Black Myth: Wukong has a lot of optional content that you may never find if you don’t explore every nook and cranny of the world. A lot of content is also missable, if you advance the main plot too quickly, though several encounters give you a second opportunity in the same save. Side quests can often lead to secret areas and their corresponding hidden bosses. This guide lists all known side quests in Black Myth: Wukong.
Chapter 1
3 Bells
This side quest leads to the first major secret boss, but more importantly, will net you a critical item known as Fireproof Mantle which will be of great utility in several situations requiring fire resistance later in the game.
Ringing the third bell teleports you to Secret: Ancient Guanyin Temple to face Elder Jinchi. Defeat him and return to the bell with the hanging corpse to collect the Fireproof Mantle.
Urge Unfulfilled Trophy Quest
This side quest spans the first five chapters. Beginning at Back Hills in Chapter 1, speak with the Horse Guai NPC inside the cave until he has nothing more to say.
Chapter 2
Xu Dog
Defeat the frog boss Yaoguai Chief: Lang-Li-Guhh-Baw near Village Entrance shrine, then chat with Xu Dog nearby. It is possible to miss him at this location if you have moved the main plot too far.
In that case, you can encounter Xu Dog at the Cellar shrine, inside of a vase. Speak to him to be able to use Mind Cores for stat upgrades, and access Xu Dog’s shop.
Buddha’s Eyeballs
This optional quest unlocks an optional boss that can be used to fight a story boss in a massive showdown. Beginning at Squall Hideout, locate the six Buddha’s Heads lying on the ground in the area between here and Rockrest Flat, and collect the Eyeballs from each. Take them to the boss arena for Yaoguai King: Stone Vanguard, and plug them into the rock with multiple heads carved into it, before triggering the story boss fight.
Drunken Boar
Chapter 2 side quest that opens up the chapter’s secret area Kingdom of Sahi. Beginning at Rockrest Flat, talk to the boozy boar lying on the ground to start his questline.
Old Rattle-Drum
Near the Windrest Hamlet shrine, confront Tiger’s Acolyte and collect the Old-Rattle Drum key item to begin this questline that eventually leads to the Mad Tiger secret boss fight.
Man-in-Stone
A very short side quest, begin by defeating the Mother of Stone lesser boss and collecting the Stone Essence key item. Give this to the Man-in-Stone to trigger a fight with him that will yield the Azure Dust spell.
Urge Unfulfilled Trophy Quest
Continuing the Horse Guai NPC quest in Chapter 2, speak to him in Sandgate Village where he is being held captive.
Chapter 3
Turtle Tear
Defeat Yaoguai Chief: Apramana Bat in the vicinity of the shrine at North Shore of the Bitter Lake, then use the skeleton to watch a cutscene. Return along the same path and retrieve the Turtle Tear from the giant turtle on the way. The boss will disappear if you proceed to Chapter 4.
Cheng Loong
Beat the secret boss in the waters at North Shore of the Bitter Lake, then have a conversation with him to trigger a questline. Requires Xu Dog to be accessible for completion, but that can still be done after starting this quest.
Treasure Hunter
This multi-part quest unlocks the secret boss Green-Capped Martialist as well as the Spell Binder spell. It begins at the shrine North Shore of the Bitter Lake where you will speak to the Treasure Hunter for the first time. This is followed by two subsequent encounters at Towers of Karma, and Melon Field.
Snow Fox
A unique side quest that unlocks the secret boss Non-Void. Speak with the corpse at the gate near the Forest of Felicity shrine until you exhaust the dialogue tree and acquire the quest. After defeating the hidden boss, return to the corpse to collect the Snow Fox Brush accessory for longer lasting transformations.
The Spirits of Captains
A four-part quest, begin by speaking with the prisoner near Lower Pagoda. Next defeat the bosses Captain Lotus-Vision, Captain Wise-Voice, and Captain Kalpa-Wave, before collecting their spirits. The Spirit of Captain Void-Illusion can simply be taken without a fight. Return to the prisoner and collect your rewards.
Urge Unfulfilled Trophy Quest
Continuing the Horse Guai NPC quest in Chapter 3, speak to him in Thunderclap Temple Entrance where he is just lounging around for you to chat.
Chapter 4
Purple Talisman Altars
Collect the purple talismans from four altars spread between Webbed Hollow and Temple of Yellow Flowers to trigger a fight with the Supreme Inspector. Must be completed before moving on to Chapter 5 or risk losing access until New Game+.
Venom Daoist
This quest opens up Chapter 4’s secret area Purple Cloud Mountain and its two secret bosses, The Scorpionlord and The Duskveil. Begin by defeating the Venom Daoist nestled inside his Old Cocoon near Pool of Shattered Jade. Next, do it again in Court of Illumination in a two phase fight. Then use Go on the wall he gestures at while dying.
Daoist Mi
This secret side quest is in Chapter 4’s secret area Purple Cloud Mountain. Speak with Daoist Mi in Petalfall Hamlet to start the questline and be rewarded with the Violet Hail spell. This NPC can disappear so complete this quest as soon as possible.
Urge Unfulfilled Trophy Quest
Continuing the Horse Guai NPC quest in Chapter 4, find him in Bonevault where he is trapped within a spider’s cocoon. Free him to exhaust his dialogue tree yet again.
Chapter 5
Five Element Carts
Beginning at Ashen Pass I, defeat secret boss Pale-Axe Stalwart to then begin a conversation with him. Exhausting his dialogue tree will unlock the quest. Completion of this quest unlocks access to Chapter 5’s secret area Bishui Cave.
Supreme Gourd
This side quest unlocks the Supreme Gourd and the Always Accompanied trophy. Requires a maxed out Gourd with Shen Monkey and both interactions with the Old Man.
Urge Unfulfilled Trophy Quest
Continuing the Horse Guai NPC quest in Chapter 5, find him in Valley Entrance where he is trapped yet again within a cart. Pull on the whip handle to attempt to free him and exhaust his dialogue tree.
Once at the start of Chapter 6, fast travel to the same shrine and return to the same cart, and pull forcefully on the whip handle one last time to acquire the Dark Thunder spell and the Urge Unfulfilled trophy.
Those are all known side quests in Black Myth: Wukong.