At Storyteller Liu Su's stall in Liyue Harbor, a uniquely dressed young man had taken Liu Su's usual place, narrating a story about the Rock God.
"Before he led the Adepti to war, the God Guizhong came to bid him farewell."
In front of the silent Rock God, Guizhong smiled as always. In his eyes, this was just another campaign—Arkon would repel the invading God as he always did, and return victorious. Yet, unlike before, Guizhong added another sentence to her farewell:
"Morax, I have a gift for you when you return."
The Rock God did not pay much attention to his friend's words. He simply smiled and nodded, believing it would be the same as every other time—he would return soon.
But shortly after the Adepti marched to war, Guizhong was attacked by other Gods. The Goddess of Dust, unskilled in combat, still fought tirelessly to protect her people. When Arkon heard the news at the frontlines, he rushed back with all his might. Unfortunately, by the time he returned to Guili Plains, Guizhong had already fallen. She turned into nothing but dust, leaving behind only a strange lock.
"To prevent the death of a God from causing a shockwave, the Adepti sealed Guizhong's remains, while the Archon took the strange lock."
"Morax, I have sealed all the secrets of my heart in this lock. As long as you open it, you will know my feelings."
Guizhong had sealed her emotions inside that lock, preparing to give it to Arkon when he returned. But it was too late. She was unable to see him one last time, nor could she express her words herself. Only the strange lock remained.
"That is the origin of the Abyss Key."
After finishing the tale, the young man stepped down, sat at a nearby table, and poured himself tea. The audience sat in silence, lost in thought.
"So the Abyss Key has such a history…"
At the tea table, a 19-year-old woman in a purple dress with cat-ear-shaped hair ornaments couldn't help but exclaim. She then turned to the noble-looking young man beside her.
"Mr. Zhongli, you are so knowledgeable. Do you know more about the Abyss Key?"
Zhongli thought for a moment before replying calmly.
"As far as I know, the Abyss Key was indeed created by Guizhong, the Goddess of Dust. However, I am not aware that any secrets were sealed inside. Generally speaking, as a God, she should not have left behind such words."
"Zhongli, that's where you're wrong."
The storyteller put down his teacup and interrupted.
"Oh? Why do you say so?"
"Because no one knows Guizhong better than I do!"
He spread his arms, one hand forming an OK sign, the other pointing to the sky.
"What you know, Zhongli, comes only from historical records—and don't forget, history is always written from the perspective of the Rock God. But what does the Rock God know of feelings? He's a stone. He only knows battles, and is completely clueless about a woman's heart. He mistook her feelings for nothing more than friendship."
The corners of Zhongli's mouth twitched slightly, but he chose not to argue. The purple-haired woman frowned instead.
"People call me disrespectful to the Archon, but Li Yue, you're even worse! If anyone else heard you dare call the Archon 'just a rock,' Millelith would arrest you immediately."
"That might be true if I said it in front of others, Keqing, but with only you and Zhongli here, there's no need to worry."
The young man pointed toward her with a carefree smile.
"Keqing, the Yuheng Star of Liyue. At last year's Rite of Descension, you openly questioned the Archon, and people secretly branded you as 'the Archon's opponent.'"
Then he turned to Zhongli.
"And here we have Zhongli, the consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Learned as he is, he constantly refutes stories about the Rock God. Some even call him the leader of Liyue's Archon-opposers."
"You two are the Sleeping Dragon and the Young Phoenix of Liyue!"
The three of them sat in silence at his outrageous claim. In truth, Keqing was known for opposing blind reliance on the Archon, believing humans must govern themselves. Zhongli, meanwhile, was seen as a refined scholar who questioned even more deeply than Keqing.
And the storyteller? He was just an immigrant from the 21st century, his name meaning "joyous," and he admitted himself to be nothing more than a mischievous troublemaker—one who dared tease even the Archon himself.
Naturally, both Keqing and Zhongli twitched at his words.
Meanwhile, the other listeners who had recovered from the Abyss Key tale pressed forward with curiosity.
"Mr. Li Yue, if the Abyss Key really sealed the Goddess of Dust's secrets, did the Archon ever open it?"
"No!" Li Yue said firmly.
"With his power, the Archon could have done so easily. But he chose not to. Instead, he kept the Abyss Key sealed—preserving it as the last relic of his old friend. For him, this was his way of carrying the pain of loss."
"…So he never opened it."
Keqing sighed with regret. She longed to know the Goddess's secrets. Zhongli, however, nodded approvingly.
"For the Rock God, the departure of an old friend is indeed a heavy form of grief."
"I knew you would say that, Zhongli."
Li Yue shook his head with mock disappointment.
"Oh?"
Zhongli looked at him curiously.
"Because your personality is like a rock, too."
"…Let's not speak of rocks anymore," Zhongli muttered, falling silent.
"And since he never opened it, the Archon never knew Guizhong's true feelings. That disappointed another of her friends—the Streetward Rambler. Heartbroken, she left and lived in seclusion."
"The Streetward Rambler?" Keqing was surprised. She had heard of the name but not in detail.
"Indeed. She was one of Liyue's ancient Adepti. Unlike others, she could not accept the Archon's ignorance of Guizhong's heart. Before leaving, she left only one remark."
"What did she say?" The audience leaned in, even Zhongli.
"She said… 'The Archon does not understand human hearts.'"