Velvet Shade is a sect introduced in the Timeless Bond update in Where Winds Meet. It’s currently the most talked about sect because joining it is very different than other sects in the game. There’s no quest marker, no obvious NPC to talk to, and for many players, the sect invite won’t arrive when expected. That confusion is intentional to a point, but there are some rough edges to consider. This guide explains how the Velvet Shade dojo works in Where Winds Meet, what’s required to join, and the current known ways to enter this sect.
How to Join Velvet Shade in Where Winds Meet
To join Where Winds Meet’s Velvet Shade sect, you need to be at Level 10 or above and must have reached the Kaifeng region, because the sect clue and background activities are linked to Kaifeng’s side content, mainly Shadows in Bloom and Gathering of Heroes quests.
Once the requirements are met, Velvet Shade will appear in the sect menu, but once you click it there, it won’t track a quest or side activity to join like other sects. Instead, you get a special invitation from the sect after completing certain requirements. When the letter appears, it plays out a short interaction that asks whether you want to get into the sect. You must choose the option to join it because if you pick “I’ll think about it,” the invitation will disappear, and you’ll have to wait for another one to trigger.
Right now, there are two known methods by which you can receive the Velvet Shade invitation.
Earn Elegance Points
Velvet Shade values elegance and appearance above all else. To qualify, your character needs at least 2000 total Elegance, which comes mainly from wearing different cosmetics. To earn Elegance Points, equip as many cosmetics as possible until you receive an invitation from the dojo, not owned ones. That includes outfits, hairstyles, accessories, capes, and cosmetic weapon skins. Every piece you equip adds an Elegance value shown in the appearance menu. A few other ways to collect Elegance Points are to pet cats whenever you see them during exploration, complete some side activities/encounters, and unlock event and achievement cosmetics.
In the Chinese game version, players reported invitations to arrive with the collected Elegance Points in between 800 and 2000, and many received the sect message with around 1,700–1,800 points. In the global version, some players have exceeded 5,000+ Elegance but haven’t received the letter. Since the Velvet Shade sect is newly included in the global game version, the Elegance trigger is likely inconsistent or bugged at the moment. If it works for you, the invitation will arrive automatically after some time has passed. When you receive the message, accept Velvet Shade’s invitation right away.
Marry a Partner, then Divorce
It’s currently the most reliable method to join Velvet Shade, but first make sure you have earned the required Elegance Points. You need a friend or random player to partner with and take a vow at Crimson Cliff by speaking to Shi Yimo to complete the marriage. Once done, talk to Shi Yimo again and formally sever the partnership with divorce.
After the relationship ends, wait for 24 hours, and you will likely receive a Velvet Shade invitation to become its disciple. If it won’t arrive, repeat the process—marry again, then divorce again. You will see success after one or two marriages, or it might take a few tries to earn the sect’s respect. This relationship method is awkward, but now seems to be the only way to get into the dojo.
Why the Invitation Sometimes Won’t Appear
A few things can block or delay the Velvet Shade invite:
- You already have too many active Encounter quests; make sure to keep only two Encounters at once.
- You ignored or dismissed an already sent invitation.
- The Elegance trigger is not processed correctly due to a bug.
- The event window or server state is not refreshed yet.
If you suspect a missed invite, clear your encounter list, relog, and give it some time. Velvet Shade invitations are not instant.
Once you accept the message, the game directs you to a short interaction about Velvet Shade’s history and values. After that, the sect will be unlocked like any other joinable martial school. They lean heavily on elegance, emotional restraint, and indirect influence rather than brute martial force. If that appeals to you, the effort is worth it, but the process can be tricky to be a part of the sect.
