Zhongli's War Against Erosion (And Why It's Important) | Genshin Impact Theory

Zhongli is my favourite character in Genshin Impact, and encountering him when I first started playing in Version 1.2 was the reason I continued with the game. Delving into Morax's identity and history, I realized the depth and complexity of Genshin's storyline. Despite being one of the characters with considerable screen time, he remains an enigma, with much of his backstory still shrouded in mystery.
In Zhongli's second Story Quest, 'No Mere Stone,' the Traveler and Paimon are introduced to a concept known as Erosion, revealed by Morax and Azhdaha. But since that revelation, the prevailing thought about Erosion in Genshin Impact equates it to a form of amnesia for immortal beings-a notion I find hard to accept. This is primarily because it diverges significantly from the actual definition and nature of Erosion as we understand it in our world.
Compelled by this, I've delved deeper into the subject. The findings are quite fascinating, with intriguing implications for Dragons, Elemental Beings, and the very fabric of the Light Realm that predated Teyvat itself.
Thanks for watching!
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My X (Twitter): / dragonmje
Patreon: / mynamefornow
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Timestamps:-
Rex Lapis (0:00)
Teyvat’s Genesis (2:57)
Erosion in Geology (6:26)
Azhdaha and the Natural Order (14:48)
The Significance of the Dragon Lords (18:24)
What is Erosion on Teyvat? (21:56)
The Truth of Elemental Beings (24:23)
Deus Auri (37:54)
Closing Statements (42:24)
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Music Track(s):-
A Dramatic Irony (tnbee mix)
Watch: • Kafka Theme Music EXTE...
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Spoiler Warnings:-
Archon Quest: Masquerade of the Guilty
World Quest: Chenyu's Blessings of Sunken Jade
Historia Antiqua Chapter: Sal Flore
Historia Antiqua Chapter: No Mere Stone
Anything before Version 3.0 is fair game
Anything from Honkai Impact 3rd is fair game
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#genshinimpact
#zhongli
#neuvillette
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*Select clips courtesy of Pixabay & Adobe Stock
*Select assets courtesy of Freepik
*Special thanks to MapTiler and OpenStreetMap Contributors

[@DragonMJE]

I have finally honoured my contract... _This video was supposed to come out at the end of December 2023._ *Notes and Corrections Below (As I find them)* - I played Zhongli's second Story Quest during version 1.5 (right when it came out). As it turns out, after version 2.1, the following changes were made to how Zhongli addresses Erosion:- *Old: Zhongli: People abandon and surrender the things they love to pursue the right path. Perhaps this is the erosion imposed on me by the natural order of this world.* *New: Zhongli: People abandon and surrender the things they love to pursue the right path. Perhaps this is the erosion imposed on me by the Heavenly Principles.* This is actually a big deal, I should have been more careful... (In the footage I have Zhongli still used the term Natural Order). ============================================================== - I removed a section about the Aranara and their relation with memories. I will reuse it in a different video. - Ilmenite and Magnetite are common minerals so there isn't anything special with them in particular. It's just that being able to see a clean Ilmenite matrix is tough due to how that mineral crystallizes. So while an Ilmenite matrix in itself is not special, it is cool to be able to see how it actually looks in 3 dimensions for the first time. The main catch is that it happened naturally too, so that grain is literally the needle in the haystack. - The colours of the visible electromagnetic spectrum don't have to align with those of the Seven Elements. It's more about the concept itself. - The way Morax values "order" might be related to his story about erosion and the natural order.

[@3u760]

From Genshin wiki, in Chinese apparently Heavenly Principles = Natural Order (?) *Edit: You're right, they used the word 天理 and 天 usually means heaven/sky. But I think it's still fine that Celestia is the one who doing that because of what they did to Vennesa?

[@jamesreese4170]

Morax...satisfied that the contract has been honored, steps back into the shadows. Order has been sustained.

[@Patecraft]

Something has come to my attention today. The subject of kalevala came up at school ( the national poem of finland or whatever) and a brief description of the book is "In the beginning, the divine being Ilmatar descends into the sea. A diving duck builds its nest on Ilmatar’s knee and lays seven eggs there. As Ilmatar shifts her knee, the eggs roll into the water, and from their fragments, the sky and earth are formed. Ilmatar gives birth to Väinämöinen, who is already an old man at birth. Väinämöinen becomes the leader of the people of Kalevala."

[@Patecraft]

I believe that would be of relevance since khanrea is based on the nordic countries if im not mistaken

[@DragonMJE]

@@Patecraft This is huge. I will talk about it in the future (if you don't want me to credit you for some reason then let me know in a reply, otherwise I will credit you by default).

[@NatureWatcher343]

Never in my life did it cross my mind that I would learn Geology when I installed the anime video game "Genshin Impact".

[@Azzywrld224]

You expect a hoyoverse game not to be full of real life information? 😦

[@HamSlacks]

Bro I learned geology, tarot, spiritualism. Symbolism. Magick, human history. Christianity, gnosticism, Hinduism etc. Genshin is literally the best game ever written to me

[@HamSlacks]

Which is ironically amusing to me. Considering the nature and existence of "forbidden knowledge" genshin has made me knowledgeable on so many weird ass topics.

[@MissusFail]

"Not because she is blue, but because she fucking blue balls us" ended me 💀

[@ShirouE]

Yeah lmao

[@RukkhaRukkha]

Sometimes I forget this guy is a Chemical Engineer lol... *Edit:* the video was worth the wait, it is so good.

[@skystudygirlera6414]

Woah he's actually a chemical engineer? That's so cool

[@Force-Multiplier]

The fact that *he still works in the funerary industry* tells you a lot about Zhongli and death

[@TheOrodrica]

I believe that the choice of that job is due to wanting to help with the rites of passage to the other world. In certain Asian beliefs, and to a lesser extent in the West, if you don't have a pleasant exit, you remain on this plane as an evil spirit, spirits that must be exorcised and that keep Xiao so busy. I think he took that job to fulfill another of his functions: protector of the people of Liyue.

[@Mani-oc6cy]

What makes all of this even more interesting is: 1. Gold is nigh-impossible to corrode (there are only like two chemicals capable of doing anything close to the normal corrosion everything else that can corrode is victim to). 2. Albedo notes in order to make gold naturally (something only Zhongli can do, as noted in Deshret's most recent weapon), you'd need 8x the power of Teyvat's current sun. Zhongli holds this power naturally, which may play into why he's not privy to erosion's symptoms. 3. He may be privy to multiple world orders due to the Mistful Elixir hinting he knows how the world was made and he's likely older than the human realm itself. Him being a light realm being (the "higher pyramid" Adepti, including himself, are already pure elemental beings just like the dragons) would support his overall oddities as well (which reminds me, only he and Neuvillette's SQs DO NOT match their "constellations").

[@mitab1]

Here's something funny, in the real world, gild can only be naturally created by the COLLISION OF TWO STARS, We are playing as a star in the game, but what if phanes is a star two? Also unrelated, but phanes in mythology is the god of CREATION and NEW life, and what phanes in genshin did? They created teyvat and created new life, HUMANS

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

For the 3rd point, I am not sure about how the Adepti and light realm stuff works. I don't think Zhongli's works the same way as Vishap does however, since Zhongli goes some way to distance himself from the type of elemental being that Azhdaha is. Still I wonder if, the Adepti could also be to Zhongli like what Jinn are to Nabu Malikata. Since Jinn are also elemental beings as well. In CN I think the Adepti are called Celestial beasts or something like that, which is interesting.

[@Mani-oc6cy]

@@F1ll1nTh3Blanks I think I'm kiiind of in agreement. I don't think Zhongli is a "Vishap" light realm being, but a light realm being *like* them nonetheless. Similar to the fungi in Nahida's SQ who are light realm pure elemental beings; just because you're not a dragon doesn't mean you can't be a pure elemental being of the light realm. He could be a dragon but not an elemental dragon. Everyone loves referring to Azhdaha's convo when they were both mostly being vague in embellishing each other ("im not stronger" "no u!🩷" "ur so benevolent" "no u!💜"). Despite them prioritizing being humble, Cloud Retainer's lore stands to dispute that interpretation ("Zhongli isn't an elemental being b/c it *sounds like* he's implying he isnt") bc not only does the history state, from a non-embellishing blunt POV, that ALL ancient Liyue Adepti are pure elemental beings, but history says their birth/physiology has nothing to do with the gods, and they appeared before them. Now combine this with the fact Zhongli is their *ancestor* .

[@Mani-oc6cy]

Their creation having nothing to do with the gods could PROBABLY mean they aren't from the human realm (a thing created by gods). I can see the point of the comparison and though the Jinn are elemental beings, they seem to be a different elemental being from the Adepti, Fungi, and LR beings in general, cause they're associated with gods, unlike LR beings. EDIT: I just looked back at Xianyun's Story in CN and the Adepti are referred to as "pure elemental beings" instead of "Celestial Beasts", multiple times. I don't think this means they can't be *both* though...

[@akashpeiris2428]

Also neuvillette doesn't have a constellation, he made that one up to avoid the question why he doesn't have one

[@KawaiiKittenz06]

Watching MyNameForNow to procrastinate from studying from my science exam only to have science to study me myself 💀

[@KawaiiKittenz06]

i lied i don't have science as a subject (for now)

[@kjohnson2396]

Came for the Genshin lore, stayed for the chemistry lesson.

[@citoyenneteavanttout7273]

You know Zhongli and his lore had always been full of peculiar choices. Also him being is the Golden God.... and that in itself a cunning coincidence, because Gold is space born, unlike other minerals that were formed from other compounds on earth, it's also for a reason that the traveler is reffered to as the "Golden Nara" by the Aranara... no wonder the porsuit of Rhiondottir for Gold.... Edit, that reminds me of something I said before that could or not find its place in your theory... If you've ever come across the ''Zhongli not beating the Fuhua allegation'' joke, it's actually rooted in the topic of memories. Fuhua was an immortal who ended up tied with Otto and had to join the Schiksal. She received a Mantis gene that allowed her to have unmatched vitality and *Absolute memory* , However, this faculty turned into a heavy burden as the accumulation of memories became heavier and heavier for her to subsume. This aligns with how Zhongli qualifies his erosion: not being able to let go of the distressing burdens of memories. This is why he describes himself as : _He who bears the weight of memory is destined to shoulder the burden of truth._

[@vhf3yd781nt]

oh I haven't heard that about Fuhua (haven't played hi3) but that's actually super interesting

[@jadepuguon1177]

So that means, Zhongli is more reliable than the irminsul because irminsul can be edited?

[@geboaebo]

I am genuinely curious about what your qualifications are now. Cause I've seen you go in detail into physics, history, literature, etc. and now also geology and chemistry. Not only that, but you made the samples yourself

[@veintiuno875]

bro is a jack of all trades

[@angela.luntian]

Bros the marionette ​@@veintiuno875

[@justacatwithasadface2692]

His qualifications is "smart boi"

[@1manshow10]

Bro is Zhongli himself

[@driplord6150]

Fr​@@1manshow10

[@DrakeWurrum]

You seem to be suggesting that Rhinedottir is trying to synthesize... a dragon's wish-granting pearl? A genesis pearl, perhaps? HMMM....

[@kotarouinugami1745]

Or maybe, if she is incapable of grasping the "truth of this world" herself, she wants to create a child that will do it for her. Elynas and Durin are not only big and scary, they are also intelligent. Elynas, for example, could guide Mamere the painter in repairing a mechanical robot that is better than all the robots available in the modern day. Except maybe the robot who learned about lies from another quest. And of course, Albedo is known as a genius, even beyond what he learned from Gold.

[@athruncagallifan]

I just finished the video....and it all make sense... His playstyle voicelines, the famous : "I will have order", "This is order", "Order guide you" ---> related to the original order. And the skills voicelines: "Solidify", "Quake", "Crumble" --- pertains to erosion or the geological recycling that Teyvat must go through. Thanks for the video! It was worthh the wait and worth the 40mins++ long video

[@mitab1]

Actually, no, his original Chinese voice lines are about Heavenly order, or something like that,

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

@@mitab1 This is kinda true. As interesting as this theory is, it relies a lot on the EN translation not missing important nuances that are included in CN and by Jove there is. Like in CN, erosion is not spoken about being so much as a natural order of the world but more so an order of/under the Heavenly Principles.

[@bawilove3422]

My work day just got 10x better

[@seph4707]

When Zhongli finally drops a line saying he "Can't Remember" something I'll be so sad.

[@tellmethesongoftherain6534]

Finally someone else who’s concerned about this

[@armagedd_n]

wouldn't that make teyvat and erosion kind of like nahida's first story quest? where something was build from risky "borrowed" (stolen) resources, and was doomed to revert back to it's original form

[@rcruzcarvalho]

And that's why "One day, they stumbled upon an item known as the Heart of Naberius. Shortly afterwards, Rhinedottir disappeared." She's looking into it!

[@HydrogenH1]

I find the dragon treatment of genshin impact to be similar to that of Fire Emblem. In Fire Emblem, all dragons are considered gods and are immortal. However that does not mean that their health doesn't deteriorate. More specific their mental health, as a life of eternity often makes them go mad bringing forth the need of human intervention as a means to preserve life. Really good video as usual. I love how you can easily relate these lore/theory videos to history and science. It makes the design choices for a lot of things stand out even more than before when you know the possible context behind. Can't wait for the next video

[@Sumwhatt]

I'm so excited this came out! Congrats on getting it off your to-do list! I think after that I still stand by my own personal theory about Zhongli's erosion. I think mine and yours can co-exist. To me, Zhongli has eroded significantly but it doesn’t look like what he or we would intuitively think it would look like. He went from a viscous, uncaring war-god, an "old block-head" as venti says, to a wise and deeply compassionate leader. It seems that his erosion has turned stone to dust- as to say, he now no longer has the personality traits of Morax, but more closely resembles Guizhong. Maybe at the finality of this he will be able to open the dumbell.

[@montse3139]

Oh, didn't remember the relation of Guizhong, dust and the stone dumbell!

[@citoyenneteavanttout7273]

That's my take too... the theory of yours aligns amazingly with his voiceline _'' Personally sealing away an old friend... this is just one form of erosion I have endured. People abandon and surrender the things they love to pursue the right path. Perhaps this is the erosion imposed on me by the Heavenly Principles. ''_ That would also make sense of why he prides himself on having an outstanding memory.

[@dreacho]

perfect time to upload, i just finished making my food

[@nivektheidk2931]

Damn I just finished eating ;(

[@snusnu2509]

7:25 video about zhongli turning into a geology lesson. Coulda seen that coming i guess

[@driplord6150]

My GOAT Zhongli is just built different 💪🗣🔥💯

[@konstoporom1506]

13:22 Thanks to you, I've just realised that hydro phantasm is a H2O molecule c:

[@ReverseElectro]

The music choice in this video is fantastic. Also the Magnetite-Ilmenite grain you showed is very interesting 💛

[@_HuaCheng]

Zhonglis lore is so interesting I swear 😭 thank you for this video 🙏

[@lora8166]

I smell a fellow scientist... And that's why I love your videos, even tho I need more brain power to really understand everything you say.

[@ceravivace]

Oh no, this is the slowest 2hrs left of my shift can't wait to watch this!!

[@ivana3263]

ngl my brain was malfunctioning a couple of times damn maybe i have erosion too

[@defiantmars9910]

IRL Alhaitham is cooking. It has been interesting to observe the properties of the Elements. I realized that each dealt with Memories in different ways, but this video articulates the Life related properties of each in a way I didn’t try think about before, besides the Primordial Seawater points from the Archon quest. Although it makes a hell of a lot more sense in retrospect with both Neuvillette and Apep’s guardian as examples.

[@bawilove3422]

The erosion in geology section 10:30 reminded me of the Leonard's cutscene when he was talking about Pilos Peak in the Unreconciled Stars, "Where Ancient Stars Align".

[@mateocastilla8811]

In the second story of nahida the fungus sacrifise their memoris and power to restour apep health

[@ShirouE]

Great video btw... Also, KZbin just changed their UI and now it looks horrible on my end... (they put the comment section on the right and the recommended videos right below the video player).

[@henoji777]

11:35 ty for showing us a cool rock pic! Love the enthusiasm and deep level of analysis you bring to your content

[@Dinofrog17]

Sometimes I wonder if zhongli is secretly the geo dragon sovereign. Maybe his secret contract is about him being silenced and keep his powers whilst serving under celestia.

[@nara-yana]

*Nice video!* The Geology class part was really cool! In Teyvat, memories are shown to be pretty much *data* which, together with *elemental energy,* constitute it's *building blocks:* Irminsul recycles both, Leylines make 'em flow, there are pure elemental beings like Slimes, and then more complex beings which show data arranged as *material* _information_ like crystal flies and increasingly more complex organisms... There's even *corrupted* data as seems to be the case with the *Rift Rounds* and other Abyss creatures, as the melusines look at 'em and just see little doggos... Teyvat's "rules" seem to make everything less literal - thus, *Erosion* can probably _still_ be compared to *Alzheimer* in Teyvat, as memories and "power" (elemental energy) have already been stablished as "equivalent" during the Aranara quest / Rukkhadevata's sacrifice, just like Einstein proved that energy and matter are equivalent in our world. The *conservation of mass* (in Teyvat's case data/energy) rule seems to still hold too, so it's really cool to speculate on what happens to an *eroded God* there, but it's safe to say that there's more to it than their bodies and power beind returned to the realm. Again, really nice video!

[@locomeon_0]

I have definitely seen an uptake in editing quality! Great theory as always and can't wait to watch the next one :)

[@rajaryan-fe1oy]

Forbidden knowledge has arrived

[@epicwyvern8713]

Very interesting video! Pat yourself on the back dude, you cooked once again. I think its really cool to think along the lines of the elemental energy/knowledge paradigm that you have brought up in this video, such as erosion being a result of elemental energy returning to the light realm (which has the effect of making elemental beings lose their memories/mind), and also such as Neuvillette regaining a bunch of KNOWLEDGE after coming into possession of the authority of hydro. I think trying to understand what FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE could mean in this context is an interesting avenue to explore.

[@sylviagerlach2579]

That was so cool. I love your theories and the fact that you manage to bring the Genshin myths, religions, magic and real physics and chemistry together in such a way that it just takes my breath away. ❤

[@sua8638]

In the original text (Chinese) says the heavenly principles instead of "the natural order"

[@Shiro-the-Hero]

I absolutely loved this video, thanks for all of your hard work! It certainly paid off and gave me lots of things to ponder about - as your videos usually do. Looking forward to everything else you're cooking up!

[@MissusFail]

Thanks for the upload! I always await your videos and i enjoy your theories

[@Mani-oc6cy]

Also, don't really believe in Zhongli being a sovereign, but being a dragon seems to still be on the table. Adeptus is just a title, though all of them (the "true" ones anyway) are pure elemental creatures (like Apep's fungi who can ALSO shapeshift/adapt crazily) nonetheless. Cloud Retainer being an elemental creature doesn't change the fact she's a Crane. Same could be said for Zhongli. He refers to himself as a dragon too (at the end of Xiao's Chasm quest).

[@deathsinger969]

I love this video so much! Great work, you are definitely my favorite lore and theory channel!

[@Xanxanaxa]

In cn it's explicatly stated azdaha is the geo dragon

[@toshi386]

Why Azdaha as dragon sovereign, Zhongli seems to fit more as dragon just like Nuvilette. Maybe that was the first contract of Morax as dragon reincarnated as human, he took the role of Geo Archon. He even had the dragon avatar that he used in the quest when the Traveler arrives in Liyue Harbor.

[@nagorepalaciosdelafuente]

You gain a subscribe, I loved this video, and even made me appreciate and respect Zhongli more than ever, also the way I learn so many new things, I can only thank you for this

[@jabarilewis5665]

You may be right or wrong but even if that is the case this theory has truly shined bright.

[@SmugHomura]

What a cool video, really enjoyable and educational! Your enthusiasm, narration, knowledge, editing, examples: Superb.

[@RenakoAmaori]

Amazing video,new sub here ,will be waiting for more videos like this and all the efforts you put in this video and all the extra important in making comparison to make us understand the story/speculation ❤

[@thisisanalt]

Not sure if its relevant but in traditional western Alchemy, Cintrinitas is actually the third stage of the Great Work and is BEFORE Rubedo, (like you said) with the process being Nigredo->Albedo->Citrinitas->Rubedo, with later developments in Alchemy conflating Citiniritas as just being a part of the Rubedo phase rather than a seperate phase of the process itself. So the alchemist Reindoctor didnt so much replace Rubedo for Citrinitas as much as stopped the process at Citrinitas or else failed/did not know about the fourth process.

[@AntoniaSorell]

You cooked a Michelin meal with this one. Honestly, this might be the best video you’ve done. Thank you so much for your work!

[@herrschersfool]

i am so glad you make videos whilst having a job. if not i think id go insane thinking about what hoyo is cooking! luckily you’re here to be insane with all of us LOL

[@EchoNoir-]

I love this channel so much man.

[@trashbuilds8351]

This is the most incredible lore video I've ever seen - you are able to take all these easter egg details and put them together into one cohesive story from start to finish with a plot climax akin to an epic movie - bravo!! I actually think watching this was more exciting than any of the actual game story/archon quests lol After watching this, I actually get a sense of what is going on in the game lol I also love the science lesson with Alhaitham & Zhongli as my teachers lol best science class ever

[@noxmoonstone]

you said Capitano? ohohoh I'm so here for it! great video! it's always nice to learn about real life science from a genshin lore video! I'm not a big brainer, so i cannot really contribute to the discussion but i can say thank you for your informative and indepth analysis of every topic that you choose to speak of. i find your narration the most coherent and logical among the lore theorist community. can't wait for your next video and for now I'm off to rewatch everything your channel has to offer for the 30th time (no jokes here)

[@conffetigirl3977]

made my week thank you you are my favorite theory chanel

[@StellaLuxNebula]

He gave us a science lesson in a genshin theory video. HE HAVE US A LESSON ON EROSION

[@burningpapersun1]

I had to listen to this a couple of times but that was a good break down. Ive also been trying to find the Angels Egg anime but that's been something else.

[@oppaanja]

I've been waiting for this omg! Here we go boyssss!!!!

[@widows_tear4533]

thank you for showing me that amazing natural phenomenon i’ve been enlightened

[@jaydhill9154]

thanks for showing us this cool phenomenon ✨️

[@Swag-lo5xi]

i took a break from studying bio only to get a further biochemistry and geology lecture 😭

[@omarqataberi]

man I was reading the quest monologues in your voice 😭

[@alexanderericson8628]

Another thought is that it's not eroding into the light realm but into the void realm, which would be the problem and why Rene warned that this was the final cycle something that has been repeated many times in game. Since everything is reversed in Theyvat for some unexplained reason. The mission we are set out for could be. The switch in the alchemical process Khemia could be behind this.

[@ConfusedOwl92]

This video was an amazing treat. Hopefully your theory comes true.

[@GreyVictory1510]

Seeing that crystallien structure was so cool. Nature can produce such fascinating things!

[@abysskink]

God your videos are so fuggin good

[@squkyshoes]

Another correction to add to the pinned comment: While it may not have been intentional, the script made it sound like mountains can ONLY be created when two continental plates converge against each other. This isn't the case. Mountains are also born via the subduction of an oceanic plate under a continental plate. The Andes mountains in Chile are prime examples of this type of mountain creation. /Earth Science Minor in college.

[@3u760]

Oooh, thank you for making this video. I agree for the most part of this video but I have a slight different view for what's going on with dragons and light/human/void realms. (Sorry, this is going to be a lot). For 27:00, I think the graph is not like that. Based on Breeze Amidst the Forest book, "Typically, when life arises from the elements, it either descends and becomes a slime, or ascends and becomes a crystalfly. Rarely does this process give rise to dangerous elemental monsters. Elemental dragons are rarely seen and have the powers to match the gods of old." So, if that's accurate then the bottom would be the slime, the upper middle would be dragons < gods, and finally, the pinacle is crystalfly (?) Okay, before the human realm, there are light realm and void realm, right? Let's start from the fact that the game keep vilifying dragons (I mean, 'history is written by the victors' and that would be PO so it technically makes sense) But why we fight the dragons? As Paimon said, it's because we needed an antagonist in the story. (But keep in mind, it goes both ways) - Something I found when people say that traveler acquiring elemental powers but it's dragon-like compared to the archons, I think it's not necessarily because they sided with the dragons. Much like erosion, it's physics. Yep, now what happened with that? Thanks to Baizhu SQ, I can't believe I didn't do it sooner, it had the missing piece of the puzzle. I'll just go forth and say that Changseng is Paimon to traveler's Baizhu. Yes, instead of taking care of a sick patient, traveler is taking care of the sick world. We're very cleary the solution for all problems of this world. "This world is full of unsolved mysteries..." that's what we said, very direct comparison to the Thelxie event. But of course, all credit to Paimon because it's not that traveler who has the ability to purify abyssal problems, it's all on her. (Which is a very interesting discourse for Bond of Life mechanic for me but that's for another time). Basically, what I mean is traveler absorb the abyssal energy from the statue of the seven. 🙂 - Dragon is, inherently abyss leaning. Because dragon is enemy, and I think the so-called enemy in this game eventually converge into something called 'the abyss'. Which is funny, dragon is from light realm, right? Well, right when they referred to as the 'dragons', the moment they get defeated by PO until they submit/go into the dark and shunned the light, they even become more dragon-like. Or should I say, serpent-like (adaptation). Until they become more like the dark, more abyssal, suited to become the proper enemy, an abyss dragon. Actually, it so much easier to think that 'dragon' is like a title. I always think that all beings are elemental (which is also what dragon is, but like, depends on the portion) that's why Narzissenkreuz Adventure Team says that what matter is the 'essence' (they actually said the purpose defines the essence but I'm thinking about blood). But the game aware of this by calling something a 'dragon', they usually from the old world, and recent dragons are probably the descendant of them (the one that's not turn into human preferably, very side-eyeing Nuvilet rn) * For Dragon King Nibelung, (which I think is already an abyssal dragon the moment PO defeating it) if you remember Fischl's Drama Phantasmagoria from 2.8 summer event, the evil dragon ate so much of dreams that it fell asleep, until for a brief moment, the princess was able to defeat the sleeping dragon at the end. Idk, sounds like happened before/foreshadowing. 🤔 - I don't know if Azdaha was one of the sovereigns but the fact that his yin is the one who pro erosion, 'malevolent', and his yang is pro human, 'benevolent'. And yang is clearly light-leaning, reminds you of why PO is probably Phanes, 'the light-bringer' the *true lord* over the seven lights (dragons) of the light realm. So if anything that erosion leads to, I think it's into the abyss (earth). Which, by the way, pro separation between light and dark. Abyss is dark, is reality, is material. The gnostic makes sense in this way, but now you see why everyone in the game is full of contradiction. Like you said, the end is like the beginning. It's entropy, it's all entropy. It's the fight between transience and stillness.

[@3u760]

Wait, didn't you say that Irmin is Solomon and the Archons are the demons(?) If that's correct then I think I agree with that. In a sense that, if we put Irmin = Nibelung aside: [Old World] Nibelung = Solomon (abyssal) 7 dragon sovereigns = demons (light) [New World] Irmin = Solomon (abyssal) 7 Archons = demons (light) ?

[@3u760]

I feel like I have to explain more about my reasoning on how traveler absorb the abyssal energy. Because, I'm wrong, and that doesn't explain the scene where traveler acquiring anemo elemental energy and it looks quite bright (not corrupted/red). But, someone got a good eye and notice that between Apep/traveler/samachurl/hypostasis and Nahida/vision havers, they got different dendro elemental skill manifestation. Apep/traveler/samachurl/hypostasis is more green and physical than Nahida/vision havers (they're more digital). They suspect that Apep is more abyssal than Nahida, because dark green/thorns (especially thorns) are the imagery of the princess from BP cutscene, Fischl, and Hexenzirkel. And I agree with them. Back to my reasoning, I still think that traveler absorbing the abyss energy, BUT, instead of the energy itself being the element (like anemo elemental energy), it's the *memory* of how to control the element (the abyss part for me). Let me explain: elemental energy is likely inherently light-based, like, they're really 'light'. Apep's family turn into elemental energy, which is 'light. Traveler elements are really all 'light'. But how could Apep and Nahida powers different? I think it's because of what they're *born* with, or, have different *knowledge* on how to do it. And that's their 'abyssal' differences. From Iniquitous Baptist description: "The nature of the 'Abyss' is essentially irreconcilable with the elements. However, even the elements of gods can be entrapped and distorted before they are subsumed to become tools of the abyssal will. Just judging from outcomes and practical use, "Abyssal powers" seem little different from elemental items, from ones as paltry as the Treasure Hoarders' elemental containers to those as powerful as Visions..."

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

This is honestly great reading and a perspective I didn't see before but also helps to understand why the Bathysmal Vishap hate the light from the tower in Enka. I think I still have a few questions but for now I want to understand how you extrapolate an evolutionary ladder from that excerpt in Breeze Amidst the Forest. Since to me it suggests that dragons = gods but you put gods above, something I personally don't disagree with albeit for different reasons.

[@3u760]

@@F1ll1nTh3Blanks No actually, I would agree. This would be an oversimplification (there are a lot of details I could tell you about but I can't write them all at once because of my limited words) so here's my interpretation for the whole thing: **** I thought the spectrum was: but now I think it's: (the former still could make sense for a different reason) **** -Light defeats dark, a protagonist defeats the antagonist, the hero defeats the evil dragon. -by that spectrum, If PO was more pure than the dragons, then the gods (who are PO affiliated) more pure than dragons too. So, dragon < gods (I assume they have abyssal differences because they have different elemental manifestation) - dragons = gods because they both elemental beings. The fact that humans (should not?) be able to morph, I think simply being an 'elemental being', you're granted to be able to shape-shift whatever you want (it requires energy tho). I think you also could blur the line between dragon/god while being an elemental creature. (And that could means anything too) -If everything is just a cycle, then it's not a stretch to think that traveler would be the PO for 7 Archons' dragons (in the next new world order, the 7 Archons = 7 dragons) so dragons = gods could make sense in this way too. (Based on a certain fiction from Yae Publishing House, mentioned in Yoimiya 1st quest, "The hero who slays the dragon becomes the next dragon.") (Fell Dragon's Monocle description: "But it is oft-said that heroes who live too long, live to become the evil dragon. And when many stories cross paths, perhaps one side's hero is another side's dragon.") **** -Impure dragons (from being able to wield other elements) would no longer have elemental dragon as their descendant (human). -Aside of dragons and elemental beings from the old world. We do have instances where dragon could be a god/man-made (Durin, Elynas, Azhdaha, Dvalin (he was from the heaven?)). Controversial, but I might also count Egeria in this too. -Durin was made as a humus. I don't know if abyss dragon also counts as an 'impurity', but it felt like it would be fit if that's being the case. I think the fact that Primordial Albedo emerged from dead Durin fulfill the situation? (Nigredo (Durin) -> Albedo (Primordial Albedo)?) But...... does Primo Albedo could be count as a human too if he could shape-shift? 🤔

[@Razmodeus]

I'm only a few minutes in, but I love the way you narrate! Great video so far :)

[@TheOrodrica]

Dear Streamer I came here for a dose of entertainment and distraction and instead got myself a natural philosophy and earth science class.... thank you for that.

[@kamrunnahar-kz3vs]

Wow what a great video.I love you video so much❤❤😊😊✨✨☺️

[@glittery_crocs.7490]

Apparently, according to Zhongli (as well as azhdaha) it’s implied that Zhongli’s erosion has to do with loneliness rather than memory. Since Zhongli has this curse that like, any person he befriends dies somehow and or looses theirs shit. Like, him and azhdaha were like, besties (azhdaha even writing moral a poem that might be about him) and he’s sealed away after erosion basically melted his brain.

[@Trapp7]

If pure elemental beings are closer to the truth wouldn’t that mean this all goes back to the hypostases?

[@OlllllullllllO]

I love your videos i CANT WAIT for the arlikino and 4.6 one because of how much was dropped

[@christianwolfe7409]

So Erosion is the Water Cycle but for earth? The Earth Cycle?

[@Nauda999]

From this video I got the sense that erosion is due to water interacting with minerals, but in desert with almost no water presence wind can erode rocks, even on the Moon, without any air or water, the radiation from the Sun can erode. Definition of erosion : Erosion is the geological process in which earthen materials are worn away and transported by natural forces such as wind or water. I still think it is just manifestation of entropy and laws of thermodynamics. I would say that erosion doesn't affect hydrogen, helium and probably every other element, only chemical compounds. Erosion doesn't affect fundamental particles like quarks, leptons or bosons, at least I don't know how that would happen.

[@ethanchen4504]

The BGM at 34:00 is Empress by Luke Chu The one in the description is inaccurate.

[@key_mochi7157]

This is PEAK Theorycrafting

[@dasytaylor]

We're witnessing a historical moment with this one

[@Paimordial]

7:21 I have a photo from what looks like that exact angle omg

[@May-mb2cp]

7:42 I’m literally learning the exact same thing for school while watching this video lmao

[@the_spider_in_your_bed]

i just became a geology, biology and chemisty major when i watched this

[@Fledor.]

You yourself said that "Adeptus" is just a title and we know that many of the adepti (or all) have an animal form. We also know from Xianyun's story quest that Yuandai was an ordinary crane that gained sentience and started learning the adepti arts. She is confirmed to not be an elemental being, just an ordinary animal. So Xianyun's story quest and friendship lore texts are contradictory.

[@genshin_lore_enjoyer]

I love this theory, it's really interesting and works well on some my ideas. Like for example this erosion also can work on humans and open their true form In my headcanon all humans in teyvat started their path from dragons and was dragon alike

[@barbarajames9376]

Yippee!!! Geology in my Genshin video!!!

[@pratzy]

a fun and interesting watch!

[@anonymouscommenter2425]

Meanwhile nahida with the encyclopaedic history of teyvat at her finger tips

[@josiahriesen3006]

What's left of the eastern mountain range is the appellation mountains in eastern Canadian though they are more big hills than mountains 😅

[@justsomeguywithgreenhair]

An interesting observation for the crystal heart of dragons, Notice how Zhongli has one such similar crystal to him, just like Neuvillette, and at the same spot, too? Could this be hinting at something, or is it just a design choice? Just a thought of mine, but could it be that Morax, somewhat like Neuvillette, is some kind of descendent of, if not the Dragon Sovereign of Geo? Perhaps he signed a contract with the usurpers, who promised to 'grant' or 'return' him the Authority of Earth, but in return, he has to perform his duty as one of the Archons? There must be some counterpoints to this, but I think it's interesting to think nonetheless.

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

I think not, I think it's more likely Zhongli is related to the Descenders or Primordial One as a Shade potentially? Zhongli's only connection to the elemental realm is the elemental authority and the Adepti? maybe idk. He's not a vishap himself and lacks the craftsmanship to create them, these are things he makes abundantly clear himself and some of the hallmarks of elemental sovereign. Zhongli has one thing going for him for your theory to stand up to scrutiny, he was able to grant a vishap eyes but that's the extent of his capabilities on that front. Zhongli's affinity with creation is higher than that of the average gods but it doesn't appear to be as high as that of a full elemental dragon like Neuvillette. Can't create Vishap or make elemental beings true humans supposedly. He is the progenitor of the Adepti though and can make illuminated beasts and mora? That's something. Also his connection to Geo is nothing like Neuvillette's connection to hydro. For example, Neuvillette can read memories in hydro and Zhongli can't read memories in geo. Zhongli doesn't seem to have as big a connection to the earth as Neuvillette does to water either, Zhongli seems more connected to gold, which is like.. honestly, gold is honestly anything but earth, he does have some connection to jade but beyond symbolism it doesn't seem to be anything too significant compared to his connection to gold or Neuvillette's connection to water. (Saying gold is anything but earth is misplaced, I should say that gold is more connected to stars at least in Zhongli's case, being able to create it.) Also, narratively it makes 0 sense to defeat an enemy and then make them the same threat you wanted to avoid by restoring them.. also a dragon becoming a servant to the order of man is pure blasphemy but then again, Azhdaha an actual elemental dragon and lord over vishap was kind of a simp for Morax so who knows anything is possible at this point. Last thing I want to add. (I don't necessarily think that Zhongli's relationship with creation or elements or anything of that nature is anything inferior to an elemental dragons but it's not quite the same I think.)

[@justsomeguywithgreenhair]

@@F1ll1nTh3Blanks Hmm, agreeing with you to some extent. But here are some things that I have to present just for conversation at least, He's not likely a Vishap, yes, but he doesn't necessarily have to be one to be a sovereign. He could already be a fully fledged dragon at the time and/or could be someone like Neuvillette, where his circumstances allow him to be something of a special case. It's more likely that he HASN'T created any vishaps that we know of than he CAN'T create any. Since we know he at least created 'living' birds and whales out of jade and stone. The archaic Petra set sheds a lot of light in regards to his creations. Neuvillette, as the hydro sovereign dragon, is the heart of the primordial sea. That's why he is able to create or grant "true life." It's not a trademark ability of the sovereign kings, but solely of the Hydro sovereign. So there is no comparison in that regard. I do agree with you on this, though. Yes, we haven't seen him having connections with Earth in a way, such as of Neuvillette's connection with Water. On the contrary, in recent times, HoYo is pushing his connection with gold with each update. To conclude. Yes, I, too, do think that he is not likely a sovereign dragon. But he sure is more than an Archon. But his dragon symbolisms are way too clear. Most probably because of the culture he is based on. But who knows, HoYo can surprise us with that, too, haha.

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

@@justsomeguywithgreenhair Does he not? I am pretty sure that Vishap and elemental dragons are the same race. The only character so far that has been the exception so far was Egeria, who had the hydro dragons heart and yet she also didn't possess the capacity to create Vishap. She could only create Oceanid and Oceanid people. Neuvillette despite being born in a human body is still a Vishap. Zhongli says to Iron Tongue Tian at the beginning of his story quest that he did not possess the craftsmanship to make something as complex as a vishap. The only way therefore, would be for him to be lying and Zhongli might omit the truth but I don't think he lies. I did forget about his jade creations. I remembered the weapons and the stone beasts but I don't think these are the same as Vishap. I don't know the extent of the sovereigns creation abilities beyond the creation of Vishap but they have greater authority over primal natures than gods do. Neuvillette's ability to wield the primordial sea to make Oceanid humans into true humans is presumably one such example of this but since the primordial sea is the only primal nature? we get to see fleshed out, we don't really get to know what the other elemental dragons are able to do with theirs for now. I mean it's not impossible for Zhongli to be a new type of sovereign for the modern era, but I don't think it's connected to the elements in the same way it is for Neuvillette.

[@citoyenneteavanttout7273]

@@F1ll1nTh3Blanks Zhongli definitely capable of omitting the truth, in the same dialog with Iron Tong, he claims he's never been to the chasm, well he was there couple of hours prior of that encounter to save Xiao's ass. I just do feel like Zhongli is farthest a God from a Dragon than he's close... even his depiction of a dragon is the farthest form the actual dragon of earth, his dragon-qilin hybrid could fly while Azhdaha can't. He's known as Deus Auri, and even gold is a mineral that comes form the stars.... They could have used jade or Lapis or amber... but they chose Gold. OP mentioned the crystal in his chest, Zhongli also has crystals in his wrists, and the only other one who's got crystals convientely placed in the same places is the traveler AGAIN.

[@Azzywrld224]

Stray clouds converge 🚫 Stray grounds converge ✅

[@waitingtoberevived]

what was that music you used in 6:48 with violin. I want to know.

[@ezgtaiko]

I decided to stay when I heard Ludwig's theme

[@_alreph]

The chef is back 🔥

[@DrakeWurrum]

Dainslef appears to be suffering from extreme erosion. Even Zhongli has yet to experience much memory loss yet... so how old is Dain really?

[@AndrewsMobs]

Dain is also way less powerful than Zhongli, so if the theory that erosion is the chipping away of memory is correct and that is related to how powerful you are then the more powerful you are the longer it takes for erosion to have its effect. This also explains why it took so long for Azdaha to go crazy, the more powerful you are the longer you have against erosion, Dain is only human at the end of the day so him already suffering from erosion in just 500 years is to be expected. This means that Zhongli is absurdly powerful, it also helps that he was amped by the worship of his people as an archon.

[@DrakeWurrum]

@@AndrewsMobs - We don't know for certain that he is less powerful, nor are we certain he's only human.

[@AndrewsMobs]

@@DrakeWurrum I think we can be fairly certain on both accounts.

[@DrakeWurrum]

@@AndrewsMobs - We really cannot be. For starters, one of My Name For Now's theories is that Dainslef is the "human remains" of Nibelung. While that would mean he's TECHNICALLY human... that's only *right now* because he'd be missing pieces of himself. Even if that theory isn't true, we don't really know shit about Dain or his origins. All we know is that he was a knight captain in Khaen'riah. Was he born there? We don't know. Did he come from another world? We don't know (though Perinheri suggests that he's at least not a Teyvat native, else he would be afflicted by the curse of the wilderness). We know he was in Khaen'riah, but we have no idea if he's FROM Khaen'riah. Could he have been around before then? We don't know. We know remarkably little for a character that our Traveller seems to just blindly trust. We don't know how powerful he is, or even WHAT power he wields yet. We do know that he actively hunts members of the Abyss, including beings like the Abyss Lectors, all by himself without assistance - so he's unlikely to be a pushover - but we still cannot compare to Zhongli because we haven't seen him in action. We have next to *NOTHING* on him. We know more about Paimon than we do Dain.

[@AndrewsMobs]

@@DrakeWurrum "(though Perinheri suggests that he's at least not a Teyvat native, else he would be afflicted by the curse of the wilderness)." Not really, look at Pierro, also Dainsleif had a ring when he came out to the surface

[@karolinamizera-gt9kb]

What’s the music that plays at 37:40?

[@jollyhomse5129]

I like this theory, and i can see much of it happening, from the real meaning of erosion to zhongli's origins and the original order of the world, but i gotta disagree about one thing, which is glod's creations regarding the truth of the world. I think she was trying to make a descender, that's too tie closely with the truth of the world.

[@Fledor.]

Firstly, Alatus is Xiao's adeptus name and not his real name. Secondly, Morax said the name Xiao came from "another land" and not another world entirely. You did two mistakes in under 2 minutes, that is impressive.

[@ForbiddenKnowledgeGI]

Little bit offtopick, but i am quite sure, that inspiration for PO was taken from sumerians myth about annunaki and planet Nibiru. You mentioned a lot of from sumerians myths in your videos so you should know about annunaki. I soent a day on watching videos about annunaki and had feeling that it is a story about PO.

[@ForbiddenKnowledgeGI]

Oh my God i just realized, that Nibiru explaining lot more. What if crimson moon is not a moon but planet Nibiru which cousing disasters and what if Khaenriah living underground to avoid Nibiru disaster? Remember how Clothar said that here is no more crimson moon? It is gone, but how? And how it came? Also this text about creator not yet come. Come from where and how? Why Celestia is floating high about the ground? To avoid Nibiru disaster and transfer collected elemental energy to Nibiru when it comes close to Teyvat. Also this explains why this samsara could be last one. Because Nibiru do not need more elemental energy like in sumerian muth annunaki left Eatrh and let people to die because they got all necesary gold. So there is no reason to recreate life on Teyvat.

[@t.k.5088]

I wonder if the dragon sovereigns have any relation with Long the Permanence. Their most important representatives are also related to elements and carry draconic features...

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

Idk, the info we're given so far is that their father and creator is Nibelung though.