Recaps

Xia Tong grew stronger by clearing camps, gathering Spirit Ashes, and traveling south with Irina toward Castle Morne. After defeating the Night's Cavalry, he gained a new shield skill and began learning about the source of Lion's Claw.

• Xia Tong recruited Melina, learned to summon Torrent, and began hunting Godrick Soldiers while gathering their equipment.
• Xia Tong received Spirit Ashes from Renna and used them to defeat the Beastman of Farum Azula and clear Gatefront Camp.
• Xia Tong passed Stormgate with Melina's horse decoys, survived a wolf attack, and met Roderika, who entrusted him with her Spirit Jellyfish, Kurala.
• Xia Tong crossed the Bridge of Sacrifice, met Irina, and fought Winged Misbegotten while escorting her toward Castle Morne.
• Xia Tong reached Merchant Moen's camp with Irina and sold gathered equipment before leveling up and making camp.
• The Night's Cavalry attacked Xia Tong, and Xia Tong's Spirit Ashes helped him defeat the rider after Kulala wounded him with venom.
• Xia Tong found a crystal in the Night's Cavalryman's chest, learned Barricade Shield from its Ash of War, and bought information about Demi-Humans from Moen.
• Melina explained that Xia Tong's Botched Lion's Claw relied on brute force and recalled Lion Guardians using the skill at Redmane Castle.

Xia Tong gained new weapons, allies, and strength while fighting through the Frenzied Flame’s spread and securing Lhutel the Headless. After an envoy attacked Irina and Melina, Xia Tong brought Irina to Castle Morne and began infiltrating it to reach her father.

• Xia Tong left Irina’s rescue postponed, gathered supplies around Castle Morne, and fought through the Frenzied Flame-infected rats and Sick Village before promising Melina he would oppose the Flame.
• Xia Tong and his allies defeated the Demi-Human Queen, and he learned Crystal Barrage from a scroll before continuing toward Pilgrimage Church with Irina and Melina.
• After Irina recovered from poison at Pilgrimage Church, Xia Tong cleared the nearby graveyard and entered Tombsward Catacombs, where he defeated the Cemetery Shade and found Lhutel the Headless Spirit Ashes.
• A Frenzied Flame envoy attacked Irina at Pilgrimage Church, but Xia Tong returned with Lhutel and his Spirit Ashes and killed the envoy after Melina protected Irina.
• Xia Tong and Irina traveled to Castle Morne, avoiding a Deathbird and defeating the Golem Guardian before entering the castle and scouting its Misbegotten-filled plaza.
• Xia Tong sent Lhutel to draw the Misbegotten away, allowing his group to cross the plaza and reach a warehouse where Irina recalled a family sword hidden behind a knight’s portrait.