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No Paths Are Bound: Part One
Part 1:
Book Four Content (Seven Seas Vol. 6): Chapters 2 - 14
A re-telling of TGCF where Xie Lian has his cursed shackle placed in his eyes, blinding him. And yet, through all of his struggles; there is always someone watching over him.
Book Four Content (Seven Seas Vol. 6): Chapters 2 - 14
A re-telling of TGCF where Xie Lian has his cursed shackle placed in his eyes, blinding him. And yet, through all of his struggles; there is always someone watching over him.
- GenresFan FictionFantasy
398 pages, ebook
Published September 8, 2022
3 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 18, 2024
reopening my wounds and seasoning them with salt and lime.
August 11, 2025
He's a god of flowers. A god of orphans and beggars. A god of tapestries, campfire songs, and meat buns, split to share.
Reread August 4th, 2025
Bumping it up to 5/5
Still so, so good. Even though I read it a few months ago, this time, I feel everything just as strongly again.
I love Xie Lian and Hong-er's relationship so much. Every aspect of it.
And Xie Lian's suffering was killing me. My poor boy doesn't deserve it.
First read March 10th, 2025
4.5/5
So damn good. I started crying only a few chapters in.
This starts with the most desperate times for Xie Lian, but there's also some hope to be had. And so far, this retelling seems amazing. It adds to the original story the content we all crave for. Yet the important parts remain.
Of course, we get more HuaLian content. And it's painful and beautiful at the same time.
There are some inconsistencies in the story connected to Xie Lian's sight, but considering how quickly it was written... I don't have much to complain about. And honestly, I don't want to. I'm enjoying this a lot!
Reread August 4th, 2025
Bumping it up to 5/5
Still so, so good. Even though I read it a few months ago, this time, I feel everything just as strongly again.
I love Xie Lian and Hong-er's relationship so much. Every aspect of it.
And Xie Lian's suffering was killing me. My poor boy doesn't deserve it.
First read March 10th, 2025
4.5/5
So damn good. I started crying only a few chapters in.
This starts with the most desperate times for Xie Lian, but there's also some hope to be had. And so far, this retelling seems amazing. It adds to the original story the content we all crave for. Yet the important parts remain.
Of course, we get more HuaLian content. And it's painful and beautiful at the same time.
There are some inconsistencies in the story connected to Xie Lian's sight, but considering how quickly it was written... I don't have much to complain about. And honestly, I don't want to. I'm enjoying this a lot!
February 17, 2024
3.5 stars
I watched a ColeyDoesThings video in which she interviewed a fanfiction writer (slash lawyer, discussing the legality of fanfiction), and since this person sounded so smart, I had to check out her work.
Lo and behold, I found this behemoth. Monstrosity, if you will.
I didn't want to start it at first, but it just kept picking at my mind (for all of one evening), and I gave in with a shrug of my shoulders and the thought: This might as well happen.
I LOVE the idea of Xie Lian being blind, and I'm curious to see what new directions this story goes.
All the notes!
- Very sad and thoughtful
- xl gay from the start lol. I kind of enjoyed him finding out very unexpectedly and the comedy of it all, but alright, we roll.
- Hong-er doing his hair is CUTE.
- I actually am really interested in this iteration of them actually bonding and living together for so long while HC was still alive. Not to mention, there isn't the trauma of Mu Qing and Feng Xin leaving him behind, his parents dying, White No Face tortuting him until HC explodes. (Well, that comes later.) It's odd though, because it gives HC the chance to get really, really close to him and form a very personal connection in a way that will surely influence later events. There isn't as much distance between him and the pedestal he places XL upon.
- Some of the lines are kinda killer and capture the characters perfectly: Young Hua Cheng saying,
“If the heavens are too stupid to want dianxia, why would I want anything to do with them?” He huffs, “I wouldn’t fit in, anyway. I have better taste.” Spot on, babe. Even as a human, he looks down on the heavens!
- I don't fully understand why Hong-er died, but this is both so tragic and so cathartic. Because we never knew what happened to HC, and this time XL gets to be there.
- I find it hard to believe that XL didn't recognize the ghost fire as Hong-er.
- LMAO Ghost fire Hong-er having beef with Feng Xin is absolutely hilarious. The epitome of: "GET YO FUCKIN' DOG, BITCH." "It don't bite." "YES IT DO!"
And then hiding when XL disrobes to bathe in the stream, I- ASHDKLAPOJWWOX It's the way HC doesn't want to sexualize his Highness.
- BRO XL ACTUALLY ADMITTING TO BEING IN LOVE WITH HONG-ER?? JDPQJBRJZLLABE I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE JUST A SPECIAL BOND KINDA THING, ROMANCE COMES LATER. And apparently telling Mu Qing was a mistake?? WHAT IS THIS FORESHADOWING--
- Really fun twist that instead of nearly robbing a man, XL resorts to trying to sell his body. Same result, but very different effect.
- Mu Qing seems too nice. (Two seconds later) Wait... is he in love with XL?
- BRO FENG XIN??? KISSED HIM??? HAHAHAHA WHAT THE FUCK. (Two seconds later) oh... what the fuck...
- Again, I'm surprised we haven't seen FX leave and XL's parents die. I think the stabbing scene in the temple hits much harder when you know that XL doesn't have anyone left.
- It's a small detail, but I didn't like that the people in that temple got to leave after stabbing XL. From what I remember, they stay and so when HC transforms and goes nuclear, they all die anyway (which is deserved, but also extra tragic, highlighting everything's futility).
- An interesting switch for HC to be cursed, incapable of revealing his identity (which I did suspect, because it was starting to get really cruel just ignoring XL's questions and pleas). Still, I always thought it was very telling of his character that he never did so himself, wanting to follow XL in secret and hide since he had like zero self-respect.
- Really into the detail of XL keeping Hong-er's ashes and having them the whole time as opposed to HC giving it to him without an explanation. Romantic in a different way.
- Oh fuck me, it was Qi Rong that killed Hong-er??? Absolutely hate that. Hate it. Hate it hate it hate it.
Now they both have a very genuine and intense reason to loathe Qi Rong, instead of him being an absolute shithead (and eventually revealing to XL that QR actually caused the Gilded Banquet).
- I felt conflicted about the fight with his father, because I don't think XL ever really blamed his dad for everything that went down, but here he does. I think it comes off too harsh and erases that part of XL that takes everything upon himself. Still, the following suicide makes sense. But his mother's?? She was just comforting him; he clearly still needed her, but she decided to off herself just like that, damn. It didn't hit as hard as in the novels, I think because we haven't spent much time with his parents. It's important to know them as the king and queen, fallen from grace, robbed of their dignity.
- Loved the scene where Wu Ming appears. A bit odd for XL to get handsy, but hey, we love a flustered HC.
- Ooh we really leaning into Evil Xie Lian with this one. Makes me sad, but also it'll give his later self-deprecation more weight, along with Hua Cheng's unwavering devotion.
Thinking more on it, I think that my problem with such an evil XL is that it messes with his characterization quite a bit. The evil things he does in Book 4 as the White-Clothed Calamity seem to come from a place so detached and crazed, unthinking. But here he is thinking very clearly and deliberately getting revenge, which just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Not to mention, it's then confusing why he decides to delay the big climactic summoning and lies in a crater to see if anyone will help him. I think it will take more than one old man giving him a hat to really turn things around at this point.
He really just tortures Qi Rong. Who is human. I--
I feel like bullying and even seriously harming Qi Rong when he's both immortal and a dick who eats people is fair, but human Qi Rong-- at least at this point in time-- isn't that bad.
Also:
"I banish you," Xie Lian smiles, no—he grins from ear to ear, like this is a moment he's fantasized about since childhood.
(In truth, it is.)
Like...sir?
- It's wild how much XL really, really loved Hong-er and continues to mourn him. Even getting revenge for him. Even admitting out loud to Qi Rong that he's a cut-sleeve, while Wu Ming is listening. I really wonder how this will affect their dynamic later on, because I love how unsure HC gets when it comes to being with his god and understanding XL's feelings for him.
- WE GET A KISS?? I SWEAR I READ IN THE FOREWORD THAT THERE WOULDN'T BE ANYTHING TIL ABOUT CHAPTER 65. It was kinda meh though, because XL doesn't actually love him, but knowing how faint Wu Ming must have felt is hilarious. And I can only imagine how turned on he was by XL kicking ass, defending his honor, and taking him by the throat.
- Interesting ending with Hua Cheng in the afterlife. A weird addition, but super creative XD Personally, I imagined HC's return as a gradual process, where even though his soul is despersed, his will remains, and little by little he pieces himself back together through sheer force of will.
All in all, while this was lowkey hella depressing, it's still a fun read. Also, I can get behind the creative changes the author made, but I cannot abide such atrocious spacing and paragraph breaks. Dear lord.
I would happily fix it myself, if I could!
I watched a ColeyDoesThings video in which she interviewed a fanfiction writer (slash lawyer, discussing the legality of fanfiction), and since this person sounded so smart, I had to check out her work.
Lo and behold, I found this behemoth. Monstrosity, if you will.
I didn't want to start it at first, but it just kept picking at my mind (for all of one evening), and I gave in with a shrug of my shoulders and the thought: This might as well happen.
I LOVE the idea of Xie Lian being blind, and I'm curious to see what new directions this story goes.
All the notes!
- Very sad and thoughtful
- xl gay from the start lol. I kind of enjoyed him finding out very unexpectedly and the comedy of it all, but alright, we roll.
- Hong-er doing his hair is CUTE.
- I actually am really interested in this iteration of them actually bonding and living together for so long while HC was still alive. Not to mention, there isn't the trauma of Mu Qing and Feng Xin leaving him behind, his parents dying, White No Face tortuting him until HC explodes. (Well, that comes later.) It's odd though, because it gives HC the chance to get really, really close to him and form a very personal connection in a way that will surely influence later events. There isn't as much distance between him and the pedestal he places XL upon.
- Some of the lines are kinda killer and capture the characters perfectly: Young Hua Cheng saying,
“If the heavens are too stupid to want dianxia, why would I want anything to do with them?” He huffs, “I wouldn’t fit in, anyway. I have better taste.” Spot on, babe. Even as a human, he looks down on the heavens!
- I don't fully understand why Hong-er died, but this is both so tragic and so cathartic. Because we never knew what happened to HC, and this time XL gets to be there.
- I find it hard to believe that XL didn't recognize the ghost fire as Hong-er.
- LMAO Ghost fire Hong-er having beef with Feng Xin is absolutely hilarious. The epitome of: "GET YO FUCKIN' DOG, BITCH." "It don't bite." "YES IT DO!"
And then hiding when XL disrobes to bathe in the stream, I- ASHDKLAPOJWWOX It's the way HC doesn't want to sexualize his Highness.
- BRO XL ACTUALLY ADMITTING TO BEING IN LOVE WITH HONG-ER?? JDPQJBRJZLLABE I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE JUST A SPECIAL BOND KINDA THING, ROMANCE COMES LATER. And apparently telling Mu Qing was a mistake?? WHAT IS THIS FORESHADOWING--
- Really fun twist that instead of nearly robbing a man, XL resorts to trying to sell his body. Same result, but very different effect.
- Mu Qing seems too nice. (Two seconds later) Wait... is he in love with XL?
- BRO FENG XIN??? KISSED HIM??? HAHAHAHA WHAT THE FUCK. (Two seconds later) oh... what the fuck...
- Again, I'm surprised we haven't seen FX leave and XL's parents die. I think the stabbing scene in the temple hits much harder when you know that XL doesn't have anyone left.
- It's a small detail, but I didn't like that the people in that temple got to leave after stabbing XL. From what I remember, they stay and so when HC transforms and goes nuclear, they all die anyway (which is deserved, but also extra tragic, highlighting everything's futility).
- An interesting switch for HC to be cursed, incapable of revealing his identity (which I did suspect, because it was starting to get really cruel just ignoring XL's questions and pleas). Still, I always thought it was very telling of his character that he never did so himself, wanting to follow XL in secret and hide since he had like zero self-respect.
- Really into the detail of XL keeping Hong-er's ashes and having them the whole time as opposed to HC giving it to him without an explanation. Romantic in a different way.
- Oh fuck me, it was Qi Rong that killed Hong-er??? Absolutely hate that. Hate it. Hate it hate it hate it.
Now they both have a very genuine and intense reason to loathe Qi Rong, instead of him being an absolute shithead (and eventually revealing to XL that QR actually caused the Gilded Banquet).
- I felt conflicted about the fight with his father, because I don't think XL ever really blamed his dad for everything that went down, but here he does. I think it comes off too harsh and erases that part of XL that takes everything upon himself. Still, the following suicide makes sense. But his mother's?? She was just comforting him; he clearly still needed her, but she decided to off herself just like that, damn. It didn't hit as hard as in the novels, I think because we haven't spent much time with his parents. It's important to know them as the king and queen, fallen from grace, robbed of their dignity.
- Loved the scene where Wu Ming appears. A bit odd for XL to get handsy, but hey, we love a flustered HC.
- Ooh we really leaning into Evil Xie Lian with this one. Makes me sad, but also it'll give his later self-deprecation more weight, along with Hua Cheng's unwavering devotion.
Thinking more on it, I think that my problem with such an evil XL is that it messes with his characterization quite a bit. The evil things he does in Book 4 as the White-Clothed Calamity seem to come from a place so detached and crazed, unthinking. But here he is thinking very clearly and deliberately getting revenge, which just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Not to mention, it's then confusing why he decides to delay the big climactic summoning and lies in a crater to see if anyone will help him. I think it will take more than one old man giving him a hat to really turn things around at this point.
He really just tortures Qi Rong. Who is human. I--
I feel like bullying and even seriously harming Qi Rong when he's both immortal and a dick who eats people is fair, but human Qi Rong-- at least at this point in time-- isn't that bad.
Also:
"I banish you," Xie Lian smiles, no—he grins from ear to ear, like this is a moment he's fantasized about since childhood.
(In truth, it is.)
Like...sir?
- It's wild how much XL really, really loved Hong-er and continues to mourn him. Even getting revenge for him. Even admitting out loud to Qi Rong that he's a cut-sleeve, while Wu Ming is listening. I really wonder how this will affect their dynamic later on, because I love how unsure HC gets when it comes to being with his god and understanding XL's feelings for him.
- WE GET A KISS?? I SWEAR I READ IN THE FOREWORD THAT THERE WOULDN'T BE ANYTHING TIL ABOUT CHAPTER 65. It was kinda meh though, because XL doesn't actually love him, but knowing how faint Wu Ming must have felt is hilarious. And I can only imagine how turned on he was by XL kicking ass, defending his honor, and taking him by the throat.
- Interesting ending with Hua Cheng in the afterlife. A weird addition, but super creative XD Personally, I imagined HC's return as a gradual process, where even though his soul is despersed, his will remains, and little by little he pieces himself back together through sheer force of will.
All in all, while this was lowkey hella depressing, it's still a fun read. Also, I can get behind the creative changes the author made, but I cannot abide such atrocious spacing and paragraph breaks. Dear lord.
I would happily fix it myself, if I could!
August 2, 2024
I never knew I needed a fan retelling where Xie Lian is blind until now 🙏
December 15, 2024
[Chapter 2-62]
notable things about vol 1
- giving hua cheng a backstory that is consistent with canon 10/10
- the chapters about the 800 year gap is a difficult read because that felt LONG. imagine living through that
- xie lian buried alive for like a century hunts me
- they made qi rong insufferable (he's a freak in canon i know but still)
- HE XUAN HE XUAN HE XUAN HE XUAN HE XU--
- i know beefleaf's gonna hit me like a truck (hoping for a different ending!!!)
- he xuan and qingxuan fucking is not in my bingo card
- ive said this before ill say it again i want someone that worships me and loves me
notable things about vol 1
- giving hua cheng a backstory that is consistent with canon 10/10
- the chapters about the 800 year gap is a difficult read because that felt LONG. imagine living through that
- xie lian buried alive for like a century hunts me
- they made qi rong insufferable (he's a freak in canon i know but still)
- HE XUAN HE XUAN HE XUAN HE XUAN HE XU--
- i know beefleaf's gonna hit me like a truck (hoping for a different ending!!!)
- he xuan and qingxuan fucking is not in my bingo card
- ive said this before ill say it again i want someone that worships me and loves me
November 4, 2024
4.5 ⭐
WHY DOES IT HURTS MORE THAN THE ORIGINAL-
and i love it. ("fengxin" kiss, xie lian's endless spiral and the robbery was replace by- )
there's so much dept into it along with the GORGEOUS WRITING STYLE
i absolutly love LOVE this retelling and this concept: blind Xie Lian. I can't think that any other fanfic could that satisfy my internalized perfect image of the angsty tgcf i wanted.
AND i fell in love with this writing style. THIS IS MY GOAL, I WANT TO WRITE LIKE THST. it is so so pretty and poetic. the imagery and everything-
hmm i have others but i forgot. anyways i hope i will see Hua Cheng pov...
WHY DOES IT HURTS MORE THAN THE ORIGINAL-
and i love it. ("fengxin" kiss, xie lian's endless spiral and the robbery was replace by- )
there's so much dept into it along with the GORGEOUS WRITING STYLE
i absolutly love LOVE this retelling and this concept: blind Xie Lian. I can't think that any other fanfic could that satisfy my internalized perfect image of the angsty tgcf i wanted.
AND i fell in love with this writing style. THIS IS MY GOAL, I WANT TO WRITE LIKE THST. it is so so pretty and poetic. the imagery and everything-
Thunder crashes, and with it comes the explosion.
So loud, so powerful, it rattles half of the mountain with it, incinerating every living human left inside, leaving even their bones as piles of ash.
Rain pours down, the roof now reduced to rubble, scattered for miles.
The wind howls, scattering the human remains to the air, carrying them off into the night.
It’s pitch dark now. No torches. No starlight. No ghost fire.
The only illumination comes from occasional crashes of lightning—showing a scene from a child’s nightmare.
A temple in ruins. Streaked with blood, slowly being washed away by the downpour. A god, sacrificed upon his own altar. Before him, his last believer.
There’s a lone figure in the middle of the scene. A tall, dark haired youth—dressed in black.
The rain doesn’t touch him. It doesn’t dare.
Boots click softly against the flagstones, wet, cracked—stained by the blood of the deity they were hewn to worship.
The figure kneels before the fallen god. A deviation from teachings—but the youth isn’t kneeling to worship.
He is kneeling in penance.
When he clasps his hands in prayer, head bowed—for the first time in many years, he prays for something in particular.
Strength.
Strength at any cost. Strength in any form.
Strength to destroy his enemies. Strength to avenge his god.
Strength to protect him.
Even if his god doesn’t know why he isn’t resting in peace. Even if he doesn't know why he hasn’t gone.
Even if he doesn’t know that this servant is protecting him.
For him, this man will survive anything. For him, he will become invincible.
The rain pounds as the thunder roars.
The youth prays for strength. But there is another prayer, one that is always on his lips, rattling against his teeth, repeating with every pulse of a heart that no longer beats.
He prays to never Rest In Peace.
Not so different from that day, in a very different kind of parade, wearing a different mask. The screaming of thousands, and—
A boy, dropping into his arms like a falling star.
hmm i have others but i forgot. anyways i hope i will see Hua Cheng pov...
July 2, 2025
im glad we get to see a lil more from Hua Cheng’s perspective and his way out of hell, and im glad we got to see them bond as Xie Lian and Hong-er more.
im also eternally thankful that the Xie Lian torture arc is (or at least, feels,) a little shorter as in the main series it was stretched on for so long i stopped being as upset about it, and it started to drone on.
im also extremely happy we get more Xie Lian perspectives on how he changed from being the calamity, bitter and angry, to being the loving, humble and kind Xie Lian we know.
the sex work conversation, and assault by Bai Wuxiang was initially unexpected and a little upsetting, but it was definitely not glamourised or romanticised in any way. so im alright with it.
very excited to keep reading and see what the rest of this has in store!
im also eternally thankful that the Xie Lian torture arc is (or at least, feels,) a little shorter as in the main series it was stretched on for so long i stopped being as upset about it, and it started to drone on.
im also extremely happy we get more Xie Lian perspectives on how he changed from being the calamity, bitter and angry, to being the loving, humble and kind Xie Lian we know.
the sex work conversation, and assault by Bai Wuxiang was initially unexpected and a little upsetting, but it was definitely not glamourised or romanticised in any way. so im alright with it.
very excited to keep reading and see what the rest of this has in store!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2024
Amazing
August 1, 2024
Absolutely DEVOURED this fic. I wasn’t certain I would enjoy this retelling but it already has me even more in love with these characters than the original. SpecTACular.
September 18, 2024
NO WAY A FANFIC HAS ITS OWN GOODREADS SECTION!!!
September 19, 2024
Esto es a lo que me refiero cuando digo que busco un fanfic con mucho angst. (Literalmente tgcf).
September 26, 2024
What a good tgcf retelling 🫨
November 22, 2024
it hurts
January 2, 2025
somehow this fic made the story more angsty which i thought it wasn’t possible…oh my xie lian :((
immediate-tbr
February 2, 2025No, a fanfic of tgcf exists? Oh no 😩🫶🏻
April 12, 2025
send me to heaven
June 22, 2025
emotional damage
September 27, 2025
this fic is so good bro.
September 28, 2025
Why did it take me so long to find this
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews