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

Poetry:

Kong Shen sends a message: the trial begins, and mysteries lie hidden within the Illusory Demon Sea.

The four women, deeply in love, recalled their vows, and Qingxuan, silently moved by their love, felt a surge of emotion.

Then, Kong Shen arrived.

Seeing the four women return, their cultivation greatly improved, and noticing their respectful postures and the affection that flowed naturally between them as they stood behind Su Qingxuan, he was first taken aback, then understood, stroked his beard and smiled:

"It seems that those who were meant to wake up have woken up, and those who were meant to gather have gathered."

My arrival is timely, saving me the trouble of notifying everyone individually.

Immediately, he said to Su Qingxuan in a serious tone, "Junior Brother Su, the Heavenly Venerable asked me to convey a message: the 'Trial of Returning to the Void' will begin in three months."

That was a grand event that occurred only once every thousand years in the celestial realm.

It is also an opportunity to select outstanding talents and explore the periphery of Guixu.

The Celestial Venerable hopes you can participate.

"The Trial of Returning to the Void?" Su Qingxuan asked, puzzled.

"Exactly." Kong Shen nodded, his expression serious.

"The Ruins of Return are the crevices of the Three Realms, the place where Yin and Yang meet."

It is also the location of the Demon Lord's seal.

That place was strange and unpredictable, with chaotic spacetime and fragmented laws.

Even a Great Immortal would be in danger of perishing if they ventured deep into it.

However, only cultivators below the Great Luo Realm can participate in the trial.

Moreover, it takes place in the "Illusory Demon Sea" on the outskirts of Guixu, which is relatively safer.

Though the Illusionary Demon Sea is fraught with danger, it also holds great opportunities—

There, spacetime is distorted, ancient ruins often appear, innate spiritual objects are born, and fragments of the Heavenly Dao are found, which are of great benefit to cultivation.

The Celestial Venerable said, "Sooner or later you will have to face the main seal."

Why not take this opportunity to explore the area, familiarize ourselves with the environment, and gain experience?

Su Qingxuan pondered and said, "The Illusionary Demon Sea... its name alone suggests its danger."

Kong Shen said, "It is indeed dangerous."

The Illusionary Sea is teeming with illusions, reflecting the deepest desires and fears in people's hearts. Those with weak wills are easily corrupted by these illusions, becoming slaves to them and sinking into eternal damnation.

Furthermore, it harbors the lingering remnants of ancient demons and bizarre creatures.

It feeds exclusively on the souls of cultivators. But risks and opportunities coexist—

Those who have survived the trials of the Illusionary Demon Sea throughout history...

Eight or nine out of ten of them later became pillars of the celestial realm.

Many Golden Immortals and even Great Luo Immortals in the Heavenly Realm have now been tempered in the Illusionary Demon Sea.

He looked at the four women and said, "The trial is dangerous."

You may bring four fairies with you.

However, you should know that the illusions of the Illusionary Demon Sea are most adept at exploiting the weaknesses of people's hearts. Since the five of you are of one mind and deeply bound together, you must be even more careful to guard your Dao heart and not be taken advantage of by the illusions.

Make sure to prepare protective items for your heart, including calming and tranquilizing medicines, to ensure your safety.

Su Qingxuan nodded: "Qingxuan understands. Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."

Kong Shen then took out a jade slip from his sleeve and handed it to Su Qingxuan:

"This is a record of the sights, maps, and precautions of the Illusionary Demon Sea by those who participated in the trials throughout the ages. Although it is incomplete, it is still a rare find. Keep it safe and study it carefully."

I will return in three months and lead you all to the entrance of the Illusionary Demon Sea.

After giving his instructions, Kong Shen took his leave.

Su Qingxuan extended his hand, and the four women placed their hands on top of each other. The five of them looked at each other and smiled, agreeing to advance and retreat together and embark on the trial together.

In the stillness of the night, the lights in Guiyi Courtyard remained on.

Su Qingxuan sat alone in his study, holding the jade slip containing information about the Illusionary Demon Sea in his hand, but he did not probe it with his divine sense for a long time.

The scenes of the four women awakening their memories and pleading to serve as servants during the day.

The image kept replaying in my mind, filling me with mixed feelings.

He got up and walked to the window, looking out into the courtyard.

The four women lived in four small courtyards, one in each direction, all lit up with lights, their graceful figures reflected in the windows.

In the east courtyard, pages of books are turned softly; in the west courtyard, chanting of Buddhist hymns fills the air; in the north courtyard, the fragrance of incense wafts faintly; in the south courtyard, the sound of gunfire cuts through the air.

They were all cultivating themselves, preparing for the trials that would begin in three months.

"Ancestor..." Su Qingxuan murmured softly.

Within his dantian, the Spring and Autumn Annals were faintly glowing, as if responding to his call.

Since the four women awakened their memories, the ancestral bloodline within him has become unusually active.

Many previously vague memories of inheritance are gradually becoming clear.

Especially the segments about "Qingxi", "Lianyue", "Liying" and "Wenqing" came flooding in like a tide.

He saw himself ten thousand years ago—or rather, his ancestor Su Lie—

In the Purple Cloud Palace, he instructed the young boy named Qingxi on how to control fire and refine elixirs.

The boy in green was actually a girl of about seventeen or eighteen.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him, full of admiration.

He smiled and ruffled her hair, then handed her a "Purple Jade Ginseng".

He said, "Little Qingxi, cultivate diligently, and you may surpass me in the future."

He saw himself discussing the Tao with the Buddha under the Bodhi tree in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The dragon maiden Miaoyin, who was playing music nearby, occasionally looked up.

When their eyes met, she lowered her head and smiled faintly, her ears turning slightly red.

At the end of the discussion, he praised her for her pure and serene chanting, saying it could eliminate karmic obstacles.

She pressed her palms together in a gesture of respect and said softly, "Thank you for your praise, Sage Su."

He saw himself and Li Ying, the Star Envoy of the Broken Army, practicing their spear techniques on the Wuqu Heavenly Training Ground.

After ten moves, she dropped her spear and stood there stunned.

He holstered his gun and stood up, speaking gently:

"The Star Envoy is brave and strong, but too much rigidity makes him prone to breaking."

The art of war posits that the ultimate goal is to combine strength and flexibility.

She knelt on one knee, clasped her hands in a fist and said, "This humble general has learned much!"

He saw himself playing chess with Wenru Tianzun in the Wenru Tianchunqiu Palace.

Wenqing, who stood by, would sometimes add tea and sometimes take notes.

He occasionally uttered witty remarks, and she wrote with great flair, her eyes sparkling.

When he took his leave late at night, he saw that she was still organizing her notes, so he said, "Fairy Wenqing, get some rest."

She looked up and smiled gently:

"Sage Su, please return first. Wenqing will be ready soon."

These memories are so vivid, as if they happened just yesterday.

Su Qingxuan could clearly feel the ancestor's appreciation and care for the four of them, as well as... that hidden, unspoken affection.

That feeling, like a gentle stream, flows on and on, blending into the little things of daily life—

A word of advice, a compliment, a cup of tea, a glance.

"No wonder...no wonder I felt a sense of familiarity when we first met."

Su Qingxuan closed his eyes, and a realization dawned on him.

"It turns out that this destiny was planted in a previous life."

He suddenly remembered that on the journey to the Western Regions in the human world, the four women had shared joys and sorrows with him and had protected him without hesitation when facing various trials.

I recall their perfect understanding and seamless cooperation on the debate stage at the Dharma assembly;

Thinking back on all these years, I remember every little thing they did for me.

Everything has a traceable origin.

"Young Master." A soft voice sounded outside the door; it was Lin Wanqing.

Su Qingxuan composed herself and said, "Wanqing, come in."

The door was gently pushed open, and Lin Wanqing walked in carrying a pot of freshly brewed spiritual tea.

She had changed out of her formal scholar's dress from the daytime and was now wearing a moon-white casual outfit.

Her long hair was loosely tied up, with a few strands falling casually down.

It gleamed with a warm glow under the light.

She placed the teacup on the desk, then looked up at Su Qingxuan.

Her beautiful eyes held concern, and even more so, deep affection.

"Is the young master meditating again?" she asked softly, pouring him tea.

"Are you worried about the trials in the Illusionary Demon Sea?"

Su Qingxuan took the teacup; the tea was warm and had a pleasant aroma.

It was his usual "Qingxin Wudao Tea" (a tea for calming the mind and understanding the Dao).

He shook his head: "As for the trial, we'll deal with it as it comes."

I was thinking about...you guys.

Lin Wanqing's hand trembled slightly, and the teapot almost tipped over.

Su Qingxuan quickly reached out to support him, and the two of them were startled when their fingers touched.

That hand was soft and delicate, carrying the faint scent of ink from years of writing.

Su Qingxuan did not immediately loosen her grip, nor did Lin Wanqing pull away; only the tips of her ears slowly turned red.

"Wanqing." Su Qingxuan looked at her, her voice gentle.

"You, Lingxi, Lingyue, and Chiying followed your ancestors in your past lives."

In the end, he died for his cause and for love. This love... was too heavy.

What virtue or ability do I, Su Qingxuan, possess that makes me worthy of your continued reliance on me through ten thousand years of reincarnation?

Lin Wanqing looked up, tears welling in her eyes, but she smiled and shook her head:

"Young master is mistaken. It's not about whether it's worth it or not, it's about being willing."

She withdrew her hand, sat down beside Su Qingxuan, held the teacup in both hands, gazed at the moonlight outside the window, and spoke in a gentle, dreamlike voice:

In her previous life, Wanqing was merely an ordinary disciple under the tutelage of the Venerable Wenru.

He spent his days organizing classical texts and recording lectures; his days were peaceful and uneventful.

Until he met Sage Su—who was also the young master's ancestor.

"At that time, the Sage Su often came to Wenrutian to discuss the Dao with the Heavenly Venerable."

He is exceptionally charming, witty, and insightful.

Wanqing was ordered to take notes, and she listened intently every time.

Seeing that I was listening attentively, he would often offer pointers, and sometimes when he spoke of something particularly insightful, his eyes would light up, as if the entire world contained within them.

She paused, a tender reminiscence welling up in her eyes:

"Later, the Heavenly Venerable selected Wanqing to assist the Sage Su, and Wanqing was overjoyed."

The years she spent traveling with him through the Three Realms were the happiest time of Wanqing's life.

Watch him tirelessly strive for the unification of the three religions, watch him worry about the suffering of all beings, watch him repeatedly forge new paths in desperate situations...

Wanqing thought to herself, how could there be such a person in this world?

His heart held the entire Three Realms.

Yet, I can still see the good in everyone around me.

"He treated Qingxi like a younger sister, Lianyue like a close friend, Liying like family, and Wenqing..."

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her voice lowered.

He was sincere to everyone. The four of us...

They both understood each other's feelings, but never said it aloud.

Because we all know that in his heart, the three religions are one.

The most important thing is that the world is at peace.

"We'd be content just to be by his side and watch him get closer to his dream."

She looked at Su Qingxuan, tears already streaming down her face:

On the eve of the great battle, he met Wenqing alone and said that if there were an afterlife, he would definitely marry me, draw my eyebrows every day, and read with me every night.

At that moment, Wenqing felt that following him for eternity was all worthwhile.

Therefore, when he died for his cause, he had no regrets.

Even if I were to reincarnate for ten thousand years, I would still find it sweet.

Su Qingxuan was deeply moved and reached out to wipe away her tears.

My fingertips touched her cheek; it was warm and damp.

Lin Wanqing took his hand and pressed it against her face.

Through teary eyes, she looked at him: "In this life..."

The young master is Su Qingxuan, not his ancestor Su Lie.

But you bear his shadow and his ideals.

There is a path he has not yet completed. When Wanqing awakens her memories,

This shows that this affection has never been severed.

Therefore, my request to become a maid is not out of self-deprecation, but rather out of a desire for recognition and status.

I can rightfully stay by your side and watch you fulfill the unfinished ambitions of our ancestors.

That's enough, really enough.

Su Qingxuan grasped her hand in return and gently pulled her into his arms.

Lin Wanqing stiffened, then relaxed, buried her face in his shoulder, and silently shed tears.

"Silly girl. You..." Su Qingxuan gently stroked her long hair, his voice hoarse.

"In this life, I will treat you well. I will live up to the wishes of our ancestors and your deep affection."

The two embraced for a long time until they heard very light footsteps outside the window.

Lin Wanqing hurriedly got up, straightened her clothes, and her face was still flushed.

Su Qingxuan turned her head and saw Xiao Lingxi standing outside the door with a plate of snacks. She stuck out her tongue and said, "Um... did I come at the wrong time?"

Despite saying this, she walked in with a smile and placed the snacks on the desk.

It was a plate of "Purple Jade Cake," made with the "Purple Jade Ginseng" unique to Zixia Palace. It was crystal clear and had a wonderfully fragrant aroma.

"I just made this. Please have a taste, young master and sister Wanqing."

Xiao Lingxi's eyes sparkled as she looked at Su Qingxuan, then at Lin Wanqing, and suddenly sighed.

"Sigh, it seems Sister Wanqing beat me to it. I was hoping to come and have a heart-to-heart talk with you tonight, young master."

Lin Wanqing blushed even more and scolded, "Lingxi, don't talk nonsense."

Xiao Lingxi sat down next to Su Qingxuan, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at him, her eyes full of affection.

"Young master, I remember now."

Back then, you often came to Zixia Palace and always brought me little trinkets from the human world, sometimes sugar figurines, sometimes clay figurines.

You called me Xiao Qingxi, taught me how to control fire and refine pills, and said I had talent.

At that time, I thought I would follow you for the rest of my life, watching you refine the best elixir in the world and walk the most righteous path.

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes again:

"Later, when you were about to leave, I begged the Supreme Celestial Venerable to let me accompany you."

The Celestial Venerable initially refused, saying that my cultivation was shallow, only at the mid-stage of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, and that it would delay Saint Su's important affairs.

I knelt before the alchemy room for three days and three nights until you came out, stroked my head, and said, "Take this little girl with you; she is sincere."

"The years I spent traveling with you were the happiest days of my life."

When you are refining elixirs, I will assist you; when you are seeking enlightenment, I will protect you; when you are worried, I will tell you jokes.

Although you always treat me like a child, I've long since...

She suddenly threw herself into Su Qingxuan's arms, hugging him tightly, her voice choked with emotion:

"Young master, in this life, please don't treat Lingxi like a child anymore, okay?"

Lingxi has grown up and can share your burdens and face everything with you.

Neither the Illusionary Demon Sea nor the Void Seal can faze Lingxi.

"I'd go anywhere as long as I can be by your side."

Su Qingxuan felt a pang of sadness, embraced her petite body, and whispered:

"Alright, I won't treat you like a child anymore. In this life, you are my Lingxi, the one I want to walk hand in hand with."

Xiao Lingxi burst into laughter through her tears, quickly kissed him on the cheek, then jumped up, her face as red as a ripe peach:

"Um... eat the snacks while they're hot, I... I'll head back now!"

She ran out the door and almost bumped into Xiao Lingyue who was walking by.

Xiao Lingyue helped her up and saw that her face was flushed and her eyes were filled with tears and smiles. She shook her head and chuckled, then slowly walked into the room.

"It seems that Sister Qingxi has finished speaking." Xiao Lingyue put her hands together, bowed to Su Qingxuan, and nodded to Wen Qing.

She had changed out of her celestial robes and was now wearing a plain white monk's robe.

Her long hair was loose and flowing, and her Buddhist nature was tinged with gentleness.

Knowing that she also had something to say, Lin Wanqing stood up and said:

"I'm going to see Sister Chiying." She smiled slightly at Su Qingxuan, turned and left, gently closing the door behind her.

Only the two of them remained in the study.

Xiao Lingyue sat down opposite Su Qingxuan and poured him a cup of tea with elegant and dignified movements. She looked up at him, her gaze clear as a spring, yet unfathomable.

"Young Master," she spoke, her voice as pure and serene as a Buddhist chant.

"In her previous life, Miaoyin was a Buddhist dragon maiden who should have been practicing pure cultivation and not concerned with worldly affairs."

But everything changed after I met you.

She began to recount her first encounter under the Bodhi tree.

Speaking of following him throughout the three realms to guide people with Buddhist teachings,

Speaking of the thrill of listening to his discourse late at night;

He personally bestowed upon her the Dharma name "Lianyue," which signifies purity and compassion.

She spoke calmly, but tears welled in her eyes, clearly indicating that she was deeply moved.

The Buddha said that all conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows.

But for Lian Yue, every moment spent with Saint Su was precious.

All of this is absolutely true. Therefore, when she was martyred, Lian Yue had no regrets, and even after ten thousand years of reincarnation, she would not complain.

She clasped her hands together, lowered her eyes, and said, "In this life, Xiao Lingyue is still a Buddhist disciple and still holds a compassionate heart. But her feelings for you, sir, are also real."

Therefore, I humbly request to serve as a maid, to assist the young master with Buddhist teachings, to guide all sentient beings, and to confront... and also to guide myself through this attachment to love.

Su Qingxuan grasped her clasped hands and felt her tremble slightly.

He said gently, "Lingyue, you don't need to be attached to love."

The word "love" originates from the heart and is also a form of spiritual practice.

In this life, we walk the same path; you guide people with the Buddha's teachings.

I seek peace and stability through the unification of the three religions. Between us...

There's no need for the title of maid; the reality is simply that of a fellow Daoist.

Xiao Lingyue looked up, her eyes filled with tears and a smile: "Young Master is always so gentle."

So be it, fame and fortune are all in vain.

"As long as I can be by your side, I'll call you whatever I want."

As the two were talking, they suddenly heard a strong wind howling in the courtyard.

Xiao Lingyue laughed and said, "It seems that Sister Chiying can't wait either."

However, she was never good at expressing herself.

Su Qingxuan got up and pushed open the door. Sure enough, under the moonlight in the courtyard, Chi Ying, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, was practicing a set of exquisite spear techniques, holding a long spear.

The spear flashed like a dragon, exuding a fierce fighting spirit, yet it transformed into a gentle circle at the end of its attack, embodying the true essence of military strategy by combining strength and flexibility.

Upon seeing Su Qingxuan emerge, Chi Ying sheathed her spear and stood there, a light sheen of sweat on her forehead, her gaze fixed intently on him, seemingly unsure of what to say.

"Liying," Su Qingxuan called her by her name from her previous life.

Chi Ying's body trembled, and he strode forward, kneeling on one knee before Su Qingxuan, clasping his hands in a fist salute and saying, "Your subordinate is here!"

Su Qingxuan helped her up and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

This movement made Chi Ying freeze—

In her past life, the Sage Su often wiped her sweat and straightened her armor.

"Red Tassel." This time, Su Qingxuan called her by a different name.

He looked at her with admiration and pity in his eyes.

"In your past life, you fought alongside our ancestors; in this life, you protect the Dharma for me."

I will remember this kindness.

But I don't want you to be just my gun, my armor.

You are Chi Ying, an independent person with your own path to follow.

In this life, shall we fight side by side again?

Tears welled up in Chi Ying's eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

She nodded emphatically: "Very well! This humble general... no, Chi Ying is willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with you, young master, and sweep away all obstacles!"

Su Qingxuan smiled and patted her on the shoulder.

Chi Ying suddenly stepped forward and hugged him tightly, very forcefully.

It was as if they wanted to knead ten thousand years of longing into this embrace.

At that moment, she felt at ease and happy.

But she quickly relaxed, took a step back, and clasped her hands in a fist salute, saying:

"It's late, young master, please rest early. In three months, during the Illusionary Demon Sea Trial, Chi Ying will certainly pave the way for you!"

She turned and strode away, her back view straight and tall, but at the corner she raised her hand as if to wipe her eyes.

Su Qingxuan stared in the direction she had left, remaining motionless for a long time.

Lin Wanqing, Xiao Lingxi, and Xiao Lingyue each came out and came to his side.

The three women looked at each other, tears welling in their eyes, yet all of them smiled.

"Young Master, we have said what we wanted to say," Lin Wanqing said softly.

"From this day forward, the five of us will be of one mind and will no longer be separated from one another."

Su Qingxuan nodded and opened his arms.

The three women were slightly taken aback, but then understood and gently moved closer together.

Just then, a gust of wind blew by, and Chi Ying returned.

Chi Ying smiled, a bright and radiant smile, and she moved closer to Su Qingxuan.

At this moment, the five embraced.

The moonlight shone down, casting their shadows together and blending them into one.

On this night, the deepest affection, though seemingly endless, finally resonated.

For the next three months, the five entered into intensive preparations.

Su Qingxuan and the four fairies practiced their Taoist arts and battle formations during the day, and each cultivated themselves at night to consolidate their realms.

Elder Xuanqing and Elder Liaochen assisted from the sidelines, instructing the disciples and managing palace affairs, allowing the five to focus on their preparations.

Su Qingxuan took out the chapters on "combined attacks" and "battle formations" from his ancestor's mental cultivation manual, "Spring and Autumn Annals," and studied them with the four fairies.

They discovered that their ancestors had deduced several methods of combining the three religions as early as 100,000 years ago, but the four fairies were not at a high level of cultivation before, so they were unable to fully utilize them.

Now that all five are at the late stage of Celestial Immortal and their minds are in sync, it's the perfect time for a practice session.

The first formation is called "The Five Elements Return to Formation".

Su Qingxuan resides in the center, overseeing the unification of the three teachings and the Way of Chaos, transforming the "Faithful Land."

Indeed, faith is the foundation of the Way, and it is the source of all things returning to oneness.

Lin Wanqing resides in the east, embodying the noble spirit of Confucianism, transforming it into "benevolent wood."

Indeed, benevolence towards people and love for all things bring forth life and nourishment;

Xiao Lingxi resided in the north, using the true water of the Taoist school to transform it into "wisdom water."

Indeed, water dripping wears away stone; the key is to overcome the hard with the soft.

Xiao Lingyue resides in the west, using the golden light of Buddhism to transform into "righteous gold."

Indeed, it is indestructible, providing strong and solid defense;

Chi Ying resided in the south, transforming the flames of war into "ritual fire."

Indeed, the strategy is to first use diplomacy and then resort to force, focusing on adapting to changing circumstances.

The five people stood in positions corresponding to the five elements' generating cycle, their breaths connected.

With their magical powers interconnected, once activated, yin and yang circulate within the formation.

The five elements rotate, combining offense and defense, thus multiplying their power.

The second formation is called the "Four Symbols Returning to the Origin Three Powers Formation".

This formation is also divided into two layers:

The four outermost women each occupy the positions of Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise, forming the Four Symbols Formation, which is mainly used for killing and trapping enemies;

In the inner layer, Su Qingxuan resides in the Yellow Dragon position, forming the Three Powers Formation with the original true energy of the three religions.

The true essence of Taoism is Heaven, which is precisely the natural way of Heaven.

The true essence of Confucianism is being human, which is precisely the benevolence of humanity.

The true essence of Buddhism is the earth, which is precisely the kind of forbearance that the earth represents.

Heaven, Earth, and Man are the three elements that govern each other and operate in harmony.

The Four Elements and Three Powers formation, with its internal and external elements working in harmony, combining strength and flexibility, makes it particularly suitable for dealing with complex battlefields.

The third formation is called the "Rebirth Formation." In reality, it is an upgraded version of the first two formations.

This formation is the most powerful, but it also has the highest requirements.

This formation requires five people who completely and thoroughly set aside their sectarian differences and fully integrate the powers of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and military strategy, transforming them into a unified chaotic energy.

Su Qingxuan is the core of "One Yuan," and the four women are the assistants of "Four Symbols."

Once the formation is deployed, it can evolve into a small-scale chaotic domain, within which all laws return to their origin, and I alone am supreme. Upon entering the formation, everything is transformed into chaos.

However, this formation has high requirements for cultivation techniques and is extremely taxing on mental energy. It also requires the five people to completely trust each other and open their hearts to each other. Any slight estrangement will backfire.

To practice this formation, the five of them secluded themselves for ten days, facing each other day and night.

They openly shared their spiritual insights, secrets, and even their feelings for each other.

After repeated practice, there was no longer any barrier between the five people.

With a single thought, they knew each other's thoughts.

The One Cycle Formation was finally completed to a minor degree. When the formation was complete...

A chaotic vortex appeared above Guiyi Academy, causing the spiritual veins of Sancai Peak to tremble.

Besides their combined attack formation, the five individuals have also made great progress in their individual cultivation.

Su Qingxuan studied the twenty-fifth chapter of the Spring and Autumn Annals, "Refining the Void," and gained a deeper understanding of the laws of the void, enabling him to teleport short distances.

Even more interestingly, he discovered that he could harness the power of the four women.

They briefly mobilized all five of their cultivation levels, unleashing an attack comparable to a mid-stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal. However, this move was extremely energy-consuming and could only be used once a day, so it should only be used as a last resort.

Lin Wanqing received the true teachings of Wenru Tianzun and practiced the "Spring and Autumn Annals Writing Technique" to the point where "writing becomes real," and with a single stroke, she could turn the abstract into the concrete.

Xiao Lingxi made another breakthrough in alchemy, using the true fire of the three religions to correspond to the five realms of the cultivators, and refined three kinds of miraculous pills: the first being the "Pill of Breaking Illusion".

Taking it can help one see through illusions and delusion, making it a powerful tool for dealing with the Sea of ​​Illusions;

The second is the "Unity Pill," which is taken by five people and can increase their level of mutual understanding by 50% within one hour.

The third is the "Nirvana Elixir," a sacred medicine for healing injuries.

If you are injured in battle, as long as your primordial spirit is not destroyed, you can recover three-tenths of your health by taking this medicine.

She refined nine bottles of each of the three types of pills and distributed them to everyone.

Xiao Lingyue's Buddhist teachings became increasingly profound, and the Buddha light behind her head became more condensed. With a change of mind, the Buddha light could transform into the "Eight Heavenly Dragons" as protectors.

She further discovered a "Great Brahma Sound Mantra" from the Avatamsaka Sutra bestowed by the Buddha. The sound of the mantra can break through all demonic illusions and calm the mind.

This incantation, when combined with Xiao Lingxi's "Pill of Delusion,"

This is precisely the external safeguard that restrains the illusions of the Illusionary Demon Sea.

Chi Ying received the complete version of the "Nine Demon-Slaying Techniques" from the True Martial Emperor, which was incredibly powerful. She further combined military aura with Taoist qi, Buddhist golden light, and Confucian righteousness to create the "Four Symbols Demon-Slaying Spear." With a single thrust, the four symbols would follow, causing demons to flee.

She practiced diligently day and night, honing her marksmanship to the point of perfect control.

Time flies, and more than two months have passed.

On this day, Kong Shen arrived riding on a cloud and saw that the five men were in high spirits.

His breath was smooth and even, and a look of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.

"It seems you're all ready," Kong Shen said with a smile, stroking his beard.

"Let's set off today. The entrance to the Illusionary Demon Sea is at the edge of the Ruins of Return, 'Broken Realm Mountain,' which is twenty-five heavens away and will take two days to fly there."

I'll tell you more about the trial details on the way.

The five of them had already packed up and were with Xuanqing and Liaochen.

After bidding farewell to his disciples, he rode on a cloud and followed Kong Shen.

As he flew into the air, Su Qingxuan looked back at the Sanyi Palace.

As the sun rose, golden light shone down, and the magnificent palace on the Three Talents Peak stood tall. The disciples lined up neatly and bowed to see them off.

Elders Xuanqing and Liaochen stood before the palace gate, waving goodbye.

A surge of pride welled up in Su Qingxuan's heart, and he said to the four women, "I will certainly live up to your expectations."

The four women said in unison, "We are willing to follow you, young master, and venture into the Illusory Demon Sea together!"

Five figures flew towards the unknown and dangerous land, facing the rising sun.

What awaits them ahead are layers of illusions, ancient demons, trials of life and death, and perhaps even the unveiling of the secrets of the Void and a closer look at the truth behind the Demon Lord's seal.

An opportunity.

Su Qingxuan extended his right hand, palm facing up.

The four women understood and placed their hands on top of each other again.

Five hands clasped together, warmth passing through their palms.

Deep affections intertwined.

"It's settled." Su Qingxuan's gaze swept over the four women, and he said, word by word.

"We will venture into the Sea of ​​Illusions together. No matter how many dangers lie ahead, the five of us will advance and retreat together, sharing life and death!"

"We'll advance and retreat together, we'll live and die together!" the four women echoed in unison, their eyes resolute.

Amidst the clouds and mist of the immortal mountains, the five people looked at each other and smiled, their deep affection from past lives fully expressed in this moment.

The road ahead is long and arduous, but at least for now, their hearts are no longer lonely.

What kind of waves will the Phantom Demon Sea ahead stir up?

What secrets are hidden in the Demon Lord's seal deep within the Ruins of Return?

To be continued...

It is:

The Four Symbols and Three Powers Formation is initially formed; the Five Hearts unite to break the illusion.

The mystery of the Guixu Abyss remains unsolved; in this life, I once again face the call to life and death.