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

Poetry:

The morning light is faint on the snow-capped mountains and sacred lakes, while demons stand in formation, swords drawn, ready to crush them.

The Four Beauties return to their origin to ward off evil and defilement; the Three Teachings unite to shine with pure brilliance.

The teachings of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism have illuminated the ages, and their righteous spirit has broken through all obstacles.

Vowing to restore this turbid world to a pure land, with a single thought of a holy heart, I call for the return of spring.

As dawn breaks, the morning light pierces through the clouds atop the snow-capped mountains.

The water, sprinkled on the frozen surface of the sacred lake, creates countless golden scales.

Su Qingxuan stood by the lake, his purple robe fluttering in the morning breeze.

Behind him stood four women, their expressions solemn.

The Imperial Guards and elite Tibetan cavalry were all arrayed on the lakeshore.

The armor was gleaming, the swords and spears were like a forest, and the air was thick with a chilling aura of killing intent.

Zhou Wenjin, Lei Hu, Zhao Baichuan, Chen Shitou, Gar Chinling —

The generals stood with their hands on their swords, awaiting orders.

Su Qingxuan gazed intently at the island in the middle of the lake.

He saw it clearly—

The island is not large, only a thousand feet in circumference.

A black stone altar is faintly visible in the center.

The altar is surrounded by eight stone pillars, which are covered with ancient runes.

In the very center of the altar, a clear spring gushes forth.

The spring water was clear, yet a black mist, invisible to the naked eye, lingered within, emanating a chilling aura.

A chilling, malevolent aura.

That is the "Holy Spring".

Su Qingxuan said softly:

"This spring was born from the spiritual veins of heaven and earth, and has the ability to nourish all things and purify evil spirits."

"However..." Su Qingxuan paused, then continued.

"What ordinary people don't know is that the sacred spring has long been corrupted by the Demon Lord with his supreme demonic power."

It has become a breeding ground for demonic thoughts.

Within a radius of thousands of miles—the kingdoms of Dayuan, Yuezhi, Wusun...

It has always been regarded as sacred water, and is often used in sacrifices and for drinking...

Therefore, the people of all nations are controlled by demonic thoughts.

Wars raged on, with constant plundering and conquest...

To subdue all nations, one must first sever the source of evil!

Beneath the spring lies the source of the demonic energy—the sealed core!

Lin Wanqing frowned slightly and asked in a gentle voice:

"Does the young master often think of the Demon Abyss in the far north...?"

"This is the location of the Demon Lord's remnant soul, the core of the seal in the mortal realm..."

The Abyss of the Far North is merely a node of demonic thought...

Su Qingxuan answered clearly and carefully.

Then, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he said:

"Today, I will strike at the root of the problem, eradicate it completely, and utterly destroy its soul!"

The four women's eyes lit up!

Xiao Lingxi said, "Yes, the demonic energy here is very strong..."

It's better than any place we've encountered before.

Xiao Lingyue clasped her hands in prayer:

"A mixture of resentment, death, and demonic energy"

This place is truly a "devil's den on earth".

If it is not purified, within a hundred years, the area within a thousand miles will become a dead zone.

Chi Ying gripped his spear tightly and uttered only two words: "Land on the island."

Su Qingxuan nodded, turned to face the army, and said loudly:

"Gentlemen, the island in the middle of the lake is ahead."

That is our destination.

The island is sealed with the remnant soul of an ancient demon lord.

It is the source of chaos and turmoil in the world.

Today, we must launch a decisive battle on the island and completely eliminate this threat.

"Restore peace to the Western Regions, and restore tranquility to the world!"

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" Thousands of soldiers roared in unison, their voices echoing through the snow-capped mountains.

The ice rustled.

"Zhou Wenjin, Lei Hu, Zhao Baichuan, Chen Shitou."

"You four, lead the Imperial Guards to the island and set up the 'Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiends Formation' to seal off the lake!"

"Gar Chinling, you lead your troops to guard the lakeside!"

No monster shall be allowed to escape.

"This subordinate obeys!"

"Chi Ying, Lin Wanqing, Xiao Lingyue, Xiao Lingxi,"

Follow me to the island.

"yes!"

After saying this, Su Qingxuan leaped into the air, like a celestial being descended to heaven, soaring through the sky.

With each step he took, a golden lotus flower bloomed beneath his feet.

The body does not sink—

The authentic Buddhist supernatural power "lotus blossoms with every step".

The four women followed closely behind.

The tip of the red-tasseled spear touched the water, using the force to leap and bound, like a swallow skimming the waves;

Xiao Lingxi moved with a clear, flowing energy, her steps light and graceful, leaving no trace on the water;

Beneath Xiao Lingyue's feet, the golden wheel churned the water, each step revealing a lotus flower.

Lin Wanqing lightly tossed her jade flute, her movements remarkably reminiscent of Bodhidharma—

Crossing the river on a single reed!

The five of them displayed their unique abilities, and in no time they had reached the edge of the island.

The moment his foot touched the ground, a strange change occurred!

The eight stone pillars on the island shook simultaneously.

The runes on the pillar glowed with a blood-red light.

The "holy spring" at the center of the altar suddenly exploded—

The seal is broken!!!

The jet-black spring water, visible to the naked eye, shot skyward.

It transformed into a water column tens of feet high.

A figure slowly rose from the water column.

It was a man in black robes, his face indistinct.

Only his eyes were bloodshot.

He stood suspended in mid-air, his black robes fluttering even without wind.

His body was surrounded by churning demonic energy, as deep and dark as a prison.

Its mere existence distorts the surrounding space and dims the light.

"Successor of the three religions, you have finally arrived."

The man in black robes spoke, his voice hoarse and low.

Yet it possesses a strange magic that penetrates directly into the soul.

"I... have been waiting for you for 100,000 years."

Su Qingxuan focused his mind and became alert, saying in a deep voice:

"Demon Lord's remnant soul, today is the day you will be utterly annihilated!"

"Hahaha……"

The Demon Lord's remnant soul laughed wildly, his laughter filled with sarcasm.

Dissipate? With your abilities?

"Just these four reincarnated little girls?"

"ridiculous!"

"Moreover..."

You think you've destroyed this remnant of my soul?

"So you can rest easy?"

His bloodshot eyes swept over the five people.

Finally, the three treasures fell into Su Qingxuan's hands.

A glint of greed flashed in his eyes:

"A treasure of the three religions... a good thing."

That guy used this item to seal his true form back then.

Unfortunately, he ultimately died and his spirit dissipated.

And the true self... will return!

Before he could finish speaking, he raised his hand and waved it.

The eight stone pillars shone with a brilliant crimson light, from which eight streams of black energy shot forth.

They charged straight at the five men.

Wherever the black mist passed, vegetation withered and rocks corroded.

Even the air was making a "hissing" sound.

"Form ranks!"

Su Qingxuan shouted sharply, and the three treasures were already suspended in front of him, radiating light.

The four women, having already reached an understanding, immediately took their positions on different sides.

Xiao Lingxi is in the east; his Daoist incantation is complete, and his pure Qi flows freely.

Xiao Lingyue was in the west, with the Seven Treasures Tranquilizing Pearl hanging above her head, and the sound of Buddhist chants arose spontaneously;

A red tassel hangs in the south, a long spear points to the sky, and a murderous aura soars to the heavens;

Lin Wanqing was in the north, the book was unrolled, and a righteous spirit surged forth.

"Four Symbols Returning to Origin Formation—Activate!"

The four women drank together.

Four streams of true intent soared into the sky—

Intertwined in the air,

It transforms into a transparent light shield that can cover the entire island.

On the light shield, the illusory images of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise moved about.

The evolution of earth, fire, water, and wind.

Eight streams of black energy crashed into the light shield, creating a deafening explosion.

The light shield trembled violently, and the four women turned pale, yet they did not retreat an inch.

Their auras mingled and flowed within the formation.

This ebb and flow, this cycle repeats endlessly, a continuous process of renewal.

It actually withstood the blow.

"Oh? The Four Symbols Returning to Origin Formation?"

A look of surprise flashed in the eyes of the Demon Lord's remnant soul.

"I never expected that you would be able to recreate this formation."

What a pity! It was only a prototype, and its power was far less than a fraction of what it once was.

As he spoke, he raised his hand again.

This time, a jet-black ball of light condensed in his palm.

Within the sphere of light, one could vaguely discern the wailing of ten thousand demons and the churning of a sea of ​​blood.

"Try this—'Heart Devouring by Ten Thousand Demons'!"

The ball of light was fired at a slow speed.

Yet it carried an unparalleled aura of power.

Wherever it passed, space shattered inch by inch.

The light was swallowed up, revealing a pitch-black void.

Su Qingxuan's pupils contracted.

This attack was no longer a human-made feat; it touched upon a higher level.

If hit, even the Four Symbols Returning to Origin Formation would be difficult to withstand.

"Confucian scrolls, Taoist seals, Buddhist wood, heed my command!"

Su Qingxuan bit his tongue, spraying his blood onto the three treasures.

"Confucianism and Taoism rectify the mind, Buddhism shines universally, and Taoism follows the natural way—"

The three religions unite to suppress demons and vanquish evil!

The Three Jewels shone brightly!

The Confucian teachings transformed into golden pages, spreading across the heavens and earth;

The small bronze seal transformed into the size of a mountain, suppressing the void;

The ancient Bodhi tree took root and sprouted, growing into a towering giant tree in the blink of an eye.

The Buddha's light shines down to save the world.

Three forces and rays of light converged and merged in the air...

It eventually transformed into a colossal golden sword that reached the heavens and the earth.

One side of the sword is engraved with Confucian classics, and the other side with Buddhist mantras.

The Dao patterns flowing on the hilt of the sword embody the profound principles of heaven and earth.

"cut!"

Su Qingxuan pointed his fingers like a sword and slashed downwards.

The golden greatsword then slashed down.

Where the sword light passed, the demonic energy dissipated, and the black sphere shattered.

Even the eight stone pillars have developed cracks.

The Demon Lord's remnant soul looked solemn yet flustered.

He raised his hand to meet the sword's light head-on, his palms colliding with it—

boom!!!

A deafening roar shook the entire island in the lake.

A giant wave hundreds of feet high erupted on the lake surface.

A circular shockwave swept outwards from the point of impact.

Wherever it passed, the ice shattered and rocks flew away.

The "Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiends Formation" formed by the Imperial Guards flickered with uncertain light.

Zhou Wenjin and Lei Hu... spat out blood and pounded the ground with their knives before they could barely stabilize themselves and almost broke the formation.

Even those on the periphery, such as Gar Chinling, coughed up blood and staggered backward.

As the smoke and dust cleared, the scene became clear.

Su Qingxuan knelt on one knee, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

The brilliance of the Three Treasures has dimmed considerably.

The four women fared even worse; each was deathly pale, with blood trickling from the corners of their mouths.

The Four Symbols Returning to Origin Formation is already teetering on the brink of collapse.

And the remnant soul of the Demon Lord...

He remained suspended in mid-air.

The black robe was mostly torn, revealing the hideous demonic body inside.

He had a deep sword scar on his chest.

Black blood gushed out, but it was healing rapidly.

"Okay, very good."

The Demon Lord's remnant soul wiped the black blood from the corner of his mouth and instead smiled.

"This sword strike has almost one ten-thousandth of the power that guy had back then."

Unfortunately... it's still not enough.

He raised his hand, and more black energy surged from the holy spring, flowing into his body.

The sword wound healed at a speed visible to the naked eye, and its aura increased rather than decreased.

"Although I am merely a remnant soul..."

Yet this sacred spring possesses an evil aura, nourished by sacrifices for ten thousand years.

This place is thousands of miles in circumference.

All cults, evil thoughts, and evil influences

They provide me with a constant stream of nourishment.

Here, I am invincible! Hahaha..."

The remnant soul of the Demon Lord opened his arms and laughed wildly.

"And how long can you hold out?"

A quarter of an hour? Half an hour?

I will devour you when you are exhausted.

Refine the three treasures and return to the mortal realm!

Su Qingxuan slowly stood up and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

He looked at the four women and saw that although they were severely injured, their eyes remained firm.

"Young master, we can still fight."

Lin Wanqing said softly, the book in her hand stained with blood, but the handwriting looked even more brilliant.

With the tip of his red-tasseled spear touching the ground, he propped himself up:

"Brother Qingxuan, please continue."

Xiao Lingyue clasped her hands together: "Though the demonic flames are fierce, the Buddha's heart remains unextinguished."

Xiao Lingxi grinned, revealing her bloodied teeth:

"Brother Su, I still have so many tricks up my sleeve!"

A warm feeling welled up in Su Qingxuan's heart.

He took a deep breath, a resolute glint in his eyes.

It's time!!!

Su Qingxuan closed his eyes and looked inward at himself.

The barrier that had been suppressed within his body for so long shattered at that moment!

An endless stream of power surged from his dantian, flowing through his limbs and bones.

His aura began to surge, rising steadily.

The sky suddenly changed color!

However, this is not a sign of impending doom.

Instead, flowers rained down from the sky and golden lotuses sprang from the ground.

Celestial music filled the air, and a unique fragrance wafted through the air.

Countless golden runes appeared in the vast sky.

The light shines upon the vast universe; it is a manifestation of the great Dao of Heaven and Earth.

The snow-capped mountains, stretching for thousands of miles, are felt by all living beings.

Nearby, Zhou Wenjin, Lei Hu, and other Imperial Guards...

A little further away, Gar Chinling and other Tibetan warriors,

Everyone looked up at the sky, dumbfounded.

They saw Su Qingxuan's figure slowly rise in the golden light...

The purple robe transformed into a blue monastic robe, and a lotus crown was placed on his head.

His whole body radiated boundless light.

The light was gentle and not glaring.

When the light shone on my body, my injuries began to heal rapidly.

The bottleneck in his cultivation was beginning to loosen.

"This...this is..." Zhou Wenjin murmured.

"A divine manifestation has appeared in the human world!" Gar Chinling exclaimed in a trembling voice.

His eyes were filled with awe.

Ancient texts record that only sages, whose virtue is perfect and whose spiritual attainments are boundless, are born into this world.

This strange phenomenon occurred—

"Prime Minister Su... has become a sage!"

Not just the snow-capped mountains.

Thousands of miles away, in a desolate mountain cave.

Master Xuanqing was meditating when he suddenly sensed something and opened his eyes to leave the cave.

In the western sky, golden light filled the heavens, and the Taoist aura flowed.

He stared intently, and Su Qingxuan's figure appeared within the golden light.

That figure stood tall and imposing, radiating boundless Daoist charm.

"Qingxuan..." Elder Xuanqing wept uncontrollably.

"You've finally made it this far."

A divine manifestation has appeared on earth, unprecedented in history... Excellent, excellent!

He had been stuck at the bottleneck of becoming a half-step immortal for a hundred years.

Under the influence of this rhythm, it began to loosen.

Master Xuanqing was suddenly inspired. He sat down cross-legged and silently practiced his profound arts.

A moment later, his aura surged, and he even faintly touched that boundary.

"I see... I see..."

Master Xuanqing murmured...

"The three religions converge into one, the mortal and the holy share the same path... Qingxuan, the path you have chosen is the right one."

Old Taoist...I am willing to protect you and together prove the Great Dao!

Meanwhile, at Dajue Temple.

While the monk Liaochen was giving a sermon, he suddenly felt a tremor in his heart towards Buddha.

He looked up to the west and saw that the golden light contained not only Taoist charm,

Furthermore, the Buddha's light shone brightly, and the sound of chanting filled the air.

Su Qingxuan's figure, bathed in Buddhist light, resembled the Buddha himself, compassionate and dignified.

"Namo Amitabha Buddha..."

The monk Liaochen clasped his hands together, bowed his head, and wept.

"Qingxuan... no, Saint Su!"

You have transcended the mundane and attained sainthood.

This old monk... is happy for you.

He, too, has been stuck at a bottleneck for a century.

Bathed in the Buddha's light, it began to loosen.

Monk Liaochen realized the predestined connection between himself and Daoist Xuanqing.

All of this is tied to Su Qingxuan.

In the future celestial realm, they should follow this disciple.

No, this sage walks the same great path.

"I am willing to protect the Dharma for the sages, and never backslide!"

The monk Liaochen bowed solemnly to the West.

At this moment, the snow-capped mountains stretched for thousands of miles.

Countless cultivators and ordinary people witnessed this miraculous phenomenon in the human world.

Some knelt in worship, some wept, and some had an epiphany.

This is the first time in thousands of years that a saint has manifested himself on earth.

Its significance far surpasses everything else.

In the Great Xia Dynasty, thousands of miles away, countless people uphold the Way of the Three Teachings—

...the gray-robed old Taoist priest, Lin Xueyuan, the old man from Qingxi Ferry, the wandering monk...

And countless nameless scholars, woodcutters, merchants, farmers...

They all looked towards the western sky—tears streaming down their faces.

On the island in the middle of the lake.

Su Qingxuan stood in mid-air, feeling the boundless power within his body.

His current state of being has completely transcended the mortal realm.

It has reached an unprecedented level.

If he so desires, he can trigger a heavenly tribulation at any time and ascend to heaven.

But he didn't.

He looked down at the four women below.

The four women were also looking at him, their eyes showing neither shock nor fear.

Only joy and pride.

Their young master/Brother Su/Brother Qingxuan has finally reached this point.

"wait for me."

Su Qingxuan smiled slightly at the four women.

He then looked at the remnant soul of the Demon Lord, his gaze turning cold.

"Now, it's time to end this."

The Demon Lord's remnant soul was no longer as composed as before.

He stared intently at Su Qingxuan, fear appearing in his eyes for the first time:

"A saint among men...how could that be?!"

"How could a true saint possibly be born in this degenerate age!"

"Because there are people who need to be protected, and there is a path that must be completed."

Su Qingxuan slowly raised his hand, and the three treasures flew back automatically and entered his body.

At this moment, he is the embodiment of the three religions, and the three religions are him.

"The Four Symbols Returning to Origin Formation - Ultimate Form!"

Su Qingxuan shouted:

"Four ladies, help me!"

The four women understood each other and formed a battle formation once more.

But this time, they were no longer at the core of the formation.

It was Su Qingxuan.

They dedicated all their cultivation and all their heart and soul to...

He poured it into the formation without reservation, into the formation's core—Su Qingxuan.

The murderous aura of the red tassel transforms into a sharp sword to slay demons and monsters;

Xiao Lingxi's vitality transformed into sweet rain that nourishes all things;

Xiao Lingyue's Buddhist light transformed into a great vow to save all beings;

Lin Wanqing's noble spirit became the cornerstone of establishing a firm foundation for the country.

The Four Symbols return to their origin, the Three Teachings unite as one!

The ultimate form of the Four Symbols Returning to Origin Formation is "The Four Symbols Return to Origin, and the Three Teachings Unite as One."

The supernatural powers of military strategy, Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism are manifested externally, transformed into the fundamental source of the unity of the three teachings, and gathered at the core of the formation, bestowed upon Su Qingxuan.

Su Qingxuan's aura surged once again.

Behind him, a colossal Buddha image appeared.

The Buddha has three heads and six arms.

Wearing a scholar's cap, he appears upright and honorable;

His hair was styled in a Buddha-like topknot, displaying the lotus mudra.

He wore his hair in a topknot and appeared as the Three Pure Ones.

Each of the six arms carries a weapon: a sword, a seal, a bell, a pagoda, a mirror, and a ruler.

"No—impossible, absolutely impossible!"

The Demon Lord's remnant soul screamed, frantically drawing upon the demonic energy of the Holy Spring.

He set up multiple layers of defense in front of him.

"You can't kill me! As long as the seal of the Three Realms remains loose,"

As long as my original self remains, I will not completely perish!

There are still many demonic thoughts in the human realm; you cannot eradicate them all.

"A thousand years, at most a thousand years, and I will surely break the seal."

When I unify the Three Realms, you will all die!

"That's a matter for future generations."

Su Qingxuan's voice was calm, yet it resonated throughout the heavens and earth.

"Today, I will first annihilate your lingering soul and restore peace to the world."

Human affairs will be shouldered by future generations.

Having said that, he moved all six arms at once.

The Confucian sword strikes forth, shattering all laws;

The Dao seal descended, suppressing all evil.

The Buddhist bell tolls, guiding vengeful spirits to salvation;

The pagoda stood beneath, fixing the void in place;

A bright mirror hangs high, illuminating and dispelling falsehoods;

Heaven measures and judges good and evil.

Six attacks simultaneously struck the remnant soul of the Demon Lord.

"I'm not reconciled to this!!!"

The Demon Lord's remnant soul let out its final roar.

Its body shattered into pieces during the attack, turning into black smoke.

But this time, the black smoke failed to dissipate.

Instead, they were transformed by the Buddha's light.

Suppressed by Dao Yin

Slain by the Confucian sword

Enclosed by the pagoda

Scattered by the bright mirror

Measured by the celestial scale.

Completely, both body and spirit perished, vanishing into nothingness.

The sacred spring beneath his feet, its pitch-black water, quickly cleared.

The demonic energy was purified, and the spring water was restored to its original milky white color.

From the depths of the spring came the sound of chains snapping completely—

With the remnant soul destroyed, the seal here has fulfilled its mission and naturally dissipates.

The island in the middle of the lake shook, and all eight stone pillars collapsed, revealing eight jade tablets.

The remnant soul of the Demon Lord vanished completely from the mortal realm.

The battle ended, and the strange phenomena gradually disappeared.

Su Qingxuan withdrew his Dharma form and landed on the ground; the four women were exhausted and slumped down.

They all looked at him, their smiles radiant.

"Young master...we won."

Lin Wanqing said softly, tears welling in her eyes.

Chi Ying nodded, wanting to say something, but coughed up blood.

Xiao Lingxi hurriedly took out the pills and fed them to her, while she herself was also swaying unsteadily.

Xiao Lingyue forced herself to put her palms together and recited a Buddhist chant.

Su Qingxuan stepped forward quickly, reached out and pressed down, and holy light enveloped the four women.

Their injuries healed rapidly, and their breathing stabilized.

"Thank you, young master/Brother Su/Brother Qingxuan."

The four women said in unison.

Su Qingxuan shook her head, her gaze sweeping over them.

His eyes were full of tenderness and guilt:

"I should thank you. Without you,..."

I can neither become a saint nor destroy demons.

As he spoke, his internal energy fluctuated once again.

The battle just now has completely solidified his realm at the level of a mortal saint.

At this moment, the power of heaven and earth drawing us together grew stronger and stronger.

He tried his best to suppress it, but he was about to lose control.

The four women noticed his condition and their expressions darkened.

"Brother Su, are you... leaving?"

Xiao Lingxi asked softly, her eyes reddening.

Su Qingxuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

He sat down cross-legged right beside the newly purified holy spring.

Right in the middle of the four women.

"I'm not leaving."

He said softly:

"I said I would wait for you all to come together."

After saying this, he formed a hand seal, and the holy light around him subsided.

He actually used great supernatural powers to forcefully sever the guiding force.

He suppressed his own cultivation level once again.

"Young master, you mustn't!"

Lin Wanqing said urgently:

"Forcibly suppressing it might damage your Dao foundation!"

Chi Ying, Xiao Lingyue, and Xiao Lingxi were also anxious.

They would rather not ascend to heaven themselves.

They also did not want Su Qingxuan to ruin his future.

Su Qingxuan shook his head and smiled slightly:

"It's alright. I have already become a saint, and my foundation in the Dao is solid."

Suppressing it for a while won't cause any major problems.

Moreover…

He looked at the four women, his gaze softening:

"In the battle just now, you also touched the threshold of becoming immortals."

If I'm not mistaken, it will take at least three months.

At most half a year, you will be able to make a breakthrough.

I can wait that long.

The four women were startled, then sensed their own surroundings.

Sure enough, they discovered that the energy within their bodies had undergone a qualitative change.

The once ethereal "fate to immortality" is now clearly visible.

As long as one secludes oneself for intensive training, a breakthrough is certain.

It turned out that they had just poured all their cultivation and mental energy into Su Qingxuan's body.

They participated in the final battle against the remnant soul of the Demon Lord.

That battle allowed them to personally experience the power of the sages and comprehend the true meaning of the Great Dao.

This insight is worth more than a hundred years of arduous practice.

So, there's no need to worry.

Su Qingxuan said gently, "Let's... go together."

Upon hearing this, the four women finally burst into tears.

But this time, they were tears of joy.

The five people sat quietly by the sacred spring to regulate their breathing.

Nourished by the sacred spring's spiritual energy, they recovered extremely quickly.

Within half a day, he was out of danger.

Su Qingxuan stood up and looked at the eight jade tablets, which had inscriptions on them.

His divine sense swept over it, and the inscription entered his mind.

That was the last gift our ancestors left to the human world—

A complete method of integrating the three teachings (Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism) in spiritual practice, and...

The truth about the seal on the Three Realms.

It turns out that 100,000 years ago, the Demon Lord wreaked havoc on the Three Realms.

The ancestor led four maids, Chi Ying, Lin Wanqing, Xiao Lingyue, and Xiao Lingxi, to fight against the Demon Lord.

Our ancestors achieved a great victory, using the three treasures of the Three Teachings: the Confucian scroll of the Spring and Autumn Annals, the seal of mountains and rivers, and the seal of Taoism.

The Bodhi root and Buddha wood were used to seal it.

Unexpectedly, the Demon Lord used an evil secret technique, and his demonic power instantly reached the pinnacle of the Three Realms.

Breaking the seal and destroying the three treasures

He wanted to perish together with countless beings in the Three Realms.

Our ancestor sacrificed his life for righteousness, dismembering himself in battle.

Using the power of the three fundamental religions, the Demon Lord was resealed at the junction of the three realms.

Then spread the teachings of the three religions throughout the three realms to protect them.

The essence of the seal is the power of the three religions.

When the three religions flourish, the seal will be secure;

When the three religions decline, the seals loosen.

Our ancestors died and their teachings vanished, and ten thousand years have passed since then.

The three schools of thought in the Three Realms, due to increasingly deep-seated sectarianism, have been increasingly attacking and questioning each other.

They are now almost mutually hostile, and would never speak to each other again.

As a result, the influence of the three religions weakened, and they entered the Dharma-ending Age.

The seal on the Three Realms has begun to loosen gradually.

The Demon Lord's remnant soul was right; if it cannot be resealed...

Within a thousand years, the Demon Lord will surely break free from his seal.

The key to resealing lies in the unification of the three religions and the convergence of the mortal and the sacred paths.

A sage from the three religions must be born, accompanied by the Four Symbols as protectors.

Reseal the original seal.

"So that's how it is..." Su Qingxuan murmured.

His journey is still long...

The human realm is just the starting point; the celestial realm, and indeed the entire Three Realms, is the true battlefield.

But he felt no fear!

Because he has them, like-minded people, and all living beings.

"Young master, what's next?"

Lin Wanqing asked.

Su Qingxuan snapped out of his thoughts and looked westward.

Beyond the Great Snow Mountain, there are the kingdoms of the Western Regions.

Those countries and tribes affected by the remnant soul of the Demon Lord need to be subdued;

Those suffering people need comforting.

"First, take care of things in the human world."

Su Qingxuan said, "The kingdoms of the Western Regions should submit..."

......

After the great war,

With the Demon Lord's remnant soul destroyed, his influence in the Western Regions began to fade rapidly.

Furthermore, under the holy light of the saint's manifestation,

The kings and priests who had been controlled by demonic energy all regained their senses.

Recalling what he had done, he was filled with remorse.

Those armies and bandits who had been bewitched by demonic thoughts laid down their weapons and looked around in bewilderment.

Su Qingxuan, along with his four beauties and army, traveled westward without further hindrance.

In the Kingdom of Bolu, the king personally led his officials out of the city for a hundred li to welcome them.

We present this letter of state and pledge eternal allegiance.

It turns out that the country's high priest had been corrupted by demonic influence for many years, and was controlling the king.

Now that the demonic thoughts have dissipated and the holy light has cleansed his heart, the king has awakened as if from a dream.

The Kingdom of Dayuan offered 300 Ferghana horses in exchange for the opening of a border market and the perpetual continuation of trade routes.

This country had previously maintained secret relations with tribes of Turkic descent.

The prince was possessed by a demon, but now that he has recovered, he weeps in remorse.

Yuezhi, Wusun, Kangju, Shule... Thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions.

Upon witnessing Su Qingxuan's miraculous appearance in the mortal realm and hearing of the slaying of the Demon Lord,

They all sent envoys to the court, presenting memorials and acknowledging their vassal status.

There are also stubborn ones, such as the Imperial Preceptor of Jingjue.

Originally a devoted follower of the Demon Soul, he attempted to rebel.

Su Qingxuan and the four women did not make a move.

Chen Shitou led the Imperial Guards and suppressed them in no time.

The Grand Preceptor was executed, and the King of Jingjue suddenly realized his mistake and surrendered the city.

This journey was less a conquest and more a process of assimilation.

Su Qingxuan did not kill those who surrendered, nor did he plunder any territory; he only demanded that all countries abolish their evil rituals.

Treat the people well, open up trade routes, and promote the righteous teachings of the three religions.

All the countries obeyed.

Many small countries and tribes, having heard of the saint's deeds, spontaneously came to submit to him.

Su Qingxuan treated everyone equally, bestowing upon them seeds, farming tools, and medical books.

They sent Confucian scholars to teach writing, physicians to teach medicine, and artisans to teach crafts. Within a few months, the entire Western Regions, spanning thousands of miles, submitted to them.

With the Silk Road open, merchants and travelers came and went in an endless stream.

The border town prospered, and the people lived in peace and happiness.

The teachings of the three religions also began to spread in the Western Regions—

Temples, Taoist temples, and academies were established one after another.

These past few months, the four women have also been quite busy.

They accompanied the army westward, while simultaneously engaging in seclusion and spiritual cultivation.

Under Su Qingxuan's guidance, as memories are gradually unlocked,

Their cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds.

The Crimson Tassel Spear's intent had materialized, already forming a complete "Battle Soul" dharma image.

With a single shot, it was like a thousand horses galloping.

Even the most skilled martial artists in the human realm would find it difficult to withstand a single blow.

Xiao Lingxi's Dao body was perfected, and every move she made subtly aligned with the Dao of Heaven.

They can even summon wind and rain, and turn stones into gold (Taoist illusion technique).

It's almost like the work of a celestial being.

Xiao Lingyue possessed a clear and compassionate heart; a golden halo of Buddha light appeared behind her head.

A single thought can blossom into a flower, a single thought can bear fruit.

Wherever it went, stubborn rocks nodded and fierce tigers were tamed.

Lin Wanqing's noble spirit manifested in tangible form; her written words could stabilize the nation's destiny.

The lectures immediately enlightened the people, and the air of a "literary master" was already beginning to emerge.

The army marched to the westernmost part of the Western Regions, the Pamir Mountains.

This place marks the end of the journey to the Western Regions.

Further west lay the Persian and Arab worlds.

Su Qingxuan set up an altar on the summit of the Pamir Mountains to offer sacrifices to Heaven and proclaim the pacification of the Western Regions.

The rulers of thirty-six kingdoms all rushed over and presented the treaty.

We shall all respect Great Xia as our sovereign and maintain friendly relations for eternity.

After the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven was completed, Su Qingxuan gazed eastward, knowing in his heart—

It's time. The affairs of this world are over.

Next, it's time to go to the Heavenly Realm.

Night, Pamir Camp.

Su Qingxuan sat alone in his tent, writing a memorial to the emperor.

He reported all matters concerning the Western Regions to His Majesty.

He wrote very slowly and carefully.

Because this might be his last piece of music on earth.

The curtains rustled softly, and the four women entered together.

They had all changed back into their everyday clothes, washing away the dust of their journey.

She was breathtakingly beautiful under the lamplight.

"Young master, have you finished writing?"

The four spoke in unison, looked at each other, and smiled.

Su Qingxuan put down his pen and smiled: "That's about it."

Tomorrow, the army will set off eastward.

Zhou Wenjin and Gar Chinlingke led their troops back to the capital to report.

And we…”

He paused, then looked at the four women:

"It's time to go."

The four goddesses appeared calm, but their eyes held anticipation.

They are ready.

"Brother Su, we... have all broken through."

Xiao Lingxi whispered, her voice brimming with barely suppressed joy.

Chi Ying nodded: "It can trigger a heavenly tribulation at any time."

Xiao Lingyue clasped her hands together and said, "Amitabha. The karmic connection has arrived."

Lin Wanqing said softly, "Wanqing...is willing to follow you on the path to enlightenment."

Su Qingxuan looked at them, her heart filled with satisfaction.

After six months of arduous training, and with their memories gradually returning, the four women...

Their cultivation levels have all broken through that barrier.

He reached the peak of "half-step immortal".

With just one trigger, one can unleash a heavenly tribulation and ascend to immortality.

And this opportunity lies with him.

"it is good."

Su Qingxuan got up and walked outside the tent.

The four women followed him out.

In the night sky, the stars dimmed their brilliance.

The eastern horizon was already showing the first light of dawn.

Su Qingxuan took a deep breath and released all his restraint.

Boom—the world changed again.

This time, it wasn't a miraculous sign, but a calamity descending.

Dark clouds gather, lightning bolts ripple—

High above, a celestial gate faintly appears, guiding celestial light down.

But it wasn't just one beam of light, it was five.

Under the influence of Su Qingxuan's energy, he and the four women simultaneously triggered the Heavenly Tribulation.

"Let's go."

Su Qingxuan extended his hand to the four women.

The four women exchanged smiles, each extending their hand to shake his.

Five people stood hand in hand on the mountaintop, gazing up at the sky.

The first bolt of lightning, as thick as a bucket, struck down and hit five people.

Su Qingxuan did not move, but holy light emanated from his body, causing the heavenly lightning to dissipate upon contact.

The four women each displayed their unique abilities and easily blocked the attack.

The second, the third... the nine layers of heavenly lightning, each one stronger than the last.

But when the five of them joined hands, their Daoist principles merged and became one.

He walked as if in a leisurely garden, completely unharmed.

When the last bolt of lightning struck...

Su Qingxuan suddenly burst into laughter and threw a punch.

The force of the punch soared into the sky, actually causing the heavenly thunder to reverse and crash into the clouds.

The dark clouds dispersed, and a radiant light shone forth.

The gate to immortality opened completely, and the power of guidance enveloped the five people.

Su Qingxuan turned around.

One last look at this land of mountains and rivers,

He glanced at the soldiers and civilians kneeling and seeing him off below the mountain.

And...the direction of Qingxi Town in the Jiangnan region of the Great Xia Dynasty.

Su Qingxuan composed himself.

Then, he grasped the four women's hands tightly and whispered:

"We are going to heaven."

Five figures slowly rose in the celestial light and disappeared into the celestial gate.

The celestial gate closed, and the strange phenomena dissipated.

In the east, the rising sun illuminates the vast land.

At the summit of the Pamir Mountains, only a legend remains...

Meanwhile, in the distant Luoyang of the Great Xia Dynasty, in the Golden Palace...

Emperor Jinghe suddenly felt something, got up and went outside the palace to look towards the west.

He saw five beams of celestial light disappear into the sky, saw the sun rise in the east, saw…

The beginning of a new era.

He slowly bowed and solemnly greeted the West three times.

"Respectfully seeing off Prime Minister Su... Respectfully seeing off the Emperor..."

Behind him, civil and military officials knelt down in unison.

Human affairs are over, and the saint's traces have vanished.

The celestial gate closed, the rosy glow dissipated, and the summit of the Pamir Mountains returned to tranquility.

Only a faint golden glow remained in the sky.

And the lingering Taoist aura in the air,

Witnessing the unprecedented spectacle of ascension that just occurred.

At the foot of the mountain, thousands of soldiers remained kneeling on the ground, unable to rise for a long time.

Zhou Wenjin touched the ground with her head, her shoulders trembling;

Gar Chinling looked up at the sky and wept, murmuring prayers.

Lei Hu, Zhao Baichuan, Chen Shitou

And those veterans who followed Su Xiang on his long journey westward,

At this moment, everyone was in tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

They witnessed the birth of a sage and the opening of the path to immortality.

It witnessed... the end and the beginning of an era.

After a long while, Zhou Wenjin slowly stood up.

Wiping away his tears, he solemnly addressed his soldiers:

"Prime Minister Su has ascended to immortality; we should remember his teachings."

Protecting peace in the Western Regions, and living up to the trust placed in us by the sage.

Order: The three armies are decorated with colorful banners and red flags.

They observed a three-day farewell ceremony for the sage.

Three days later, they broke camp and returned east to report back to the capital!

"promise!"

The generals spoke in unison, their voices choked with emotion.

Night, Luoyang, Ziwei Palace.

Emperor Jinghe stood on the Star-Gazing Platform for a full hour.

He held in his hand a newly delivered, urgent report sent over 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers).

That was the last memorial Su Qingxuan sent back from the Pamir Mountains.

The memorial detailed the submission of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions.

The strategy for connecting the Silk Road, the method for establishing border markets, and the order for the spread of the three religions.

Every word was written with painstaking effort, and every sentence was written with sincere heart.

Every detail, exquisite and beautiful.

It is clear that a century of peace has already been planned for the Western Regions.

At the end of the memorial, there was only one line of small print:

"Your subject, Su Qingxuan, has finished dealing with worldly affairs and should return to the Great Dao."

May Your Majesty take good care of your health and usher in a prosperous era.

Your subject bids farewell.

Emperor Jinghe's hand holding the memorial trembled slightly.

He looked up to the west, where the afterglow of the sunset had faded.

But there seemed to be a premonition—

That man in purple robes and jade belt, who effortlessly established his dominance in the Western Regions,

They are no longer here.

"Su Qing..."

Emperor Jinghe murmured softly, tears welling in his eyes.

He recalled many years ago, when that young man eloquently discussed three strategies for governing the country in the Golden Palace;

I recall that before his northern expedition, he and I discussed the state of the world in the imperial study;

Thinking back on these ten years, every report that came from the Western Regions...

The hardships and responsibilities are evident between the lines.

"You opened up vast territories for the Great Xia Dynasty and sought lasting peace for all people."

I……

How fortunate I am to have met a subject like you... such a... brother!

Emperor Jinghe faced west and solemnly bowed three times!

"You may leave now. I will handle the affairs of the world myself."

If the opportunity arises someday...

"I wish to hear you expound on scriptures and doctrines again."

He rose, his expression now regaining its imperial majesty.

But his eyes held a newfound sense of vicissitude and determination that he hadn't shown before.

"Imperial decree: Su Qingxuan is posthumously honored as the 'Supreme Sage and Teacher of Civil and Martial Virtue'."

They were honored with a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple and will be worshipped there forever.

The "Three Teachings Returning to One Shrine" was built in Luoyang to enshrine the golden statues of Su Sheng and the Four Fairies.

The imperial edict ordered that all prefectures and counties throughout the land establish shrines in his honor, and that sacrifices be offered to him in all four seasons.

"Xiao Lingyue is hereby granted the title of 'Master Cihang'."

Xiao Lingxi was the "Wonderful Response Immortal".

Lin Wanqing is "Mr. Wenhui".

Chi Ying was the "Princess of Wu'an".

All of them are enshrined in the "Temple of the Return of the Three Teachings to the Origin".

"The submission of the various kingdoms in the Western Regions was carried out in accordance with the proposal in Su Xiang's memorial."

Zhou Wenjin was appointed as the Grand Protector of Anxi, with Gar Chinling as his deputy.

He was in charge of the military and political affairs of the Western Regions.

All matters concerning the Silk Road were to be jointly managed by the Court of State Ceremonies and the Ministry of Revenue.

One imperial edict after another was issued, ushering in an era belonging to Su Qingxuan.

Its story has officially come to an end in the human world.

And an even more glorious era of the Great Xia Dynasty is about to begin...

It is:

The battle at the Holy Spring settled the world, sweeping away all demonic influences and revealing the clear blue sky.

The heart of the Western Regions returns to the Silk Road, and the divine manifestation in the human world proves the true mystery.

The four beauties work together to dispel illusions, and the three religions share the same Dharma to continue their predestined relationship.

The gates to immortality have opened, allowing one to ascend to the clouds, yet the essence of Taoism remains in the mortal realm.

Volume Two: Meritorious Service in the Imperial Court and Saving the World (Complete)

To find out how Qingxuan, accompanied by four beauties, will rekindle their past romance in the celestial realm, how he will cultivate the Dao to fight demons, and how he will unite the three religions, please read the next volume!

Volume Three, "Inquiry into the Celestial Realm: The Return of the Three Teachings to Their Origin," is to be continued...