Tucked away in the northwestern sands of Sumeru, the City of the Deceased Domain has been puzzling adventurers since it was first introduced back in Version 3.4. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t announce itself – you really have to go looking for it. But once you know the shortcut through the Wenut Tunnels and how to light up those torches, the whole thing opens up like a secret handshake between Travelers. And honestly? The rewards are totally worth the detour.

What’s in It for You

Let’s be real – one-time domains live and die by their loot. This one delivers a tidy little package:

  • Primogems ×40

  • Adventure Experience ×500

  • Dendro Sigils ×5

  • Artifact: Legacy of the Desert Highborn (4-star Circlet of Logos)

  • Talent material: Guide to Praxis ×2

  • Hero’s Wit ×3

  • Mystic Enhancement Ore ×5

  • Mora ×40,000

The artifact alone is a nice bonus, but those primos and sigils? Absolutely clutch if you’re saving for an upcoming banner.

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Where Exactly Is This Place?

The domain sits in the Desert of Hadramaveth, a little north of the Sands of Al-Azif. It’s not just sitting out under the sun, though. The whole thing is buried underground, inside a sprawling tunnel system known as the Wenut Tunnels. If you’ve ever chased those giant burrowing worms for ascension materials, you already know the vibe – eerie, a bit confusing, and full of sand.

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The Quickest Way Down

Nobody wants to wander the desert aimlessly while toxic heat builds up – not in this economy. Here’s the straightest line to the entrance:

  1. Teleport to the waypoint just west of the Dunes of Steel.

  2. Head northeast a few steps and drop off the cliff onto the path below. The game practically winks at you with a natural slope here.

  3. Look for a cave mouth that angles sharply into the ground. That’s your ticket into the Wenut Tunnels.

Once inside, keep moving south through the tunnel until you spot a large stone square on your left. It looks almost like a buried podium, and it’s actually the roof of the City of the Deceased Domain – just a little submerged in sand. If you hear distant scuttling or the faint rumble of a wenut, you’re in the right place.

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The Torch Puzzle – Don’t Overthink It

Unlocking the domain asks for a classic Pyro moment. There are four torches scattered around the immediate area, and they all need to be lit at the same time. No complicated sequence, no hidden switches – just bring a character with easy fire application (Xiangling’s Guoba does the job while you run around).

You’ll find two torches flanking the stone square. The other two are a tiny bit shy – they’re tucked away on a lower path behind you. Once every flame is flickering, interact with the square mechanism beside the domain. A soft chime plays, the sand shifts, and poof – your domain entrance unlocks, complete with a chest that wasn’t there before. Go ahead, open that common chest. You’ve earned it.

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Inside the City of the Deceased

Stepping through the barrier drops you into a quiet, tomb-like corridor. The domain itself is a straight line with a few puzzles and combat trials – nothing too punishing, but staying alert is a good idea.

  • First room: Clear out the enemies and a common chest appears. Simple enough.

  • Red mechanism time trial: Activate it, then use the Four-Leaf Sigils to zoom around and collect every orb within one minute. It feels like a botanical obstacle course, honestly. Reward: another common chest.

  • Timed combat challenge: This one comes in two waves. First you face two Electro Hilichurls, two Pyro slimes, and one chunky Hydro slime. Then the game says “here, do it again but with a shielded Mitachurl friend.” Bring a Pyro or Cryo character to break the shield quickly. An exquisite chest pops out when you win.

  • Final gauntlet: In the big final room, you’ll fight three waves of elemental Slimes and Fungi, with one large Shroom per wave. They throw every element at you except Cryo and Anemo, so a flexible team helps. Dendro reactions can make quick work of the spores.

Once the last enemy fizzles out, a precious chest materializes in the center. That’s your cue – grab it, snag the artifact, and soak in the completion screen. The domain doesn’t reset after this, so you only get one shot to claim everything, but honestly? It’s one of those cozy, self-contained challenges that leaves you feeling clever rather than stressed.

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And there you have it – a dusty corner of Sumeru now thoroughly explored. If you’re still hunting for Sand Grease Pupa or working on the Dirge of Bilqis questline, those Wenut Tunnels will become a familiar stomping ground. But for now, take those primos and that fancy circlet. You walked in, cracked the puzzle, and walked out with treasure. Not bad for a day in the desert.