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

Poetry:

In the past, I suspected that the Great Dao concealed the secrets of alchemy, for the sound of the jade chime was deep and the auspicious clouds were thick.

Now I understand the true source in the marketplace, and on the Lingxiao Terrace, heroes gather.

Ten thousand calamities have passed in laughter, a pair of delicate hands have witnessed life and death.

Flowers dance in the sky, golden lotuses surge forth, yet they do not hinder the solitary clouds descending from the ninth heaven.

It is said that three days before descending to the mortal realm, Su Qingxuan will be at the Lingxiao Terrace.

This is my last public sermon.

The news caused a sensation in the heavens.

Not only disciples of the Sanyi Palace, but also those under the jurisdiction of the Assistant Department,

Many of the original neutrals, and even those who were once die-hards, were moved and flocked to the scene.

On the Lingxiao Platform, immortals and gods gathered once again, a scene more impressive than the previous discourse and sermon.

The number of people was larger, the atmosphere more solemn, and the anticipation greater.

.........

At 3:45 AM, Su Qingxuan, still dressed in a plain blue Taoist robe, ascended the stage with four fairies.

His gaze swept over the countless familiar and unfamiliar faces in the audience.

With a calm expression, he slowly began to speak:

"Today, Qingxuan is here not to preach scriptures, nor to discuss the Dao."

I only wish to chat with my fellow Daoists about my journey and share my stories.

Let's talk about the road we're on.

He did not quote any profound classics, nor did he demonstrate any mysterious supernatural powers.

It began in a calm tone, starting with the story of that naive young boy from the Su family in the human realm…

He recounted how he received the inheritance from his ancestors and first encountered the Great Dao;

It tells the story of how he met and fell in love with the four fairies, and how they went through many hardships;

It is said that he ascended to the heavens, founded the Palace of the Three Ones, and assisted in the management of the three religions;

It tells of the blood and fire of Meteorite Plain, the establishment of the Lingxiao Terrace, and the awakening of Guizhen Cave.

"I was once perplexed, where is the Great Way?"

"In the classics? In supernatural powers? In the supreme realm?"

Su Qingxuan's voice was melodious and resonant:

Later I understood that the true path lies beneath my feet and within my heart.

In every moment of making a choice.

Our ancestor, the holy Su Lie, willingly sacrificed himself to protect the Three Realms.

This is the way of planning for ten thousand years.

Wanqing, Lingxi, Lingyue, Chiying, through ten thousand years of reincarnation,

Unwavering commitment—this is the way.

On the Meteor Plains, those fellow disciples who died in battle...

To be generous and willing to sacrifice oneself is the way of the people.

Among the three religions, countless sages have dedicated themselves to exploring the truth.

To educate and enlighten all beings, to devote oneself wholeheartedly—this too is one's way.

"And there are countless ordinary people, amidst the daily grind of life..."

Hold fast to your original intention and comprehend the impermanence of life, aging, sickness, and death.

They may never reach the realm of the Great Luo in their entire lives.

They had never even heard of the concept of "the unity of the three religions".

But every time they made a choice between good and evil...

Every yearning for a better life

Every indomitable struggle in the face of suffering,

All of these unconsciously converge into a torrent of civilization.

This solidifies the foundation of the Way of Heaven.

The true path is never solitary and isolated in the clouds.

And it grows up amidst the everyday life of ordinary people.

Without these countless ordinary people, bearing the joys and sorrows of life with their flesh and blood,

Without their insignificant efforts to uphold ethical norms,

So, what we immortals and gods seek—immortality—

It's just an eternally isolated island.

The so-called Way of Heaven will eventually become water without a source.

Su Qingxuan's gaze swept past the immortals and gods below the stage.

It was as if I could already see the mortal world I was about to step into.

The voice grew deeper and deeper:

"Our cultivation is never about transcending the indifference of the mortal world."

Even though they are in the heavens, they can still sense the warmth and coldness of the human world.

This heart that protects the peace of all living beings.

These countless ordinary people are the greatest "training ground" in this world.

"The unification of the three religions is not to erase differences or force uniformity."

What returns is that original aspiration of "seeking lasting peace for all beings."

It is that sense of responsibility, "Even if there are thousands of people, I will go."

It's the kind of open-mindedness that embraces harmony in diversity and appreciates beauty together.

"Confucianism emphasizes benevolence, Taoism emphasizes tranquility, and Buddhism emphasizes compassion."

Both are like fingers pointing to the moon, or rafts used to cross a river.

Their goal is to guide all beings to transcend the sea of ​​suffering.

Reaching the other side of light.

"Now that the Three Religions Coordination Office has been established and its regulations are gradually being finalized,..."

The increasing exchanges are a welcome sign.

However, this is not the end, but only the beginning.

The true unity of the three religions is not found in the celestial halls.

In the ordinary streets and alleys of the human world, in the hearts of all beings,

We, the immortals and gods, must humble ourselves and step into the mortal world.

To understand the suffering of all beings and to discern the hearts and minds of people.

Transform profound truths into a gentle spring breeze and a light drizzle, nourishing all things silently.

"I am Su Qingxuan, and I have four Daoist companions."

Soon he will seal away his cultivation memories, re-enter the cycle of reincarnation, and once again experience the mortal world.

These words caused an uproar in the audience.

Despite the rumors, I heard Su Qingxuan announce it with my own ears.

It still amazes countless gods and immortals.

Su Qingxuan raised his hand and pressed down lightly. After the sound subsided slightly, he continued:

"This journey is for a private bond that will last for eternity."

Secondly, to seek the righteous path that can completely resolve the calamity of evil.

The devil is not only outside, but also in people's hearts.

A seal can suppress a demonic body, but it cannot purify a demonic mind.

To eradicate evil, we may need to start with educating people's hearts and minds and passing on civilization.

This journey into the mortal world is both a form of spiritual practice and a quest for knowledge.

"After I leave, we will still need you all to walk this path together."

The Three Religions Coordination Office respectfully entrusts the task to Immortal Master Guangchengzi and all the elders.

Sanyi Palace, I entrust Changfeng, Ruolin and all fellow disciples to you.

The path to unifying the three religions is long and arduous, with setbacks and frustrations along the way.

But the direction is clear, and the dawn has broken.

I urge you all not to forget the blood of the Meteorite Plains, nor the calamity of ten thousand years ago.

Never forget our original aspiration to protect the cause, and forge ahead with determination.

When Su Qingxuan spoke, her voice trembled slightly, and the four women's eyes were also filled with tears.

On and off the stage, countless immortals and gods recalled their comrades-in-arms who fought side by side at Meteor Plains.

Recalling the years of strife over the orthodox tradition,

Thinking back to the various changes in the Heavenly Realm after Su Qingxuan's arrival.

My heart is surging with emotion, and I can hardly contain myself.

At that moment, heaven and earth resonated, and the Daoist spirit arose spontaneously.

Above the Lingxiao Terrace, countless golden flowers appeared out of thin air and fluttered down.

Golden lotuses bloomed from the white jade ground, emitting a wonderful fragrance.

Celestial music resounded from the void, and illusory images of dragons and phoenixes circled around.

Countless immortals and gods felt their Dao hearts become clear and their past confusion about cultivation suddenly became clear.

Even more remarkably, some people sat down on the spot and entered a state of enlightenment.

This is Su Qingxuan's Dao realm at the peak of the Great Luo stage and the sub-sage of the Three Teachings.

Sincerity arises, touching the very source of the Great Dao, thus triggering extraordinary phenomena in the heavens and earth!

It's not a deliberate attempt to show off, but rather a spontaneous expression of feeling, following the natural way.

Master Guangchengzi, with tears in his eyes, bowed deeply:

"The True Lord's words came from the bottom of his heart and moved heaven and earth!"

The old Taoist priest hereby swears that he will do everything in his power.

"Protect the Three Religions Coordinating Office, awaiting the return of the True Lord!"

Elders Qingbing, Konghe, Huiming, and others

And Li Changfeng, Zhou Ruolin and other disciples of the Sanyi Palace,

They all wept and knelt on the ground, saying, "We respectfully see off the Palace Mistress! We will certainly not fail your trust!"

More and more immortals and deities bowed in reverence...

Regardless of past stances, at this moment...

They were all impressed by the magnanimity and sense of responsibility of Su Qingxuan and his group of five.

Those remaining diehards, seeing this scene,

His expression was also complex, and he finally sighed and bowed.

……

After the sermon, Su Qingxuan and the four women addressed the Jade Emperor...

The phantom images of the three sages, and the assembled immortals and deities below the stage.

Finally, a deep bow...

Then they joined hands and rode the clouds away, drifting away gracefully.

What was left for the heavens was a resolute and hopeful silhouette...

.........

Finally, the cycle of the sexagenary cycle completes, and the time of yin and yang in disarray arrives.

On this day, at the highest point of the heavens, at the Reincarnation Platform.

The Reincarnation Platform is no ordinary building; it is a structure suspended in the endless void.

An ancient stone platform that guides the gods through the chaotic laws of reincarnation.

It differs from the natural cycle of reincarnation in the underworld, but rather—

If celestial beings and gods wish to seal their cultivation memories and forcibly enter the cycle of reincarnation,

To ensure that one's true spirit remains undisturbed, one must traverse this path of reincarnation.

And one must bear the consequences of its chaotic laws...

Cultivators below the Great Luo Golden Immortal level would not dare to attempt this lightly.

This Wheel of Reincarnation Platform is ancient in form, covered with traces of time and mysterious Taoist patterns.

It is usually heavily guarded to prevent immortals and gods from accidentally entering.

It may not be opened except in the event of a great calamity or a supreme decree.

Today, auspicious clouds and countless streams of lucky energy surround the Reincarnation Platform.

The Jade Emperor himself arrived and sat on the Cloud Platform.

The incarnations of the Confucian Celestial Venerable, the Supreme Celestial Venerable, the Buddha's avatar, and the projection of the True Martial Emperor.

They stood in four directions, their expressions solemn, protecting Su Qingxuan and his group of five.

Wang Lingguan, Guang Chengzi, Qingbing, Kong He, Huiming,

The five elders and four disciples of the Sanyi Palace

Su Wenyuan and Madam Liu (the two elders insisted on coming to see him off)...

Close relatives and friends stand a little distance away, their eyes filled with reluctance and blessings.

Further away, countless immortals and gods who had rushed to the scene watched silently.

The scene was solemn and tragic.

Su Qingxuan and the four women, now dressed in simple cloth robes, stood in the center of the Reincarnation Platform.

The five people held hands and formed a circle.

They looked at each other and smiled, their eyes showing no fear of the unknown.

Only deep affection for each other and unwavering commitment to the future.

"The time has come," Su Qingxuan said softly.

The four women nodded, and held each other's hands even tighter.

Su Qingxuan raised his head and bowed to the Jade Emperor and the four guardian saints:

"Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty, and thank you to all the sages."

The Jade Emperor nodded and solemnly said:

"Minister Su, Fairy Lin Wanqing, Fairy Xiao Lingyue,"

Fairy Xiao Lingxi and Fairy Chi Ying, take care on your journey.

"I and all beings of the Three Realms await your return."

The illusory figure of the Confucian Celestial Venerable raised his hand and pointed, sending a surge of righteous energy into the core of the Reincarnation Platform.

The Supreme Celestial Venerable, in his guise, lightly swept his whisk, causing the Yin and Yang energies to circulate.

The Buddha's emanations joined their palms and chanted sutras, and boundless Buddha light emanated.

The True Martial Emperor projected his sword and gestured, channeling the power of the Northern Mystic Water.

The Reincarnation Platform trembled violently, and the ancient Dao patterns on it lit up one by one.

It exudes a vast, mysterious aura that encompasses the cycle of life and death.

At the center of the platform, a deep, dark vortex, seemingly capable of swallowing everything, slowly began to rotate and appear...

That is the passage to the cycle of reincarnation in the human realm.

Su Qingxuan and the four women no longer hesitated.

At the same time, he activated his profound inner power and began to seal himself.

The five people were suddenly surrounded by a bright light.

The vast power of the Great Luo was receding like the tide...

Countless insights into the Great Dao, memories of supernatural powers, and even memories of past and present lives.

It was enveloped, compressed, and sealed by layers of golden light.

It sank to the deepest part of the Purple Mansion, leaving only the most primordial soul imprint.

With a hazy, ambiguous connection to each other,

With the subconscious desire to "settle the cause and effect".

Their breaths dropped rapidly.

From the peak of the Great Luo realm, he descended to the Golden Immortal, Celestial Immortal, Earthly Immortal, Human Immortal...

Finally, until he was no different from an ordinary person, with only a sliver of spiritual light remaining.

Protect the true spirit so that it does not dissipate.

At the same time, the "Three Teachings Seal" hovering above Su Qingxuan's head,

As if sensing something, it emitted a soft chirping sound, and then automatically differentiated.

It transformed into five barely perceptible streams of three-colored light.

They disappeared quietly into the brows of Su Qingxuan and the four women.

This treasure protects its master, and it will also be their reunion in the mortal world.

Key guidance and protection for reconstruction.

The seal was complete, and the five people looked slightly pale.

But their eyes were clear, and they smiled at each other.

Hand in hand, we step into that vortex of reincarnation...

"Father, Mother, take care!"

Su Qingxuan took one last look at his parents.

"Uncle and Aunt, take care!" the four women said in unison.

Su Wenyuan and Liu Shi waved goodbye with tears in their eyes.

Disciples Li Changfeng, Zhou Ruolin, and others knelt and kowtowed.

"Gentlemen, farewell for now in the Heavenly Realm. We shall celebrate our victory together upon our return!"

Su Qingxuan laughed loudly and leaped into the air at the same time as the four women.

Leap into that deep vortex!

With a flash of light, the five figures vanished.

The light from the Reincarnation Platform gradually dimmed, and the vortex slowly closed.

The Jade Emperor and the four sages withdrew their magical powers and remained silent for a moment.

The Venerable Wenru sighed softly:

"This journey will take you into the vast mortal world, where cause and effect become intertwined..."

We hope they return safely soon.

The Supreme Celestial Venerable gazed into the endless void, seemingly deducing celestial secrets:

"Sowing causes yields results; the law of cause and effect applies."

The five of them share a deep bond and unwavering commitment to the Dao.

They will surely turn misfortune into good fortune and resolve their karmic ties.

But the human realm... has endured ten thousand years of vicissitudes.

Things have long since changed, and civilizations have evolved.

Who knows what kind of danger they will encounter this time?

Buddha's clone smiled:

"The mortal world is both a tribulation and a destiny. It is a path of delusion and a place of enlightenment."

Let's see how they act.

The projection of the True Martial Emperor nodded slightly, and his figure gradually faded.

With the matter of the Reincarnation Platform concluded, the immortals and gods, each filled with emotion, gradually dispersed.

……

Su Qingxuan and his four companions resolutely descended to the mortal realm to settle their karmic debts—a truly heroic act.

Like a giant rock thrown into the center of a lake, it stirs up ripples in the heavens.

Among the disciples of the three religions, regardless of past relationships...

When this matter is discussed, everyone expresses their admiration and respect.

Those who initially had reservations about the integration of the three religions have mostly fallen silent and reflected on their actions.

Because Su Qingxuan set an example, the various affairs of the Three Religions Coordination Division were carried out more smoothly.

The disciples of Sanyi Palace turned their longing into motivation.

He diligently cultivated himself, strictly adhered to palace rules, and carried forward the concept of "unity of the three religions".

The most significant change comes from the monitoring data of the "Return to the Void" seal.

Shortly after Su Qingxuan and his group of five descended to the mortal realm.

The Three Religions Coordinating Office, jointly monitoring the celestial officials sealing the seal.

Shocking discovery—

The slow, steady loosening of the seal, which had lasted for millennia, was actually...

For the first time, a clear slowdown trend has emerged!

Although the slowdown is not significant, it is undoubtedly an exciting sign.

It seems to confirm Su Qingxuan's theory:

With the three religions united in purpose, all beings turn their minds toward goodness, and order is stable.

It can weaken the Demon Lord's power at its root and delay his breaking of the seal.

The news spread, and the heavens were overjoyed.

More and more people are beginning to truly believe what Su Qingxuan pointed out.

It is the right path.

The three teachings converge into one, and the ordinary and the sacred share the same path.

Though the road ahead is long and arduous, hope has already appeared...

……

The turmoil in the celestial realm has temporarily subsided, and our attention now turns to the vast and boundless human world…

Since Su Qingxuan ascended from the Great Xia Dynasty...

Time flies, and ten thousand years have passed in the human world.

The world changes, dynasties rise and fall, and civilizations evolve.

The once mighty Xia Dynasty has long since become an ancient name in history books.

Now, the one who rules this eastern land is...

It is a modern civilized country called "Da Xia Kingdom".

This place is unlike the heavens.

There are no immortals who fly on swords.

There are no cultivators who can absorb or exhale spiritual energy...

It is also unlike the Great Xia Dynasty of ten thousand years ago.

Poetic dwellings built of earth, wood, brick, and stone.

The harmonious rhythm of nature and humanity amidst the staggered courtyards

Human warmth and harmony in nature...

Instead, there are skyscrapers resembling steel forests;

A crisscrossing, bustling three-dimensional transportation network.

On the ground, cars of all shapes and sizes moved like beetles in a continuous stream;

High-speed trains sped along the tracks like long silver dragons.

The plane streaked across the sky, leaving trails of white contrails...

Information networks cover the globe, and people access information through a small screen.

Then one can know what is happening in the world and connect with people thousands of miles away.

This is an era of advanced technology and abundant material wealth.

It is also a time of diverse beliefs and clashes of ideas.

An era where ancient traditions and modern civilization intertwine...

It is:

The eternal moon shines for a fleeting moment, its swift wheels whirl in an iron house amidst the mortal world.

No more phoenixes and cranes fly to the heavens; only neon lights illuminate the way for passersby.

The seal gradually shifts, dispelling evil influences; the changing of civilizations testifies to a new soul.

When you return, do not ask about the vicissitudes of life, but only see how kindness and benevolence are sown in the world.

(The End of Volume Three: The Heavenly Realm's Inquiry and the Return of the Three Teachings)

Postscript to Volume 3:

The gears of fate have quietly meshed once more and begun to turn slowly...

A cause and effect spanning millennia,

A journey through the mortal world seeking fulfillment and redemption.

The curtain is about to rise in this modern world...

……

The "Return to Nothingness" seal, hanging high in the heavens,

Its loosening speed seemed to have slowed down by an almost imperceptible amount.

In the mortal realm, Su Qingxuan's reunion with the four women may be the key to breaking the deadlock.

It is subtly influencing the flow of fortune in the Three Realms.

The celestial realm and the mortal realm are two seemingly parallel lines.

Their paths intertwine once more due to the five people's cycles of reincarnation.

Su Qingxuan and the four fairies are about to experience the mortal world's hustle and bustle.

How to burn brilliantly?

.........

To find out what happens next...

Let's look at Volume Four: Transcending Tribulations in the Mortal World and Passing on the Flame of Civilization.