Overview
Flow Pathway (流脉, Liúmài, also translated as "Vein Advancement" or "流脉进阶") is the second of the two progression layers that every Resonance in Honor of Kings: World uses. It sits on top of the base stat layer (Resonance Breakthrough) and adds skill damage multipliers and entirely new passive effects as it advances. Unlike some earlier English press reports, Flow Pathway is not a protagonist-only mechanic: it is a universal Resonance progression system that applies to all 11 launch Resonances. Source: zh.game-walkthrough.com S0 launch Resonance guide.
Progression Cadence
Flow Pathway advances once every five Yuan Liu (account) levels. The zh.game-walkthrough.com guide puts it as: "每5级一次。你账号从1级升到5级，可以点第一次流脉。5到10级，点第二次，以此类推" ("Every 5 levels: when your account goes from level 1 to 5, you can spend your first pathway point; level 5 to 10 is the second point; and so on"). Because the advancement rate is tied to account level, players do not level a pathway per Resonance. Every Resonance advances together as the account grows.
Tier Structure
The launch tier pattern described by zh.game-walkthrough.com uses odd-tier and even-tier distinction:
Odd tiers (1, 3, 5) — boost skill damage multipliers for existing Resonance moves
Even tiers (2, 4) — unlock new passive effects that modify how the Resonance plays
Tier 3 and Tier 5 forks — branching choices where the player picks one of two options, specializing the Resonance toward short-burst damage or long-cycle sustain
The branching quote from zh.game-walkthrough.com: "流脉进阶到第三层和第五层时，系统给你两个选项，只能选一个" ("When Flow Pathway advances to tiers 3 and 5, the system gives you two options and you can only pick one").
Passive Unlock Cap at Level 55
Flow Pathway's passive unlocks stop at Yuan Liu Level 55. Beyond level 55, the only thing that keeps scaling is the skill damage multiplier from existing pathway nodes. The zh.game-walkthrough.com quote is: "55级以后只能提升技能等级。意思是流脉的被动效果在55级前就解锁完了，后面只加技能伤害倍率" ("After level 55 you can only increase skill level; meaning the Flow Pathway's passive effects are fully unlocked before level 55, and after that you only add skill damage ratios"). This is the soft cap that many launch-window guides reference, and it is a pathway cap, not an account-level cap.
Relationship to Resonance Breakthrough and Talents
Flow Pathway is one of three stacked progression systems on each Resonance:
Resonance Breakthrough (共鸣突破) — base attribute stat layer (HP, defense, crit, chase speed). Scales with Yuan Liu Level.
Flow Pathway (流脉进阶) — skill multiplier and passive unlock layer, documented above.
Talents (天赋) — a separate third layer that adds new moves, modifies release effects, or buffs existing abilities. See Talent System.
All three layers advance independently and a fully optimized Resonance requires investment in all three. For the full Resonance System write-up, see Resonance System.
Protagonist Weapon Skills
Earlier coverage incorrectly framed Flow Pathway as a multi-weapon tree unique to the Child of the Primal Flow. The protagonist does have multiple weapon-themed skills (流转轮 Ring Blade, 流冲枪 Flow Thrust Spear, 流旋锤 Flow Whirl Hammer, and the ultimate 原初剑流破 Primal Sword Flow Break), confirmed by GamerSky's hero compendium. These are individual skill slots in the protagonist's kit, not pathway-tree unlocks. The multi-stance nature of the Child of the Primal Flow is a kit feature, while Flow Pathway is the universal progression tree that applies to every Resonance.
Respec
The launch guide from zh.game-walkthrough.com flags that respec availability for Flow Pathway is not clearly documented: "目前尚不清楚游戏是否允许重置" ("it is currently unclear whether the game allows resetting"). Players are advised to consult written guides before committing to tier 3 and tier 5 fork choices, because the branches may be permanent within a pathway run.
Sources
zh.game-walkthrough.com Resonance + Flow Pathway guide: https://zh.game-walkthrough.com/post/wzrysjgm.html
GamerSky hero compendium (protagonist skill names): https://www.gamersky.com/handbook/202604/2117382.shtml
IT之家 combat mechanics feature: https://www.ithome.com/0/936/251.htm