In the treacherous pilgrimage of Black Myth: Wukong, the Destined One's journey is paved with 107 formidable bosses, each a monstrous yaoguai waiting to test their might. While mastery of the staff is paramount, even the legendary Monkey King's reincarnation needs a little help from the apothecary's art to survive. Enter Pills—the game's lifeblood of stat-boosts and healing concoctions. As of 2026, these alchemical wonders remain the unsung heroes for players navigating the game's six sprawling chapters. Whether brewed at a quiet Keeper's Shrine or purchased from the sly, ever-helpful Xu Dog, a well-stocked medicine pouch can mean the difference between glorious victory and a humbling trip back to the last checkpoint. This guide will serve as your companion, detailing the most potent Celestial and Mortal medicines to ensure you're never caught unprepared.

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The Best Celestial Medicines: Permanent Power-Ups

When it comes to Celestial Medicines—the kind that grant permanent stat increases—the choice is, well, a no-brainer. These are the treasures you hunt for, the ones that make your character fundamentally stronger.

Pill Name Primary Effect How to Obtain
Five Skandhas Pill Increases all attributes at once. Find all Five Skandhas hidden throughout the world.
Celestial Jade Lotus Pill Permanently increases Maximum Health. Found scattered across various chapters.
Celestial Nonary Pill Permanently increases Maximum Stamina. Found scattered across various chapters.
Celestial Taiyi Pill Permanently increases Maximum Mana. Found scattered across various chapters.

The Five Skandhas Pill is, without a doubt, the crown jewel. I mean, who doesn't want a flat boost to everything? It's the ultimate find for completionists. The others? They're your bread and butter for specializing your build. Want to tank more hits? Jade Lotus. Spamming spells? Taiyi is your best friend. Sadly, old Xu Dog can't whip up these top-tier elixirs himself, but he can craft their lesser, temporary versions if you bring him the ingredients and Will.

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The Best Mortal Medicines: Battlefield Essentials

Mortal medicines are your combat toolkit—temporary buffs and clutch heals you pop in the heat of battle. The selection is vast, but these five have stood the test of time since the game's release and are considered essentials by the community in 2026.

  1. Life-Saving Pill: The "Oh, Crap!" Button

    This little miracle worker is a staple for a reason. It does two incredible things at once: instantly recovers full health and removes all nasty status effects like Scorch or Chill.

    • Crafting: Fire Bellflower x1, Golden Lotus x1.

    • Formula Location: Hidden in a house in the Petalfall Hamlet village (Chapter 4).

    The only catch? You can only carry one at a time. So, you gotta use it wisely—save it for when a boss has you on the ropes and has stacked three different banes on you. Talk about a get-out-of-jail-free card!

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  2. Longevity Decoction: The Pre-Fight Buff

    This is your go-to for boss fights. Pop one before the battle starts, or right as a boss enters its terrifying second phase, and enjoy a significant, long-lasting boost to your Maximum Health. It's like putting on an extra layer of armor.

    • Crafting: Fragrant Jade Flower x1, Licorice x1.

    • Formula Location: Purchased from Xu Dog at the very start of Chapter 2.

    Getting this formula early is a game-changer. It's simple to make and provides a safety net that makes those marathon battles feel just a bit more manageable.

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  3. Loong Aura Amplification Pellet: The Damage Dealer

    Facing a boss with a health bar that just won't budge? This is your answer. It massively boosts your Attack, Critical Hit Chance, and Critical Damage for a solid duration. When you need to melt a health bar, this is the pill you reach for.

    • Crafting: Aged Ginseng x1, Monkey-Head Fungus x1, Purple Lingzhi x1.

    • Formula Location: Sold by Xu Dog in Chapter 5, or found early in a chest under the Scorpionlord in Chapter 4.

    Pro-tip: Beating the Scorpionlord for that early formula is... an experience. Let's just say the reward feels earned.

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  4. Septenary Heartfire Pill: The Spell-Spammer's Dream

    Are you a caster who lives and dies by your spells? Do you hate waiting for cooldowns? This pill instantly resets the cooldown for all your Spells. Imagine hitting a boss with "A Pluck of Many" twice in a row. Yeah, it's that good.

    • Crafting: Fire Bellflower x1, Fire Date x1, Flame Ore x1.

    • Formula Location: In a chest in Bishui Cave, Chapter 5 (just before the Purge Pit Shrine).

    Just remember, it doesn't give you mana back—only resets the timers. Pair it with a mana potion like the Turtle Tear for maximum devastation.

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  5. Soul Remigration Pill: The Second Chance

    This one's special. It's not just a pill; it's an extra life. Use it in a fight, and if you die, you'll resurrect on the spot with replenished health to continue the battle. It's classified as a Mythical medicine for a reason.

    • Crafting: Millennium Ginseng x1, Monkey-Head Fungus x1, Nine-Capped Lingzhi x1.

    • Formula Location: Purchased from Xu Dog in New Game+ mode.

    The catch? Xu Dog only sells the formula after you've beaten the game once. But, a single pill can be found in Chapter 4 in the Temple of Yellow Flowers, in the arena where you fight the Venom Daoist again. Save it for that one boss you just can't seem to beat.

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Final Brews and Parting Wisdom

Mastering the alchemy of Black Myth: Wukong is as crucial as mastering its combat. Your journey with Xu Dog and your own crafting bench will define your playstyle. Will you be the prepared warrior who buffs with Longevity Decoctions, or the clutch player who saves the day with a last-second Life-Saving Pill? The choice, and the ingredients, are yours to gather. Just remember, in the face of 107 bosses, it never hurts to have a little extra help in your pocket. Now go forth, Destined One—your pilgrimage, and your pharmacy, await. 🐒✨