Sacred Mountain Defiled Guide
Sacred Mountain Defiled Quest Summary
Period: Heian - 1190 CE
Nekomata explained that this is Mount Kurama, a storied and sacred mountain located north of Kyoto. I must pursue the Great Tengu and discover why the Aratama laid waste to the mountain.
Sacred Mountain Defiled Walkthrough
[1] Continue through Mount Kurama.
After unlocking this Quest during "The Age of Clans Begins", follow the path down the mountain.
[2] Search for Collectibles
AREA 1 - Kinone Michi
Past the Kinone Michi Shrine, you'll find a Spirit Vein to the side.
You can use it to wall-run across and reach a hidden Hot Spring below.
Head back until you reach a fork in the road. You can either go left for a direct but riskier route filled with enemies, or turn right for a safer, alternate path that allows you to backstab them.
If you turned right, crouch under the fallen tree to squeeze through, then climb the ladder. Once at the top, use the Guardian Spirit: Kongojishi to destroy the Boulder (Spirit Vein) on your right.
With the path cleared, advance through the area and eliminate any remaining enemies. Jump to the platform on the right to cross the broken bridge, you’ll find a Kodama just beyond it.
Continue through the stone arch and down the steps. To your right, you'll see another Boulder (Spirit Vein) that opens a path from the lower section of Mount Kurama.
As you press onward, you’ll meet Kajiwara Kagetoki, a warrior of Yoritomo. Nekomata will confirm that you have traveled back to the Heian period.
When the conversation is finished, focus on finding these Collectibles:
| Point of Interest | Image | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Kodama |  | There is another Kodama hidden nearby. Make sure you guide the little Yokai home! |
| Ninja's Locks 1 |  | Look for a Corpse near a Kappa to loot this item. |
| Samurai's Text |  | Found inside a Chest within a small hut. |
AREA 2 - Chokushi Gate
Keep heading down the path toward the Mt. Kurama - Chokushi Gate Shrine, defeating any enemies you encounter along the way.
Go past the Shrine and down the stairs toward the building with torches. Follow the torch-lit path up and open the gate to unlock a shortcut.
After that, turn right and head up the stairs to cross a bridge.
Below is a list of the Valuables and Enemies you will encounter while exploring this area:
| Point of Interest | Image | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Kappa |  | This is the first Kappa you’ll see after heading past the Chokushi Gate Shrine. |
| Secret Skills Text: Powerful Shift |  | Open the chest. Then, either play along or defeat the Mujina. |
| Kodama |  | You’ll find another Kodama located on the roof. |
| Kappa |  | Another Kappa that you can defeat. |
| Nurikabe |  | Perform the correct Gesture or defeat the Nurikabe to reveal a path. |
| Ninja's Locks |  | Looted from a Chest with a Mujina inside. |
| Secret Skills Text: Butterfly's Grace |  | Proceed further along the path, defeat the Mikoshi Nyudo, and then head inside this house to find another Chest. |
AREA 3 - Temple Lodgings
When you are ready, pass through the doors with torches on the right to start the battle against the Great Tengu.
[3] Defeat Great Tengu
Before challenging this Boss, keep these Combat Tips in mind:
・The Great Tengu is highly mobile, flies, and charges towards you. He also attacks with his sharp claws, summons gusts of wind, and lightning.
・Recheck your gear and Guardian Spirit, then increase your resistance against the enemy's elemental attributes.
・Don't get caught standing still or wasting stamina chasing him. Focus on learning his patterns and exploiting his openings.
Check out the Great Tengu's moveset below:
| Move | Showcase | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Charge |  | Great Tengu flies into the air and charges directly at you. Pay attention to the color of the aura: Red is a Burst Break opportunity, while Yellow/Gray indicates a Grab that you must dodge. |
| Wind Blast |  | He has another aerial attack where he jumps into the air to unleash a burst of explosive wind energy. Dodge this by backing away from the skill's range. |
| Dark Realm |  | When the boss strikes his staff into the ground, he triggers an AoE lightning attack just before entering the Dark Realm. Maintain your distance during this move to avoid the Electrified status effect. |
| Lightning Strike |  | When the ground starts to glow, sprint away to avoid the Great Tengu’s incoming lightning strikes. |
| Tornadoes |  | Great Tengu hops thrice on his left foot before launching three tornadoes. Don’t rush! Watch their path so you know where to dodge. |
Once the battle is over, you'll receive the Guardian Spirit: Kurama Tengu, Yokai Banisher skill, and other rewards.
Watch the cutscene, then proceed to the second part of "The Age of Clans Begins" to unlock the "Heian Befouled" Mission.
