Zhongli

Biodata

Background / History

As Rex Lapis, Zhongli has protected Liyue for thousands of years and belongs to The Seven. His authority keeps monsters in check, and the narrative attributes the creation of every Mora in the world to him. Zhong Baiye understands him to be at least eight thousand years old 1 36 38 43.

Zhongli stages Rex Lapis’s apparent death to test Liyue’s people and encourage independence from the adepti. The plan takes an unexpected turn when Zhong Baiye arrives beside the fallen dragon-shaped body during the Rite of Descension and is arrested as the suspected murderer. Knowing the intended purpose of the incident, Zhong Baiye initially refrains from exposing Zhongli’s identity 1 3.

Appearance

• Human form: A handsome young man whose extraordinary bearing distinguishes him from the other teahouse patrons 6.
• Clothing: Wears traditional Liyue attire 39.
• Demeanor: His cold expression leads Paimon to mistake him for an assassin 36.
• Rex Lapis’s apparent remains: An enormous dragon-shaped body falls onto Yujing Terrace during the Rite of Descension 1.

Personality

Zhongli is composed, deliberate, and committed to order. He insists that mortals and adepti must fulfill their respective duties to preserve peace in Liyue. Even when the Rite of Parting serves another purpose, he maintains that agreeing to organize it obliges the group to complete it properly 6 37.

He is frequently absorbed in memories: Hu Tao must interrupt him while he listens to a storyteller recount Rex Lapis’s history, and Zhong Baiye’s Vision evokes visible nostalgia. He also shows quiet amusement at organizing his own farewell ceremony 6 7 37.

His expertise contrasts with his impractical handling of everyday matters. He enjoys fine tea, treats Mora as a worldly possession, and has never considered running short of it—even while penniless. He cannot direct the group to a jade shop, and his knowledge of Silk Flower suppliers is too outdated to be useful 37 38 46.

Abilities & Skills

Vision-Based Identification

Zhongli states that he possesses a special ability to learn a person’s name through their Vision 6.

• Identifies Zhong Baiye after examining his system-provided Geo Vision, before Zhong Baiye introduces himself 6.
• The examination also evokes nostalgia, though Zhongli does not explain its cause 6.

Divine Authority and Physical Feats

• Authority over monsters: Rex Lapis’s presence keeps monsters from openly wreaking havoc; Zhongli explains that their resurgence follows the loss of that authority 36.
• Mora creation: The narrative identifies him as the maker of all Mora 38.
• Gem destruction: Crushes a mysterious blue gemstone in his hand. The deadly threat Zhong Baiye senses from it disappears afterward 39.
• Heat tolerance: Handles a jade sample charged with substantial Pyro energy barehanded despite Lumine’s warning 46.

Material Appraisal

Zhongli evaluates ores, gemstones, and ritual materials with exceptional precision 38 42 43 47.

• Examines uncut stones by touch and selects one containing a mysterious blue gem 38 39.
• Demonstrates exceptional Noctilucous Jade by holding it toward the sun, where it shines like a full moon 42.
• Distinguishes jade suitable for an Artifact from jade sufficient only for the Rite of Parting 43 46.
• Recommends heating jade samples while protecting them with elemental water to assess their quality 44.
• Identifies Bolai’s newly installed ceiling as the source of damage to the Silk Flowers’ fragrance 47.

Artifact Crafting and Historical Knowledge

Zhongli confirms that he can craft an Artifact from Zhong Baiye’s Noctilucous Jade, but insists that doing so requires a price 44.

• No completed Artifact or specific payment is documented in the supplied chapters 44.
• Explains that Artifacts became taboo after playing a significant role in a great war five hundred years earlier 43.
• Provides the ritual knowledge needed to prepare Rex Lapis’s Rite of Parting 37 38 46.

Equipment / Items

• Genuine Sigil of Permission — Gives it to Zhong Baiye for use in danger. Its mysterious aura clearly distinguishes it from Tartaglia’s imitation, and its presence later calms Moon Carver 7 10.

Relationships

• Zhong Baiye — Offers reassurance, a genuine Sigil of Permission, and practical assistance with the Rite of Parting. His nostalgic question about an “old friend” suggests a connection beyond their apparent first meeting, but its nature remains unexplained 6 7 37.
• Hu Tao — Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, where Zhongli serves as guest consultant. She knows his whereabouts despite describing him as elusive and brings Zhong Baiye and Keqing to meet him 6.
• Tartaglia / Childe — Introduces Zhongli as someone who can help resolve the crisis and finances the Rite of Parting. Zhongli subsequently charges the group’s uncut-stone purchases to him 36 37 38.
• Lumine — Works with him on the Rite of Parting. He suggests testing the Runestone with her elemental power, and she later warns him about overheated jade 37 41 46.
• Keqing — Meets him alongside Zhong Baiye without recognizing him as Rex Lapis. She dismisses Zhong Baiye’s claim about his identity as a prank 6 7.
• Paimon — Initially mistakes him for an assassin and remains sufficiently intimidated to refrain from grabbing Mora or protesting his destruction of the blue gem 36 37 39.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Meeting Zhong Baiye

• Hu Tao brings Zhong Baiye and Keqing to a teahouse, where Zhongli examines Zhong Baiye’s Vision and discusses the obligations of mortals and adepti 6.
• He hints that someone will intervene if events threaten the natural order, relieving Zhong Baiye’s fear for Liyue Harbor 7.
• After giving Zhong Baiye a genuine Sigil of Permission, he watches the pair from the roof and wonders whether an old friend is returning 7.

Organizing the Rite of Parting

• At Childe’s gathering, Zhongli explains why Rex Lapis’s apparent death has allowed monsters to become more active 36.
• He emphasizes that Liyue’s bond with the adepti cannot simply be severed. The Rite of Parting will formally consign Rex Lapis’s guardianship to the past while giving the organizers a reason to approach his remains 37.
• Receives Childe’s funding, passes the Mora to Zhong Baiye, and insists that the ceremony must be properly completed 37.

Gathering Ritual Materials

• Directs the search for Noctilucous Jade and participates in opening uncut stones at the Jade Mystery. He destroys the mysterious blue gem found in his own selection without explaining its secret 38 39.
• Advises Lumine to test the Runestone, judges Zhong Baiye’s jade suitable for Artifact crafting, and agrees to craft an Artifact for a price 41 43 44.
• Approves the jade samples for the ceremony and arranges for a jeweler to collect the three crates delivered to Yujing Terrace 46.
• Requests three rare Silk Flower varieties for fragrant balm. His diagnosis of Bolai’s fragrance problem earns the group flowers and other plants as thanks 46 47.

Notable Quotes

“But without rules, there can be no order. Whether mortal or adeptus, only by fulfilling their respective duties can they preserve lasting peace in Liyue.” 6

“Are you finally coming back, my old friend?” 7