GenshinZone
Natlan's adventures in Genshin Impact are a lot like a box of chocolates—you never know if you'll get a heartwarming tribal feast, a fiery boss fight, or a puzzle that makes you question your spatial reasoning. In the "Beneath the Secret Source" quest, the Traveler stumbles upon an ancient device that demands nothing less than assembling a dragon's head from rotating stone discs. It sounds straightforward, but as any seasoned adventurer knows, "straightforward" in Natlan usually means "prepare to feel like a hamster trying to solve a Rubik's cube."
The quest picks up after Ororon's questionable life choices lead the protagonist into an underground ruin. The goal is to open a path by rotating a device until it resembles the head of a dragon. The disc has four sections: a stationary middle and three movable rings around it. Your job is to shuffle those rings like a dealer at a very confused casino until the dragon looks presentable. The first section is the jaw, the second gives the dragon a mouth, and the third handles the snout and spikes. Miss a step, and you'll be staring at a stone blob that looks more like a potato than a mythical beast.
Here's the breakdown, served with a side of sarcasm:
| Step | What to Do | Where to Go |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Activate the mechanism near the Yumkasaurus transformation to spin the inner ring. Stop it to form the dragon's jaw. | First platform |
| 2️⃣ | Turn into a Saurian to cross the gap, then activate the second device to give the dragon a mouth. | Platform across the valley |
| 3️⃣ | Fight the Secret Source Automaton, then use the third mechanism to move the outer layer (snout and spikes). | Far side of the valley |
Each correct alignment makes the stone glow and spawns a quest marker, which is the game's polite way of saying, "Yes, you did a thing. Now do another thing." The final puzzle piece is guarded by a Secret Source Automaton, because nothing says "congratulations on your spatial skills" like a robot that wants to punch you into next Tuesday.
Once the dragon head is complete, an Exquisite Chest materializes with five Primogems, two Pyro Sigils, Mora, and Enhancement Ore. It's a modest haul, but hey—free loot is free loot. The real reward is the story that follows: confronting Ororon and The Captain, witnessing the bestowal of an Ancient Name, and watching Yohualtecuhtin, Lord of the Night, wake up from what must be the world's longest nap. The whole sequence is a reminder that in Natlan, even the puzzles have dramatic backstories.
This rotating device is a lot like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions—except the furniture is a mystical dragon and the allen wrench is your patience. It's also reminiscent of a carnival game where you have to stop a spinning wheel at just the right moment, but instead of a stuffed bear, you get a stone jaw that may or may not be judging you. And if you think three rings are bad, imagine if the middle section moved too. The developers clearly decided to spare us that particular nightmare.
In 2026, Natlan remains a treasure trove of puzzles and lore, and this quest is a fine example of how Genshin Impact blends brain-teasing mechanics with narrative payoff. Whether you're a veteran who breezed through it or a newcomer who spent twenty minutes wondering why the dragon looked like a squashed frog, the "Beneath the Secret Source" puzzle is a memorable detour. Just remember: when in doubt, rotate the disc until it looks less like abstract art and more like a reptile. And if all else fails, blame Ororon—he started it.
So next time you're in Natlan and a stone disc starts spinning, channel your inner dragon dentist. The jaw, the mouth, the snout—piece by piece, you'll get there. And who knows? You might even enjoy it. Or at least, you'll enjoy the Primogems.