How do I solve the nine-pillar puzzle in Liyue in Genshin Impact?

The nine-pillar puzzle in Liyue, also known as the "Nine Pillars of Peace" puzzle, is one of the most intricate and rewarding exploration challenges in Genshin Impact. It is tied to the "Treasure Lost, Treasure Found" world quest, which requires players to collect all nine Stone of Remembrance to unlock the pillars and access the hidden treasure. Here is a detailed guide to help you solve this puzzle.

First, you need to collect all nine Stone of Remembrance. These stones are obtained by upgrading the Statues of The Seven in Liyue to their maximum level. Each time you level up a statue by offering Geoculus, you receive one Stone of Remembrance. Since there are 130 Geoculi in Liyue, you will need to collect all of them to fully upgrade the statue and obtain all nine stones. Use an interactive map or a guide to locate all Geoculi efficiently.

Once you have all nine stones, head to the Cuijue Slope area in Liyue, where the nine pillars are located. Each pillar has a pedestal in front of it, and you need to insert a Stone of Remembrance into each pedestal to activate the pillar. After inserting all nine stones, the pillars will light up, and a hidden domain will be revealed. This domain contains a series of challenges and a boss fight, culminating in a luxurious chest and other valuable rewards.

When approaching the pillars, it is important to have a well-prepared team. The enemies in the area, particularly the Ruin Guards and Ruin Hunters, can be tough to deal with. A balanced team with strong DPS, healing, and crowd control is recommended. Characters like Diluc, Keqing, or Ganyu are excellent for dealing high damage, while supports like Bennett, Jean, or Zhongli can provide healing and shields. Anemo characters like Venti or Sucrose can help with crowd control, making it easier to manage multiple enemies.

For artifact and weapon recommendations, focus on maximizing your DPS characters' damage output. For example, Diluc benefits greatly from the Crimson Witch of Flames artifact set, which boosts Pyro damage and increases the damage of elemental reactions. Weapons like the Wolf's Gravestone or the Serpent Spine are excellent choices for him. For Keqing, the Thundering Fury artifact set is ideal, paired with weapons like the Lion's Roar or the Black Sword. Supports should prioritize energy recharge and healing bonuses, with artifacts like the Noblesse Oblige set for Bennett or the Viridescent Venerer set for Anemo characters.

During the boss fight inside the domain, you will face a Ruin Hunter and several smaller Ruin Guards. The Ruin Hunter can be particularly challenging due to its ability to fly and launch ranged attacks. To counter this, use characters with ranged attacks or abilities that can knock it out of the air. Aim for its weak points, which are the glowing cores on its body, to stagger it and deal extra damage. Keep an eye on your health and use healing abilities as needed.

One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the enemies in the area. The Ruin Guards and Ruin Hunters can deal significant damage, especially if you are not prepared. Make sure to dodge their attacks and use shields or healing to stay alive. Another mistake is not collecting all Geoculi before attempting the puzzle. Without all nine Stone of Remembrance, you cannot activate all the pillars, so ensure you have fully upgraded the Statue of The Seven in Liyue.

Advanced techniques include using elemental reactions to your advantage. For example, combining Pyro and Electro attacks can trigger Overloaded, dealing AoE damage to multiple enemies. Freezing enemies with Hydro and Cryo can also give you a strategic advantage, allowing you to focus on one enemy at a time. Additionally, using characters with crowd control abilities can help manage the large number of enemies in the area.

In summary, solving the nine-pillar puzzle in Liyue requires careful preparation and strategy. Collect all nine Stone of Remembrance by upgrading the Statue of The Seven, activate the pillars in Cuijue Slope, and prepare for a challenging boss fight. Use a balanced team with strong DPS and support characters, optimize your artifacts and weapons, and take advantage of elemental reactions to overcome the enemies. With these tips and strategies, you can successfully complete the puzzle and claim the valuable rewards.