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

Poetry:

The true secrets are revealed in the shadows of the primordial chaos; I lean alone against the ancient monument in the dim night.

The Confucian spirit, the Taoist essence, and the Buddhist heart remain; it is not the old path to return to.

"Young master, what... should we do now?"

Lin Wanqing asked softly, breaking the silence.

In her hand, a blank scroll had appeared without her noticing.

She held a writing brush in her hand, as if preparing to record something.

Su Qingxuan did not answer immediately.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze slowly sweeping over the three ancestral temples, finally settling on the distance...

Even in the darkness of night, the direction seemed exceptionally somber—

That is the depths of the Illusionary Demon Sea, that is the location of the Ruins of Return.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice sounding somewhat ethereal in the wind, yet exceptionally clear:

"Chu Lingxiao, Chu Yunfan."

"Disciples are here!" The two brothers immediately stepped forward, bowed, and obeyed the order.

"You two should return to your respective sects immediately." Su Qingxuan turned around and looked at them.

"It is not that we are expelling you from the house, but that we have important matters for you to attend to."

Chu Lingxiao looked up, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes:

"Please give your orders, Your Majesty!"

"The Azure Sword Sect has suffered heavy losses in this battle, with many elders perishing. The sect is in turmoil, and the people are filled with anxiety. As the leader of the younger generation, you have a responsibility to go back and stabilize the situation."

Su Qingxuan's gaze was sharp as he looked into Chu Lingxiao's eyes.

"I want you to go back, not to follow the old ways, but to rebuild the Azure Sword Sect as a disciple of the Three Ones Palace."

The old sect leader was a reasonable person and had secretly supported the Trinity Palace.

I will write a letter; you take it back and present it to the clan leader.

Now that I am the "True Protector of the Three Teachings," I must make good use of this identity...

Return to your sect, cooperate with the sect leader to eliminate corrupt practices, eradicate remaining evils, and select those with upright character and lofty aspirations as new blood.

If you encounter someone who is stubborn and has ulterior motives...

You may take my warrant and, together with the sect leader, decide what to do.

Su Qingxuan took out a token with the ancient seal script for "Sanyi" engraved on the front and the Three Treasures pattern on the back, and handed it to Chu Lingxiao.

The token felt warm to the touch, yet it subtly exuded an aura of power.

Chu Lingxiao accepted it with both hands, feeling its weight as heavy as a mountain; it was a weighty responsibility.

He took a deep breath and knelt on one knee: "Ling Xiao, I will certainly live up to the Palace Master's expectations! I will surely revitalize the Qingming Sword Sect, serve as an ally of the Sanyi Palace, and be a vanguard for the Dao!"

"Very good." Su Qingxuan nodded, then looked at Chu Yunfan.

"As for you, Yunfan."

"Disciple, obey my command!"

"The Qingyun Sword Sect is also a major sect in swordsmanship, with a profound foundation."

However, it also has numerous factions and extensive connections with various parties.

Although Yu Xiaozi is dead, the conservative faction's followers, disciples, and those with vested interests are deeply entrenched and cannot be eradicated overnight.

Su Qingxuan's tone turned serious: "You are different from Ling Xiao. I want you to go back, not to immediately rectify the sect, but to 'stealthily' go back."

As a surviving disciple, I secretly observed and carefully discerned the truth.

Who are merely being deceived, who are wavering between two sides, and who... are already beyond redemption?

Send these back via secret message.

"The Lingxiao Qingming Sword Sect is in the open, while your Qingyun Sword Sect is in the dark."

One orthodox and one unorthodox, these will be the two great allies of the Trinity Palace in the future.

Chu Yunfan's eyes lit up. He was naturally quick-witted and immediately understood: "Yunfan understands! I will act meticulously to clear up the fog for the Palace Master!"

"But remember this!" Su Qingxuan's voice changed, carrying an undeniable seriousness.

"Your safety is the top priority."

If things become unmanageable, especially for Yunfan, who may be in danger of having his identity exposed, he should immediately withdraw and return to the Sanyi Palace.

Your lives are more important than one or two sword masters.

Immediately, Su Qingxuan took out two jade slips and gave them to the two Chu brothers:

"This is the Three-in-One Foundation Building Technique, which integrates the mental cultivation methods of the three righteous sects. I hope you two will cultivate it diligently."

"Once you two have completed your foundation building, I will give you the follow-up cultivation techniques. I will send someone to find you and give you the jade slips containing the cultivation techniques."

The two brothers felt a warmth in their hearts and bowed deeply again: "Thank you for your care, Palace Master! We disciples will act cautiously and cultivate diligently!"

Su Qingxuan nodded, gesturing for them to rise, and then said to the four fairies:

"Wanqing, draft a 'Letter to Fellow Daoists of the Three Realms'."

It doesn't need to be fancy, just sincere.

The truth behind the loosening of the seal, the calamity caused by Yu Xiaozhi and others colluding with the Demon Lord, the inner demons triggered by the Five Signs of Decay of Heaven and Man, and...

"Our Sanyi Palace is willing to open its gates wide, spread the Dharma to relieve suffering, and jointly resist the demonic calamity. We hereby proclaim this to the world."

"Words should be sharp yet warm; they should both warn and offer hope."

Lin Wanqing solemnly accepted the order: "Wanqing understands. We shall use the subtle and euphemistic style to record the righteous and upright voice."

"Lingxi." Su Qingxuan looked at this Taoist fairy.

"You and Lingyue together will hold my token and the decree of commendation from the three religions."

We first went to the branch altar site designated for us by the ancestral temples of the three religions.

They surveyed the earth's veins, planned the palace buildings, and arranged the initial formations.

The necessary spiritual materials can be obtained from the gifts bestowed by the three religions.

Branch altars do not seek extravagance, but rather stability, integrity, and the grandeur of the Great Way.

Xiao Lingxi and Xiao Lingyue exchanged a glance and said in unison, "We will do our best."

"As for Chi Ying," Su Qingxuan said, glancing at Chi Ying one last time.

"You will lead a reliable team to secretly patrol the perimeter of the Trinity Palace headquarters."

The remnants of the conservative faction have not been eliminated, and the Demon Lord's henchmen may still be active; we must be on guard.

Any unusual activity will be dealt with swiftly.

Chi Ying grinned, a glint of excitement in his eyes, and clasped his hands in greeting:

"Understood! Those demons and monsters will never return!"

With assignments made, everyone felt a great responsibility on their shoulders, yet they were also full of fighting spirit.

Looking at his companions who were about to embark on their respective missions, Su Qingxuan felt a surge of warmth in his heart and said in a deep voice:

"Gentlemen, a great building is about to collapse, and it cannot be supported by a single beam."

However, many grains of sand can form a tower, and many small contributions can make a whole coat.

What we are doing today is building the first dam for the inevitable catastrophe of the future.

The road ahead is fraught with peril; take care of yourselves.

Trinity Palace will always be your support.

"I am willing to follow the Palace Master (Young Master) to build this dike, even if it means death!"

The crowd responded with a resounding roar.

As night deepened, everyone went about their respective tasks.

On the Dao Discussion Platform, only Su Qingxuan remained, standing alone amidst the towering gale...

……

Su Qingxuan slowly walked to a blank stone tablet.

The ancient and weathered stone tablet stands in the center of the platform for exchanging ideas.

Legend has it that it was left behind by the three sages of Taoism and Buddhism during their discussions, containing the supreme true meaning of the Great Tao.

Countless destined immortals have attained enlightenment here.

However, no one has been able to glean any specific supernatural powers or techniques from it.

Only those with a pure and clear mind, and profound affinity, can sense a vast and boundless aura when they approach...

Su Qingxuan reached out and gently touched the cool stone surface.

In an instant, the scene before my eyes changed dramatically!

It is no longer a platform for exchanging ideas, no longer a starry night sky.

He felt as if he were in a primordial chaos, without top or bottom, without past or future.

Three indescribably majestic figures stood in the void.

A figure, serene and natural, in harmony with the Dao, seemingly the heavens, the earth, and the natural principles of all things.

A figure, upright and righteous, with a mind full of wisdom and words that speak of the law, embodies civilization, order, and the fundamental principles of morality.

A figure, immeasurably compassionate and perfectly wise, illuminating the emptiness of the five aggregates, representing liberation, the other shore, and the path to enlightenment for all beings.

The three figures remained silent, but their very existence articulated their respective paths.

Then, the three completely different Daoist truths, which were thought to be in conflict and repulsion, actually began to slowly approach each other...

The collision begins... the fusion begins... the collision begins... and the derivation begins...

Neither side attempted to devour the other; rather, through collision and fusion, they sparked endless inspiration and possibilities.

Earth, water, fire, and wind evolved, giving rise to all living things, and the rise and fall of civilizations...

Even the birth and death of stars!

That's not "unity," but rather "coexistence" and "co-performance."

These three fundamental sources work together to support and govern the operating rules of all the heavens and myriad realms!

The scene lasted for an unknown period of time—perhaps a moment, perhaps ten thousand years.

Finally, the three figures faded away, leaving only a hazy void.

A sigh, seemingly from ancient times, echoed deep within Su Qingxuan's consciousness:

"The Way...is not a single path. The Law...has no fixed form. Guard your original heart...embrace all changes...when the calamity arrives...there will be one who breaks through it..."

As the illusion dissipated, Su Qingxuan abruptly withdrew his hand, staggered back two steps, his face pale, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

But his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, as if sparks were burning deep within them.

In that brief moment of absentmindedness, three months had actually passed.

But it far exceeded the sum of all his previous cultivation experiences!

That is not a specific inheritance of cultivation techniques, but a direct imprint of the essence of the "Great Dao".

It is a fleeting glimpse into the supreme realm of "harmony in diversity and coexistence without contradiction" at the source of the three religions!

"The integration of the three religions... my previous thinking was still too narrow."

Su Qingxuan murmured to himself, a sudden sense of clarity washing over him.

"It is not about forcibly combining the techniques of the three schools to create a new method."

Instead, it is about taking the heart as the foundation, integrating the true meaning of the three schools, and forging a 'path' that already exists but no one has yet been able to traverse.

This path can encompass the righteousness of Confucianism, the naturalness of Taoism, and the wisdom and compassion of Buddhism.

It can also encompass the strategies of military strategists and the strengths of various schools of thought...

Furthermore, if fate allows in the future, is there not even a trace of merit within the demonic path?

The thought startled Su Qingxuan.

To absorb the principles of demonic cultivation? This is utterly heretical and audacious!

If this gets out, I'll probably be immediately branded as a heretic.

But upon closer reflection, one realizes that their ancestor Su Lie sealed away the Demon Lord back then.

They must be thoroughly familiar with its demonic powers and nature.

Know yourself and the enemy, a hundred battles will never end.

If we simply reject and fear it, how can we truly break through the Demon Lord's path and avert its calamity?

"If one's mind is steadfast, all laws can serve as a mirror, and one will remain untainted by any defilement."

Su Qingxuan slowly calmed his emotions, and his eyes returned to calm.

He took one last look at the blank stone tablet and bowed deeply.

He then turned and stepped into the sea of ​​clouds...

There are some things he needs to think about on his own.

There are some roads he needs to walk alone for a while.

The path through the clouds is deserted, and the Milky Way hangs low.

Su Qingxuan strolled through the sea of ​​clouds...

Through layers of celestial atmosphere, far below.

The vast and boundless human landscape gradually revealed its outline in the night.

The lights of countless homes, like a sea of ​​stars in the mortal world, reflect each other with the eternal radiance of the heavens.

The distinction between immortals and mortals no longer seemed so clear in Su Qingxuan's eyes at this moment.

Even immortals fear death, but how can mortals not suffer?

Cultivators strive for longevity, but how can ordinary people not suffer the same hardships?

The so-called catastrophe, if the calamity of the Demon Lord were to arise,

Those who bear the brunt and suffer the most are probably the countless bewildered and struggling common people.

Did our ancestors, looking down upon the lights of this world, resolutely make the choice to sacrifice themselves?

His steps paused slightly.

Su Qingxuan floated above the nine heavens, below which was a mortal city.

It was late at night, yet the night market was still brightly lit, with faint sounds of music and singing, mixed with the cries of vendors, the cries of children, and the whispers of couples...

The overwhelming aura of the mortal world seemed to rush towards him, completely at odds with his cool and ethereal aura, yet strangely, it gave him a sense of solid and vibrant power.

Just as he was lost in thought, a divine thought entered his sea of ​​consciousness.

It wasn't a celestial being, but an old, weary, yet somewhat relieved, unfamiliar voice:

"Young friend Su, do you feel anything upon seeing the lights of the world?"

Su Qingxuan's heart trembled.

It is possible to transmit divine thoughts to oneself so silently.

And those who evade one's own perception are certainly not ordinary people.

He steadied himself and responded with his divine sense: "Who are you, senior?"

"I am but a wandering immortal, existing in the Thirty-Three Heavens for over a hundred thousand years."

The voice spoke slowly, carrying the vicissitudes of time.

"Today I saw that you were conferred the title of 'Guardian of the Way' and that you glimpsed the true meaning before the wordless stele. Now that you have stood here in the mortal world, it seems that you have something in mind. Therefore, I am taking the liberty of disturbing you."

Su Qingxuan remained vigilant, but maintained impeccable manners: "What guidance do you have, senior?"

"I dare not presume to offer my guidance." The voice chuckled, somewhat desolate, "I've simply witnessed too many cycles of rise and fall, and wish to exchange a few words with you, the 'Child of the Breakthrough'."

Young friend, do you know what "protecting the Way" means?

Su Qingxuan pondered: "Upholding the righteous path and protecting all living beings is what it means to protect the Dao."

"Yes, no," the old man said.

"The right path is not an immutable iron law, nor are the common people ignorant lambs waiting to be slaughtered."

You see immortals fall into depravity out of fear of death. Do you know that this fear of death is also an instinct of living beings, one of the most primal driving forces bestowed upon all living beings by the Heavenly Way?

It's better to guide than to block; it's better to direct than to suppress.

Human nature is perilous, the Daoist mind is subtle; only by being refined and single-minded can one truly hold fast to the mean!

To break this deadlock, you must not only sweep away the demonic aura with swift and decisive measures, but also find a 'way out' for them.

"A way out?" Su Qingxuan pondered.

"A righteous path that, under the rules of Heaven, can slow down its decline, prevent it from falling into demonic ways, and even enhance its cultivation."

The voice was meaningful.

"The classics of the three religions are vast and numerous, and there are countless miraculous skills and secret methods. Is there really no wonderful way to deal with the five signs of decay of heaven and man?"

It's not that I can't, but that I choose not to, or as some might say... I dare not do it.

A sudden thought flashed through Su Qingxuan's mind, as if he had grasped something: "Senior means..."

"I didn't say anything." The voice interrupted him, its tone becoming ethereal again.

"It's just that people get old and talk a lot. Young friend, you have to take things one step at a time, and eat one bite at a time."

If you have great ambitions, you need great wisdom and great compassion.

Both the thunderous force against the enemy and the gentle breeze to the lost are indispensable.

Take care of yourself... I hope you can truly forge a different path.

This stagnant pool... can finally be stirred...

When the time is right... I will come to see you...

The words faded away, and the night breeze swept by, leaving no trace.

Su Qingxuan stood atop the clouds, his heart filled with turbulent emotions.

The mysterious old man's words, though seemingly casual, hit the nail on the head regarding the key points of his thoughts.

In particular, the phrase "find a way to survive" opened up new avenues of thought for him.

Yes, if we only destroy the old order without offering any new path to hope, how are we any different from the conservatives?

It's nothing more than becoming the new monopolist, a conservative.

A true breakthrough requires not only breaking old shackles, but also pointing out new directions and giving hope.

The unity of the three teachings is not just about fighting.

The method of cultivation can also be a...

The "Scripture of Crossing the World" guides lost immortals on how to use righteous mind and righteous Dharma to resist the five signs of decay in gods and humans and face the cycle of reincarnation with equanimity.

Once this idea takes hold, it spreads like wildfire and can no longer be contained.

Su Qingxuan felt an unprecedented surge of pride and responsibility welling up in his chest.

The feeling of insignificance that I had previously experienced while struggling to survive, as a lone warrior, vanished at this moment.

He didn't linger any longer; his escape speed increased, like a shooting star streaking across the night sky.

He cast his gaze into the depths of the sea of ​​clouds, into the Trinity Palace where he had once entrusted his dreams.

Behind him, the celestial realm stood majestically, and the Milky Way shone brilliantly.

Before him, celestial dust billowed, and the long night stretched on.

And a path, covered in thorns yet shimmering with a faint light, slowly unfolded beneath his feet...

It is:

Do not ask whether immortals or mortals have their sorrows; life and death are separated by a thin line.

From now on, we will not perform the Investiture of the Gods; we will borrow the spring breeze to turn the ashes of calamity green.