You’re wandering through the Fright Cliff in Chapter 2, minding your own business, and you see it. Or rather, you see a glowing rock that looks like it’s having a seizure. That’s the Mother of Stones. Honestly, calling it a "boss" feels like a stretch when you first see it, but don't let the lack of legs fool you. It's one of those encounters in Black Myth: Wukong that tests your patience more than your actual reflexes.
Most bosses in this game want to rip your head off with a staff or breathe fire on your face. The Mother of Stones? She just sits there. She’s basically a stationary boulder with a glowing core, tucked away in a cave near the Rockrest Flat Shrine. But the "fight" isn't really about her; it's about the annoying little stone minions she summons to do her dirty work while you try to chip away at her health bar.
Finding the Mother of Stones
If you're lost, you aren't alone. The Yellow Wind Ridge is a maze of sand and jagged rocks. To find her, start at the Rockrest Flat Keeper’s Shrine. Head left into the cave system. You’ll know you’re in the right place because the air starts feeling cramped and the walls look like they’re made of petrified nightmares.
She’s at the end of a tunnel, perched on a ledge. You can't miss her because she glows with a distinct, eerie light that screams "hit me for loot." But before you rush in, realize that she’s the gatekeeper for one of the most important questlines in the early game. If you want to finish the Man-in-Stone quest or get the Buddha’s Eyeballs, you're going to have to deal with her eventually.
Why the Mother of Stones is Such a Weird Fight
It’s a puzzle. Kinda.
💡 You might also like: Marvel Rivals Emma Frost X Revolution Skin: What Most People Get Wrong
Most players approach the Mother of Stones by sprinting up and mashing the light attack combo. That works, but it's messy. The Mother herself doesn't move. She doesn't swing. She just pulses. Every time she pulses, she’s calling for help. The real danger comes from the Stone Statues and Stone Guai that crawl out of the ground to jump-scare you.
The strategy here is surprisingly simple: ignore the kids, kill the mom.
If you spend all your time fighting the small fries, they just keep coming. It’s a war of attrition you’ll probably lose because your Gourd only has so many sips. Instead, focus entirely on the main rock. Use your Immobilize spell to freeze the adds if they get too crowded, but keep your staff focused on that glowing center.
The Gimmick and the Rewards
Why are you even doing this? Aside from the XP, the Mother of Stones drops the Stone Carven Heart.
📖 Related: Finding the Right Words That Start With Oc 5 Letters for Your Next Wordle Win
This isn't just a trophy. You need to take this back to the Man-in-Stone, that sketchy guy trapped in a rock nearby who promised you a reward. Spoiler alert: he's a bit of a jerk. Giving him the heart triggers the next phase of his quest, which eventually opens up a secret shop. It’s one of those classic "Action A leads to Consequence B" scenarios that Black Myth: Wukong loves to throw at you without explaining anything.
The fight also contributes to your bestiary (the Lesser Yaoguai entries), which is essential if you're a completionist aiming for that Platinum trophy.
Strategy: How to Not Die to a Rock
- Stamina Management: Since you're basically hitting a wall, you might get lazy. Don't. You need stamina to dodge the projectiles the minions throw.
- Spirit Attacks: The Wandering Wight spirit (the big-headed dude from Chapter 1) is incredible here. One headbutt does massive posture damage and chunks her health.
- Pillar Stance: If the ground gets too crowded with minions, hop into Pillar Stance. It keeps you above the fray while you wait for an opening to heavy-smash the Mother.
- Resistances: She doesn't do much elemental damage, so don't worry about your charms too much. Just focus on raw attack power.
Some people try to use the Red Tides transformation here. It's okay, but honestly, it’s overkill. Save your Qi for when you’re actually in danger. The Mother of Stones is more of a "gear check" or a "patience check" than a true test of skill. If you can beat the Lingxuanzi or the Black Bear Guai, you can beat a stationary rock.
The Man-in-Stone Connection
After you've shattered the Mother of Stones, go back to the Man-in-Stone. He’s going to act all grateful, then he’s going to try and fight you. Typical.
👉 See also: Jigsaw Would Like Play Game: Why We’re Still Obsessed With Digital Puzzles
Beating him isn't hard—he's got a very predictable move set. Once he’s humbled, he becomes a merchant. This is huge because he sells the Goldflora Hairpin, which increases the amount of Will you get from fallen enemies. In a game where everything costs a fortune, that hairpin is a godsend for mid-game upgrades.
He also sells the Sobering Stone, which you’ll need for the Drunken Boar questline to access the "Secret: Kingdom of Sahali" area. Without killing the Mother of Stones, you're locked out of one of the coolest secret boss fights in the game (the Fuban).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't use your Cloud Step immediately. It’s a waste. The minions are slow. Just walk around them. Also, don't get greedy with your combos. The Mother pulses with an AoE (Area of Effect) blast occasionally that can knock you off the ledge if you aren't careful.
I've seen people try to "cheese" her with ranged spells. You can, but it takes forever. Just get in there and hit her. She has a surprisingly high defense stat, so if you feel like you're doing zero damage, check your weapon. You should have the Twin Serpents Staff or better by this point. If you're still using the starting twig, you're going to be there all night.
Black Myth: Wukong is full of these "environmental" bosses. They break up the rhythm of the high-speed duels. The Mother of Stones is the perfect example of the game’s philosophy: everything in this world has a soul, even the literal stones, and most of them want you dead.
Actionable Steps for Success
- Check your inventory: Ensure you have the Wandering Wight spirit equipped for high burst damage.
- Locate Rockrest Flat: Teleport to the Chapter 2 shrine and head into the caves on the left.
- Focus fire: Ignore the small stone creatures and dump all your damage into the glowing Mother of Stones.
- Deliver the loot: Take the Stone Carven Heart to the Man-in-Stone to unlock his shop and the Sobering Stone.
- Buy the Hairpin: Purchase the Goldflora Hairpin immediately to boost your Will gains for the rest of the chapter.