(May contain spoilers from the ‘Turning Point’ Archon Quest)
(CTTO: https://pin.it/18PeiiL)
The Geo Archon, Morax, once had a lover or close friend,the God of Dust, Guizhong (she Made the Guizhong Ballista, to protect the people of Liyue) she was known to be a very wise god that has well understanding about Agriculture and Engeneering. (I’m not very sure about this part, but—) While the archon war was happening, she sacrificed her life in aid for Zhongli. She passed her wisdom to Zhongli in form of Memory of Dust.
--- From the Memory of Dust Lore
"He remembers meeting the young woman with the billowing sleeves, remembers the way she acted solemn, yet seemed joyful when she presented him this token. What a silly notion. There was no formal contract between them. They were merely two people walking the same path for their own reasons... But he remembers the scene of their first meeting anyway, when the Glaze Lilies were still in abundant bloom. He also remembers those words she spoke at the end — again, amid the Glaze Lilies."
Some theories even say that Ningguang is the reincarnation of the God of Dust (as Guizhong loved Glazed Lilies) Ningguang also summoned the Guizhong Ballistas in the Qixing vs. Fatui fight (but Cloud Retainer is the one who fixed them).
I've also seen someone say that Ningguang's constellation, Opus Aequilibrium, looks like the Guizhong ballista (which seems to be stretching it, but yes, it kinda does.)
(Edit:)
When it comes to personality and abilities, Ningguang and Guizhong are both said to be kind and caring, yet Ningguang is pretty damn ruthless to her competitors, overall, she's very nice. Again, Guizhong is a God and Ningguang is a human, yet they're abilities are simillar, they're both knowledgable in engeneering, Cloud Retainer even said that she is jealous of Ningguang engeneering advancements ,her floating chamber and such, and wants to compete with her. For that, she made her abode a whole puzzle. (it's a reincarnation, they're different version of one spirit, meaning they are not supposed to be the same.)
Going bach to the Memory of Dust, which Guizhong gave to Zhongli saying, and I quote "All my wisdom is hidden within this stone dumbbell." Coincidentally enough, This weapon is said to be one of the best weapons for Ningguang.
More about Guizhong: BONUS! :))
Guizhong died protecting Guili Plains in the Archon War. The story stated Zhongli was there, and being one of the most powerful archons of his time, how could he not have protected his dearest friend. We could’ve assumed she was going to be safe, in her motherland, being protected by her friend. How did she die? Theories say Zhongli Killed her.
Text from the stone Tablets in Guili Plains:
"...A god named Guizhong descended, whose dominion was over Dust, and whose reach shrouded the skies for thousands of miles around..." (Guizhong)
"...Then another god descended, whose dominion was over Geo, and who brought the people of Liyue to this place. Jointly they shepherded the people for their protection..." (Zhongli)
"...And the assembly was named Guili after the names of the two gods..."
--When looking through the stone tablets in Guili Plains you can see evidence of a fight.
"...and there they fought upon the Guili Plains, where black dust choked the heavens and a thousand rocks splintered..."
Why did Zhongli kill Guizhong?
“Black dust” people have been saying she’s been corrupted. Why did she get corrupted in the first place? I can’t really say. (Aka, I don’t know.)
The Mask of Solitude Basalt (The Archaic Petra artefact set Mask) states that ‘Rex Lapis’ aspect was that of boundless slaughter’ and ‘he would show no mercy, even to friends-turned-foes’
(!!Zhongli and Guizhong might not be Lovers!!)
this could ultumately be true, but you can choose to/not to believe it. :))
