As an avid Genshin Impact player and contributor to gaming sites like Prima Games, the latest version 3.8 update grabbed my attention with its new limited-time realm – the Veluriyam Mirage.
This desert mirage conceals ancient ruins scattered across the sandy expanse, veiled behind magical locks and spectral guardians. According to lore, the ruins house treasures from a lost civilization, making them highly alluring to adventurers.
One such site is the Ancient Castle, blocked by 5 owl wraiths which you must overcome with puzzle-solving prowess. In this guide containing all my insight from 30+ hours spent in the mirage, I‘ll reveal tips to master the puzzles and unlock the castle‘s secrets!
Prerequisites to Access the Ancient Castle
Before setting out across the mirage, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria:
- Adventure Rank 18+: Required to take on puzzle challenges
- Finish the Sumeru Archon Quest “Song of the Dragon and Freedom” to enter the realm
- Activate the limited-time Veluriyam Mirage area
Fulfilling these will flag the “Mirage of What’s Real” World Quest, your ticket to the puzzles and castle.
Inside Version 3.8: New Content Updates
The puzzles reside in the desert-themed Veluriyam Mirage introduced in version 3.8 “Across the Wilderness.” This update also brought:
- New Outfits: Stylish skins for Klee and Kaeya
- Additional Quests: Like a Kaeya hangout event
- Collectibles: Fresh achievements, name cards, prompts, and more
So while you’re traveling the mirage to the castle, keep an eye out for these new additions!
Step-By-Step: Solving the 5 Owl Wraith Puzzles
Upon entering the mirage, ghostly owls block your path ahead – these are the owl wraiths. To proceed, you must remove the wraiths using nearby crates and boulders to block their vision.
- Each puzzle has 1-2 owl wraiths to eliminate
- Interacting with objects like crates will push them
- Position objects so no wraith has line-of-sight of the Hydro Eidolon
Based on my testing, here is the optimal order to push crates, destroy rocks, and place lures for all 5 puzzles.
Puzzle #1
Wraiths: 1
Solutions:
- Push nearby crate to block wraith
Puzzle #2
Wraiths: 1
Solutions:
- Push crate once
- Push same crate again
Puzzle #3
Wraiths: 2
Solutions:
- Destroy large boulder
- Push nearby crate to block second wraith
Puzzle #4
Wraiths: 1
Solutions:
- Place Berries in bowl to spawn Berry Bush Lure
- Lure blocks wraith‘s vision
Puzzle #5
Wraiths: 2
Solutions, Part 1:
- Push inner small box
- Push outer large box
- Push inner small box again
Solutions, Part 2:
- Push outer large box
- Push inner small box
- Push outer large box again
- Finally push inner small box
With all 5 puzzles solved, the Hydro Eidolon can traverse safely to the Ancient Castle!
Arriving at the Ancient Castle
Completing the puzzle gauntlet lets you access the castle gates where the following awaits:
- Precious Chests: Containing primo gems and artifacts
- Mirage Lore: Uncovering this realm‘s backstory and lost magic
- Achievements: For reaching the castle and finishing puzzles
I highly recommend thoroughly exploring the entirety of this nine-chamber castle to find plentiful secrets and treasure.
Beyond the castle, there are more puzzles and challenges sprinkled across the sprawling mirage. My complementary Genshin guides on locating all 3 hidden treasures provide maps and tips to discover everything this desert domain conceals.
I hope this comprehensive puzzle walkthrough helps you access the Ancient Castle and immerse in Genshin Impact‘s rich new realm! Let me know in the comments if you have any other Veluriyam Mirage questions.
