The Three Teachings Converge into One: The Path of the Mortal and the Saintly is the Same

Poetry:

Having received the imperial edict and ascended the throne, I dared to protect the emperor even on a narrow path.

The estrangement has remained as solid as ice for millennia; let us see the true lord test the edge of his sword.

It is said that Su Qingxuan received the Jade Emperor's decree in the Lingxiao Palace and was appointed as the deputy head of the Three Religions Coordination Office.

He assisted the immortal master Guangchengzi in handling matters related to the collaboration of the three religions.

After bidding farewell to the celestial beings of Heaven and Guang Chengzi, he rode a cloud back to the Wenru Tian Sanyi Palace.

Having received both the imperial decree and the trust and respect of the sages of the three religions,

The burden on my shoulders suddenly became several times heavier.

Su Qingxuan felt both gratitude and contemplation.

The division between the three religions has persisted for tens of thousands of years, and it was not caused by a single decree.

The problem can be solved by establishing a new government office.

The road ahead is destined to be full of thorns, allowing no room for complacency.

Upon returning to the palace, the entire family came to offer their congratulations.

Su Wenyuan and Liu Shi were overjoyed to see their son being highly valued by the Heavenly Court and holding an important position.

Su Wenyuan held his hand and gently instructed him:

"Xuan'er, now that you have taken on this important responsibility of coordinating the three religions..."

Therefore, one must uphold impartiality, remain unbiased, and not fail the sage.

The trust you have in the Jade Emperor should not diminish your initial aspiration to cultivate the Tao.

Think things through carefully before acting, and never be hasty. Never let momentary anger escalate the conflict between the three religions.

Lady Liu also gently advised from the side, "Although official business is important, you must also take care of yourself."

You expended a great deal of energy saving us the other day; you must not overwork yourself again.

Su Qingxuan bowed in agreement, feeling a warm glow in his heart.

Having lost and found his parents, he now receives an important mission from Heaven.

With four fairies by his side, the palace disciples diligently strive for excellence...

However, despite the seemingly smooth sailing, he knew that beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were still surging.

Although the conservative faction, including Yu Xiaozhi, Meng Xingjian, and Fa Yan, suffered setbacks.

However, the conservative forces behind it, including those of the three religions, have not been eradicated.

These people have occupied the celestial realm for many years, controlling numerous resources and wielding considerable influence.

The establishment of the Three Religions Coordination Division was precisely to break down the barriers between the three religions and integrate their strengths to deal with the demonic calamity.

But it will certainly affect their interests.

Even if it's due to the Jade Emperor's divine favor and the ancestral court's divine might...

However, some subtle tactics and underhanded sabotage are probably inevitable.

Lin Wanqing, Xiao Lingxi, Xiao Lingyue, and the four fairies Chi Ying surrounded him.

Seeing the slight furrow in Su Qingxuan's brows as he pondered, they all understood his concerns.

Lin Wanqing gently gathered her hair and said softly:

"Young master need not worry too much. The Three Religions Coordination Office is overseen by the Jade Emperor and the sages of the three religions, so it is perfectly legitimate."

Even if there are some obstacles, we will take it one step at a time.

The affairs of the palace will be handled by me and my three sisters, so you won't be distracted.

You just focus on handling the important matters at the office. If you need our assistance, just let us know.

Xiao Lingxi chimed in, "Sister Wanqing is right!"

Young master, I'll refine some more Qi-strengthening pills and mind-clearing pills these next few days. Please keep them with you.

Dealing with official business is mentally and physically demanding, so it's good to take care of yourself whenever possible.

If those conservatives dare to deliberately make things difficult, I will accompany you to reason with them. We, the Trinity Palace, are never afraid of trouble!

Xiao Lingyue clasped her hands together, her eyes filled with compassion:

"Amitabha. Young master, you have the Great Way in your heart, and you act for the public good and for the sake of the Three Realms. All Buddhas will surely protect you."

The desire to stick to the old ways stems from an obsession that cannot be broken by force, nor can it be changed overnight.

"Your Excellency guides people with patience and convinces them with tangible results; this is the right path."

Chi Ying's expression was solemn:

"Young master, if anyone dares to openly make things difficult for you, or even resort to violence to cause trouble..."

I then led my palace disciples and heavenly soldiers to fight them head-on.

"Anyone who dares to stop you will first have to ask if my Demon-Slaying Spear will allow it!"

Although the four women spoke differently, they were all sincere, which warmed Su Qingxuan's heart.

His eyes were full of tenderness and emotion: "With you all here, I have no worries."

I know how to handle matters concerning the Three Religions Coordination Office.

Start with the small things, don't rush things, and gradually resolve the barriers.

You must not slacken in your spiritual practice.

With demonic calamities lurking beneath the surface, only by enhancing one's own cultivation can one cope with future uncertainties.

That night, Su Qingxuan carefully entrusted the affairs of the palace to Lin Wanqing and the other three women and three elders.

Su Qingxuan did not want her two masters, Xuanqing and Liaochen, to be burdened with too many palace affairs.

Let them just focus on their spiritual practice and enjoy a peaceful life.

He then personally visited the Yun Shen Cave Heaven and saw that his parents' cultivation was progressing smoothly, and their breathing was becoming increasingly steady.

Having firmly established himself as an Earth Immortal, he was completely at ease.

The next morning, he changed into the purple-patterned immortal robe bestowed upon him by the Heavenly Court.

Wearing the badge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Three Religions, he bid farewell to his family.

Ride the clouds to the Three Realms Heaven—

.........

This is the site of the Three Teachings Assembly held every five hundred years.

It is also the only place in the Thirty-Three Heavens where the three religions are in balance.

Located in the fifteenth heaven, it is the place where the territories of the three religions meet.

It is not solely controlled by any of the three religions: Confucianism, Taoism, or Buddhism.

The spiritual energy is balanced, without bias towards any of the three major religions or traditions.

This is the location of the office of the Three Teachings Coordination Office, appointed by the Jade Emperor.

Within the Three Realms Heaven, auspicious clouds swirled and auspicious vapors rose.

A magnificent and simple government office, featuring the characteristics of the three religions, has been completed.

The plaque above the main gate reads "Three Religions Coordination Office" in five large gilded characters.

The brushstrokes are vigorous and powerful, subtly conveying the true meaning of the three religions.

The central figure features a Confucian ritual pattern, the right side is engraved with a Daoist cloud motif, and the left side depicts a lotus flower.

Everywhere you look, you see the idea of ​​collaboration among the three religions.

Immortal Master Guangchengzi was already waiting there.

He was dressed in an apricot-yellow Taoist robe, holding a whisk, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance.

Upon seeing Su Qingxuan arrive, he nodded with a smile:

"The True Lord has arrived at just the right time; the Assistant Administration Office is officially opening today."

Each of the three sects has sent its officials. Let us greet them first, and then discuss matters.

Su Qingxuan stepped forward to pay his respects and followed Guang Chengzi into the main hall of the yamen.

More than twenty celestial officials were already standing in the hall, arranged in three rows.

In the middle are the Confucian officials, headed by Kong He, Meng Xingjian's junior brother.

They all looked arrogant and impatient.

On the right are the officials of the Daoist sect, all of whom are fellow disciples or juniors of Yu Xiaozi.

The leader, Qingbing Daoist, had a distant look in his eyes, which concealed his hostility.

On the left is a Buddhist official, Master Huiming, a junior disciple of Fayan.

He clasped his hands together, but his eyes were lowered and his expression was indifferent.

The three factions of officials were clearly separated and did not speak to each other, creating a somber and oppressive atmosphere in the hall.

The complete lack of cooperation reveals the deep-seated divide between the three religions.

Guang Chengzi and Su Qingxuan entered.

The celestial officials reluctantly bowed, performing the proper etiquette, but without a trace of sincerity.

Guang Chengzi, with his vast experience, saw through everyone's thoughts at a glance.

But he remained calm and composed, and simply said in a loud voice:

"Today, the Office of the Three Religions is opening its doors, by order of the Jade Emperor and the Sages of the Three Religions."

Specializing in coordinating the three religions' efforts to eradicate demons, spread their teachings in the mortal realm, allocate resources, and handle talent selection...

Its aim is to break down sectarian barriers, jointly resist demonic calamities, and protect the Three Realms.

Later, Su Qingxuan, the Manifestation Lord of Literature and Virtue, became the deputy head of the department.

You will assist me in handling daily affairs; you must obey my commands.

Everyone must perform their duties diligently and without shirking responsibility or negligence.

As soon as he finished speaking, Kong He from the Confucian school stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:

"Immortal Master Guangchengzi, we have come here to assist you on the orders of our sect, and we dare not disobey."

However, my Confucian school has its own exclusive regulations for its classic texts, spiritual materials, and disciples.

Historically, Wen Rutian had been in charge of the administration himself, but suddenly it was handed over to the Assistant Administration for unified allocation.

This might not conform to ancestral rules, and we need to consider it carefully.

Daoist Qingbing followed closely behind and spoke calmly:

"What Kong Xianguan said is absolutely right."

Our Taoist alchemy furnaces, alchemical vessels, and spiritual veins are all under the jurisdiction of the Three Pure Ones.

The disciples in the sect also have established rules for cultivation.

Rushing into mixing with Confucianism and Buddhism might disrupt one's spiritual path.

Please, Immortal Master and True Lord Su, consider this carefully.

Zen Master Huiming of the Buddhist sect lowered his brows and said:

"Buddhist monasteries are places of quiet cultivation, emphasizing meditation and tranquility."

Too much contact with Confucianism and Taoism can easily lead to distracting thoughts and is not conducive to spiritual practice.

The Buddhist community has its own arrangements for matters such as spreading the Dharma and eliminating evil spirits.

If coordination is needed, please notify us in advance; there is no need to include it in the company's unified scheduling.

The three of them spoke in unison, seemingly respectful, but in reality, every word they uttered was a pretext for shirking responsibility.

It was obvious that they were unwilling to cooperate, and that they were trying to give the Assistant Director a hard time.

The other officials in the hall echoed this sentiment, some saying that ancestral rules could not be violated.

Some say the rules of the sect cannot be broken, others say the affairs are too complicated to coordinate...

The room was filled with sounds of conflict.

Guang Chengzi frowned slightly. He had known that the conservatives would obstruct him, but he hadn't expected them to be so direct.

Su Qingxuan stood to the side, his expression calm, showing no anger.

I had already anticipated this situation—

The conservative faction of the three religions is deeply rooted and regards sectarian interests above all else.

The Assistant Directorate broke down the barriers, which threatened their very foundation, and naturally they would obstruct it in every possible way.

These people dared not openly disobey the Jade Emperor and the Sage's decrees.

They then used "ancestral rules" and "family regulations" as excuses to engage in passive resistance.

Even if they verbally agree, they will inevitably procrastinate and slack off.

They showed up but didn't put in any effort, rendering the Assistant Directorate General ineffective.

After everyone had finished talking, Su Qingxuan slowly stepped forward.

His gaze swept calmly over the three factions of officials, his voice steady and clear, echoing throughout the main hall:

"What the celestial officials have said is understood by both me and Immortal Master Guangchengzi."

The three religions each have their own ancestral rules and regulations, which have been passed down for thousands of years and have their own reasons.

Qingxuan never intended to abolish ancestral rules or disrupt the sect's regulations.

There is no intention to force the three religions to be lumped together.

He paused, then his tone became serious:

"However, everyone, do not forget that the shadows of demons from the Void are now frequently appearing, and small groups of demons have already invaded the continents of the lower realm."

Although the chaos in the Netherworld has been quelled, the remnants of the Demon Lord have not been eliminated, and the impending demonic calamity is a consensus in the Heavenly Realm.

Ten thousand years ago, the sages of the three religions worked together to seal the Demon Lord and protect the peace of the three realms.

If we continue to guard our own territory and fight our own battles, a calamity will befall us.

How can one religion possibly resist?

At that time, how will the ancestral rules and regulations of the three religions be preserved?

The establishment of the Three Religions Coordination Office is not intended to forcibly divide the resources of the three religions.

It is not to disrupt the lineage of the three religions, but only to prepare for times of crisis.

Coordinated scheduling, sharing resources, and joint efforts to fight against evil.

Resource allocation is not about forceful seizure, but about mutual assistance in times of crisis.

The disciples' collaboration is not about mixed cultivation, but about looking out for each other when eliminating demons and evil spirits.

The purpose of preaching in the mortal realm is not to compete for followers, but to spread the true path, educate all beings, and curb the growth of demonic thoughts at their root.

"The ancestral system is important, but the essence of the ancestral system lies in protecting the Three Realms and preserving the lineage."

Although the rules of the sect are strict, helping others and working together are the essentials of spiritual practice.

If we cling to our own gates and stand idly by while the calamity spreads, we will be going against the original intention of the sages of the three religions to save the world.

It is even more irresponsible to the orthodox tradition and to all living beings.

"You are all elites of the three religions, revered deities and immortals, with clear and lucid hearts; you must understand this principle."

These words were reasonable and to the point, highlighting the crisis of the demonic calamity.

This also dispelled everyone's concerns (excuse) about "violating ancestral rules".

This further reveals the original intention behind the establishment of the Assistant Directorate.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall paused for a moment, and their previous impassioned and evasive attitude subsided considerably.

Kong He, Qingbing, and Huiming were also speechless and unable to refute him for a moment.

Seeing this, Guang Chengzi spoke up, "What Su Zhenjun said is very true."

The Assistant Directorate acts in accordance with the principles of equality among the three religions and voluntary cooperation, and never imposes coercion or harsh demands.

Today, let's discuss the first and most important matter: the border between humans and gods in Jambudvipa.

Recently, a demonic force has emerged, consisting of about a hundred demon soldiers, led by a demon general at the early stage of the Golden Immortal realm.

The harm inflicted on living beings and the resulting demonic thoughts necessitate the joint efforts of disciples from the three religions to eradicate it.

This matter is not urgent. You may all return to your sects and report to them. Each of you should send twenty disciples within seven days.

Simply bring the appropriate ritual implements to the ceremonial office; all other matters can be discussed later.

Guang Chengzi deeply understood the harmony of nature and the way of harmonizing qi.

Instead of rushing into complicated matters, let's start with something as small as eliminating small groups of evil.

This not only gave everyone some breathing room, but also allowed them to test the limits of cooperation among the three religions.

Su Qingxuan understood and nodded in agreement:

"What the Immortal Master says is absolutely right; eradicating the demons is of utmost importance."

However, there's no need to rush. Please go back and consider this carefully.

Regarding cooperation, we should proceed step by step.

Seeing that the Assistant Minister did not issue a forceful order but instead focused on the minor matter of eliminating the demons, the group's resistance lessened.

They all bowed in agreement and took their leave one after another.

After everyone left, Guang Chengzi looked at Su Qingxuan, stroked his beard, and smiled:

"The True Lord's words just now were calm and measured, hitting the nail on the head, and what's even more commendable is that he was not anxious."

These conservative disciples were all influenced by their master and harbored prejudices; they were not inherently evil.

Dealing with them requires patience and gradual influence through concrete achievements.

Only by letting them see the benefits of collaboration firsthand can we break down barriers.

Su Qingxuan bowed and said, "Immortal Master's teachings are correct, this junior understands."

The collaboration of the three religions is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

Only by starting with small things can we achieve tangible results.

Only by letting disciples of the three religions experience the benefits of cooperation can we gradually break down sectarian barriers.

This campaign to eradicate the demons of Jambudvipa is the first step.

The junior will make proper arrangements to ensure a successful first battle and to establish a firm foothold for the Assistant Directorate.

After discussing with Guang Chengzi for a while, Su Qingxuan did not immediately return to the Sanyi Palace.

Instead, he personally went to the border of Jambudvipa to investigate the movements of the demons.

Find out the number of demon soldiers, their cultivation level, and their location.

Record all the details.

He had just returned to the office of the Three Realms Heavenly Coordinating Department to organize documents and await the arrival of the disciples from the three factions.

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye, and as expected, the three sects sent their disciples to arrive.

But they were all just perfunctory efforts—

The number of people is indeed twenty, but...

The disciples sent by the Confucian school were all relatively junior members of the school.

The junior, whose cultivation level was only at the early stage of Earth Immortal, did not even carry a decent magic weapon.

Although the disciples of the Daoist sect all possessed the cultivation level of a peak Earth Immortal.

However, they all looked listless and showed no fighting spirit, complaining that it was delaying their cultivation.

The Buddhist disciples were all young novices who had not yet attained the fourth dhyana heaven, and their meditative minds were not yet settled.

They only lowered their heads and chanted Buddhist prayers, completely unwilling to participate in the fight against the demons.

Clearly, the conservative faction of the three religions was still secretly instructing them to deliberately send some unimportant disciples.

They were prepared to go through the motions without putting in any real effort, hoping to cause the coordinated crackdown to fail and embarrass the Assistant Commander.

Upon seeing this, Guang Chengzi's expression darkened slightly, but Su Qingxuan remained calm and showed no anger.

He looked at the sixty disciples from the three religions before him and said gently:

"Thank you all for coming from afar. You must be tired."

According to my investigation, although the number of demons eliminated this time was considerable, none of them were top-tier experts.

If everyone works together and supports each other, we will surely be able to successfully eliminate the demon.

I know that some of you may have grievances in your hearts, or you may be loyal to our religion and sect.

However, we have gathered here today to protect all living beings in the Three Realms.

Let us temporarily set aside the distinctions between Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, and the differences between different schools of thought.

They are all righteous people, and all comrades-in-arms fighting side by side.

Having said that, he took out his own stored spiritual materials and pills and distributed them to everyone:

"Please accept these magical artifacts and elixirs for now, and use them to eliminate the demons."

In this battle, I will personally lead the team, with Immortal Master Guangchengzi providing support from the rear. I will ensure that none of you are ever put in danger.

This battle is not for sectarian reasons, nor for personal gain, but solely for eliminating evil and upholding justice.

To restore peace to the beings of the lower realm, I urge everyone to set aside prejudices and work together.

Su Qingxuan, a late-stage Golden Immortal True Lord, was willing to personally lead the team.

He even paid out of his own pocket to distribute magical artifacts and elixirs, showing no airs of a high-ranking official.

Such magnanimity and sense of responsibility touched the hearts of the sixty disciples.

His initially perfunctory and casual expression gradually softened, replaced by a more serious one.

……

The following day, Su Qingxuan led sixty disciples from the three religions to the border between the human and heavenly realms of the Southern Continent.

Arrive at the demon island inhabited by evil spirits—Terra Island.

He did not rush to order an attack, but first assigned tasks based on the strengths of the disciples of the three religions:

Confucian disciples are skilled at using righteous energy to overcome evil. They set up an array outside the island and used their righteous energy to block the escape route of the demons.

Taoist disciples are skilled in formations and escape techniques. They infiltrated the island to investigate the demons' defenses and disrupt their formations.

Buddhist disciples are skilled in compassionate salvation and purification of demonic thoughts, and are responsible for healing injured beings and dispelling demonic influences.

He himself personally led the attack as the chief demon general, striking the main force.

With clear division of labor and everyone giving full play to their strengths, there was no favoritism whatsoever.

After the battle began, Su Qingxuan took the lead, and the true meaning of the three religions flowed.

With just a few moves, he suppressed the early-stage Golden Immortal demon general, forcing the demon general into a retreat.

Seeing the True Lord's bravery, the disciples of the three religions each performed their duties and cooperated tacitly.

Gradually, they let go of their inner barriers, stopped caring about differences in social status, and fought with all their might.

Confucianism is imbued with righteous spirit, Taoism with its agile and elusive techniques, and Buddhism with its compassionate light...

The intertwining of the three religions' philosophies unleashed a power far exceeding that of fighting individually.

In less than half a day, all of the more than one hundred demon soldiers were wiped out.

The leading demon general was shattered by Su Qingxuan's palm strike, and the demonic atmosphere on Terra Island was completely purified.

This was a great victory.

The disciples of the three religions fought side by side and witnessed firsthand the power of coordinated combat.

I also felt Su Qingxuan's fairness and responsibility, and my prejudice and resistance dissipated a lot.

Upon returning to the Assistant Directorate, everyone felt admiration for Su Qingxuan.

They all praised the benefits of collaboration, and their previous perfunctory attitude had faded considerably.

Upon seeing this, Guang Chengzi clapped his hands and laughed.

He then truthfully reported this achievement to the Heavenly Court.

Upon learning of this, the Jade Emperor and the three sages of the three religions all issued decrees of commendation.

The authority of the Assistant Directorate has finally been initially established.

It is:

The demonic atmosphere on the shores of Terra Island has dissipated, and the three religions, united in spirit, are now united in heart and soul.

Do not say that ancestral rules cannot be transgressed; only real achievements can break through barriers.