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

Poetry:

A lone plume of smoke rises from the vast desert, and the past awakens, giving the sword its light.

A spiritual connection dispels illusions and reveals the true realm; four beauties journey together to prove the Dao.

After setting off from Old Wolf Valley, the delegation traveled for more than a month in the vast Western Regions.

Winter had arrived, the north wind was biting, and the world was desolate.

The journey was fraught with peril, and they encountered numerous strange and unpredictable events.

There is a sudden appearance of a quicksand illusion in the desert;

There are remnants of heresy lurking within the oasis;

There are elusive sand bandits on the trade routes;

There are also ancient curses in the ruins of ancient cities.

Su Qingxuan, accompanied by four beauties and his elite troops, overcame numerous obstacles and resolved crises along the way.

The mission's reputation gradually spread to the countries of the Western Regions.

Along the way, the most noticeable changes were among the four girls.

On this day, the group arrived at a strange region called "Mirage Desert".

At noon, under the blazing sun, countless phantom images appeared above the sea of ​​sand:

There are pavilions and towers, and bustling streets and alleys.

Even more enchanting are the celestial mountains and pavilions hidden in the clouds, so lifelike that it is hard to tell them apart from reality.

"It's a mirage."

Lin Wanqing reined in her horse and gazed into the distance, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes.

According to the "Records of Strange Things in the Western Regions," ancient "mirage stones" were buried beneath the sand layers.

When exposed to the scorching sun, it emits a phantom aura that can reflect the deepest thoughts and desires of the human heart.

But... the illusion before my eyes is far too real.

Before the words were finished, the streets and alleys in the illusion suddenly became filled with figures.

A faint commotion could be heard.

Even more strangely, the figures in the illusion were dressed in ancient style.

It is not in the style of today, but rather resembles the appearance of a thousand years ago.

Su Qingxuan focused his mind on sensing, his expression slightly hardening:

This is no ordinary mirage. This illusory aura contains demonic energy, capable of stirring up inner demons.

"Order the entire army to close their eyes, concentrate, and silently recite the 'Heart-Cleansing Mantra'!"

However, the order was issued too late.

The dozens of soldiers in the front row, their eyes unfocused, walked blankly toward the illusion, muttering to themselves:

"Mother...my wife..."

"Gold...so much gold..."

"The elixir of immortality... immortality..."

Upon seeing this, Xiao Lingxi quickly took out several silver needles from her bosom and raised them in quick succession.

The silver needles pierced the air, precisely piercing the "Fengfu" and "Fengchi" acupoints on the back of the soldiers' heads.

The soldiers shuddered, their eyes regained their clarity, and they looked at each other blankly.

"What a powerful Demonic Induction technique." Xiao Lingxi's expression was solemn.

"This mirage can penetrate directly into the sea of ​​consciousness, stirring up deep-seated obsessions within one's heart."

If I hadn't recently gained a deeper understanding of the "Divine Court Acupuncture Technique," I fear I wouldn't have been able to save him.

As she spoke, a subtle aura circulated around her, forming a faint halo three feet away from her.

The halo was soft and clear, and the mirage dissolved on its own as it approached.

This is precisely a sign that the Taoist "immaculate Taoist body" is beginning to take shape.

Su Qingxuan saw this and was secretly alarmed.

Xiao Lingxi's progress in the Dao realm is far beyond what is normal.

For ordinary cultivators, achieving the "Immaculate Dao Body" requires a century of arduous effort.

And yet, after only a few months of awakening her memories, they were already terrifying.

At that moment, the illusion suddenly changed!

Suddenly, the figures in ancient costumes twisted and emanated black smoke, then rushed forward with a shriek!

A hideous face emerged from the black mist, chilling the heart to the bone.

"It's the manifestation of inner demons!"

Xiao Lingyue let out a clear shout and leaped into the air.

She trod through the void as if walking on flat ground, each step creating a lotus blossom.

This is the Buddhist supernatural power of "stepping on golden lotuses".

The prayer beads in my hand emitted a golden light, and the chanting of Buddhist hymns rolled like a tide:

"Om Ah Hum, Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum—"

The mantra of Padmasambhava!

Where the golden light passed, the black mist, like snow meeting the sun, dissipated in all its glory.

Those inner demons and phantoms, shrieking and howling, could not withstand the radiance of Buddha's light.

In just a few breaths, most of it dissipated.

Xiao Lingyue stood in mid-air, her black robes fluttering, her appearance solemn and dignified.

With each word she recited, the light emanating from her body intensified, until finally...

His entire being was like a golden Buddha, radiating light throughout the universe.

The soldiers below looked up and were filled with a sense of reverence and worship.

A glint flashed in Su Qingxuan's eyes.

The cultivation level that Xiao Lingyue is currently displaying has already surpassed the "Selfless Realm."

Instead, they stepped into the threshold of "Tathagatagarbha"—

When the eighth consciousness of Buddhism is first opened, it can see the nature of all beings' minds and liberate them from all suffering.

This level of attainment is what many eminent monks and virtuous masters possess.

Even a lifetime of hard work may not be enough to grasp the basics.

The illusion had not yet completely dissipated, and the remaining black energy gathered once more.

It transformed into a demonic shadow three zhang tall.

Her face was blurred, but her eyes were bloodshot and stared intently at the person in Su Qingxuan's arms—

There, the Three Jewels resonated subtly.

"The three supreme treasures of the three religions...possessing them can grant immortality..."

The demonic shadow roared, its sound like the clash of metal, shaking the sea of ​​sand and causing it to surge.

Chi Ying snorted coldly, and before Su Qingxuan could give the order,

His figure shot out like an arrow.

He was in mid-air, gun already in hand, a cold glint flashing from the tip.

It then transformed into a shower of countless stars, which was the true essence of the "Starfall Breaking Army Spear"—

The Milky Way falls from the ninth heaven!

This shot is transcending all martial arts techniques.

Wherever the spear's intent went, ripples spread through the space, subtly touching upon the rules of heaven and earth.

The demonic shadow roared and swung its claws to meet the attack. The claws and spears clashed, producing a metallic clang.

"Break!" Chi Ying shouted, and the spear technique changed again, from complex to simple, with only one thrust.

This thrust was faster than one could perceive, and stronger than if it could tear the void apart.

puff!

The spear tip pierced the demon's brow.

The demonic shadow froze, then shattered inch by inch, turning into black smoke and dissipating.

Chi Ying sheathed her spear and landed on the ground, her breathing steady.

It was as if I had only done something trivial.

Only the wisp of demonic energy that had not yet dissipated at the tip of her spear...

This proves just how dangerous that attack was.

Su Qingxuan's heart was filled with turbulent emotions.

Chi Ying's spear thrust had already touched the threshold of "entering the Dao through martial arts".

The gun is the way, and the way is the gun.

Man and gun become one, breaking all laws.

This is clearly the pinnacle of martial arts; to take it a step further...

That is the Immortal Realm of "Martial Arts Breaking Through the Void".

In a short period of time, the three women's cultivation levels have all risen to such a level.

Su Qingxuan thought to himself, if he didn't use the three supreme treasures to their fullest extent,

In terms of martial arts skills alone, he might not be able to defeat Chi Ying in his current state;

In terms of Dao realm, Xiao Lingxi's "Immaculate Dao Body" is close to perfection;

In terms of Buddhist teachings, Xiao Lingyue's "Tathagatagarbha" is unfathomable;

As for the grand and righteous spirit of Confucianism and Taoism, Lin Wanqing…

He turned to look at Lin Wanqing.

The girl did not make a move from beginning to end.

She stood still, simply unfolding the book in her hands.

Strangely, within a ten-zhang radius of her, all was calm and still.

It is impervious to mirages and unapproachable by demonic shadows.

The soldiers unconsciously moved closer to her.

Being around her naturally brings peace of mind.

Su Qingxuan's divine sense swept over it, and his heart was shocked once again.

The invisible force field surrounding Lin Wanqing

It was actually the purest and most righteous spirit.

It has already solidified into a substantial domain.

Within this realm, evil spirits retreat.

If inner demons do not arise, all laws cannot invade.

This is precisely the mark of the Confucian ideal of "establishing one's mind" reaching its zenith.

In Confucian self-cultivation, the most important thing is to "establish one's mind".

When the mind is set in order, the Way arises, and one can cultivate a righteous spirit.

It can ward off evil spirits and stabilize the land.

Lin Wanqing is well-read and possesses a wealth of knowledge. Although she has not practiced martial arts in this life...

However, the cultivation of Confucianism and Taoism has long been deeply rooted in his soul.

Once awakened, one can accumulate knowledge and skills, and then unleash them with lightning speed.

Yinyin was actually the most stable and fastest among the four women.

The illusion shattered, the mirage dissipated, and the desert returned to calm.

The soldiers felt as if they had been transported to another world, and all looked at the four women with awe.

Xiao Lingxi has gone to treat the soldiers who are possessed by inner demons with acupuncture.

Chi Ying was wiping the tip of her spear;

Xiao Lingyue silently chanted sutras to deliver the souls corrupted by the demonic energy;

Lin Wanqing then spread out paper and pen to record what she had just seen and felt.

Su Qingxuan walked to the spot where the demonic shadow had dissipated, bent down and picked up an item—

It was a pitch-black fragment, neither gold nor stone, cold to the touch, with strange patterns on it.

He focused his senses and detected a faint yet extremely pure trace of demonic energy within the fragment.

It shares the same origin as those encountered in Northern Xinjiang and Ghost Cry Gorge.

Su Qingxuan suddenly sensed something, turned around and took out two items from his personal belongings:

Wrapped in cotton cloth,

A brocade box.

Su Qingxuan quietly looked at the two objects.

Inside the cotton bag were his own memories of his youthful travels and studies.

A fragment obtained while exorcising evil spirits in Anling Town.

Inside the brocade box was a wisp of remnant soul, the remnant soul of the demonic shadow that helped the King of Heluo rebel back then.

And with Su Qingxuan's current spiritual sense and perception, he was quite certain of the aura emanating from these two objects—

They all share the same origin as the Demon Lord.

"It's all the work of the Demon Lord's remnant soul," Su Qingxuan murmured.

"They must have been scattered among the people when our ancient ancestors fought against them."

"But I wonder... how many more places in the world are still scattered?"

"Fine, I'll just wipe them out every time I see them!"

Su Qingxuan stopped thinking about it and immediately put away the lingering demonic shadow in the brocade box.

Both fragments were completely purified.

Although the Demon Lord's true form was sealed, his remnant soul and lingering resentment remained like a persistent, malignant tumor.

Scattered in all directions, waiting for their chance to strike.

Su Qingxuan felt uneasy all along.

Along the way, the number and density of demonic traces they encountered increased.

It was as if... an invisible hand was guiding them somewhere—

The Great Snow Mountain.

Several days later, the team arrived at an abandoned ancient city.

The city walls are half-collapsed, but the streets still remain, and one can vaguely see the prosperity of yesteryear.

According to the guide, this city is called "Loulan," a great kingdom in the Western Regions thousands of years ago.

Later, due to the cessation of water supply, the entire nation was forced to relocate, leaving only ruins behind.

As dusk approached, the mission found a still-intact palace ruin in the city and set up camp.

The palace pillars stand tall, and the murals, though faded, depict the ancient Loulan people's rituals, farming, and other activities.

The scenes of commerce are depicted with a simple and unadorned style, yet the colors remain vibrant.

Su Qingxuan stood with his hands behind his back in front of a mural.

In the painting, a group of priests in white robes are kneeling and worshipping a statue of a deity with three heads and six arms.

His face was ferocious, and he stood on piles of white bones.

In one corner of the mural, there are ancient characters recording sacrificial rituals. Su Qingxuan had a basic understanding of ancient writing.

They recognized it as something like "sacrificing blood to gain eternal life".

"This statue bears a striking resemblance to the 'Mahakala' demon statue I saw in ancient Tibetan texts."

Lin Wanqing's voice rang out from behind.

She had also entered the hall at some point, and looked up to examine the murals closely, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

"The gods worshipped by Loulan are probably not the true gods."

Su Qingxuan nodded: "The Western Regions are located at the crossroads of East and West, and their beliefs have always been mixed."

There is fire worship, Bon religion, shamanism... and also this kind of evil god worship—

It's not surprising that the remnant soul of the Demon Lord could infiltrate this place.

Just then, Xiao Lingxi hopped in carrying a medicine bag and came over to take a look.

After looking at it for a moment, she suddenly exclaimed "Eh!" and pointed to a corner of the mural:

"Look here!"

Su Qingxuan looked in the direction she pointed; it was the edge of the mural.

It depicts a clear spring, with exotic flowers and rare herbs growing beside it.

Hidden among the flowers and plants was a line of small writing.

If Xiao Lingxi hadn't been so observant, it would have been almost impossible to notice.

"It's ancient Xia script." Lin Wanqing examined it carefully for a moment.

Read it softly:

"As long as the spring never dries up, the demonic thoughts will never be extinguished."

To suppress evil spirits, the four elements must unite, and the three teachings must converge, so that righteousness can prevail over evil.

The four symbols unite, and the three teachings converge.

Su Qingxuan and Lin Wanqing exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.

"It seems that there are also sealed nodes in this ancient city."

Su Qingxuan said in a deep voice.

"Moreover, this node is probably related to the city's water source."

The fall of Loulan due to the drying up of its water supply may not have been a natural disaster.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a commotion arose outside the hall.

A soldier exclaimed, "A spring! A spring is gushing water!"

Everyone rushed out of the hall to see.

In the center of the ancient city ruins, there stood the base of a fountain that had been dry for hundreds of years.

At that moment, a clear spring gushed forth!

The spring water was clear and cool, shimmering with a golden-red luster under the setting sun.

Strangely, black mist seeped from the ground around the spring, mingling with the spring water to form colorful ripples.

"Back off!" Su Qingxuan shouted sharply, already flashing to block Quan's path.

He could sense that the water gushing from the spring was not ordinary water.

Rather, it was formed from an extremely dense and malevolent aura—

That black aura originated from the same source as the Demon Lord!

The spring water gushed out faster and faster, and in the blink of an eye, it overflowed the base and flowed in all directions.

Wherever it passed, the ground bricks and stones sizzled and were corroded into pits.

Several soldiers who were nearby were unable to dodge in time, and their boots got wet.

Black smoke immediately billowed out, and the person collapsed to the ground with a cry of pain.

Xiao Lingxi reacted quickly, scattering a handful of white powder.

The powder dissolves upon contact with water, turning into a white mist that envelops the wound, instantly stopping the corrosion.

She then took out several pills and stuffed them into the injured person's mouth, her movements clean and efficient.

Xiao Lingxi said solemnly, "This water can corrode the physical body and also erode the soul."

Do not get it wet!

Just then, a pitch-black arm suddenly emerged from the spring!

Then, the second one, the third one...

A dozen or so arms clung to the edge of the spring.

One after another, pitch-black, hideous corpses struggled to crawl out.

Ghostly green flames flickered in their eyes.

It made a strange "hoho" sound and charged straight at the crowd.

"Form ranks!" Chi Ying shouted, brandishing his spear and leading his vanguard to meet the enemy.

Guns flashed like a forest as they clashed with the corpse demon.

However, these corpse demons are made of steel harder than refined iron, making them difficult to harm with ordinary swords and blades.

Moreover, he possessed immense strength and was fearless in the face of death.

Xiao Lingyue sat cross-legged, and the chanting of Buddhist sutras began again.

The Buddha's light enveloped the battlefield, causing the corpse demons to slow their movements slightly.

The black aura on the body surface was scorched by the Buddha's light, emitting a sizzling sound.

However, the corpse demons were numerous and possessed formidable magical power.

The Buddha's light could not purify the darkness in a short time.

Lin Wanqing unfolded the book and read aloud:

"Heaven and earth possess righteous energy, which manifests in myriad forms—"

A surge of righteous energy erupted, transforming into golden chains that coiled around the corpse demon.

As the chains passed, the corpse demon slowed its movements by a third, but it still struggled to move forward.

Su Qingxuan did not move.

He stared intently at the spring, his divine sense spreading out like a net, penetrating deep into the bottom of the spring.

Beneath the spring, a cold and evil consciousness is awakening, confronting him.

"Successor of the three religions...you've arrived..."

A wave of consciousness arrived, filled with greed and malice—

"Your blood...your soul...will be the best offering for my resurrection..."

Su Qingxuan sneered and was about to respond when he suddenly saw the four women exchange glances, seemingly in tacit agreement.

"Brother Su, you focus on dealing with that thing, we'll handle these corpse demons."

Xiao Lingxi said crisply, already holding a stack of talismans in her hand.

With a flick of her jade-like hand, Xiao Lingxi conjured talismans that formed an array in mid-air.

The Corpse Demon was immediately trapped in the formation—the Primordial Eight Trigrams Formation.

Seeing the situation, Chi Ying changed the tip of his spear, each thrust aimed straight for the corpse demon's brow—

That place is where demonic energy gathers.

Her marksmanship became increasingly fierce, accompanied by the faint sound of wind and thunder.

He has already reached the realm of "Martial Intent Attaining the Dao".

Xiao Lingyue's chanting changed again, from slow to fast.

Like waves crashing against the shore, each wave stronger than the last.

The Buddha's light transformed into golden lotuses, drifting towards the corpse demon.

Where the lotus blooms, the black mist dissipates.

Lin Wanqing put away her book, took a step forward, and began to write in the air with her finger.

She used her fingers as a pen and her boundless spirit as ink.

Four golden ancient seal characters were written in the air:

"Suppress!" "Seal!" "Break!" "Annihilate!"

With each character written, a golden talisman flew out and imprinted on the corpse demon.

The corpse demon, as if struck by a heavy blow, howled and retreated.

The black aura on the body surface dissipated rapidly.

The four women joined forces, their power was awe-inspiring.

In a short while, all the dozens of corpse demons were suppressed.

It turned into black smoke and dissipated.

The four women's auras merged, subtly forming an invisible force field.

The true meanings of the four paths: military strategy, Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

It flows and revolves within it, endlessly regenerating.

Su Qingxuan was deeply shocked.

The four women worked together so well, it was as if they had rehearsed it a thousand times.

What's even more remarkable is their path.

They can complement each other and inspire one another.

Chi Ying's fierce and ruthless spirit was nourished by Xiao Lingxi's vitality, and its core was not harmed.

Xiao Lingyue's Buddhist compassion and Lin Wanqing's Confucian and Taoist order are both grand and measured.

The four women, when united, seemed to subtly evolve into chaos and reshape the world.

This is clearly... the prototype of the "Four Symbols Returning to Origin Formation"!

Ancient legends say there is a great formation called "Four Symbols Returning to Origin", whose power can destroy the heavens and the earth!

Four people need to be of one mind and each take charge of one of the four paths.

A master of all three religions combined their skills.

It can evolve into earth, fire, water, and wind, thus reshaping the universe.

Su Qingxuan knew that this formation had not appeared for at least ten thousand years.

I never imagined that I would see its prototype with my own eyes today.

Even the being beneath the earth seemed to feel threatened.

It let out an angry shriek.

The spring suddenly burst open, and a dark shadow shot into the sky.

It transformed into a demon eight feet tall.

This demon has a human head, a snake's body, bone spurs growing on its back, and blood-red eyes.

Its fangs protruded from its mouth, radiating a terrifying aura.

"It's the remnant soul of 'Xiang Liu'!" Lin Wanqing exclaimed in shock!

According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas, Xiangliu was an ancient ferocious god with nine heads, a human face, and a snake's body.

Wherever it went, it turned the land into a vast swamp.

Later, it was beheaded by Yu the Great, and its blood stained the ground, causing the five grains to wither and die.

Unexpectedly, a wisp of his remnant soul was captured and possessed by demonic thoughts!

Xiang Liu's remaining soul had lost eight of its nine heads.

Only one song remains, yet it is still incredibly fierce.

It roared and spewed out a cloud of poisonous water.

Where the poisonous water reached, bricks and stones melted, and vegetation withered and died.

"Retreat!" Su Qingxuan shouted sharply, reminding everyone.

He had already leaped forward to meet them.

He could no longer allow the four women to be in danger—

The remnant soul of Xiang Liu is beyond their ability to defeat.

However, the four women did not retreat but advanced.

With a flick of his red-tasseled spear, he charged forward first.

Her murderous aura was so palpable it seemed to solidify.

Behind him, it transformed into a phantom of a golden-armored war god.

That is the manifestation of the "war spirit" of military strategists!

With a single thrust, the poisonous water was reversed, like a stampede of a thousand horses.

Xiao Lingxi formed hand seals, and streams of pure energy flowed from her body.

It transformed into a blue light shield, protecting everyone.

The runes on the light shield faded, revealing it to be a Taoist "Qimen Dunjia Formation"!

The poisonous water struck the light shield, creating ripples, but it could not penetrate it.

Xiao Lingyue sat cross-legged in the void, with Buddhist beads hanging above her head, radiating boundless light.

Behind her, the phantom image of a compassionate Buddha appeared.

A giant golden hand stretched out and slapped towards Xiang Liu.

The swastika symbol spins in the palm, radiating Buddha's light!

Lin Wanqing then unfurled the scroll and began to write rapidly, one after another, golden ancient seal characters flew out.

They formed chapters in the air.

That was the entire "Ode to Righteousness," over three hundred characters, each one gleaming with golden light.

It transformed into a long golden river, encircling Xiangliu and binding it like shackles.

The four women each displayed their unique abilities, further strengthening the "Four Symbols Returning to Origin Formation".

It actually trapped Xiang Liu's remnant soul (demonic thoughts) firmly!

Su Qingxuan was deeply moved by what he saw, and without further hesitation, he formed a sword with his fingers.

The sword and the man merged, transforming into a streak of light that pierced straight at Xiang Liu's brow.

This sword strike contained his life's cultivation and incorporated the true meaning of the three religions.

When the sword was drawn, wind and thunder roared, and the world lost its color.

Xiang Liu's remnant soul (demonic thought) let out a desperate roar and struggled frantically.

However, he was no match for the combined suppression of the four women.

Su Qingxuan's entire body transformed into a sword light that pierced through his brain.

Its body stiffened abruptly, then shattered into pieces.

It turned into black smoke and dissipated.

From within the black smoke, a faint wisp of black light flew out and entered the spring.

They fled westward from underground.

The spring dried up instantly, closed with a roar, and the black mist dissipated, leaving no trace of demonic energy.

Su Qingxuan landed, slightly out of breath.

He hadn't held back his strength when he struck with the sword just now, and it had taken a considerable toll on him.

But what alarmed him even more was the “true” strength displayed by the four women.

"Brother Su, are you alright?" Xiao Lingxi was the first to rush over.

She grasped his wrist to take his pulse, her little face full of worry.

Chi Ying, Lin Wanqing, and Xiao Lingyue also gathered around.

Although he didn't speak, the concern in his eyes was the same.

Su Qingxuan shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the four women, and suddenly smiled:

"You guys are really... really a pleasant surprise."

The four women were taken aback, but then understood what he meant and all smiled.

Chi Ying smiled, a rare occurrence for her: "Brother Qingxuan,"

We can't keep relying on you to protect us forever.

Lin Wanqing said softly, "Young Master bears the weight of the world on his shoulders, and we should do our best to share his burdens."

Xiao Lingyue clasped her hands together: "After ten thousand years of reincarnation, we are reunited in this life. We should strive harder."

"We will not fail the缘分 (fate/destiny)."

Xiao Lingxi chuckled and said, "And I think..."

The four of us working together seem incredibly powerful!

"For a moment just now, I felt like I saw a lot of images..."

Did we often fight side by side like this before?

Upon hearing her words, all four women fell silent, their eyes filled with reminiscence.

When the initial form of the "Four Symbols Returning to Origin Formation" was just displayed,

Many fragmented images did indeed flash through their minds:

On the ancient battlefield, they each occupied a corner, forming an array to fight against the demons;

At the summit of the snow-capped mountains, they protect the Dharma and preach the faith;

Beside the sage, they discussed philosophy and Zen...

Those images are blurry and distant, yet they feel as real as if they happened yesterday.

Looking at them, Su Qingxuan's lingering worries suddenly dissipated.

Yes, they are the reincarnations of ancestral maids.

In his previous life, he had already stood at the pinnacle of the Three Realms.

Having awakened in this life, it's only a matter of time before my cultivation is restored.

The separation he had previously worried about upon ascension...

Perhaps it's just needless worry.

"Young master," Lin Wanqing suddenly pointed to the spring, "look!"

Su Qingxuan turned his head and saw beside the spring,

A line of golden ancient seal script appeared out of nowhere.

It is the ancient Xia script:

"On the day when the four symbols return to their origin, the three teachings begin to unite as one."

The day the remnant soul breaks free of its seal will be the day of success.

These twenty characters are like a prophecy, like a foretelling.

Su Qingxuan silently recited it several times, and suddenly his mind became clear.

It turns out everything was planned all along!

The four women awaken, the four symbols return to their origin, and the three religions unite as one.

All of this was in preparation for the Demon Lord's remnant soul breaking free of its seal.

The day the Demon Lord's remnant soul is unsealed will be the day this karmic entanglement in the mortal realm comes to an end.

The seal on the remnant soul points directly to... the Great Snow Mountain!

He looked up to the west, and in the darkness, the outline of the Great Snow Mountain was faintly visible.

Great snow-capped mountains! Sacred springs!

It is both the end and the beginning...

"Get some rest early tonight," Su Qingxuan said gently, withdrawing his gaze.

"We must speed up our journey tomorrow and reach Daxueshan within half a month."

"Yes," the four women replied in unison.

That night, Su Qingxuan sat alone in his tent, looking inward at himself.

After the battle of the ancient city, the barrier within his body had become as thin as a cicada's wing.

It could break at any time.

He could sense it above the nine heavens.

A faint guiding force was emanating from it—

That's a sign of ascension.

But he can't leave yet.

The Western Regions are not yet settled, and there are four women… He looked out of the tent.

There, the four women's tent stood quietly.

There was a faint sense of movement.

They'll be here soon too.

Su Qingxuan closed his eyes and continued to suppress his cultivation.

The four women were also awake at this moment.

Chi Ying was wiping her spear, the tip of which reflected her cool, aloof eyes.

In her mind, those fragmented images became more and more numerous and clearer.

She saw herself leading the army into battle, she saw herself protecting the saint.

Seeing myself...

Under a certain starry sky, she and three other sisters made a vow together.

"In this life, I will definitely protect Brother Qingxuan." She gently stroked the gun and whispered.

Xiao Lingxi was preparing the medicine, her movements as skillful as flowing water.

Many ancient alchemical formulas, talismans, and formations flashed through her mind.

That knowledge seemed to have always existed deep within my memory.

At this moment, they are simply being awakened one by one.

She hummed an unknown tune, feeling cheerful—

I can help Brother Su; I can concoct medicine to save lives.

It's so great to be able to fight alongside my sisters!

Xiao Lingyue was chanting sutras, her prayer beads twirling, the chanting soft and lingering.

She "saw" many scenes from her past lives:

He attained enlightenment before the Buddha and then guided others in the human world.

Listening to lectures under the sage's seat.

Those insights, at this moment, flowed forth like a spring.

This allowed her to make rapid progress in her understanding of Buddhism.

In her heart, besides compassion, there was also a figure—

That man in purple robes and jade belt, a man who shoulders the world.

"May this merit be dedicated to the young master. May his path be smooth and unobstructed."

May he... get what he wants.

She murmured to herself, her face slightly flushed.

Lin Wanqing was writing under the lamp.

What I saw and heard during the day, what I thought and realized.

Write them down one by one.

Her writing is no longer a mere record, but rather contains the true meaning of Confucianism and Taoism.

Every word is precious; it can ward off evil spirits and enlighten the people.

She was writing when she suddenly stopped.

He looked towards Su Qingxuan's tent and smiled slightly.

"Young master, Wanqing will accompany you on this journey."

"Wanqing will accompany you on the next leg of your journey."

She murmured to herself, her eyes filled with tenderness.

The moonlight, like water, spilled over the ruins of the ancient city.

It also fell on five people, each with their own thoughts and feelings.

The road ahead is clear; all that remains is the final leg of the journey.

And deep in the remote snow-capped mountains,

Within that "holy spring," the black mist surged even more violently.

On a stone platform at the bottom of the spring, the illusory figure slowly opened its eyes.

His crimson eyes gazed eastward, seemingly piercing through a thousand miles.

I saw that westward-bound caravan.

"Come on... come on..." the phantom silently commanded.

"I... have been waiting for you here... for ten thousand years... roar... roar..."

Deep in the snow-capped mountains, a sickeningly loud, grating laugh echoed.

The night is still long.

But dawn will eventually come.

It is:

The shadows of demons have just subsided, the ancient road is cold, and the spirits of soldiers are gradually awakening as night deepens.

The seeds of past lives have already been sown on the Stone of Three Lifetimes; together we will walk the righteous path to the towering peaks.