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

Poetry:

Returning to the true nature, one sees the original essence; the four beauties together illuminate the spring beyond the calamity.

Temporarily concealing the celestial light from the Purple Palace, we offer libations at Yingling Mausoleum to honor the loyal souls.

It is said that Su Qingxuan awakened his ancient memories in the Guizhen Cave.

He realized that he was the "returning" body of his ancestor Su Lie, who used his supreme supernatural powers to entrust his true spirit and orchestrate a plan that had been in place for 100,000 years.

He was also with four women: Lin Wanqing, Xiao Lingxi, Xiao Lingyue, and Chi Ying.

Memories of past and present lives are fully integrated, karmic ties are renewed, and the Daoist heart resonates.

The fusion of the three treasures of Buddhism and Taoism recreates the "Seal of the Three Teachings".

All five of them broke through their cultivation levels simultaneously, reaching the Great Luo Immortal Dao Fruit.

However, the karma from 100,000 years ago remains unresolved, and the tribulations of love in the mortal world await passage.

With hints from ancestors, he returned to the human world to settle past karma.

Finding a way to completely eliminate the demonic threat has become an inevitable path.

After emerging from the seclusion of the grotto-heaven, Su Qingxuan and the four women...

The matter of the lower realm was not announced immediately.

There are still fifty years left, which is exactly what Heaven has shown us.

The cyclical window where Yin and Yang are in disarray and cause and effect are most evident.

These fifty years are but a fleeting moment in the celestial realm.

As for Su Qingxuan and the other four, they made proper arrangements for their funerals.

Precious time to spend with family and friends, solidify one's cultivation, and plan for the future.

The most important thing is to spend time with my parents.

For fifty years, whenever they had free time, the five of them would visit the Bamboo Grove Cottage to keep the two elders company.

Whether enjoying tea and playing chess, discussing philosophy and metaphysics, or simply chatting about everyday life, they fully enjoy the warmth of family time.

Su Qingxuan personally combined the essence of the three religions with the strengths of the four women.

He crafted a set of "Three Elements Guardian Pendants" and several bottles of "Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Pills" for his parents.

It can help the elderly make steady progress, prolong their lives, and ward off evil spirits.

……

Su Qingxuan also began to arrange various matters in the Heavenly Realm.

Regarding the Three Religions Coordination Office, he personally went to Yuqing Realm to pay a visit to the Immortal Master Guangchengzi.

He explained in detail the reasons for the existence of the lower realm and solemnly entrusted all matters to the Assistant Directorate.

Guang Chengzi readily agreed and said:

"Go with peace of mind, True Lord."

In charge of all affairs, there are three Daoist friends: the old Daoist, Qingbing, Konghe, and Huiming.

We will do our utmost to maintain this collaborative approach to cooking.

The unity of the three religions is hard-won and will not be allowed to change.

The day when the True Lord settles his karma and returns in perfect harmony.

The old Taoist priest eagerly awaited the final battle against the Demon Lord.

Su Qingxuan then had in-depth conversations with the three elders, Qingbing, Konghe, and Huiming.

The three experienced the bloody battle at Meteor Plain and the Daoist discussion at Lingxiao Terrace.

He had long admired Su Qingxuan and vowed to follow him to the death.

Upon hearing Su Qingxuan's plan, although reluctant, they all expressed their determination to do their utmost.

To assist the Immortal Master Guangchengzi in consolidating the unity of the three religions.

We are advancing all affairs in anticipation of the True Lord's return.

To prevent the remnants of the die-hard faction from causing trouble while he was away,

Su Qingxuan then secretly made arrangements with the four women.

Lin Wanqing, relying on her mastery of the classics and systems of the three religions,

To assist the Assistant Directorate in further improving various regulations and legal systems.

Eliminate loopholes through institutional mechanisms.

Xiao Lingxi was at the Sanyi Palace and the key locations of the Assistant Directorate.

They secretly deployed multiple layers of covert monitoring and protection systems.

It also connects with the existing defense system of the Celestial Realm.

Using her Buddhist supernatural powers, Xiao Lingyue identified a few treacherous and deeply entrenched spies.

They may try to influence or secretly monitor the situation.

Chi Ying then reorganized the heavenly troops and strengthened patrols.

In particular, strengthen the monitoring of the "Guixu" seal and the surrounding areas.

Inside the Sanyi Palace, Su Qingxuan summoned his eldest disciples, including Li Changfeng, Zhou Ruolin, and Qian Duoduo.

The Chu brothers, elders of the Heaven, Earth, and Man Sword Sect,

The elite of the Scattered Immortal Alliance

The five elders: Xuanqing, Liaochen, Yunmiaozi, Longyuan, and Lingxu.

He announced that he would go into seclusion with the Four Fairies to comprehend the supreme Dharma.

All affairs in the palace will temporarily be managed by the five elders.

The senior disciples, along with the elders of the Sword Sect and the elites of the Loose Immortal Alliance, worked together to assist him, each fulfilling their respective duties.

Su Qingxuan shared his deeper understanding of the "Three Ones True Technique".

And the many wonderful applications of the unity of the three religions.

Compiled into three volumes of "Sanyi Xuanzhang".

It was made public in the "Dharma Transmission Pavilion" within the palace, and restrictions were placed on it:

Only disciples who meet the standards in terms of character, aptitude, and contributions,

Only then can one learn step by step.

This move will undoubtedly further enhance the core traditions of the Trinity Palace.

It also lays the foundation for cultivating more talents who integrate the three religions in the celestial realm.

Everyone knew the Palace Master had a deeper meaning, and though they were reluctant,

But they all accepted the order with reverence and vowed to protect the lineage of the Sanyi Palace to the death.

Subsequently, Su Qingxuan, accompanied by four women, secretly visited the three sages of the three religions.

Deep within the Wenru Heaven, the illusory image of the Wenru Heavenly Venerable manifested.

After listening to Su Qingxuan's account, he stroked his beard and sighed:

"After ten thousand years of reincarnation, entangled in cause and effect, it must eventually come to an end."

Su Lie's decision to leave behind a contingency plan after his military death was truly a testament to his profound foresight.

Now that you understand the origin, you should know the meaning of this journey.

It is not merely to settle personal feelings, but also for the sake of justice in the three realms.

There may be a key clue to completely resolving the demonic scourge within the mortal world.

You will need to find and verify it yourself.

Go then, the Wenru Heavenly Society will pay attention to the fortunes of the human realm.

Guidance may be provided if necessary.

.........

In the Supreme Purity Heaven, the avatar of the Supreme Purity Heavenly Venerable became increasingly solid.

His gaze was deep and intense as he stared directly at Su Qingxuan.

"Qingxuan, do you know the true meaning of that 'Death Tribulation'?"

Before Su Qingxuan could answer, he continued:

"Back then, Su Lie sacrificed himself to seal the Demon Lord, disintegrating his own body in the process."

He betrayed the deep affections of four women, causing them all to commit suicide.

This is the cause.

Your descent to the mortal realm this time requires you to die once for the four women in the body of a mortal.

For you, a mortal, this is true death.

As for your Great Luo Undying True Spirit...

It wasn't a real death, but rather the end of this causal cycle of "betrayal" and "martyrdom."

Only you have "died" once, in their hearts,

Only then can one truly let go of the obsession and pain that originated from 100,000 years ago.

And you, too, can repay that debt of love.

From then on, the five of you will find your love and destiny complete and without any further obstacles.

Only then can we truly unite as one and face the final battle.

"Remember! This descent to the mortal realm is for the first purpose: to transcend karma and karmic debts."

Second... The human realm is the foundation of the three realms, the place where civilization is passed down from generation to generation.

The source of demonic calamity lies in the thoughts and intentions of all living beings.

Perhaps the solution lies not in brute force,

And in terms of 'education' and 'people's hearts'.

The mystery of this will become clear to you once you enter the mortal world.

.........

The Buddha manifested himself on Vulture Peak, his appearance solemn and dignified.

"The vast world is my Buddhist practice ground."

When Su Zhenjun enters the world this time, she should observe with wisdom and act with compassion.

One aspect is resolving karmic ties and emotional entanglements.

The second aspect is understanding the thoughts of all beings and the rise and fall of civilizations.

Ten thousand years ago, Su Lie sealed the demon with his power.

Ten thousand years from now, perhaps we will need to use our hearts to subdue demons.

This heart is not the heart of one person, but the heart of all sentient beings in the three realms.

May the True Lord, on this journey, find the method to ignite the light in the hearts of all beings.

.........

Su Qingxuan and the four women bowed to thank the sage for his guidance, and their understanding deepened.

Finally, Su Qingxuan submitted a memorial to the Jade Emperor, explaining the reasons for his descent to the mortal realm to undergo tribulation.

The Jade Emperor pondered for a long time before saying, "Minister Su is for the sake of all living beings in the Three Realms."

Willing to seal away one's cultivation and re-enter the cycle of reincarnation, such a magnanimous heart greatly pleases me.

The Reincarnation Platform is a vital instrument of heaven and earth, and it cannot be opened lightly.

However, your matter concerns the safety of the Three Realms, and I hereby grant your special permission.

And invoking the incarnations of the Heavenly Venerable of Literature and the Heavenly Venerable of Supreme Purity,

Buddha's avatar, True Martial Emperor's projection

I will personally protect you.

To ensure the stability of the cycle of reincarnation and the preservation of the true spirit.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!" Su Qingxuan and the four women bowed in gratitude.

……

Everything has been arranged properly.

Su Qingxuan, accompanied by his four daughters, returned to the Bamboo Grove Cottage for a deep conversation with Su Wenyuan and Lady Liu.

After decades of cultivation, the two elders had reached the mid-stage of the Celestial Immortal realm.

With their clear and discerning minds, they were no longer the ordinary couple they once were.

Seeing his son arrive with his four "daughters-in-law," his aura became increasingly unfathomable.

Yet it also carried a hint of parting, and I already had a premonition in my heart.

"Father, Mother," Su Qingxuan knelt down before the two elders, lifting his robes.

The four women then gracefully bowed.

"Your unfilial son will have to leave your parents for some time."

Su Wenyuan helped his son up and said gently:

"Xuan'er, although your mother and I have shallow cultivation..."

But I also know that you bear a heavy responsibility for the three realms, which is extraordinary.

But... another long journey?

Su Qingxuan nodded and recounted the whole story in detail, selecting only what he could say.

He stated that he and the four women needed to return to the human world to settle an ancient karmic debt.

Only then can one achieve perfect enlightenment and face the final demonic tribulation.

He deliberately downplayed the danger, only saying:

"Parents, rest assured, your child and Wanqing and the others are now all Great Immortals."

They have long since transcended the cycle of birth and death, unless they voluntarily undergo physical dissolution.

Otherwise, even if heaven and earth perish, I will not.

This time, I will descend to the mortal realm and seal away most of my cultivation memories.

He re-entered the mortal world in the mortal body, but his true spirit remained undimmed and his original nature still existed.

Even if there is a "death calamity" in the human world, it is nothing more than a ritual to sever the ties of cause and effect.

In an instant, the true spirit can be reunited and return to the celestial realm.

Furthermore, the flow of time differs between the celestial realm and the mortal realm; even after several hundred years, the mortal realm remains unchanged.

In the celestial realm, this period can last anywhere from a little over a year to no more than ten years.

"My child will surely return safely."

Upon hearing this, Liu's eyes reddened slightly, and she took Su Qingxuan's hand.

He looked at the four women again, and choked up as he said:

"Mother knows you are capable and have heavy responsibilities."

However... since it seals away cultivation memories, it is just like a mortal.

In this mortal world, there is birth, aging, sickness, and death; love, hate, and separation.

How could it be so easy? Mother's heart is filled with...

Lin Wanqing gently comforted her:

"Auntie, don't worry."

Even though our memories are temporarily sealed, the bond between our souls and the young master remains deep within.

Their bond was already etched deep within their souls.

Even through countless reincarnations, it will not be erased.

In this world, we will surely meet again and continue our predestined relationship.

This descent to the mortal realm is less about weathering a calamity together and more about...

It's more like a promise that should have been fulfilled long ago.

Xiao Lingxi also said:

"Moreover, the young master has made thorough preparations for us."

Even in this world, our individual identities, the circumstances that led to our encounters...

Everything is preordained; it's not just aimless wandering.

Xiao Lingyue clasped her hands together: "Refining one's heart in the mortal world is a part of cultivation."

This resolution of cause and effect also signifies the perfection of Bodhicitta (the aspiration for enlightenment).

When you return, your Daoist heart will be free of hindrance, enabling you to better protect the Three Realms.

I will not let down my uncle and aunt's deep kindness.

Chi Ying, being the most straightforward, laughed and said:

"Uncle and Aunt, please consider the five of us as companions."

Go and travel to the human world and experience life as an ordinary person.

Who knows, when I come back, I might even be able to tell my parents some interesting stories about life!

Seeing that the four women all looked calm and spoke with confidence and tenderness, Su Wenyuan...

Feeling somewhat relieved, he sighed:

"In that case, you may go."

The path of the great road is inherently rugged.

As a father and mother, I ask for nothing more.

I only wish that the five of you, whether in heaven or on earth, in immortals or mortals, will be well.

May all be safe and blessed, and may we all work together in harmony.

"We'll take care of everything at home, so don't worry about us."

Su Qingxuan and the four women bowed again.

……

Time flies, and the fifty-year mark is approaching.

Everything is settled, relatives and friends are settled, and we are just waiting for a chosen date to set off.

Su Qingxuan did not tell anyone about this day.

Alone, I quietly left the gradually quieting Trinity Palace.

We arrived at the quiet "Heroes' Tomb" on the back mountain.

The cemetery is built against the mountain, with bluestone paths and evergreen pines and cypresses.

In the center of the garden stands a tall stone monument.

The inscription reads "Monument to the Heroes of the Fallen Fellowship of Meteorite Plain".

Beneath the monument are tens of thousands of names.

Densely packed, as small as ant legs.

Every name represents a vibrant life.

A cultivator who was once passionate about the unity of the three religions.

Su Qingxuan walked slowly forward, his fingertips lightly tracing the cold surface of the monument...

Passing by those familiar or unfamiliar names.

Chen Song, Han Xue, Han Shuang, Chen Yuan, Shen Tao, Ling Xue...

His fingertips lingered on these names, as if he could still feel...

Their warmth and resolve in their final moments.

He didn't use any divine power; he was just like an ordinary mortal.

I took a broom from a corner of the cemetery and gently swept away the fallen leaves and dust in front of the tombstone.

His movements were slow, but he was exceptionally focused.

After sweeping, he took out three jugs of wine from his sleeve.

One pot is offered to heaven and earth, one pot is poured before the monument, and one pot is drunk by myself with my head tilted back.

The wine was brewed by Xiao Lingxi and is called "Seeking Dreams".

After drinking it, all the past events became as clear as yesterday.

He seemed to see again Chen Song's honest yet fearless smile when he detonated the thunder talisman;

I saw the look of relief in Han Xue's eyes when she shielded her sister from the blade;

I saw Chen Yuan holding Shen Tao's body, and the blood and tears that flowed silently down his face;

I saw Ling Xue fall like a broken spear, yet her spine remained straight...

"I..." Su Qingxuan murmured to himself.

The sound was exceptionally clear in the silent cemetery.

"I will go now, for you, and for the sake of the Three Realms."

We need to find a complete solution.

The wind rustles through the treetops, the pines whispering in response, as if countless heroic spirits are responding.

He sat cross-legged, leaning against the monument to heroes, and closed his eyes.

The illusory image of the seals of the Three Teachings

It spontaneously and slowly rotated around him.

It is no longer as radiant as it once was.

Instead, it flows with a gentle, compassionate Taoist charm.

It resonates faintly with the spirits of the fallen heroes beneath the monument.

He recalled the "death calamity" mentioned by the Supreme Celestial Venerable.

Recalling the "education" and "human nature" mentioned by the Venerable Wenru Tianzun,

I am reminded of the Buddha's words, "Light the lamp of your heart."

These disciples who sacrificed their lives, what they defended...

Isn't it precisely these billions of living beings in the celestial and mortal realms?

Do we have the right to a peaceful life?

Their blood cannot be exchanged for a moment's respite.

It must be exchanged for eternal peace.

"Your blood will not be shed in vain." Su Qingxuan opened his eyes.

Looking towards the distant, ethereal Wenru Tiansheng Realm, his gaze was deep and resolute.

"I, Su Qingxuan, hereby swear that this time I descend to the mortal realm, I will find a way to completely save the Three Realms."

Even if my death is necessary to settle the karmic debt,

Even if it means enduring countless tribulations in the mortal world, I will never back down.

He stood up and bowed solemnly three times to the stone tablet.

Every time we bend over, it is a sign of utmost respect for the deceased.

It is also a weighty promise to the living.

As he turned to leave, his clothes remained still, and his steps were steady...

The cemetery returned to silence, with only the lingering aroma of wine mingling with the fragrance of pine and cypress trees in front of the tombstone.

It was as if countless heroic spirits were watching over him, accompanying him as he walked toward the unknown.

But the path of reincarnation must be traversed...

It is:

Tears streamed down my kind face, obscuring the truth of the Dao; alone, I swept the dust from the grave.

I am willing to die for the heroes, so that peace may be restored for all living beings.