Developer Everstone Studio has announced that Where Winds Meet will receive the second chapter of its Hexi expansion, titled “Liangzhou,” on April 2, 2026. The update continues the expansion’s sweeping storyline and introduces a dramatically different region for players to explore.
Following the desert landscapes introduced in the first chapter at Jade Gate Pass, players will now journey into snow-covered mountains and fortified frontier towns, expanding the game’s open-world Wuxia adventure with new narrative content, gameplay systems, and enemies.
A Snowy Frontier Region
Liangzhou serves as the second act of the Hexi expansion, shifting the setting from desert sands to a frozen frontier inspired by classical eastern poetic imagery. The region’s design blends romantic aesthetics such as the famed imagery of “grape wine in a night-glowing cup” with the harsh realities of a fortified border city.
As the storyline progresses, the region will undergo a mysterious transformation triggered by a key narrative event. This shift promises to introduce new exploration and combat scenarios that alter how players interact with the world of Jianghu.
New Stories and Characters
Two new story arcs will guide players through Liangzhou’s turbulent setting.
The first, “Liangzhou Melody,” follows a young musician searching for a hometown he has never known. The second storyline, “Paper Moon,” explores the fallout from a conflict within a Buddhist hall and how it reshapes the lives of two individuals caught in chaotic times.
Both stories revolve around a shared longing for Chang’an’s moonlight, serving as a symbolic beacon in an uncertain era.
A New Sect and Weapon
The update also introduces a new martial sect known as Raging Tides. Originating from military service, the sect is built on discipline and battlefield camaraderie, though its members are equally known for their carefree attitudes and love of wine outside combat.
Players will also gain access to the Heng Blade, a weapon inspired by Tang Dynasty craftsmanship. Designed with a straight-angled tip and precise cutting lines, the weapon introduces a deflect-and-counter combat mechanic that forms part of the new “Stonesplit Strength” martial arts path, alongside the powerful Mo Blade.
The weapon’s combat animations were created by Stephen Tung Wai, a seven-time Hong Kong Film Award winner for Best Action Choreography, known for his work on films such as Hard Boiled, Hero, and Reign of Assassins.
New Bosses and Campaign Challenges
The snowy wilderness of Liangzhou introduces several new challenges and powerful enemies. Players will uncover conspiracies in the “Death of Governor” campaign while navigating dangerous traps and battles.
World bosses arriving with the update include the tragic Moongazing Maiden, the mythical Everdeer, the strange Pocketrupt Circus, and the massive guardian beast Town Gate Roar, encountered during a siege scenario at Dasan Pass.
The Liangzhou chapter of the Hexi expansion launches April 2, continuing the evolving open-world adventure of Where Winds Meet with new regions, stories, combat styles, and formidable enemies.
