The Herald's Illusion is an optional quest in Phantom Blade Zero that offers deeper exploration into the game's hidden realms and lore, particularly concerning the antagonist Leng Tu and the domain of the Three-Eyed Puppet. To complete this mission, players must locate and open three distinct portals scattered across different regions of the game world.
The Herald's Illusion in the Village of Lu
The first portal is located deep within the Village of Lu. Players will encounter it while pursuing main objectives, leading them to the bottom of a well. Here, they must defeat the boss Yuzan, the No. 3 Musician Puppet, a Songstress variant. Yuzan attacks with projectiles that can either be blocked and reflected for damage or dodged, depending on their color. She also uses a vortex spell that pulls the player towards her. After defeating Yuzan, players should interact with nearby puppet NPCs and proceed through a tunnel into a cavernous area. A magical doorway awaits, and interacting with the Three-Eyed Puppet hanging by strings within this doorway will cause it to open its first eye.
The Herald's Illusion in the Mandate Encampment
The second portal is found in the Mandate Encampment. It is recommended to complete other side objectives before heading to the Training Grounds in the northern part of the map. Within the Training Grounds, players must first defeat Yubi, the No. 21 Swordfighter Puppet, who wields wind and lightning abilities. Upon defeating Yubi, players can collect rewards including the Baishan Stormswords, Memory Flowers, and a component for the Illusory Pipa. Following this, players can pass through the portal that leads back to the Three-Eyed Puppet's domain, where its second eye will open.
The Herald's Illusion in the Mountain of Imprisonment
The third and final portal is situated in the depths of the Mountain of Imprisonment. After progressing through the main objectives and defeating the boss Huangxing, players will obtain the Flying Guillotine, a tool necessary for interacting with mechanical devices. Activating a device in Huangxing's lair opens a massive pit. Players must then carefully navigate a platforming section, descending through ledges until they reach the bottom. A cutscene will trigger, leading to an interaction with Inanis. A shining blue portal will be visible, and interacting with the Three-Eyed Puppet there will cause its third eye to open. This action also yields two key items: The Puppet's Tongue and the Crystal Puppet Eye (Yin). The Three-Eyed Puppet will then reveal that the Herald resides in the Crimson Manor.
Next Steps
Upon opening the three doors, the Herald's Illusion quest concludes. Players are then directed to the Crimson Manor, as indicated by the Three-Eyed Puppet. This quest is part of a larger narrative arc that also involves collecting the Acolyte Masks, and further guidance for the Crimson Manor can be found in related guides.