Phantom Blade Zero features three distinct endings: a bad ending, a slightly less bad ending, and the True Ending, which culminates in a final boss encounter and the "With Heart and Blood" achievement. To unlock this perfect conclusion, players must engage in various side activities beyond the main questline. The game appears to offer a generous window for completion, with the point of no return seemingly occurring upon entry into the Mirage Estate. However, completing these steps before confronting the final boss of that area should ensure access to the True Ending.
Secrets at the Heart of the Lake Quest
This quest becomes available after discovering one of Firefly's Memory Flowers in the Village of Lu. The main objectives involve defeating four scarecrow acolytes to obtain their masks.
- Acolyte Yanru is located in the Village of Lu.
- Acolyte Lei Ting can be found in Pangzhen. Players will need to acquire the Flaming Mane Phantom Edge to burn a barrier near the Pond of Fading Song bell on the west side of town to reach her.
- Acolyte Guhe is situated on an island at the east village dock in Meigu Lake.
- Acolyte Hansui is in the Crimson Manor. Accessing this area requires significant quest progression, including fixing the Illusory Pipa, completing "Whence the Weeping," and progressing through the Mandate Encampment.
Once the four masks are acquired, players can enter the Phantom Illusionist's realm through a mirror in the northwest of Meigu Lake. After navigating this area and defeating its final boss, a puppet statue will appear. To conclude the ritual, players must insert the Yin and Yang eyes into the puppet. The first eye is obtained from a hanging puppet in the Crimson Manor who provides the tongue needed for entry, and the second is dropped by the Puppet Scavenger boss within the manor. Defeating all the puppet monks in the ensuing ritual will complete the quest.
Bloodline Awakening Quest: The Five Long Pillars
Completing the five Long Pillar challenges against the Gold-Masked One is crucial for the True Ending. These encounters also yield Soul Tempering materials, beneficial for upgrading the game's most potent weapons.
- The first Long Pillar is in Weeping Creek Valley. Players must use the Hunt's Scythes to retrieve a key atop the Sha-Chi tower to unlock the area.
- The second Long Pillar is located in the Crimson Forest, accessible shortly after Stone Fist Iron Fever, near the beginning of the Mirrorwood.
- The third Long Pillar is found on an island in the eastern part of Meigu Lake.
- The fourth Long Pillar is within the Phantom Illusionist's realm. It is advisable to tackle this during the "Secrets at the Heart of the Lake" quest, as the masks are required for entry.
- The fifth and final Long Pillar is in the Mirage Estate, one of the game's penultimate areas. It is situated near the Willow Pavilion, requiring a grapple with the Hunt's Scythes to reach a nearby path.
Quickhand's Requests
It is highly recommended to complete all of Quickhand's Request quests. These involve locating treasures throughout various regions and delivering them to the thief. While not explicitly confirmed as a mandatory step for the True Ending by all sources, completing these requests yields two otherwise inaccessible Phantom Edges: Flying Dagger and Goldblaze, making the effort worthwhile regardless.
Rewards for the True Ending
Upon fulfilling all the aforementioned requirements, players will trigger a dialogue with Inanis before reaching the peak of Mount Soulrend, indicating preparedness for the final challenges. The True Ending allows players to face Leng Tu, Meng Hua, and a more complete form of Zuo Shang, unlike the standard ending which omits Zuo Shang's second phase. Successfully achieving the True Ending also grants the following cosmetic items and a key story item:
- The Hunt outfit
- The Kindred outfit
- The Blizzard outfit
- The Radiant Heart story item
After completing the True Ending, players can initiate New Game+ by speaking with Inanis, with the option to adjust difficulty settings. Progress in terms of weapons and Phantom Edges will carry over to the subsequent playthrough.