Absolute Point of No Return

Things to Do Before Slaying Divine Dragon

Defeating the Divine Dragon in Fountainhead Palace triggers the irreversible Castle on Fire Endgame State. NPC questlines and multiple endings become permanently locked. Complete this master checklist BEFORE praying at the Sanctuary rock altar!

Permanent World State Changes Upon Slaying Divine Dragon:

Ashina Castle sets ablaze: Central Ministry forces invade and massacre early Ashina samurai and mini-bosses.
Purification Quest Locks Out: If you did not obtain the Father's Bell Charm, you can NO LONGER unlock the Purification ending or fight Owl (Father).
Vendors & NPCs move/die: Anayama, Blackhat Badger, and various dialogue interactions terminate.

1. Unlock Father's Bell Charm & 2nd Hirata Estate (Purification)

Step 1 (Eavesdrop Kuro): Hide behind the screen in Kuro's Room after defeating Great Owl until Kuro speaks.

Step 2 (Emma at Old Grave): Speak to Emma upstairs, then meet her at Old Grave idol.

Step 3 (Eavesdrop Dilapidated Temple): Go around to the back wall of Dilapidated Temple and eavesdrop on Emma and Sculptor through the hole.

Step 4 (Get Father's Bell): Confront Emma inside the temple to receive the Father's Bell Charm.

Step 5 (Pray at Buddha): Enter 2nd Hirata memory to slay Masanaga (Prayer Bead #34), Juzou rematch (Prayer Bead #35), and Owl Father (Aromatic Branch).

2. Complete Dragon's Homecoming / Return Ending Steps

Fresh Serpent Viscera: Puppeteer the kite assassin in Senpou Temple and plunge onto Great Serpent from the high beam.

Dried Serpent Viscera: Puppeteer the monkey in Sunken Valley poison cave to claim the dried heart from the shrine altar.

Holy Chapters: Give Holy Chapter: Infested and Holy Chapter: Dragon's Return to the Divine Child.

Frozen Tears: Feed both Viscera to the Divine Child in Inner Sanctum and rest to receive the Frozen Tears.

3. Mini-Bosses, Gourd Seed #9 & 4 Lapis Lazuli

Castle Ground Floor Ogre: Slay captive ogre for Prayer Bead #31.

Lone Shadow Vilehand: Slay in Ashina Dojo for Prayer Bead #32.

Lone Shadow Masanaga: Slay at Great Serpent Shrine for Prayer Bead #33.

Mushin Esoteric Text: Master any ultimate combat art and talk to Isshin / Emma.

Gourd Seed #9: Open chest inside Fountainhead Palace Enclosure hall (10 Healing Gourd Uses MAX!).

Leader Shizu & Sunken Pagoda: Collect Prayer Beads #36 & #37 in Fountainhead Palace.

4 Lapis Lazuli Catalysts: Kill Shichimen Warrior at waterfall, buy 2 from Pot Noble Koremori, and complete Truly Precious Bait carp quest.

Dancing Dragon Mask: Purchase Mask Fragment: Left from Pot Noble Koremori to complete the mask.