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

Poetry:

Its sword aura once shattered towering peaks, yet it returns still carrying the weight of countless sorrows.

Suddenly startled by the turbulent waves of the illusory sea, to whom can I ask about the vicissitudes of life?

Meanwhile, Chu Lingxiao and Chu Yunfan requested an audience with Su Qingxuan.

As the palace doors opened, the two entered side by side.

Chu Lingxiao's injuries had not yet healed, and his face was still somewhat pale, but his eyes were clear and firm.

Upon closer inspection, Chu Yunfan's appearance bears a striking resemblance to Chu Lingxiao, with six or seven points of similarity.

His posture was as upright as a sword, and his brows showed more composure and experience, as well as a sharpness and the purity of being tempered by hardship.

At this moment, however, his eyes were filled with indescribable complex emotions: concern, lingering fear, and a sense of bewilderment and searching after witnessing the collapse of faith.

The two stepped forward, with Chu Lingxiao bowing first, followed closely by Chu Yunfan, both in a respectful manner.

"Palace Master Su, I will never forget your life-saving grace and your virtue of protecting my path."

Chu Lingxiao spoke sincerely and thanked him again.

Su Qingxuan rose and gently helped him up:

"Brother Chu, there's no need for such formalities. The righteous path is based on unity of purpose and concerted efforts, which is the foundation for us cultivators."

She then looked at Chu Yunfan with a smile.

"Yunfan, my friend, we've met several times in the Illusionary Demon Sea and fought side by side. Our fate is quite deep."

Chu Yunfan was a little embarrassed and quickly said, "Palace Master Su, you flatter me."

Previously, I also acted recklessly and ventured into the Illusionary Demon Sea.

If it weren't for meeting Palace Master Su, I'm afraid I would already be...

After leaving, at Broken Boundary Mountain, I heard about the perilous experiences that Palace Master Su and his fellow cultivators later encountered in the Illusionary Demon Sea.

And...the conservative elders and the truth about the demonic path, their hearts were shaken beyond words.

I was indignant at their injustice, and... I was also struck by how arduous and confusing the path of spiritual practice truly is.

His voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

The truth is that the conservative elites, in their pursuit of immortality, did not hesitate to collude with the Demon Lord and harm their fellow practitioners.

This had a profound impact on him, a young talent who had been raised with orthodox morality since childhood and held a natural reverence for his teachers and elders.

He looked at Su Qingxuan, his gaze filled not only with gratitude for Su Qingxuan's repeated rescues, but also with a hint of inquiry:

"Palace Master Su, I humbly request your guidance."

The desire for immortality and the fear of the five signs of decay in humans and celestial beings—are they really that terrifying?

How could a senior who has cultivated for thousands of years abandon all morality and ethics?

If... if we face this challenge in the future, how should we deal with it?

Could it be... could it be that only those like them...

Is there no other way but to sacrifice oneself like our sage ancestors?

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent for a moment.

Lin Wanqing and the others also looked at Su Qingxuan.

Knowing that this question touched upon the fundamentals of cultivation, and was also the source of Chu Yunfan's confusion regarding his Daoist heart.

Su Qingxuan looked at the two people in front of him.

Chu Lingxiao was steady and resolute, and his Dao heart was further honed after this battle.

However, deep in his eyes, he also harbored concerns about the future of the sect and his own path.

Chu Yunfan is exceptionally talented and full of vigor, but he is lost and confused due to a blow to his faith and urgently needs guidance.

Both of them are talented and upright individuals. If they can be guided onto the right path, they will surely become pillars of society in the future.

He hesitated for a moment, then gestured for the two to sit down and said slowly:

"Brother Chu, Fellow Daoist Yunfan, the fact that you have these questions shows that you are truly beginning to contemplate the essence of cultivation."

This is a good thing, not a sign of weakness.

"The desire for immortality stems from the instinctive fear of death that living beings have of perishing."

The five signs of decay in the celestial beings lead to the extinction of the cycle of reincarnation.

For immortals who have cultivated themselves for thousands of years to achieve transcendence, the allure and fear they experience are beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

This is not an excuse for conservatives, but rather a mental demon that needs to be faced squarely.

However…

Su Qingxuan changed the subject, his eyes becoming clear and bright.

"The path of spiritual cultivation is never limited to 'avoiding death and prolonging life'."

"The ancestors of the Su family were extremely wise and selfless, not sacrificing themselves for the sake of sacrifice."

This is because the principles he upholds in his heart and the people he protects are more important than his own longevity.

This is the meaning of "sacrificing the small self to achieve the great way".

Its spirit and will have come into harmony with the Great Way.

Though his body perished, his virtue endures, benefiting countless generations.

This can be considered another form of "immortality."

"The conservatives, on the contrary."

They are fixated on the existence of the "ego" and fear the demise of the "ego".

For this reason, they did not hesitate to betray morality and harm living beings.

His heart is pitiable, his actions are reprehensible, and his path has gone astray.

They only felt the fear of 'loss', but never realized the true 'enlightenment'.

True "attainment of the Tao" is not merely the eternity of the physical body and soul.

It is also a spiritual transcendence, an eternal union with the Great Way.

Chu Lingxiao seemed to be deep in thought, and said in a deep voice:

"What Palace Master Su means is that if one is obsessed with one's own immortality, one is more likely to be taken advantage of by inner demons and fall into evil ways."

Only by realizing one's true nature and understanding the purpose of cultivation and the path can one avoid being bound by the limitations of lifespan and the suffering of reincarnation.

"Not bad." Su Qingxuan nodded.

"Cultivate your mind and spirit; nothing exists outside of your mind."

If the mind is lost, no matter how strong one's power or how high one's realm, one is nothing more than a more wicked demon.

If the mind is clear, even with limited power, it can still illuminate a region, leaving one with a clear conscience.

This is the safeguarding of the Daoist heart.

The confusion in Chu Yunfan's eyes lessened slightly, and he pressed on with the question:

"However, how can one understand one's true nature and uphold the Way?"

My Qingyun Sword Sect also transmits the orthodox methods of swordsmanship, but Master Uncle Yuxiaozi and the others...

They were once our role models.

Su Qingxuan gently shook his head: "Each school has its own emphasis in its lineage."

The Qingyun Sword Sect's swordsmanship is sharp and decisive.

However, his exposition on "mind and nature" and "the Great Way" may be somewhat biased.

Moreover, if one does not reflect on oneself after a long period of cultivation, one is easily misled by external appearances such as power, realm, and lifespan, and forgets one's original intention.

Those who adhere to the old ways are not ignorant of the true Dharma, but rather unwilling or unable to practice it.

Because his heart was consumed by fear and greed.

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the two of them, his tone sincere:

"To be honest with you both, the lineage I inherited from my ancestors, and the path I have explored myself, is the 'unity of the three teachings'."

"Take the noble spirit of Confucianism, cultivate your inner world, and uphold righteousness in your conduct."

By following the natural and effortless path of Taoism, one can comprehend the ultimate principles of heaven and earth and purify one's mind and spirit.

By drawing upon the compassion and wisdom of Buddhism, one can break free from all attachments and attain enlightenment.

The unification of the three teachings means that Confucianism is the outward form, Taoism is the core, and Buddhism is the heart.

The essence of the three religions is inherently interconnected; we should take their correct path and origin and integrate them.

The aim is to cultivate a "heart of the Way" that is neither defiled nor pure, neither increasing nor decreasing, neither unmoving nor wavering.

"In this Illusory Demon Sea, I observed that Fellow Daoist Yunfan was fearless in the face of danger, protected his fellow disciples, and had an upright sword heart. This is the embodiment of Confucian 'righteousness'."

Brother Lingxiao is also exceptionally talented and possesses a pure sword intent. If he can supplement this with the Taoist practice of "stillness" and the Buddhist practice of "wisdom," he will surely make further progress.

Not only is his swordsmanship clear and profound, but his state of mind is also perfectly harmonious and unhindered, unaffected by external demons or the allure of lifespan.

Upon hearing this, both Chu Lingxiao and Chu Yunfan were startled, their eyes gleaming brightly.

What Su Qingxuan said was exactly what they vaguely felt in their hearts at this moment, but they could not express it clearly.

The techniques of both the Azure Nether Sword Sect and the Azure Cloud Sword Sect emphasize killing and rapid advancement.

It is indeed lacking in cultivating one's mind, resisting inner demons, and even in ultimate contemplation of "the Great Way" and "longevity".

Su Qingxuan's method of "unifying the three teachings" is not limited to one school or sect, but directly points to the fundamental cultivation of the Daoist mind.

This can make up for its shortcomings and carry forward its foundation in swordsmanship.

Chu Lingxiao took a deep breath and exchanged a glance with Chu Yunfan, both seeing the determination in each other's eyes.

He stood up again, but this time he knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist and said:

"Palace Master Su's words were like a wake-up call."

Yunfan and I are willing to set aside sectarian differences and follow Palace Master Su.

Cultivate the orthodox teachings of the three religions, temper your heart, take the righteous path as your responsibility, and keep all living beings in mind!

We humbly request that Palace Master Su accept this entry!

Chu Yunfan immediately knelt down, excitedly saying:

"I humbly request that Palace Master Su accept this account!"

We were originally brothers, but after ascending to the Heavenly Realm from the Azure Cloud Continent, we had different fates and entered different sword sects to seek the ultimate path of the sword.

Today, Palace Master Su's words have enlightened my brother and me.

My brother and I wish to follow Palace Master Su from now on and together attain the Great Dao.

I will diligently cultivate without ceasing, and will never fail the Palace Master's kindness in guiding me today!

Su Qingxuan had long intended to strengthen the Sanyi Palace and cultivate the backbone of the future, truly spreading the Dao, laying the foundation for eternal peace in the Three Realms.

The Chu brothers are all of the best in terms of character, temperament, and aptitude.

Moreover, having gone through life and death together with each other, and having mutual trust, they are the most suitable candidates.

He stepped forward and helped the two up, saying solemnly, "Please get up quickly, both of you."

"Sanyi Palace was originally established to inherit the sacred way of our ancestors and integrate the orthodox teachings of the three religions. It embraces all rivers and teaches without discrimination."

If you two wish to become my disciples, Qingxuan would naturally welcome you.

Indeed, the path of spiritual practice values ​​self-awareness, but also requires a guide.

He glanced at Chi Ying, who had been listening quietly to the side, and said:

"Chiying, you come from a military family and are decisive in killing. You have unique insights into actual combat, mental training, and physical conditioning."

Although Changfeng (Li Changfeng) has a high talent for swordsmanship, he still needs to hone his skills through actual combat.

Lingxiao and Yunfan are also sword cultivators, and their foundations are solid.

From now on, you will be in charge of guiding the three of them in practical training.

How about integrating the strategic acumen and battlefield adaptability of military strategists with the orthodox teachings of the three religions?

Upon hearing this, Chi Ying's eyes lit up; she was inherently warlike.

He is outwardly cold but inwardly kind-hearted, and loves to guide those who are less experienced.

I especially admire practitioners who are resolute in their character and have outstanding aptitude.

Chu Lingxiao is calm and composed, Chu Yunfan is sharp and energetic, and Li Changfeng is clever and skillful; all of them are promising talents.

She immediately clasped her hands in a fist salute and laughed heartily, "Don't worry, young master! Leave it to me!"

We will hone them into sharp swords, capable of standing alone and facing future crises!

Su Qingxuan nodded, then said to the Chu brothers:

"Li Changfeng is the first disciple of my Sanyi Palace. He is calm, kind-hearted, and also has a spiritual talent in swordsmanship."

Moreover, the three of you are of similar age, all sword cultivators, and all from the Azure Cloud Continent. It is a coincidence, and also the will of Heaven.

You can learn from each other and improve together.

In his daily practice, besides training in actual combat with Chi Ying, he also engaged in other activities.

It is also necessary to study the classics of the three religions and listen to Lin Wanqing, Xiao Lingxi and Xiao Lingyue, who preach the Dharma and discuss the Tao, to solidify the foundation and understand the nature of mind.

Our Sanyi Palace does not value empty formalities, but rather emphasizes one's true heart and genuine practice. We hope you will remember this!

Chu Lingxiao and Chu Yunfan were filled with excitement.

I thought it would be a blessing if it could even be included.

I never expected Su Qingxuan to have considered things so thoroughly.

Not only were Chi Ying, such a powerful combat instructor, assigned to them.

They were even allowed to cultivate together with the Palace Master's eldest disciple.

They also received guidance from three seniors, Lin Wanqing, Xiao Lingxi, and Xiao Lingyue, each with their own strengths (although they were of similar age, their cultivation and status made them seniors in their eyes).

These opportunities and circumstances far exceeded their expectations.

"We will obey the Palace Master's command!" the two brothers replied in unison.

The last vestige of unease and bewilderment in my heart stemmed from the collapse of my beliefs.

At this moment, it is replaced by an unprecedented sense of determination and hope.

They finally found a clear and dignified path.

A righteous path of spiritual practice that is neither as scheming and opportunistic as the conservatives, nor as aimless and confused as it is.

Just then, the boy outside the hall came to invite them again:

"Palace Master Su, fairies, and Senior Brother Chu."

The True Lord of Bright Virtue, the Subtle Sage, and the Venerable Master of Wise Enlightenment are already waiting in the main hall, intending to lead you all to the ancestral temple for a discussion.

Su Qingxuan stood up, straightened his clothes, and said to the four women:

"Let's go, it's time to face it. Whatever the road ahead may hold, we'll walk with you."

The four women answered in unison, "We are willing to follow you, young master."

Su Qingxuan composed himself and said to the crowd, "The time has come. Let's go, it's time to clarify everything and plan for the future."

Chu Lingxiao and Chu Yunfan solemnly agreed.

He automatically stood behind Su Qingxuan and the four women, slightly to the side.

His posture was respectful and natural, already behaving as a member of the Trinity Palace.

The seven people stepped out of the palace gate, and the afterglow of the setting sun cast long shadows on them.

Just then, at the corner of the long corridor outside the hall, a figure in azure blue stood quietly, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

It was none other than Mo Chen, an elder of the Dan Ding Sect.

He remained as rigid as ever, his expression calm, as if he were merely there to attend a routine business meeting.

Upon seeing Su Qingxuan and his group emerge, he did not approach them.

He merely bowed slightly, his gaze falling directly on Su Qingxuan.

Su Qingxuan paused slightly, understanding the unspoken message, and addressed the crowd:

"Please go ahead, I'll be right back."

Lin Wanqing and the others noticed something amiss, nodded, and led the Chu brothers towards the main hall.

In a secluded corner of the courtyard, Su Qingxuan looked at Mo Chen and got straight to the point:

"Elder Mo has kept his promise and arrived. I admire him. The jade slip is here."

He flipped his hand and took out a jade slip, handing it over.

"This contains my understanding of the unity of the three teachings and the unity of essence, energy, and spirit."

And Xiao Lingxi's method for processing auxiliary ingredients in the Nine-Turn Purple Gold Pill. Elder Mo can verify this himself.

Mo Chen took the jade slip and merely scanned it with his divine sense.

It seems that they didn't care much about its authenticity.

A barely perceptible hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

He casually put the jade slip into his sleeve, but did not leave immediately.

Instead, she stood still, looking at Su Qingxuan, as if waiting for something, or perhaps carefully considering her words.

Su Qingxuan took in all the changes in Mo Chen's expression.

The doubts that had existed in his heart since the "transaction" in the Illusionary Demon Sea could no longer be suppressed at this moment.

He stepped forward, his gaze sharp as he looked directly into Mo Chen's calm, unwavering eyes.

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried a power that penetrated the heart:

"Elder Mo, the transaction is complete, and the jade slip has been delivered."

However, one question remained unanswered in Su's mind—

On that day in the Illusionary Demon Sea, we were surrounded, severely wounded and on the verge of death, in a precarious situation.

Although your Dan Ding Sect has always been neutral, it has also had many dealings with the conservative faction.

But then, out of nowhere, they appeared and offered the Qian Yuan Creation Pill, a pill powerful enough to save a life...

This matter doesn't seem like a 'transaction' at all.

It cannot be explained by the word "coincidence".

What exactly is the purpose of this action?

Su Qingxuan paused, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and pressed for an answer:

"Elder Mo, who exactly are you?"

Mo Chen remained silent for a moment.

The light and shadow of the setting sun shone on his face, creating an ever-changing interplay of light and shadow.

His stern and serious face,

A faint, almost imperceptible, sense of relief and approval seemed to emerge.

He did not answer Su Qingxuan's question, but simply looked intently at Su Qingxuan.

His gaze was complex and difficult to decipher, seemingly containing both a sigh and admiration.

Finally, he slowly turned and stepped into the deepening twilight, leaving behind only a faint utterance:

"Palace Master Su, please take good care of yourself. We will meet again..."

"In time, you will naturally know who I am..."

Having said that, he disappeared at the end of the corridor with a few leaps and bounds, leaving no trace.

As dusk settled, a cool evening breeze blew.

At the foot of Duanjie Mountain, clouds and mist surged, seemingly foreshadowing future storms.

However, Su Qingxuan and his seven companions walked with firm steps, clear eyes, and unwavering Daoist hearts.

Two more young sword cultivators, their eyes burning and their minds resolute, joined the group.

The foundation of Trinity Palace has become even more solid without anyone noticing.

The challenges ahead require more young people like this, who uphold the right path and have unwavering resolve, to face them together.

On this journey to the ancestral temple, I will recount the whole story and devise strategies for the future.

The calamity of the Illusionary Demon Sea has been temporarily quelled, but the cause of unifying the three religions is still in its early stages.

Su Qingxuan knew that the burden on his shoulders had become even heavier.

But, as the ancestor said, and as he believed in his own heart:

Where the Way lies, I will go even if it means facing a million people!

It is:

As dusk settles and veils the verdant hills, I, alone, seek answers, but my intentions are often thwarted.

The demonic heart sees the world as too narrow; watch as a lone crane returns from the deep clouds.