Xiao: The Conqueror of Demons and the Enigmatic Adepti of Genshin Impact
Xiao is a powerful figure in Teyvat. He exists where gods and mortals meet. Xiao is an Adeptus, and he is known as the “Conqueror of Demons.” In Liyue’s wilds, if you felt chills, Xiao fought shadows nearby. Who is Xiao, and what are the Adepti? Let’s explore the lore of Genshin Impact.
Xiao Unmasked: Identity of the Vigilant Yaksha
Xiao is more than just a character. He is an Adeptus, a user of magic with a bond to Liyue. Xiao is also a Yaksha, tasked with battling demons. They are ancient demon hunters, a specialized group.
His Adeptus name is Alatus, a name rooted in history. He was not alone; Morax, the Geo Archon, sent five Yakshas to defeat gods. Time and battles killed all but one. Xiao stands alone, surviving the weight of his comrades’ loss. He fights darkness alone, earning the title “Conqueror of Demons.” This title carries the weight of sacrifice.
Xiao’s origins reflect Chinese culture. This aspect adds depth to him. His past weighs on him. He fears reverting to a genocidal being from before Morax. Understanding this power can lead to destruction adds to his internal struggle, making Xiao more compelling.
The Physical Form of an Ancient Guardian
Xiao appears young but is ancient. He has lived for over two thousand years. He appears youthful but has seen much. In the game, he has a medium male model that shapes his movement and identity.
His design bears rich symbolism. Xiao’s colors—white and green—reflect his Adeptus nature and Anemo Vision. These hues serve as ties to his identity. Though he can change forms, he chooses to look human. This choice helps him navigate the mortal world. Look for bird motifs in his design.
The tattoo on his arm bears significance. It shows an upside-down bird and reflects his non-human essence. This design element symbolizes his Yaksha nature. His bird form relates to his Adeptus alias, Alatus. The name links him to Garuda and Peng, mythical creatures from different traditions.
Powers and Abilities: The Arsenal of a Demon Conqueror
Xiao protects Liyue endlessly. His fight against darkness defines him. He faces the remnants of fallen gods. This fight comes at a cost: Xiao is poisoned by dark energy. Imagine battling toxic forces for a millennium.
His Vision is on his hip, signifying power. Some rumors suggest it is fake. The true source of his power may be the diamond in his forehead. This adds mystery to Xiao’s origins. His power predates any Vision, tied to his Adeptus background. Whether a decoy or not, his power is fierce.
Personality and Fears: The Solitude of a Guardian
Xiao commands respect naturally. His age and power evoke reverence. A brief interaction reveals his serious nature. He embodies gravity, reflecting his immense power.
His isolation stems from a dark past. His battles have shaped him profoundly. Xiao remains in shadows, avoiding human warmth. Few mortals recount tales of the Conqueror of Demons. His presence often brings danger. This fear of transforming back into his old self drives deep emotional distance.
A quirk adds a light tone to his character. Notably, he hates dumplings. Unlike others who have favorite foods, Xiao genuinely loathes this dish. This detail humanizes him, showing even Yakshas can have dislikes.
Relationships: Bonds Forged in Duty and Respect
Xiao’s name conveys power, but his birth name is Alatus, aligned with his essence. “Xiao” comes from Zhongli, known as Rex Lapis. This isn’t just renaming; it’s protection. Names hold significance, and shifting his name offers Xiao security separate from Alatus’s past.
The Traveler, Lumine, forms another bond worth noting. Within Genshin, their connection hints at something special. The community sees signs of romantic feelings. The dynamic of a stoic Yaksha and an adventurous Traveler fascinates many.
The Adepti: Illuminated Beings of Liyue
What defines an Adeptus? They are magical beings in Genshin Impact’s lore. Known as 仙人 (Xiān) in Chinese, they hold a crucial role in Liyue’s history. The term “Adepti” signifies spiritual guardians with immense powers.
Adept practitioners are “adept” in the “Way” (道). This Way is a spiritual path, like mastering arcane arts and reaching enlightenment. Adepti have mastered this Way. They gain extraordinary powers and often live long lives.
Genshin’s Adepti are referred to as “Illuminated Beasts” or “Xian.” They possess traits mixing animals, mythical beings, and gods. They are a diverse group, with both beasts and actual deities. Most have an ancient contract with Rex Lapis, protecting Liyue from threats. These guardians operate under the leadership of Rex Lapis, now Zhongli in mortal form.
Adepti share a vital trait with Youkai from Inazuma and Dragons: immortality. They live beyond human lifespans, witnessing centuries and millennia. However, their number isn’t fixed. It’s fluid, with new Adepti appearing and some fading away. They mainly come from Liyue, strongly linked to its land. Some, like Morax, were gods who became Adepti, blurring these lines. Adepti can also take humanoid forms, allowing interactions with humans or perhaps out of preference.
Notable Adepti: A Pantheon of Protectors
Several notable names exist among the Adepti. Ganyu stands out; she is half-Qilin and half-human. This unique heritage blends Adepti and human lineage. There’s Yanfei, a human who is the granddaughter of Madame Ping, a full-blooded Adeptus. This connection signifies the ties between human and Adepti worlds. Madame Ping is a significant full-blooded Adeptus known for her wisdom and gentle demeanor, often present in Liyue Harbor.
The history of Adepti includes tragedy. Skybracer was an Adeptus who died protecting Liyue during the Archon War. His sacrifice emphasizes the dangers faced by Adepti guardians. They follow Rex Lapis, many bound to him by contract for Liyue’s safety. Adepti like Cloud Retainer and Mountain Shaper maintain non-human forms, making the concept of a Vision intriguing. Humans believe these Adepti possess an “inner eye,” similar to a Vision, for elemental control without needing a physical gem.
Adepti and Visions: Inner Power vs. Outer Display
The topic of Visions and Adepti presents ambiguity. Adepti like Cloud Retainer and Mountain Shaper wield innate elemental power through inherent capability, needing no external Vision. Yet Xiao, who often adopts a human form, is seen wearing a Vision. This choice might help him blend in and meet human expectations. It’s a tactical move to navigate society without attracting undue attention.
Some theorize Adepti wear “fake” Visions in human forms. These are imitations not granted by Celestia, acting as camouflage. They allow Adepti to blend among humans simply, evading suspicion while maintaining a low profile. This strategy helps these powerful beings interact with the mortal world without fully revealing their true nature.
Xiao’s Haunting Past: From Alatus to Guardian
Xiao’s journey underwent profound change. He was originally known as Alatus. In his early days, Alatus was young, naive, and kind. His life shifted when a cruel god exploited his weakness. This malevolent deity enslaved Alatus, forcing him into horrific acts.
While enslaved, Alatus acted as a “bloodhound” for his captor, fulfilling cruel orders. He caused many deaths, shattering lives. He was even compelled to devour his victims’ dreams. This dark past shapes his current personality and struggles. It causes immense suffering and trauma, leaving deep mental scars. This history drives his current battles, as he seeks to atone for his forced actions.
Glimpses of Otherworldly Beings: Archons and Deities
For context on Xiao and the Adepti, let’s briefly mention other powerful beings in Genshin lore. Take Qiqi, an innocent herb gatherer at Bubu Pharmacy. She is undead, “blessed” by the Adepti with immortality but in a childlike zombie form. Qiqi’s existence showcases the Adepti’s influence on non-Adepti beings.
Yae Miko from Inazuma is another ancient being. A kitsune over 500 years old, she witnessed many events in Teyvat history, including the Khaenri’ah cataclysm. Her age and ties to Grand Narukami Shrine place her as a figure of knowledge and power. Then there’s Raiden Ei, the current Electro Archon, also known as Beelzebul, part of the entity called the Raiden Shogun. The Shogun is a puppet created by Ei, who exists in a separate consciousness to rule Inazuma while pursuing eternity. Ei is also the twin sister of Makoto, adding depth to her character.
Archons like Morax (Zhongli), Venti, Raiden Ei, and the Tsaritsa are gods assigned to specific elements and regions. Adepti are often called demigods, blessed by or created by Archons. Morax is considered the progenitor of many Adepti, including Madame Ping. Zhongli, formerly Morax, isn’t just old; he’s ancient, over 6,000 years old. His age is intertwined with Liyue’s history and makes him the oldest character in Genshin Impact. His power capabilities, like creating mountain-sized spears, are formidable.
Venti isn’t just the God of Wind; he represents Freedom as the Anemo Archon. This distinction shows the multifaceted roles of Archons beyond elemental control. The Archons’ history involves change; for example, Baal refers to two sisters. The original Baal died 500 years ago during a cataclysm, succeeded by her twin sister Beelzebul who took the name “Baal,” adding complexity to the Archon lineage.
There are other deities too, like Orobashi no Mikoto, an ancient dragon-like serpent god defeated by Raiden Ei at Yashiori Island. These beings shape Teyvat’s lore and landscape as the Adepti like Xiao battle against these powerful entities.
Xiao’s Gameplay Weaknesses: Mortal Limitations?
The mighty Conqueror of Demons has his limitations, especially in gameplay mechanics. In Genshin Impact, discussions often revolve around Xiao’s build and team compositions. Weapon choice can be crucial; certain weapons may not enhance his damage output effectively. Energy Recharge (ER%) sands are often debated as a weakness for Xiao. This is important for his Elemental Burst, yet over-prioritization might hinder overall damage potential.
The changing Abyss rotations in the Spiral Abyss present more challenges for Xiao. Certain enemy types or Ley Line Disorders can affect his play style, complicating specific Abyss cycles for him. While ER% sands aid burst uptime, they can reduce Xiao’s damage ceiling; players frequently navigate this trade-off. However, these weaknesses balance his strengths like his Anemo damage and plunge attack prowess, making him a remarkable damage dealer with the right setups.
The Vision of Peace: Xiao’s Acceptance
Lastly, let’s return to Xiao’s Vision. The lore behind it is poignant, given his troubled past and ongoing struggles. Xiao received his Vision during a rare moment of peace amidst despair. This detail holds significance. His Vision wasn’t granted at victory but during an instance of inner calm, a brief escape from battles within.
This suggests that Xiao’s Vision embodies his longing for peace, a desire to find solace amidst darkness. It symbolizes hope and may serve as a reward for resilience. In Xiao’s case, his Vision isn’t just a power source; it symbolizes durability and hints at the elusive tranquility he craves. It reminds us that even the darkest warriors hold a deep yearning for peace.
