I, the Geo Archon Morax with 2.1 Billion Mora, Have Joined a Chat Group [87]

As the Traveler stepped out of the study, a breathtaking vista greeted her.

Lush jade-green mountains and flowing waters floated amidst the clouds, rising and falling like a dreamlike celestial realm. The entire scene seemed as if it had been lifted from a painter’s masterpiece.

She found herself standing on a wooden, circular corridor suspended at the edge of this surreal landscape.

Along the corridor, spaced at regular intervals, were a series of doors. Beyond these doors were more floating Liyue-style buildings, resplendent with intricate carvings, brightly painted beams, and gilded walls.

Zhongli walked ahead of the Traveler, his steps steady, his voice calm as he began to explain.

“During the Archon War, the God of Dust, Guizhong, and the Geo Archon, Rex Lapis, were close allies. Together, they watched over the lands north and south of Mount Tianheng."

“The people of Rex Lapis excelled at mining and forging, while Guizhong’s followers thrived in farming and cultivation. United, they formed the most formidable alliance among the gods of Liyue.”

“Rex Lapis established his rule through strength, while Guizhong did so with wisdom.”

“Guizhong, along with the Adeptus Cloud Retainer, created the Guizhong Ballista on Mount Tianheng, facing eastward to deter the strongest of the gods at the time: the Dragon King Azhdaha.”

“For a time, their alliance brought prosperity, and their people lived happily.”

“However, one day—long ago, and shrouded in the mists of history—Rex Lapis and the Adepti left to subdue another god. In their absence, Azhdaha seized the opportunity to attack, seeking to overwhelm Guizhong.”

“The battle between Guizhong and Azhdaha took place on the plains of Guili. It was a catastrophic fight—black dust filled the skies, and the earth itself was torn apart. Guili Plains, once a land of life, became a wasteland.”

“Guizhong, too, perished amidst the swirling dust, her form scattering into the wind.”

“This tomb was built by the Adepti to honor her memory.”

Zhongli stopped beside a second door along the corridor and pushed it open gently.

“This way,” he said, stepping aside. “The true archive of her secrets lies within.”

The Traveler quickly followed, stepping through the door with Paimon in tow.

What greeted her next defied all expectations.

The world beyond the door was one of endless swirling dust, stretching infinitely in every direction. It was as if they had stepped into a void filled with sand, with no discernible up or down.

“Guizhong was proud of her intellect,” Zhongli explained, his voice steady amidst the disorienting scene. “She often created puzzles and riddles for others to solve. In honor of her nature, the Adepti filled her tomb with unsolved mysteries.”

He pointed ahead, where a faint golden glow pulsed amidst the dust. “The challenge before you is the last riddle she left before becoming one with the dust.”

Zhongli extended a hand into the swirling sands, reaching toward the light. After a moment of careful searching, he withdrew his hand, revealing a peculiar artifact.

It resembled an irregular golden stone, its surface etched with impossibly intricate patterns. When tilted, its grooves glimmered faintly, revealing an almost mechanical precision beneath the surface.

“This is the [Memory of Dust], an artifact I’ve only read about in ancient texts,” Zhongli said, his voice tinged with nostalgia as he ran a finger over its surface. A faint smile, almost wistful, crossed his lips.

Looking at the Traveler, he continued. “You seem unfamiliar with many of the tales we Liyueans take for granted. That’s for the best—it frees you from preconceived notions.”

“What I’m about to tell you is a history I have reconstructed from my own research. To many in Liyue, including figures like Yuheng Keqing, this story might seem blasphemous.”

“Blasphemous?” Paimon asked, already intrigued. “Ooh, spill the tea! We love a good scandal!”

Zhongli chuckled softly at her enthusiasm. “Very well. Let’s walk and talk. There is much to uncover beyond this room.”

He slung the [Memory of Dust] over his shoulder and led the way, opening another door further into the corridor. The Traveler and Paimon followed closely, hanging on his every word.

“Long ago, while working with the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I came across a rare, two-thousand-year-old text. Its author is unknown, but the book’s title was ‘Qingyun and the Rock Lord.’”

“Combining this text with my own historical reconstructions, I’ve uncovered a startling truth.”

“That truth is this: The Geo Archon, Rex Lapis, was not a single being. The title ‘Morax’ was shared by two gods.”

Paimon gasped, her eyes wide. “Wait, what?! Two gods? Are you saying there were two Geo Archons?”

“Yes,” Zhongli confirmed. “One of these gods was named Qingyun, who passed away two millennia ago and was also known as Cloudsplitter. The other’s true name has been lost to time, but it is undoubtedly the Rex Lapis who recently departed.”

“These two gods shared the title of Morax. One was responsible for conquest, the other for logistics and governance. Together, they expanded their domain and ensured their people’s prosperity.”

“Moreover,” Zhongli added, a hint of amusement in his tone, “the records suggest that these two gods were married. Their successes were intertwined, and so were their failures.”

“Whaaat?!” Paimon exclaimed, her mouth agape. “That’s huge! Why doesn’t anyone know about this?”

“History has a way of simplifying things,” Zhongli replied. “Consider the Anemo Archon, Barbatos. Originally, Barbatos was but one of many wind spirits—specifically, the spirit representing hope and change. After claiming the seat of the Anemo Archon, he was immortalized as the singular god of wind. Meanwhile, his ally, the North Wind King Andrius, who fought alongside him against the God of Storms, was forgotten in that capacity, remembered only as a wolf.”

“Similarly, many of the early achievements attributed to the Rex Lapis we know were, in fact, the work of Qingyun.”

Zhongli’s expression grew more serious. “And the contract between Guizhong and Morax? It was signed with Qingyun—not the Rex Lapis who recently passed.”

Paimon tilted her head in confusion. “Huh? But if they were married, wouldn’t that be the same thing?”

The Traveler, too, looked puzzled, her head slightly cocked.

Zhongli hesitated for a moment, uncharacteristically uncertain. A faint, bitter smile played at his lips before vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.

“It feels... indelicate to speak ill of the deceased,” he began. “But if we’re to discuss the truth...”

He sighed, clearly reluctant but resigned. “From my research, I’m certain that Guizhong... fell in love with Qingyun the first time they met.”

“L-Love?!” Paimon exclaimed, her eyes wide as saucers.

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T/N: LMAOOO YESSS SPILL THE TEA also for the genshin lore fiends out there just take this as an AU!

This is a fan translation of 我，21亿岩王帝君加入聊天群 by 大一统. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!