Su Han initially felt that the Ashina mission shouldn't have reached a Five-Star rating. In the world of Sekiro, a single mortal shinobi could defeat and "tussle" with the Divine Dragon to obtain its tears. Thus, he had always categorized this world as a high Three-Star or low Four-Star at best.
However, he hadn't expected that the Divine Dragon perched atop the Fountainhead Palace would be classified as a Five-Star Demon. A Five-Star entity was a calamity capable of throwing the entire world into chaos. The mission description confirmed this; it was far more dangerous than a standard difficult Four-Star task. It was a solo mission, and its categorization was "Five-Star Standard."
Raiden Shogun: "What exactly is this Ashina? Is the Divine Dragon truly a defeated demon from elsewhere? It doesn't sound particularly invincible."
Ningguang: "As per tradition, let's have Su Han introduce this world first."
Mona: "Exactly! This is a classic lore drop, hehe!"
Klee: "Big Brother is all-knowing! He knows everything!"
At this, Kujou Sara and Venti realized why Su Han was so formidable. He was essentially omniscient; no matter the mission world, he knew its history, its timeline, and its hidden treasures. It was terrifyingly convenient.
Su Han: "Ashina is a place somewhat similar to Inazuma—a remote, borderland territory gripped by eternal snow and ice. It's incredibly barren, perhaps comparable to Seirai Island. Originally, this land had its own local gods and spirits. However, the Divine Dragon arrived after being defeated in the West. It devoured the native gods and demons to sustain itself.
The Fountainhead Palace was once the site where the locals worshipped their gods. But the Dragon, heavily wounded, began to indiscriminately drain the life essence of the land to heal and empower itself. The Great Serpent mentioned in the mission was likely a survivor or descendant of the original gods trying to reclaim its home."
Mona: "Wait... be more specific. If it's such a powerful demon, how could humans hope to defeat it? There must be a gimmick, right?"
Yae Miko: "I think I see it. Defeat? How do humans defeat a Demon God? Usually, they don't—they seal it. Am I right?"
Since the history mirrored Inazuma's struggles with Orobashi and other fallen gods, Miko assumed sealing was the only viable path for mortals.
Su Han: "Correct... but you're forgetting one thing. Humans are driven by madness. In their pursuit of eternal life, they sought the 'blessing' of the Divine Dragon. And so, the tragedy began.
The first to obtain a power that could challenge the dragon used a blade forged by the ancient gods: the Mortal Blade. Unfortunately, that blade's power was limited—it could force the Dragon into a slumber, but it couldn't erase its existence. Even then, a heavy price was paid. Those who sought immortality began to ingest the Dragon's blood, sparking a cycle of insanity."
Through Su Han's narration, the group began to grasp the bleak history of Ashina. The Dragon's arrival caused local gods to be slaughtered, but mortals fought back using the Mortal Blade. However, the pursuit of the "Dragon Heritage" corrupted the people.
Those who couldn't obtain the pure blood turned to Rejuvenating Sediment or became hosts for the Centipedes. These parasites were essentially the "waste products" of the Dragon's immortality—filthy dregs of its power that granted a hollow undying state. This corruption didn't just turn the monks of Senpou Temple into monsters; it poisoned the very water the peasants drank, turning the populace into madmen.
Zhongli: "Hmph... this Divine Dragon reminds me of certain ancient gods. They care only for their own comfort, indifferent to the life and death of the world around them."
Venti: "This 'Immortality' must be severed. So, my job is to defeat the Dragon and purify Ashina, right? But... how do I purify it? I don't exactly have 'cleansing' powers."
Kujou Sara: "Wait, the mission says to 'Purify the Fountainhead Palace,' not the entire land. This suggests there is something within the Palace itself—perhaps a core—that, if restored, would allow the land to heal naturally."
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "I agree. The 'Rejuvenating Waters' flow from the source. If the source is purified, the corruption will eventually wash away."
Paimon: "But how? We can't just send Venti in with the Xuanyuan Sword like Zhongli did, can we?"
Lumine: "There might be another way. In the Emei archives, there are purification arrays that only need a powerful catalyst to work."
Su Han: "Actually, I have the perfect treasure for this. I'll lend Venti the Blood Lotus we got from the last mission."
Venti: "Wait, the evil lotus from the Blood Demon? You want me to use that to purify a palace?"
Su Han: "It sounds strange, but the Blood Lotus's nature is to absorb. It is a 'wicked' object that hungers for filth and blood. By letting it feast on the corruption of the Fountainhead Palace, the Lotus will grow stronger, and the Palace will be drained of its poison. It's a win-win."
Venti accepted the logic. He took the Blood Lotus, ready to depart. Before he could leave, Ningguang stopped him.
"One more thing, Barbatos. Remember to scavenge. If there are legendary blades like the 'Mortal Blade,' bring them back. Anything of value—scrolls, artifacts, rare ores—take them all. Use this specially reinforced Serenitea Pot. It has the capacity of ten islands."
Venti stared at the pot, then at the serious faces of Ningguang and Keqing. "My goodness... are we really being this greedy?"
Keqing didn't blink. "Do not feel guilty. We are doing this for the survival and prosperity of Teyvat. If we have to be the 'villains' who loot a dying world to save our own, then so be it."
Venti chuckled, his eyes flashing with a sharp, divine green light. "Understood. I won't let you down. Stealing? Hehe, I'm quite a veteran at that!"
He took the pot and vanished into the golden portal.
The live stream flickered to life. Venti appeared atop a snow-covered mountain. In the distance sat the majestic but eerie Senpou Temple, surrounded by vibrant autumn maples.
Despite the beauty, Venti's nose wrinkled. Even the wind carried the stench of stagnant blood and rot. "Just like Su Han said... a place of worship turned into a den of filth. I can smell the corruption from here."
As a gust of wind kicked up, a monk on the path ahead suddenly collapsed. From the seams of his robes and the gaps in his flesh, dozens of black, writhing centipedes spilled out into the snow.
Paimon and Klee immediately turned away from the screen, gagging.
"Ugh! That is so gross!"
"Big Brother, Klee doesn't want to watch anymore!"
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