GUANGZHOU, China – March 13, 2026 – Everstone Studio today announced that its open-world Wuxia ARPG Where Winds Meet will release "Liangzhou," the highly anticipated second chapter of the massive Hexi expansion, on April 2 (UTC). Following the perilous journey through the yellow sands of Jade Gate Pass, players will now venture into a vastly different landscape of snow-capped mountains and fortified frontier towns , bringing an engaging main storyline, an unconventional new sect, the anticipated Heng Blade weapon, and formidable new Bosses.
Watch the Hexi Expansion Recap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXUu5Wd4Rvo
As part of the overarching Hexi expansion - which spans 3 distinct chapters across incredibly diverse geographical regions - Liangzhou serves as the thrilling second act. Building upon the foundation of Chapter 1, it propels the grand narrative forward and immerses players in a completely new frontier experience.
New Map Region & A Mysterious New Phase
Unlocked after Jade Gate Pass, Liangzhou contrasts sharply with the vast deserts of the previous chapter. The artistic design draws from the ancient eastern poetic imagery of “grape wine in a night-glowing cup,” blending romantic aesthetics with the harsh reality of a fortified city. Furthermore, following a pivotal event in the storyline, the region will enter a mysterious new phase. This impending transformation promises to bring an entirely different and unprecedented exploration and combat experience to the Jianghu.
New Story: Liangzhou Melody and Paper Moon
Two distinct journeys unfold in this update. "Liangzhou Melody" follows a young musician's search for a hometown he's never known, while "Paper Moon" reveals how a conflict within a Buddhist hall alters the destinies of two individuals amidst chaotic times. Their shared yearning for Chang'an's moonlight becomes a faint guiding light in a turbulent era.
New Sect: Raging Tides
Born from military service, this all-new sect emphasizes an iron-willed resolve on the battlefield, where comrades share life and death. Interestingly, this strict discipline contrasts heavily with their unrestrained, free-spirited nature and love for wine in their daily cultivation.
New Weapon: Heng Blade
Regarded as a pinnacle of Tang Dynasty cold weapon craftsmanship, the long-awaited Heng Blade features a straight-angled tip and sharp, precise lines. With combat animations designed by Stephen Tung Wai, a seven-time winner of the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Action Choreography (renowned for films like Hard Boiled, Hero and Reign of Assassins), the Heng Blade introduces a “deflect-and-counter” mechanism for agile, proactive suppression, forming the new “Stonesplit Strength” martial arts path alongside the heavy-hitting Mo Blade.
New Campaigns & World Bosses
Adventurers will face thrilling new challenges across the snowy wilds. Navigate intricate traps to uncover the truth in the "Death of Governor" campaign, or confront the colossal guardian beast “Town Gate Roar” amidst the oppressive siege warfare of Dasan Pass. Additionally, unique world bosses like the gracefully tragic Moongazing Maiden, the fiercely auspicious Everdeer, and the bizarre Pocketrupt Circus will ensure the Liangzhou wilderness is always filled with surprises.
The vast, snow-covered frontier of Liangzhou awaits. Whether you are eager to master the new Heng Blade, unravel the mysteries of the frontier towns, or face formidable new bosses, we invite all wanderers to step into the Jianghu on April 2 and embark on this thrilling new chapter of Where Winds Meet!
For more information, visit the game’s official website: https://www.wherewindsmeetgame.com/
Follow the official community:
Join the Discord to receive special gifts and updates: https://discord.gg/eQc47PbWCK
X: https://twitter.com/WhereWindsMeet_
FB: https://www.facebook.com/WhereWindsMeet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/where_winds_meet/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhereWindsMeet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Everstone Studio
Everstone is an emerging game production studio focusing on open world and ancient narrative. Gathering a group of energetic, pioneering gamers, the studio is driven by a passion for Wuxia spirit and experience in game narrative, combat performance, level design, and more.
The studio's vision is to employ international game production techniques to express the unique concept of Eastern arts. With characters of certain historical backgrounds and Wuxia elements, the team aspire to reconstruct the distant past with cutting-edge technologies and bountiful detail, so as to build deep connections with our players and create an impressive open world that fills them with wonder. Devoted to combining both real history and a huge world of both real and fantastic creatures, grand narrative and meticulous detail, Everstone Studio would like to use creative design in the growth of main characters to bring unprecedented flexibility and freedom to players, letting them roam boundlessly in a finite world.
About NetEase Games
NetEase Games, the online games division of NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES and HKEX: 9999), is a leading global developer and publisher of video game IP across a variety of genres and platforms. NetEase Games' development and publishing slate include titles such as Marvel Rivals, Where Winds Meet, Knives Out, and Naraka: Bladepoint, and partnerships with major entertainment brands such as Warner Bros and Mojang AB (a Microsoft subsidiary). For more information, please visit https://www.neteasegames.com/
Follow Us on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NetEaseOfficial
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NetEaseGames_EN
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fPAi77lcCWFUc94UHyfGg