Phantom Blade Zero Guide | How to Find Mandatae Encampment Key
Here’s a guide on how to find the Mandatae Encampment Key in Phantom Blade Zero.
Game Guide by Ragib Rawnak on Nov 03, 2026
When you arrive at the Village of Lu in Phantom Blade Zero, a cutscene shows Soul looking at a split path.
Going left takes you straight into the village, while heading right brings you toward the Mandate Encampment. But here's the problem: you run into the locked Outer Gate, and the key simply is not anywhere in this region.
You have to travel much deeper into the game to grab it. This walkthrough shows you the exact path to track down the key so you can finally get inside in Phantom Blade Zero.

Complete the Village of Lu First
You cannot get this key early. First, you must push through the main story in the Village of Lu, beat the regional final boss, and clear out the zone.
Once that story arc wraps up, the game directs you to Pangzhen. This is the biggest region in the entire game, and reaching the key will take some time, especially if you stop to grab every chest and collectible along the road.
Travel Through Pangzhen to Gu Wanyue
Start making your way through Pangzhen. Follow the main road past the Tavern and keep moving forward until you spot the Pond of Fading Song Bell. This checkpoint sits right outside the arena for a boss named Gu Wanyue.
This fight is not too difficult compared to other encounters, but two specific moves can catch you off guard. The first is a ranged projectile that you need to parry with good timing, which sends the attack flying right back to damage the boss in Phantom Blade Zero.
The second is a grab move preceded by a distinct red flash. You cannot block this grab, so you need to dodge backward or roll to the side as soon as you see the red warning.
Grab the Mandate Encampment Outer Gate Key
Beat Gu Wanyue, and you will receive a fragment of Soul Tempering material as your reward. After the fight ends, look around the arena to find a well and interact with the prompt to climb down.
Once you hit the bottom of the well, make your way up until you step into an adjoining room. You will run into several Puppets and other enemies guarding the space.
Take out the threats, then walk up to the glowing pickup resting right in the middle of the floor. Pick it up, and you will finally have the Mandate Encampment Outer Gate Key.
From here, you can choose what to do next. You can keep pushing forward through Pangzhen, or you can head back to the Village of Lu area to tackle the Mandate Encampment.
The encampment is relatively short and has fewer items to track down, so finishing it right away does not take much time in Phantom Blade Zero.

FAQ
Q. Can you open the Outer Gate without the key?
A. No. You must collect the Mandate Encampment Outer Gate Key from the well chamber past Gu Wanyue in Pangzhen to open the gate.
Q. Do you need to clear all of Pangzhen before getting the key?
A. No. You only need to progress through Pangzhen until you get past the Tavern and defeat Gu Wanyue near the Pond of Fading Song Bell.
Also, check our other guides below:
- Phantom Blade Zero Guide | How to Beat Jing Ye
- Phantom Blade Zero Guide | How to Find Banyan Heart
- Phantom Blade Zero Guide | How to Find Thieves Camp Dungeon Key
- Phantom Blade Zero Guide | How to Find Sha-Chi Tower Key
- Phantom Blade Zero Guide | How to Answer Gentle Thief’s Questions
- Phantom Blade Zero Guide | How to Find Flesh & Lily Herbs
- Phantom Blade Zero Guide | How to Find Cell Key in Outpost
- Phantom Blade Zero Guide | How to Use Power Surge Attacks
- Phantom Blade Zero Guide | How to Break Enemy Sha-Chi
- Phantom Blade Zero Guide | How to Parry and Perfect Dodge
- Phantom Blade Zero Guide | Best Combat Tips and Tricks
- Phantom Blade Zero Beginner's Guide | Gameplay Tips
Senior Editor, NoobFeed
Latest Articles
No Data.
