Overview
Cangyun Valley (藏云谷, Cángyún Gǔ, 'Hidden Cloud Valley') is a valley sub-region of the Cloud Fall Highlands (云落高地), featured in Chapter 3 of the Jixia arcShining Stars. Its name means literally 'the valley where clouds hide,' reflecting both its terrain (a bowl-shaped depression perpetually blanketed in low cloud) and its role in the Chapter 3 plot, where a mysterious phenomenon tied to Yunsheng gathers force in its interior.
Approach and Access
Players reach Cangyun Valley from Frostcloud Town via a waterfall approach, descending past Crimson Falcon Hall and into the valley floor. A waystone becomes available after first entry, anchoring fast-travel for post-chapter exploration.
Boss Encounters
The chapter's boss encounter against Frenzied Blazing Pelt (狂暴灼绒) is staged here, with follow-up phases against the Divine Pattern Cloud Beast Yunsheng (神纹云狌) and the mirrored Dark Yao Phantom (暗曜幻形) occurring nearby at Yunjing Pass (云镜隘口).
Visual Design
The valley's aesthetic leans heavily on vertical cloudscape and mist, with towering rock walls, curtains of thin cascade water, and shafts of filtered light breaking through cloud cover. It is one of the more cinematic environments in the launch map and is used for multiple scripted set-pieces during Chapter 3's climax, including the transformation sequences between Yunsheng's phases.
Post-Chapter Access
Beyond the main story, Cangyun Valley remains accessible for post-chapter exploration. Ambient encounters include the wildlife tied to the Chapter 3 ecology (Thorn Bears and Digging Wolves corrupted by the regional disturbance) and scattered collectibles (treasure chests, Fate Tokens, and shrine offerings) that players typically finish off on repeat visits. Its fast-travel waystone becomes one of the standard Cloud Fall anchor points after chapter completion.
Region Connections
Direction | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|
South entrance | Standard approach via the waterfall path. | |
South-west spur | Fengyu's manor lies along the descent. | |
West pair | Chapter 3 monster-lair gating to the boss approach. | |
West pair | Second monster-lair en route. | |
North pass | Hosts the follow-up phases against the Divine Pattern Cloud Beast. |
Boss Encounters
Boss | Phase | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Phase 1 | Main Chapter 3 fire boss staged in the valley floor. | |
Phase 2 | Follow-up at the northern pass; ties to the chapter's mystery plot. | |
Phase 3 | Mirrored phantom encounter; bridges into the chapter climax. |
Related Topics
Cloud Fall Highlands - parent region the valley sits inside.
Jixia Chapter 3 Shining Stars - main story tied to the valley.
Fengyu - Frostcloud Town hunter and chapter NPC.
Yunsheng - mythical beast at the center of the chapter's plot.
Chapter 3 Ties
Cangyun Hidden Valley is one of the principal exploration sets used during Chapter 3 of the main story. The valley's geography supports a hidden-path narrative beat: the chapter's mid-act sequence requires the player to locate and unlock a concealed passage on the valley's eastern wall, with the chapter's late-act payoff playing out at the path's destination.
Sub-Locations
The valley contains three notable sub-locations: the entrance clearing (a small encounter zone), the central hidden-path approach (a vertical climb sequence with grappling-hook attach points), and the deep terminus (a sealed alcove containing a chapter-specific lore drop). After Chapter 3 the valley remains accessible as a free-explore zone with a smaller post-chapter wildlife encounter rotation.