It is mentioned in the plot of the Sekiro game that the lion ape's partner likes the smell of the fragrant water lily, so the lion ape will stay in front of the cave where the water lily grows after his partner dies.
The cave where the Lion-Simian couple originally lived is far away from the Fragrant Water Lotus. It would make sense if the bottom of Ashina and the depths of the Valley of the Fall are connected.
Time was running out, so Lu Xiao didn't just stand there and think too much. He said goodbye to Kumano Jinzaemon. Lu Xiao speeded up and took a step ahead. When he returned to Ashina Castle, it was at dawn when the sun had just risen.
Compared with the previous lifelessness, Ashina Castle, activated by future hopes, appears to be full of vitality.
The people got up early at sunrise to start their day's life. The young men of the Wu family, headed by Heiroku Yamauchi, had already started "playing and fighting" on the streets.
Ashina Castle's suddenly strengthened intelligence defense system brought a lot of trouble to the Lone Shadows who sneaked into the city. Many inner ninjas were forced to go outside the city to look for clues. This was also the case when Lu Xiao and Kumano Jinzaemon were in Ashina City before.
One of the reasons why he met Gu Ying Zhong under the name.
The funeral of the former ruler Isshin Ashina has ended. As the only legitimate heir of the Ashina Kingdom, Genichiro naturally took over the position of ruler with the support of all the veterans.
For Genichiro, being the head of a country does not mean enjoyment, but a heavy responsibility.
The imperial army is pressing down on the border and is staying on the border of Ashina Kingdom, and may launch a full-scale attack at any time.
Genichiro, who was under tremendous pressure, often worked all night long for several days in a row, relying on his body that had been strengthened by the genwakinoyo. The thick dark circles under his eyes were already visible to the naked eye.
The news of Isshin Ashina's death could not be concealed from the informants placed in the city by the Inner Palace, but the abnormal changes in Ashina's country caused the Inner Palace, which was already preparing to launch an attack, to postpone its original plan, which gave Ashina the country valuable breathing time.
When Lu Xiao endured the exhaustion of running around all day and returned to the castle tower, Jiulang had just left the warm bed. He had been reading information until very late last night before falling asleep.
"oh oh!"
Seeing the Jieyu Stone in Lu Xiao's hand, Jiulang, who was still a little sleepy, suddenly woke up.
"The materials for refining the Incense of Origin have finally been gathered. Without further ado, let's start immediately."
The refining of the source of incense requires three materials: the knot stone, the everlasting cherry tree and the fragrant water lotus. Finally, the blood of Long Yin's son is needed as an introduction.
The sons of Long Yin have a special constitution. Although ordinary swords can cut them, they cannot make the sons of Long Yin bleed. Only the Immortal Slash can complete this process.
After Lu Xiao pulled out the Immortal Slash, Jiulang said with some trepidation: "Your Excellency Lu Xiao, please close your eyes for a while, Wolf, the same goes for you."
The wolf had no doubts about Kuro's order: "Yes."
Lu Xiao was very confused by Jiulang's request to close his eyes, but he finally complied. Only Yongzhen, who was also present, did not receive any restraining orders.
Amidst the rustling sound of clothes rubbing against each other, Jiulang in front of Lu Xiao suddenly let out a groan of pain.
"Uh~ That's enough, open your eyes."
Jiuro spread his blood evenly on the three stacked materials. His other hand subconsciously placed it on his chest, as if he had taken the blood from the chest area before.
'Why do you have to close your eyes when a boy cuts his chest? And it's only for men...'
Just when Lu Xiao was complaining crazily, something magical happened.
The three materials that originally existed independently gradually blended together with Jiulang's blood as a guide, and automatically turned into a light fine ash that spread in the incense burner.
"Is this the fragrance of the source?"
Several people present subconsciously twitched their noses, the elegant fragrance came out from the incense burner, and a faint cherry-colored light shone around the incense burner.
The completion of the refining of the Source Incense marks the official opening of the door to the Source Palace.
The necessary props to obtain the Tears of the Dragon, the Tears of Immortality, are in the hands of Lu Xiao, and he will definitely be among the members heading to the Palace of Origin.
Jiulang and Lu Xiao had some differences in their opinions on the selection of entourage.
Jiulang hoped that his ninja wolf would follow Lu Xiao to the Palace of Origin so that he could be taken care of on the way. However, Lu Xiao had other plans for the wolf and declined Jiulang's proposal.
"Wolf, do you still remember what I said before the battle with Xiao?"
The wolf's face showed a thoughtful look: "You said at that time that I would have the opportunity to face my adoptive father again in the future, so you asked me to remember his moves."
Jiulang asked in shock and confusion: "Your Excellency Lu Xiao, what does this mean? Isn't Xiao already dead?"
"Yes, Xiao Xiao is undoubtedly dead at this point in time, but we still have important props that we need to obtain from him in the past."
Lu Xiao turned to look at Yongzhen, who had a somewhat troubled expression: "Yongzhen, it's up to you to explain to them."
Yongzhen hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly and said, "I obtained some important information while reading the notes left by Mr. Ba."
"There are two methods of immortal severance. One is to directly let Long Yin's son take the Tears of Sakura Dragon, and use the death of Long Yin's son to put an end to Long Yin's power."
The wolf's expression changed slightly, and he asked Yongzhen with a solemn expression: "What about the second one?"
Yongzhen looked between Jiulang and Lang: "The second option is to take the Tears of Yinglong and the Flower of Changying at the same time."
"This method can eliminate immortality while ensuring the survival of Long Yin's son, but before that, the power of immortality given by Long Yin's son must be returned."
Yongzhen's words are not difficult to understand. Simply put, both methods require death. The only difference is whether the person who dies is Kuro or a wolf.
Before Jiulang could speak, the loyal wolf took the lead and stood up: "How do I get the Changying Flower? Is it in the Palace of Origin?"
Yongzhen shook his head: "The Flower of Changying is a special variety brought by Lord Zhang and Lord Ba from the Fairyland. After a section of branches containing the most essence of power is taken away, the tree of Changying quickly withers, and the Palace of Origin
I can’t find a second one inside.”
Everyone present subconsciously turned their attention to the still burning incense burner. The most essence of the Evergreen wood had been turned into the raw material of the source of incense.
Jiulang breathed a sigh of relief and pretended to be free and easy: "Since the Flower of Changying cannot be found, let's use the first method."
"Don't jump to conclusions yet."
Lu Xiao's eyes glanced between Jiulang and Lang: "I have a way to send someone back to three years ago to take back the everlasting cherry blossoms that have not withered from Xiao Xiao."
The plot of this section in the game is very nonsense. The wolf clearly only used the bell to enter the illusion of memories, but somehow he was able to bring out the Changying Flower from the illusion. It is completely illogical.
Long before entering the world of Sekiro, Lu Xiao had made some plans to use the reserved magic power of the Time Stone.
Since he decided not to follow the ending of The Return of the Dragon, he would naturally consider the props needed to return to normalcy.
After entering the world of Sekiro, the first thing Lu Xiao confirmed was the time point of the story. The tragedy at the Hirata mansion had already happened, and the only way to go back to three years ago was through the power of the time stone.
"I……"
Before Jiulang could express his opinion, Lang immediately interrupted him and asked Lu Xiao categorically: "What should I do?"
Lu Xiao squeezed the magic weapon with his hand and extracted a large amount of magic power to open the Eye of Agamotto worn on his chest. With the slight rotation of the mechanism, the light of the green gem appeared in the castle tower.
"Wolf, have you really decided?"
Lu Xiao looked at the wolf seriously and asked: "The method of intercepting the past fragment can only be used once. There is no turning back when you draw the bow."
The wolf nodded without hesitation and said: "We can't let Yuzi bear the price of severing immortality, so send me off."
"Well, I wish you good luck in martial arts."
The Eye of Agamotto shone brightly, and Yongzhen and Jiulang subconsciously covered their eyes with their hands.
When the two of them put down their hands, the wolf that was standing in front of them had disappeared.
Yongzhen's soft eyes were fixedly looking at the time gem on Lu Xiao's chest, with a strange light shining in her eyes.