How to Join Nine Mortal Ways Sect May 2026 – Complete Guide

Are you ready to embrace the path of deception and trickery in Where Winds Meet? The Nine Mortal Ways Sect offers one of the most unique and entertaining faction experiences in the game, allowing you to become a master of mischief, crime, and manipulation. Unlike the noble sects that value honor and righteousness, the Nine Mortal Ways thrives on chaos, deception, and clever trickery.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every step of joining this elusive sect, from finding the initial contact to making the crucial choice that determines your faction allegiance. Whether you’re a newcomer to Where Winds Meet or a seasoned player looking to explore the darker side of the jianghu, this guide has everything you need to successfully join the Nine Mortal Ways Sect.

What You’ll Learn in This Guide (May 2026)

Aspect	Details Covered
Prerequisites	Location requirements, character level, and preparation needed
Step-by-Step Process	Complete quest walkthrough from start to finish
Key Characters	San Qian, Fake Elder, and other important NPCs
Critical Choices	Decision points and their consequences
Rewards & Benefits	Mortal Rope Dart, unique abilities, and progression system
Sect Activities	Fun Points, disguises, and trickster gameplay mechanics
Common Issues	Troubleshooting and frequently asked questions

Understanding the Nine Mortal Ways Sect

Before diving into the joining process, it’s essential to understand what makes the Nine Mortal Ways Sect unique in Where Winds Meet. This faction operates in the shadows, embracing deception, manipulation, and criminal activities as their core philosophy. Unlike traditional martial arts schools that value honor and discipline, the Nine Mortal Ways celebrates mischief, trickery, and social chaos.

Key Characteristics of the Nine Mortal Ways:

• Alignment: Chaotic and deceptive, focused on personal gain through trickery
• Signature Weapon: Mortal Rope Dart – a unique melee DPS martial art
• Core Activities: Creating public disturbances, pickpocketing, deceiving NPCs, forging documents, and bluffing
• Progression System: Based on earning “Fun Points” through successful tricks and mischief
• Reputation: Built on acts of crime and deception rather than heroic deeds

The sect’s philosophy revolves around the idea that the world is full of deception, and the clever survive by embracing this truth rather than fighting against it. Members of the Nine Mortal Ways see themselves as realists who understand the true nature of the jianghu (martial world).

Prerequisites and Preparation

Before you can begin your journey to join the Nine Mortal Ways, there are several requirements and preparations you should consider:

Basic Requirements

• Character Level: While there’s no strict level requirement, having a character around level 15-20 will make the process smoother
• Location Access: You need to have reached the Qinghe region and unlocked access to Harvestfall Village
• Wind Sense Ability: Make sure you have unlocked and are familiar with using the Wind Sense ability, as it’s crucial for the quest
• Currency: Have some in-game currency ready for bribes and potential expenses

Recommended Preparation

• Combat Readiness: While the quest isn’t combat-heavy, being prepared for unexpected encounters is wise
• Inventory Space: Keep some inventory space available for quest items and potential rewards
• Save Game: Consider saving your game before starting the quest, as some choices have significant consequences

What to Avoid

• High Reputation with Righteous Sects: If you’ve already built strong relationships with honorable factions, joining the Nine Mortal Ways may create conflicts
• Recent Criminal Activities: While ironic, having a recent criminal record might make some NPCs less willing to help you initially

Step-by-Step Guide to Joining the Nine Mortal Ways Sect

Step 1: Find San Qian in Harvestfall Village

Your journey begins in Harvestfall Village, located west of the major city of Qinghe. This small village serves as the starting point for your initiation into the world of deception.

How to Find San Qian:

1. Travel to Harvestfall Village: Head west from Qinghe until you reach the village
2. Locate the Tavern: San Qian can be found working as a waiter in the village tavern
3. Identify San Qian: Look for a character who seems knowledgeable about village affairs – he’s typically described as someone who “knows what’s happening behind the scenes”

Important Note: San Qian won’t provide information freely. You’ll need to pay him a small bribe to get the details about the “Well of Heaven elder” who can supposedly initiate you into a noble sect.

Step 2: Pay the Bribe and Get Information

Once you’ve found San Qian, engage him in conversation to learn about the supposed Well of Heaven elder.

Dialogue Flow:

1. Approach San Qian: Initiate conversation and express interest in joining a sect
2. Pay the Bribe: San Qian will request a small payment – this is typically a modest amount that shouldn’t strain your resources
3. Receive the Clue: After payment, San Qian will reveal that a “Well of Heaven elder” has recently passed through the village and set up camp near an elm tree at the top of the village

What This Means: This is the first layer of deception in your journey. The “Well of Heaven elder” is actually a member of the Nine Mortal Ways in disguise, testing your gullibility and willingness to engage in questionable activities.

Step 3: Meet the “Elder” Near the Elm Tree

Following San Qian’s directions, make your way to the top of Harvestfall Village where you’ll find the supposed elder camped near an elm tree.

Finding the Elder:

1. Navigate to the Village Top: Follow the path upward through the village
2. Look for the Elm Tree: The elder will be camped near a distinctive elm tree
3. Approach the Elder: Initiate conversation and express your desire to join the Well of Heaven Sect

The First Red Flag: When you speak with the elder, he’ll agree to let you join but only after you complete a task for him. This task should immediately raise suspicions because it involves stealing jewelry from his “old friend” – something that completely contradicts the Well of Heaven’s philosophy of “Heroic Righteousness.”

Step 4: Receive the Suspicious Task

The elder will give you a morally questionable task: steal a box of jewelry from his old friend. This is where the deception becomes more obvious, but you need to play along to progress.

Task Details:

• Objective: Steal a “Large Pile of Jewelry” from the elder’s old friend
• Location: The target NPC will be marked on your map
• Method: Use Wind Sense to locate the jewelry and request it through dialogue

Why This is Suspicious: The Well of Heaven Sect values righteousness and honor above all else. Asking a potential initiate to commit theft goes completely against their core principles. This contradiction is intentional – it’s part of the test to see if you’re suitable for the Nine Mortal Ways.

Step 5: Locate the Target and Use Wind Sense

Now you need to find the elder’s “old friend” and complete the theft task. This is where the Wind Sense ability becomes crucial.

How to Complete the Task:

1. Follow the Quest Marker: Navigate to the location indicated on your map
2. Activate Wind Sense: Hold the right stick (or equivalent control) to activate Wind Sense
3. Locate the Jewelry: Use Wind Sense to highlight the “Large Pile of Jewelry” in the target’s inventory
4. Use the “Request” Option: When you approach the target NPC, use the “Request” dialogue option rather than pickpocketing or attacking

Important Note: Do NOT attack or pickpocket the target. Using the “Request” dialogue option is the correct method and will progress the quest as intended.

Step 6: The Revelation – Discovering the Truth

After successfully obtaining the jewelry, you’ll discover that you’ve actually robbed the real elder of the Well of Heaven Sect. This is the moment of revelation where the deception becomes clear.

What Happens:

1. Return to the Fake Elder: Bring the jewelry back to the elder who sent you
2. The Big Reveal: The fake elder confesses that he’s not a Well of Heaven master at all
3. The Truth: He reveals himself as a member of the Nine Mortal Ways and explains that you’ve just proven your capacity for deception by willingly participating in a robbery

The Test Explained: The entire quest was designed to test your willingness to engage in deceptive and morally questionable activities. By completing the theft without questioning the contradiction with the Well of Heaven’s values, you’ve demonstrated that you have the potential to become a member of the Nine Mortal Ways.

Step 7: The Critical Choice – Join or Expose

This is the most important decision point in the quest. You now have two options that will determine your faction allegiance:

Option 1: Expose the Deception

• Action: Denounce the trickster and return the jewelry to the real Well of Heaven elder
• Result: You’ll be able to join the Well of Heaven Sect instead
• Alignment: This path aligns you with righteousness and honor

Option 2: Embrace the Mistake and Join

• Action: Accept what you’ve done and formally express interest in joining the Nine Mortal Ways
• Result: You’ll become a member of the Nine Mortal Ways Sect
• Alignment: This path embraces deception, trickery, and mischief

To Join the Nine Mortal Ways: Choose Option 2 and express your desire to join the sect of deception. This is the choice that unlocks the path to becoming a full member of the Nine Mortal Ways.

Life as a Member of the Nine Mortal Ways

Once you’ve successfully joined the Nine Mortal Ways Sect, your gameplay experience will change significantly. Here’s what you can expect as a member:

Core Activities and Gameplay

Earning Fun Points: As a member of the Nine Mortal Ways, your progression is based on earning “Fun Points” through various mischievous activities:

1. Creating Public Disturbances: Cause chaos in towns and villages
2. Pickpocketing: Steal from NPCs using your thieving skills
3. Deceiving Characters: Lie to and manipulate NPCs in various interactions
4. Forging Messages: Create fake documents and messages
5. Bluffing in Card Games: Cheat and bluff while playing Madiao Cards
6. Participating in Disguise: Use disguises to blend in and trick others

Unique Mechanics:

• Virtue System: Your actions affect your Virtue stat – failed tricks or jail time will decrease it
• Disguise System: Purchase and use various disguises from Yu Xiaoyao’s Half-Face Makeup Shop
• Sect Ranking: Progress through the ranks based on your Fun Points and successful tricks

Rewards and Benefits

Immediate Rewards Upon Joining:

• Mortal Rope Dart: Access to this unique melee DPS martial art
• Sect-Specific Abilities: Unlock special tricks and deception-based skills
• Access to Sect Shop: Unique items and equipment available only to members

Long-term Benefits:

• Unique Progression Path: Advance through sect ranks by earning Fun Points
• Specialized Equipment: Access to deception-themed gear and tools
• Exclusive Quests: Storylines and missions available only to Nine Mortal Ways members
• Social Features: Special interactions and reputation effects with other players

Sect Rules and Restrictions

The Nine Mortal Ways has its own set of rules that members must follow:

Jianghu Fun: Earn weekly Fun Points by teasing and tricking others A Thousand Faces: Participate in Disguise activities to experience diverse lives Deceiving Heaven: Failed tricks or jail time will deduct 10 Virtue points

Consequences of Rule Violations:

• Virtue Reduction: Failed tricks and getting caught reduce your Virtue
• Rank Demotion: Poor performance can lead to losing sect ranks
• Potential Expulsion: Severe or repeated violations may result in being kicked out of the sect

2026 Advanced Tips and Strategies

Maximizing Fun Points

Efficient Fun Point Farming:

1. Focus on High-Yield Activities: Prioritize activities that give the most Fun Points
2. Chain Tricks: Combine multiple tricks in sequence for bonus points
3. Target Rich Areas: Focus on crowded areas where you can affect more NPCs
4. Use Disguises Effectively: Different disguises may provide bonuses to specific activities

Risk Management:

1. Know When to Lay Low: Avoid drawing too much attention to yourself
2. Save Before Major Tricks: Allow yourself to reload if things go wrong
3. Balance Risk and Reward: Some high-risk tricks offer great rewards but also severe penalties

Optimizing Your Deception Build

Recommended Skills and Abilities:

• Wind Sense Mastery: Essential for locating targets and opportunities
• Stealth Skills: Improve your ability to avoid detection
• Persuasion/Deception: Increase success rates in dialogue-based tricks
• Disguise Expertise: Maximize effectiveness of disguise-based activities

Equipment Considerations:

• Mortal Rope Dart: Master this signature weapon for combat effectiveness
• Light Armor: Maintain mobility for quick getaways
• Utility Items: Carry items that aid in deception and escape

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Frequently Encountered Problems

Quest Not Starting:

• Issue: San Qian doesn’t offer the quest
• Solution: Ensure you’re at the appropriate level and have progressed far enough in the main story
• Alternative: Check if you’ve already completed or failed related quests

Wind Sense Not Working:

• Issue: Can’t locate the jewelry using Wind Sense
• Solution: Make sure you’re close enough to the target NPC and holding the correct button
• Alternative: Try repositioning yourself or restarting the interaction

Choice Not Available:

• Issue: The option to join the Nine Mortal Ways doesn’t appear
• Solution: Ensure you’ve completed all previous steps correctly
• Alternative: Check if you’ve made choices that locked you out of this path

Reputation Issues:

• Issue: Other NPCs react negatively to your sect membership
• Solution: Use disguises when interacting with non-sect members
• Alternative: Balance your activities to maintain some positive reputation

Recovery from Mistakes

Accidentally Attacking the Fake Elder:

• Problem: You became hostile and attacked the fake elder during the revelation
• Solution: Unfortunately, this typically fails the quest to join the Nine Mortal Ways
• Recovery: You may need to reload a previous save or wait for the quest to reset

Choosing the Wrong Faction:

• Problem: You accidentally chose to join the Well of Heaven instead
• Solution: This choice is typically permanent for that playthrough
• Alternative: Consider starting a new character if you specifically want to join the Nine Mortal Ways

Lost Progress in Sect Ranks:

• Problem: You lost Virtue or sect rank due to failed tricks
• Solution: Focus on successful tricks to rebuild your reputation
• Prevention: Save before attempting risky tricks and reload if they fail

Comparison with Other Sects (2026)

Nine Mortal Ways vs. Well of Heaven

Aspect	Nine Mortal Ways	Well of Heaven
Philosophy	Deception and trickery	Heroic righteousness
Core Activities	Mischief, crime, deception	Chivalrous deeds, helping others
Signature Weapon	Mortal Rope Dart	Thundercry Blade
Progression	Fun Points from tricks	Adventure Slips from good deeds
Reputation	Built on chaos and mischief	Built on honor and valor

Why Choose Nine Mortal Ways?

Advantages:

• Unique Gameplay: Offers a completely different playstyle from traditional RPGs
• Freedom of Action: Few moral restrictions on your activities
• Entertainment Value: The trickster gameplay is often more entertaining and varied
• Social Features: Unique multiplayer interactions based on deception

Disadvantages:

• Limited NPC Interactions: Some NPCs may refuse to help you due to your reputation
• Resource Management: May need to manage negative consequences more carefully
• Story Limitations: Some storylines may be less accessible due to your alignment

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Q: Can I join both the Nine Mortal Ways and the Well of Heaven?

A: No, joining factions in Where Winds Meet is typically mutually exclusive. Choosing to side with the Nine Mortal Ways will lock you out of the Well of Heaven initiation, and vice versa. This is a permanent choice that affects your entire playthrough.

Q: Is the Nine Mortal Ways a “bad” faction?

A: The sect is unequivocally oriented toward criminal and deceptive acts. Joining them aligns your character with the underworld of the game, which is a valid and interesting role-playing path for those who want to explore a less heroic story. However, “bad” is subjective – it’s more about embracing a different moral perspective.

Q: Where exactly is Harvestfall Village?

A: Harvestfall Village is located west of the major city of Qinghe. Look for a small village on your map in that region. It’s typically marked as a settlement point and should be accessible once you’ve progressed far enough in the main story.

Technical Questions

Q: I attacked the impostor elder. Can I still join?

A: If you become hostile and attack him during the revelation, you will likely fail the quest to join the Nine Mortal Ways. The intended path is to hear him out and make the conscious choice to join. You may need to reload a previous save or start the quest over.

Q: What level should I be before attempting to join the Nine Mortal Ways?

A: While there’s no strict level requirement, being around level 15-20 is recommended. This ensures you have the necessary abilities unlocked and can handle any unexpected combat situations that might arise during the quest.

Q: Can I change sects later if I regret my choice?

A: Typically, sect membership is permanent in Where Winds Meet. However, some players have reported ways to change allegiance through specific quests or actions, though these are often difficult and may have significant consequences. It’s best to choose carefully the first time.

Gameplay Questions

Q: What’s the best way to earn Fun Points as a Nine Mortal Ways member?

A: The most efficient methods include creating public disturbances in crowded areas, successfully pickpocketing multiple NPCs in sequence, and excelling at bluffing in Madiao Cards. Using disguises can also increase your effectiveness and provide bonus points.

Q: How do I access the Nine Mortal Ways sect shop?

A: The sect shop becomes available once you’ve officially joined the sect and reached a certain rank within it. You can typically access it through the sect menu or by visiting specific sect vendors in the game world.

Q: What happens if I get caught and jailed while in the Nine Mortal Ways?

A: Getting caught and jailed will typically reduce your Virtue stat and may lower your standing within the sect. However, this is part of the risk-reward gameplay of being a trickster. You can rebuild your reputation by successfully completing more tricks and mischief.

Conclusion

Joining the Nine Mortal Ways Sect in Where Winds Meet is more than just completing a quest – it’s embracing an entirely different philosophy and playstyle. The path of the trickster offers unique rewards, entertaining gameplay mechanics, and a fresh perspective on the wuxia genre.

From the deceptive beginning that tests your willingness to engage in questionable activities, to the ongoing life of mischief and deception as a full member, the Nine Mortal Ways provides one of the most distinctive experiences in Where Winds Meet. Whether you’re drawn to the unique Mortal Rope Dart martial art, the freedom to cause chaos without moral constraints, or simply the entertainment value of being a professional trickster, this sect has something special to offer.

Remember that your choice to join the Nine Mortal Ways is significant and will shape your entire experience in Where Winds Meet. The path of deception isn’t for everyone, but for those who embrace it, it offers a uniquely rewarding and entertaining journey through the world of wuxia.

Final Tips for Success:

• Save often, especially before major decisions
• Embrace the chaos and have fun with the trickster gameplay
• Balance risk and reward when planning your mischief
• Use disguises strategically to maximize your effectiveness
• Remember that in the world of the Nine Mortal Ways, getting caught is part of the fun

Now that you have this comprehensive guide, you’re ready to begin your journey into the world of deception and trickery. May your tricks be clever, your disguises be convincing, and your Fun Points be plentiful!