FFVI: Divergent Paths

Okay great, so I'm safe even though I raided the chests leading up to the Ancient Castle, beat the Master Tonberry and got the Gradius, etc. but did not trigger the event at the actual Castle entrance. If I was really not supposed to even raid those chests and get the Gradius, etc. then please let me know. Also just want to make absolutely sure - do not even enter Kefka's Tower. I had planned to defeat the goddess statues and just back out from there, but for now I have not even triggered the event that plays the first time you try to land on the tower. Sorry if I'm being annoying but just want to be absolutely clear on those two.