In our last Dev Letter, we discussed the mechanisms of Hidden Mountain. Woven into the very fabric of streets, workshops, and fields, these marvels have long been a natural part of daily life on Mohist Hill. While Version 2.0 was about "entering the mountain," Version 2.1 is all about "connection."

Water rails now wind through the city, powering ancient machinery while irrigating the fields. By repairing these water rails, you will watch Hidden Mountain stitch itself back together. To help players conquer the sheer verticality of this landscape, we've blended Mystic Skills with building mechanics, streamlining the "Celestial Seize" experience. In Version 2.1, this theme of connection culminates in the Cloudstair, a massive structure that Wanderers across the server must unite to restore.

But we want to build more than just paths. Hidden Mountain poses a deeper, timeless question: Are the questions left unanswered in our lifetimes still worth pursuing by the generations that follow?

 

Part 1: The Quest for Ascension

With the launch of the new version, Wanderers across the server will join forces to rebuild the Cloudstair leading to Heaven's Threshold. We have left the unlocking of Heaven's Threshold to a community-wide effort because the act of "building the path" is itself a vital chapter of this story.

Once isolated from the world, Hidden Mountain is ready to reconnect. The first step is clear: mend the broken roads. Once the server-wide construction is complete, you will climb this restored path to step into Heaven's Threshold.

"Heaven's Threshold" signifies a mountain pass ascending into the very heavens. For centuries, Mohists gathered here to stargaze, map the heavens, carve wood, and test-fly their creations. Looking up, they sought to answer a near-obsessive question: Can humans fly using nothing but their own hands and craft?

The dream of Ascension transcends civilizations. In Greek mythology, the craftsman Daedalus fashioned wings for himself and Icarus, attempting to conquer the sky through sheer human ingenuity. Similarly, the ancient Chinese text Lu Wen from the Book of Mozi records Lu Ban carving a wooden magpie that soared in the air for three days. Halfway across the world from each other, ancient people stared up at the same sky and tried to reach it in their own ways.

The true value of an endeavor is rarely judged by the era in which it begins. What once seemed like impractical dreams may be carried forward by future generations, eventually finding their answers.

Thus, a thousand years later, we placed a massive Wooden Eagle atop the peaks of Mohist Hill. Even in the era of Where Winds Meet, it has yet to truly take flight. But for us today, the ancient questions asked by those who gazed at the stars have long been answered through our leap into the heavens. Civilization marches forward not because a single person reaches the finish line alone, but because there are always those willing to pick up the torch left by their predecessors and keep the fire burning.

At Heaven's Threshold, Wanderers will traverse misty cliffs and ancient ruins to uncover why this dream of Ascension shattered, what our ancestors left behind, and why some still guard this place, waiting for future generations to finish the answer.

 

Part 2: Evershift Labyrinth

Hidden beneath the Divinecraft Pavilion lies a secret trial ground sealed for ages: the Evershift Labyrinth. Originally designed by the Mohist Sect to test future disciples, it fell silent after the "sealing of the mountain" debate grew, when the former Grandmaster locked away Mohist martial arts and mechanical weapons within its depths.

Rather than just telling a complex backstory, our primary goal was to design a highly memorable gameplay experience. At the heart of the Evershift Labyrinth is one core question: How do we make a mortise-and-tenon maze come alive?

The walls, pillars, and paths of the labyrinth interlock through wooden joints. This brought us back to our core theme of "connection." The brilliance of mortise-and-tenon architecture lies not in any single component, but in how they connect and function as a whole. We scaled this concept up to encompass the entire space: walls rise and fall, pillars shift, and paths rotate, constantly dismantling and reassembling themselves. A solid wall might suddenly open into a passageway; an exit that seems within reach might vanish as the structure shifts.

Wanderers must study these spatial shifts, master the timing of the interlocking mechanisms, and navigate the maze. Along the way, you'll face daunting obstacles and must stay alert to the shifting environment even in the heat of combat. Combining visual spatial transformations, pathfinding, and dynamic combat, the Evershift Labyrinth promises an exhilarating challenge.

 

Part 3: The Mechanical Beasts

To us, an open world is like a stage. Stories and gameplay should complement each other, and World Bosses should leave a lasting impression, reminding players of the land they hail from. Starting in Hexi, we began giving World Bosses more narrative depth and regional character. In Hidden Mountain, it is only natural for the bosses to showcase the signature mechanical engineering of Mohist Hill. Thus, the Inkpincer Scorpion and Cloudclutch Serpent were born.

The Inkpincer Scorpion is heavily armored, using its dual claws to lock down its front while its hidden tail waits for the perfect moment to strike. Sweeps, heavy strikes, and deadly venom come at you in relentless waves. Fighting it feels like trying to tear down a fortress that actively fights back. The Cloudclutch Serpent has a completely different temperament. Connected by layered ring joints, its long body glides effortlessly through the mountains.

One is unshakeable, the other uncatchable. Against the Inkpincer Scorpion, Wanderers must find a way to break through its guard. Against the Cloudclutch Serpent, you must keep up with its constantly shifting positions and relentless onslaught.

 

Part 4: Mirkvale Exploration

Characters are another way for us to express our themes. When characters live their own lives, players feel a genuine connection through their actions and interactions.

Deep in the valley lies Mirkvale, a vital engineering workshop on Mohist Hill. Smelting, grinding, and mining facilities dot the valley, with waterwheels, pipes, and various machinery running day and night. Here, we wanted to slow down the pace a bit and shine the spotlight on a craftsman who really knows how to have fun.

Meet Xiaoba.

Clad in a red cloak and sporting a perpetual grin, Xiaoba calls himself the happiest craftsman in Mirkvale. Though obsessed with mechanics, his creations always carry a touch of playfulness. The Pangolin Peddler is one of his handiworks. As for how many other bizarre yet useful inventions are hidden within the Cave of Wonders, you will have to see for yourself. Of course, there will be some danger along the way, but we believe smart Wanderers will easily overcome these challenges, turning them into fun little episodes on a cheerful journey.

 

Part 5: Winds Meet in Cologne

The winds of Heaven's Threshold are blowing across the seas, bringing Where Winds Meet to Cologne, Germany.

Last year, while wearing our Where Winds Meet t-shirts around the venue, we were recognized by a player who had traveled all the way from France just to find us. He asked where our booth was. Back then, the game had not launched yet, and we did not have the budget to exhibit. We had to tell him with deep regret that we did not have a booth this time, but promised we would return once the game was live. This felt like a small promise, and this year, we are keeping that promise.

If you are that very Wanderer from last year and happen to see this announcement, please send us a direct message. We would love to invite you to our booth events.

From August 26 to 30, we will be waiting for you at Booth B-050, Hall 7.1 in Koelnmesse. We have prepared fun activities, hands-on demos of the new version, cosplayer photo-ops, and exclusive merch gifts. If you are attending, please drop by and experience it. We can't wait to meet you!