Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Xianle, Xie Lian ascended to Heaven at seventeen, adored by all. Banished twice, he achieves a third ascension eight hundred years later, to the laughter of the gods who call him "the laughingstock of the three realms". His first mission leads him toward a mysterious ghost king.
Personality
Gentle, humble and endlessly patient, Xie Lian accepts humiliation with a smile. Behind this serenity lie deep wounds and an extraordinary strength of character, forged by eight centuries of hardship.
Powers & abilities
A former martial god, he remains a remarkable swordsman and wields Ruoye, a silk band with a will of its own. He is also struck by legendary bad luck and a cursed shackle that limits his powers.
History
His first ascension ends with the fall of the Kingdom of Xianle, which he could not save. Banished, he wanders for centuries, collecting scrap to survive. His third ascension brings him face to face with his past, the gods who scorned him and Hua Cheng, who seems to have known him forever.
Relationships
Hua Cheng, the feared ghost king, is his most faithful companion and the love of his life. Feng Xin and Mu Qing, his former servants turned gods, have a complicated relationship with him.
Key moments
- His third ascension, which shakes Heaven with laughter.
- Meeting San Lang, the young man who turns out to be Hua Cheng.
- The memories of Xianle's fall, which reveal his past.
In the adaptations
Haoliners' donghua, launched in 2020, is praised for its beautiful backgrounds and music. Mo Xiang Tong Xiu's novel remains the reference for his full story with Hua Cheng.
Did you know?
- His youthful motto, "Body in the abyss, heart in paradise", sums up his journey.
- The novel is by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, also the author of Mo Dao Zu Shi.
Our take
Xie Lian is one of the genre's most endearing protagonists, because his strength comes from kindness rather than power. His story with Hua Cheng is a model of devotion.
— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan