“The crown prince was not interested in imperial power or wealth in the mortal world at all. What he was interested in, in his own words, was: ‘I want to save the common people!’”

This quote illustrates the core of Xie Lian’s personality. Despite being a well-loved prince with every possible advantage—wealth, status, and power—what he desires most is not personal gain but to save the common people. His idealism sets him apart from other heavenly officials, who are often preoccupied with maintaining their own power or reputation. Xie Lian’s belief in selfless service is the foundation of his character, shaping his actions throughout the novel. However, Xie Lian later regrets these words, believing them to be naive. His repeated failures and the suffering he endures make him question whether his lofty ideals were ever achievable. Xie Lian becomes disillusioned, feeling that his efforts were ultimately meaningless since he could not save everyone. However, despite this despair, he never truly abandons his original goal. Even when stripped of his power and reduced to wandering the mortal realm as a poor scrap collector, he continues to help those in need, proving that his compassion is not rooted in his status as a prince or a god but in his fundamental nature.