Quick answer: In Crimson Forest, search a roadside refuse pile beside a damaged fence, roughly 10 metres from the Red Serpent House bell, to find Ancient Timber. Quick Hand Zhang also sells it for 1,040 Remnant Dust.
What Ancient Timber does
Ancient Timber appears in the “Phantom Edge Upgrade Materials” category. Its item card reads: “A broken branch from an ancient tree. From the moment it sprouted, it reached toward the heavens, rising above the forest canopy. It endured the turning of the seasons for years without breaking. Yet in times of turmoil, it would often fall for no apparent reason.” The effect line is the part that matters: “Required to upgrade Ranged-type Phantom Edges to Lv. 10.”
At a bell, select Upgrade Equipment to improve Phantom Edges, just as you do when you upgrade main weapons. You can see the Remnant Dust charge on that screen. Each type of Phantom Edge requires a different material through Lv. 10.
| Phantom Edge type | Material up to Lv. 10 |
|---|---|
| Martial-type |  Exotic Copper Ingot |
| Destruction-type |  Darkfire Charcoal |
| Artifice-type |  Mechanical Gear |
| Ranged-type |  Ancient Timber |
On the map, a spot that needs a Ranged-type Phantom Edge stays labelled “Missing: Ranged-type Phantom Edge” until you have one. The Remnant Spark page covers how Phantom Edges are used, and the weapons list covers every Phantom Edge.
Where to find Ancient Timber near the Red Serpent House bell
This pickup sits on the road beyond the low-road double gate below the Forest Outpost in Crimson Forest, Chapter 1. You need the Forest Outpost Courtyard Key to open that gate.
Choose the correct pile: another heap beside the road farther along the same route, roughly 38 metres from the bell, yields Remnant Dust +916 rather than Ancient Timber.
Buy Ancient Timber from Quick Hand Zhang
Quick Hand Zhang has a hideout in Crimson Forest near the Thieves’ Camp bell. Ancient Timber is in his Buy tab for 1,040 Remnant Dust each, and he has 6 in stock there. When you select it, the tab shows quantity 1/6 and the price. His stock at the hideouts in Village of Lu, Pangzhen and Meigu Village also includes Ancient Timber.
Zhang sells the other three Phantom Edge materials at the same price and stock: Exotic Copper Ingot, Darkfire Charcoal and Mechanical Gear. His Forged Metal, Twinned Metal and Broadplate Metal also cost 1,040, with 12 in stock. Solvent costs 832, with 36 in stock.
Ranged-type materials after Lv. 10
Ancient Timber only covers Ranged-type Phantom Edges up to Lv. 10. After that, the upgrades call for two other timbers.
| Material | Ranged-type levels | Zhang’s price |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Timber | Up to Lv. 10 | 1,040 |
 Camphor Timber | Lv. 10-20 | 1,240 (Pangzhen, Meigu Village) |
 Forbidden Camphor Timber | Lv. 20 to max level | Not in his stock |
The Camphor Timber card reads: “A gnarled branch cut from an ancient camphor tree, its wood dense and solid. Ground into medicine and used with Phantom Arts, it can confound all five senses. Carved into an implement, it is both tough and light.” Its effect line is “Required to upgrade Ranged-type Phantom Edges from Lv. 10-20.”
The Forbidden Camphor Timber card reads: “A length of branch from a forbidden ancient tree. Deep within, its limbs coil through the gloom like poisoned thorns and grasping tentacles, linked to a malign power in the Discordance.” Its effect line is “Required to upgrade Ranged-type Phantom Edges from Lv. 20 to max level.”
