The Hidden Ugliness stands as one of the most emotionally resonant side quests in Where Winds Meet, transforming from a simple encounter with teasing children into a tragic tale of identity, cruelty, and compassion. This Qinghe region quest unfolds entirely in Flower Expanse, featuring investigation, chasing sequences, and a meaningful moral choice. Here’s your complete walkthrough for this heartbreaking encounter.
Table of Contents
Where Winds Meet Quest Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Quest Type | Encounter (Side Quest) |
| Location | Flower Expanse, Qinghe |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Main Tasks | Investigation, Mantis Capture, Moral Choice |
| Rewards | 3,520 Mora, 200 Erudition, 60 Primogems, Equipment |
| Choice Impact | Dialogue changes only (rewards identical) |
How to Start The Hidden Ugliness
Travel to Flower Expanse in the Qinghe region and locate the cluster of houses. You’ll hear children singing outside Lady Ugly’s house—approach them to trigger the quest automatically. The children taunt someone they call “Lady Ugly,” setting the stage for this poignant story.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Meet Lady Ugly
Enter the house and speak with Lady Ugly. Despite the children’s cruelty, she remains kind and welcoming. She’ll ask you to accompany her on a walk through the nearby field.
The Flower Walk
Stay beside Lady Ugly as she slowly moves through the field. She’ll eventually stop to admire a bright red flower—remember this location, as it becomes significant later. After she finishes admiring the flower, return with her to complete the walk.
Read the Water Lady’s Letter
Back at the house, examine the table near the front window to find a letter. This riddle from the Water Lady contains symbolic clues about capturing Mutant Golden Mantises, initiating the next objective.
Capture Three Mutant Golden Mantises
Exit and speak with the children, who reluctantly point you toward the mantises. Follow quest markers to three locations where you must:
- Observe each mantis by pressing the interact button
- Chase immediately as it bounces and flies away
- Capture by rapidly pressing the capture button while airborne
Pro Tip: Use sprint bursts after observation to close the gap quickly. Keep your camera steady to track the mantis mid-flight. If it lands before capture, it resets—return to the observation spot and try again.
The Flower Cakes Invitation
Return to Lady Ugly with your findings. She invites you and the children inside for flower cakes. After the meal, your character mysteriously collapses. When you wake, the house stands empty—a haunting moment that shifts the quest’s tone dramatically.
Discover the Truth in the Cave
Travel through the waterfall behind the house to find a vine-blocked cave entrance. Equip flaming arrows and burn away the vines blocking your path. Inside, a lengthy story-driven cutscene reveals Lady Ugly’s tragic past, explaining the mystery behind her sudden disappearance.
Visit Yao Yaoyao at Evercare Clinic
The scene transitions you to Evercare Clinic. Speak with Yao Yaoyao and select dialogue options referencing The Hidden Ugliness. She directs you to Harvestfall Village to interview the children’s families, closing the narrative loop.
Family Interviews
Travel to three family homes in Harvestfall Village (use gliding or air-jump for speed). These conversations reveal what the families knew about Lady Ugly and provide context for the children’s behavior.
The Final Choice at the Grave
Return to Flower Expanse and locate the grave behind Lady Ugly’s house—positioned beside the same red flower from your earlier walk. Interact with it to obtain the Disguise Balm.
You’ll face a moral choice about handling the children’s behavior and preserving Lady Ugly’s memory. Your selection changes dialogue but does not affect rewards—choose what feels right for your character’s moral compass.
Quest Rewards
- 3,520 Mora
- 200 Erudition
- 60 Primogems
- Equipment pieces
For players exploring Where Winds Meet’s narrative depth, The Hidden Ugliness exemplifies how side quests can deliver emotional weight rivaling main storylines. The quest’s examination of appearance-based cruelty and societal rejection resonates powerfully within the wuxia RPG genre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does my final choice in The Hidden Ugliness affect rewards?
No, your decision at Lady Ugly’s grave changes only the ending dialogue. Both choices—whether you decide to share the Disguise Balm with the children or keep it as a memorial—grant identical rewards: 3,520 Mora, 200 Erudition, 60 Primogems, and equipment. Choose based on your character’s moral perspective rather than mechanical benefit.
Q: What’s the best strategy for catching Mutant Golden Mantises?
Immediately sprint after observing each mantis, keeping your camera centered on the creature. Rapidly tap the capture button while it’s airborne—waiting until it lands causes a reset. The mantises follow predictable flight patterns, so if you fail, return to the observation point and memorize the route for your next attempt. This is the most challenging mechanical element of the quest.
