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

Poetry:

Amidst the smoke of war, kindred spirits gathered, each displaying their talents to alleviate the suffering of the people.

The three streams of Daoist winds merged on the battlefield, and the looming clouds of calamity pressed upon the Yin City.

Meanwhile, Su Qingxuan and Chi Ying were in the war-torn Holy Flame City...

He reunited with Wanqing, Lingxi, and Lingyue.

Su Qingxuan settled the three women in a semi-basement near the Smart House.

This place was originally a tribal warehouse, which was converted into a place where people could barely live.

In the days that followed, the five of them "reunited" in a peculiar way:

During the day, everyone is busy with their own things, but in the evening they gather together to exchange their experiences and discuss countermeasures.

Lin Wanqing took over some of the paperwork and coordination tasks; her wisdom and organizational skills...

This significantly improves the efficiency of the resistance system.

She reorganized the communication network and established a simple and efficient information transmission mechanism;

More importantly, in every meeting, she subtly instilled the concepts of "benevolence and love for others" and "putting the people first."

Hassan, the tribal elder from the western desert, privately told Su Qingxuan after a meeting:

"Mr. Su, your Ms. Lin... reminds me of the wise man who spread the Way recorded in the ancient tribal scrolls."

It wasn't because of her preaching, but because of the... reassuring power she possessed.

Su Qingxuan smiled: "She's always been like this."

Xiao Lingxi established a field medical clinic.

She used the medicinal herbs she brought from the East, combined with local desert herbs, to create various ointments and powders.

More importantly, she began training local healers to identify herbs and learn the basics of acupuncture.

"The way of medicine knows no borders or ethnic groups," she told her apprentices, "but healers have roots."

My homeland is in the Great Xia of the East, but I stand here now because I believe that life is above all else.

You study medicine not to aid and abet evil, but to save lives.

Remember this, and you won't misuse the herbs and needles in your hands.

A young man who had been seduced by evil forces and charged into enemy territory with the intention of mutual destruction,

After her injuries were treated at her clinic, she knelt down and wept bitterly.

"Sir, I...I once heard from heretical cultivators that all those who follow unorthodox paths should be killed."

Those who die in battle can enter the Spirit Realm and gain eternal life.

But now I see you, a cultivator from afar, from another realm.

You saved me, the one who originally wanted to take your life...

I was wrong, I was really wrong.

Xiao Lingxi helped him up: "To know one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue."

Lay down your weapons, pick up a medical book; you can save far more people than you have harmed.

Xiao Lingyue went deep into refugee camps and front-line positions.

She didn't understand warfare, but she understood people's hearts.

The soldiers had been on the brink of life and death for a long time, which depleted their mental energy and caused them to develop inner demons.

She taught them simple breathing and meditation techniques, and how to maintain inner clarity amidst the booming of the gong.

"Fear won't make the explosive bombs avoid you," she told a group of young soldiers.

"But Qingming can help you see where to hide."

Compassion won't make an enemy lay down their knife, but it allows you to know who you are even when you have to act.

She also held simple soul-crossing rituals at the front lines after each battle.

They would recite the Soul-Crossing and Calming Mantra for the fallen on both sides.

Initially, some soldiers objected: "Why should we perform a ritual to save the enemy's soul?"

Xiao Lingyue clasped her hands together: "Because they were once vibrant human beings too."

He was once someone's child, someone's husband.

Their souls also need rest. More importantly—

When we begin to see our enemies as inhuman beings,

We are also losing our true selves.

Chi Ying remained in charge of combat skills training and special harassment.

Her "surprise force" has expanded to three hundred people, divided into thirty squads, operating behind enemy lines.

She teaches not only stealth combat techniques, but also the wisdom of ancient Xia military strategists—

"The best strategy is to attack the enemy's plans; next is to disrupt their alliances; next is to attack their army; and the worst is to besiege their cities," she explained in front of the sand table.

"You are outnumbered and your magical weapons are inferior; a direct confrontation will only lead to your demise."

Use your brain, strike at their weak points, make them feel pain but still leave them unable to track you down.

Su Qingxuan oversaw the overall situation.

He trained key personnel during the day, wrote classic texts and teaching materials at night, and communicated with various tribal forces late into the night.

The three-vein seal pendant on his chest had been generating heat for several days.

It's getting hotter and hotter—this is a warning from the Three Meridians Seal protecting its master: death is near.

But he remained calm, continuing to give lectures, treat patients, and reassure the public.

Only when he was alone at night would he gaze towards the celestial realm and sigh softly:

"Father, Mother, Qingxuan will be back soon."

Qingxuan has no regrets about what he has done or chosen.

Cultivate oneself to benefit the world, benefit all things without contention, and guide others with compassion.

The three paths ultimately converge on one, returning to "benevolence" and "love." My journey here is precisely to put this path into practice.

That night, only he and the four women were in the Wisdom House.

Under the dim light, Su Qingxuan brewed a pot of green tea that Lin Wanqing had brought from the East.

A glass was poured for everyone.

The fragrant aroma of tea temporarily dispelled the smell of gunpowder in the air.

"There's something I need to say formally," Su Qingxuan said calmly.

Her fingers caressed the pendant on her chest.

The pendant was scalding hot; you could feel the heat even through the robe.

The four women watched him quietly, their eyes filled with no doubt, only calm anticipation.

They all sensed a connection between their souls, a sense of impending doom, like dark clouds pressing down on the city.

"I sense that my calamity will arrive within seven days." Su Qingxuan's tone was as calm as if he were discussing ordinary weather.

"This is inevitable; there's no way to avoid it, and there's no need to."

Ten thousand years ago, you were martyred for me; this karma needs to be settled.

In this life, I must die for you all once to make it complete.

"Young Master..." the four women called softly, without exclamation or weeping.

Only deep understanding and... reluctance remain.

Su Qingxuan smiled: "You all knew all along, didn't you?"

From the day my memories awakened, I knew this day would come.

Lin Wanqing nodded tearfully, "We know. But... knowing is one thing, but..."

Even now that the moment has come, I still can't bear to part with it.

"It's not goodbye forever." Su Qingxuan gently wiped away her tears, his movements unchanged over the millennia.

"I will wait for you in the heavens. When death comes and I face my fate..."

Your sealed cultivation and memories will be completely unsealed, and you will ascend with me.

We have two hundred years in the Celestial Realm to prepare for the final battle of Return to the Ruins.

Xiao Lingyue clasped her hands together, tears rolling down her cheeks like beads:

"Young master, have you already seen the specific form of the calamity?"

"I have a vague feeling, but it's not clear." Su Qingxuan shook his head.

All we know is that it is an extremely destructive energy, enough to destroy this city.

And I will make a choice when it comes.

He looked at the four women, his eyes gentle yet firm: "So, don't be sad."

This is our reunion, and the beginning of a new chapter.

Before death arrives, let us join hands and do our final things—

Save more people, sow more seeds of kindness, and let the glory of the Great Xia civilization shine brighter.

The light shines into this land of suffering.

The four women nodded with tears in their eyes.

That night, the five of them sat around and talked a lot.

They talked about their past lives, their insights into this life, and their visions for the future.

There was no avoidance of death, only a firm commitment to morality and righteousness, and an anticipation of reunion.

Su Qingxuan recounted his insights from this life:

"I've been thinking about what the ultimate means to deal with the Demon Lord will be."

The Demon Lord is formed from the evil thoughts of all living beings; he cannot be killed, and his seal will be broken.

What should we do then?

"Education," Lin Wanqing interjected, "to nip evil thoughts in the bud and to rectify people's hearts once they have been corrupted."

"Exactly." Su Qingxuan nodded. "Demons feed on evil thoughts, so I will use education to stop them from feeding."

When people's hearts are inclined towards goodness, evil thoughts do not arise, and evil withers away.

This is the fundamental solution, and the only one that addresses the root cause.

"My efforts to promote cultural revival in the human realm and to practice benevolence in the western desert are both acts of this."

"Then the Guixu Seal..." Xiao Lingxi asked.

"Education is fundamental; sealing is a temporary measure," Su Qingxuan said.

"Once the affairs of the celestial realm are settled, I will encourage the sages of the three lineages to jointly establish the 'Office of Heavenly Education'."

Spread the seeds of civilization throughout the heavens and the world.

At that time, even if the Demon Lord broke free of his seal, he would be like a tree without roots or water without a source, posing no threat whatsoever.

The four women's eyes lit up; they knew that their young master had found the true path.

As night deepened, the tea grew cold.

Su Qingxuan concluded by saying, "Remember, no matter what happens, stay true to yourself."

You are Wenqing, Qingxi, Lianyue, and Liying.

It is also Wanqing, Lingxi, Lingyue, and Chiying.

Through countless cycles of reincarnation, what changes is one's identity, but what remains unchanged is that heart yearning for the Way.

"We will remember this," the four women said in unison.

Outside the window, the night was as dark as ink, and the starlight was dim.

Occasionally, a flash of magical light would appear in the distance, illuminating the sky for a moment before fading back into darkness.

But darkness will not last long; dawn will eventually break...

The seventh day, early morning.

The pendant on Su Qingxuan's chest was as hot as a branding iron, and he could even feel the pain of his skin being burned.

But he remained calm and continued to get up on time, wash up, and read in the morning.

Today he is reading Mencius:

"Life is what I desire; righteousness is also what I desire."

"If one cannot have both, one must choose righteousness over life."

Upon reading this, he paused, then softly repeated: "He is one who would give up his life for righteousness."

In the morning, he gave a lecture at the Wisdom House as usual.

Today we're talking about "non-aggression" and "peace".

More than thirty key figures from various tribes in the Western Desert sat in the audience, including Hasan.

"The ancient sage Mozi of the Great Xia Dynasty proposed 'non-aggression,' which does not mean non-resistance, but rather opposition to unjust wars of aggression."

Su Qingxuan wrote the four Chinese characters for "universal love" and "non-aggression" on the blackboard.

"Universal love is fundamental; it means loving everyone, including enemies who have gone astray."

Non-aggression is a practice; it is the peaceful resolution of disputes.

One student asked, "But what if the enemy just wants to kill us?"

"Just like now, the combined forces of the Eagle Alliance and the Canaanite are trying to annihilate our tribes and seize our cities."

Su Qingxuan pondered for a moment: "Then we need to make a distinction."

Self-defense is legitimate, but the purpose of self-defense is to stop war, not to seek revenge.

Revenge only creates new hatred and new wars.

True peace comes from forgiveness and reconciliation.

"But they killed so many of us!"

"So they are also creating negative karma," Su Qingxuan said calmly.

"Killing will have its consequences; it's not that retribution won't come, it's just that the time hasn't arrived yet."

But we don't need to act on behalf of Heaven; Heaven has its own laws.

What we need to do is guard our hearts and not become like them.

Halfway through the lesson, Su Qingxuan suddenly felt a pang of heart palpitations.

He clutched his chest; the pendant's heat reached its peak, almost burning through his skin.

He looked up at the southeast sky, where something was approaching above the clouds.

"That's all for today." He decisively ended the lesson.

"Everyone, get into the underground bunker immediately. Do not come out without orders."

"Mr. Su?"

"Execute the order!" Su Qingxuan said sternly, this was the first time he had used such a harsh tone.

Although the trainees were puzzled, they quickly evacuated because they trusted him.

Su Qingxuan rushed out of the Wisdom House, where the four women were already waiting.

They also sensed it—that destructive aura approaching from the southeast at several times the speed of sound.

"Young master, what is it?" Chi Ying asked urgently, her hand already on the short spiritual weapon at her waist.

Su Qingxuan closed his eyes and fully unleashed his divine sense.

Even a mere trace of a Saint's cultivation is enough to perceive things a thousand miles away.

He "saw" it—eight hundred miles to the southeast, above the Cangming Sea.

A stealthy, shadowy flying boat belonging to the Eagle Alliance is approaching stealthily.

Beneath the flying boat hung a lightning bolt eight meters long—

No, it's not ordinary Xuan Thunder, it's Annihilation Xuan Thunder.

The power of annihilation was so strong that it could completely erase Holy Flame City from the map.

Su Qingxuan opened his eyes, a trace of pity flashing in them:

"It is the Annihilation Thunder, containing five million jin of annihilation power. It is a city-destroying weapon created by an evil cultivator."

The four women turned deathly pale.

They knew what the Annihilation Thunder meant—

That was the most terrifying weapon of destruction that ordinary cultivators (below the Mahayana stage) could forge.

With billions of degrees of spiritual fire, destructive shockwaves, and annihilation radiation, a city can be reduced to scorched earth in an instant.

"It's too late to evacuate." Su Qingxuan looked towards the street.

People continued their normal lives, completely unaware of the impending destruction.

"This city has five million people, and in the time it takes for three incense sticks to burn, not even one-tenth of them can be evacuated."

He looked at the four women, then suddenly smiled, a smile as warm as the sun:

"Do you remember what I said? When death comes, I will make a choice."

"Young Master, no!" Although she was mentally prepared, Xiao Lingxi still cried out.

"This is my path." Su Qingxuan reached out and gently stroked the cheeks of the four women, wiping away their tears.

"You died for me 100,000 years ago, and I will die for you in this life."

The cause and effect are resolved, and the love is fulfilled.

"After I ascend to heaven, I will wait for you in the celestial realm. Soon, we will be reunited."

He took a step back, and a faint golden light began to emanate from his body—

As the sub-saint's cultivation was slightly released, an extraordinary phenomenon immediately occurred in the heavens and earth: dark clouds suddenly covered the sky, and thunder rumbled faintly.

People on the street looked up in surprise, wondering what had happened.

Su Qingxuan said to the four women: "One last thing:

After I die, you will immediately ascend to heaven.

But before that, use all your strength to deploy the protective light shield—

Protect as many people as you can...

This is also your final mission in the human world.

The four women nodded with tears in their eyes, knowing that this was the young master's final request.

Su Qingxuan took one last look at them, a look that contained eternal tenderness.

It also includes the resolute determination of saints.

Then, he soared into the sky, golden light piercing the air like a shooting star moving in reverse.

Sunlight shines directly on the southeastern horizon...

It is:

A golden light, like a shooting star, pierces the Milky Way, single-handedly saving the city from collapse.

The karmic ties of ages past are severed today; let us return together to the celestial palace to await a new journey.