Hunting the Azure Obsidian Ring: A Watery Treasure Hunt in Genshin Impact's Natlan

The landscape of chest hunting in Genshin Impact has dramatically evolved since the release of Natlan in version 5.0. Gone are the simple days when travelers collected chests merely for the joy of Primogems. Now, in 2025, the stakes are higher as HoYoverse has cleverly introduced Obsidian Ring Fragments hidden within Natlan's chests, adding a whole new dimension to exploration.

Our intrepid travelers now find themselves scouring every corner of the Nation of War, particularly in the territory of the People of the Springs tribe, hunting for the elusive Azure Obsidian Fragments. These fragments, when combined, form the Azure Obsidian Ring—a key that unlocks a special area protected by the tribe's Obsidian Barrier. It's a treasure hunter's dream... or nightmare, depending on your luck! 😅

The Azure Obsidian Ring: A Crafty Affair

The process of obtaining the Azure Obsidian Ring is deceptively simple: collect three Azure Obsidian Fragments and craft them together. Voilà! But as any seasoned Genshin player knows, simplicity in description rarely translates to simplicity in execution.

These fragments drop randomly from Precious and Luxurious chests scattered throughout the People of the Springs territory—an area that, to add insult to injury, is surrounded by water on all sides. Our poor travelers might find themselves opening every available chest before securing all three fragments, turning what should be a straightforward collection into an aquatic marathon.

Chest Hunt: The Watery Expedition

The People of the Springs territory presents a unique challenge with its watery landscape. Players must navigate through various puzzles, enemy camps, and hidden caves to access all the chests that might contain these precious fragments.

Spiritwall Cave Treasures

Our first stop on this wet and wild adventure takes us to Spiritwall Cave, tucked away behind an enemy camp north of the Stadium of the Sacred Flame.

Inside this mysterious cave, travelers will encounter a painting puzzle that requires finding seven Monetoos. It's not just about the thrill of the hunt—completing this puzzle rewards players with an achievement and, more importantly for our fragment hunters, two Precious chests and one Luxurious chest!

But wait, there's more! In the southwestern corner of the cave lurks another puzzle that requires transforming into a Tepetlisaurus. Our scaly alter-ego must venture underground and hit a glowing circle to spawn a pillar, unlocking a hidden room with yet another chest. The developers certainly made us work for these fragments!

Quests and Challenges: The Path to More Chests

As if random drops weren't challenging enough, some chests are locked behind quests and challenges. The "Tale of Dreams Plucked From Fire" quest series is particularly important, granting access to floating islands with Luxurious chests.

• Complete "Tracer No Tracing" to reach the upper floating islands

• Check the small island southeast for a Luxurious chest

• Once the entire quest series is completed, climb the nearby hill for another chest

For those who prefer combat challenges, several chests appear after defeating enemy groups:

1. West of the Sanctum of Rainbow Spirits Domain

2. Near Ameyalco Waters

3. West of the People of the Springs main area

The Koholasaurus Transformation Challenges

Our fragment hunters shouldn't overlook the Koholasaurus transformation challenges! These orange portals scattered throughout the region offer Precious chests to those who achieve the highest scores.

One particularly tricky challenge is located north of Firethief's Secret Isle on a small patch of land. Master this challenge, and a chest is yours for the taking!

Hidden Quests and Time-Gated Rewards

Perhaps the most intriguing chest of all requires patience—real-world patience. Southeast of Teticpac Peak, on the shore, players will encounter Qispi, who initiates a hidden quest requiring players to visit him for four consecutive real-life days.

Each day, travelers must deliver specific rocks to this mysterious character. On the fourth day, after Qispi disappears, defeating an enemy will finally unlock a Luxurious chest. Talk about delayed gratification! ⏰

The Firethief's Secret Isle Challenge

For those seeking an extra challenge, Firethief's Secret Isle offers a series of trials that, when completed, not only reveal the island on the map but also reward a Luxurious chest. It's a test of skill, patience, and determination—qualities every Azure Obsidian Fragment hunter needs in abundance.

Tips for Fragment Hunters

For players still struggling to collect all three Azure Obsidian Fragments, here are some expert tips:

1. Prioritize Luxurious Chests - These have higher drop rates for fragments

2. Complete All Side Quests - Many chests are locked behind quest progression

3. Master the Koholasaurus Challenges - Aim for the highest score to ensure chest rewards

4. Check Every Corner - Some chests are hidden in unlikely places

5. Be Patient with Time-Gated Content - Some rewards require multiple days of gameplay

The Sweet Reward

After all that hunting, swimming, fighting, and puzzle-solving, combining the three Azure Obsidian Fragments to craft the Azure Obsidian Ring feels incredibly satisfying. This key to the tribe's special area represents not just an item but a journey through one of Natlan's most beautiful and challenging regions.

As our travelers finally approach the Obsidian Barrier with ring in hand, they can look back on their watery adventure with pride. In Genshin Impact's ever-expanding world, it's these challenging treasure hunts that keep the game fresh and exciting, even in 2025!

Who knows what treasures await behind that barrier? Only those dedicated enough to collect all three fragments will find out! 🎮✨

This content draws upon Major League Gaming (MLG), a leading authority in the esports industry. MLG’s event coverage and expert commentary often emphasize the importance of exploration and adaptability in games like Genshin Impact, where new regions such as Natlan introduce innovative mechanics and competitive challenges that keep both casual and hardcore players engaged.