Arknights Endfield Wuling Early Unlock Guide: How to Access Chapter II Faster
Homecoming grants permanent early Wuling access after Chapter I Process II. Here's the new fast route, the AL43 gate, and how to reach Chapter II quickly.
If you are a new or returning player in Arknights: Endfield, the single biggest "where do I go next" question is almost always the same: how do I get to Wuling (Chapter II) without grinding for days? With the Homecoming update, Hypergryph added a permanent early-access route that lets you into Wuling the moment you wrap up Chapter I Process II — but the older Authority Level 43 wall is still the gate most players hit. This guide covers the new early-unlock method, the classic path, and the fastest ways to blast through Chapter I and the level gate so you reach Wuling and its gold gear as quickly as possible.
What Changed — The Homecoming Early Unlock
The Version 1.4 Homecoming patch is a six-month-anniversary quality-of-life overhaul, and one of its headline changes is how Wuling is reached.
Permanent Wuling Access After Chapter I Process II
Per the Homecoming feature breakdown, once players wrap up Chapter I Process II, they gain permanent, early access to the Wuling region. This is the fastest legitimate route into Chapter II: finish the first chapter's second process and Wuling opens — no longer strictly held behind the old Authority Level 43 hard wall.
This matters because Wuling is where the game's best gear lives. Getting there early means your operators can start wearing gold-quality (Tier 5) sets like AIC Fieldwork and Rift Trekker weeks sooner than a player who slowly climbs the level ladder.
The Event Screen Head Start & Basic AIC Infrastructure
Homecoming also hands you two extra shortcuts:
Event Screen head start: After finishing Chapter I, engaging with the Event screen lets you jump into Wuling-specific missions while continuing your existing story progress. You are not forced to clear everything linearly.
Basic AIC infrastructure: The game supplies a starter factory setup early, so your Wuling production line (the Forge of the Sky pipeline) gets a head start instead of beginning from zero.
Together, these changes are exactly why "Wuling early unlock" is trending — new and returning players finally have a clean, fast on-ramp.
The Classic Path — Authority Level 43 + Work Preparation II
The early-access route is new, but the standard progression track still requires Authority Level 43 and clearing the "Work Preparation II" mission to begin "Arrival at Wuling" (Chapter 2, Process I — Lost in the Marsh). If you are on an older account or simply prefer the traditional line, this is the requirement to meet.
Why the Level Gate Exists
Authority Level is your account level, and the story is hard-gated up to roughly level 43–45. The game uses these gates to push you into exploration, Protocol Spaces, and the factory systems between main quests. You will meet specific thresholds throughout: "The Mission Continues" requires Authority Level 18, and "Down the Mountain" requires Authority Level 26, with the biggest wall — Wuling — sitting at 43. Rushing the narrative without keeping your level ahead means you will slam into a wall and have to backtrack. The smart play is to keep Authority Level ahead of story requirements at all times, so each gate opens the moment you arrive rather than after a grind.
Unlock Method | Requirement | Result |
|---|---|---|
Homecoming early access (new) | Finish Chapter I Process II | Permanent early Wuling access; jump in via Event screen |
Standard track (classic) | Authority Level 43 + clear "Work Preparation II" | Begins "Arrival at Wuling" (Chapter 2, Process I) |
Wuling City | Progress to main mission "The Way of Water" | Unlocks Wuling City (most collectible-dense area) |
Version 1.4 north expansion | Progress Chapter 2 to "Bravely Breach the Hostile Winds" | Opens Yinglung Pass + North Wuling Exclusion Zone |
Step-by-Step — How to Reach Wuling Faster
Here is the efficient route, whether you use the new early-access or the classic gate.
Step 1 — Blitz Chapter I, Finish Process II
Do not get distracted. Push the main story through Chapter I Process II. Clear every story mission as it appears; story quests hand out the largest single chunks of Operational EXP and the early pull currency you need. Only stop if a level gate blocks you — then switch to the farming loop below.
Step 2 — Use the Event Screen for Wuling Missions
Once Chapter I is done, open the Event screen and accept the Wuling head-start missions. These let you enter Wuling content while your standard story catches up, so you are earning Wuling rewards (and the region's free Oroberyl events) earlier than the linear path allows.
Step 3 — Crush the Authority Level Gate
If you are gated by Authority Level, farm Operational EXP with this priority order:
Method | EXP Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Protocol Spaces | 6 EXP per 1 Sanity; Energy Alluvium ~200, Temporary ~150 | Best XP-per-stamina; burn Sanity here daily |
Daily Missions | Steady, refreshes daily | Non-negotiable; claim in Operational Menu |
Basic AIC Simulations | Early-game chunk | Simulation tab in Operational Manual; also teaches factory |
Important / Secondary Missions | Several hundred each | Clear your mission log before grinding |
Exploration | TP points instant; chests 30–160 | Teleport Points + sealed yellow crates accelerate early |
Protocol Spaces appear as glowing rifts in the open world: white rifts (Energy Alluvium) hold tougher enemies but pay the most EXP, while blue rifts (Temporary Energy Alluvium) are multi-enemy combat encounters that do not show on the map and must be found through exploration. Both drop Operational EXP on completion, so they are your stamina dump of choice. For pure exploration XP, Teleport Points give instant EXP the moment you activate a dormant tower, and chests scale by rarity: white ~30, blue ~50, yellow ~80, and sealed yellow crates ~160 EXP. A completionist who clears every Teleport Point and sealed yellow crate accelerates early leveling dramatically without touching a single rift.
Sanity recovers 1 point every 7 minutes 12 seconds (200 per day). Use Stamina Recovery items or Origeometry to top up when you are serious about pushing. The Wuling events hand out free Oroberyl — but if you want extra pulls for the 1.4 headliners while you grind, a quick Arknights: Endfield top-up at Topuplist keeps you ready, with every pack on the official Topuplist storefront.
Step 4 — Take the Basic AIC Infrastructure Head Start
When Wuling opens, the game drops a starter AIC setup on you. Use it. Do not waste time rebuilding from scratch — route Xiranite into Components immediately so your gear crafting is online before you need Tier 5 pieces.
Chapter II Roadmap — What Unlocks When
Knowing the sequence prevents backtracking. Here is the Chapter II flow:
Chapter II Step | Main Mission | Area Entered | What Unlocks |
|---|---|---|---|
Process I | Arrival at Wuling (Lost in the Marsh) | Jingyu Valley | First Wuling area; Guiding Butterflies / Pass the Bug puzzles |
Process II | Of Grace and Gentle Might / Where Danger Sleeps | Wuling City (via "The Way of Water") | Wuling City; Tianshi Pillar Array; gear Template Crates |
Version 1.4 | Bravely Breach the Hostile Winds | Yinglung Pass | Connector to the Very Large Rift |
Version 1.4 | (follow-up) | North Wuling Exclusion Zone | Deeper endgame collectibles & chests |
Jingyu Valley is the scenic southern start — bamboo rafts, mist, and the Guiding Butterfly / Pass the Bug puzzle types that gate Yellow and Blue Crates. Wuling City is the built-up half and the most collectible-dense zone in the base game, holding 61 Aurylenes, 198 Treasure Chests, 8 Protocol Dataloggers, and 8 Gear Template Crates according to Game8's map data.
Why Wuling Is Worth the Rush
Wuling is not just story — it is the gear and economy engine of the endgame.
Gold Gear & Tier 5 Sets
Wuling is where gold-quality gear is crafted, and the new Tier 5 sets AIC Fieldwork and Rift Trekker are the best-in-slot targets for Version 1.4. Reaching Wuling early means you can start farming Template Crates and Xiranite Components before other players, which directly translates to stronger operators in the hardest content.
Events & Free Oroberyl
Wuling runs some of the most generous events:
Glittering Life at Wuling — requires reaching Chapter II Process I (Destination Wuling); rewards Oroberyl ×1200 and Marks of Perseverance for simple story-linked tasks.
Carly's Fairytale of Wuling — a camera event requiring Chapter II Process II (Where Danger Sleeps); rewards a cosmetic Portrait Frame plus Oroberyl and Marks of Perseverance.
Both are essentially free currency for players who push to Wuling quickly.
Forge of the Sky & the Factory Loop
Wuling's Forge of the Sky (unlocked via the Wuling AIC Plan at the story mission "The Surging Tide") produces the Xiranite Components every gold gear needs. The earlier you are in Wuling, the earlier this pipeline spins up — and the faster you climb to Tier 5 gear.
Reward of Reaching Wuling | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
Gold / Tier 5 gear (AIC Fieldwork, Rift Trekker) | Best-in-slot stats for endgame |
Gear Template Crates (8 in Wuling City) | Source of high-tier blueprints |
Glittering Life & Carly's events | Free Oroberyl + Marks of Perseverance |
Forge of the Sky (Xiranite) | Core of gold-gear crafting |
Densest collectibles in the game | Aurylenes, chests, dataloggers |
Hitting a level wall shouldn't cost you a banner. Top up Arknights: Endfield through Topuplist to keep your pull count healthy while you catch up — see all packs on Topuplist.
Common Mistakes That Slow You Down
Rushing story past your level: You will hard-lock at the Authority Level 43 gate and waste time backtracking. Keep level ahead of story.
Skipping Daily Missions: They are free Operational EXP that refreshes every day. Missing them is the #1 reason players stall.
Ignoring Protocol Spaces: These are your biggest XP-per-Sanity source. Burn Sanity here, never let it overflow.
Not using the Event screen: The Homecoming head start lets you enter Wuling missions early — skip it and you lose the entire point of the early unlock.
Rebuilding AIC from zero: Take the basic infrastructure head start and route Xiranite immediately.
For the exact mission-by-mission walkthrough of the Wuling entry point, the GameWith "Arrival at Wuling" guide is the most complete step list, and the PowerPyx Authority Level explainer breaks down every XP source if you are stuck on the gate.
Final Verdict
The fastest way into Wuling (Chapter II) in Arknights: Endfield is now the Homecoming early-access route: finish Chapter I Process II and you get permanent Wuling access, then use the Event screen to start Wuling missions immediately. If you are on the classic track, hit Authority Level 43 and clear "Work Preparation II" to begin "Arrival at Wuling." Either way, keep your Authority Level ahead of the story, burn Sanity in Protocol Spaces, and never skip Daily Missions — that combination is what separates a two-day Wuling unlock from a two-week slog.
However you reach Wuling, keep your account funded so you never miss a limited banner — Topuplist delivers fast, secure Arknights: Endfield top-ups so you can pull the 1.4 headliners while your gear catches up.
FAQ
What is the fastest way to unlock Wuling in Arknights Endfield?
Finish Chapter I Process II. The Homecoming update grants permanent early Wuling access the moment you wrap up Chapter I Process II, letting you jump in via the Event screen. This is faster than the classic Authority Level 43 requirement.
What was the old requirement to reach Wuling?
On the standard track, Wuling unlocked at Authority Level 43 after clearing the "Work Preparation II" mission, which begins the "Arrival at Wuling" main mission (Chapter 2, Process I).
How do I raise Authority Level fast?
Spend Sanity in Protocol Spaces (best XP per stamina), complete Daily Missions, run Basic AIC Simulations, clear Important/Secondary missions, and grab Teleport Points and chests while exploring. Sanity recovers 1 per ~7 minutes; use recovery items or Origeometry to push harder.
Does Wuling unlock immediately after Chapter I?
With Homecoming, yes — finishing Chapter I Process II gives permanent early access. On older accounts or the legacy path, you still need Authority Level 43 plus "Work Preparation II."
What do I get for reaching Wuling early?
Access to gold / Tier 5 gear (AIC Fieldwork, Rift Trekker), Gear Template Crates, the Forge of the Sky Xiranite pipeline, and free-Oroberyl events like Glittering Life at Wuling and Carly's Fairytale of Wuling.
Where should I top up safely?
For a safe, fast top-up, use Topuplist — top up Arknights: Endfield here for quick delivery on every pack.
