Xie Ling

Overview

Xie Ling (谢灵) is a sword cultivator of the Dragon Springs Sword Sect (龙泉剑宗) in Baoping Continent and the fourth disciple of Saint Ruan Qiong. Born in Peach Leaf Alley (桃叶巷) of the Lizhu Grotto-Heaven, he is a direct descendant of the powerful Heavenly Lord Xie Shi.

Possessing exceptional fortune and natural talent, Xie Ling grew to become one of the Ten Young Prodigies (年轻十人) of Baoping Continent. Despite being viewed by many outsiders as the most likely candidate to succeed Ruan Qiong as the sect master, Xie Ling harbors no ambitions for the position, preferring to focus entirely on his own Dao and his deep, unrequited admiration for his Eldest Senior Sister, Ruan Xiu.

Appearance and Personality

Xie Ling is a remarkably handsome youth with distinctive long eyebrows, earning him the nickname "the long-eyebrowed youth of the Xie family" (谢家长眉儿). As a true child of a wealthy and prominent family in the grotto-heaven, he grew up without experiencing hardship, which occasionally made him appear slightly naive in worldly matters compared to figures like Chen Ping'an.

Within the Dragon Springs Sword Sect, he was tasked with managing sect discipline (戒律). He was known among his junior disciples for being extremely strict, cold, and unsympathetic, rarely showing anyone a friendly face. However, this stern exterior melts away completely in the presence of Ruan Xiu, whom he refers to affectionately as "Sister Xiu Xiu." His feelings for her are an open secret on the mountain, though he often fails to hide his jealousy or awkwardness when confronted by Chen Ping'an.

Cultivation and Abilities

Xie Ling is a uniquely gifted cultivator with a diverse set of skills, standing out even among the elite of his generation.

• Realm and Path: He is a Nascent Soul (元婴境) sword cultivator. Ruan Xiu once predicted that he would be the first disciple of the Dragon Springs Sword Sect to reach the Jade Pu Realm (玉璞境).
• Diverse Mastery: In addition to his primary path as a sword cultivator, Xie Ling is also a deeply hidden array master (阵师) and is highly proficient in alchemy (炼丹). Ruan Xiu also imparted to him a nameless sword technique that was well-suited to his disposition.
• Treasures and Artifacts:
  • Linglong Pagoda (玲珑宝塔): An artifact of near-immortal (仙兵) quality gifted to him by the Daoist patriarch Lu Chen. It is capable of suppressing demons and spirits below the Upper Five Realms. The pagoda itself constitutes a complete Dao lineage, allowing Xie Ling to comprehend arrays and talismans by studying it.
  • Peach Leaf (桃叶): A sword immortal's relic left behind by a fallen Beiju Luzhou sword cultivator. His ancestor Xie Shi gifted it to him so that it could be refined into one of his natal objects, granting him immense offensive power.
  • Full Moon (满月): A top-tier sword-nurturing gourd, also gifted to him by Xie Shi.

History

Born into the wealthy Xie family of Peach Leaf Alley, Xie Ling experienced a smooth entry into cultivation when Ruan Qiong established the Dragon Springs Sword Sect. He became the fourth disciple—the youngest among the founding generation—but rapidly outpaced many due to his innate talent and the immense resources granted by his ancestor, Xie Shi, and the Daoist patriarch Lu Chen.

Because of his swift progression, strict adherence to rules, and prestigious background, many external observers and visiting dignitaries assumed he was the undisputed heir to the Dragon Springs Sword Sect. However, Xie Ling never desired the position. When Liu Xianyang eventually returned and was recognized as the next sect master, Xie Ling felt nothing but relief, viewing Liu Xianyang's ascension as a natural choice that allowed him to dedicate himself entirely to breaking through his Nascent Soul bottleneck.

Xie Ling's prowess eventually earned him a spot among the Ten Young Prodigies of Baoping Continent, steadily climbing the ranks and surpassing figures like Fenglei Manor's Liu Baqiao.

Relationships

• Ruan Qiong: His master. Though Ruan Qiong's teachings are strict, he recognizes Xie Ling's immense potential.
• Ruan Xiu: His Eldest Senior Sister. Xie Ling harbors a deep, respectful crush on her, constantly seeking her approval and eagerly learning the techniques she casually passes down to him.
• Xie Shi: His ancestor and a Heavenly Lord of Beiju Luzhou. Xie Shi provided him with unparalleled resources, treating him as the prime hope of the Xie lineage.
• Liu Xianyang: His senior brother and the current Sect Master of the Dragon Springs Sword Sect. Xie Ling respects Liu Xianyang and willingly submits to his leadership, even happily enduring Liu's relentless teasing.
• Chen Ping'an: Originally a poor boy from Muddy Bottle Alley. Xie Ling viewed Chen Ping'an with a mix of curiosity, jealousy, and apprehension, primarily because of Chen Ping'an's closeness to Ruan Xiu. Over time, he learned to avoid provoking Chen Ping'an, realizing the young hidden official's psychological upper hand.

Quotes

• (To Liu Xianyang regarding the sect master position) "Liu Senior Brother can cultivate Li Shenyuan from Zhu Hai Peak more. I feel that youth has the bearing of a sect master."

References

• 剑来12：人间羊肠道，第一章 — 山水依旧: Introduces Xie Ling as the Fourth Senior Brother in charge of discipline, notes his strictness, his long eyebrows, and reveals his connection to his ancestor Xie Shi.
• 剑来14：江清月近人，第二章 — 陈平安的落魄山: Details Lu Chen's gift of the Linglong Pagoda and showcases his unrequited feelings for Ruan Xiu through an encounter with Chen Ping'an.
• 剑来17：一洲皆起剑，第四章 — 思无邪: Outlines the immense treasures he possesses, specifically the "Peach Leaf" sword relic and the "Full Moon" sword-nurturing gourd given by Xie Shi.
• 剑来28：清都山水郎，第二章 — 夜游京城: Confirms his status as a Nascent Soul sword cultivator, array master, and alchemist, and establishes his ranking within the Ten Young Prodigies of Baoping Continent.
• 剑来31：观礼正阳山，第七章 — 问剑做客两不误: Mentions the widespread assumption among mountain cultivators that Xie Ling was the designated future sect master of the Dragon Springs Sword Sect.