I’ll be honest: on my first trip west, I strolled right past one of the best tools in Black Myth: Wukong because I was too busy chasing the main story. Big mistake. The actual MVP is hiding in Chapter 1, and if you blink, you’ll miss it completely. I’m talking about Red Tides, an optional Transformation spell that turns you into a fiery, spear-wielding wolf yaoguai with a whole separate health bar. Yes, a second health bar. No joke—this thing can absolutely save your run when a boss starts treating you like a chew toy.
Even in my 2026 replay, Red Tides is still the first optional pickup I tell everyone to grab. It comes from defeating Guangzhi, a Yaoguai Chief sub-boss in Chapter 1, and once you have it, you’ll wonder why you ever fought fair.
Why Red Tides Hits Different
Let’s break down why this spell is such an early monster.
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It gives you a separate health bar, so you can tank hits without touching your real HP.
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Transformations don’t drain your Mana pool. You just wait for the cooldown and go again.
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Guangzhi’s fire spear builds up Scorch on enemies. Fill that meter and they erupt into flames for extra damage. Win-win, really.
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The only catch is the Might meter. Every attack you throw decreases it, and when it runs dry, you transform back into the Destined One.
That Might meter can be a little drama queen, but honestly? It’s still a ridiculous boost for a Chapter 1 pickup.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Spell | Red Tides |
| Source | Defeat Guangzhi |
| Chapter | 1 |
| Cost | No Mana, uses Might meter |
| Bonus | Separate health bar + Scorch damage |
| Secret | Rings one of the Three Bells |
How to Find Guangzhi Without Losing Your Fur
The nearest shrine is ‘Outside the Forest’ in the Forest of Wolves. From there, here’s the route I use:
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Head straight up the path toward the two wolf yaoguai waiting for you.
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Go left and follow the path around the large rockface.
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You’ll reach a raised bamboo bridge with an archer on it.
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Cross the bridge, deal with the archer, and keep following the path through the wooden archway.
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Round the corner to your left, and you’ll spot a small entrance with a large stone Buddha head next to it.
That’s where Guangzhi is waiting. And let’s be real—he’s not going to hand over his spear politely. He’s fast, aggressive, and very flame-happy. My advice: let him whiff his lunge, then punish with light combos, and save a heavy hit for his long recovery windows. Dodge first, swing second.
Once he’s down, interact with the staff stuck in the ground next to his body, and Red Tides gets added to your arsenal.
Don’t Forget the Bell, My Guy
Here’s the part people miss after the fight: Guangzhi’s arena is also one of the Three Bells locations in Black Myth: Wukong. Ringing it unlocks the chapter’s secret area, Ancient Guanyin Temple, where you can fight the secret boss Elder Jinchi. Beat him and you’ll get a special item that helps against the Chapter 1 final boss, Black Bear Guai.
So before you leave the arena feeling smug, ring that bell. It practically begs you to.
What to Do After You Get Red Tides
Once Red Tides is yours, start experimenting. I used it against the Whiteclad Noble and Black Wind King, and it made those fights feel way more manageable. The separate health bar alone is like finding an extra life in your pocket mid-boss fight.
Red Tides won’t solve every problem, and the Might meter will eventually force you back into your regular monkey body, but for an early-game transformation it is absurdly good. If you’re just starting Black Myth: Wukong in 2026, do yourself a favor: grab this before you fight another major boss. You’ll thank me later.