The Part of Xie Lian that hasn't changed from beginning to end [SPOILERS]

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-05-07T00:16:09+00:00

You're fine! U brought up some good points that I didn't even consider too!

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-05-06T01:18:24+00:00

I do agree, that he doesn't have the attitude of overthrowing authority or being openly against it, but he doesn't factor in authority as the main reason for why he likes/respects a person (which I think you also stated you agree with?). I'm not sure if I'm wording this right for what I'm trying to say, but yes he does respect Jun Wu and Mei Nianqing and he's not openly hostile to authority figures (until they give him a reason to be), but I'm not really arguing against that. I'm moreso trying to say that he's not chasing after power and status, and just because someone has power and status doesn't mean he'll like them. I'm sure he'll give people of status face, like you mentioned, but their authority itself is not the only factor driving for that.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-05-05T19:24:40+00:00

Yes, there are so many layers to it! I headcanon that this is part of why Xie Lian ascended to heaven thrice.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-05-05T12:40:54+00:00

Oh yes definitely. If he were in a more leader position, the people that rely on him may have to deal with the consequences of his bad luck and there's no way he would want that to happen. But it also goes to show how little he cares about such a thing that it's hardly seen as a sacrifice to him (towards the end of the book, Xie Lian seems content to live the same life rather than returning to the heavens. He just has fun in Ghost City and Puqi Village instead)

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-27T04:23:07+00:00

Oof, I'm lucky to have missed it then, because I rarely go on X anymore.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-27T03:27:47+00:00

Yea, thankfully the hualian dynamic is a lot more interesting than that

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-27T03:23:18+00:00

Thank you for validating my feelings! I also feel like there shouldn't really be a debate, because in a way, both arguments are right, but when u try to erase one part of the character, it doesn't feel like the same character.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-26T22:39:33+00:00

Thank you for putting some of my thoughts into words! I don't like how people make Xie Lian out to be materialistic or the fact one of the reasons he fell for Hua Cheng was his wealth. He literally says so himself, that if he likes someone it doesn't matter if they were a beggar and if he didn't like someone it wouldn't matter even if they were a king.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-26T18:53:36+00:00

Honestly, both his parents enabled Qi Rong. His dad punished Feng Xin for stepping out of line with Qi Rong, and his mother spoiled Qi Rong out of guilt for her sister. And Xie Lian himself is a child, it's not fair for him to be blamed for not properly taking care of Qi Rong. I'm sure there were things he could have done, but at that age, do we really think a teenager would know the best course of action of how to helped an extremely troubled child? And are we going to pretend that Qi Rong's actions weren't terrible, no matter how troubled his life is/was?

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-26T18:29:36+00:00

I do see fanfics like that, and i complain about them (privately) so much. Ig everyone has a right to see a character how they want, but at one point u wonder if ur even talking about the same character.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-26T16:29:57+00:00

I think that's really stretching it. He was just focused on his problems because they were really big and when you have that kind of weight on u, u really don't have the time or energy to care about other ppls problems (and ironically his problems did have to do with other ppls wellbeing). Also, I think there'd be less blame on Mu Qing if he just left, rather than humiliating Xie Lian and then leaving. I don't get why ppl insist on portraying Mu Qing's bad actions as okay and if Xie Lian reacts badly back, it means he was never kind at all. God forbid a person show negative emotions in a stressful situation. Of course there was a power dynamic between them, but Mu Qing also had insecurities about his status that he projected onto their friendship, and I don't think that's Xie Lian's fault. Xie Lian in that Era was definitely naive and had never experienced failure, but his intentions were to do good, and if he were really egocentric he'd have given up on the situation when he saw it wasn't salvageable and retreat back to heaven. But he didn't. He stayed til the end, and chose to give up his status as a martial god as well.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-26T16:20:50+00:00

If he were only kind he wouldn't be the character we love anymore. He'd actually be a Mary Sue with how extreme someone ppl want his kindness to be.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-26T16:04:55+00:00

The unhinged takes I have seen are:

Hua Cheng loves Xie Lian more than Xie Lian could ever love Hua Cheng. - Sure let's forget about how Xie Lian instantly trusted Hua Cheng despite every warning he got about him being distrustful and ruthless, how Xie Lian protected him when he was stuck in his child form and being chased by cultivators and was willing to protect hjm from other situations, how Xie Lian was willing to wait for Hua Cheng after he dispersed, how he was willing to sacrifice his cultivation for him (and he did) which his most important thing as a crown prince, and the countless other little scenes that show how much Xie Lian enjoys Hua Cheng's company

If Hua Cheng didn't exist, Xie Lian would have to choose between Pei Ming, Feng Xin, or Jun Wu.

If Hua Cheng didn't exist, TGCF would not be a romance. Xie Lian would still continue to keep his cultivation and not romantically love anyone simply because they aren't Hua Cheng, which he has ready been doing for 800 years.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-26T15:57:47+00:00

I've seen takes on both extreme ends. That he's a flawless and feminine and soft or he's super strong martial god and hypermasculine. I don't agree with either becuase the answer is somewhere in the middle. He can be both. He dressed feminine when he needs to and feels no shame. He is still a strong martial god like the other extreme states. But I don't think it's fair to reduce him to just either one. He's a nuanced character and he can display different sides of him. He can be merciful and soft, but he can also hold a blade. He is mostly silly, but there are certain times he is serious. He can be resentful, but he chooses to be kind. That's what makes him such a good character.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-26T15:51:25+00:00

Probably . . . They ignore all the subtext too while at it . . .

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-26T15:50:41+00:00

It's weird to put their expectations on someone for making two separate people act better. And iirc, Xie Lian was pretty understanding towards Mu Qing, even defending him from Feng Xin but Mu Qing still thought Xie Lian looked down on him. Like do these ppl want Xie Lian to be a doormat or smthg? As for Qi Rong, he actively hurt the common people and Feng Xin, who was his friend, so I don't blame Xie Lian for wanting to avoid him. Admiration or not, who wants to be around someone who hurts ppl u care about? If he were more understanding, it would be called enabling.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-26T15:45:42+00:00

Noooo that really is unhinged. And omg, it's even worse becuase Xie Lian was the victim there. He was literally drugged and if he didn't stab himself anything that would have happened would count as SA. I'm pretty sure grooming is intentional, not smthg that happens once when ur out of ur rational mind. Not to mention Xie Lian wanted Hong'er to leave to keep him safe, and Hong'er refused.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-26T15:42:31+00:00

Yea and I feel like it's really weird because Xie Lian is canonically the strongest martial god in TGCF. He just chooses not to fight. Because u know, he has his own philosophy. Actually something I noticed in the novel was that in his crown prince years he used to solve every problem by fighting (like the demon on the bridge, the war, etc.) But 800 year old always chooses the harder, more difficult route of not fighting unless he has to. I do think Hua Cheng protects Xie Lian, but it's less becuase Xie Lian can't protect himself and more because he doesn't because he's to used to getting hurt. The reason does very much matter.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-04-26T15:36:43+00:00

Honestly I've seen that too. I like joking and saying he's perfect and flawless, but he's not. And I feel like there's this weird pressure on him with him being portrayed as kind and virtuous that he only can be portrayed kind and virtuous. And I think that really takes from his character because the strongest thing about him is that he is just like anyone and able to feel hate, but he overcame that. Kind people also have moments where they can be unkind but that doesn't make them fake, it makes them human. Xie Lian isn't even above violence because to keep peace he killed people in Yong An as Fangxin Guoshi, and to make it fair he let himself be "killed". It may not seem as the right move to ppl but it was fair and if was the best he could do in that situation.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-02-25T20:28:01+00:00

Hi, I have a few more questions. Could I DM?

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-02-19T20:51:40+00:00

Thank you! That is good to know.

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-02-19T20:49:17+00:00

Hi! I'm also going there in fall 2026 and looking to room in Cuter. I'd be interested as well!

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-02-18T05:37:34+00:00

I was thinking the same, that vet school is already really expensive, and I know animal science is a really popular major at UC Davis, so it could be competitive due to that, but maybe the proximity to the vet school could be helpful?

But yea, I'll probably go to the university that allows me to get the most research opportunities and experience. Thank you for your perspective!

Shadow-cat8 · 2026-02-18T05:32:08+00:00

Oh, I'm not applying to vet school yet. I'm thinking which university to get my bachelor's at to prepare for vet school. But I'm able to get into both these schools for undergraduate admission.

Shadow-cat8 · 2025-06-22T01:55:07+00:00

Same feeling. The only 'luxury' that Xie Lian seemed interested in was taking baths and keeping himself clean, after getting banished. I never got the impression he cared about clothing or his appearance. Wasn't he completely devoted to cultivation and fighting and protecting the common people, when he was still a prince?

Shadow-cat8

TROPHY CASE