In Teyvat, it all begins with rescuing the grass god.

"The era of the Rock King Emperor will become a significant chapter in history books."

"But that's all."

Rhodes offered many explanations for his second statement.

This is his perspective as an ordinary person.

If Zhongli hadn't been in a hurry to abdicate, Rhodes wouldn't have even mentioned drawing away external enemies for Liyue, thus forcibly diminishing the Liyue people's dependence on the Geo Archon and transferring that trust and dependence to the Sage or the Liyue Seven Stars.

"Time is the most terrifying weapon."

Rod concluded with a final sentence.

Zhongli listened attentively the whole time and didn't say a word.

His tightly furrowed brows remained furrowed, and even after Rod finished explaining his reasons, he did not express any agreement or disagreement.

Actually, if you ask Rhodes...

Replacing the Rock God with a new one is the easiest way to solve the current situation.

Judging from the fact that Zhongli was able to break free from the constraints of the divine position by faking his death and sending out the heart of the god, it seems that the position of the seven rulers of the mortal world should be able to be passed down through inheritance, and does not necessarily require the death of the previous god.

Actually.

What Zhongli needs most right now is not the abdication of the Rock God at all.

It is not a contract, but a contract that can end all contracts.

Feigning death is simply the most effective and simplest method among them.

From this perspective, theoretically, there's nothing wrong with either replacing the Geo Archon or making people give up their dependence on the Geo Archon.

"I still think it would be best if you found a new Geo Archon to replace you."

Rod stroked his chin and said, "The new Rock God can inherit the contract you made, or he can abandon the contract you made. Either way is fine."

When saying this.

Rhodes had already mentally screened out the candidates who could succeed the Rock God.

have to say.

Liyue is truly teeming with talented people.

Compared not only to Sumeru, where talent is scarce, but also to Mondstadt, which has Falgar and Dvalin in charge, Liyue has a truly large number of demonic powers below the level of gods.

Those immortals who live in seclusion in the mountains and forests.

They not only fought alongside Zhongli in the war between demons and gods, but also personally destroyed demons that invaded Zhongli's territory. In terms of both strength and past achievements, they are all top-notch.

Such a powerful country.

Zhongli was also worried that his departure would cause too much turmoil.

"call--"

Comparing people is a recipe for disaster; comparing countries is a recipe for ruin.

After silently reflecting on his feelings, Rhodes fell silent and turned his gaze back to Zhongli.

And Zhongli.

He was exchanging glances with Wendy.

Although neither of them said a word, Rhodes could clearly sense that they were communicating in some way that he didn't know.

After a long time.

Zhongli sighed after Wendy nodded in agreement: "Young friend, do you think it is most appropriate for someone else to succeed me as the Geo God?"

"Exactly."

"Furthermore, I suggest that this person inherit the contract you made, so that the things you are worried about will no longer have any impact on you."

Rhodes finished speaking.

Zhongli frowned and said, "This is not fair to the successor."

indeed.

[I only wish to cleanse the four corners of the world and protect this small corner of the floating earth.]

This means that whoever ascends to the position of Geo Archon will do everything in their power to protect Liyue.

This is what was stipulated in the original contract.

"Ok?"

As Rhodes pondered this, he suddenly let out a soft exclamation: "Mr. Zhongli, may I ask if you were to ask, when you made the contract with Liyue Harbor, were you acting as Morax or as the Geo Archon?"

This question is important.

There hasn't been a Geo Archon in 3,700 years.

That was the age when gods roamed the earth, and the entire Liyue region was teeming with demons, with different demons ruling over every inch of land.

If Zhongli made the contract with Liyue under this identity.

Then there's nothing we can do.

He must escape by dying.

Changing the successor or making the people of Liyue forget their dependence on him is not an option.

If the contract is between Morax, the Rock God.

Then the two methods that Rod mentioned would be entirely feasible.

When these things were mentioned before, Rhodes hadn't thought much about them at all.

They naturally assumed that the person who signed this contract was Morax, the Rock God.

I hadn't considered the possibility of another scenario at all.

Fortunately.

Zhongli's answer dispelled Luo De's doubts.

"I signed this contract in the capacity of the Geo God."

This is easy to handle.

Rod nodded and said, "Does Mr. Zhongli have someone in mind? If not, I have an idea that you would like to consider."

A contract signed in the name of the Geo Archon.

To put it another way, the contract is the power of the Geo Archon.

Just as dreams are the power of the Sumeru Grass God, the three Sumeru Gods, who share the common name of the God of Wisdom, also equally share this power of dreams.

Since the power of the Rock God is a contract.

Therefore, it would be more reasonable and feasible for someone else to inherit this power.

"My friend, you can speak freely."

Zhongli was very interested in what Luo De said and asked him seriously.

"The Great Sage Who Subdues Demons".

Rhodes said the name he thought was most suitable, and at the same time explained his opinion: "The contract that the Great Sage of Demon Extermination signed with you was to protect Liyue. Letting him take over your position as the Geo Archon and the contract to protect Liyue will not go against his heart, and he can also use the divine power brought by the position of Geo Archon to dispel the karmic obstacles that have tormented him for thousands of years. It can be said to be killing two birds with one stone."

Rhodes's understanding of Xiao surprised Zhongli slightly.

He was convinced.

Rhodes has definitely never seen Xiao.

As for whether he learned about Xiao through Liyue's ancient texts.

Zhongli thought this was unlikely.

Some of Liyue's historical records contain overly embellished elements, including many accounts that do not conform to historical facts but do reflect the emotions of the people of Liyue.

Therefore, I wanted to understand Xiao so clearly through historical records.

That's almost impossible.

Zhongli's reaction was to look at Wendy, the big mouth.

However, Wendy shook her head at him, indicating that she hadn't said anything about Xiao.

"Um--"

Zhongli stopped guessing and pondered, "Xiao might not be able to accept it."

"Then you should go and make him accept it."

"There's one good thing about the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons."

"That means I'll do as you say."

Rhodes chuckled and said, "You're a little worried that the contract is too heavy a burden for Xiao, aren't you? Heh, if you ask me, you're worrying too much."

"I've heard the story of the Guardian Yaksha before, and the story of the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons is even more well-known in Liyue."

Even those widely circulated poems are often exaggerated.

"The Great Sage Who Subdues Demons' adherence to the contract is undeniable."

"What he has to do is still the same thing: protect Liyue. It's just that the main body of the contract has changed from Morax the Geo Archon to Liyue Harbor. There's not much difference."

The Great Sage Who Subdues Demons.

The three-eyed, five-manifested immortals of Liyue are not considered old among immortals, probably only a little over two thousand years old. In terms of strength and status, they are still quite different from those old immortals who were contemporaries of the Geo Archon.

But among the many immortals.

He was the only immortal to take on the responsibility of protecting Liyue.

While other immortals retreated to the mountains and forests to live a secluded retirement, he fought day and night for Liyue, joining forces with Liyue's mortal organization to exterminate the filthy demons born from the lingering resentment of the demon gods.

It is precisely because of this.

Xiao suffers from both physical and mental torment caused by the karmic obstacles formed from the resentment of demons.

He usually relies on medicines made by Zhongli to suppress the restlessness caused by karmic obstacles.