Things to Do Before Divine Dragon (Point of No Return)

Defeating the Divine Dragon atop the Cloud Sanctuary in Fountainhead Palace is the ABSOLUTE POINT OF NO RETURN for world state progression in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Once you claim the Divine Dragon's Tears, time advances to night, Ashina Castle is engulfed in flames by the Interior Ministry invasion, several key NPCs die or relocate, and uncompleted questlines become permanently locked out!

1. The 3 Paths Unlocked After Defeating Great Shinobi Owl

Immediately after defeating Great Shinobi Owl on the Ashina Castle rooftop, the game opens up into 3 distinct paths. You should progress them in parallel before stepping into the Divine Dragon's sanctuary:

2. Detailed Checklist: Items & Questlines to Collect BEFORE Divine Dragon

A. Purification Ending Prerequisites (Aromatic Flower & Beads #33–34)

Follow these exact sequential steps to acquire the Aromatic Flower and clear Hirata Memory II:

1. Eavesdrop on Kuro: Hide behind the paper wall in Kuro's Room until he says "...do what must be done."
2. Confront Emma Upstairs: Speak with Emma at the top of the stairs in Kuro's Room. Agree to save Kuro's life.
3. Meet Emma at Old Grave: Fast travel to Old Grave idol in Ashina Castle and speak to Emma near the gravestones.
4. Eavesdrop at Dilapidated Temple: Go to Dilapidated Temple, move behind the building, and eavesdrop on Emma and the Sculptor through the wall hole.
5. Claim Father's Bell Charm: Enter the temple, confront Emma about what you overheard, and receive the Father's Bell Charm.
6. Clear Hirata Estate II: Pray at the Buddha statue inside the temple. Defeat Lone Shadow Masanaga (Prayer Bead #33), Juzou the Drunkard II (Prayer Bead #34), and main boss Owl (Father) in the basement to claim the Aromatic Flower!

B. Return Ending Prerequisites (Frozen Tears)

Follow these exact sequential steps to complete the Divine Child's ritual:

1. Holy Chapter Infested: Obtain Holy Chapter: Infested (given by Main Hall monk or found underwater in Senpou pond) and give it to the Divine Child in the Inner Sanctum.
2. Rice & Persimmon Requests: Request Rice 3 times until she falls ill. Feed her a Persimmon (purchased from Shugendo Mob merchant for 30 Sen). Receive Rice for Kuro.
3. Sweet Rice Balls: Give the rice to Lord Kuro in his room. Rest, and receive Sweet Rice Balls. Eat one in front of him.
4. Inner Sanctum Meeting: Return to the Divine Child, then meet her in the Halls of Illusion.
5. Holy Chapter Dragon's Return: Dive into the dark cave pool near Senpou Main Hall to retrieve Holy Chapter: Dragon's Return. Hand it to the Divine Child.
6. Fresh Serpent Viscera: Use Puppeteer Ninjutsu on the kite monk at Senpou Temple entrance to raise the kite. Grapple across the mountain, drop into Sunken Valley cavern, and execute a sky plunge Deathblow on the Great Serpent.
7. Dried Serpent Viscera: Navigate the toxic cave at the bottom of Sunken Valley (near Poison Pool). Use Puppeteer Ninjutsu on the monkey on the ledge to distract the serpent, then snatch the Dried Viscera inside the shrine.
8. Claim Frozen Tears: Hand both Viscera to the Divine Child. Rest, eavesdrop on her eating them, rest again, and receive the Frozen Tears!

C. Fountainhead Palace Items & Collectibles Checklist

Before praying at the Cloud Sanctuary altar, explore the entire Fountainhead Palace map to collect these vital items:

• Gourd Seed #9 (Final Gourd Charge!): Found inside a red chest in the rear corridor of Mibu Manor. Maxes your Healing Gourd to 10 charges!
• Prayer Bead #35 (Sakura Bull of the Palace): Defeat the Sakura Bull behind the Flower Viewing Stage.
• Prayer Bead #36 (Okami Leader Shizu): Defeat Okami Leader Shizu atop the giant Sakura tree.
• Prayer Bead #37 (Great Carp Skeleton): Dive to the bottom of the Great Carp Lake and locate the Prayer Bead inside the giant fish skeleton cavern.
• Great Carp & Pot Noble Questline (Lapis Lazuli x2): Talk to Pot Noble Koremori or Harunaga, spend 7+ Carp Scales, receive Truly Precious Bait, and feed it to the Great Carp at the Feeding Grounds. Collect the Great White Whisker at Sunken Valley Guardian Ape watering hole and receive 2x Lapis Lazuli!