To get into Crimson Manor in Phantom Blade Zero, you need the Puppet's Tongue, a key item obtained by completing The Herald's Illusion quest. This requires finding three hidden-realm portals across Wulin and speaking to the hanging puppet after visiting all three. Although you can discover Crimson Manor beneath Sha-Chi Tower relatively early, the entrance cannot be unlocked until much later, once you've progressed to Pangzhen and gained access to the required areas.
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How to Enter Crimson Manor
All Three Portal Locations
How to Get the Puppet's Tongue
Why Crimson Manor Is Still Locked
How to Enter Crimson Manor in Phantom Blade Zero
Crimson Manor is a later-game location connected to The Herald's Illusion. You cannot open its sealed entrance simply by reaching the building.
Here's what you need to do:
- Progress through the game until you reach Pangzhen and can access the areas required for The Herald's Illusion.
- Find the portal near Puppet Testing Grounds in the Village of Lu.
- Reach the portal beyond the boss in Mandate Encampment.
- Find the final portal after the boss in Mountain of Imprisonment.
- Speak to the hanging puppet after completing all three portal encounters to receive the Puppet's Tongue.
- Return to Crimson Manor beneath Sha-Chi Tower and use the Puppet's Tongue to unlock its entrance.
The most important thing to understand is that finding Crimson Manor and unlocking Crimson Manor are separate objectives. If you're still exploring the early regions, you can leave the sealed door alone until you've progressed far enough to complete the portal quest.
All Three Herald's Illusion Portal Locations
The Herald's Illusion takes you through three portals leading into a strange realm containing a hanging puppet. Each visit advances the encounter, and all three are necessary to receive the item that opens Crimson Manor.
| Portal Location | How to Reach It |
|---|---|
| Village of Lu | Near the Puppet Testing Grounds bell, after descending the well. |
| Mandate Encampment | Beyond the region boss. Requires a key obtained in Pangzhen to access the area. |
| Mountain of Imprisonment | Beyond the region boss. Requires repairing the Illusory Pipa to open the northeastern Meigu Lake barrier. |
Portal 1: Village of Lu
The first portal is in the Village of Lu, the game's third region.
Continue through the area until you descend the well and reach Puppet Testing Grounds. Look near the bell toward the end of this section to find the portal.
This is the most straightforward of the three locations because it doesn't involve either of the additional area-unlocking requirements associated with the remaining portals.
It's worth using the nearby bell while you're there. Bells are useful for saving and fast travel, as explained in our Phantom Blade Zero How to Save Guide.
Portal 2: Mandate Encampment
The second portal is located at the far end of Mandate Encampment, past the area's boss encounter.
Getting into the encampment is the real obstacle. You'll need a key from Pangzhen to open the gate near the entrance to the Village of Lu.
If you've reached that gate without the necessary key, there's no reason to keep searching the immediate area for the portal. Progress through Pangzhen and obtain the required access item first.
Once you can enter Mandate Encampment, continue through the region, defeat its boss, and use the portal beyond the encounter.
Portal 3: Mountain of Imprisonment
The third portal requires a different unlock. Before reaching Mountain of Imprisonment, you must repair the Illusory Pipa.
Repairing this instrument allows you to remove the barrier in the northeastern section of Meigu Lake, opening the route to Mountain of Imprisonment.
After gaining access, progress through the area and defeat its boss. The portal is located beyond that encounter.
I'd check the Illusory Pipa requirement before making a dedicated trip to this part of the map. If the barrier is still blocking your path, you need to resolve that prerequisite rather than search for another entrance to Crimson Manor.
How to Get the Puppet's Tongue
After you've entered all three portals, return to the hanging puppet in the strange realm and speak with it.
Completing the encounter rewards you with two items:
- Puppet's Tongue: The item required to unseal Crimson Manor.
- Yin Eye: An additional item connected to another quest.
The Puppet's Tongue is the one you need for the manor. The Yin Eye is a separate reward, so don't confuse the two when deciding where to go next.
With the tongue obtained, return to Crimson Manor below Sha-Chi Tower and unlock the sealed entrance.
What Is Inside Crimson Manor?
Crimson Manor contains the fourth acolyte associated with the Secrets at the Heart of the Lake quest.
That makes the manor more than an optional building you happen to find while exploring. Gaining access is part of progressing through that quest's later objectives.
Why Is Crimson Manor Still Locked?
If you still can't enter the building, check which part of The Herald's Illusion you've completed.
| What's Blocking You? | What to Do Next |
|---|---|
| Found Crimson Manor early | Continue progressing until you can complete The Herald's Illusion. |
| Can't access Mandate Encampment | Obtain the required gate key from Pangzhen. |
| Meigu Lake barrier is blocking you | Repair the Illusory Pipa to access Mountain of Imprisonment. |
| Visited some portals but have no tongue | Complete all three portal encounters and speak to the hanging puppet. |
| Received the Puppet's Tongue | Return to the sealed manor entrance beneath Sha-Chi Tower. |
The main thing to remember is that Crimson Manor is locked behind quest progression, not a hidden entrance you need to discover nearby. Finish the three portals, collect the Puppet's Tongue from the hanging puppet, and return to the manor to access the fourth acolyte encounter.
