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

Poetry:

Dark clouds obscure the sky, all sounds are silent; who holds the jade mirror to illuminate the heart's longing for home?

Let the strife flow away with the waters of the Canglang River, and listen to the True Lord discuss the past and present.

Meanwhile, Su Qingxuan frankly stated that he wanted to hold a Dharma discussion assembly.

Lin Wanqing was the first to clap her hands in praise: "Young Master's suggestion is excellent!"

"Lingxiao Terrace is the place where celestial celebrations are held and where the Jade Emperor gathers all the immortals."

The discussions held here had a profound impact.

The question goes straight to the heart of the matter, enough to give all the immortals and gods pause for thought.

"We need to be fully prepared," Xiao Lingxi said excitedly.

"I can further refine those correlation maps."

In the most intuitive way, it shows the connection between the conflict between the three religions and the loosening of the seal.

It can also compile the change curves of various key data in the celestial realm over the past ten thousand years.

Xiao Lingyue put her hands together in prayer: "I can approach this from the perspective of Buddhist karma and shared karma."

It explains the inherent connection between the discord among the three religions and the emergence of demonic calamities.

And it compiled records from the ancient and peaceful period for comparison.

Chi Ying clenched her fist: "Although I don't understand many grand principles, I can still organize them."

A comparison of battles fought at Meteorite Plain and previous joint operations by the three religions, letting the victories and defeats speak for themselves!

Su Qingxuan nodded with a smile: "Alright! Then it's settled."

Wanqing, you are in charge of the overall organization of classical texts and the logical framework of lecture notes.

Lingxi, you are in charge of verifying and creating all the data maps.

Lingyue, you provide theoretical support and ancient records from the perspective of Buddhism.

Chi Ying, you compile the battle records.

I will also personally trace the historical lineage of the three religions and their fundamental principles.

We need a year to prepare, and we must ensure that the evidence is conclusive.

The logic is rigorous and flawless.

"Yes!" the four women answered in unison, their eyes filled with fighting spirit.

They knew this would be the second time since the actual combat at Meteor Plains.

Another crucial "theoretical battle"

Its significance may be even more profound.

With the plan set, the five began intensive preparations.

Su Qingxuan first informed the Jade Emperor and the sages of the three religions about his discussion of the Dao, and received their full support.

The Jade Emperor decreed that the date would be the Jiazi day one year from now.

An altar was set up at Lingxiao Terrace, open to all celestial beings and deities of any rank in the heavenly realm.

The sages of the three religions also instructed their disciples to attach great importance to this discussion.

The news caused a stir in the heavens.

Supporters eagerly await Su Qingxuan's reply, hoping he can dispel the fog and point out the way.

The conservative faction secretly sneered, believing that Su Qingxuan's success was solely due to his high cultivation level and great achievements.

He intends to "abolish the three religions and exclusively honor the Sanyi Palace," and is prepared to question and challenge them during discussions.

Many more were on the sidelines, eager to hear what profound insights this newly crowned Great Luo and the Second Sage of the Three Religions had to offer.

Su Qingxuan ignored the gossip and focused on preparations with the four women.

He frequently visited the library of the three religions and consulted ancient books that had been gathering dust for years.

I visited the learned elders of the Three Pure Ones Heaven, the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and the Heaven of Scholars and Confucian Scholars to seek their guidance and verification.

On several occasions, under the protection of experts such as Yun Miaozi and Guang Chengzi,

I personally went to the edge of "Guixu" to observe the state of the seal up close.

Collect first-hand data.

The four fairies also displayed their unique abilities.

Lin Wanqing immersed herself in books, quoting extensively from classical texts.

Xiao Lingxi worked day and night, analyzing the data.

Create complex yet intuitive aura maps.

Xiao Lingyue repeatedly debated Buddhist scriptures with eminent monks to refine the theory.

Chi Ying then visited the survivors of the meteorite to verify the details of each battle.

A year has passed in the blink of an eye amidst the hustle and bustle.

……

On the day of Jiazi, at Lingxiao Terrace.

Lingxiao Terrace is located at the highest point of the Thirty-Three Heavens, in front of Lingxiao Palace.

It is a giant white jade plaza suspended above an endless sea of ​​clouds.

Normally a place for celestial celebrations, it was set up today for Su Qingxuan's discourse on the Dao, exuding solemnity.

The Jade Emperor sat regally on the nine-dragon throne in front of the Lingxiao Palace.

The phantom images of the three sages are arranged on the three cloud platforms.

Below the stage, a dense crowd of immortals and gods stood, probably no less than 100,000!

The front row consists of high-ranking officials above the Golden Immortal level from the three religions, venerable figures from various departments, and star lords.

The middle and back rows are occupied by representatives of celestial officials, heavenly generals, and disciples of various ranks.

Qingbing, Konghe, and Huiming led their disciples,

They stood solemnly in the middle row, their expressions serious.

Further away, there were countless others whose cultivation was insufficient and who were not qualified to take the stage.

But the immortals and gods who cared about this matter watched from afar using magic such as water mirrors and cloud mirrors.

……

The atmosphere was solemn; you could hear a pin drop.

At the exact hour of Chen (7-9 AM), bells and chimes resounded in unison, accompanied by ethereal celestial music.

Su Qingxuan was not wearing official robes, but a plain blue Taoist robe, with his hair tied up only with a wooden hairpin.

With a calm expression and unhurried steps, he slowly ascended the steps to the altar.

Behind him were the four fairies: Lin Wanqing, Xiao Lingxi, Xiao Lingyue, and Chi Ying.

Dressed in elegant attire in the style of the Trinity Palace, carrying a golden book, a censer, prayer beads, and a silver spear, they quietly followed along.

The five individuals' auras were perfectly integrated, and although they did not exude any oppressive power, they were still able to do so.

Yet he possesses a noble and magnanimous spirit that is truly captivating.

Upon reaching the center of the altar, Su Qingxuan bowed to the Jade Emperor and the three sages.

He bowed again to the four directions of gods and immortals before settling down comfortably on the prayer mat.

Four women stood behind him.

"Fellow Daoists," Su Qingxuan said, his voice calm and clear.

It was clearly transmitted to the ears of every immortal and deity.

"Today, Qingxuan is here not to display his supernatural powers, nor to argue about who is right or wrong."

Just to discuss with you all a topic,

The fundamental question concerning the survival of the Three Realms: How to subdue demons?

His gaze slowly swept over the immortals below the stage.

Especially those with cold expressions and shifty eyes,

The stubborn man's expression lingered slightly.

"The calamity of demons has been hanging over the three realms for more than a day."

The bloody battle at Meteorite Plains is still vivid in my mind.

But where does the demon come from? And why does it flourish?

Why have we suffered repeated setbacks until now, when we finally see the dawn of unity?

Su Qingxuan's tone gradually turned serious:

"Tracing back to the source, it all stems from the millennia-long disputes and deep-seated sectarianism among the three religions!"

These words caused a slight commotion in the audience.

Among the die-hards, some wore sneers, while others were eager to speak up and refute.

But seeing the Jade Emperor and the Sage sitting upright, he forced himself to remain calm.

Ignoring the reactions from the audience, Su Qingxuan continued:

"Perhaps some fellow practitioners believe that the doctrines of the three religions are different and their lineages are different."

Disputes are a natural occurrence; what do they have to do with demonic calamities?

Today, Qingxuan will base his arguments on facts and rely on data.

Let me explain this to you in detail, using reason as my guide.

He slightly raised his hand: "Please look at the first picture."

Behind him, Xiao Lingxi understood and gently raised her hand.

A huge curtain of spiritual light unfolded above the altar.

A complex and intricate three-dimensional image appeared on the screen.

The heavens, the human realm, and the underworld are depicted using luminous lines.

The simplified model of "Guixu" features countless tiny points of light and flowing curves.

"This painting is the result of decades of work by my Trinity Palace."

Collecting and organizing data from nearly ten thousand years ago...

Records of large-scale conflict among the three religions, fluctuations in celestial spiritual energy.

The frequency of disasters in the lower realms, the number of wandering souls in the underworld, the strength of the will of all living beings...

This analysis was based on a comprehensive deduction of the core vibration data from the "Return to the Void" seal.

Xiao Lingxi explained in a clear voice, pointing her fingertip at the diagram.

"Please look at this red curve, which represents the intensity index of the conflict between the three religions."

This golden curve represents the overall concentration of pure spiritual energy in the celestial realm.

This blue curve represents the number of Ascended from the Lower Realm.

This yellow curve represents the number of wandering souls in the underworld.

This black ripple represents the amplitude of the loosening and fluctuation of the Guixu seal.

With a wave of her hand, the diagram began to evolve dynamically, and the timeline slowly shifted.

"Please note that about nine thousand years ago, a large-scale conflict broke out between the three religions in this place due to the 'dispute over the lineage of the lower realms'."

The red curve rises sharply, and the yellow curve rises.

Subsequently, the gold curve dips significantly at this point, and the blue curve reaches a trough.

And the most crucial thing—

She pointed her fingertip at the black ripples.

"The seal fluctuations intensified abnormally about a century later!"

Let's look back at seven thousand years ago, five thousand years ago, three thousand years ago...

Almost every time a large-scale conflict broke out among the three religions,

Between one hundred and three hundred years, the seal will exhibit regular fluctuations!

The more intense the conflict, the stronger the unrest!

The graphs are clear and intuitive, and the data is readily apparent.

There were many immortals and gods in the audience, especially those who were proficient in mathematics and divination.

Having figured out what was going on, his expression gradually changed.

"Some fellow practitioners might say that this is just a coincidence."

Su Qingxuan spoke at the opportune moment, his tone calm and steady.

"However, the data spans thousands of years, with dozens of correlations, and every single one matches."

How can this be explained by mere coincidence?

This is a cause-and-effect relationship, driven by karma!

The conflict between the three religions depletes the vital energy of the righteous path in the Three Realms.

What is generated is the anger and afflictions of all beings.

What is being shaken is the very foundation of the order of heaven and earth!

As one side waxes and the other wanes, the demonic path naturally flourishes!

The seal was constructed using the original essence of the three religions' sages and the power of the order of the three realms.

With order disrupted and the source dissipated, how can the seal remain stable?

He paused, then turned to Lin Wanqing: "Wanqing."

Lin Wanqing nodded, unfolded the illusory image of the golden book in her hand, and said loudly:

According to the fragments of the Confucian classic *Taigu Jishi*

Anecdotes from the Daoist text *Hun Dun Qing Lu*

Recorded in the Buddhist text, the Longhua Ancient Canon.

In the Archean period, approximately 200,000 to 150,000 years ago.

Before the separation of the three religions, they all share the same origin, participate in creation together, and govern the three realms together.

At that time, the celestial realm was filled with pure and abundant energy, the mortal realm was peaceful and harmonious, and the underworld was orderly.

The number of ascended beings is in the tens of millions every year, and the demonic aura only exists in the remote wilderness, posing no real threat.

There are physical evidence such as the "Auspicious Stone" and the "Ascension List" left from ancient times.

Its spiritual imprints and registers far surpass those of today.

She then unfurled another scroll, and a flash of inspiration revealed many ancient characters and images:

"Around 130,000 years ago, the three religions gradually diverged due to differences in their philosophies, regions, and lineages."

The dispute began on the day it started, and the conflict intensified 100,000 years ago.

Although they joined forces to seal the Demon Lord, a deep rift had already formed between them.

For the next 100,000 years, disputes continued, and the overall indicators of prosperity in the Three Realms showed a downward trend.

This is supported by records of celestial officials throughout history and yearbooks of various celestial realms.

Especially in the last three thousand years, the period of accelerated decline highly overlaps with the period of increased loosening of the seal!

Xiao Lingyue also spoke at this moment, her voice ethereal and compassionate:

"Amitabha!

The Buddha said: Everything is created by the mind.

The Three Realms are the result of the collective karma of all sentient beings.

The three religions are the leaders of the righteous path in the three realms, but their hearts are not in harmony and their actions are conflicting.

Then collective karma tends to become disordered, conflicting, and depleting.

This collective karma invisibly weakens the positive will to maintain the seal.

It will instead fuel the negative karma of the Demon Lord breaking the seal.

The Buddha once warned us at the Vulture Peak assembly:

"The conflict between different schools of thought is even greater than that between external demons."

It's not that different methods are superior or inferior, but rather that people are attached to certain schools of thought.

Forgetting one's original intention to save others is a demon in one's heart, which diminishes one's merits and destroys one's foundation.

.........

The three fairies discussed the topic from three perspectives: data, history, and methods.

Each link is interconnected and corroborates the others.

The argument that "internal strife among the three religions damages the foundation of the Three Realms and fuels demonic calamities" is clearly and thoroughly explained.

The earlier commotion below the stage gradually subsided, and many immortals and gods fell into deep thought.

Even some of the die-hards frowned as they stared at the diagrams and records, their expressions shifting.

Seeing that the time was right, Su Qingxuan's eyes sharpened.

He looked down at the most stubborn representatives in the audience.

"Some fellow practitioners may still be stubbornly attached to 'ancestral rules' and 'orthodox traditions'."

It is believed that the diversity of the three teachings is precisely what demonstrates the inclusiveness of the Great Way; forcing unity would only diminish the true meaning.

Su Qingxuan raised his voice, carrying a power that went straight to the heart.

"Qingxuan has never said that he wanted to erase the characteristics of the three religions or force superficial uniformity!"

The unity of the three religions (Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism) is based on the shared desire to ward off evil and

It is the ambition to save the world and help people, and the essence of exploring the great path!

Instead of forcing Confucian scholars to recite Taoist scriptures, Taoist priests to practice asceticism, and monks to study the teachings of Confucius and Mencius!

With a wave of his hand, the image on the screen changed.

Three parallel diagrams of the Daoist rhythm appear.

They respectively present the core concepts of Confucian benevolence, Taoist tranquility, and Buddhist compassion.

"The Confucian concept of benevolence originates from one's own heart, extends to others as well as to oneself, and emphasizes order and education."

The Tao is stillness, following the laws of nature, maintaining purity and emptiness, emphasizing conformity and transcendence.

The Buddha's compassion stems from enlightenment, aims to liberate all beings, and emphasizes equality and liberation.

The three have different focuses and different paths, but fundamentally they are—

Are guiding all beings towards goodness, severing their afflictions, transcending the self, and aligning with the Way of Heaven all interconnected?

The audience fell silent.

Many gods and immortals nodded silently.

"Let's see how it goes in practice!" Su Qingxuan gestured to Chi Ying.

Chi Ying stood up, paused with her silver spear, and several fragments of the Battle of Meteor Plains appeared on the spiritual light screen.

"This is a scene from the Battle of Meteor Plains, where the remnants of the Three-One Palace and the Three Religions Alliance fought together."

See how the Confucian disciples, with their righteous spirit, set up defenses to prevent the demon soldiers from escaping.

Taoist disciples used escape techniques and formations to harass the enemy and disrupt their formation.

Buddhist disciples used the Buddha's light and compassion to heal and purify the demonic influence.

As disciples of the Sanyi Palace, we will confront this challenge head-on using the combined approach of the three religions.

Only by leveraging each other's strengths and complementing each other's weaknesses can we survive desperate situations, rise from the ashes, and ultimately emerge victorious!

What will be the outcome if they fight their own battles?

The annihilation of three thousand Daoist disciples in the Azure Netherworld serves as a stark warning!

The scene changes again, showing the establishment of the Assistant Directorate.

The three religions joined forces to eliminate minor demonic threats and descend to the mortal realm to spread their teachings.

Successful cases include resource assistance to help those in need.

The data is detailed and the results are obvious.

"This is part of the achievements of the three religions working together since the establishment of the Three Religions Coordination Office 150 years ago."

Clearly, collaboration is not only feasible, but its advantages far outweigh its disadvantages!

In the public good, it can strengthen the power of the three realms; in the private good, it can preserve the lineage of various religions.

If the skin is gone, where will the hair attach?

If the Three Realms are overthrown and demonic forces run rampant, what will become of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism?

Where does this ancestral tradition and orthodoxy come from?

At this point, Su Qingxuan's aura suddenly surged, though he did not deliberately release any pressure.

But the natural Taoist charm of the Great Sage Luo Yasheng, and his resounding words.

Yet, like the resounding toll of a great bell, it struck the hearts of every immortal and deity:

"The so-called ancestral system is established by our ancestors in order to protect the orthodox tradition, extend the lineage of the Dao, and benefit all living beings!"

When ancestral rules become shackles that hinder the protection of the Way and endanger the common people.

Is it to stick to old ways and watch it perish, or to adapt to the times and innovate?

This is not betraying one's ancestors, but rather carrying on their will, continuing their legacy, and glorifying their great path!

"The so-called Daoist lineage is the system of transmitting the Dao."

The essence of the Way lies in benefiting all living beings.

If one clings to sectarianism, remains stagnant, and neglects public duty for private gain...

This led to rampant demonic calamity and widespread suffering.

Are these "orthodox traditions" protecting or destroying the Way?

Is it a continuation, or a cessation?

"Ten thousand years ago, the sages of the three religions could set aside their sectarian differences and join forces to seal the demon."

Ten thousand years from now, will we, the descendants, be less magnanimous and insightful than our ancestors?

On Meteor Plain, the blood of countless fellow disciples is still fresh!

The sealed data is vividly clear in my mind!

The lessons of antiquity still resonate in our ears!

A real crisis is imminent!

Su Qingxuan's gaze swept across the entire room like lightning.

Finally, the voice fell on the face of the die-hard representative, deep and earnest:

"Fellow Daoists, Qingxuan is here today."

It's not about winning or seizing power.

I plead for the sake of all living beings in the Three Realms, and for the survival of the eternal Daoist tradition!

Please set aside sectarian prejudices and personal feelings.

Open your eyes and look at these data, think about this principle.

Touch your own Dao heart...

The conflict between the three religions can finally end!

The unity of the three religions is imperative!

This is not merely my personal opinion, Su Qingxuan's.

This is truly the grand trend of heaven and earth, the hope of all living beings, and the direction pointed to by the Great Dao!

After he finished speaking, the Lingxiao Terrace fell silent.

Only the sea of ​​clouds churns and the wind whispers past my ears.

Countless immortals and gods showed expressions of shock, contemplation, shame, and sudden realization...

A variety of complex expressions.

Qingbing, Konghe, Huiming, and others were already in tears.

The leader bowed deeply and said, "The words of the True Lord are truly awe-inspiring!"

We are completely convinced!

More and more gods and immortals, including many who were originally neutral.

Even the lower and middle classes of conservatives bowed deeply in respect.

Several die-hard representatives, their faces pale and ashen, opened their mouths.

However, they discovered that the reasons they had previously relied on to refute, such as "ancestral system" and "tradition," were no longer valid.

Faced with the ironclad data, rigorous logic, and profound principles presented by Su Qingxuan,

It appears so pale and powerless.

They wanted to question the authenticity of the data, but it represented decades of hard work by Trinity Palace.

Moreover, based on the calculations of experts like Xiao Lingxi,

Furthermore, publicly available data from the three religions corroborates this, making it difficult to refute.

He wanted to emphasize the uniqueness, but Su Qingxuan has already clarified that it does not mean to erase the unique features.

They might try to cause trouble, but how dare they do so in front of the Jade Emperor and the Lingxiao Terrace?

Just then, the Jade Emperor slowly spoke, his voice majestic and resounding throughout the entire hall:

"What Master Su said today was based on detailed data, thorough reasoning, and thought-provoking."

The unity of the three religions in resisting the demonic calamity has always been the guiding principle of the Heavenly Court.

It is also the only way to survive in the Three Realms at present.

"I wholeheartedly agree!"

The phantom images of the three sages also nodded simultaneously.

The Daoist's voice was ethereal:

"Seek common ground while reserving differences, and jointly safeguard the great principles."

The Buddha's Dharma voice is solemn and majestic.

"The Buddha's teachings are boundless, compassion is the guiding principle, and saving sentient beings is the ultimate goal."

The Confucian sage proclaimed in a clear voice:

"When things are at their worst, they must change; change leads to progress; progress leads to longevity."

"To follow the will of Heaven and protect all living beings is the essence of Confucianism."

The divine will is clear, and the great way is manifest.

Finally, within the camp of the diehards.

A highly experienced elder, known for his stubbornness, at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm.

With a long sigh, he stepped forward from the crowd and bowed deeply to Su Qingxuan:

"Lord Su...this old man...was wrong."

Having secluded themselves for ten thousand years, they were unaware of the earth-shaking changes in the outside world, and even less aware of the true nature of the Great Dao.

Your words today have been a revelation.

What we held onto in the past was indeed a cliché.

From this day forward, the Taibai Peak lineage will obey the orders of the Assistant Commander.

"To promote unity among the three religions, I have done my utmost."

After speaking, tears streamed down his face.

With this old man taking the lead, the conservative camp finally began to loosen and collapse...

Several influential deities have also expressed their willingness to support and collaborate.

The remaining die-hards did not express their opinions on the spot.

But his morale had waned, his face was ashen, and he knew that all was lost.

Su Qingxuan quickly returned the greeting, offering gentle words of comfort without showing any smugness.

Thus, the Daoist discourse at Lingxiao Terrace was a great success.

Su Qingxuan used irrefutable facts and reasoning to...

Completely dismantle the ideological foundation of the diehards.

It unified the mainstream consensus in the celestial realm.

The path to unifying the three religions has cleared away the biggest theoretical obstacle.

After the discussion concluded, its contents were recorded on a jade tablet.

It quickly spread throughout the heavens, sparking broader and deeper discussions and reflections.

More and more immortals and deities began to truly accept and support the concept of the unity of the three religions.

The obstacles to the advancement of the various tasks of the Three Religions Coordination Division have been greatly reduced.

The reputation of the Trinity Palace grew even stronger, attracting a constant stream of people seeking enlightenment and engaging in discussions...

.........

After returning to the Sanyi Palace, Su Qingxuan and the four fairies did not slack off.

They knew that theoretical breakthroughs were only the first step.

Next, we need to transform these ideas into more concrete systems.

They perfected the practice method that integrates the three religions and prepared for the final demonic tribulation.

But in any case, after this "theoretical battle,"

On the path where the three teachings converge and the ordinary and the sacred share the same path...

Finally, the clouds parted and the sun shone through, revealing a clear glimmer of hope.

……

Inside Guiyi Courtyard, Su Qingxuan and the Four Fairies leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance.

The sky was ablaze with countless rays of light and auspicious colors.

"Young master, we have finally taken another big step forward on this path."

Lin Wanqing nestled beside him and said softly.

"Yes, it's a very solid step."

Su Qingxuan held her hand, his gaze distant:

"But the task remains arduous, and the final battle against the demonic calamity may not be far off."

I need to perfect the Three-in-One True Secret as soon as possible so that more disciples can truly embark on the path of the unity of the three teachings.

At the same time, we must also prepare for the worst-case scenario.

"No matter what, we're together."

Xiao Lingxi rested her head on his shoulder.

"We will share life and death, and explore the same path together." Xiao Lingyue whispered with her palms together.

"When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it!" Chi Ying's heroic spirit remained unchanged.

A warm feeling welled up in Su Qingxuan's heart as the four women all threw themselves into his arms.

A love that lasts a lifetime, a bond that will never be broken;

The three religions share a heavy responsibility and should work together to shoulder it.

Whether the future holds wind and rain or a rainbow.

They will all walk side by side.

At this moment, a new chapter in the history of the celestial realm begins…

It is:

Auspicious clouds soar into the sky, bringing new life to all things; together we explore the Great Dao, cleansing our minds of worldly dust.

From this day forward, we will no longer be divided into factions, but will unite to resist evil influences and protect the world from the ravages of spring.