It was just another day exploring the vast world of Teyvat when I stumbled upon something peculiar in the Liyue region. I was gliding near Tianqiu Valley, enjoying the scenery, when I noticed a massive, shimmering lake to the north and slightly east. The locals call it Jueyun Karst. What caught my eye wasn't just its beauty, but the fact that a grand, ancient-looking mansion was completely submerged at its center! I could see its ornate rooftops peeking just above the waterline, a silent invitation to a mystery. I knew right then I had to figure out how to reach it. This, I discovered, was the secret Taishan Mansion, a domain locked away behind a clever environmental puzzle.
My first step was to scout the perimeter of this huge lake. It's so expansive that simply swimming or walking around it takes a good few minutes. 🗺️ The key, as I soon learned, lies with two ancient stone pillars placed around the shore. The initial goal is to find and activate both to start the draining process. I decided to head to the northeasternmost point of the lake first. Sure enough, a solitary pillar stood there, but it wasn't unguarded.
💥 A Sudden Ambush!
As I approached the first pillar, a group of Hilichurls and their ranged attackers appeared, defending the site. I had to defeat three full waves of them! I quickly switched to my trusty Pyro and Cryo characters to trigger Melt reactions, making quick work of the enemies. After the last foe fell, a precious chest materialized as my reward. With the coast clear, I climbed onto the pillar and pressed the glowing orange mechanism on its top.
A magnificent cutscene played immediately. The ground rumbled, and I watched in awe as a large portion of the lake's water simply vanished, draining away to reveal a muddy basin and more of the mansion's structure. More importantly, it unveiled the second part of the puzzle: a second pillar now stood exposed in the middle of the lakebed, surrounded by a strange ceremonial circle.
Here’s what the newly revealed area looked like:
The central pillar was encircled by glowing orange runes on the ground. Around it, I counted three small, pagoda-like stone statues. Each statue had an empty socket. My new task was clear: I needed to find three special "Luminous Rocks" to power them up. These rocks are scattered around the dried-up lakebed. They look like large, dark flower buds with a pulsating orange core. To collect one, you simply attack it until it shatters and a glowing fragment flies into your inventory.
🔍 The Hunt for Luminous Rocks
I started my search, scanning the rocky outcrops and the edges of the remaining water. The rocks aren't hidden per se, but you need to keep an eye out for their distinctive glow. I found my first one nestled between some broken pillars. A few swings of my sword, and I had it! The process for all three was the same:
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Locate a giant black flower-like rock with an orange glow.
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Attack it with any character until it breaks.
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Collect the luminous fragment that pops out.
Once I had a rock in my possession, I simply walked near one of the empty pagoda statues. It activated automatically, absorbing the energy from my inventory and lighting up with a warm, orange hue. No need to manually place it—the game handles that for you. I repeated this process two more times until all three statues were active and humming with energy.
With the trio of statues powered, I approached the central pillar. The runes on the ground flared brightly. I interacted with the pillar, and another stunning cutscene commenced. The remaining water in Jueyun Karst swirled and drained completely, leaving the Taishan Mansion Domain fully exposed and accessible for the first time! A final, precious treasure chest appeared right in front of the mansion's now-glowing entrance door as a reward for solving the puzzle.
🏰 Claiming the Prize
The sight was incredible. The once-submerged mansion now stood proud, its ancient stonework gleaming in the Liyue sun. I didn't waste any time. I grabbed the precious chest (which contained some very nice artifacts and primogems, I might add!) and walked up to the grand doorway. A simple interaction was all it took—the doors swung open, granting me access to the challenges within.
Before venturing inside, I took a moment to prepare. The Taishan Mansion domain contains multiple levels of combat challenges, so having a well-built, synergistic team is crucial. I made sure my healers were ready and my main damage-dealers were equipped with their best weapons. This puzzle wasn't just about finding a hidden door; it was the perfect gateway test, ensuring only prepared Travelers could face what lay within.
Looking back, solving the Jueyun Karst water puzzle was one of my most satisfying moments in Genshin Impact. It combined exploration, combat, and environmental interaction perfectly. It’s a brilliant example of how the game hides its secrets not behind convoluted menus, but in the world itself, waiting for curious eyes to uncover them. If you find yourself at that large lake near Tianqiu Valley, don't just pass by. Dive into the mystery—you won't regret the adventure or the rewards! 😊
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