There is a hidden collectible in Wo Long that goes by the name of Golden Cicada Shells. These mysterious items can be found throughout all the missions, and once they’ve been found, they can be traded into the hermit atop the watchtower in the Hidden Village. Trading a few of these at a time will result in a reward. There are 21 Golden Cicada Shells in total, but you only need 20 of them to obtain the Ascension trophy/achievement. This page will show you where you can find all of these items.

Where to Find All Golden Cicada Shells¶

Two Chivalrous Heroes Golden Cicada Shell¶

After you defeat the first boss and after you’ve activated the Battle Flag. Follow the path until you reach an open area. Continue onwards into the small building to your right where you’ll find a high-morale enemy to take care of.

Follow the path up to your left (where the log gets kicked down) and continue until you reach the scaffolding to your left. Climb up it to reach the top wooden platform. The Golden Cicada Shell can be found at the end of the wooden ledge sticking out from the scaffolding.

The Valley of Crying Wraiths Golden Cicada Shell¶

Progress through the mission until you reach the corrupted Battle Flag with the Changgui Tiger as its leader. Follow the right path up the cliff where a Warlock will hurl spells down at you. Continue around the corner to find climbable rocks to your left where you can use these to reach the Warlock. Run past the first bridge until you reach the second bridge where you’ll find a hole in it. Drop through the hole to the platform below where you’ll find the Golden Cicada Shell.

The Demon Fort of the Yellow Heaven Golden Cicada Shell¶

From the Battle Flag when you leave the cave to reach the first large open area. Progress through the area until you’re about to go into another cave. Just before the cave, you can climb the house to the right of it, and from, climb onto the roof with the yellow flag hanging off it. Walk over to the other side of the roof to find the Golden Cicada Shell.

In Search of the Immortal Wizard Golden Cicada Shell¶

Progress through the mission until you enter a cave full of corruption. Once you reach the Battle Flag, prepare to fight a giant alligator to unlock it. From the flag, rotate your camera west/northwest you’ll see a vine leading up to a small rocky ledge. Walk up the vine to collect the Golden Cicada Shell.

Fall of the Corrupted Eunuch Golden Cicada Shell 1¶

There are two Golden Cicada Shells to find in this mission! The first one can be found in a cell where two Huoshu hedgehogs reside. The quickest way to get there is to drop into the purple pools (not poison) at the bottom, and take the ladder to the right of the Corrupted Battle Flag up to the bridge. Run past the bridge and go down the broken stairs (make sure you jump at the end). Here, you’ll see the first Huoshu (small one) with a larger one in the cell to its right. In the cell with the large Huoshu is where you’ll find the first Golden Cicada Shell.

Fall of the Corrupted Eunuch Golden Cicada Shell 2¶

The second shell can be found a bit further on. Progress through the mission until you reach the courtyard full of Gazebos and bridges. This will be after the first boss. When you’re in the courtyard, make your way to the back end of it where you’ll find a Battle Flag. The Golden Cicada Shell is on the roof above, but you’ll need to get on the roof of the building to the right of it (if you’re facing the courtyard). Run to the right side of the long building where you’ll find a tiger, and some wooden platforms at the back behind it. Climb the platforms to reach the roof, follow it towards the Battle Flag roof, and jump over.

The Battle of Hulaoguan Pass Golden Cicada Shell¶

Progress through the mission until you reach the Battle Flag outside the large encampment with palisades and battlements. Just in front of the Battle Flag is a trench. Drop into the trench, and follow it all the way to the right while defeating the tiger along the way. The Golden Cicada Shell will be at the end of the trench, but be careful as there is an enemy to the left of it.

Centuries of Glory Burned Away Golden Cicada Shell 1¶

This mission also has two shells to find. The first one can be found near the second Battle Flag in the center of the town. From the Battle Flag, head west towards the flames, and turn left where you can see a Shitieshou. Turn immediately to your left where the Golden Cicada Shell will be hidden in the corner of the two buildings among the fire.

Centuries of Glory Burned Away Golden Cicada Shell 2¶

The second shell can be found a bit further into the mission. When you exit the town area, you’ll find yourself needing to go into the water to progress. To the right of the stairs, above the water is a Marking Flag on a small platform. Directly below the flag is a tunnel that leads to the Golden Cicada Shell, but be careful of the spider that will drop from the ceiling.

Darkness Over the Hanshui River Golden Cicada Shell¶

At the start of the mission, take the right path and defeat the enemies in the pool of water. Follow the path to the end, and go left over the capsized boat. The Golden Cicada Shell will be on a small wooden platform below the boat, on the right side.

Tyrant’s Final Banquet Golden Cicada Shell 1¶

Another mission with two shells. The first one can be found in the second fort area. Defeat the Leader near the corrupted Battle Flag, and climb up on the roof via the wooden platforms opposite the flag. Follow the roof until the end and jump onto the roof of the building to the right of the gate. This can be a difficult jump to make and may require a few attempts. Try to jump right at the end of the highest point of the roof which is its center. When you’ve made the jump, drop onto the wall top, and follow it to your left where you’ll find the Golden Cicada Shell at the end.

Tyrant’s Final Banquet Golden Cicada Shell 2¶

You’ll need to progress the mission until you defeat the Fengxi (Boar) mini boss to find the second shell. After defeating the Fengxi, proceed into the next area. This area will be guarded by three Channgui (tigers), fortunately you can ignore them. The Golden Cicada Shell can be found right on top of the roof of the building in front of the door. To reach it, climb up the nearby broken wagon and jump onto the red veins. From there, jump onto the roof, take out the Warlock, and get your prize.

War’s Flames Blaze Fiercely Golden Cicada Shell 1¶

Two shells to find in this mission. The first shell is quite far into the mission, so progress it until you defeat the large spear-wielding leader to unlock the corrupted Battle Flag. This is after exiting the second sewer and going across the broken bridge. From the flag, jump over the fallen watchtower, follow the path right, and right again at the next intersection to find a chest with an enemy sitting in front of it. The chest will contain the Golden Cicada Shell.

War’s Flames Blaze Fiercely Golden Cicada Shell 2¶

From the last shell, head back to the intersection, but continue on, over the nearby bridge. Follow the path right until you can head down some stairs. Interact with the contraption to lower the water and head into the sewers which are to your left, past the alligator. Progress through the sewers, and you’ll end up going through a hallway with numerous statue enemies.

Run past or defeat them into the next room, and you should spot a large chest in the center of the room. From the room entrance, hop onto the pillars to the right, and use them to reach the chest. There is another statue enemy here, so make sure you defeat them before opening the chest. The chest will contain the second Golden Cicada Shell.

The Way of the Warrior Golden Cicada Shell¶

This Golden Cicada Shell can be near the start of the mission. From the first Battle Flag, follow the linear path until you reach the open area with a branch leading into it. Jump off the branch and take the left path through the heaviness-inducing waters where you’ll enter a side room. You can see the Golden Cicada Shell glowing brightly at the back, but as you approach it you’ll be attacked by a Zhupolong (alligator). You can just run up to the shell and pick it up quickly before running if you don’t feel like defeating it.

Lu Bu, Mightiest Among Men Golden Cicada Shell¶

The last mission’s Golden Cicada Shell was a nice quick one right? Well, it’s the opposite in this mission as you’ll need to get near the end of the mission to get it. Progress through the mission until you get inside the Fort. In the fort area, there is a large building with a corrupted Battle Flag. Now, the Golden Cicada Shell is nearby, and you can get it one of two ways.

First, exit the building, go right, and right again to reach a small structure leading into a window. The Golden Cicada Shell will be behind the small structure. The other way is to climb the shelves in the south of the building and jump out of the window onto the structure.

Behold the Glaive of Righteousness Golden Cicada Shell 1¶

Two Golden Cicada Shells in this mission and the first one isn’t too far away. Progress through the mission following the linear path until you reach the Corrupted Battle Flag. Once you’ve dealt with that, take the right path where you’ll see a couple of Changgui (tigers), one patrolling the path in front, and one to your right, asleep. Continue along the path, past the cave into the misty area.

Drop to the area below and follow the path left. Follow the path under the bridge to the right where a Suanyu will be patrolling. In the same area is a watchtower. Climb up the watchtower, shoot the enemy on the branch then walk along the said branch to find the Golden Cicada Shell.

Behold the Glaive of Righteousness Golden Cicada Shell 2¶

After the first boss, you’ll be in a new area. Progress through the area until you reach the large double doors leading underground. Progress through the linear area until you reach a door with two large statues guarding the door with a large black circular disc in front of them. Opposite the door is a couple of blocks you can jump up, and up there is a hole in the floor with a ladder leading down. This will lead to a shortcut by kicking the ladder down, but before you do that, head down the path where the hedgehog is, and behind the large glowing red orb-type object you’ll find the Golden Cicada Shell.

Hidden Village (Mt. Tianzhushan) Golden Cicada Shell¶

This is a simple shell to find. Head to the eastern side of the village, where you’ll find a large watchtower with vines leading up. The Golden Cicada Shell can be found at the bottom of the watchtower, inside it. Note: The Golden Cicada Shell “Merchant” can be found atop this tower.