You’ll need The Banyan’s Heart in
Phantom Blade Zero to unlock certain skills like Fluid Form Level 2, Quick Remedy, or Opening Strike.
You can get your first Banyan Heart towards the end of the Crimson Forest area, just after you activate the Parting Mists bell, after you fight Stone Fist Iron Fever—it’s basically impossible to miss:
- Drop down from the Parting Mists bell and head across to the island with the tree directly ahead of you.
- Interact with it to be transported into The Banyan Tree’s trial realm.
You’ll have to defeat three waves of enemies, culminating in Jing Ye, the bleed bandit boss from earlier in the Crimson Forest. Similar to the Long Pillars, if you die, there is a bell you can use, and as with boss phases, if you complete a stage of the trial, it’s done and you’ll start at the next.
I genuinely think Jing Ye is the most annoying boss I’ve encountered so far. I recommend equipping the Cavalrybane accessory you can get in the Crimson Forest for more damage when he’s mounted, plus the Shieldbreaker talisman if you found it in the Weeping Creek Valley to break his shield quicker. Other than that:
- Draw him away from the two other enemies who spawn.
- Dodge his bleed projectiles as blocking them still builds bleed.
- Use your Dread Axe Phantom Edge to smash his shield—as soon as he falls off his horse, charge a full one.
If you’re still struggling, I’ve included my video of the boss above, but remember you can come back later, too. Once you defeat him, you’ll get the Banyan Heart.
All other Banyan Tree locations
Getting your first Banyan Heart will also start The Heart of the Banyan collectible quest to find four more:
- The second Banyan Tree is in Pangzhen during its second chapter, near the Lion Dance Hall in the northwest.
- The third Banyan Tree is close to the start of the Mandate Encampment.
- The fourth Banyan Tree is on an island in Meigu Lake.
- The final tree is in the Mountain of Imprisonment on the main path through the region, though you’ll need the Illusory Pipa to get here.
You can also buy Banyan Hearts from Quickhand Zhang for 100,000 at his den in the Village of Lu onwards. He seems to get a new heart for each new den you find, though this may be linked to completing his treasure hunts (which I did).
