Under One Person: I Have a Billion Taoist Gods Within Me

The woman in the lead was a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in a bright red palace gown with gold accents.

With her cloud-like hair and flower-like face, she possessed a noble and elegant demeanor, as if enveloped in a flowing ethereal aura. Her beauty was breathtaking, and she also exuded an ancient majesty.

She simply stood there, and it seemed as if she had absorbed all the light and attention in the hall.

Following closely behind was a dignified and capable woman in an elegant dark green cheongsam, her brows furrowed with surprise and awe as she followed closely behind.

Beside the beautiful woman was a little girl with rosy cheeks, her hair tied up, her eyes wide with shock and curiosity.

The shopkeeper had lived half his life and had never seen such a person before.

The woman in red was so beautiful she seemed otherworldly, and her demeanor was even more extraordinary.

He opened his mouth, but for a moment forgot to greet anyone. He felt ashamed and didn't know what to do with his hands and feet.

Li Yuan stood quietly in the hall, his gaze meeting that of the stunningly beautiful woman at the doorway in mid-air.

The moment Bai Xian's gaze fell upon Li Yuan's figure, a galaxy seemed to swirl deep within her pupils.

What she "saw" was not merely a handsome young Taoist priest.

In her eyes, which had cultivated for a thousand years and had insight into the essence of spirituality.

The natural flow of energy around Li Yuan seemed to be a silent Daoist sound resonating with the heavens and earth. Within him, countless sacred phantoms seemed to rise and fall and then return to oneness, perfectly manifesting the Great Dao.

It was a state of "existence" that transcended all her previous understanding.

Even her spiritual core, dormant for thousands of years, involuntarily trembled with joy and awe.

She suppressed the almost instinctive throbbing and urge to worship deep within her soul, and stepped lightly into the hall.

Each step seemed to be on an invisible rhythm, her red dress swaying, her jade pendants jingling silently.

She stopped about ten feet in front of Li Yuan, a distance that was neither presumptuous nor too short to clearly sense him.

Guan Xiugu quickly pulled Xiao Guan Shihua to follow, and stood a little behind to the side, holding her breath and concentrating, her heart filled with shock.

At this moment, she finally clearly "felt" the difference between Li Yuan and Li Yuan.

It wasn't an imposing force, but rather an indescribable "harmony" and "profoundness".

As if he were the embodiment of reason, standing there, he brought a sense of peace to people's hearts, yet also made them feel their own insignificance.

Bai Xian gazed at Li Yuan for a moment, then took the lead in bowing slightly, performing an ancient and elegant ritual that resembled Taoist etiquette yet possessed a unique charm characteristic of immortals.

Her voice was clear and melodious, carrying the elegance accumulated over a thousand years, yet it also sounded exceptionally sincere due to the spiritual resonance it emanated from.

"A spirit cultivating between the white mountains and black waters beyond the Great Wall, absorbing the essence of plants and trees and the wishes of all living beings, has, by sheer luck and perseverance, cultivated until now and has temporarily attained this body, and is called 'White Spirit'."

"Throughout a thousand years, looking up and down at heaven and earth, peering into yin and yang, I claim to have a slight understanding of the workings of creation."

"However, today, in this noisy place, I suddenly felt the divine voice of the Great Dao bestowed upon me, like a blind man suddenly seeing the light of day, or a deaf man hearing the music of heaven for the first time. My mind was shaken, and I could not describe it."

Her gaze, clear and intense, fixed on Li Yuan, as if trying to pierce through the "Daoist aura" and see directly at its essence:

"The true form of the Dharma is neither form nor substance, but rather the manifestation of the Dao and the expression of the Dharma."

"The Qi circulates and circulates, containing the order of the stars in the heavens; the divine light shines subtly, in harmony with the life and death mechanisms of the four seasons."

"The humble spirit of Bai Ling was bathed in the afterglow, as if drinking fine wine and sitting in a spring breeze."

Such an opportunity is rare indeed, perhaps only once in a lifetime.

"Therefore, I have taken the liberty of coming here to pay my respects, following my spiritual desires."

"I humbly beg the True Man's forgiveness for my earnest pursuit of truth and compassion for my sincere inquiry into the Way."

These words went far beyond ordinary politeness and flattery.

She called herself a "spirit of cultivation," gave her name "Bai Ling," and was extremely respectful.

His words not only clarified his own background and the reasons for his spiritual experiences, but also expressed his pure desire to seek the Way and pay homage.

Although he adopted an extremely humble posture, he did not lose the demeanor and sincerity of a thousand-year-old immortal. Every word he uttered was precious, and his heart was sincere.

Li Yuan stood still as before, unmoved by the other's unparalleled beauty, magnificent presence, or even his sincere words.

In his view, beauty and ugliness, high and low status, humans, demons, immortals and ghosts, are indeed different at the level of "Tao".

But both the desire for "existence" and the pursuit of "truth" can be viewed equally.

He accepted the greeting without being overly humble, but rather as naturally as a gentle breeze brushing across a hillside or the bright moon reflecting on a great river.

Then, he placed one palm in front of his chest and performed a standard Taoist kowtow.

The movements are extremely simple, yet they seem to contain a kind of profound and simple rhythm.

The voice was gentle and calm, neither too loud nor too soft, yet it strangely soothed all the spiritual ripples that had stirred within the hall due to Bai Ling's arrival.

Let everything return to harmony and nature:

"May the Heavenly Venerable grant boundless blessings."

"Fellow Daoist Bai Ling, you flatter me."

His clear gaze fell upon Bai Ling, as if he could see through the details of her thousand years of cultivation beneath her radiant appearance.

See through the unique essence of the intertwining of incense offerings, vows, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth:

"I am but a humble Taoist priest, Li Yuan, merely a passerby in this world. I have only glimpsed the basics by chance."

"Fellow Daoist, your spiritual roots are deeply planted in heaven and earth, and your wisdom shines from the source. You are born from the pure and virtuous spirit of the mountains and fields, and grow by absorbing the pure thoughts of all living beings. After a thousand years of cultivation, you have been tempered and impurities have been removed, and your spiritual light shines alone."

"Having already grasped the wonder of 'using the false to cultivate the true,' one has stepped into the true realm of 'the carefree life of an earth immortal.'"

"Although our paths are different, what we seek is nothing more than to understand our own minds and nature, and to enter into the true and constant."

"Today we meet in the dim light of dawn, amidst the hustle and bustle of the world. It is not my ability to sense the slightest ripples in you, fellow Daoist, but rather the clarity of your own spirit and your affinity with the Dao."

"This encounter is not only a blessing from you, fellow Daoist; I too feel a gentle breeze on my face and a sudden connection with you. This is truly a blessed encounter."

Upon hearing this, Bai Ling's delicate body trembled slightly, unable to suppress it.

For the first time, a look of almost "shock" and "sudden realization" appeared on her stunningly beautiful face.

With just a few words, the other party not only fully understood the essence and key points of her unique path of cultivation.

It also points out the direction she will take to go further in the future ("entering the true nature")!

This feeling of being completely "seen through" yet highly "understood" and even "guided".

It was an experience she had never had in her thousand-year life!

The aloofness and detachment that once held a detached view of the world in her eyes transformed completely into pure thirst for knowledge and reverence when she faced Li Yuan. She then bowed again in a gesture of respect.

"A true master possesses keen insight, able to see through the most subtle and hidden things."

"The phrase 'borrowing the false to cultivate the true' encapsulates Bai Ling's thousand-year journey of exploration."

"The phrase 'A clear mind and a connection with the Tao' dispelled my anxiety."

"To be regarded so highly by a true master, Bai Ling... is truly fortunate!"

After saying that, Bai Xian seemed to suddenly realize something, and a look of realization and deeper shock appeared on her beautiful face.

"His real name is... Li Yuan?!"

"Could this person be... the legendary innate Daoist child of the Mianshan Daluo Palace?"

Li Yuan nodded slightly: "It is indeed this humble Taoist."

"As expected..." As Bai Ling's eyes darted around, what appeared on her beautiful face was not flattery or awe, but a joy and enlightenment that was almost like "hearing the Great Dao".

"Only the legendary Dao Child, who was born close to the Dao, could possess this aura of 'the Dao itself'."

She paused, her gaze lingering on the natural Daoist aura emanating from Li Yuan, her tone tinged with a sigh of regret.

"The Daoist's entire being is free from deliberate practice of laws and attachment to appearances; his movements, stillness, speech, and silence are all manifestations of the Dao's essence."

"This insight has saved me a century of searching and learning."

These words were already extremely high praise, directly pointing to the core of Li Yuan's cultivation realm—

By not clinging to the forms of Dharma, one naturally aligns with the Tao.

Little Guan Shihua, standing to the side, couldn't quite understand the esoteric conversation.

But she could clearly sense how much respect, even...worship, her usually aloof and dignified "White Immortal Ancestor" held for the young Taoist priest before her.

Her little head was filled with disbelief. She looked at Li Yuan, then at Bai Xian Lao Zu, her big eyes full of question marks.

Guan Xiugu was filled with shock and disbelief.

She heard Li Yuan's insightful explanation of the essence of shamanic cultivation and witnessed the unprecedented respect shown by the White Immortal Ancestor.

This Daoist Li Yuan is indeed as unfathomable as the rumors suggest!

She quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Li Yuan:

"Guan Xiugu, the current head of the Guan family outside the pass, along with her daughter Shihua, pays respects to Daoist Liyuan!"

"I, Xiugu, am foolish and have just met Daozi for the first time. My manners have been inadequate; I beg your forgiveness!"

"Shihua, quickly pay your respects to Daozi!"

Little Guan Shihua was gently nudged by her mother. She blinked her big, dark eyes, her little head still trying to process the words she couldn't understand but that sounded very impressive.

She imitated her mother, awkwardly but earnestly cupping her hands in a respectful gesture:

"Guan... Guan Shihua greets Daozi... Daoist Master."

Li Yuan's gaze swept gently over Guan Xiugu, lingering briefly on her capable and composed demeanor, before he nodded slightly.

"Master Guan, there's no need for such formalities. The Guan family guards the area outside the pass and harmonizes yin and yang, which is a great service."

Then, his gaze fell on Xiao Guanshihua's rosy, spirited face.

Those big, dark eyes, adorned with rouge, held nothing but the innocence of a child.

Indeed, there was a faint, pure, unadorned spiritual radiance flowing through it.

There is a natural connection between him and the surrounding world, especially with the white spirit in front of him.

"The young girl is exceptionally bright, has a solid foundation, and, more importantly, possesses a pure and untainted heart, untouched by worldly distractions."

"The immortal lineage outside the pass possesses such fine materials and beautiful jade, which is an omen of great prosperity."

Li Yuan's evaluation was brief, but to Guan Xiugu, it was like a divine decree, filling her with immense excitement.

To receive such high praise from this unfathomable Daoist is a testament to Guan Shihua's exceptional qualities.

This is undoubtedly an invisible blessing for Guan Shihua's future spiritual path.

When Guan Shihua heard this "very powerful Taoist priest" praising her, her face turned even redder. She shyly hid behind Guan Xiugu, but couldn't help but secretly peek at Li Yuan.

Guan Xiugu snapped out of her surprise and quickly said:

"You flatter me, Daozi. My daughter is young and mischievous. I hope... I hope I will be fortunate enough to receive some guidance from you in the future."

She ultimately didn't dare to ask directly, but instead expressed her expectations in a roundabout way.

Bai Xian's mind had gradually calmed down, but his eagerness to explore the Dao and get closer to the origin had not diminished.

Her beautiful eyes darted around, gazing at the growing morning light outside the door and the direction leading to Tanzhou, before she smiled sweetly:

"Daozi's demeanor is so refined that it makes one forget worldly concerns."

"It seems that Daozi's trip must be to the Lu family residence in Tanzhou to attend that gathering of extraordinary individuals from all over the world?"

Li Yuan nodded: "Exactly."

"What a coincidence." Bai Xian's eyes sparkled.

"Xiugu and I took some stone flowers and traveled south, also intending to visit the Lu family to witness the ceremony and see the talents of the world."

"Today, I have had the pleasure of meeting Daozi and being captivated by his teachings... oh, it is the connection of our shared understanding of the Dao that has brought us together..."

With a charming smile, she naturally corrected her choice of words.

"May I be so bold as to ask to accompany Daozi on his journey?"

"If we can hear a few words from the Master from time to time on the rest of the journey, and feel the afterglow of the Master's wisdom, it will be a great blessing for our spiritual practice."

"Besides..." Bai Xian's eyes flickered slightly, carrying a hint of understanding and a vague expectation.

"The Lu family banquet was a mixed bag."

"With us by your side, perhaps we can spare you some worldly troubles. What do you think?"

Her words indicated both her intention to work together and pointed out the potential "benefits".

The words were clever, the sentiments were sincere, and Li Yuan was given ample room to choose.

Li Yuan pondered for a moment.

Bai Xian's words are true; it is indeed possible to save a lot of trouble if the immortals from outside the pass travel with the head of the Guan family.

More importantly, this White Immortal possesses profound spirituality, extensive knowledge, and a righteous character. It is not a bad thing for them to travel together, discuss the Dao, and verify each other's understanding.

This grand banquet hosted by the Lu family was originally intended to assess the situation and establish connections with forces outside the Great Wall in advance, which was also a necessary part of their strategic plan.

Then, he smiled broadly, like the moon shining brightly after the clouds parted:

"Since Fellow Daoist Bai Ling has put it that way, how could this humble Daoist refuse?"

"It is truly a pleasure to travel with fellow Daoists and Patriarch Guan, to admire the mountains and rivers, and to discuss the Dao and its mysteries."

"But..." He changed his tone slightly, with a hint of light teasing.

"Fellow Daoist, you should be careful when using the word 'devoted to'."

"To avoid misunderstandings from others and unnecessary trouble."

Upon hearing this, Bai Ling was taken aback at first, then realized that Li Yuan was referring to her earlier slip of the tongue, "love at first sight." She couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle, her eyes sparkling with a captivating charm, yet remaining clear and innocent.

"What Daozi said is true; Bai Ling misspoke."

"The Daoist's heart is like the moon; how can it be stained by dust?"

From now on, we will only speak of "mutual understanding through discussion of the Way".

She handled the situation with ease, and the atmosphere immediately became much more relaxed.

At that moment, Li Yuan paid the room fee. The shopkeeper, already intimidated by the presence of this group, was respectful and dared not say a word.

The four of them left the inn and stepped into the streets of Qingshui Town in the morning.

Li Yuan and Bai Ling walked side by side ahead.

One is as elegant as the moonlight after washing away all artifice, the other is as bright as the rosy glow illuminating mountains and rivers. They have very different temperaments, yet they complement each other in a strange harmony.

Like the eyes of a yin-yang fish, flowing naturally.

Wherever they went, the hustle and bustle of the city seemed to automatically quiet down, and the eyes of pedestrians and vendors were involuntarily drawn to them.

Yet, because of that transcendent aura that made one feel ashamed of their own appearance, one dared not look directly at it for long, as if glimpsing a scene that should not exist in the mundane world.

Bai Ling had already suppressed most of her manifested spiritual light, but her unparalleled elegance and celestial aura still could not be completely concealed.

She seemed to enjoy walking alongside Li Yuan, sometimes pointing to the shapes of distant mountains and discussing the direction of the earth's veins, and sometimes sensing the breath in the wind and commenting on the differences in spiritual energy between the north and south.

His words are elegant and his insights are unique.

Li Yuan speaks concisely, often revealing deeper principles of nature or key points of spiritual practice in just a few words.

This made Bai Ling's beautiful eyes light up, and she was deeply inspired.

Guan Xiugu led Guan Shihua behind, looking at the two figures in front of her, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She knew all too well that if some old fogies in the world of supernatural beings saw this scene, it would cause a huge uproar.

One of them is a born Taoist prodigy, hailed by the Celestial Master of the Dragon and Tiger Sect as "the future leader of Taoism";

One of them was the revered White Immortal Ancestor, who had cultivated for a thousand years outside the Great Wall. At this moment, he walked with me in peace, chatting and laughing as if we were fellow Daoists.

This in itself foreshadows something.

Little Guan Shihua followed along with her short legs, her big eyes glancing between Li Yuan's calm back and the incredibly beautiful ancestor.

I just felt that their voices were so pleasant to hear, and the air around us became especially fresh and comfortable. Even the small pebbles on the road didn't seem so annoying anymore.

As the group gradually moved away from Qingshui Town, the greenery on both sides of the official road grew thicker, and the distant mountains appeared like dark eyebrows.

Li Yuan gazed ahead, his mind clear and focused.

Encountering Bai Ling in Qingshui Town was indeed a pleasant surprise.

The addition of this ancient immortal has not only added more uncertainty to the trip.

This also gave him a clearer understanding of the possible moves regarding the future situation outside the Great Wall, and even the "inhuman" forces in the grander strategic plan.