Current MobyGoal: Help us reach 250 documented ZX81 Games

Xuanyuan Jian Waizhuan: Cang zhi Tao (Windows)

100 point score based on reviews from various critics.
5 point score based on user ratings.
Not an American user?


The year is 383 AD, when the Jin Empire controlled the southern part of China. In the great battle of Feishui, the Han (ethnic Chinese) nations of the Jin Empire fought against the non-Han country of Qin. As we know today from history books, the Jin people emerged victorious. But what if history could change?..

One thousand years before the Feishui battle, there lived a young girl named Che Yun, who was born in Linghu, at the outskirts of the country of Jin. Her grandfather was once a minister and a scientist who invented the Wooden Shield Technique, which allowed to make animated wooden creatures. He was falsely accused of treason and killed. Che Yun inherited the secret teaching of her grandfather. With the help of Yunhu, a fox she made out of wood, Che Yun decides to clear her grandfather's name and find out what forces are behind the war in China.

Xuanyuan Jian Waizhuan: Cang zhi Tao is a side story to Xuanyuan Jian 4. Traditionally, side stories are games which are made with the same engine as their predecessors, but have their own setting and plot. Like most Xuanyuan Jian installments, the game features both historical and fictional characters. It looks very similarly to the fourth game, and uses the same 3D exploration engine with 180 degree camera rotation, re-vamped turn-based battle system, stamina- and magic-based techniques, and the Heavenly Book system , which allows the player to capture monsters in battles, build settlements for them, use them to create own weapons, armor, accessories, and items, and recruit them later during combat. One of the playable characters can also learn magic from captured enemies.

Like in the previous installment, player-controlled party contains three active combatants, each specializing in his or her own special abilities, martial art techniques, or magic spells. Che Yun can use various techniques that damage or sabotage mechanical enemies encountered in the game. A new feature is the player's ability to upgrade Yunhu, Che Yun's wooden fox who represents her in battles. Special points are awarded beside the regular experience, and can be allocated by the player to teach Yunhu new skills and techniques, as well as increase his attributes. Yunhu cannot be healed by conventional means and must rely on special repair kits or Che Yun's techniques for that.


Xuanyuan Jian Waizhuan: Cang zhi Tao Windows Title screen
Xuanyuan Jian Waizhuan: Cang zhi Tao Windows Some of the more advanced techniques are shown as pre-rendered animations! You'll want to use those techniques just for the eye candy
Xuanyuan Jian Waizhuan: Cang zhi Tao Windows Entrance to a mysterious temple
Xuanyuan Jian Waizhuan: Cang zhi Tao Windows Ying Shi is executing one of her deadly attacks. As you will learn from the story, it's better to be friends with this girl...

Alternate Titles

  • "轩辕剑外传: 苍之涛" -- Chinese spelling (simplified)
  • "軒轅劍外傳：蒼之濤" -- Chinese spelling (traditional)
  • "Xuan Yuan Jian 4 Side Story" -- Popular title
  • "The Legend of Sword of Hin Yuen: Cong zi Tou" -- Alternate pronunciation & romanization
  • "Sword of Xuan Yuan IV (Legend): Billows of the Bleak" -- Popular title

Part of the Following Groups

User Reviews

I love this game אולג 小奥 (168584) 4.83 Stars4.83 Stars4.83 Stars4.83 Stars4.83 Stars
Extremely touching! Lady T-Dawg (701) 5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars
Of all games I played, this one touched me most Eric the Sexy Pianist (4) 5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars

The Press Says

There are no rankings for this game.


There are currently no topics for this game.


Xuanyuan Jian Waizhuan: Cang zhi Tao can be translated as "The Sword of Xuanyuan Side-Story: Blue Wave". Xuanyuan is the name of an ancient sword (jian), which gave the name to the series; Wai + Zhuan literally means "outside legend"; Cang (with the preposition zhi) can mean either "blue", "green", "grey", or even "pale", depending on the context (perhaps "aquamarine color" would be appropriate in this case); Tao is "wave".
אולג 小奥 (168584) added Xuanyuan Jian Waizhuan: Cang zhi Tao (Windows) on Oct 01, 2005