Chapter 98 - 85 Luo River to Take the Surname Gu
The Three Religions of the Human Race—Buddhist, Taoist, and Demon—stood in equilibrium.
The Buddhist Sect emphasizes the universal salvation of all beings, the pursuit of enlightenment, and the elimination of greed, hatred, and ignorance within the heart to reach the state of Nirvana. Thus, Buddhist Cultivators tend to lean towards goodness and are more concerned with their reputation, controlling a large amount of popular incense offerings and excelling in the way of Divine Souls.
Yet, often a fraction of monks unable to endure the strict teachings defect to the Demon Path, and just as often, capacious monks aim to enlighten Demons, for which they are criticized for being hypocritical.
The Demon Sect pursues one’s own heart’s desire, striving to return to the divine origins, to seek the power of Innate Gods. As a result, Cultivators from the Demon Sect tend towards evil, often resorting to blood-drinking and Soul Refining in their quest for power without the constraints of rules, and are not infrequently seen among the Demon Sect’s great powers.
There are also tales of Demons who discard their butcher’s knives to immediately achieve Buddha’s Position, although their sins are not erased by laying down the knife, they do align with the Buddhist idea of eradicating greed, hatred, and ignorance, and thus many achieve the position of a Buddha through this.
Hence, there are frequent exchanges between the Buddhist and Demon factions, often intermingling their outstanding students for academic exchange.
The Daoist Sect prizes the comprehension of the vast Way of heaven and earth, becoming one with heaven and man, and achieving supreme transcendence. Hence, Daoist Cultivators are neither wholly good nor evil, not always intent on universally saving beings like the Buddhist Sect, but certainly never harming others like the Demon Sect.
Unrestrained and at ease, cultivating immortality and inquiring the Dao, neutral and moderate in action.
Yet, it is not uncommon for sects like the Yin Yang Sect to emerge, learning from and emulating the Joyful Union Sect, taking its essence and discarding the dregs, neither entirely righteous nor evil.
Yu Hua, as Gu Wen’s mentor in cultivation, had always instilled in him the exceedingly orthodox thoughts of the Mystical Sect such as "To become an Immortal, a Daoist must," "What’s it to me, what’s it to you," and so on.