Family
Hua Cheng
His husband and lover. Hua Cheng is his most devoted follower. The two meet in the present time as Xie Lian is heading back to Puqi shrine and manages to hitchhike on the cart of an old man heading the same direction. Hua Cheng was sitting on that cart and managed to strike up a conversation with Xie Lian, who immediately grew to like him due to his intelligence and knowledge of the Gods and demons. When Hua Cheng, whom he introduces himself as San Lang, claims to be the son of a noble family and was kicked out, Xie Lian happily welcomes the man to live with him. The two get along well and live together in peace before Xie Lian needs to go on another mission. Even then, San Lang follows behind him, fully supports him.
Over the course of the series, Hua Cheng continues to support and care for him. Unlike most other heavenly officials who so much as fear the mention of Hua Cheng, and are disgusted and in fear of him, Xie Lian considers him adorable. Hua Cheng has had strong feelings for Xie Lian since their mortal lives, and is implied to have loved him since they first met.
Qi Rong
Qi Rong is his cousin and was deeply loyal and infatuated with Xie Lian before the fall of Xianle. Qi Rong always tried to get Xie Lian's attention and approval, trying to help him and get justice for Xie Lian even when the means to accomplish that were inappropriate or uncalled for. This led to Xie Lian often being annoyed and angered by Qi Rong's actions and unreasonable nature. After the war between Yong'an and Xianle, Xie Lian doesn't seem to think about what happened to Qi Rong and is quite shocked when they meet again after his third ascension. Due to Qi Rong becoming incredibly vulgar and still insulting the ones he cares about, Xie Lian resents Qi Rong, a feeling that is mutual by that point. The only reason Xie Lian was mostly tame with Qi Rong was because of Guzi, as he didn't want to hurt his father.
Mother
A kind woman who loved him deeply.
Father
A stern man he had difficulty talking to despite the fact both loved and cared for each other.
Heavenly Officials
Jun Wu
Jun Wu has always kept an eye on Xie Lian. He clearly shows favoritism towards him and cares a lot about. He kind of took on a guardian and father role and in return Xie Lian deeply respects and admires him. He's well aware of how much he owes to Jun Wu.
With his other identity of Bai Wuxiang exposed, Xie Lian naturally grew to fear Jun Wu but was still the one to take him down in the end. It is later revealed that Jun Wu wanted to make Xie Lian his perfect successor, hence why he treated Xie Lian the way he did. Despite having failed to corrupt Xie Lian, Jun Wu was still willing to keep him alive at first.
Feng Xin
Feng Xin is Xie Lian's former bodyguard, a position he acquired when he was 14. After Xie Lian ascended, he became a deputy general and Xie Lian's attendant. He was relieved of his duties after he disapproved of Xie Lian's actions after Xie Lian's first banishment.
Mu Qing
He's Xie Lian's former servant. He left Xie Lian after his first banishment and often talks to him in a sarcastic, dismissive tone after he ascends to heaven for the third time. At the end of the book, he does claim that all he wished for is to become his friend. Xie Lian holds no grudges towards him, and in fact, saves him when he faces the danger of falling into lava. The two have a steady friendship by the end of the book.
Shi Qingxuan
Shi Qingxuan is one of Xie Lian's closest friends and allies. He first meets Shi Qingxuan on his mission at the Ban Yue Pass, although they only really start to talk to each other after Shi Qingxuan defends him during the following trial in the Great Martial Hall. Shi Qingxuan quickly warms up to Xie Lian, treating him with enthusiastic kindness and doesn't care about Xie Lian's status as the laughing stock of the three realms. They often helped each other out throughout the story and Xie Lian was devastated after Shi QingXuan's disappearance, always keeping him in the back of his mind and trying to find his whereabouts. They later reunite and continue to have a strong friendship by the end of the novel.
Pei Ming
They first met after the Banyue Pass incident, although they have both heard much about each other beforehand. While Pei Ming didn't detest him, he was still suspicious of Xie Lian since he was involved in the cases of his subordinate's scandal being exposed and the incident at the Black Water Island, but those negative feelings were faint and short lived. Xie Lian respects Pei Ming and was relatively indifferent about him, although it's mentioned that he's quite curious about his person and would read the inappropriate tales about Pei Ming if it wasn't for his cultivation path.[1] Despite that, he's often unsettled by Pei Ming's laid back nature and the way he talks to Hua Cheng. By the end of the novel they have become close allies and have a friendly relationship.
Of all characters, Pei Ming seems to be the one most supportive of Xie Lian's and Hua Cheng's romantic relationship.
Yushi Huang
She was the one who lent him a spiritual device that provided rain so he could relieve the drought in Yong An, although they didn't meet each other until 800 years later. She helped him and his comrades out during the Mount Tong'lu mission and they have a friendly, respectful relationship with one another. Yushi Huang frequently gifts him vegetables from her agricultural work.
Former Heavenly Officials
Mei Nianqing
Mei Nianqing was his teacher during his childhood in Xianle. He has always been supportive of Xie Lian, but he was also very worried about him. They remain good friends by the end of the novel, to the point that in an extra Xie Lian went to him for advice on what to give Hua Cheng for his birthday.
Yin Yu
Xie Lian met Yin Yu in Ghost City for the first time, where Yin Yu escorted him to Hua Cheng's Paradise Manor. That day he noticed Yin Yu's Cursed Shackle and was quite curious about it. He doesn't meet him again for a long time, but after they do interact they seem to get along well quickly. Xie Lian often mentions how little presence Yin Yu has, even mistaking him for He Xuan at one point. He feels bad for everything that has happened to Yin Yu and cheers him on when he's faced against Jun Wu, praising and admiring his noble and moral character.