The martial world of Where Winds Meet is typically a place of rigid honor, sharp steel, and ancient traditions. However, the Nine Mortal Ways sect exists as a chaotic antithesis to these norms. Known as the trickster faction, this group values deception, social engineering, and the sheer thrill of a well-executed prank over the pursuit of virtuous enlightenment. For those seeking a gameplay experience defined by ambiguity and mischief, learning how to join the Nine Mortal Ways is the first step into a darker, more playful side of the Jianghu.

The Philosophy of Deception

Unlike the Silver Needle or the Well of Heaven, the Nine Mortal Ways does not maintain an open recruitment booth in major cities. They operate through infiltration and irony. To become a member, a player must demonstrate a willingness to be deceived or, better yet, a talent for deceiving others. The sect views the entire world as a stage for their "performances," which often involve stealing, spreading rumors, and manipulating the social fabric of the game world. Joining this faction grants access to the Mortal Rope Dart, a versatile weapon that rewards cunning positioning and crowd control.

Requirement 1: The Harvestfall Village Infiltration

Most players encounter the possibility of joining this sect when they reach Level 10, which serves as the universal threshold for sect initiation. The primary route begins in the Western Qinghe region, specifically within the bustling but rustic Harvestfall Village.

The first point of contact is a waiter named San Qian, located near the village's central eatery. Information in the Nine Mortal Ways' world is rarely free. A small bribe of 200 coins is generally required to loosen his tongue. San Qian will point toward an "elder" from the Well of Heaven sect who is purportedly recruiting under a large elm tree on the village outskirts.

This is the first test of a player's intuition. The Well of Heaven is a sect defined by "heroic righteousness," yet the elder encountered here will immediately request a financial tribute of 999 coins. If the payment is made, the elder presents a task that contradicts every tenet of heroic virtue: stealing a large pile of jewelry from an old friend named Zhang Yihao.

The Theft at the Mountain Peak

Following the quest marker leads to Zhang Yihao, who stands near a chest on a nearby mountain path. At this stage, players must utilize the "Wind Sense" ability. By holding the right stick (or the designated PC keybind), the player can scan Zhang’s inventory. The target is the "Large Pile of Jewelry."

There are two primary methods to secure the goods:

  1. Celestial Seize: This mystical skill is the preferred method for those who wish to avoid direct confrontation. It allows for a ranged theft with a high success rate, provided the player remains undetected.
  2. The Seize Mechanic: Players can attempt to manually seize the jewelry, though this often requires a higher level or specific stealth stats. It is worth noting that the game typically limits these attempts to twice per day; failure necessitates waiting for the daily reset.

Once the jewelry is obtained, returning to the elder triggers the revelation. The "elder" and his companion, Long Fei, reveal themselves as members of the Nine Mortal Ways. They explain that the entire Well of Heaven recruitment was a ruse designed to find individuals comfortable with moral flexibility. To join, one must select the "I’ll go with the flow" dialogue option. Choosing to express anger or quitting will instead redirect the player toward the actual Well of Heaven sect, though this often involves a combat encounter with the imposters.

Requirement 2: The Midnight Blades and the Rouge Token

For those who may have missed the Harvestfall Village opportunity or prefer a different flavor of deception, the Midnight Blades questline offers an alternative path. This route is centered around Halo Peak in northern Qinghe.

Near the boundary stone of Halo Peak, an injured swordsman can be found lying on a cliffside. Following the bloodstained trail leads to IC Chantika, the ferryman for the Midnight Blades. Under normal circumstances, IC Chantika recruits for his own sect by requiring players to kill a target. However, the Nine Mortal Ways have infiltrated this process as well.

To pivot into the Nine Mortal Ways through this route, a player needs a specific item: the Rouge Token. This can be purchased from the "Honest Merchant" in Harvestfall Village. Despite his name, the merchant deals in the very tools used to subvert official sect business.

When speaking to IC Chantika, selecting the "My heart is that of an Asura" dialogue will prompt the recruitment sequence. By presenting the Rouge Token instead of completing the kill mission, the player triggers a series of events involving a misspelled letter from the "Midnight Bladez" (with a 'z'). This intentional typo is a hallmark of the Nine Mortal Ways' mockery. Following the instructions in this letter leads to a rendezvous point in southwest Qinghe, where the player is welcomed into the fold with the same rewards as the Harvestfall route.

Mastering the Mortal Rope Dart

Upon joining, every member is granted the Mortal Rope Dart martial art. In the current 2026 meta, this weapon is highly regarded for its utility in both PVE and PVP environments. It functions as a hybrid melee-ranged tool, allowing players to maintain distance while delivering consistent DPS.

Key skills include:

  • Blade Bound Thread: A quick strike that can pull enemies toward the player or vice versa, depending on the follow-up input. It is excellent for interrupting enemy casting animations.
  • Rodent Resilience: A defensive stance that allows the player to absorb a portion of incoming damage while preparing a counter-attack. It is particularly effective against fast-hitting opponents.
  • Rodent Rampage: The signature AoE (Area of Effect) skill. The player whirls the dart in a wide radius, making it a primary tool for clearing groups of low-level mobs or creating space in crowded PVP skirmishes.

The Mortal Rope Dart pairs exceptionally well with the Infernal Twinblades. The dart can be used to soften targets or group them together, followed by a quick weapon swap to the Twinblades for high-burst finishing moves. Players are encouraged to experiment with the "Wind Sense" integration, as some dart skills gain bonus damage when initiated from a successful stealth scan.

Living the Life of a Trickster: Fun Points and Ranking

The Nine Mortal Ways operates on a unique progression system called "Fun Points." Unlike other sects that reward "Contribution" through boring fetch quests, this sect rewards you for being a nuisance to the world and other players.

Members can earn Fun Points through several specialized activities:

  • Fake Messages: Placing misleading markers or messages in the open world for other players to find.
  • Red Envelopes: Sending "Fun Red Envelopes" that might contain a joke or a minor debuff rather than currency.
  • Madiao Card Cheating: The sect encourages bluffing and cheating during the Madiao card minigames found in taverns.
  • Disguises: Using Morphing Powder to take on the appearance of NPCs or environmental objects to hide from or surprise others.

As players accumulate Fun Points, they ascend through the sect's hierarchy. The titles themselves reflect the sect's irreverent nature. An entry-level member is an "Outer Prentice," but those who reach the top of the leaderboard might find themselves titled as a "Bogus Master" or "Bogus Leader." While these names sound like insults, within the Nine Mortal Ways, they are badges of extreme honor.

The Sect Shop and Exclusive Cosmetics

Progressing through the ranks unlocks access to the Sect Shop, managed by Ni Laoshan. The shop is a treasure trove for players who enjoy the "A Thousand Faces" aspect of Where Winds Meet.

At the Inner Disciple rank, players can purchase the "Ninefold Freedom" appearance pack, which includes unique hairstyles and armor sets characterized by asymmetrical designs and dark, muted colors suitable for a master of shadows. One of the most sought-after items is the "Beg" pose, which allows players to interact with others in urban areas to potentially gain small amounts of coins or items through social roleplay.

Other notable items include:

  • Morphing Powder: Essential for high-level disguise play.
  • Tipsy Powder: A consumable that can be slipped into NPC drinks to cause various environmental reactions.
  • Rice Bowl: A cosmetic tool used in tandem with the begging pose.

A significant benefit of the Nine Mortal Ways is that once you purchase these cosmetic items and armor sets, they remain in your inventory even if you choose to leave the sect later. This makes the faction a popular stop for players who want to collect all available "fashion" items before settling into a more traditional combat-focused sect.

How to Leave: The Price of Betrayal

Most sects in Where Winds Meet require a "Severance Trial" if a player wishes to leave. These trials often involve fighting through a gauntlet of elders or surviving a dangerous trek through a forbidden forest. The Nine Mortal Ways, true to their materialistic nature, find such trials unnecessary. They would much rather have your money.

To leave the sect, a player must find Ni Laoshan on the western edge of Harvestfall Village. Instead of a test of strength, he demands a flat fee of 50,000 coins. This is a steep price, especially for early-game players, but it is the only way to clear your status and join a competing faction like the Silver Needle or the Heavenly Trial.

It is important to consider the timing of your departure. If you leave without reaching the rank of Inner Disciple, you may miss out on the permanent unlocks for the Mortal Rope Dart's advanced tiers. Furthermore, leaving results in the immediate loss of all sect-exclusive titles and voting rights within the faction's internal elections.

Advanced Tips for Aspiring Rogues

To truly excel as a member of the Nine Mortal Ways, players should focus on the following strategies:

  1. Master the Disguise: Don't just use Morphing Powder randomly. Use it near quest objectives where other players are likely to congregate. Observing their reactions can lead to more Fun Points and unexpected social interactions.
  2. Strategic Theft: Use the Celestial Seize skill in high-traffic areas like Kaifeng or the Ghostlight Market. While getting caught can lead to jail time (which lowers your sect reputation), successful heists provide the resources needed to pay for the expensive high-tier shop items.
  3. Card Game Dominance: Spend time learning the mechanics of Madiao. The ability to bluff effectively in these card games is one of the fastest ways to farm Fun Points without risking a bounty on your head.
  4. The Rogue Token Backup: Always keep a Rouge Token in your inventory. If you ever find yourself sect-less and in need of a quick home, IC Chantika at Halo Peak will always accept the token as long as you aren't currently affiliated with another group.

The Verdict: Is the Nine Mortal Ways Right for You?

Choosing a sect in Where Winds Meet is as much about your preferred playstyle as it is about the rewards. The Nine Mortal Ways is not for the player who wants to be the "Chosen One" or the shining hero of the story. It is for the player who enjoys the margins of the world, the one who finds joy in the unexpected and the irreverent.

While the 50,000-coin exit fee is daunting, the access to the Mortal Rope Dart and the unique social mechanics offer a breath of fresh air compared to the more rigid progression of other factions. Whether you are stealing jewelry in Harvestfall or tricking ferrymen at Halo Peak, the path of the Nine Mortal Ways ensures that your journey through the Jianghu will be anything but boring.