Patch Notes 0.13.29-test

Release Overview

Version: 0.13.29-test

Released: August 20, 2026

Steam Build: 24834747

Branch: Test (opt-in via Steam Properties > Betas tab > "test_beta")

Headline Features

• Portal Array — world fast-travel network with 86 stele nodes.
• High-Difficulty Profile — new profile slot that increases enemy HP and reduces damage taken, with steeper rewards.
• New Difficulty Challenges — 6 weekly missions that grant unique cosmetics and bonus Creation Points.
• Transfer Merchants — new NPC vendor class attached to each Portal Array hub.

Portal Array in Detail

The Portal Array is a network of 86 spirit-stone steles that link key locations. To activate a node, walk to its location and pay 100 Lingshi. Cultivation-tier gates lock the higher-tier nodes:

• Lianqi (Qi Refining) nodes — 12 hubs around villages and entry realms.
• Zhuji (Foundation Building) nodes — 22 hubs near county capitals and mid-tier realms.
• Jiedan (Core Formation) nodes — 28 hubs near sect headquarters and deep realms.
• Yuanying (Nascent Soul) nodes — 16 hubs near end-game regions.
• End-game nodes — 8 hubs including the Heavenly Gate entrance.

Activation cost scales from 25 Lingshi for short jumps to 200 Lingshi for long-haul end-game transfers. Full Portal Array reference.

Balance Notes

• High-Difficulty Profile: enemy HP +50%, damage taken -30%, rewards +75% XP and +50% drop rate.
• Transfer cost +25% on High-Difficulty Profile.
• New "Stoic Heirloom" token prevents death-penalty loss of inventory.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed: some legacy sector renders could leak across map screens.
• Fixed: Shennong Cauldron tutorial had an unreachable node in the second act.
• Fixed: a handful of French and Spanish strings had machine-translation leftovers.

Known Issues

• Loading screens when entering a realm via the Portal Array can be slow on first travel.
• Some High-Difficulty unlock notifications may repeat on the first login after profile creation.