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

Poetry:

Eight years on the frontier tempered my heart, and the three religions merged into one, deeply embodying righteousness.

The north wind cannot conceal the signs of war, and the dark abyss is filled with the dark atmosphere of evil.

Now, since Su Qingxuan forced the Di barbarians to retreat in the Battle of Yanmen and returned to the border to take charge, eight years have passed in the blink of an eye, with the changing seasons and the flourishing and withering of plants. These eight years were not only eight years of temporary cessation of war in the northern frontier and eight years of peace for the border people, but also eight years of the three righteous paths of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism taking root, growing, and flourishing in this harsh land. They were also eight years of Su Qingxuan integrating Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, cultivating righteousness, and achieving a harmonious and comprehensive understanding of his own cultivation.

In eight years, the landscape inside and outside Yanmen Pass underwent a complete transformation, a true revolution in customs and traditions, a complete rebuilding of the frontier. The desolate scenes of swirling yellow sand, mournful Qiang flutes, and exposed bones were long gone, replaced by a vibrant life of crisscrossing paths and the sounds of chickens and dogs. Within the pass, the streets were orderly, the camel bells of merchants traveling north and south jingling, bringing tea and silk, and transporting furs and felt. Below the pass walls, newly cultivated fields stretched out in a crisscrossing pattern; though not as fertile as those in Jiangnan, the wheat fields rippled in the breeze, and the vegetable patches were lush and green. Soldiers and farmers lived side by side, and in their leisure time, an old soldier would teach children to recite the Thousand Character Classic at the foot of the wall, the clear voices of reading blending with the shouts of drills, creating a unique and charming atmosphere.

Su Qingxuan reshaped military discipline and order based on the Confucian principles of "benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness." He established a "Military Academy" within the army, not only teaching combat tactics but also inviting literate veterans and impoverished scholars living on the frontier to teach stories of loyalty, filial piety, and integrity, and to analyze the profound meanings of the *Analects* and *Mencius*. He further combined Daoist breathing techniques with battlefield combat skills to create the "Guardian Body Strengthening Technique," which not only strengthened the soldiers' bodies but also enabled them to maintain composure and prevent them from being swayed by bloodlust during intense battles. He also incorporated Buddhist concepts of "compassion and forbearance" and "equality of all beings" to temper their violence, explicitly forbidding the torture and killing of prisoners, the plundering of surrendered tribes, and requiring the army to assist local people in repairing houses and providing medicine wherever they went. Over the course of eight years, this border army not only became the most powerful in the northern frontier, but also cultivated a noble spirit of "benevolent and righteous army". When facing the enemy, they naturally possessed an awe-inspiring and inviolable righteousness, and ordinary evil forces would be intimidated before the battle even began.

As for the people living on the frontier, the influence was even more profound. Those who once lived hand to mouth now had stable livelihoods and settled hearts. They might not be able to articulate profound scriptures, but they understood best who had given them peace. Thus, spontaneous acts of kindness arose among the people, simple yet sincere: in every household, a small altar was set up in the humble hall, not for gods or Buddhas, but for a wooden plaque inscribed with "Heaven, Earth, Nation, Parents, Teachers," offering incense morning and evening to express gratitude for the nurturing of Heaven and Earth, the protection of the nation, the kindness of parents, and the teachings of teachers. At village entrances and alleyways, elderly men with white hair often gathered to chat, their conversations revolving around Marshal Su's relief efforts for disaster victims in a particular month and year, or his personal patrols of the border on a particular day and night. The small acts of kindness from millions of people, accumulated over time, created a subtle yet pervasive atmosphere of peace and harmony within a radius of hundreds of miles outside Yanmen Pass. This energy is neither metal nor iron; it is not that it is immune to weapons, but rather that it can silently dispel malevolence and soothe frightened souls. Occasionally, lone wolves and wild rats, tainted by the demonic energy emanating from the grasslands, will venture near, but before they can harm anyone, their frenzy will subside, and they will flee after looking around blankly. In this borderland, there is a resemblance to the ancient customs of "doors left unlocked at night, and lost items left untouched on the road," which is quite remarkable.

Su Qingxuan himself had spent most of these eight years in a quiet room behind the commander's tent. Outside the window, the north wind howled, swirling up thousands of snowflakes; inside the tent, a single lamp cast a dim light, illuminating his solitary figure in a blue robe. The bronze holy seal on his lap, nurtured by eight years of true energy and focused mind, had shed its last trace of rust, its surface smooth and lustrous like ancient jade, with faint, flowing patterns of mountains, rivers, birds, and beasts on it, seemingly imbued with life. Beside him, the branches of the spiritual tree were full of vitality, occasionally revealing subtle signs of Buddhist aura at midnight, hinting at its extraordinary nature. The Confucian classic he carried in his arms, a fragment of a manual passed down from his father, was even more miraculous. After eight years of reciting it day and night and being immersed in its righteous energy, the broken and missing parts seemed to be outlined by invisible ink, gradually giving rise to complete and brilliant words. The meanings were interconnected and progressively advanced, eventually forming a well-organized and all-encompassing "The Treatise on Righteousness and Righteousness." The methods of self-cultivation, family management, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world, as well as the methods of nourishing qi, refining spirit, understanding the profound, and uniting with the truth, were all integrated into one, making it a supreme secret of Confucianism.

At this point, the Confucian ideals of "inner sage and outer king" and "the benevolent are invincible," the Daoist principles of "following the natural way" and "harmony between heaven and man," and the Buddhist concepts of "enlightenment" and "compassionate salvation" flowed freely within his heart, merging seamlessly like water and milk, forming a deep, boundless ocean of righteous energy. Every gesture he made harmonized with the rhythms of nature; every breath he took stirred the pure energy of heaven and earth. He never deliberately sought breakthroughs in his cultivation, yet his level naturally rose, reaching the sublime state of "doing whatever he pleased without transgressing the rules."

He wasn't particularly concerned with the extent of his cultivation, only feeling that his spirit was in harmony with the heavens, and his thoughts could travel a thousand miles. When meditating, his divine sense could spread like mercury across hundreds of miles of the northern frontier, revealing every detail. He could clearly hear the insects digging three feet into the ground, the subtle shifts in the clouds above, and even the children's murmurs in the tents of herders a hundred miles away. The bronze sacred seal and the innate spiritual wood were already in harmony with his mind, responding to his every thought. Furthermore, they resonated with the completed "Treatise on Righteous Qi," their energy flowing and circulating endlessly, faintly giving him a profound sense of "the unity of the three realms, the attainment of the Dao within myself." He secretly deduced that if he were to discuss the Dao with his master, Daoist Xuanqing, or debate with the divine monk Liaochen at this moment, it would be difficult to determine who was superior, and perhaps, due to his mastery of the three teachings and his profound origins, he would even have a slight edge. However, his ambition was never for empty fame. He only wished to use his cultivation to become a pillar of stability in the northern frontier, to guide righteousness, to cleanse the evil atmosphere, and to protect the hard-won peace of this region.

In addition to his daily self-reflection and cultivation, he would always set aside a wisp of clear consciousness, like the most loyal sentry, to patrol the far northernmost depths of the grasslands. The chilling demonic energy that seeped from the cracks in the earth's veins had been like a bone-deep ailment for eight years, never eradicated, but it was constantly dispelled by his incomparably powerful righteous energy, preventing it from accumulating into a serious problem.

However, on this day, in the late autumn of the Bingwu year, all the grasses in the borderlands withered, the wind swept across the land, and all things were desolate. Su Qingxuan was in a quiet room, focusing on his inner energy, when he suddenly felt an unprecedented and intense palpitation! The palpitation was not related to the physical body, but went straight to the foundation of his Dao and spiritual platform, as if an extremely ferocious and evil thing had suddenly crashed into the human world from the deepest part of the Nine Netherworlds!

But from the far north, a long-buried, cold, viscous, and violently malevolent aura, like a dormant dragon suddenly awakened and turned over, erupted from the core of the earth's veins! Its power was like a volcanic eruption, soaring straight to the heavens; its malevolence was like pus and blood bursting through a dam, filth overflowing the sky; its concentration was more than a hundred times greater than the scattered demonic aura of the past! Even more terrifying was that within that demonic aura, there was a trace of ancient, majestic will, filled with pure destructive desire. Though only a trace, it had already caused the heavens and earth to lose their color and all things to fall silent.

Su Qingxuan's eyes snapped open, their clear light surging like lightning, while his aura instantly vanished, as if he had merged into the surrounding world. In that instant, his divine sense resonated with the cultivation manual in his arms, the sacred seal on his lap, and the spiritual wood beside him, reaching an incredible peak. The three connected, transforming into an invisible yet boundless torrent of will, traversing mountains and rivers, ignoring spatial barriers, and reaching directly to the Di Man King's Court!

The sight before him shook even his unwavering resolve. The once magnificent Di barbarian royal court, with its fluttering banners, star-studded domes, and grazing cattle and sheep, had now utterly fallen into a demonic realm! For miles around, everything was shrouded in a thick, almost tangible, black demonic aura. No sunlight penetrated, no moonlight shone through; only the blood-red and eerie green demonic flames flickered in the churning black air, reflecting countless twisted and grotesque phantoms of vengeful spirits. They howled silently, frantically tearing at the last vestiges of life in the air. The stench of decay was thick and pungent, enough to kill any ordinary creature instantly.

Before the royal tent, Di Man Khan's body had suddenly swelled to over ten feet in size, his muscles bulging like iron, yet covered with eerie purplish-black patterns. His face was ferocious, fangs bared, and his eyes were bloodshot like two blood lamps, devoid of any rationality, only the purest, most primal desire for destruction and devouring remained. The demonic energy swirling around him had solidified into a tangible black armor and cloak, and the giant wolf-tooth mace in his hand was completely demonized, its head wreathed in the constant wailing of fierce spirits.

Below the tent, hundreds of thousands of Di barbarian knights stood in formation, their military discipline seemingly impeccable, yet an eerie stillness and madness permeated the air. Most of the knights had murky, chaotic eyes, drooling mouths, and unpredictable, violent breaths; clearly, their minds had been largely corrupted by demonic energy, reducing them to puppets who only knew how to obey commands to kill. Nearly ten thousand more had undergone horrifying physical mutations: some were covered in jet-black keratin, like heavy armor; some had twisted joints with bone spurs; some had their skulls split open, revealing writhing flesh and whiskers; some were even half-human, half-beast, crawling on the ground, emitting inhuman growls. They were completely corrupted "demons," their souls annihilated, beyond redemption, left only with an endless thirst for the blood and spirits of living beings. The Khan brandished his magic wand, pointing south, his voice hoarse like the wailing of ten thousand ghosts, echoing throughout the demon realm: "The southerners are weak, the Central Plains are fertile! The humiliation of eight years ago was all due to Su Qingxuan's bewitching magic! Now, the supreme demon god has bestowed upon me unparalleled power! My sons, follow me south, crush Yanmen Pass, and wash Luoyang in blood! Let the wails of those two-legged sheep become the music of sacrifice to the demon god! Let their corpses pave the foundation for my Di tribe's eternal dominance!"

Roar!Roar!Roar!

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers corrupted by demonic energy roared in unison, their voices mingling with the overwhelming demonic energy, soaring straight into the sky. They tore open the thick demonic clouds in the sky, revealing the blood-red light behind them. Countless bolts of blood-red lightning exploded, illuminating the boundless demonic army below. It was as if hell had opened up and demons had been born!

Su Qingxuan slowly withdrew his divine sense. In the quiet room, he stood up, his blue robe fluttering in the wind. The peace he had painstakingly cultivated for eight years was ultimately just a slumber before the storm. The ferocity of this demonic eruption and the depth of the corruption of the Di Man clan far exceeded his expectations. The trace of ancient will within that demonic energy further alarmed him—this was no ordinary dissipation of demonic energy; it was likely the "being" imprisoned beneath the Abyss of the Far North, whose seal had loosened further, allowing its will to seep out and directly bewitch and control the entire Di Man clan!

If this army of hundreds of thousands, both demonized and semi-demonized, were to march south in full force, even if Yanmen Pass were protected by righteous forces and its soldiers fought bravely to defend the pass, the people below the pass and the counties along the route would inevitably suffer devastation and loss of life. Even more terrifying, the bloodlust and resentment generated by such a large-scale massacre and despair would likely become nourishment for demonic energy, further challenging the seal and creating a vicious cycle with endless consequences.

"Defense cannot last; we must strike proactively. The source of this demonic scourge must be confronted directly." With this thought, his resolve was clear, and there was no more hesitation. This northern expedition was not for territorial expansion or displaying power beyond the borders, but to sever the tentacles of the spreading demonic scourge, to save the people from their suffering, and also to personally investigate the true nature of the "Demon Lord," taking the necessary step to ultimately eliminate this millennia-long calamity. The road ahead will be fraught with thorns. Facing nearly ten thousand demons devoid of humanity and driven only by destructive instincts, only by employing swift and decisive measures to thoroughly purify them can true compassion be shown, revealing the wrathful might behind great benevolence.

He immediately issued an order to gather the generals and ascend the tent.

Upon hearing the news, General Zhou Cang, Commander of the Personal Guard Chi Ying, and a group of core generals arrived in a short time. Eight years had passed, and Zhou Cang's temples were now streaked with gray, yet his tiger-like eyes still shone with a sharp inner light, and his aura was as composed and dignified as a lone peak in the frontier. His cultivation had also greatly improved under the nourishment of righteous energy. Chi Ying had shed some of the carefree and dashing spirit of a chivalrous hero, but his brows now bore an even stronger heroic spirit, along with the composure of commanding thousands of troops and a deep-seated concern for Su Qingxuan. Seeing Su Qingxuan's face ashen and his gaze more solemn than ever before, everyone knew that something earth-shattering had happened. Inside the command tent, you could hear a pin drop; only the heavy breathing and the rustling of armor plates could be heard.

Su Qingxuan sat upright in his command seat, his gaze slowly sweeping over each resolute face. He recounted without concealment what he had seen with his divine sense: the demonic realm, the Khan's arrogant words, and the demonized army. Finally, his voice was deep and firm, like the resonance of gold and jade: "...The demonic aura is more profound than ever before. The entire Di barbarian tribe has been corrupted by demons, some becoming puppets, others demonic creatures. If we allow them to advance south, the border will become a battlefield of carnage, and there will likely be no pure land in the vast northern frontier. Therefore, I, the commander, have decided to immediately reorganize the army, no longer remain steadfast, and take the initiative to launch a northern expedition, directly attacking the royal court! This battle has three essentials: first, to purify the demonic energy that has erupted this time, cutting off its spread; second, to completely defeat and subdue the Di barbarian tribes, eradicating this threat forever and establishing a foundation for a hundred years of peace in the northern frontier; third..." He paused slightly, his gaze turning to the dark northern horizon, "...I, the commander, must personally travel to the far north abyss to investigate the root of the demonic energy and to what extent the seal has loosened."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Cang's tiger-like eyes widened, his chest heaving. He stepped forward, clasped his hands, and declared sternly, "This humble general is willing to be the vanguard! Eight years of training and preparation, the soldiers have risked their lives, righteousness has been nurtured in their hearts, and sharp blades have been sheathed. We are ready to slay demons and monsters to uphold justice!"

Chi Ying stepped forward, his dark red outfit highlighting his lithe figure. His voice, clear and resonant like the clang of a sword, carried an undeniable resolve: "Three thousand men of the Imperial Guard have followed me for eight years, long since disregarding life and death! They will obey the Marshal's orders, braving fire and water, even unto death!"

Su Qingxuan's gaze swept over the excited faces of the generals, and he nodded slightly, his eyes showing both approval and solemnity. He solemnly said, "General Zhou, listen to my command! You will lead the main force of 50,000 troops in the central army, holding my command seal. Advance steadily and surely, step by step, with a righteous army to crush the demonic forces. Chi Ying, listen to my command! You will lead 3,000 elite guards, temporarily reorganized into the vanguard, as the head vanguard. Advance swiftly and lightly armed to scout the enemy, sweep away any scattered demons and scouts along the way, ensuring that the army's movements are not concealed. The rest of the units will advance in order, maintaining formation and supporting each other. Issue orders to all soldiers..." "During the Northern Expedition, if you encounter any Di people who have been corrupted by demonic energy but still retain their sanity and can be saved, you should soothe them with righteous scriptures and guiding techniques, first purifying their demonic energy, and explaining the greater good to them. If they can return to good, they should not be indiscriminately slaughtered. However, if you encounter demons who have been completely corrupted, whose souls have been lost, and who only know how to kill… you must use thunderous methods to kill them immediately, without any mercy! This is not bloodlust, but rather the cessation of killing; it is the manifestation of the wrathful gaze of the Buddhist Vajra, the responsibility of the Confucianists to eliminate violence and maintain peace, and the duty of the Taoists to slay demons and protect the Way! You must remember this: keep benevolence and righteousness in your hearts, and point your swords at demons!"

"Your subordinate obeys!!" The generals inside the tent responded with a thunderous roar, their voices so powerful they seemed to lift the tent roof off, their eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit and awe-inspiring righteousness.

With the military order given, the entire Yanmen Pass, like a long-dormant primordial beast, suddenly awakened. Bugles sounded continuously, war drums shook the earth, and military orders were relayed down like flowing water. An hour later, the army had fully assembled beneath the pass. Eight years of preparation had culminated in their full power. Tens of thousands of soldiers stood in solemn formation, their armor gleaming in the twilight, its cold, hard sheen reflecting the sky. A forest of spears and halberds pointed straight to the heavens, and a powerful, dignified aura, as solid as a mountain, surged from the ranks, even softening the howling north wind before the pass. A solemn and majestic pressure permeated the air. Upon hearing the news, the people inside the pass, young and old, flocked to the foot of the pass, silently placing their best dried food, cured meat, boiling tea, and ginger soup into the hands of the soldiers. Their eyes held worry and reluctance, but above all, unconditional trust and fervent expectation. They believed that Marshal Su led the army into battle to protect their hard-won peace.

Su Qingxuan was still dressed in a simple blue robe, without heavy armor, only the increasingly warm and ancient bronze seal hanging at his waist, and a branch of verdant spirit wood in his hand. He slowly ascended the command platform, standing beneath the fluttering banner, his gaze sweeping over the dark steel jungle below, looking towards the northern horizon where demonic energy faintly churned. He spoke loudly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching the ears of every soldier: "Soldiers! Today's northern expedition is not for conquering cities and seizing territory, nor for displaying martial prowess! It is for cleansing the demonic atmosphere and purifying the northern frontier! It is for protecting our elders and fellow countrymen behind us, and forever ending border troubles! It is for severing the claws of demons and safeguarding righteousness in the world! On this journey, even if there are mountains of knives and seas of fire, and demons running rampant, we, having received the teachings of sages and cultivated a righteous spirit, will naturally advance without hesitation, using righteousness to suppress evil! I hope you will all unite as one, sweep away the demonic atmosphere, and restore a bright and clear world to our land!"

"Purge the demonic aura! Protect my people! Sweep away the demonic aura! Restore the world!" Tens of thousands of people roared in unison, their voices rolling like thunder, scattering the dark clouds in the sky. Their righteous spirit soared straight to the heavens, confronting the demonic aura that was faintly pressing in from the north!

Boom!Boom!Boom!Boom!

The war drums beat like the heartbeat of heaven and earth, heavy yet stirring.

Woo-woo-woo-woo

The bugle call sounded long and mournful, heralding the start of the expedition.

Chi Ying led the charge, spear in hand, and shouted, "Vanguard Battalion, follow me!" Three thousand elite soldiers responded in unison, like arrows released from a bow, or a blazing crimson dagger, piercing the vast, twilight-shrouded grassland. Su Qingxuan and Zhou Cang led the main force of the central army, banners waving, a mighty and unstoppable march out of the mighty Yanmen Pass, heading north, north, towards the deepest reaches of demonic energy, resolutely advancing! The iron cavalry shattered the silence of the wasteland, raising billowing dust, an inviolable and righteous spirit, like a prairie fire, like a blade cleaving the heavens, boldly venturing into the heart of the grassland, which was being increasingly devoured by demonic energy.

The army marched north for three days, penetrating hundreds of miles into the northern desert. The scenery along the way was shocking, a stark contrast to the lush pastures and herds of cattle and sheep they remembered eight years ago. The further north they went, the more life withered. First, the waterways dried up, and the pastures withered and yellow; then came vast stretches of desert, bare yellow sand, littered with white bones—both livestock and humans—all blackened and decaying, clearly victims of demonic influence. The demonic energy permeating the air grew increasingly thick and cold, like invisible ice water, attempting to penetrate their armor, seep into their bones, and erode their souls. Even ordinary soldiers felt restless and their blood churned, occasionally experiencing hallucinations. Fortunately, the soldiers had been practicing the "Qi Cultivation Technique" for many years, and Su Qingxuan was stationed in the central army. The vast righteous energy emanating from them enveloped the entire army, like warm sunshine melting snow, eliminating the invading demonic energy. Instead, it made the soldiers' will even stronger, and their fighting spirit burned brighter and brighter like a fire in a furnace.

Along the way, they encountered scattered demonized Di people, sometimes in small groups, sometimes in squads of dozens. All were no longer human, roaring and charging fearlessly. The vanguard soldiers formed ranks to meet them, their righteous spirit surging amidst the flashing blades. These low-level demons were often slain and purified before they could even get close. Su Qingxuan strictly ordered that no merit be recorded for the heads of demons; after each battle, the corpses must be cremated with specially prepared oil to prevent the dissipation of demonic energy.

As dusk fell, the army marched to an exceptionally vast and desolate wasteland. Looking out, the twilight was blood-red, the sky and earth a desolate expanse, save for the howling wind whipping up sand and gravel, its mournful cries like the wailing of ten thousand ghosts. Gazing northward, they saw demonic clouds gathering, thick as lead, threatening to fall. Within the clouds, dark red and eerie green flames flickered and shifted, illuminating half the sky in a bizarre and grotesque light. Deep, thunderous roars, the scraping of metal, and countless chaotic, frenzied screams carried on the wind, sending chills down their spines. On the horizon, a writhing, boundless "black line" was slowly approaching—the vanguard of the demonized Di barbarian army. Their sheer numbers and the density of their demonic energy, combined, had caused a celestial anomaly!

Before the two armies even officially clashed, an invisible, suffocating pressure swept over them like a tidal wave. Warhorses neighed restlessly within the ranks, requiring riders to exert considerable effort to calm them. Su Qingxuan could also clearly sense a series of dull, rhythmic throbbing pulsations emanating from the depths of the earth beneath his feet, as if a gigantic, malevolent heart was slowly beating deep within the earth's veins. That ancient, pure will, originating from the far northern abyss, filled with endless malice and hunger, seemed to be greedily "watching" this land, soon to become a bloody battlefield, through the cracks in the seal, absorbing the air thick with the scent of killing, fear, and despair, growing ever more active, ever more… excited.

He took a deep breath, the icy air thick with the stench of demonic energy filling his lungs, his eyes sharp as cold stars. Just as he was about to raise his hand to order the entire army to form ranks and prepare for battle, a sudden change occurred!

The bronze sacred seal, which had been quietly hanging at his waist, its surface smooth and warm, suddenly trembled violently without warning! It wasn't an ordinary tremor, but rather a deep, majestic hum, as if alive, initially like the soft sound of a bell, then transforming into a resounding roar like a dragon's cry and a tiger's howl! A radiant light of white, cyan, and pale gold burst forth from the seal, no longer flowing gently, but erupting like a blazing sun, radiating intensely and illuminating several feet around Su Qingxuan! Almost simultaneously, the dormant spirit wood branch in his hand suddenly shone brightly with emerald light, its boundless vitality surging forth like a bursting dam. The branch unfurled at a visible speed, sprouting several dazzlingly green buds. Each new leaf flowed with mysterious natural patterns, emanating an ancient and sacred aura! Within his arms, the "Righteous Qi Chapter" mental cultivation method was completely out of control, operating wildly on its own at an unprecedented speed. The pure, powerful, and unimpeded true qi of the three religions surged like a great river, rushing into Su Qingxuan's limbs and bones. It resonated most intensely and fundamentally with the light and aura of the Holy Seal and the Spirit Wood. This was not a simple attraction of qi, but rather a throbbing deep within his bloodline, a call from the imprint of his soul, and a guidance from the supreme power that transcended countless ages and the laws of cause and effect!

Su Qingxuan felt a deafening roar deep within his mind, as if some barrier had been shattered! The scene before him instantly blurred, distorted, and spun; his physical senses, the clamor of the battlefield, and the overwhelming killing intent all receded rapidly. His consciousness, or rather his true spirit, was violently pulled away by an irresistible and overwhelming force, detached from his body, and freed from the constraints of time and space, transforming into a stream of light that plunged into the deepest reaches of a vast, boundless, and bizarre torrent of memories!

This time, it was no longer the fragmented scenes and scattered insights from the battlefield eight years ago or the dream on the mountaintop. This was an ancient, authentic memory, almost complete, clear, and magnificent enough to make even immortals tremble and ghosts weep! Like a grand scroll sealed for eternity, bearing the greatest secrets and sacrifices since the beginning of time, it was fully unfolded before him—the successor ten thousand years later—on the eve of this life-or-death battle, in the ultimate call of bloodline and inheritance!

That was the ancient era, when heaven and earth were still in their primordial chaos, and the universe had barely settled. The sky was high and vast, the stars shone brightly, the earth was boundless, and the mountains and rivers were magnificent. Our ancestors, barely clothed, practiced slash-and-burn agriculture, enduring hardship and toil; sages observed the heavens and the earth, created writing, and educated humanity. Confucianism, with its benevolence, nourished hearts like a spring breeze and gentle rain; Taoism, following the natural way, elucidated profound truths like the movement of the sun and moon; Buddhism, with its compassion, guided transcendence like a lamp in the darkness. With the three teachings coexisting, the Great Way manifesting, and all things flourishing, it should have been a golden age of peace, prosperity, and the dawn of civilization.

Yet, amidst this vibrant life, a figure stands majestically between heaven and earth, seemingly existing since the dawn of time, yet transcending the river of time. He wears the simplest, most unadorned blue robe, his long hair casually draped, his face shrouded in an aura of endless time and Daoist wisdom, difficult to discern clearly. One can only sense the aura emanating from him—perfectly harmonious, boundless, seemingly containing all the "Dao," "Principle," and "Power" of the universe. The righteous spirit of Confucianism manifests around him as the sun, moon, and stars, ceaselessly revolving along the celestial path, illuminating the world and bestowing order and benevolence upon all things; the pure and ethereal energy of Daoism permeates mountains, rivers, wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, endlessly generating and evolving the infinite mysteries of creation; the compassionate wisdom of Buddhism flows into a vast and boundless ocean of wisdom and a pure land of blessings, embracing all suffering and guiding all sentient beings. The brilliance of the three religions in him was not parallel or mixed, but rather blended seamlessly, reaching an inconceivable state of perfection where "the Tao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, three gives birth to all things" and "all things return to three, three returns to two, two returns to one, and one returns to the Tao"! He was the ultimate source of Su Qingxuan's bloodline, the ancestor who, ten thousand years ago, was a genius of unparalleled talent, a figure of unparalleled brilliance, who truly touched upon the supreme truth of the unity of the three religions, and was only half a step away from transcending the universe and attaining eternal immortality—Su Lie!

The ancestors' abilities had already touched the pinnacle of the Great Dao of the Dharma Realm; their words became law, their thoughts moved galaxies. They were only a moment away from enlightenment, ready to take that step and achieve the supreme Dao fruit, coexisting with the Dao, free to roam within and beyond the Dharma Realm. Yet, at this very moment, an unprecedented calamity descended without warning!

A sudden, pitch-black rift, spanning the entire universe, split open in the chaotic void. The "Demon Lord," the most malevolent and evil being, representing pure chaos and annihilation, arrived, carrying boundless chaotic demonic energy! Its form was indescribable, its intent solely destruction. Wherever the demonic energy went, stars dimmed and extinguished, spiritual energy became polluted and depleted, the earth cracked, rivers flowed backward, vegetation withered, and all living beings perished! Whether unintelligent insects, accomplished spirits, or even cultivators on the path to immortality, under the corrupting influence of the demonic energy, they were either instantly reduced to pus and blood, or twisted into monstrous creatures that knew only slaughter and devouring. The Three Realms wept, the Great Dao wailed; the cataclysm of destruction was imminent!

To protect the land that gave birth to him, and to safeguard the millions of innocent and precious beings, his ancestor Su Lie resolutely gave up the easy opportunity for eternal transcendence that countless cultivators dreamed of! He turned around and faced the Demon Lord who represented ultimate destruction, his face calm, but his eyes as firm as an eternal rock.

In his hands appeared three supreme treasures that accompanied his lifelong cultivation and carried his Dao origin and essence: a "Spring and Autumn Annals" that was neither gold nor jade, containing the highest mysteries of Confucianism and the flame of civilization (after being scattered and damaged for 100,000 years, only the core essence remained in later generations, which turned into the fragment of "The Righteous Spirit"); a "Mountain and River Seal" that carried the mountains and rivers, suppressed the fortune, and established the world (severely damaged in later generations, its spirituality was tarnished, and it turned into a bronze holy seal); and a "Bodhi Spiritual Root" that originated from the spiritual root of heaven and earth and contained infinite vitality and the wonder of creation (its spirituality was greatly damaged in later generations, its body withered, and only a branch remained alive).

Without hesitation, without words, only action. Su Lie, wielding the three treasures, took a single step and was already before the Demon Lord. That battle was beyond description. They fought in the heavens, shattering stars into dust and halting the flow of the Milky Way; they battled in the earth, causing the netherworld to tremble and the Yellow Springs to surge backward; their figures traversed fragments of past and future, fighting in the river of time, the aftershocks shaking countless dimensions. The laws of the Great Dao collapsed and reformed at the point of their clash, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was completely drained, transforming into the most primordial chaos.

Though their ancestor was powerful, possessing the combined strengths of the three religions and unparalleled supernatural abilities, the Demon Lord was the embodiment of the primordial chaos and evil, nearly immortal, and capable of endlessly drawing power from the evil thoughts and negative emotions of all living beings. Even though their ancestor shattered the Demon Lord's demonic body countless times with his supreme divine powers, its core demonic soul could always be reborn with the help of demonic energy and the malevolent thoughts of countless beings, seemingly impossible to completely eradicate. The battle lasted for an unknown period of time—perhaps a thousand years, perhaps an instant—and the three realms were left devastated, with less than one-tenth of all living beings remaining.

As the Demon Lord laughed maniacally and reassembled, and the origin of the Three Realms was about to collapse completely, billions of surviving beings wailed in despair. The ancestor stood in the shattered void, looking back at his devastated homeland. A deep compassion finally flashed in his eyes, along with a resolute understanding that transcended life and death, and gain and loss.

He understood that conventional methods could not truly eliminate this demon lord, who originated from evil and was inherently negative. Unless... a fundamental seal and purification was carried out using the pure source of "goodness" and "order" that transcended its level of existence.

And in this world, is there any being more pure and powerful than himself—this being who has cultivated and integrated the Confucian benevolence, the Taoist truth, and the Buddhist goodness to their ultimate extremes? No.

And so, at the very moment the Demon Lord was about to unleash his final blow, utterly corrupting the core of this world, Ancestor Su Lie made the final choice that moved all realms and was etched into the Great Dao—he abandoned all defenses and actively disintegrated himself! It was not a simple destruction of his physical body, but rather the complete and perfect origins of the three religions, his unparalleled cultivation throughout his life, his immortal Dao body and soul—everything—was used as the fuel for a sacrifice, to be completely burned, shattered, and sublimated!

"My heart is the heart of Heaven; a Confucian scholar should establish a heart for Heaven and Earth!"

With a shout, the "Confucian heart" in the ancestor's chest, containing boundless righteousness, benevolence, and wisdom, first burst forth with endless white light, transforming into the most fundamental laws of "order" and "benevolence," spreading into the void of heaven and earth, stabilizing the collapsing order of heaven, and nourishing the little bit of benevolent spirit in the hearts of all things.

"My body is the embodiment of the Dao, and the Dao is meant to establish a destiny for the people!"

The second sound caused the ancestor's "Dao Body," which contained boundless creative vitality and pure celestial energy, to decompose and transform into the purest "creation" and "nature" essence, merging into mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, repairing the broken spiritual veins and giving all things the possibility of rebirth.

"My soul is Buddha-nature. A Buddha should continue the lost teachings of the sages and bring peace to all generations!"

The third sound, the "Buddha's soul" of the ancestors, which had reached the supreme state of compassion and perfect wisdom, radiated boundless golden light, transforming into the eternal light of "compassion" and "wisdom," illuminating all remaining beings in the three realms, protecting the seeds of goodness and wisdom in their hearts, dispelling fear and despair, and igniting the flame of hope.

"Unite the essence of our three religions, ignite our immortal Dao fruit, and forge—the eternal seal! Suppress!!!"

The final Daoist sound was no longer a sound, but a resounding law echoing in the deepest recesses of the souls of all surviving beings! The ancestor's figure completely disintegrated and vanished amidst endless, dazzling light that surpassed all description. That was not death, but the most thorough, magnificent, and selfless dedication and sublimation! He sacrificed his own existence, using his perfected Three Teachings as the foundation, and his three natal treasures—the "Spring and Autumn Annals," the "Mountain and River Seal," and the "Bodhi Root"—as the core array's eyes and carriers, instantly constructing an incomparably profound "Three Powers Demon-Suppressing Array" that connects Heaven, Earth, and Man, spans the past, present, and future, using "good" to suppress "evil" and "order" to lock away "chaos"!

The moment the grand formation took shape, boundless light engulfed everything. The Demon Lord's fierce and unwilling roar was completely suppressed. His undying demonic soul was forcibly sealed in the most yin and cold, most vulnerable place in the Three Realms. The grand formation slowly operated, continuously drawing upon the remaining righteous energy, pure immortal energy, and compassionate wisdom of heaven and earth, transforming them into purifying power, eroding the Demon Lord's demonic energy, and suppressing his attempt to revive.

Ancestor Su Lie has vanished completely. He left no possibility of reincarnation, no trace of the individual "Su Lie" in the world. His Dao has dispersed throughout the world; his existence has become part of the "rules" that protect this world, the eternally operating array, the rain that nourishes all things, the sunlight that illuminates the world, and the spark of light that resides in the heart of every benevolent being.

Only those three treasures, which carried the vast majority of his essence and final will, shattered and scattered after the great formation was completely stabilized, falling to earth after exhausting most of its power. Over the long years, they became dusty and worn, waiting for... the descendants who inherited his bloodline, his spirit, and his mission to gather them together again and awaken the dormant power within them.

The memory finally freezes on the ancestor's final glance at the world and all living beings before his figure vanished. In that gaze, there was no longing for immortality, no resentment at the sacrifice, only boundless affection for this world he deeply loved, profound blessings for the surviving beings, and a sense of calm and no regrets, as if saying, "Where the Way lies, though a thousand or ten thousand may oppose me, I will go."

Like a massive hammer blow striking the softest part of his soul, or like a warm sea of ​​light instantly engulfing all perception, Su Qingxuan's consciousness completely crumbled before this tragic memory spanning millennia, utterly overwhelmed by the vast, sacrificial, loving, and resolute torrent of will. He "saw" and felt the pain of every inch of his ancestral body disintegrating when his ancestral army disbanded, the burning heat of every wisp of his divine soul, and the boundless peace and joy of ultimately assimilating with the Dao and protecting all living beings.

Tears, unnoticed, had already overflowed, streaming down his face as he stood silently in "reality," soaking the front of his blue robe. These were not tears of sorrow, but tears of profound shock, deep emotion, and profound enlightenment.

I see... I see!

In his childhood, he was personally taught the Confucian mental techniques by his father, and then passed on the bronze seal, the spirit wood, the enlightenment from various masters, the bloody battle outside Yanmen Pass... All these seemingly accidental encounters were actually guided by an invisible but resilient thread. It was the original treasure that his ancestors had scattered throughout the world and waited for for 100,000 years, responding to and calling upon its inheritor! It was the dormant imprint deep in his bloodline resonating in the darkness!

He was born with the ability to easily understand the essence of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, and his cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds. This was not simply due to innate talent, but rather because his bloodline and soul were inherently imprinted with the unparalleled Daoist fruit of the unity of the three teachings of his ancestor Su Lie! He was the successor chosen by Su Lie, another continuation of his life, and the inheritor of his unfinished cause!

The border people and all living beings whom he swore to protect are the blood descendants of the same land and the same group of people that his ancestors were willing to sacrifice their bodies and souls and give up eternity to protect ten thousand years ago! The burden on his shoulders has never been just the safety of Yanmen Pass or the rise and fall of a dynasty, but rather the heavy mission that spans thousands of years—to thoroughly strengthen the seal, resolve the demonic calamity, and fulfill the great wish of saving the world that his ancestors started at the cost of their lives but could not ultimately complete!

The increasingly intense demonic energy stirring in the north, the loosening seal—it is a fragment of the Demon Lord's soul in the mortal realm, sealed away by their ancestor with their life ten thousand years ago. After enduring countless years of attrition and waiting, it has once again gathered power, attempting to break free! The so-called "Ten Thousand Year Demonic Calamity" is not an empty threat, but a continuation of an ultimate catastrophe spanning tens of thousands of years, concerning the survival of all living beings in the Dharma Realm! I am now standing at the very center of this storm!

"boom--!"

As if traversing endless time and space, my consciousness suddenly returned to its place, and I once again felt the cold clothes, the biting cold wind, the solid but slightly trembling ground beneath my feet, and the overwhelming demonic energy and deafening roars in front of me.

Su Qingxuan suddenly opened his eyes. Tears still clung to his cheeks, but all the shock, confusion, and bewilderment in his eyes had faded in the baptism of that torrent of memories, leaving only a clarity and steadfastness forged through countless trials and tribulations, a profound understanding of the origins. It was an absolute clarity that understood "where I came from and where I am going," a serene commitment to shouldering an eternal responsibility, a willingness to face death without regret.

Our ancestors sacrificed themselves to protect the Great Dao. They gave their own annihilation to bring about the rebirth of the Three Realms. Such magnanimity, such spirit, such sacrifice shines through the ages, unprecedented in history.

Now that I have succeeded him, inherited his bloodline, carried on his legacy, and obtained his three treasures, how could I possibly cherish this life? How could I back down in the face of difficulties? How could I betray the millennia of time and expectations that were bought with my life?

He slowly raised his hand, his movements steady and without the slightest tremor. Palm upward, the bronze holy seal at his waist flew up on its own, hovering above his palm. A shimmering white, azure gold, and pale gold radiance intertwined and flowed, emanating a profound, majestic, and compassionate aura from eternity. In his right hand, the branches of the spirit tree swirled with emerald light, brimming with vitality, their newly sprouted leaves swaying gently, as if in response, as if encouraging. Within his bosom, the *Treatise on Righteous Qi* operated autonomously, the vast, boundless, and perfectly harmonious true qi of the three religions surging and roaring, merging seamlessly with the light of the two treasures outside his body, becoming indistinguishable.

The three elements still resonated, but the radiance was completely different from before. Within that radiance lay the vicissitudes and waiting of ten thousand years, the supreme will of the ancestors' sacrifice, the inheritance and warmth that transcended time and space, and the unwavering Dao heart and determination of Su Qingxuan at this moment.

The biting wind whipped at his blue robes, making them flutter and rustle, yet it could not shake his figure in the slightest. Behind him stood tens of thousands of Great Xia soldiers, holding their breath and revering him as their pillar of faith; before him surged a massive army of demonic Di barbarians, their demonic energy billowing and their cries ferocious; beneath his feet lay the Demon Lord's earth veins, their seals loosening, pulsating with the greedy and furious throbbing of the ancient Demon Lord; in his heart, he saw the tragic figure of his ancestor who had sacrificed himself to suppress the demons, and the heavy, radiant mission of inheritance that he had to protect and fulfill with his life.

The final showdown is about to erupt on this wasteland that has witnessed so much sacrifice and hope.

It is:

The proclamation for the Northern Expedition stirred the northern frontier; the image of our ancestor shone brightly, and tears streamed down my face.

He sacrificed himself to spread the Way and open the path to heaven; he carried on the legacy of peace and continued the established traditions.