How do I unlock the hidden domain in Liyue in Genshin Impact?

To unlock the hidden domain in Liyue, known as the "Hidden Palace of Zhou Formula," you need to complete a specific puzzle involving elemental mechanisms. This domain is located in the Luhua Pool area, and unlocking it requires interacting with several Geo pillars in the correct order. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you through the process.

First, you need to reach Luhua Pool, which is situated southwest of Liyue Harbor. The domain is hidden beneath a large body of water in the center of the pool. To drain the water and reveal the domain, you must activate three Geo pillars surrounding the pool. These pillars are marked by glowing symbols and are located on elevated platforms around the area. Each pillar requires a Geo character to activate, so make sure you have at least one Geo character in your team, such as Traveler (Geo), Ningguang, or Zhongli.

The first step is to locate the three Geo pillars. One is on the northern side of the pool, another on the eastern side, and the third on the western side. Each pillar is guarded by enemies, so be prepared for combat. The enemies are usually Hilichurls and Abyss Mages, so having a balanced team with strong DPS and elemental reactions will help you clear them quickly. Characters like Diluc, Keqing, or Ganyu are excellent for dealing with these enemies efficiently.

Once youÔÇÖve cleared the enemies, approach each Geo pillar and use your Geo characterÔÇÖs elemental skill to activate them. The order in which you activate the pillars is crucial. Start with the northern pillar, then move to the eastern pillar, and finally activate the western pillar. If you activate them in the wrong order, the pillars will reset, and youÔÇÖll need to start over. This is a common mistake players make, so pay close attention to the sequence.

After activating all three pillars, the water in the pool will drain, revealing the entrance to the Hidden Palace of Zhou Formula. You can now enter the domain and challenge its trials. The domain features enemies like Pyro Slimes and Pyro Abyss Mages, so bringing characters with Hydro or Cryo abilities will give you an advantage. Characters like Barbara, Mona, or Ayaka can help you deal with these enemies effectively.

For team composition, consider using a balanced team with a strong DPS character, a healer, and characters that can trigger elemental reactions. For example, a team with Diluc (Pyro DPS), Barbara (Hydro healer), Kaeya (Cryo support), and Traveler (Geo) would work well. This setup allows you to trigger Vaporize and Melt reactions, which are highly effective against the domainÔÇÖs enemies.

When it comes to artifacts and weapons, prioritize those that enhance your DPS characterÔÇÖs damage output. For Diluc, the Crimson Witch of Flames artifact set is ideal, as it boosts Pyro damage and increases the damage of elemental reactions. Pair this with a high-damage weapon like the WolfÔÇÖs Gravestone or the Prototype Archaic. For Barbara, the Maiden Beloved artifact set is great for healing, and the Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers weapon can provide an attack boost to your team.

In terms of advanced techniques, you can optimize your damage output by timing your elemental bursts and skills to trigger chain reactions. For example, use KaeyaÔÇÖs Cryo abilities to freeze enemies, then follow up with DilucÔÇÖs Pyro attacks to trigger Melt for massive damage. Additionally, using BarbaraÔÇÖs Hydro abilities to apply Wet status to enemies before using Cryo attacks can freeze them, making them easier to deal with.

Finally, remember to bring plenty of healing items and food buffs to sustain your team during the domain challenge. The enemies in the Hidden Palace of Zhou Formula can deal significant damage, so having a reliable healer and backup healing items is essential. With the right preparation and strategy, youÔÇÖll be able to unlock and conquer the hidden domain in Liyue, earning valuable rewards and progressing further in your Genshin Impact journey.