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

The official road winds its way into the distance, where layers of mountains rise and fall in verdant splendor.

The early summer sun had already gained some strength, casting dappled, shimmering light through the lush foliage along the roadside.

Li Yuan and Bai Ling walked side by side ahead, their steps seemingly ordinary, but in fact they subtly conformed to a certain rhythm of heaven and earth, neither hurried nor slow, like flowing clouds and water.

Guan Xiugu led Xiao Guan Shihua, keeping a distance of about three steps, showing respect without disturbing the conversation between the two people in front.

Li Yuan's moon-white Taoist robe shimmered softly in the sunlight, creating a striking contrast with Bai Ling's dazzling crimson and gold palace attire.

One is simple, the other vibrant; one is still, the other dynamic, yet they blend together in a strange harmony, like a perfectly natural painting.

"Daozi, what are the differences in spirit and atmosphere between this landscape of the South and the Changbai Mountains and Heilongjiang River beyond the Great Wall?"

Bai Lingyu lightly tapped her jade finger, pointing to a distant mountain valley where pale purple mist rose under the sunlight, her voice clear and melodious.

She wasn't simply asking about the scenery; rather, she was using her keen perception of the earth's spiritual energy to seek deeper insights into the principles of heaven and earth from Li Yuan.

Li Yuan's gaze followed, and after a moment he said slowly:

"The mountains and rivers of the North are rugged and sturdy, with a deep and vigorous energy, like dragons and snakes lying in wait, their power accumulating and ready to be unleashed. Their nature is characterized by 'concealment' and 'restraint'."

"The mountains here, though continuous, are more gentle and undulating, with lush vegetation and abundant moisture, making the flow of spiritual energy more lively and outward, like a phoenix preening its feathers, its meaning lies in 'life' and 'transformation'."

"Neither is inherently superior or inferior; both are natural manifestations of the primordial energy of heaven and earth under different endowments and at different times."

"A person who cultivates himself should understand the nature of the place he is in and act in accordance with the natural order so that he can be more in sync with the Great Way."

His insights transcend mere regional comparisons, directly addressing the fundamental concepts of "manifestation of the primordial energy of heaven and earth" and "cultivation in accordance with the natural flow."

Bai Ling's beautiful eyes lit up, and she seemed to be thinking: "Going with the flow... not bad."

"I was born in a harsh and cold land beyond the Great Wall. When my spirituality first awakened, all I sensed was the profound vitality and the fierce killing intent that coexisted beneath the ice."

"Therefore, the path of spiritual practice tends to be introspective and resilient, even using harsh environments to temper one's spirituality."

"If one were to forcibly transplant this land to a mild and fertile place, one might initially feel an abundance of spiritual energy, but over time one might lose one's true sharpness, which would be counterproductive."

"Daozi's words reminded Bai Ling of some unexplored hurdles in her own cultivation."

Li Yuan nodded slightly: "Fellow Daoist Bai Ling can understand this principle, which shows that her spiritual roots are deeply rooted."

The saying "one's environment shapes one's character" applies to spirits and immortals as well.

"Your path has long been intertwined with the 'nature of heaven and earth' of that land of white mountains and black waters; that is your foundation and your unique characteristic."

"Traveling south is for broadening one's horizons and learning from other places, not for changing one's allegiance."

"By taking its meaning of 'generation and circulation', and supplementing one's own ability of 'inner restraint and storage', one may be able to draw inferences from one another and take a further step in the way of 'mutual generation of movement and stillness'."

"Movement and stillness complement each other..." Bai Ling murmured, her eyes sparkling as if she had gained some insight.

She has cultivated herself for a thousand years, mainly through quiet meditation, receiving offerings, and being moved by the thoughts of all beings.

Although it is agile, it always leans towards "guarding".

The concepts of "generation and flow" and "mutual generation of movement and stillness" pointed out by Li Yuan seemed to open a new window for her.

The two had already traveled more than ten miles while they were talking.

The number of pedestrians and carriages on the official road gradually increased, most of them heading towards Tanzhou.

Among them were some with a deep and agile presence, clearly also from the world of supernatural beings, who were either attending the banquet at the Lu family or simply joining in the fun.

Upon seeing Li Yuan and Bai Ling, this extraordinary couple, everyone turned their heads in surprise and disbelief.

However, sensing Bai Ling's restrained yet vast spiritual pressure and Li Yuan's unfathomable aura, none of them dared to approach and strike up a conversation.

They only observed from afar and discussed it in hushed tones.

Guan Xiugu listened to the discourse from behind and felt both deeply moved and greatly enriched.

Although she is the head of the Guan family, her cultivation level is not weak.

However, in terms of his understanding of the fundamentals of cultivation, he is undoubtedly far inferior to Bai Xian Lao Zu and Li Yuan Dao Zi by more than one level.

Hearing this now, I felt that every word was precious, and many of the confusions I had in my cultivation in the past suddenly became clear.

She held her daughter's hand tightly, gesturing for Guan Shihua to listen carefully as well, even if she didn't understand, the influence of this Taoist philosophy was extremely valuable.

Xiao Guan Shihua really couldn't understand those esoteric words.

But she was born with a keen sense of perception and could feel that the air around her seemed to change when Uncle Li Yuan and Aunt Bai were talking.

It's fresher and brighter, and even the little flowers and grass by the roadside seem to be swaying gently in response.

She felt very comfortable and didn't feel tired at all while walking.

After walking for a while, a teahouse appeared ahead, with a simple cloth banner hanging above it, providing a place for passersby to rest and drink water.

Li Yuan suggested taking a short rest, and Bai Ling readily agreed.

The four entered the teahouse and found a clean table to sit down.

There were already several tables of customers in the teahouse, most of whom were merchants and porters, judging from their attire. There were also two tables with a distinctly different atmosphere.

At one table were three burly men dressed in gray short-sleeved shirts, with prominent temples and sharp eyes, exuding an air of steel.

At the other table were an old man and a young man.

The old man was thin and frail, resting with his eyes closed, while the younger man was an arrogant young man who was impatiently tapping the table to urge the waiter on.

The arrival of Li Yuan and his group naturally attracted everyone's attention.

The three burly men glanced at her, their gazes lingering on Bai Ling for a moment, a hint of amazement and apprehension flashing across their faces, before they lowered their heads to drink their tea and looked away.

The young man among the old and the young man, however, had his eyes light up. He stared at Bai Ling's stunningly beautiful face and extraordinary temperament, almost unable to look away, his face revealing undisguised amazement and a hint of greed.

The old man slightly opened his eyes, glanced at Li Yuan and his group, and paused particularly on Li Yuan.

A glint of light flashed in his cloudy eyes, then he closed them again, as if it were none of his business.

The waiter came up cautiously to greet him, but Li Yuan only asked for four bowls of water.

Bai Ling and Guan Xiugu had no objections, and Xiao Guan Shihua sat obediently.

Clear water was served, and Li Yuan picked up the rough porcelain bowl, about to drink.

The young man couldn't contain himself. He suddenly stood up, straightened his clothes, put on what he thought was a dashing smile, and walked towards Li Yuan's table, his eyes fixed on Bai Ling.

"Greetings, fairy..." The young man walked to the table and cupped his hands in greeting to Bai Ling.

His tone was deliberately elegant, but it couldn't hide his frivolity.

"I am Shen Qingfeng, a disciple of the Diancang Sect."

"Having witnessed your unparalleled beauty and extraordinary bearing, I am filled with admiration. May I ask where you reside in your celestial realm, and which school of martial arts you follow? Would it be possible to make your acquaintance?"

He completely ignored Li Yuan and Guan Xiugu and her daughter, and only had eyes for Bai Ling.

The Diancang Sect is a force to be reckoned with in the world of supernatural beings in the southwest, known for its swordsmanship and agility.

Shen Qingfeng is young but already has some cultivation. In addition, he comes from a good family and is usually arrogant. He has never seen a person like Bai Ling before.

Blinded by lust, he went up to strike up a conversation.

Bai Ling was just picking up the bowl of water when she heard this. She didn't even lift her eyelids, as if she hadn't heard it at all. She just lightly touched the rim of the bowl to her lips and then put it down.

The gentle spiritual aura emanating from her seemed to freeze for a moment.

Li Yuan remained calm, continuing to drink his water as if the events before him were none of his concern, no different from the chirping of insects by the roadside.

Guan Xiugu frowned slightly, about to speak.

Little Guan Shihua couldn't hold back any longer. Although she was young, she could tell that this person was being impolite to Bai Xian Ancestor. She pouted and said in a clear voice:

"My Aunt Bai doesn't like talking to strangers!"

Shen Qingfeng was embarrassed by being interrupted by a young girl, especially since Bai Ling completely ignored him, which made him even more displeased.

He looked at Li Yuan and saw that the other party was just a young Taoist priest who seemed easy to talk to.

He then turned to Li Yuan, his tone becoming somewhat condescending:

"Master Daoist, are you traveling with this fairy?"

"I haven't yet asked your Dharma name, Master? Where do you practice?"

He naturally assumed that Li Yuan might be Bai Ling's junior or follower.

Li Yuan put down the bowl of water and looked calmly at Shen Qingfeng.

This glance, though not sharp, sent a shiver down Shen Qingfeng's spine for no apparent reason.

It was as if all his thoughts, cultivation, and even his pitiful pride were laid bare under that clear gaze, making him look as ridiculous as a clown jumping around.

"We've only met by chance, why bother asking about each other's backgrounds?"

Li Yuan spoke, his voice gentle and calm.

"Layman, your tea has gone cold."

Shen Qingfeng was taken aback and subconsciously turned to look at his table, where the tea was still steaming.

He immediately understood that the other party was subtly asking him to leave, and he felt embarrassed and angry.

"What do you mean by this, Taoist priest?"

"My Diancang Sect disciple, Shen Qingfeng, sincerely sought to make friends with you. Isn't this Daoist being rather disrespectful?"

His voice rose a few decibels, and all the other guests in the teahouse looked over.

The three burly men frowned, seemingly annoyed by Shen Qingfeng's chatter.

The gaunt old man, who had kept his eyes closed, twitched his eyelids again, but did not open them.

Li Yuan stopped looking at him, instead raising his hand and lightly tracing a line on the rough wooden table with his fingertips.

There was no unusual light or sound, but a very faint yet straight and clear mark appeared out of thin air on the desktop.

It was as if the wood had been sliced ​​by the sharpest blade, or as if the mark had always existed within the wood grain and was now simply being revealed.

As the marks appeared, Shen Qingfeng suddenly felt his energy stagnate!

It was as if an invisible and intangible "boundary" lay between him and Li Yuan at the table.

He tried to take another half step forward, but suddenly felt short of breath and slightly dizzy.

It felt as if there was a bottomless cliff ahead, and one more step would shatter them to pieces!

His face turned pale instantly, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He finally realized that the Taoist priest in front of him was no ordinary person!

That seemingly casual stroke clearly contained a profound principle of aura control!

My cultivation level is nothing but child's play in front of him!

"you..."

Shen Qingfeng's lips trembled, and he wanted to say something to save face.

"Qingfeng, come back."

The gaunt old man, who had been keeping his eyes closed, finally spoke. His voice was hoarse and calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

Shen Qingfeng felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He hurriedly took a few steps back and returned to his own table, no longer daring to look in this direction. His face turned red and white in turns.

The gaunt old man slowly rose, and facing Li Yuan's direction, he slightly clasped his hands in a fist salute:

"My disciple has been unruly and offended the Daoist Master. I, Elder Cangsong of the Diancang Sect, apologize on his behalf."

"Master, you are magnanimous. Please do not stoop to the level of a junior."

His gaze lingered on Li Yuan for a moment, then quickly swept over Bai Ling and Guan Xiugu, his eyes filled with even deeper apprehension.

Li Yuan did not stand up, but merely nodded slightly.

"You're too kind, layman."

"Your disciple is young and impetuous, which is understandable."

Please make yourself at home.

Cangsong clasped his hands in a fist salute again, said no more, helped up Shen Qingfeng who was still somewhat unwilling but also frightened, paid for the tea, and hurriedly left, not daring to stay there any longer.

The teahouse returned to calm.

But the three burly men looked at Li Yuan and his group with deep awe.

The men were too frightened to approach.

Bai Ling seemed to come to her senses at this moment. She gently put down the bowl of water that she had never actually drunk from, and glanced at the direction where Shen Qingfeng and his apprentice had left.

A slight curve to his lips, carrying a hint of indifference and mockery befitting a thousand-year-old immortal:

"An ant trying to see the sky only makes people laugh."

She seemed unsurprised by Li Yuan's seemingly casual yet unpredictable move, instead finding it perfectly natural.

Li Yuan said calmly, "The chaos of the mortal world is also a part of cultivation."

"See it, transform it, and that will suffice."

Seeing the bad guys run away, Xiao Guan Shihua smiled happily, thinking that Li Yuan Daozi was even more powerful.

Guan Xiugu felt a chill run down her spine.

The move that Li Yuan Dao Zi just displayed seemed effortless.

In reality, his control over "momentum" and "boundary" has reached a state of perfection, far surpassing that of ordinary cultivators.

Elder Cangsong of the Diancang Sect was also sensible; knowing he couldn't afford to offend them, he decisively retreated.

After a short rest, the four of them set off again.

After this incident, other extraordinary individuals on the official road who had noticed them avoided them like the plague, and none dared to approach and harass them again.

As the sun gradually set in the west, the outline of a magnificent city finally appeared on the horizon in the distance.

The city walls are majestic, the houses are densely packed, and the atmosphere of a densely populated area can be faintly sensed even from a great distance.

That is Tanzhou City.

The closer they got, the more complex and powerful the aura of the supernatural beings that gathered on the official road became.

There are solitary wanderers, sect disciples traveling in groups, and also composed and well-attended families.

"We're almost there."

Bai Ling gazed at the city ahead, a hint of interest flashing in her beautiful eyes.

"This city of Tanzhou is now a place where hidden talents abound."

"Daozi, what do you think this grand banquet at the Lu family will be like?"

Li Yuan calmly turned his gaze toward the city that was getting closer and closer.

Inside, the Daluo Palace remained as tranquil as ever.

Yet, he had already reflected in his mind the complex energy, the hidden undercurrents, and even some particularly conspicuous presences ahead.

"You'll know what it's like as soon as you see it." His voice was calm, revealing no emotion.

"However, where heroes gather, there are also times when cause and effect intertwine and storms are about to break out."

"Fellow Daoist Bai Ling, Patriarch Guan, please be careful when entering the city later."

Bai Ling smiled gently, her exquisite face displaying a calm composure born of worldly wisdom:

"Don't worry, Daozi, Bai Ling understands."

"No matter how muddy the waters of Tanzhou are, they won't drown you or me."

His words revealed the confidence and transcendence of a thousand-year-old immortal.

Guan Xiugu nodded solemnly: "Everything is at Daozi's and...Aunt Bai's disposal."

She has gradually gotten used to being called "Aunt Bai".

Xiao Guan Shihua excitedly stood on tiptoe, gazing at the approaching city with eyes full of anticipation.

This was the first time she had ever traveled so far to participate in such a grand event!

Before long, they finally arrived at the towering city gate of Tanzhou.

The four of them slowly entered the city with the flow of people.

The scene inside the city was even more bustling and prosperous than outside.

The streets were wide, lined with shops, and filled with the sounds of vendors hawking their wares, vehicles, and conversations.

But if you pay close attention, you can discover that beneath this ordinary bustling city, there are waves of unusual energy, some strong, some weak, some calm, some flamboyant.

Many pedestrians appear ordinary, but in reality, they walk with a steady gait and have sharp eyes, clearly possessing extraordinary abilities.

Some were clearly dressed as eccentrics or exuded an unusual aura, and they swaggered down the street.

When they meet, they may nod to each other, look at each other coldly, or secretly compete with each other, creating a bizarre and fantastical world of strange people.

As a prominent family in Hunan and Hubei, it was not difficult to find out the location of the Lu family's residence.

Li Yuan and his group were not in a hurry to go immediately. Instead, they found a relatively quiet inn in the city to stay in, settle down, and wash away the dust of their journey.

The inn is named "Yunlaiju," which is quite elegant.

They booked two superior rooms; Li Yuan stayed in one by himself, while Bai Ling shared the other with Guan Xiu and her daughter.

After settling in, it was already evening.

Li Yuan pushed open the window of his guest room, and outside was the scene of Tanzhou City being lit up at dusk.

In the distance, in the eastern part of the city center, lies the most magnificent and brightly lit sprawling mansion, where the Lu family resides.

Even across several streets and alleys, one could feel the more concentrated and powerful aura of the supernatural beings emanating from that direction, along with the faint sounds of music and banquets.

"Tomorrow..." Li Yuan gazed at the lights, his eyes calm.

In the inner palace of the Great Luo, the phantoms of all gods were silent, with only the central light, like the moon, shining brightly.

All the undercurrents, both overt and covert, brewing and about to erupt within this city are contained within a state of serene clarity devoid of sorrow or joy.

Zhou Sheng, Xia Liuqing, Bai Ling...

These connections, whether explicit or implicit, have been quietly sown.

At the Lu family banquet tomorrow, he will meet the most brilliant star among the younger generation of extraordinary individuals.

He will also be a key figure who will stir up the winds and waves in the coming decades.

Especially that "Guaranteed Winner," who is now known as the Little Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain...

Zhang Zhiwei!

A meaningful glint flashed in Li Yuan's eyes before he closed the window, temporarily shutting out the city's hustle and bustle and undercurrents.

A single lamp in the room cast a dim light, illuminating his calm and expressionless face.

Wait patiently for tomorrow.