Short Answer

Chapter 1 has three bells tied to the Ancient Guanyin Temple secret area. Track them from nearby shrines: Outside the Forest by Guangzhi, Snake Trail by Guangmou, and Marsh of the White Mists after Whiteclad Noble. Ringing the third bell sends you into the secret route, so finish any immediate local cleanup first.

Bell Route Order

You can ring the bells in any order, but this order matches a clean first-playthrough route:

  • Bell 1: Outside the Forest. After the Guangzhi route, check behind the fight area before leaving the forest loop.
  • Bell 2: Snake Trail. After Guangmou, look for the nearby side path and stair route before pushing deeper.
  • Bell 3: Marsh of the White Mists. After Whiteclad Noble, cross the ravine path and ring the final bell when you are ready for the secret-area handoff.

Step-By-Step Checklist

  • When you find the first bell, write down the shrine and nearby boss.
  • After each bell, mark it as rung instead of relying on memory.
  • Before ringing the third bell, rest at the nearest shrine and decide whether any local optional fight or item check matters now.
  • After entering Ancient Guanyin Temple, activate the shrine before the boss attempt.
  • After the secret boss, return to the main Chapter 1 route with Fireproof Mantle in mind for later fire pressure.

Return Timing

Do the bell route before you mentally mark Chapter 1 complete. It is short, teaches how the game hides optional objectives, and gives a useful defensive reward from the secret boss.

If a nearby boss is draining every heal, leave the bell note and continue until you are stronger. The bells are secret-area routing, not a reason to turn an early optional route into a wall.

If you accidentally enter the secret area before checking a nearby branch, finish the shrine unlock there first, then decide whether to continue or return to the main chapter.

Spoiler Discipline

For a blind run, you only need three pieces of information: bell count, shrine anchor, and whether the bell was rung. You do not need to read every boss reward or later use case before finishing the route.

During cleanup, switch to exact names and verify the secret-area boss is cleared. That is the point where completion matters more than mystery.

Common Mistakes

  • Finding one bell and assuming the sequence is only atmosphere.
  • Forgetting which bell was already rung.
  • Ringing the third bell while low on resources and then starting the secret boss immediately.
  • Leaving Chapter 1 with no note for the bell chain.
  • Reading full ending or completion pages when all you need is the next bell anchor.

FAQ

Do the bells have to be rung in order?

No. A route order just reduces backtracking and keeps the shrine notes clean.

What happens after the third bell?

The game moves you into the Chapter 1 secret area. Rest at the shrine there before treating it like a boss attempt.

Should I do this on a first playthrough?

Yes, if you enjoy optional exploration. It is one of the clearest early lessons in how Black Myth: Wukong hides meaningful side routes.

Sources