During the first few hours of playingBlack Myth: Wukong, you’ll quickly realize that the game throws a lot of bosses at you sooner than expected compared to other action games. Each boss features a unique design, moveset, and fight, making it rare to encounter a boss that feels reused. This is one of the game’s strongest aspects.
For these bosses, you have multiple tools at your disposal, including your staff as your primary weapon, spells, transformations, and spirit skills. Spirit skills allow you to perform specific attacks corresponding to the enemy you’ve defeated, as well as grant additional effects. However, you must first unlock the ability to absorb these skills before you can use them.
Cannot Absorb Spirits Without Guidance, Explained
Among the initial set of bosses that you will encounter early in the game is theWandering Wightand defeating it can be challenging due to its high defense and powerful attacks. If you manage to defeat this boss, you will receive your rewards, but you’ll also noticeit leaves behind a purple spirit.
When you interact with it, you’ll see a prompt saying “Cannot absorb Spirits without guidance,” which might leave you wondering what you’re missing.
The solution is straightforward. Simply progress further into the game until youreach Bamboo Grove - Snake Trail Keeper’s Shrine. There, you’ll hear a character speaking.Climb the stairs and then head to the rightto trigger a cutscene where the character will take your Gourd and bless it with guidance.
This will grant you the ability to absorb Spirits, which is what you need. However, if you return to the boss location, you won’t find the spirit there, but that’s okay.
Just go to the nearest Keeper’s Shrine, and you’ll find the"Retrieve Spirits" option, which allows you tocollect any spirits you missed earlier. This option is available for any spirit you forget to absorb in future.
One tip to keep in mind is to watch forenemies with a blue glow; defeating them will always grant you their Spirits. Additionally, some bosses may drop their own Spirits that you can use in combat.
