Hey there, fellow Traveler! If you’ve just dipped your toes into Genshin Impact in 2026 – or maybe you’re a returning player finally cleaning up old world quests – you might have stumbled upon a little gem (pun intended) called “Says He Who Seeks Stone.” This quest, originally introduced way back in version 2.6, still trips people up because it asks you to find nine sneaky Archaic Stones scattered around the Lost Valley area. I remember doing this on launch day back in 2022, and honestly, even with the map markers, some of these rocks were a real pain to spot. So let me break it all down for you, keeping things fresh for 2026, with the same map we’ve all been using for years – because guess what? The stone locations haven’t changed one bit!

First things first: all nine Archaic Stones are concentrated in a single region, which makes this quest a total breeze compared to some of the “find 1000 chests” nonsense we’re used to. The area you need to zoom in on is The Chasm’s Maw, the massive open-pit mining site in Liyue. If you’ve just unlocked The Chasm underground and you’re still figuring out your bearings, don’t sweat it. These stones are mostly hanging out right around the central mining hub and its immediate underground floors. No need to sprint across the entire map like a headless chicken!

Now, back in the day, a legend named TakaGG dropped a super detailed video guide on YouTube that basically became the holy grail for this quest. The guy patiently walked through every single Archaic Stone location, floor by floor. I’ve embedded the key visual from his video right here, because a picture is worth a thousand words – especially when you’re clinging to a cliff edge trying to find a glowing brown rock.

still-hunting-for-archaic-stones-in-lost-valley-heres-your-2026-guide-image-0

If you squint at the image (or zoom in – no shame in that), you’ll spot those little pickaxe icons marking each stone. What’s not immediately obvious is the verticality factor. The Chasm’s Maw is a multi-layered nightmare, and you’ll be bouncing between surface cliffs, mid-level wooden platforms, and the gloomy depths near the water. Here’s a breakdown of where you should be looking, based on my own dusty memory and years of helping newbies in co-op:

  • Surface Level & Upper Ledges (3 stones): Start at the waypoint right at the top of The Chasm’s Maw. From there, glide down towards the massive drill area but keep an eye on the cliff faces. One stone is literally embedded in a rock wall right next to a wooden scaffolding. Another is chilling near some crates close to the edge of the central pit. The third can be found on a high ledge hugging the outer wall – you might need to climb a bit, so bring some stamina food, bro.

  • Mid-level Mining Platforms (2 stones): Drop down a level to the wooden walkways and tunnels that crisscross the pit. One Archaic Stone is practically begging to be picked up next to a mining cart on the eastern side. The other is a bit trickier, tucked inside a small cave-like opening behind some wooden supports. If you’re just running past, you’ll miss it 100%. Look for the telltale sparkle – Archaic Stones share the same shininess as regular ore chunks.

  • The Lower Depths & Underground Water (4 stones): This is where things get spicy. Head all the way down to the pool of dark water at the very bottom of The Chasm’s Maw. Two stones are right there on the muddy shore, almost impossible to miss (they glow in the dark, thank the Archons). A third is slightly hidden behind a large rock pillar in the same area. But the most annoying one by far is actually on a tiny island in the middle of the water, just close enough to make you swim. Pro tip: if you have a character like Furina or Kokomi (yes, I know it’s 2026, but they still rule for water traversal), you can waltz over there without drowning your stamina.

I cannot stress enough how much of a “gotcha” that last stone is. When I first did this quest, I circled the entire cavern six times before I finally spotted the damn thing sitting on a tiny patch of solid ground. So save yourself the headache and just swim straight to the middle after you’ve cleared the shoreline.

Once you’ve snagged all nine, a quick chat with the quest NPC (an old fella named Muning, who’s just as obsessed with rocks as you are by now) wraps everything up, and you’ll pocket some Primogems, Hero’s Wit, and the satisfaction of cleaning up your quest log. In 2026, Genshin Impact has ballooned to an absurd size with all the new nations, but these classic Liyue quests still hold a special charm. The Chasm remains one of the most atmospheric areas in the game, and hunting for Archaic Stones is actually a chill way to slow down and appreciate the zone’s design – unless you’re speedrunning, then it’s just another checklist item, LOL.

If you’ve been stuck on this quest for weeks (or years, no judgement), follow the map above and the floor-by-floor list, and you’ll be golden. The stones don’t move, they don’t despawn, and they don’t require any weird puzzles – it’s pure exploration. And that’s the real tea: sometimes the old quests are the easiest, as long as you know where to look.

Happy hunting, and may your Pity be ever in your favor! 🎮✨

Genshin Impact is free to play on PS4, PS5, PC, and mobile. The PC version is available on the Epic Games Store and HoYoverse’s official launcher.