. This magical item teleports you to the Painted Realm, a gateway to Zodiac Village—a hub for all the merchants you'll meet.
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Face the Blacksmith's Challenge: In the Painted Realm, find the hefty blacksmith, Yin Tiger. Speak to him, and he'll be eager for a duel. This isn't a casual sparring match; be prepared for a tough fight!
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Victory and Reward: Defeat Yin Tiger (check boss guides for his patterns—his colossal blade hits like a truck!). After beating him, speak to him again. Lo and behold, the "Equip More Curios" option will now appear in your menu! Congratulations, you've unlocked your third curio slot! 🎉
Going Beyond: Unlocking Slots 4 & 5 (New Game+)
Think three slots are enough? Think again! To truly maximize your power and experiment with insane curio combinations, you need to dive into New Game+ mode, known in-game as "Enter a New Cycle."
Here’s the deal: Each New Game+ cycle allows you to unlock one additional curio slot, up to a maximum of five. That's right, you need to complete the entire game and restart your journey to claim the ultimate inventory capacity.
The New Game+ Grind:
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Complete the Main Story: Finish your first playthrough and witness the epic conclusion.
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Start a New Cycle: From the main menu, select "Enter a New Cycle." You'll keep your stats, abilities, and most items, but the world resets with increased difficulty.
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Repeat the Quest: You must complete Chen Loong's quest chain and defeat Yin Tiger again in each new cycle to unlock the next slot.
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Cycle 2 (NG+): Unlocks the 4th Curio Slot.
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Cycle 3 (NG++): Unlocks the 5th and final Curio Slot.
This system encourages mastery. By the time you're on your third journey, you'll be a pro at handling Chapter 3 and smashing through Yin Tiger's defenses. The payoff? Five curio slots let you create builds that are nothing short of legendary. Imagine stacking damage, defense, and utility buffs all at once! 🤯
Why Bother? The Power of Curios
Let's talk strategy. Curios aren't just trinkets; they're build-defining artifacts. With five slots, you can specialize in ways that completely alter your playstyle. Here are some theoretical combos for 2026's meta:
| Build Type | Potential Curio Combo Focus | Playstyle Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Glass Cannon | +Critical Damage, +Spell Power, +Attack Speed | Obliterate bosses but dodge everything! |
| Immortal Tank | +Max Health, +Damage Reduction, +Health Regen | Face-tank hits and outlast any enemy. |
| Spirit Caster | +Spirit Gain, +Spell Cost Reduction, +Elemental Damage | Spam powerful abilities without running dry. |
| Status Effect King | +Poison/Burn/Frost Damage, +Effect Duration, +Luck | Melt enemies with constant damage-over-time. |
Final Tips & Tricks
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Don't Rush Chapter 2: Seriously, find Xu Dog early. It makes the Chapter 3 quest a breeze and sets you up with a great vendor.
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Master Yin Tiger's Fight: Learn his patterns. He's a gatekeeper not just for the slot, but for your skills. Beating him efficiently will help in every New Game+ cycle.
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Experiment!: With more slots, try wild curio combinations. The synergy between certain artifacts can create unexpectedly powerful effects.
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Utilize All Resources: While you're hunting for curios, make sure to unlock all Keeper's Shrines for fast travel and explore thoroughly to find powerful Spirits to aid you in battle.
Unlocking all curio slots is a journey that mirrors the Destined One's own path to power—it requires perseverance, skill, and a willingness to challenge yourself repeatedly. But trust me, when you're facing down the game's toughest bosses in New Game++ with five powerful artifacts humming with energy, you'll feel like the true Monkey King. Good luck, fellow pilgrims! May your journey to the west be ever more powerful! 🐒✨