Zhongli

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhongli (钟离)
Alias(es)	Rex Lapis; Morax; Geo Archon; Ancestor of the Adepti 62 89
Species/Race	Geo Archon; his true form is a giant dragon 121 242
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Liyue; the Adepti; Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
Occupation/Role	Geo Archon of Liyue; Guest Official of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor 41 89
Status	Alive; publicly faked the Geo Archon’s death to relinquish Liyue’s governance to humanity 89
First Appearance	Chapter 19 19

Background

During the Archon War, Zhongli’s victory depended not only on his own strength, but also on cooperation with Guizhong, Makoshort, and Liyue’s Adepti. Guizhong was among the companions closest to him, and her loss remained one of his and the Adepti’s deepest regrets. 60 62 126

After protecting Liyue for thousands of years, Zhongli concluded that its people had grown capable of forging their own future. He arranged his own supposed death and allowed the Rite of Descension to serve as a test of whether humanity and the Liyue Qixing could govern without direct divine rule. 19 89

Zhongli later identified Bai Ye as Guizhong’s successor. Concerned that Bai Ye might share Guizhong’s fate, he arranged for the Adepti to teach him, made him a special envoy between humans and Adepti, and quietly guided him toward rebuilding Guili Plains. 60 83

Appearance

Zhongli normally appears as a tall, simply dressed young man. His human guise conceals his identity as Rex Lapis and his true dragon form. 138 242

• Tall human appearance and restrained attire. 138
• Transforms into a colossal dragon for rapid travel and combat. 242
• Maintains the outward identity of a Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Guest Official. 41

Personality

Zhongli is calm, deliberate, and deeply invested in Liyue’s long-term future. Though he believes humanity must become self-reliant, he does not simply abandon it; his staged death, trials for the Qixing, and plans for Guili Plains are all designed to prepare Liyue for future crises. 83 89 103

He is protective of people connected to Guizhong, especially Bai Ye. Zhongli investigates Bai Ye’s unusual abilities, provides training resources indirectly to avoid alarming him, and increasingly treats him as someone akin to family. 77 83 111 125

Zhongli is also willing to employ manipulation when he considers it necessary. He concealed his survival from the Adepti to make their reactions genuine, pressured Liyue toward rebuilding Guili Plains through an earthquake, and positioned Bai Ye as the leader needed for the city’s reconstruction. 89 103

Abilities & Skills

Geo Archon Authority

Zhongli commands immense Geo power as Morax. His authority is associated with construction: the creation and analysis of structures through Geo. 122

• Creates Geo shields powerful enough to protect companions during high-speed flight and major battles. 242 331
• Raises stone structures and uses Geo to restrain threats. 90 331
• Calls down meteors and petrifies opponents, including Apep. 331
• Lent Bai Ye access to his authority through a scale from his shed dragon body. 121 122

Sealing and Containment

Zhongli is capable of containing powerful Archons and their remnants rather than simply destroying them.

• Sealed Rosalyn within a stone pillar and converted her confinement into a training dungeon. 90
• Saved Osial from death, reduced him in size, and placed him inside a jade pendant to protect Bai Ye. 132
• Personally sealed his eroded friend Azhdaha beneath the ancient tree near Mt. Hulao. 242

Adeptal Arts Creation

As the Ancestor of the Adepti, Zhongli can create Adeptal Arts rather than merely teach existing techniques. 62

• Offered to create an Adeptal Art suited to Hu Tao after she sought greater strength. 62
• Conceived a cultivation method specifically for Bai Ye, enabling him to strengthen his physique while absorbing malevolent aura or Archon energy. 83
• Uses his knowledge of Adeptal Arts to advise Bai Ye on cultivation and self-protection. 41 60

Strategic Guidance

Zhongli combines historical knowledge with long-term planning.

• Directed Bai Ye toward clearing Archon ruins in Guili Plains through indirect advice about Liyue’s history and cuisine. 80 81
• Delayed the Adepti’s confrontation with Liyue Harbor so the Qixing could prove their ability to rebuild Guili Plains. 83
• Tasked Venti with protecting Bai Ye and delivering a message to Beelzebul concerning Bai Ye’s importance. 139

Relationships

• Bai Ye — Recognizes him as Guizhong’s successor and protects, trains, and positions him for a major future role; Zhongli describes Bai Ye as someone who will inherit everything he has. 60 83 111 132
• Guizhong — His closest confidant and comrade during the Archon War. Her death motivated much of his concern for Bai Ye and his wish to see Guili Plains rebuilt. 60 83 126
• Hu Tao — His Director at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Zhongli respects her position, supports her pursuit of strength, and creates an Adeptal Art suited to her needs. 41 62
• Xiao — A loyal Adeptus under Zhongli’s guidance. Zhongli entrusts Xiao with observing Liyue’s crises and considers him a reliable protector for Bai Ye. 77 106
• Cloud Retainer — A longtime Adeptus ally. Zhongli reveals his false death and wider plans to her, relying on her to support Bai Ye indirectly. 89 130
• True Monarch of the Floating World — Zhongli asks her to teach Bai Ye and treat him as her own disciple after revealing Bai Ye’s connection to Guizhong. 60
• Venti — A longstanding friend whose request to take Bai Ye to Mondstadt Zhongli refuses out of concern for Bai Ye’s safety and development. 110 111
• Osial — A former enemy whom Zhongli saves after Bai Ye’s battle, then assigns as a protector within Bai Ye’s jade pendant. 132
• Azhdaha — An old friend whom Zhongli sealed after erosion caused him to lose his reason and become violent. 242

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rite of Descension and Liyue’s Independence

Zhongli stages the Geo Archon’s death to test Liyue and return its governance to humanity. He later explains that the deception was necessary because foreknowledge would have made the Adepti’s reactions inauthentic. 89

Guizhong’s Successor

After learning Bai Ye’s origins, Zhongli begins quietly arranging his protection and education. He asks the Adepti to teach Bai Ye, provides tailored cultivation methods, and seeks to prevent Bai Ye from repeating Guizhong’s tragedy. 60 83

Rebuilding Guili Plains

Zhongli makes Guili Plains the long-term test for the Liyue Qixing and Bai Ye. He wants the ruined land restored through Guizhong’s successor while forcing Liyue to prepare for a future in which the Adepti can no longer shield humanity from every danger. 83 103

Archon Authorities and Bai Ye’s Protection

Zhongli allows Bai Ye to study his shed dragon body and gain access to Morax’s authority. As Bai Ye’s ability to absorb Archon Residue and suppress the Abyss becomes clear, Zhongli becomes even more vigilant about protecting him. 121 122 125

Archon Remnant Crises

Zhongli intervenes in conflicts involving Osial, Azhdaha, and Apep. He contains or restrains threats where possible, while allowing Bai Ye and his allies opportunities to grow through direct confrontation. 132 242 331

Notable Quotes

“Although humans are frail now, they possess infinite potential. We have protected Liyue for thousands of years; it is time for them to develop on their own.” 89

“You can think of him as someone who will inherit everything I have.” 132