You’re probably wandering around the Webbed Hollow right now, feeling like you’ve missed something. You have. Most players breeze through the cavernous, spider-infested nightmare of Chapter 4 thinking the Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master is the only big threat. He isn't. Not even close. There is a hidden area called Purple Cloud Mountain, and if you don't find it, you're missing out on the best loot in the game and the "true" ending path.
The chapter 4 secret boss guide starts with a weird little guy in a cloak. Seriously. If you haven't seen a man with a massive gourd on his back yelling about venom, you're in the wrong place. This secret isn't just a bonus level; it’s basically mandatory if you want to make the final boss of the chapter anything less than a controller-breaking exercise in frustration.
Let's get into how you actually get there without losing your mind.
Finding the Venomous Armguard: The First Step
You can’t just walk into the secret area. You have to earn it by beating a specific NPC named the Venomous Daoist twice. The first encounter is hidden behind a breakable wall in the Webbed Hollow. Specifically, look for the "Pool of Shattered Jade" Shrine.
From that shrine, there’s a path leading to a massive cocoon hanging from the ceiling. Hit it. Out pops the Daoist. He’s fast, but he’s a bit of a glass cannon. Here is the catch: if you want the rare Venomous Armguard armor piece, you have to break the arms on his back before you kill him. It's tricky. Use Immobilize when his back is turned and whale away.
Once he hits low health, he runs away. He doesn't die. He just scampers off like a coward to a place called the Court of Illumination.
The Second Encounter
This is where people get lost. You’ll find him again near the end of the chapter, close to the final boss arena. Look for a side path near the "Court of Illumination" Shrine that leads up a cliffside. You’ll see him standing there, looking even more mutated than before.
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This fight is harder. He’s more aggressive, uses more poison, and has a second phase where he grows wings. Kill him here, and he’ll finally point the way to the mural. Touching this mural teleports you to Purple Cloud Mountain.
Entering Purple Cloud Mountain
Welcome to the prettiest—and deadliest—sub-area in the game. It’s a stark contrast to the dark, damp caves of the Webbed Hollow. It looks like a classic Chinese painting, all autumn leaves and misty peaks.
But don't get distracted.
The enemies here drop insane amounts of Will and high-level crafting materials like Fine Gold Thread. You’ll want to explore the whole map, specifically looking for the "Petalfall Hamlet" and "Cloudnest Peak" Shrines. There are mini-bosses here too, like the Scorpionlord (who is honestly harder than the actual secret boss if you fight him directly).
Quick Tip: If you see a giant scorpion drinking on a roof, don’t attack him yet. If you leave him alone, he actually shows up to help you during the first phase of the secret boss. If you kill him now, you get his armor, but you’re on your own for the big fight.
The Duskveil: The Secret Boss of Chapter 4
At the very top of the mountain—Cloudnest Peak—you’ll find a massive, grotesque bird-like creature. This is the Duskveil.
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This fight is a two-phase endurance test.
Phase One: The Physical Brawl
The Duskveil starts out relatively slow. It uses its beak and talons to sweep the arena. It has a nasty habit of jumping into the air and slamming down, creating a shockwave. If you didn't kill the Scorpionlord earlier, he’ll jump into the arena and tank some hits for you. It makes this phase a total breeze.
Focus on the legs. The Duskveil has a massive hitbox, so moves like A Pluck of Many (your duplicate spell) can absolutely shred its health bar in seconds. Just watch out for its kick. It’s faster than it looks.
Phase Two: Blood and Fire
Once you "kill" it, the Duskveil enters its true form. The music shifts. The sky turns red. The bird starts vomiting blood and fire everywhere. This is the real chapter 4 secret boss guide challenge.
Its move set changes completely:
- Blood Projectiles: It fires volleys of hardened blood that track you. Dodge late, not early.
- The Screech: It emits a high-pitched scream that stuns you and drains your health if you’re too close.
- Sword Wings: It uses its wings like blades, performing wide horizontal slashes that cover half the arena.
The best strategy here is staying aggressive but disciplined. Use the Cloud Step spell to reposition when it starts its flying lunges. When it lands, it’s vulnerable for about three seconds. Use your Wandering Wight spirit (the big head slam) to stagger it.
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Why You Actually Need to Do This
You aren't just doing this for the achievement. Beating the Duskveil rewards you with the Weaver's Needle.
This is a Vessel, similar to the Fireproof Mantle from Chapter 1. Why does it matter? Because the final boss of Chapter 4, the Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master, has a second phase where he creates a golden nebula that makes your stamina regen almost zero and doubles your damage taken. It is a nightmare.
If you have the Weaver's Needle, you can activate it during that phase. The needle flies out, pierces the nebula, and completely cancels the boss's buff. It turns a "Soulslike" difficulty fight into a standard action game encounter.
Other Notable Loot in the Secret Area:
- Celestial Pill: Increases your maximum Mana.
- Kun-Steel: A legendary crafting material needed for the highest-tier staffs.
- The Scorpionlord's Stinger: If you choose to fight the scorpion instead of letting him help.
Common Mistakes People Make
Most players miss the first Venomous Daoist because they don't explore the "Pool of Shattered Jade." They just follow the path to the right and move on. If you finish Chapter 4 without doing this, you can still go back, but it feels much better to do it "in order" so you have the Needle for the finale.
Another mistake? Using all your Mana in Phase 1 of the Duskveil. Don't. Phase 1 is a warm-up. If you go into Phase 2 with no Mana for spells like Resolute Strike or Immobilize, you are going to have a very bad time. The blood pools on the ground in Phase 2 also cause a "Chilled" or "Corroded" type effect that slows you down. Stay on the clean patches of dirt.
Taking Action: Your Chapter 4 Checklist
To make sure you don't miss a thing, follow these steps exactly:
- Find the Pool of Shattered Jade shrine in the Webbed Hollow and kill the cocooned man. Break those back arms!
- Proceed to the Court of Illumination and finish the fight with the Venomous Daoist on the cliffside.
- Interact with the Mural to enter Purple Cloud Mountain.
- Explore the Mountain fully. Collect the Celestial Pills and the Fine Gold Thread from the chests scattered around the village.
- Decide on the Scorpionlord. If you want an easier boss fight later, leave him on the roof. If you want his armor now, fight him.
- Climb to Cloudnest Peak and take down the Duskveil.
- Equip the Weaver's Needle before you head into the final fight against the Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master.
Doing this doesn't just give you loot; it fills in huge gaps in the lore regarding the Sisters and the tragedy of the spider clan. It's easily the most fleshed-out secret area in Black Myth: Wukong, and skipping it honestly ruins the pacing of the chapter's end. Get the needle, kill the bird, and make that Daoist master regret ever messing with the Destined One.
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