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

Poetry:

Once you enter the immortal realm, you leave behind the mortal world; jade palaces and magnificent buildings reflect your true form.

On the path to heaven, one must examine one's heart and nature; before the gates of the three religions, one must prove the cause of sainthood.

It is said that Su Qingxuan ascended to heaven at the same time with four beauties.

The moment they passed through the immortal gate,

Su Qingxuan felt as if time and space were shifting, and the world before her eyes was filled with bizarre and fantastical sights.

It seemed like a moment, yet also like ten thousand years.

When my feet touched the ground, I was already surrounded by a sea of ​​clouds.

Looking out, one sees magnificent palaces and pavilions floating above the clouds.

The fairy mountains and islands are scattered like stars in the sky.

Mythical birds and beasts flew to and fro...

The air was filled with an intense, almost palpable, spiritual energy.

In the distance, a golden road stretches straight to the heavens.

At the end of the avenue, the majestic Heavenly Gate can be faintly seen.

This is the Heavenly Realm!

"Is this... the Immortal Realm?"

Xiao Lingxi looked around curiously, then took a deep breath.

I felt as if every pore on my body had opened up.

"The spiritual energy is so dense! It's more than a hundred times denser than the Cleansing Heart Pool!"

Lin Wanqing also exclaimed, "The ancient texts describe it as 'the Thirty-Three Heavens, with its jade palaces and jeweled towers.'"

I once thought it was just a legend, but today I've witnessed its reality.

Chi Ying gripped his spear tightly, his expression wary.

She could sense that countless powerful auras were hidden within this world.

Every single one of them was no less than hers.

Xiao Lingyue clasped her hands together and lowered her eyes, sensing an even more vast source of Buddhist teachings.

It flows to the west of this place.

Su Qingxuan stood still for a moment, spreading his divine sense to comprehend the rules of this world.

Unlike the human realm, the laws governing heaven and earth in the celestial realm are more complete and clearer.

One day of cultivation here is equivalent to several years in the human realm.

That is why those who can ascend to this level are all outstanding figures in the human realm.

"Four ladies, we have entered the Heavenly Realm."

Su Qingxuan said gently.

"The rules here are different from those in the human world, and you need to adapt."

"You should first regulate your breathing and consolidate your state of mind."

The four women agreed and sat down cross-legged.

Upon their initial entry into the Celestial Realm, their inner energy was transforming into a purer form of celestial power.

This is an essential process after ascension.

Su Qingxuan closed his eyes and looked inward.

He has attained sainthood in the mortal realm, his realm far surpassing that of ordinary immortals.

The transformation process has already been completed.

At this moment, he was focused on the three treasures within his body—

After entering the celestial realm, the three treasures had completely merged into his body.

It actually began to automatically absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Subtle changes occur.

"The Treatise on Righteousness" was transformed into a golden book—"The Spring and Autumn Annals".

Stored in the upper dantian;

The mountains and rivers bear the imprint of the previously blurred character "镇" (town).

It transforms into the two characters "Imperial Edict," its power multiplying, and resides in the middle dantian;

The Bodhi spiritual root takes root and sprouts.

It actually grew into a small tree in the lower dantian.

It casts down rays of clear moonlight.

Even more strangely, a new piece of information appeared in his mind—

That is the inherited information left by our ancestors in the Three Treasures.

The seal can only be broken by ascending to the heavens.

The information records the celestial structure and the origins of the three religions.

And... the truth about the Demon Lord's seal.

It turns out that the celestial realm is divided into thirty-three heavens—

The lower three realms are inhabited by "Human Immortals" and "Earth Immortals". Most newly ascended cultivators from the human realm reside here, which is a low-level realm of the Heavenly Realm.

The eighteenth level is the Daoist temple of "Celestial Immortals" and "Golden Immortals," and is the main force of the Heavenly Realm, where most immortals reside.

The Upper Nine Heavens are the abode of "Great Golden Immortals," "Vajra Arhats," and "Ten Ground Bodhisattvas," who have transcended the cycle of birth and death and belong to the top level of the Three Realms, a place that all cultivators in the world look up to.

The highest of the three heavens is the ancestral home of the three religions—

Wenru Heaven, Sanqing Heaven, and Jile Heaven.

In special circumstances, cohabitation is also possible, and so on.

Ten thousand years ago, the Demon Lord was born from chaos, intending to devour the three realms and return to chaos.

The ancestor disintegrated, sealing the Demon Lord's true form in the "Ruins of Return," where the three realms meet.

However, the Demon Lord is immortal and indestructible; he can only be sealed away, not completely destroyed.

The ancestors predicted that in later generations, the three religions and their teachings would decline, and that the Dharma would enter the Dharma-ending Age 100,000 years later.

The seal will inevitably loosen and eventually break.

It requires the guidance of sages from the three religions, along with the Four Symbols protectors, and the supreme treasures of the three religions.

By uniting the power of the three religions, we have strengthened it once again.

Now, the 100,000-year period is approaching.

There are only five hundred years left until the Demon Lord breaks free from his seal.

“‘Return to the Void’… five hundred years…” Su Qingxuan opened his eyes, a solemn look flashing in them.

The timeframe was more pressing than he had anticipated.

The ancestral messages also contain explanations of time in the Three Realms.

The flow of time differs in the three realms.

In general, time flows slowest in the celestial realm, followed by the human realm, and then the underworld.

Time is an unchanging variable, and flow rate is affected by many factors, so it cannot be generalized.

Although both are in the Thirty-Three Heavens of the Celestial Realm, the flow of time is different each day.

The speed of time may vary in different regions on the same day.

A day in the celestial realm might be a few days, a few years, or even decades in the mortal realm... the exact number is uncertain.

The same applies to the underworld.

The prediction of 100,000 years by our ancestors is based on a rough estimate of time in the human realm.

The Demon Lord's statement about a thousand-year period and the remaining five hundred years is based on the time of the Heavenly Realm.

It's only an approximate timeframe, without precise details.

"Young Master, what's wrong?" Lin Wanqing had finished regulating her breathing and noticed his unusual expression.

He asked with concern.

Su Qingxuan shared the key information he knew with the four women.

The four women fell silent after hearing this.

Xiao Lingxi asked in a low voice:

In other words, we have less than five hundred years.

"Are we going to reinforce that seal?"

Chi Ying gripped his spear: "Then let's train. Five hundred years is enough."

Xiao Lingyue clasped her hands together and said, "Amitabha! This is destiny, and it is also our mission."

Lin Wanqing pondered for a moment and said:

"Young Master has become a sage, while we are just beginning our journey into the immortal path."

However, it might not be enough to contend with the Demon Lord's true form.

We need to improve as soon as possible, and even more so...

Having found the ancestral temples of the three religions, we received the true teachings of the Great Way.

Su Qingxuan nodded: "Wanqing is right."

"The most urgent task is to figure out where we are."

Then they went to the ancestral temples of the three religions to pay homage to the supreme sage, seek the true Dharma, and strive for advancement.

As they were talking, several streaks of light suddenly flew in from the distant sea of ​​clouds.

The light fell to the ground and transformed into three immortals.

The leader was an old Taoist priest with a white beard, holding a whisk, and exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom;

On the left is a middle-aged scholar, wearing a turban and holding a scroll;

On the right is a monk in a yellow robe, with a kind face and a staff in his hand.

The three of them possessed auras as deep as the ocean, and were all at the Golden Immortal level.

The old Taoist priest sized up the five people.

His gaze lingered on Su Qingxuan for a moment, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He then stroked his beard and laughed:

"Are you a newly promoted fellow Daoist in the human realm? This old Daoist is a steward of the 'Hall of Reception'."

His Taoist name was Yunyangzi.

These two are Mr. Wenhua and Zen Master Huijing.

I've come especially to welcome you all.

Su Qingxuan cupped his hands in greeting:

"My name is Su Qingxuan."

These four are Chi Ying, Lin Wanqing, Xiao Lingyue, and Xiao Lingxi.

"On my first visit to the Heavenly Realm, I am grateful for the assistance of the three celestial masters."

Mr. Wenhua smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Su, you are too kind."

The Hall of Reception is dedicated to guiding those who ascend to immortality from the human realm.

Register them and arrange their whereabouts.

May I ask where you all come from in the human realm?

"The Divine Continent, Great Xia."

Su Qingxuan said.

"Daxia?" Zen Master Huijing pondered.

"Is this under the rule of Emperor Jinghe now?"

"Exactly."

The three guiding immortals exchanged glances.

They both saw the surprise in each other's eyes.

Yunyangzi said, "No one has ascended to immortality in the Great Xia Dynasty for a thousand years."

Unexpectedly, he rose five ranks in one go today, and what's even more remarkable is...

He looked at Su Qingxuan, his expression becoming more respectful—

"Fellow Daoist has actually achieved sainthood in the mortal realm; this is truly a marvelous event throughout the ages."

Su Qingxuan humbly replied, "It was just luck."

Mr. Wenhua said, "It is not a matter of luck. When a sage is born, there must be a destiny ordained by Heaven."

Since Fellow Daoist Su has ascended to immortality, according to the heavenly rules, he should be registered in the register of immortals and assigned a cave dwelling.

but……"

He paused.

"With the status of a Daoist saint, one can be exceptionally granted direct entry into the highest heaven."

He became a disciple of the ancestral temple of the three religions.

What do you think, my friend?

This is exactly what Su Qingxuan sought.

He readily agreed and immediately said:

"I wish to go to the ancestral temples of the three religions to seek the Great Dao."

"Good." Yunyangzi nodded.

"However, the ancestral temple has its own rules for accepting disciples."

The old Taoist priest can escort you to the "Path to Heaven".

Whether or not he can enter the ancestral temple depends on Su Sheng's fate.

He then turned to the four women and said:

"You may also give it a try and seize the opportunity."

"The Road to Heaven?" Xiao Lingxi asked curiously.

Zen Master Huijing explained:

"The path to heaven is a trial that tests the character, aptitude, and spiritual cultivation of those who ascend."

It is also an introductory test for entering the three schools of thought.

"Those who are unwilling to try, or who fail the test, cannot enter the three schools of thought and will only become wandering immortals."

"The 'Path to Heaven' has a total of 9,999 steps, and the pressure increases with each step you climb."

Climb the three thousand steps to enter the lower three heavens;

Six thousand steps lead to the Middle Eighteen Heavens;

Nine thousand steps lead to the ninth heaven.

As for the final nine hundred and ninety-nine steps...

That is the road leading to the ancestral temples of the three religions...

Only those with great perseverance, wisdom, and opportunity can ascend this mountain.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Chi Ying's eyes blazed with fighting spirit: "Let's go and climb!"

Lin Wanqing and Xiao Lingyue nodded in agreement.

They traveled thousands of miles west, surviving countless life-or-death battles.

Why fear a path to heaven?

Su Qingxuan smiled and said, "Then I will trouble the three immortal masters."

"It leads us to the path to heaven."

"Please!" Yunyangzi waved his whisk, and auspicious clouds appeared spontaneously.

It lifted everyone up and flew away into the distance.

The path to heaven is located in the center of the first day, "The Heaven of Reception."

It is a jade pillar reaching to the heavens.

Rising from the sea of ​​clouds, it soars straight into the sky.

On the surface of the jade pillar, golden steps spiral upwards.

Each step is inscribed with Dao patterns, radiating immense pressure.

At this moment, dozens of newly ascended immortals had gathered at the foot of the jade pillar.

They all ascended from various parts of the human realm recently.

The human realm is not limited to the Divine Continent; there are other continents and regions as well.

They were simply isolated from each other and had no contact with each other.

They were either alone or in small groups, attempting to climb the steps.

The moment Su Qingxuan and his group of five landed, they immediately attracted countless gazes.

There's no other reason than that the five of them possessed an exceptionally outstanding aura—

Su Qingxuan's holy light was restrained, yet it possessed an inherent majesty;

The four women each possessed their own unique charm.

Some are aloof, some are gentle, some are intelligent, and some have kind eyes.

What's even more remarkable is that they ascended together.

This is extremely rare in the history of human ascension.

"Another new person?"

"Five at once? What kind of mortal realm is so powerful?"

"Hiss... The aura of the leader... is unfathomable!"

Amidst the murmurs, Yunyangzi said to Su Qingxuan:

"Fellow Daoist Su, the Path to Heaven tests one's character, cultivation, and purity of heart."

One's mindset is primary, while one's spiritual realm is secondary; one cannot rely on external forces.

You must climb the steps alone.

The old Taoist priest is waiting at the six thousandth step. If you climb to that point...

Then one can enter the Middle Nine Heavens.

"Thank you, Immortal Master." Su Qingxuan cupped his hands in thanks.

Yunyangzi returned the greeting, and the three of them stepped aside to observe the situation.

Su Qingxuan looked at the four women and said gently:

"The key to this path lies in testing one's character and temperament, not in cultivating one's spiritual realm."

Climb the steps at your own pace; there's no need to force it.

Brute force should not be used indiscriminately.

The four women nodded.

Chi Ying took the lead and stepped onto the first step.

A flash of golden light appeared on the steps, and she paused slightly.

They quickly regained their footing and moved up to the next step.

Xiao Lingxi, Xiao Lingyue, and Lin Wanqing also embarked on their journeys.

Su Qingxuan took the last step.

The moment his foot touched the steps, the entire path to heaven suddenly trembled!

The Daoist patterns on the jade pillar shone brightly, emitting a series of buzzing sounds.

It seemed as if they were cheering, as if they were worshipping.

"What's going on?!"

"The Path to Heaven is in disturbance!"

"Could it be...?"

The immortals looked on in astonishment, only to see Su Qingxuan ascending the steps with unhurried steps.

With each step he ascended, a phantom image appeared behind him—

Sometimes it was a Confucian scholar reciting a book.

Sometimes they are monks chanting mantras and reciting scriptures.

Sometimes he is a Taoist priest with his hands behind his back, gazing at the stars.

The three thousand great paths lie beneath your feet.

Even more astonishing is that,

He climbed the steps incredibly fast.

Ten steps, a hundred steps, a thousand steps... all it takes is the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Having passed three thousand steps, I have stepped into the threshold of the Middle Nine Heavens.

The four women also displayed their unique abilities, closely following behind.

Behind Chi Ying, the battle spirit manifested, its fighting spirit soaring to the sky.

Resisting the pressure, step by step;

Xiao Lingxi followed the natural way, her body as light as a willow catkin, rising with the wind;

Xiao Lingyue was protected by Buddhist light, and her steps were like lotus flowers;

Lin Wanqing used her righteous spirit as a pen to write articles.

With each character written, the oppressive aura lessened.

Four thousand steps, five thousand steps... When Su Qingxuan reached the six thousandth step...

Yunyangzi and the other two were already waiting there.

Seeing the four figures relentlessly pursuing Su Qingxuan,

The three were even more shocked.

"The four fairies will be arriving soon."

Mr. Wenhua exclaimed in admiration.

"Those who can ascend to this level are all the elites of the human realm. Five at a time..."

The Great Xia Dynasty of the Divine Continent is truly extraordinary.

Su Qingxuan stopped at the six thousandth step and waited for the four women.

A short while later, the four women arrived one after another, though slightly out of breath.

But their expressions were all firm.

"Continue?" Su Qingxuan asked the four women.

"Continue." All four women nodded.

Seven thousand steps, eight thousand steps... the pressure grew stronger and stronger.

It is no longer a simple suppression of power, but a direct attack on the core of one's Dao.

Illusions abound, inner demons rage, and karmic entanglements from past lives persist.

Many of those who climbed the mountain together could no longer hold on.

They either sat cross-legged to regulate their breathing or retreated in dejection.

But how resolute were the five men?

They traveled hand in hand through the vast Western Regions, battling together the Demon Lord.

Through past and present lives, our hearts are connected, and our Daoist minds are pure and flawless.

These tests were actually the easiest for them.

Nine thousand steps!

At this point, no one else was climbing the steps.

"The last nine hundred and ninety-nine steps."

Su Qingxuan looked towards the top of the jade pillar.

There, shrouded in mist, three majestic celestial gates could be faintly seen—

This is the entrance to the ancestral temple of the three religions.

"Let's go."

He took a deep breath and took another step.

This step, taken, is no longer about intimidation.

Rather, it is a question or test from the Great Way for different people.

A voice asked Su Qingxuan:

"What is the Tao?"

What is Buddha?

What is Confucianism?

Can the three teachings be unified?

"Can the common people be saved?"

"Can the Demon Lord be destroyed?"

Every question points directly to the core of Su Qingxuan's Dao.

If you can't answer, there's no way out.

Su Qingxuan stopped and replied.

The sound echoed throughout the path to heaven:

"Tao follows nature, Buddhism saves all beings, and Confucianism benefits the world."

The three religions all originated from the common people.

"If you have the Way in your heart, where can't you practice it?"

If you have Buddha in your heart, who can't be saved?

With Confucianism in one's heart, what is impossible?

"The three religions return to one, and what they return to is the heart of saving the world."

Ordinary people and sages follow the same path; they both embody the Great Way.

"The common people can be saved, and the demon lord can be destroyed."

Despite countless difficulties, we will forge ahead!

Each answer reveals ninety-nine steps.

The illusory figure behind him also solidified a bit.

In the end, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, the three supreme doctrines, were united into one.

It transformed into the image of a sage who stood tall and upright.

The Buddha has three heads and six arms, a compassionate face, but thunder in his eyes.

The path to heaven was fully revealed, and it trembled once more, radiating golden light.

Nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine steps, to the top!

When Su Qingxuan stepped onto the last step

The entire path to heaven radiated boundless light.

Flowers rained down from the sky, and celestial music resounded.

The three heavenly gates solidified completely in the clouds and slowly opened.

A voice came from inside the door:

"The ancestral home of the three religions, respectfully welcoming the sage back to his throne—"

The sound was grand and solemn, resounding throughout the thirty-three heavens.

The four women followed Su Qingxuan to the top!

Although not as extraordinary as his,

Yet each of them faces trials and questions about their own moral compass.

All four women possessed clear and lucid minds and pure spiritual essence.

The principles are firm, and the heart is as steadfast as gold.

Behind the red-tasseled army spirits, they transformed into golden-armored divine generals;

Xiao Lingxi's Dao body was perfected, and radiant light naturally arose from it;

Xiao Lingyue's white hair danced gracefully, and golden wheels swayed beneath her feet;

Lin Wanqing's noble spirit is embodied in her exquisite writings.

"We reached the top..."

"All five of them reached the summit in one go..."

"The ancestral temples of the three religions personally received them..."

This is a grand event that hasn't happened in many years!

Below, those immortals still climbing the steps,

They all stopped in their tracks.

Looking up at the clouds, my eyes were filled with awe and envy.

Yunyangzi and the other two also flew over.

He bowed respectfully to Su Qingxuan:

Congratulations to Saint Su, and congratulations to the four fairies.

From this day forward, we are disciples of the ancestral temple of the three religions, and the path to the Great Dao is within our grasp.

Su Qingxuan returned the greeting: "Thank you for guiding us, three immortals."

He turned his head, looked at the four women, and smiled:

"We're inside."

The four women nodded, their eyes filled with anticipation.

The five of them walked side by side into the central heavenly gate—

That is the entrance to "Wenrutian".

The other two heavenly gates were also guided by celestial light.

It was clearly prepared for the two women, the Taoist and the Buddhist, among the four.

However, none of them went.

He followed Su Qingxuan and stepped into the Wenru Heaven together.

Before the Heavenly Gate, Yunyangzi and the other two looked at each other and smiled bitterly.

"This... isn't it against the rules for Wen Rutian to bring in five people at once?"

Mr. Wenhua said.

Zen Master Huijing put his palms together and said, "Amitabha. Rules are dead, but people are alive."

These five... cannot be judged by ordinary standards.

Yunyangzi stroked his beard and sighed, "The ancestral temple of the three religions is about to become quite lively."

Let's go back and report.

Five people ascended to sainthood from the lower realms and entered the Heaven of Literature and Confucianism together.

This matter is enough to shake the Thirty-Three Heavens.

The three of them transformed into streaks of light and departed.

On the path to heaven, the light of that towering jade pillar lingered for a long time.

The story of Su Qingxuan and the four women has begun to circulate in the Thirty-Three Heavens...

Within the realm of Wenru, a completely different world unfolds.

But amidst the boundless sea of ​​clouds, countless mountains of books and seas of learning floated.

Some mountains resemble writing brushes, while others resemble inkstones.

There are waterfalls as dark as ink, and rainbow bridges as smooth as paper.

In the air, golden characters shimmered like stars.

Every word contains the true meaning of the Great Dao.

In the distance, palaces stretched out in a row, all with steps made of white jade.

The tiles, made of lapis lazuli, exude a vast and profound literary atmosphere.

Su Qingxuan and his group of five landed.

Two scholars in white robes then came forward to greet them.

Both of them looked to be in their seventies, making it impossible to guess their actual age.

Its aura is unfathomable.

They were all at the level of Great Luo Golden Immortals!

"I am Kong Shen, and this is Xun Mu, both disciples of the Venerable Wenru Tianzun."

The elderly man at the head of the group cupped his hands in greeting, his expression kind and gentle.

"Just now, the path to heaven experienced an unusual disturbance, which the ancestral temple sensed."

"He specifically ordered the two of us to come and welcome Sage Su."

Su Qingxuan quickly returned the greeting: "I dare not accept the title of sage."

"Junior Su Qingxuan greets the two immortal seniors."

Kong Shen smiled and said, "Those who are accomplished come first."

"Now that Fellow Daoist Su has attained sainthood, he shall be ranked among us."

Looking again at the four women:

"Now that the four fairies have ascended to the heavenly path, please follow this old man."

The Celestial Venerable Wenru is already waiting for you in the Spring and Autumn Hall.

"The Venerable Wenru?" Su Qingxuan was slightly taken aback.

Xun Mu explained:

"Wenru Tianzun is the master of Wenru Heaven and one of the supreme saints of the three religions."

He once descended to the mortal realm and founded Confucianism and Taoism.

Fellow Daoist Su must possess the inheritance of a Celestial Venerable.

Su Qingxuan suddenly realized!

It turns out that Confucius of the Great Xia Dynasty was the incarnation of the Heavenly Venerable of Literature and Confucianism.

The five men followed Kong Shen and Xun Mu forward.

Along the way, one could see countless scholars either holding books or reciting them.

They might debate scriptures and doctrines, or wield their brushes and ink.

Upon seeing Su Qingxuan, they all stopped and stared at him respectfully.

It is clear that they already knew about the path to heaven.

Arriving at a magnificent palace, one sees the three ancient seal characters "Spring and Autumn Palace" inscribed above.

The palace doors opened by themselves, and a voice came from inside:

"Come in."

His voice was gentle, yet contained supreme majesty, penetrating straight to the soul.

Five people entered the hall.

The main hall was empty, with only an elderly man with white hair sitting on a prayer mat.

I am brewing tea and drinking it by myself.

The old man had an ordinary appearance, a tall stature, and simple clothes, like an old scholar from the countryside.

Yet, his body exuded a vast aura that was of the same origin as heaven and earth.

"Junior Su Qingxuan,"

Accompanied by Chi Ying, Lin Wanqing, Xiao Lingyue, and Xiao Lingxi—

Greetings, Heavenly Venerable.

Su Qingxuan led the four women in a solemn bow.

Wenru Tianzun raised his eyes and his gaze swept over the five people.

He lingered on Su Qingxuan for a moment.

He smiled and nodded: "No need for formalities, please sit."

The five people sat down as instructed.

The Celestial Venerable himself poured the tea, and its aroma filled the air.

Its aroma is said to clear the mind and spirit.

"Qingxuan, you did a great job."

When the Celestial Venerable spoke, there was no air of authority or seniority.

"I know everything about the Great Xia Dynasty..."

To pacify the court and conquer the northern frontier

Destroy the remnant soul of the Demon Lord and bring peace to the Western Regions.

To spread the great principles of the three religions and attain sainthood in the human world.

Ascending to Heaven with Four Beauties

These sacred sites truly bear the mark of your ancestors.

Su Qingxuan humbly replied, "It is all thanks to the Confucian tradition passed down by the Heavenly Venerable, which benefits the entire world."

Furthermore, with the help of four fairies.

"Being neither arrogant nor impatient is very good."

The Celestial Venerable nodded slightly and then looked at the four women.

"You four,"

In their previous lives, they each had their own sect and practiced their own methods.

Later, he assisted the Sage in unifying the three religions, but unfortunately...

Our reunion in this life is also a predestined connection from a past life.

"Now that you have entered the Heavenly Realm, you shall proceed to your respective ancestral homes."

"I pay my respects to my Master and receive the true teachings again."

Wenru Tianzun paused for a moment, then said:

"Lingxi, in your previous life you were a pageboy under my dear friend, the Supreme Celestial Venerable Taiqing."

"We shall ascend to the Three Pure Heavens and return to the lineage of the Supreme Purity."

"Lingyue, you were originally a dragon maiden before the Buddha."

"May you ascend to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and return to the Buddha's tutelage."

"As for Chiying and Wanqing..."

The Celestial Venerable looked at the two women:

"You two... Chi Ying is a disciple of the military school."

"Return to 'Wuqu Heaven' and once again become a disciple of the True Martial Emperor."

"Wanqing is my disciple."

"May Wenru Tian return to my tutelage..."

"how?"

The four women, whose memories of their past lives were incomplete, exchanged a glance.

But they all looked at Su Qingxuan.

Su Qingxuan understood their intentions.

So he said to the Heavenly Venerable:

"The Celestial Venerable's arrangement is certainly the most appropriate. However..."

The four of them, who have accompanied me all the way, may they stay at Wenrutian for a while?

"Once things have settled down, shall we each return to our respective schools?"

The Celestial Venerable stroked his beard and laughed, "Of course it's possible."

The land is vast, there are plenty of places to settle scholars. However…”

He said solemnly, "Although the three religions share the same origin, each has its own essentials."

If you four truly wish to improve, you must return to our sect and receive our true teachings.

Especially Lingxi and Lingyue,

Your cultivation levels in your previous lives

Most of them are sealed within the sect; they can only be unsealed upon their return.

Xiao Lingxi and Xiao Lingyue both nodded upon hearing this.

They could sense a kind of call from the depths of the heavens.

Resonate with your own origin.

"Then so be it," said the Venerable Wenru.

"You shall rest in Wenrutian for three days and familiarize yourselves with the heavenly realm."

Three days later, Lingxi went to the Three Pure Ones Heaven, and Lingyue went to the Blissful Heaven.

Red tassels fly towards the Heaven of Martial Arts.

Wanqing will stay here and cultivate with me.

"Yes," the five answered in unison.

The Celestial Venerable looked at Su Qingxuan again, his expression becoming more serious:

"Qingxuan, you have become a saint. According to the rules of Heaven..."

When establishing a temple, one should teach disciples and spread the teachings.

However, there is something more important right now...

Su Qingxuan felt something:

"Is it about the Demon Lord's sealing?"

"That's right." The Celestial Venerable nodded.

"The Demon Lord's seal has been loosening for quite some time now. According to my calculations..."

It will completely break down in just five hundred years.

Before the Demon Lord can be completely unsealed, the sages of the three religions must gather in Guixu.

The seal was reinforced again.

You have become a saint, and... you practice the method of unifying the three religions.

He should be the person in charge of this matter.

"It is my duty as a junior!"

"Very good." The Celestial Venerable was pleased.

"You need to improve your cultivation level as soon as possible during these five hundred years."

Even among sages, there are varying degrees of attainment.

You have attained sainthood in the human realm, but are still in the 'initial sainthood' stage.

Above them are the "Second Saint" and the "Supreme Saint."

"Only the most holy being has the ability to strengthen the seal and take the lead."

Qingxuan...

Do not let down the hard work of your ancestors.

Su Qingxuan suddenly felt his breathing become heavy:

"How should this junior cultivate?"

The Celestial Venerable raised his hand, and a golden light entered Su Qingxuan's brow:

"This is the core inheritance of the Wenru Tian lineage, the Spring and Autumn Great Dao Classic."

Your understanding of this scripture, and its corroboration with your ancestral copy of the Spring and Autumn Annals, will be mutually reinforcing.

It is supplemented by the restoration of the three treasures of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.

Within five hundred years, he will surely attain the rank of Second Sage.

"As for the supreme saint... that requires a special opportunity and cannot be forced."

Su Qingxuan closed his eyes to digest the information, feeling the boundless true meaning of the Great Dao surging into his sea of ​​consciousness.

Many previously unseen paths suddenly opened up before our eyes.

He rose and bowed solemnly:

"Thank you, Heavenly Venerable, for transmitting the Dharma."

"Go," the Celestial Venerable waved his hand.

Kong Shen will arrange accommodations for you.

Three days later, they each went on their own spiritual practice.

"Qingxuan, remember—time is running out."

"I understand."

The five people left the Spring and Autumn Hall.

Outside the hall, Kong Shen was already waiting and led them to their lodgings.

Speechless all the way.

Upon arriving at their lodgings—

That was a secluded valley on the east side of Wenrutian.

There are several bamboo houses, surrounded by a stream, and the place is full of spiritual energy.

After Kong Shen took his leave, the five of them gathered in the main building.

"Brother Su, are we... going to part ways?"

Xiao Lingxi asked softly, her eyes slightly red.

Su Qingxuan looked at the four women, feeling reluctant to part with them.

But he knew this was the only way.

Only through their own spiritual practice and rediscovering their true nature can they truly improve.

Only then can they lend him a helping hand in future great battles.

"It's just a temporary separation," Su Qingxuan said gently.

"The ancestral temples of the three religions belong to the same three heavens."

With our level of cultivation, coming and going is not difficult.

Furthermore, the Celestial Venerable said that the sealing would take place five hundred years later.

We five need to work together.

Red-tasseled spear in hand: "Brother Qingxuan,"

I will master the True Martial Emperor's inheritance as soon as possible.

I'll come back to help you.

Xiao Lingyue clasped her hands together: "Lingyue will certainly diligently practice Buddhism."

"I will not betray the Buddha, nor will I betray the young master."

Lin Wanqing said softly, "Wanqing is in Wenrutian, where she will study the classics."

The lineage of Xi Tianzun.

Xiao Lingxi burst into laughter through her tears: "Then I won't cry anymore!"

I'll go to the Three Pure Ones Heaven to learn great skills and concoct many elixirs.

"If you get hurt in a fight from now on, I'll take care of it!"

Su Qingxuan looked at them, feeling a warmth in her heart.

He extended his hand, and the four women understood.

They each reached out and shook hands with him.

Five hands clasped together, their hearts in perfect harmony.

Outside the window, the setting sun slowly descended from the heavens.

The sea of ​​clouds was dyed gold.

A new journey is about to begin.

And their journey is still very, very long...

But no matter how far apart they are, they will eventually meet again and stand side by side.

Because some bonds remain unchanged even after countless reincarnations.

Some feelings grow stronger after going through life and death trials.

It is:

Within the Hall of Literary Confucianism, they received the Mandate of Heaven, each seeking the profound truths of their ancestral home.

We part for now, for the sake of a lasting legacy; we will reunite one day to suppress the demons.