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

Poetry:

The dark starry sky is shattered by the cracks in the cosmos; the three religions work together to temporarily mend the void.

Ten thousand cycles of reincarnation return to the old vow, a lifetime of righteousness awakens the deepest heart.

Now, let's talk about Xuandu, Yanwen, and Youbodi.

The three sages heard that the seal on the Xuanhuang Great World in the lower realm was loosening.

He immediately used the Great Teleportation Divine Power, crossing the barrier of the thirty-three heavens in one step, and in an instant, he arrived outside the sky of that great world.

The three stood in the void, looking down at the world below, their expressions solemn.

But that vast, mysterious world was originally the ancestral source of the great worlds of the lower realms.

Pure air rises to become the heavens, while turbid air sinks to become the earth. Yin and Yang are in order, and the five elements rotate. This should be a clear and bright phenomenon.

At this moment, spiderweb-like cracks appeared in the western sky. Although they were extremely fine, they were like flaws in a beautiful jade, shocking to the eye.

Wisps of black mist seeped from the cracks; the mist was neither smoke nor fog, but condensed and persistent, and within it could be heard mournful howls and resentful curses.

The mere mention of it shakes one's mind, a sign that the Demon Lord's power is leaking out.

"It has already loosened to this extent!" Grand Master Xuandu's expression was solemn.

With a wave of his hand, he set up the "Zhou Tian Xing Dou Grand Array".

Three hundred and sixty illusory stars appeared.

It enveloped the entire Xuanhuang Realm, stabilizing its sealing nodes.

Yan Wen unfurled the Thirteen Classics on silk, which grew longer in the wind, transforming into a ten-thousand-foot-long scroll, its characters shining brightly.

Every word carries immense weight, embodying the profound principles of Confucianism and stabilizing the universe:

"The way of Heaven is constant; it does not exist for Yao, nor does it perish for Jie."

Demonic energy is leaking out, wreaking havoc on the world. It must be suppressed with righteous means!

Upati manifested the form of a thousand hands and a thousand eyes.

Each of the thousand palms possesses a wise eye; the Buddha's light, like the sea, shines upon all three thousand worlds.

The Venerable One recited the Shurangama Mantra, and each syllable transformed into a golden swastika.

Imprinted on those cracks: "Amitabha! The sea of ​​suffering is boundless, but turning back is the shore."

"Raging spirits and evil thoughts should enter the cycle of reincarnation; do not linger here!"

The three saints each used their supreme supernatural powers and spent three days and nights to barely mend the crack.

However, all three had beads of sweat on their foreheads and their breathing was slightly disordered, indicating that they had expended a great deal of energy.

Although the seal was restored, the three of them felt no relief whatsoever.

Grand Master Xuandu gazed at the sealing node that had once again vanished into the void, and sighed deeply, his voice filled with worry:

"Even with the three of us working together, this sealing effort was so difficult. It took us seventy percent of our strength to mend this crack."

But this is just one point in time.

Back then, the Holy Su Lie sacrificed his physical body to burn his Great Enlightenment Fruit, laying down a network of seals that spread throughout the Three Realms and the Three Thousand Great Worlds, like stars scattered across the sky, each link interlocking with the next.

Now that the 100,000-year period is approaching, evil thoughts are growing in people's hearts, the fortunes of heaven and earth are reversed, and there are signs of loosening at various points.

If we were to repair them one by one, even if the three of us exhausted our cultivation, we would still find it difficult to continue.

Yan Wen, with a solemn expression, gazed into the deep void and slowly said:

"What's more worrying is that while these peripheral nodes may be loose, they can still be repaired. But the core of the main seal deep within the 'Ruins' is the key."

If the main seal is broken, all the nodes of the three thousand worlds will shatter, like a dike collapsing from an ant hole. The Demon Lord will descend upon the three realms in an instant.

At that time, countless lives will be lost, and the catastrophe of 100,000 years ago will be repeated throughout the Three Realms.

The pillars of heaven collapsed, the earth's axis broke, the Milky Way overflowed, and the sea of ​​blood in the netherworld surged, turning countless lives into the demon lord's food.

Upati clasped his hands together, his brow furrowed with even deeper compassion: "Amitabha! In the past, the Holy Sage Su Lie foresaw that he would eventually perish. Before the great battle, he had a long talk with the Buddha, the Heavenly Venerable, and the Great Emperor all night long."

At that time, he had already glimpsed the future and said frankly: If the three religions only "cooperate" and each goes their own way, the sealing will ultimately only treat the symptoms, not the root cause.

The power of the seal originated from the harmony and unity of the three religions. Now, however, the three religions have built high walls, attacking each other and vying for their respective doctrines.

As one thing diminishes while the other gains, the seal will naturally loosen over time.

Only when the three teachings (Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism) are truly unified, with their methods seamlessly integrated and intertwined, can the seal be truly strengthened.

Even transforming demons into the Way, converting the evil thoughts of the Demon Lord into a pure source, and eliminating future troubles forever.

Now it seems that this statement was true and did not deceive me.

Grand Master Xuandu nodded, his gaze turning toward Wen Rutian, his expression complex: "That child Su Qingxuan certainly has the legacy of his ancestors."

The concept of unifying the three religions has already begun to take shape in his hands.

His discourse at the Three Teachings Assembly, and the method of fusion demonstrated by the four fairies beside him, were all eye-opening.

He paused, his voice lowering.

"However... his current cultivation level is only at the late stage of Celestial Immortal."

Although his combat power is comparable to that of a Golden Immortal, his foundation is still shallow.

Let alone venturing deep into the Ruins to confront the main seal, even traveling between the human realm and the heavenly realm requires the assistance of the "Reincarnation Platform" or a powerful being to guide one.

The real battle requires at least the peak cultivation level of a Great Luo Golden Immortal to be qualified to participate.

Even the Celestial Venerable and the Buddha could only serve as assistants back then. The three of us were all on the periphery, while the one in charge of the formation was still the Supreme Saint Su Lie.

The three remained silent for a long time.

In the void, only the faint sound of the stars turning could be heard.

They all understood that Su Qingxuan was the only hope in 100,000 years, a last resort left by the Holy Su Lie.

But this move presents a path that is too long, too treacherous, and too arduous. And Su Qingxuan may have less than five hundred years left—

The main seal can only last for less than five hundred years.

Yan Wen suddenly spoke, his voice firm:

"In any case, once the choice has been made, we should support it with all our might."

Wenru Tianhui will dedicate itself to nurturing Su Qingxuan and helping him grow up as soon as possible.

Grand Master Xuandu stroked his beard and said, "The same applies to the Three Pure Ones Heaven."

Xiao Lingxi, who was beside the child, was a Daoist disciple of Qingxi in her previous life. She had an unparalleled talent for alchemy and would be personally instructed by Master Taiqing.

After she completes her studies, she will surely be a great help to Su Qingxuan.

Upati said, "The Pure Land of Bliss will also provide its full support."

Now that the Dragon Maiden of Wonderful Sounds has awakened, the restoration of her Buddhist cultivation is just around the corner. Her wondrous voice can purify inner demons and dispel malevolent energy.

This will be of great benefit in future battles.

The three sages looked at each other and nodded, their figures gradually fading away as they returned to their respective temples.

In the void, only the newly repaired seal node remained, faintly fluctuating, like a clock ticking in the silence.

Inside the "Spring and Autumn Hall" of Wenrutian.

The Venerable Scholar of Literature sat upright on a cloud bed, surrounded by a pure aura.

Behind him appeared the illusory images of a vast land and ancient literature.

Su Qingxuan stood below, bowing his head respectfully.

There were only two people in the hall, yet an invisible pressure permeated the air.

The Celestial Venerable said in a deep voice:

"Qingxuan, do you know the weight on your shoulders?"

Su Qingxuan bowed, his voice steady yet firm:

"This disciple understands."

The will of our ancestors, the safety of the Three Realms, and the fortunes of all living beings are all things that I, as their disciple, will always keep in mind.

"Having inherited the bloodline of my ancestors and received their teachings, I, as their disciple, should exert all my strength, even unto death."

The Venerable Wenru nodded, his eyes showing approval, but then slowly shook his head:

You know one thing, but not the other.

You only say that you must carry on the will of your ancestors and follow the path of unifying the three religions.

Strengthen the seal and quell the demonic calamity.

Little did you know, the difficulty of this path far exceeded your imagination.

Even when I joined forces with Taiqing and Buddha, we couldn't achieve our goal. If it weren't for your ancestor's intervention...

The consequences would be unimaginable. And...

You know even less about those four women…

Wenru Tianzun paused, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

His expression held a mixture of reminiscence and emotion:

"They, Su Lie, you, and the Way of the Three Religions Unifying"

The depth of our connection and the weight of our ties far exceed your imagination.

Su Qingxuan's heart tightened, and he looked up at the Heavenly Venerable:

"What does the Celestial Venerable mean? Wanqing and the others... could there be another hidden story?"

Su Qingxuan had been in Wenru Heaven for more than three months. He served by the side of the Heavenly Venerable so that he could ask the Heavenly Venerable for teachings and inquiries at any time.

After the four women returned to their respective sects, they disappeared without a trace.

Su Qingxuan's worries deepened day by day, and he would often meditate in quiet contemplation.

Their images always appear before my eyes—

Wanqing's gentleness, Lingxi's liveliness, Lingyue's tenderness, and Chiying's heroic spirit.

He knew that his feelings for them had long since gone beyond mere camaraderie.

That feeling, fueled by years of shared life and death experiences in the human world...

The spirit of mutual support and cooperation within the Sanyi Temple has long been deeply rooted in our souls and hearts.

But with such a heavy responsibility on his shoulders and an uncertain future ahead, he dared not speak of it, nor could he express it, and could only keep this affection deep within his heart.

Now, hearing the Celestial Venerable's words, it seems that the four women are hiding a shocking secret.

Wenru Tianzun looked at Su Qingxuan as if he could see through his thoughts, and sighed softly: "The time is coming, and you will soon know."

Some things can only be truly unforgettable through personal experience;

Some feelings need the test of time to reveal their profound depth and weight.

He said no more, only that...

"You should return to the Sanyi Palace first, cultivate diligently, and strive to break through your realm as soon as possible. Only when you reach the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm can I entrust you with more important matters."

Lingxi, Lingyue, and Chiying have all returned to their respective sects and received their complete inheritance.

Wanqing left behind a literary legacy, and followed me to cultivate the supreme Confucian skill, the "Spring and Autumn Annals Writing Style."

And "Words become law." The day they return will be the day they awaken from their past.

At that time, you need to be mentally prepared.

That's not just the revival of four memories, but four deep affections spanning ten thousand years of reincarnation, resting once more on your shoulders.

Su Qingxuan was shaken, vaguely guessing what was going on.

Yet, he could not grasp the whole picture. Knowing that the Celestial Venerable had said all he needed to say, he could not ask further and could only bow deeply: "Disciple...understands. Thank you for your guidance, Celestial Venerable."

After leaving the Spring and Autumn Palace, Su Qingxuan rode a cloud back to the Three Ones Palace.

The sea of ​​clouds surged and shimmered with wondrous light, but he had no interest in admiring the celestial wonders; instead, he pondered the words of the Heavenly Venerable.

"A deep affection that transcends ten thousand reincarnations"

These ten words struck my heart like a heavy hammer.

He recalled every moment he had shared with the four women since they first met:

In the Su family courtyard, Wanqing silently ground ink and brewed tea for him, her eyes gentle.

During their journey to the Western Regions, Lingyue chanted sutras and prayed for him, the Buddhist chants pure and serene.

On the northern frontier battlefield, Chi Ying charged into battle for him, never leaving his side;

Inside the Sanyi Palace, Lingxi refined elixirs for him and protected the sect, her smiles radiant.

As these images flashed by, the feelings in my heart became clearer.

But it also grew increasingly heavy. If what the Celestial Venerable said was true,

The four women have a connection with the ancestor for 100,000 years. How should I put my feelings into account?

Am I Su Qingxuan, or a continuation of my ancestor?

With a heavy heart, I arrived at the Palace of Trinity.

He had not returned for three months, yet the palace had taken on a completely new look.

Master Xuanqing and Monk Liaochen, as the Supreme Elders of the Sanyi Palace, personally handled everything and managed the palace affairs in an orderly manner.

The disciples diligently practiced their skills, and the sounds of chanting scriptures, discussing the Dao, and practicing martial arts intertwined to create a vibrant and lively symphony.

Upon seeing Su Qingxuan's return, all the disciples bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with reverence.

Su Qingxuan forced a smile and responded to each question.

The gloom in my heart just wouldn't go away...

......

For the next three years, Su Qingxuan secluded himself at Guiyi Academy, cultivating diligently day and night.

He studied his ancestors' teachings, the "Spring and Autumn Annals," repeatedly.

The twenty-first chapter, "Self-Cultivation," has been released.

Unlike the typical Confucian order of self-cultivation: self-cultivation, family harmony, national order, and world peace.

The ancestral teachings emphasize cultivation, and the profound meaning of cultivation permeates the entire text.

As you unlock more content, the essence of cultivation gradually emerges and becomes more profound.

This section on self-cultivation explains how to temper oneself using the methods of the three religions to reach the state of "indestructible and impervious to all laws".

He practiced according to the methods described in the text, combining the righteous spirit of Confucianism, the innate natural energy of Taoism, and the wisdom and compassion of Buddhism.

Completely fused into one furnace,

Within the dantian, on the surface of the golden elixir, the Dao patterns evolving into the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, and all living beings became even clearer and more vivid, resembling the nascent form of a small world.

Although his cultivation level is still at the late stage of Celestial Immortal, his foundation and combat strength far surpass those of others in the same realm.

Su Qingxuan thought to himself that he could fight even a peak Golden Immortal.

If we use the three ancestral treasures,

Even a Grand Luo Golden Immortal in the early stages might not be unable to handle it.

However, even while practicing, that concern and doubt always lingered in my mind.

He often sat alone by the window, gazing at the drifting clouds in the sky, sometimes for the entire day.

He wondered if the four women were still safe and well, and when they would return.

What I'm even more thinking about is the Celestial Venerable's words, "a deep affection that transcends ten thousand years of reincarnation."

What is the deeper meaning behind this?

On this day, Su Qingxuan was practicing his swordsmanship in the courtyard, the Gentleman's Sword transforming into countless lights and shadows in his hands.

Each sword strike embodies the Confucian ideal of moderation, the Taoist philosophy of nature, and the Buddhist concepts of wisdom and compassion. Where the sword light passes, lotus flowers bloom in the void, and golden springs gush from the ground.

Just as they were enjoying themselves, a clear and melodious phoenix cry suddenly came from beyond the sky.

Its sound pierced through the clouds and split the rocks, echoing through the heavens.

Su Qingxuan sheathed his sword and looked up, only to see a vast expanse of purple aura stretching for three thousand miles in the northern sky, dyeing half the sky a noble purple.

Amidst the purple aura, a jade chariot rode through the clouds.

The carriage was pulled by nine blue phoenixes, their cries echoing through the air.

The carriage body is engraved with the sun, moon, stars, and Bagua symbols, exuding a Taoist aura. The curtains are woven from ten-thousand-year-old ice silkworm silk, as thin as a cicada's wing.

However, it completely blocks all divine sense from probing.

The carriage stopped in front of the Trinity Palace, and the curtains were lifted.

A figure in cyan lightly leaped down.

Who is this person?

Find out next time.

It is:

Suddenly, a message came from a bluebird, and purple clouds broke through the northern sky.

The past is fading away; let us follow it once more in this life.