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

Poetry:

As dawn breaks and the fog dissipates, talented individuals gather at the Nine-Zhang Altar.

The barriers between the three religions are about to be broken down; a single, clear discourse will sweep away the dust.

At the third quarter of Chen hour, dawn broke.

In the Sanyi Palace Square, the nine-zhang-tall altar stands amidst the misty spiritual air.

With jade as its base, runes subtly rotate, and the three-tiered altar subtly aligns with the numbers of Heaven, Earth, and Man.

The 3,600 prayer mats on the altar were already full, and on the platform further away on the mountainside, there were tens of thousands of people bustling about.

Scholars in blue robes from the Wenru Heaven, Taoist monks in robes from the Sanqing Heaven, novice monks in monk's robes from the Jile Heaven, and armored sorcerers from the Wuqu Heaven...

Even the wandering immortals, knights-errant, and hermits from all walks of life held their breath and focused their attention on the center of the altar.

Lin Wanqing, dressed in a moon-white scholar's dress, stood quietly beside the desk.

With the brush hanging at his waist and his gaze calm and serene, he quelled all the subtle disturbances in the room.

Xiao Lingxi lightly twirled her fingers, and a wisp of "Qingxin Yunzhuan Incense" rose from the Zixia Furnace, spreading in all directions. Everyone felt as if their restless hearts had been cleansed by a clear spring.

Xiao Lingyue stood on the west side with her eyes closed, her Bodhi prayer beads slowly turning, an invisible Buddhist light enveloping her like a veil, making it difficult for distracting thoughts to arise.

The red-tasseled silver spear struck the ground, and the crimson armor resembled a quietly burning flame.

As his gaze swept around, several spying auras from the shadows quietly retreated.

At the mountain gate, Daoist Xuanqing and Master Liaochen were welcoming the envoys from the three religions.

Wenru Tianyan respectfully performed the rites, Taiqing Tianmingyue Daoist boy held a jade whisk, Venerable Jiashe silently chanted the Buddha's name before the Buddha, and Wang Lingguan of Zhenwu Hall wore armor with a clanging sound.

They greeted each other politely, their eyes meeting in unspoken understanding.

Today's Dharma assembly concerns the future structure of the celestial realm.

Suddenly, a clear sound came from the Three Talents Peak:

"The Way Begins—"

Auspicious clouds rose from the courtyard, and Su Qingxuan, dressed in green robes and wearing a lotus crown, arrived riding on the clouds.

He walked with ease, emanating no imposing aura whatsoever.

With each step, the spiritual energy around the altar becomes more docile.

Three-colored spiritual light emerged from the bottom of the peak, like hundreds of rivers flowing into the sea, converging at the altar.

He stood in the center of the altar, his gaze calmly sweeping over the thousands of faces below.

Expectation, curiosity, doubt, fervor, hidden resentment...

All his emotions were like reflections in a mirror in his eyes, untouched by the depths of his heart.

"Today's altar is opened not to display the Dharma, nor to establish authority."

Su Qingxuan spoke, his voice like the clinking of gold and jade, clear and resonant, yet penetrating straight to the soul.

"Just to resolve one question: What is the purpose of spiritual practice?"

Silence fell over the altar.

"Confucian scholars cultivate themselves by manifesting their bright virtue, loving the people, and attaining the highest good."

The Daoist refines his Qi in order to achieve longevity and enlightenment, and to unite with the Dao.

Buddhists cultivate their minds in order to dispel delusion, attain enlightenment, and liberate themselves and others.

This is the fundamental principle of the three religions, all pointing to the Great Way, and none is inherently superior or inferior.

He flicked his sleeves, and ripples spread across the empty space above the altar.

The mountain of books and the sea of ​​learning manifest in the center, and the illusory figures of sages preach the scriptures;

On the left, in the primordial chaos, Yin and Yang Dao patterns flowed;

On the right, on a lotus platform in the Buddhist realm, Arhats and Bodhisattvas chant mantras.

The three figures stand side by side, exuding a magnificent Taoist aura.

"However, over the course of ten thousand years, the original purpose has gradually become obscure."

Sectarian prejudices run deep, and the selfishness of inheritance weighs as heavy as a mountain.

Cultivators cling to sectarian differences, forgetting the common origin of the Great Dao;

Confined by the fear of lifespan, they fall into evil and heretical paths.

Even worse—

Su Qingxuan's voice deepened slightly, "Using living beings as sacrifices to seek personal immortality..."

This is not cultivating the Tao, but cultivating demonic arts.

Many cultivators below the altar showed changing expressions...

Some clenched their fists, their eyes gleaming with resonance.

In another corner, several people lowered their heads and covered their eyes, their presence creating a gloomy atmosphere.

"The true secret of the Three Ones is to trace back to the source."

Su Qingxuan sat cross-legged on a futon and began to speak in a gentle, detailed manner.

"Take the Confucian 'righteousness' to establish your mind, take the Daoist 'truth' to refine your spirit, and take the Buddhist 'enlightenment' to illuminate your nature."

The three methods are harmoniously integrated, not to be merged, but to complement each other.

He started by talking about foundation building.

How can we lay the foundation of our character with the Confucian principle of "sincerity and rectification of mind", temper our meridians and dantian with the Taoist principle of "guiding qi into the body", and perceive distracting thoughts and obstacles with the Buddhist principle of "observing our original mind"?

Each key point is accompanied by a simple analogy:

The mind is like a vessel; it must not be a dirty, leaky, or covered vessel, for it must be upright before it can hold anything.

Spiritual energy is like water; it cannot flow without being blocked, stagnant, or obstructed. Only when the channels are clear can it flow.

The mind is like a mirror, neither obscured, nor blocked, nor stained; only by diligently wiping it can it become clear.

In the front row below the altar, Li Changfeng's body was surrounded by a faint flow of sword energy, sharp yet gentle and upright.

The misty vapor at Zhou Ruolin's fingertips subtly blends with the rhythm of nature.

Qian Duoduo closed her eyes and smiled, all the anxiety between her brows disappearing into peace;

Sun Bushao's qi and blood became stagnant, and his previously overflowing fierce power was as if it were being restrained by an invisible ring.

"To reach the state of concentration, one should use the Confucian method of 'investigating things' to observe external objects, the Taoist technique of 'introspection' to examine oneself, and the Buddhist practice of 'meditation' to illuminate one's thoughts."

When these three elements work in tandem, the spirit and soul naturally coalesce.

Su Qingxuan drew his fingers in the air, and three intersecting spiritual tracks appeared, pulling each other together and gradually forming a stable closed loop.

"This is the principle of the three teachings complementing each other—"

They are each other's foundation, their mutual constraint, and their mutual complement.

"Those who have reached the Transcendental Realm have initially merged the true meanings of the three teachings, and can follow the will of all things."

With his palm facing upwards, a ray of golden light leaped out, transforming into the ancient Chinese character "仁" (ren, meaning benevolence); a flowing blue light condensed into a Tai Chi phantom; and a misty white light bloomed into the shape of a lotus flower.

The three images slowly rotated in his palm, gradually merging together, and finally transforming into a ball of chaotic spiritual light, its radiance warm and inclusive, as if it contained the birth of all things.

"From this point on, magic techniques were no longer confined to any particular school or sect."

Confucian scholars can dispel evil with righteousness, Taoists can neutralize evil with nature, and Buddhists can protect life with wisdom and compassion.

All phenomena ultimately return to oneness; they are all manifestations of the original mind.

At this point in the lecture, dozens of people in the audience were already breathing heavily, their breathing bottlenecks loosening.

An old, wandering immortal who had been stuck at the peak of the Human Immortal realm for many years trembled violently, tears streaming down his face, and hissed:

"So that's how it is... So that's how it is. I've been forcibly separating Taoism and Confucianism, tying my own hands and feet..."

Su Qingxuan looked at him, nodded slightly, and continued:

"Of all the obsessions, none is greater than the fear of the five signs of decay in humans and gods."

The entire room fell silent.

"Aging is the natural order of things; fear is the obsession of the human heart."

Su Qingxuan's voice was steady, each word like a hammer blow, striking the hearts of everyone present.

"The Threefold True Secret does not advocate avoiding decline, nor does it seek to defy the will of Heaven..."

Instead, we should approach it with a righteous mind, temper it with the true way, and transform it with enlightenment.

When the mind is calm, the spirit is focused; when the spirit is focused, the vital energy is strengthened; when the vital energy is strengthened, the decline is slowed.

Even when death comes, one can return to the Tao in peace, without falling into demonic possession.

This is the true secret, the fundamental method for treating the root cause.

"Whoosh—"

The crowd below the altar erupted in cheers.

Countless wandering immortals suddenly rose to their feet, their eyes blazing with hope.

They wandered for millennia, enduring countless scornful looks, their only fear being the end of their lifespan and the extinction of their spiritual essence, to be reborn into the cycle of reincarnation.

Now that there is a legitimate path to slow down decay and calm the mind, how can one not be excited?

Even the envoys from the three religions looked solemn.

Yan Wen whispered, "Master Su's plans are far-reaching... not to establish a new school, but to continue the Dao."

The young Daoist Mingyue sighed softly, "If this technique can truly be widely spread, the killings in the Heavenly Realm may be reduced by half."

Venerable Kassapa clasped his hands in prayer: "Excellent, this is true compassion."

Only in the shadows of the crowd did Yu Xuanzi's fingernails dig into his palms, his eyes filled with a hatred that almost materialized—

This person is Yu Xiaozi's fellow disciple.

The black-robed shadow puppet beside him transmitted a chilling voice: "What the master said is true. If this path is achieved, the demonic will weaken..."

Just as the entire audience was filled with excitement—

The sky suddenly opened up.

It wasn't a tearing apart, but rather a gust of wind, like an invisible hand gently parting a curtain.

A figure in brown robes slowly approached from the endless distance.

There was no cloud beneath my feet, yet it felt as if I were walking on the very fabric of heaven and earth.

His hair and beard were gray, his face was simple and honest, and his eyes were as gentle as an ancient well.

His aura resonated subtly with the three-colored spiritual light of the Three Talents Peak, as if they were one.

With countless eyes focused on him, the old man had already landed three zhang in front of the altar.

He bowed respectfully to Su Qingxuan, his posture exuding an air of profound experience and wisdom.

Su Qingxuan stood up and returned the greeting: "Senior, I have failed to greet you properly."

The old man nodded, his gaze fixed intently on Su Qingxuan's eyes, as if trying to recognize him or recall something.

After a long silence, his aged voice slowly spread out, not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"Ten thousand years... I am Yun Miaozi, and I have been ordered by the sage Su Lie, the ancestor of the Su family, to keep this promise and wait for this person."

The moment the words "Su Lie is the most holy" were uttered, the audience erupted in uproar!

Su Qingxuan was deeply shaken, and a resonance seemed to rise deep within his bloodline.

He suppressed his agitation and said in a deep voice, "Please enlighten me, senior."

Yun Miaozi looked up at the drifting clouds in the sky, his eyes filled with distant memories:

"Ten thousand years ago, your ancestor, Su Lie, possessed the Dao that pervaded the Three Realms."

They have already glimpsed the evils of sectarianism and the root of demonic calamity in later generations.

He traveled throughout the thirty-three heavens, promoting the principle of the unity of the three religions.

"To harmonize all things and jointly protect all living beings."

"However, the transmission of the three religions was already solidified at that time."

Confucian disciples consider it shameful to betray the sages.

Taoist practitioners consider altering cultivation methods as treason.

Buddhist monks fear that mixing different doctrines will distort the teachings.

Even if enlightened individuals agree with this principle, it is difficult to shake the deeply ingrained habits, the bonds of master-disciple relationships, and the distinctions between different schools of martial arts.

"There is only one type of person—"

Yun Miaozi's gaze swept over the many scattered immortals below the altar.

"Without a sect or school, drifting like duckweed, the cultivation method I practice is not the core true teaching, so I have no burden of 'betrayal'."

They suffered endless ostracism and yearned for the right path. Upon hearing of Lord Lie's teachings, they were as if a long-awaited rain had fallen.

"As a result, the number of independent practitioners who came to seek refuge increased daily, and their influence gradually grew."

Taking advantage of the situation, Su Lie Gong imparted to them the foundation of harmony among the three religions. Although it was not the highest level of spiritual cultivation, it was enough to enable them to improve their cultivation and eliminate their inner demons.

Within a thousand years, more than half of the scattered immortals of the celestial realm came to seek the Dao.

Below the altar, countless wandering immortals were already moved to tears.

They heard from their elders that there was indeed a brief golden age 100,000 years ago, during which rogue cultivators received guidance from great beings and helped each other.

Unfortunately, with the passing of that great being, the magnificent scene vanished like smoke.

It turns out that the powerful figure was none other than Su Qingxuan's ancestor, Su Lie!

"However, Lord Lie had foreseen the will of Heaven early on."

Yun Miaozi's voice lowered, carrying a heavy sigh.

He knew that he would eventually be released from his military command and seal the Demon Lord; this was his destiny.

However, the great undertaking of unifying the three religions must not be interrupted.

The old man looked at Su Qingxuan, his gaze seemingly piercing through ten thousand years of time:

"Therefore, he accepted me as his only disciple, passed on the teachings, and entrusted me with the responsibility of protecting the teachings."

He said to me, "Your talent is enough to reach the peak of the Great Luo realm, but the highest mental cultivation method of the unity of the three religions is not your aptitude, nor is it something you can inherit."

Your mission is to wait for the birth of my descendants, and then, with the full support of the Scattered Immortal Alliance, continue my unfinished work.

Yun Miaozi bowed solemnly to Su Qingxuan:

"I have roamed the Thirty-Three Heavens and hidden on the edge of chaos for ten thousand years."

The Loose Immortal Alliance was formed, and the method of harmony was silently passed down, awaiting this day.

The alliance comprises 100,000 wandering immortals, all of whom are devoted to the Dao and uphold righteousness.

"With the Alliance Leader above, Yun Miaozi, leading the entire Scattered Immortal Alliance, humbly submits to the Three Ones Palace and together we will walk the righteous path!"

As soon as he finished speaking, ripples appeared in the void behind Yun Miaozi, and figures emerged one after another...

There were people of all ages, men and women, dressed in various styles, all with clear eyes, who bowed in unison to Su Qingxuan:

"Greetings, Alliance Leader! We are willing to follow you and walk the righteous path together!"

The sound waves surged like a tide, sweeping across the Three Talents Peak.

The thousands of guests below the altar were deeply moved.

Who would have thought that this suddenly appearing old man in brown robes was actually the key move in a 100,000-year-long plan!

The Alliance of Ten Thousand Loose Immortals is a force that rivals any major sect in the Heavenly Realm!

Su Qingxuan stood on the altar, his heart surging with emotion.

Within the sea of ​​consciousness and dantian, the three treasures spontaneously resonated and trembled.

Deep within my blood, memories surge forth like a spring cracking in ice.

The scene before his eyes suddenly changed—

Above the Ruins of Guixu, demonic energy surges to the heavens.

Ancestor Su Lie, his white robes stained with blood, wielding three treasures, fought fiercely against the indescribable Demon Lord.

They had clearly gained the upper hand; the light of the Three Treasures had sealed the Demon Lord and was almost purifying him.

However, the Demon Lord used a secret technique to damage the Three Treasures, attempting to break the seal and escape, and "perish together" with billions of living beings in the Three Realms.

But the ancestor suddenly stopped before the final blow.

Su Qingxuan "saw" it clearly—

What churned within the Demon Lord's body was not external evil power, but countless distorted faces:

There was jealousy and resentment among the cultivators of the three religions due to sectarianism; there was madness brought on by the approaching end of lifespan; there was murderous intent erupting from the struggle for resources...

That is a collection of evil thoughts that have caused imbalance in the Three Realms!

Our ancestors looked up to the heavens and sighed, their voices echoing through the ages:

"The demons do not invade from the outside, but arise from within the heart; the calamities are not sent down from heaven, but are brewed by man."

If this demonic body is severed, its evil intent will spread throughout the Three Realms, causing all living beings to become demons and the world to collapse.

This is not the end of the world, but the destruction of the world!

He looked at Sanbao, his gaze filled with both sorrow and resolve:

"I will use my Dao foundation as a prison, my essence and blood as a lock, and my divine soul as a seal to temporarily seal this calamity. However, this seal is not a permanent solution..."

I hope that future generations will inherit my teachings, practice the method of returning the three religions to their origin, harmonize the minds of all beings, and eradicate the source of demonic afflictions.

This is... the only way out.

In the scene, the ancestor gazes into the void, his eyes seemingly piercing through ten thousand years, meeting Su Qingxuan's gaze:

Please.

"boom--!"

The illusion shattered, and Su Qingxuan came to her senses, tears streaming down her face.

Although the people below the altar did not know what he saw, they were all moved by the deep sorrow and fell silent.

Su Qingxuan wiped away his tears and solemnly returned the greeting to Yun Miaozi and the 100,000 scattered immortals:

"The entrustment of our ancestors, Qingxuan will remember with utmost care."

Fellow members of the Scattered Immortals Alliance, from now on you are brothers and sisters of the Three Ones Palace.

"The path of righteousness transcends origins; it is only the heart that matters."

"The Alliance Leader is truly righteous!" Ten thousand scattered immortals echoed in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

The sermon had reached its climax at this point.

Su Qingxuan calmed his mind and explained the subsequent realms of the Three Ones True Technique one by one. He also added several harmonization methods specifically for the characteristics of loose immortal cultivation.

It didn't end until the sun was setting in the west.

Thousands of cultivators gained something, and many broke through their cultivation realms on the spot. Spiritual energy surged on the Three Talents Peak, and the Daoist charm was long and profound.

After the sermon, the Sanyi Palace announced that it would be opening its gates wide.

Anyone with a pure heart and a willingness to abide by the palace rules can enter and study here.

The four fairies also each displayed their unique abilities:

Lin Wanqing set up the "Wenli Hall" in Wenhua Pavilion to teach Confucian classics and the way of integrating the three teachings.

With the aim of "using literature to convey the Way and reason to rectify the mind," it attracts many Confucian students who do not seek fame but only true knowledge.

Xiao Lingxi opened the "Dan Dao Academy" in Qingxu Pavilion and made public some of the alchemical formulas that combined the spiritual energy of the three religions.

He advocated that "the Dao of alchemy has no boundaries and that all plants and trees share the same origin," and exchanged ideas with Daoist alchemists to break away from the bad habits of hoarding one's own knowledge and keeping secrets.

Xiao Lingyue established the "Compassionate Meditation Room" in the Prajna Pavilion, where she did not emphasize lineage but only taught the method of calming the mind and clarifying one's nature.

It provides a pure place of practice for cultivators trapped by their inner demons, and many young monks from the Pure Land come here because of its reputation.

Chi Ying set up the "Battle Formation Pavilion" in the training ground, with the motto "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."

By integrating the righteousness of Confucianism, the agility of Taoism, and the stability of Buddhism into the battle formation, the celestial soldiers of Wuqu arrive one after another.

One hundred thousand disciples of the Scattered Immortals Alliance moved in in batches, and buildings throughout the Three Talents Peak were expanded overnight, with the array being reinforced layer by layer.

Within three days, the palace was bustling with activity, and the spiritual energy was becoming increasingly vibrant, faintly displaying the grandeur of a major sect in the celestial realm.

Congratulatory gifts arrived one after another from the ancestral temples of the three religions:

The Venerable Wenru personally inscribed the golden plaque "Sanyi Holy Land," the Venerable Taiqing bestowed a hundred strands of pure Qi from the Nine Heavens, the Buddha granted the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, and the True Martial Emperor dispatched a team of Xuanwu Guards to assist in the defense.

The attitudes of all parties are clear and open.

However, beneath the magnificent scenery, shadows are brewing.

It was late at night, in the desolate forest at the northern foot of Sancai Peak.

Yu Xuanzi's face was gloomy, and a black jade pendant on his fingertip emitted a faint light, communicating with the other end of the void.

The black-robed puppet stood motionless like a stone, surrounded by Fa Yan's disciples, Meng Xingjian's students, and others, their killing intent surfacing.

"Yun Miaozi is still alive... The 100,000 Loose Immortal Alliance..." Yu Xuanzi gritted his teeth, "Su Qingxuan's wings have grown strong; a direct confrontation will surely result in defeat."

A hoarse, demonic voice echoed from the void: "The Lord has ordered the spread of rumors:"

The Three Ones True Technique is actually a demonic art in disguise; practicing it will turn one into Su Qingxuan's puppet.

They instigated conflict between new disciples and the Loose Immortal Alliance, secretly poisoning their pills and drinking water with a "Dispersing Agent," causing their cultivation to stagnate and their minds to become agitated.

Only by disrupting its internal structure can its external forces be broken.

Fa Yan's disciple sneered, "Those new disciples already have different thoughts. With just a little provocation, suspicion will surely arise."

"Exactly," Meng Xingjian's disciple chimed in. "Once they are in internal strife, we will contact all the forces at once and launch a joint attack."

At that time, the ancestral temples of the three religions would not be able to openly protect them.

Yu Xuanzi gripped the jade pendant tightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes:

"That's how it is. Su Qingxuan... I want you to see it with your own eyes."

How could such a meticulously planned scheme, spanning ten thousand years, be destroyed by human suspicion and distrust?

Several dark figures disappeared into the night, like venomous snakes slithering into the grass...

It is:

With unwavering loyalty, ten thousand remained steadfast in upholding the covenant; the sages' will remained unchanged, their blood and tears stained with unyielding blood.

Just as their hearts were united in achieving their goal, an undercurrent began to rise as night deepened.