What to know
- The objective is located on a rooftop, not ground level
- You must trigger the “Dragon Gate Substitute” interaction
- Combat is required against high-HP Skyfish enemies
- Completion happens automatically after defeating all targets
If you’ve been stuck wandering around vendors or lower streets in Neverness to Everness (NTE), you’re not alone. The Tidal Ascension Anomaly Commission—especially the “Trial of Leaping”—can be misleading at first glance. The game subtly directs you to the wrong elevation, and unless you think vertically, progress stalls. This guide walks you through exactly how to enable the Skyfish Banner and finish the challenge smoothly.
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Quest Name | Trial of Leaping (Tidal Ascension) |
| Main Objective | Activate Skyfish Banner & defeat enemies |
| Location Type | Rooftop area above vendor zone |
| Key Mechanic | Dragon Gate Substitute interaction |
| Difficulty | Moderate (high HP enemies) |
| Completion Trigger | Eliminate all Skyfish enemies |
Dragon Gate Substitute location in NTE
The biggest confusion in this quest comes from misleading ground-level markers. When you track the mission, it appears to guide you toward NPC vendors or street-level interactions. However, the actual objective is vertically positioned above you, hidden on a rooftop platform.
You might spend several minutes interacting with irrelevant NPCs or circling the area before realizing that this is a vertical navigation puzzle disguised as a simple fetch quest. Once you shift your perspective upward, everything clicks into place.
Step 1
Head to the marked quest area and stop focusing on ground-level NPCs. Instead, look for climbable walls or ledges nearby.
Step 2
Sprint toward a wall and initiate a climb by jumping into it. NTE’s traversal system allows you to latch onto vertical surfaces easily.
Step 3
Use directional input (up) along with jump inputs to scale the building. Timing your jumps will help conserve stamina and reach the top faster.
Step 4
Once you reach the rooftop, explore the area until you locate the Skyfish-related object. This is tied to the quest progression.
Triggering the Dragon Gate Substitute event
Upon reaching the top, you’ll encounter the key interaction point—this is where the “Dragon Gate Substitute” objective begins. It typically appears as a fish-related marker or interactable entity.
Activating this point enables the Skyfish Banner, which is essential to progressing the Trial of Leaping. Without triggering this, the enemies won’t spawn and the quest cannot proceed.
How to defeat the Skyfish enemies
What makes this fight tricky
Even though the enemies are labeled around level 10, their health pools are significantly higher than expected. This can catch you off guard if you approach casually.
How to handle the combat phase
Focus on one Skyfish at a time. Splitting damage across multiple enemies will drag the fight unnecessarily. Use burst damage abilities early. Since the enemies are tanky, frontloading damage helps shorten the encounter.
Keep moving. Some attacks can stagger or corner you on the rooftop, so mobility is key. Finish all enemies to trigger completion. The quest will not progress until every Skyfish is eliminated.
Rewards from the Trial of Leaping
| Reward Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Annulith | x10 |
| Beetle Coin | x3,000 |
| Fons | x6,000 |
| Bronze Carrota | x40 |
| Anomaly Material Selection Box I | x2 |
| U-OONE | x10 |
| Scale Pattern | x1 |
| A Time Will Come | x1 |
While the rewards are fairly standard, the real value lies in progressing the Tidal Ascension storyline and unlocking future commissions.
Common mistakes players make
Many players waste time searching the wrong area because the quest marker lacks vertical clarity. Others reach the rooftop but fail to interact with the correct object, assuming the fight triggers automatically.
Another frequent issue is underestimating the enemies. Despite their low level, their durability can prolong the fight if you’re not prepared.
The Trial of Leaping in NTE is less about difficulty and more about awareness. Once you realize the objective is above you and not around you, the quest becomes straightforward. Climb, activate the Dragon Gate Substitute, defeat the Skyfish, and you’re done.
Mastering these vertical exploration cues will also help you in future anomaly commissions, where environmental navigation becomes increasingly important.
