HoYoverse has released "Stone and Contracts," a new Genshin Impact cutscene animation built around Zhongli and the Nail of Retribution. The roughly 90-second video went up last night at 9:01 PM MST and has passed 11,800 likes. HoYoverse's description reads: "As Mora, the symbol of contracts, took shape in the hand of the God of Contracts, Liyue had weathered its trial. With that, the first mark of the Nail of Retribution vanished." Check out the official post down below:
The post is tagged #Zhongli, and the animation keeps the focus on him for nearly its full length, with no gameplay footage. It runs 1 minute and 31 seconds and was published on X and YouTube under the title "Cutscene Animation: 'Stone and Contracts' | Genshin Impact." HoYoverse's post does not say where in the current story the cutscene plays.
What Happens In "Stone And Contracts"
The video opens in a dark cavern lit only by a towering blue Nail, covered in cracks and glowing lines. Shards of crystal break away from it and drift through the air, and Zhongli appears suspended inside a ring of amber light, surrounded by the Nail's blue energy. He walks forward with gold light running through his coat, and a single coin of Mora takes shape at his fingertips while his eyes stay closed.
Zhongli speaks once over these shots: "The currencies that flow through this land are my flesh and blood. For thus did I become the guarantor of the people's hard work, wisdom and future. This is the trust I have placed in them. Betray it, and you taint my blood."
After the Mora forms, the glowing mark on the Nail fades out. The final shot moves above ground, where a bright star flares in the sky and Paimon and a companion look up at it from a city rooftop. HoYoverse's upload of the animation is below:
Liyue, Mora And The God Of Contracts
Zhongli is the God of Contracts, the Geo Archon of Liyue, who was worshipped as Rex Lapis before he stepped away from that role and began living among the people of Liyue Harbor. Mora is Genshin Impact's main currency, and in Liyue's story it stands as proof of Rex Lapis's contract with the people. In the current Archon Quest, the adeptus Xianyun explains Mora in those terms.
The story of Version 7.2 centers on a phenomenon called the Hallowing and a set of 6 Trials of Usurpation. Liyue's trial was built around contracts, and it was the first of the 6 to succeed. "Stone and Contracts" shows the moment that trial ends, with the first mark on the Nail disappearing.
The Nails of Retribution were cast down onto Teyvat by Celestia. Version 7.1, "A Rekviem for the Underworld," released on September 23, included the world quest "Anomaly: Liyue," which took players and Xiao to The Chasm, where a Nail fell into the land.
Where Genshin Impact Is Now
The animation comes a week after Version 7.2, "Hour of Ruin," launched on November 4 with Archon Quest Chapter VII Act V, "Hour of Ruin." The update added Mitya and Valeriy as new characters, and HoYoverse released Mitya's character trailer ahead of the launch, as covered in Genshin Impact Drops The Mitya Character Trailer Ahead Of Version 7.2 Release.
Genshin Impact is also running a collaboration in Japan, with in-game rewards starting next week, as covered in Genshin Impact x McDonald's Japan Adds A Wind Glider And Namecard From November 18.
Which of the other nations do you think will face the next trial of the Nail of Retribution after Liyue?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.