Honkai: Star Rail: Forging the Divine Weapon in Tales of the Fantastic (2026 Retrospective)

In 2026, Honkai: Star Rail has already blasted through several major story arcs, but for longtime Trailblazers, Version 1.2's Tales of the Fantastic event still holds a special place in the memory vault. 🎮 The event sent players on a storytelling adventure with Mr. Xiyan, a charismatic narrator who needed help bringing his tales to life. Before anyone could join the fun, they had to complete the main story released in the same update and defeat Phantylia, who then joined the Echo of War. That prerequisite was no small feat, but once it was done, the event opened up into three distinct parts, each taking place inside special domains alongside Xiyan. The first two parts featured mini-games and introduced a child who played the role of the High Elder in the story. The third part, however, was the real ace in the hole: forging a Divine Weapon. ⚔️

The Road to the Forge

The third part began with a bit of alchemical busywork. The Trailblazer had to visit some glass containers and use the growth elixir on the structures inside them. 🧪 This step was straightforward, but it set the tone for a section that mixed exploration with puzzle-solving. After that, the action moved to the Alchemy Commission area, where players had to hunt for treasure. The treasure sat in the open near a circular platform, making it a piece of cake to spot. There was no need to comb every corner or fight through a gauntlet of enemies; the game simply wanted the player to pay attention to the environment.

Collecting the treasure provided all the required ingredients. Once the inventory was stocked, the game asked the player to forge the Divine Weapon. The child—the same one playing the High Elder—first explained the procedure in a cryptic way, which was classic Xiyan storytelling flair. Fortunately, players could ask him to explain it properly. If they missed that explanation or simply wanted a cheat sheet, the correct order was clear. The forging sequence required four specific actions, and getting them right was the difference between a smooth quest completion and a frustrating retry.

Naming the Weapon and the Final Fight

After all the ingredients were used, the game gave the player the honor of naming the weapon. This was not just a cosmetic label; the chosen name changed the appearance of the weapon in the inventory, and that change stayed forever. For collectors and role-players alike, this was a neat touch that made the reward feel personal. The final step was a battle against a Malefic Ape, a fitting boss to close out the mission. 🐒 Once the ape was defeated, the mission was complete, and the Divine Weapon was secured.

In 2026, Tales of the Fantastic is no longer part of the live event rotation. Honkai: Star Rail has moved on to new planets, new characters, and new endgame modes, so newer Trailblazers cannot simply queue up for this Version 1.2 content. That said, the event remains a fascinating snapshot of the game's early evolution. It showed how HoYoverse could blend story, mini-games, exploration, and a light crafting puzzle into a limited-time package. For veterans, the memory of Mr. Xiyan's tales is a warm one; for historians of the game, the Divine Weapon forging sequence is a prime example of the kind of quirky design that made Version 1.2 stand out.

The Malefic Ape fight also deserves a shout-out. It was not the hardest boss in the game, but it gave the event a proper climax. Players who went in unprepared might have found themselves in a bit of a pickle, but those who had been keeping up with their character builds could handle it without breaking a sweat. The reward—a named weapon with a permanent appearance change—was a nice feather in the cap.

For anyone revisiting this guide in 2026, the key takeaway is simple: the forging order matters. The cryptic explanation from the child can trip up players who rush ahead, so it pays to slow down and listen. The correct sequence is Bona Aqua, Ignis Aureliae, coolant, and then hilt-wood followed by Bona Aqua again. Miss that and the forge will not cooperate. Hit it, and the Divine Weapon is as good as made.

All in all, Tales of the Fantastic was a charming side story that captured the spirit of Honkai: Star Rail's early days. It had humor, heart, and a boss fight that tied everything together. Even though 2026's version of the game offers far more content, there is something special about looking back at Version 1.2 and remembering when forging a Divine Weapon felt like the biggest adventure in the cosmos.