Quick answer: Defeat Wu Xuan, the Fallen General and Gu Wanyue, the Wailing Wraith in Pangzhen for two Transcension Cores (Sha-Chi Cores). Then install both on the Boat Master’s boat at the dock near the Pangzhen Docks bell.
Meigu Lake sits between Pangzhen and where the story wants you next, and the lake itself works as a natural Phantom barrier. In Pangzhen you learn that crossing Meigu Lake takes one of the Boatmaster’s Sha-Chi-powered boats. The Boatmaster disappeared when the sickness hit Pangzhen, and one of the Order’s boats might still be tied up at his dock, though nobody can say whether it runs. At the Village of Lu Shallows Dock, Soul confirms the Order’s secret dock is still standing, but a lake that size means he needs a Boat Master’s boat. That need kicks off one of Pangzhen’s side quests.
Sha-Chi Powered Boat quest steps
Before you start: the way up to the Pangzhen Docks is blocked by thorny vines that only the restored Flaming Mane can burn away. Defeat the Lion Dance Grandmaster for the Dormant Flaming Mane, then have Lei Dang restore it into the Flaming Mane.
The quest appears as SHA-CHI POWERED BOAT, with the subtitle “A heart of bronze, a fleeting shadow on the water”. Its objectives come in this order:
- “Find the Boat Master’s mechanical boat”
- “Find the Boat Master’s crafting notes”
- “Collect two Transcension Cores”
- “Install the Transcension Cores onto the Sha-Chi Powered Boat”
Now, the only things that can fix this pile of rust are the “Transcension Cores”, the heart-like things inside those tough Maskwalkers deep in town! If I could get my hands on two and mount them on this Engine Boat, I bet it’ll run like a dream…
Where to find the two Transcension Cores
The quest calls them Transcension Cores, but your inventory lists each one as SHA-CHI CORE. The item card reads: “A Sha-Chi device implanted in place of the heart of one of Pangzhen’s powerful Maskwalkers. Developed to test whether strength could be enhanced while suppressing violent Sha-Chi surges, it continues to draw in and release Sha-Chi even now. Perhaps it could serve as a power source for some mechanism.”
Each core drops only from its own boss, so you need to beat both. Both fights are on the bosses list.
| Boss | Area | Nearest bells |
|---|---|---|
 Wu Xuan, the Fallen General | Pangzhen’s backstreet | Zhang’s Hideout (Pangzhen), about 81 m; Backstreet Archway, about 89 m |
 Gu Wanyue, the Wailing Wraith | A well ringed with red candles | Pond of Fading Song, about 46 m |
Wu Xuan, the Fallen General
Wu Xuan fights you on Pangzhen’s backstreet. The two nearest bells: the Zhang’s Hideout (Pangzhen) bell is about 81 m from the fight, and the Backstreet Archway bell is about 89 m away. Beat him for the first Sha-Chi Core. The same kill also gives the Wolfjaw Phantom Edge.
Gu Wanyue, the Wailing Wraith
Gu Wanyue’s arena is about 46 m from the Pond of Fading Song bell, beside a well circled by red candles. Stepping into the arena triggers a scene called “Woman by the Well”, in which a white-haired woman sings by the water. Defeat her for the second Sha-Chi Core.
Where the boat takes you
After you install both cores, the boat takes you across Meigu Lake. The White Serpent House Dock bell marks the landing at White Serpent House, home of the White Serpent Eye. You can also find a separate set of Meigu Lake collectibles across the water.
