Zhongli

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zhongli (钟离)
Alias(es)	Lord of Geo; Geo Archon; Vago Monarch; Morax
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Liyue; Wangsheng Funeral Parlor; Liyue’s new administration
Occupation/Role	Wangsheng Funeral Parlor guest consultant; one of Liyue’s Three Great Generals; Grand Governor of Liyue
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Zhongli lived in Liyue Harbor under the identity of a Wangsheng Funeral Parlor guest consultant while concealing that he was the Lord of Geo. He attended Li Yue’s historical storytelling sessions, where Li Yue repeatedly mocked the Lord of Geo as unable to understand people’s hearts—particularly Guizhong’s feelings. Zhongli generally answered with restraint, though Li Yue’s claims regularly left him speechless. 1 2

He supplied Li Yue with a miniature Heavenly Star Geo Construct when Li Yue sought to research Geo Elemental Power. Zhongli later observed Li Yue test his newly awakened Shinigami powers at a Hilichurl camp, determining that the power was neither ordinary Elemental Power nor Abyssal power. 4 5

After learning that Li Yue had rescued Nahida and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, Zhongli came to regard Li Yue as family. He considered giving Li Yue a Geo-affinity soul when he could not grant him the Geo Vision Li Yue wanted. 37

During the Rite of Descension incident, Zhongli became publicly implicated as Li Yue’s accomplice in Morax’s apparent assassination and received a 300 million Mora bounty. While the Qixing assumed he had spent over sixty years infiltrating Liyue Harbor for Li Yue’s scheme, Zhongli privately approved of the Qixing taking responsibility for governing Liyue after the Geo Archon’s death. 55 56

Zhongli ultimately maneuvered the Adepti into supporting Li Yue’s ascension as Liyue’s new Geo Archon. Li Yue then appointed Zhongli both a Grand General and the Grand Governor of Liyue, frustrating Zhongli’s intended retirement. 60 61 62

After Li Yue gained the ability to manifest the Archons within his soul, Zhongli met the separate consciousness of Morax. He began exploiting their shared identity to shift administrative work onto Morax, reasoning that “Morax working” was equivalent to Zhongli working. 114 115 197

Appearance

Zhongli ordinarily presents himself as a refined, composed gentleman. Morax, the manifested Geo Archon consciousness associated with him, appears in divine armor and a mask. 114

• Commonly sits with his arms crossed or drinks tea while observing events. 61 199
• Uses the amber-orange Vortex Vanquisher spear. 109
• Morax’s manifested form wears divine armor and a mask. 114

Personality

Zhongli is calm, articulate, and habitually frames his judgments through “general rationality.” He remains composed even when Li Yue provokes him, exposes his supposed schemes, or places him in politically awkward situations. 1 2 55

He values Liyue’s stability and originally hoped humanity could govern the nation independently. However, Li Yue’s concerns about the Qixing and the need for supervision led Zhongli to support Li Yue as the new Geo Archon instead. 56 58 59

Despite his serious public demeanor, Zhongli is susceptible to Li Yue and Hu Tao’s manipulation, has a persistent interest in tea and opera, and is willing to evade work by having Morax handle it. 8 115 176 198

Abilities & Skills

Geo Elemental Power

Zhongli wields powerful Geo Elemental Power and can create Geo Constructs.

• Conjured a miniature Heavenly Star for Li Yue’s elemental research. 4
• Can produce protective shields; Li Yue relied on Zhongli’s shield while testing Shinigami abilities. 5
• Used a Geo Construct as a platform to travel rapidly to Mt. Tianheng. 197
• Can briefly suppress the Ancient Wyrm King to enable Li Yue’s separation ability. 205

Combat Ability

Zhongli can confront powerful opponents and command the Adepti.

• Drew the Adepti away from the Jade Chamber and returned without injury while they were left disheveled. 60
• Carries and uses the Vortex Vanquisher spear. 109
• His power was sufficient for Li Yue to use it as the basis for his own Geo Archon authority. 55 87

Knowledge of Elemental Power

Zhongli is highly knowledgeable about Teyvat’s elements, Visions, and anomalous powers.

• Explained that a Vision’s element depends on affinity, personal desire, and the gods’ gaze rather than simple choice. 4
• Identified Li Yue’s early Shinigami abilities as non-elemental due to their use of multiple unfamiliar elemental effects. 5
• Investigated Furina’s separation of soul and body and the threat posed by Fontaine’s rising waters. 201

Cross Knight Training

While in another world where ordinary Elemental Power could not be used, Zhongli registered as a Cross Knight.

• Possessed high overall adventurer statistics, including Magic Power and above-average Luck. 107
• Selected a spear-based Cross Knight path and invested heavily in status ailment resistance in pursuit of relief from erosion. 107
• Struggled physically against the One-hit Bear because he could not activate his Geo abilities in that world. 109

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Vortex Vanquisher — Zhongli’s amber-orange spear. 1 109
• Heavenly Star — a Geo Construct he can create, including in miniature form. 4
• Tea — a frequent personal indulgence; he is notably persistent about purchasing expensive varieties. 176
• Opera tickets — regularly reserves tickets for Yun Jin’s performances, including VIP seating. 198 207

Relationships

• Li Yue — Initially the target of Li Yue’s teasing and fabrications; later treats Li Yue as family, supports his ascension, and serves as his Grand Governor despite resenting the workload. 1 37 60 62
• Morax — A separate manifested consciousness sharing Zhongli’s identity; Zhongli repeatedly delegates Liyue’s administrative work to him. 114 115 197
• Xiao — Zhongli cares for Xiao’s wellbeing, helped seal away Xiao’s removed Karmic Debt, and continues to work with him during the Liyue succession crisis. 38 57
• Venti — An old acquaintance and frequent source of mutual irritation; Venti openly enjoys Zhongli’s misfortunes in other worlds. 57 109
• Nahida — A fellow Grand General and Li Yue’s daughter; Zhongli supports her and recognizes Li Yue’s rescue of her and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. 37 61
• Hu Tao — His director at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor; she pressures him over expenses and later gives shelter to him, Li Yue, and Nahida during their wanted period. 8 56
• Keqing — Zhongli respects her diligence and responsibility, though she later considers him an accomplice in the Geo Archon’s murder. 2 55
• Azhdaha — An old ally from Liyue’s founding; Azhdaha recognizes Zhongli’s true nature and questions his suitability as Grand Governor after finding him attending opera. 206 207
• Lumine — Li Yue directs her to Zhongli when she seeks answers about the gods, creating greater trust between them. 81

Story Role / Major Arcs

Li Yue’s Storytelling and Power Tests

Zhongli becomes Li Yue’s unwilling audience and foil in Liyue Harbor, then assists in evaluating Li Yue’s strange new Shinigami powers. 1 2 4 5

Rite of Descension and Liyue Succession

He participates in the apparent death of Morax, becomes a wanted criminal, observes the Qixing’s response, and orchestrates Adepti support for Li Yue’s ascent as the new Geo Archon. 55 56 60 61

Grand Governor of Liyue

Instead of retiring, Zhongli becomes Li Yue’s Grand Governor and one of the Three Great Generals, taking responsibility for Liyue’s administration. 61 62 81

Other-World Adventures

Zhongli accompanies Li Yue to other worlds, where he learns to operate under systems that restrict his Elemental Power. He registers as a Cross Knight and experiences a rare combat defeat against the One-hit Bear. 105 107 109

Morax Manifestation

Li Yue’s new ability allows Morax to manifest separately, forcing Zhongli to confront his own consciousness. Zhongli thereafter uses Morax as a substitute administrator whenever possible. 114 115 197

Trivia

• Li Yue’s running insult is that Zhongli is “a rock” who cannot understand a maiden’s heart. 1
• Zhongli can see Li Yue’s Asauchi, which ordinary people cannot perceive. 4
• He was issued a 300 million Mora bounty after the apparent assassination of Morax. 56
• His attempt to retire resulted in him becoming even more deeply involved in Liyue’s government. 62 150
• He never misses Yun Jin’s performances and secures tickets in advance whenever possible. 198