In the sprawling, breathtaking world of
Where Winds Meet, players are treated to a martial arts epic that blends high-stakes combat with deep social systems. While many sects focus on the rigidity of blade techniques or the stoicism of ancient philosophies, one group stands out for its sheer flamboyance: the
Velvet Shade. This sect is a sanctuary for the merry, the humanitarian, and the unapologetic hedonists. If you’ve ever wanted to live a life of luxury within a wuxia epic—one where you can even be married to multiple people simultaneously—the Velvet Shade is your spiritual home.Whether you are playing on
PC or exploring the world via
console/mobile versions, joining a sect is a pivotal moment in your journey. However, the path to the Velvet Shade is uniquely "extravagant." While other sects might ask you to slay a beast or prove your worth through combat, this group values your flair, your style, and surprisingly, your relationship history.Currently, many players are running into a bit of a wall. The standard method for joining—proving your worth through style—seems to be a bit temperamental in the current global build. This guide aims to clear the confusion and provide a guaranteed path into their ranks, even if it means going through a bit of digital heartbreak first.
Causes of the Problem: Why Can’t I Join?
If you have been strutting around the Red Maple Forest in your finest silks and wondering why the Velvet Shade hasn’t sent you a golden ticket, you aren't alone. There are two primary reasons why the invitation might not be appearing:
- The "Elegance" Bug: Traditionally, the Velvet Shade invites players who reach a high Elegance stat. However, as of the current global version, this mechanic appears to be bugged or gated behind a threshold that hasn't been clearly defined for the English-speaking player base.
- Regional Version Discrepancies: Some features in Where Winds Meet are being rolled out in phases. The "Elegance" invitation method might not be fully active yet, making the alternative "Divorce Method" the only viable way to gain entry right now.
- Inventory Lag: Sometimes the game triggers the invitation event, but the physical item fails to populate in your bag until a fresh session is started.
Quick Solution (For Impatient Users)
Can't wait to start your hedonistic lifestyle? Here is the "too long; didn't read" version:
Get married to any NPC or player at the Red Maple Forest, immediately request a divorce from Shi Yimo, wait exactly 24 hours (real-time), finalize the divorce, and check your inventory for the Velvet Shade Invitation.Detailed Step-by-Step Solutions
Since the Elegance method is currently unreliable, we will focus on the most consistent way to trigger the invitation: the
Divorce Method. Follow these steps precisely to ensure you don’t miss your chance.
Step 1: Build Intimacy
Before you can join a sect based on your marital status, you need to actually have a partner. Find an NPC or another player and raise your
Intimacy level to
"Companionship." The fastest way to do this is by showering them with gifts. Check their preferences to see which items grant the most points.
Step 2: The Trip to Red Maple Forest
Once you have achieved "Companionship" status, head to the
Red Maple Forest. This area is visually stunning and serves as the hub for social bonds. Look for the NPC
Shi Yimo, who handles all matters of the heart.
Step 3: Formalize the Partnership
Interact with Shi Yimo and select the
"Partner Request" option. This will officially marry you to your chosen companion. Don't worry about the long-term commitment—for the Velvet Shade, this is just a prerequisite for the next dramatic step.
Step 4: Immediate Severance
Immediately after the ceremony is finished, speak to
Shi Yimo again. This time, choose the
"Sever Partnership" option. In the world of
Where Winds Meet, the Velvet Shade finds the drama of a quick divorce much more interesting than a stable marriage.

Step 5: The 24-Hour Wait
This is the part that requires patience. After requesting the severance, you must wait 24 hours in real life. This isn't an in-game day; it is a full-day cooldown in the real world. You can continue playing the game and doing other quests, but youcannot finalize the process until the clock runs out.
Step 6: Finalize the Divorce
Return to Shi Yimo in the Red Maple Forest after the 24-hour window has passed. Choose the option to finalize the divorce. Once the bond is officially broken, the game should trigger the Velvet Shade event.
Step 7: Claim the Invitation
Check your Inventory. You should see a unique item: the Velvet Shade Invitation. Use the item to start a short, exclusive questline.
Step 8: Complete the Sect Quest
Follow the quest markers provided by the invitation. This will usually involve a short dialogue sequence where you embrace the sect’s philosophy ofhedonism and humanitarianism. At the end of the dialogue, select theoption to join the Velvet Shade for good.
Alternative Solutions
If the "Divorce Method" feels a bit too cynical for your character'sroleplay, or if you simply want to try the intended way, you can attempt the Elegance Method:
- Boost your Elegance: Equip your rarest, most "extravagant" cosmetics. In the Chinese version of the game, players often need to reach a specific hidden threshold of style points before an NPC appears to invite them.
- Check the Mailbox: Occasionally, invitations for high-fame or high-elegance players aresent via the in-game mail system rather than dropped directly into theinventory.
- Wait for a Patch: If you are not in a rush, keep an eye on the developers' patch notes.If the Elegance method is indeed bugged, a fix will likely make joiningmuch simpler in the future.
How to Prevent Issues with Sect Joining
- Clear Inventory Space: Always ensure you have a few open slots in your quest or "other"inventory tab before finalizing a divorce or reaching a new Elegancetier. If your bag is full, the invitation might be lost or delayed.
- Avoid Overlapping Quests: Try not to have other major Sect-related recruitment quests active atthe same time, as this can sometimes cause NPC dialogue conflicts.
- Don't "Double Divorce": If you have already started the 24-hour timer, do not try to marrysomeone else until the first divorce is finalized, as this can resetyour progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there any gameplay benefits to joining Velvet Shade?
Strictly speaking, joining the Velvet Shade is more about "flavor" and roleplay. While you get access to an exclusive Sect Shop with unique cosmetics and items, it doesn't offer significant combatpower-ups compared to more martial-focused sects. However, the abilityto marry multiple partners is a unique social mechanic exclusive tothem.
2. Can I leave the Velvet Shade later?
Yes, like most sects in Where Winds Meet, you can leave, though there may be a cooldown period or a small reputation penalty before you can join another group.
3. I waited 24 hours and finalized the divorce, but I don't see the invite. What do I do?
First, restart the game. This forces the inventory to sync with the server. If the invitationstill isn't there, you may need to repeat the process. It's a knownquirk that sometimes requires a second attempt to trigger the flag.
4. Does it matter who I marry?
No. Whether you marry a high-level player or a random NPC, the result isthe same. The Velvet Shade only cares about the act of severing thepartnership.
Closing
Joining the Velvet Shade is the ultimate statement of style and freedom in Where Winds Meet. While the path to entry is currently a bit unconventional, the rewardis a life of extravagance and the keys to one of the most interestingsocial circles in the game.
Have you successfully joined the Velvet Shade? Or are you still waiting out your 24-hour divorce timer? Let us know in the comments below! If you found this guide helpful, be sure to shareit with your fellow wanderers, and check out our other Where Winds Meet guides to master everything from combat styles to hidden world boss locations. Happy adventuring!
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