Quick answer: At the bell-hung fence, find the woman-shaped ice sculpture with a pipa and press L Ctrl. Soul plays the instrument, the mist parts, and you can pass through.
Where the phantom barrier is
The phantom barrier is in the frozen village of the Phantom Illusionist Ruins. You enter that snowy area by pressing E at the Four Guardians’ Mirror in Meigu Lake. The barrier is a wooden fence strung with small bells and filled with mist, and it blocks off the other half of the village.
Under the red lanterns, find the woman carved in ice with a pipa beside the fence. That’s the spot you need.
Begin at the lowest bell in Phantom Illusionist Ruins. Descend into the frozen village, then cross the snow-covered ground to the fence, roughly 100 m from the bell.
How to open the phantom barrier
Approach the ice statue; when the small L Ctrl prompt appears on screen, press L Ctrl.
Watch Soul play a pipa and release a frost wave. The mist inside the fence clears, which is how you know the barrier is open.
Pass directly through the fence to reach the village’s opposite half. No key, lever, or fight is needed.
The fence may become mist-covered again if you return later. Use the statue’s L Ctrl prompt again to clear it.
What is behind the phantom barrier
The far side of the village opens onto a wooden pier on the frozen lake, where petal III of Xuan Li’s Memory Flower grows. It also leads to a small jetty with a chest that holds the Acolyte Whisk.
Two Snowveil Lurkers guard the area around the pier. They attack together, so expect to fight both at once.
The pipa ties back to Pangzhen. When Myst restores the Illusory Pipa there, she tells you, “This pipa can dispel Phantom Barriers. It may open paths that were once hidden from you!”
