Words persuading Zhongli to delay his abdication could have reasonably come from Ningguang, or from the Adepti.
But for Keqing to say it… that was very strange.
A year ago, during the Rite of Descension, Keqing had even publicly asked Zhongli when he planned to step down.
For Keqing—who had always been deeply committed to a Liyue ruled by its people—Zhongli's abdication should have been cause for celebration.
And yet…
Her urging Zhongli not to abdicate now was something none of them expected.
Seeing the odd looks in everyone's eyes, Keqing herself seemed a little helpless.
Yes, Zhongli's abdication was a good thing. She had always longed for the day when Liyue would be governed by mortals. She believed wholeheartedly that a Liyue ruled by its people could shine even brighter than under divine rule.
But… now was not the right time.
All the Liyue Qixing had just begun their cultivation, and were nowhere near steady in their practice.
She herself was striving to break through to the late stage of Refining Essence into Qi.
Naturally, she wanted as few distractions as possible, so that she could focus on cultivation.
And already, the very news of cultivation had stirred up great waves in Liyue.
To add Zhongli's abdication now would mean another storm of upheaval—one that would leave them no time for training.
The other Qixing who had only just started their path would quickly fall behind the rest.
In this critical time of Teyvat's spiritual energy revival, what Liyue needed was not debates over divine rule or mortal rule.
It did not even need vast armies.
What it needed was top-tier combat power—experts capable of standing alone against entire nations.
Now that the Qixing had finally joined Mount Shu, they needed to seize every moment of cultivation.
They had to become the foundation of Liyue's human strength.
And the worst thing would be letting outside affairs slow their cultivation.
That was why Keqing tried to persuade Zhongli.
But she likely understood all too well that this was a decision Zhongli had made long ago.
And now that he had declared it openly in front of Jiang Yan, it was clear his will was firm.
She could only try.
The moment she saw Zhongli's resolute gaze, she knew her persuasion was useless.
Which meant that after the Rite of Descension, they would be endlessly busy with no time left for cultivation.
Just the thought of it gave Keqing a headache.
Sure enough, though caught off guard by Keqing's sudden words, Zhongli soon shook his head and said calmly:
"My abdication is not a passing whim. I've already thought it through."
"This decision was made long ago, and I told you of it before. Now, it is simply time to fulfill it."
"My mind is set. After the Rite of Descension, I will proclaim to all of Liyue that the Rock King Emperor is stepping down, and that Liyue shall enter an age governed without gods."
Hearing how firm he was, no one could press further. They could only nod in acceptance.
Ningguang and the others, however, were already sighing to themselves, preemptively planning how to manage the turmoil his abdication would bring.
As for the new disciples—like Hu Tao—hearing the news left them momentarily stunned. But after some thought, it wasn't really such a big deal.
He was only stepping down, not dying.
Leaving behind the title of Archon to devote himself to cultivation was Zhongli's own choice. They had no right but to respect it.
Hu Tao, though, was a little dizzy. Today felt like she had lived through several years' worth of events already.
First, after so much effort to enter Mount Shu, she found herself turned into a ghost cultivator.
And now, Zhongli was abdicating.
But when she thought it over—Zhongli would still be the Acting Head of Longshou Peak, still her superior.
And with that, Hu Tao became depressed again.
"As for when to hold the Rite of Descension," Zhongli continued, "I'll let you discuss that amongst yourselves. Once you've decided, inform me."
"But try not to delay."
His urging left Ningguang with a bitter smile.
To hear him, you'd think Liyue was some dangerous burden everyone wanted to be rid of.
After arranging matters with Ningguang, Zhongli turned his gaze toward Tartaglia, who had been watching quietly from the side.
At once, Tartaglia stiffened.
The others noticed the eye contact and grew curious.
After a long silence, Tartaglia asked awkwardly:
"Head Zhongli… does this concern me?"
Zhongli nodded.
"Your mission in Liyue."
"The Gnosis?"
Tartaglia's lips pressed into a thin line. Only now did he recall—his primary objective in coming to Liyue had been the Gnosis.
But now…
Was that thing even worth pursuing anymore?
The Tsaritsa wasn't blind to the spread of cultivation. She had been on her way to Liyue before he even came up the mountain today.
Clearly, she too saw cultivation as more important than the Gnosis plan.
And having now experienced cultivation firsthand, Tartaglia had cast aside all thoughts of the Gnosis.
How powerful could that thing even be?
Was it really worth forsaking cultivation to chase after it?
Right now, he was mid-stage Refining Essence into Qi, practicing Longshou Peak's Zhixuan Canon, armed with the Blood-Reversing Demon Blade and the Sword-Control Technique.
Soon, he hoped to exchange for the Bloodbane Blade.
Once he reached the peak of Refining Essence into Qi, with his arts and treasures combined, he was confident that—even if he couldn't beat the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles outright—he could certainly land a solid blow.
And this was only the beginning.
There were more techniques to acquire, more ways to grow stronger.
The Gnosis…
Was it even necessary anymore?
With enough time, he alone could achieve the Tsaritsa's great ambition.
If the resources for the Gnosis plan could be traded for contribution points instead—enough to secure the God-Sealing List and the God-Beating Whip…
Then with the Tsaritsa bolstering the nation's destiny, she could instantly enshrine a Refining Essence into Qi stage deity to protect Snezhnaya.
Would even the Heavenly Principles dare threaten them then?
The Gnosis plan… truly seemed pointless now.
Better to focus that time on cultivation.
He was sure that if the Tsaritsa knew the full picture, she would agree.
"For example…" Jean suddenly mused, glancing at the idle Venti beside her.
"Didn't Master Venti also hand over his Gnosis, through Lisa, to the Fatui Harbinger?"
"Eh-heh!"
Venti shrugged without denying it.
That Gnosis had been useless even before. Now it was worth even less.
What was the point of clinging to it?
Zhongli spoke quietly:
"This matter was originally a private arrangement between me and the Tsaritsa, not something to be discussed openly. But in the current circumstances, there's no need to hide it anymore."
"Long ago, the Tsaritsa approached me with her Gnosis plan. And since I wished to abdicate, the Gnosis was meaningless to me."
"So I signed a Contract of Ending with her: when the matter was done, I would return Liyue to its people, and the Gnosis would go to her."
Everyone finally understood.
So both Zhongli and Venti had long been aware of the Tsaritsa's scheme—and had casually lent her a hand.
The dealings of gods truly were peculiar.
Ningguang and the others only shook their heads.
The Gnosis? Just an external magical organ of the Archons. Compared to cultivation, it was nothing.
Since Zhongli himself said so, they wouldn't interfere. It was his business.
Tartaglia, however, suddenly felt clarity—and a strange heaviness—as he looked at Zhongli.
"So from the very beginning… the Gnosis was destined for Her Majesty the Tsaritsa?"
Zhongli nodded.
"Essentially, yes. Provided she helped me fulfill my final contract."
"Then Her Majesty sent me here because…"
A foreboding chill crept into Tartaglia's heart.
The next moment, Zhongli slowly raised his hand.
A dimly glowing Gnosis appeared in his palm.
"While cultivating, I nearly let it shatter from neglect."
"Its divine power has waned, but I reinforced it with true essence. It will hold together."
"You may take it."
Without waiting for agreement, Zhongli tossed the Gnosis straight to Tartaglia.
This was now a truly scalding hot potato.
Yet it had landed firmly in his hands.
This had been his original purpose in coming to Liyue, and now it was his effortlessly.
He should have been overjoyed.
But all Tartaglia could think of was Zhongli's words:
That the Tsaritsa must help him complete his final contract.
She wouldn't act personally. Which meant…
He himself had been sent as her laborer.
The more he thought on it, the more bitter it felt.
This Gnosis was unbearably heavy.
Because helping Zhongli fulfill this contract would waste so much of his cultivation time.
What if others surpassed him while he was tied down?
Unwilling to give in, he tried one last time:
"Head Zhongli, since this final contract is unfinished… why not let Lady Rosalyne handle it?"
But Zhongli gave him no room to escape.
"The Gnosis is already yours. It has nothing more to do with me."
"Besides, I do not doubt you will uphold your word and see my final contract done."
His calm gaze pinned Tartaglia in place. The young Harbinger grimaced bitterly.
Sure enough, he had been drafted as labor.
This final contract—he had no choice but to fulfill it.
Even if it cost him his life, he would not be free until it was completed.
Otherwise, Zhongli had countless ways to deal with him.
The man was, after all, a late-stage Refining Essence into Qi cultivator.
There was no resisting him.
Tartaglia sulked inwardly.
If he couldn't wriggle out of it, then perhaps he could delegate.
Rosalyne was idle in Liyue anyway—better to let her handle it.
She might even welcome the chance.
Helping Longshou Peak's Acting Head might earn her favor with Mount Shu, perhaps even open the door to discipleship.
The more he thought on it, the more sense it made.
With that, he stashed away the Gnosis.
In a week's time, when he could leave Mount Shu, he'd be sure to dump this hot potato into someone else's hands.