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

The next day, at 3:45 AM.

A thin layer of morning mist shrouded the city of Tanzhou, softening the early summer sunlight.

However, the atmosphere in the city had already been stirred up by an invisible heat.

The Lu family patriarch's birthday celebration has finally arrived.

Li Yuan finished his night of meditation in his inn room and opened the window.

The humid air was filled with the distant sounds of firecrackers and drums, as well as the subtle yet dense flow of the auras of various strange people.

The entire city seemed like a giant beast awakening, drawing all its attention and energy toward the mansion in the east of the city, where the lights never went out all night.

Bai Ling had already appeared outside the door, still dressed in that stunningly beautiful bright red palace gown, but the vast spiritual pressure around her was now more subdued, and she exuded a calmness that suggested she was adapting to local customs.

Guan Xiugu was also dressed up, her dark green cheongsam perfectly in place, and she held the hand of little Guan Shihua, who was dressed equally festively and spiritedly.

The little girl seemed particularly excited today, her face flushed and her big eyes full of anticipation.

"Daozi, it's almost time." Bai Ling smiled.

With a glance, he had already taken in the changing atmosphere of the inn and even the surrounding streets and alleys.

"Today, the city of Tanzhou is truly a place where 'winds and clouds gather'."

Li Yuan nodded slightly and stepped out of the room.

Without saying a word, the four descended the stairs of the inn and joined the noticeably larger flow of people surging in the same direction on the street.

The closer one gets to the Lu residence, the more magnificent and splendid the entire long street becomes, like a slowly unfolding "Shanglin Grand View".

The streets are no longer the ordinary, bustling streets they once were.

Pillars of vermilion cedar wood as thick as a bowl were erected, with a continuous stretch of crimson silk hanging high, extending from the street corner all the way to the majestic gates of the Lu Mansion with their bell-shaped ornaments, resembling two crimson dragons crawling on the ground.

Every few steps under the silk, an octagonal glass palace lantern hangs.

Although they were not lit during the day, the auspicious patterns painted on the lanterns, such as "Magu Offering Longevity" and "Peach Banquet," added countless brilliant colors to the street.

The long street was sprinkled with clean water, leaving it spotless.

Wearing brand-new light blue short jackets and full of energy, the Lu family members were scattered in groups of three or five at key points along the long street and around the Lu residence. Each of them walked with a steady gait, had clear eyes, and acted with perfect teamwork.

Although not deliberately displayed, the competence and aura cultivated over the years naturally flowed out.

They not only directed the flow of people and prevented congestion, but also vigilantly scanned the crowd.

If there are any people who are genuinely causing trouble or whose aura is too strange or suspicious, they will quietly step forward and politely but firmly "invite" them to the side to ask questions.

This seemingly relaxed yet tightly controlled approach is just the tip of the iceberg of the Lu family's profound strength.

The main gate of the Lu residence was wide open at this moment, and the area in front of the gate was filled with dignitaries.

Three men who appeared to be stewards of the Lu family, along with more than ten clever young men, stood on the high steps, smiling broadly and constantly bowing to welcome the guests.

They had sharp eyes; often, before guests even approached, they could accurately determine their identity based on the style of the invitation, the imposing manner of the person arriving, and even the items carried by their entourage, and then loudly announce their arrival:

"The Abbot of Songfeng Temple on Mount Qingcheng has arrived—"

"The leader of the Qingwei Sect has arrived at Qixia Mountain in Jinling—"

"The Tang Clan of Western Sichuan, Elder Tang Xianzong, has arrived—"

The loud and resonant chants revealed the identities of the distinguished guests.

It not only demonstrates the prestige of the Lu family, but also serves as an intangible display of their strength.

Each guest whose name is called will attract a chorus of whispers and glances from those around them, filled with envy, awe, or curiosity.

Inside the gate, in front of the screen wall, there is a huge sandalwood screen with a gold-painted image of the God of Longevity offering peaches. In front of the screen is an incense table and a gift book.

Those who come to offer birthday wishes, regardless of their status, will usually present a gift list or congratulatory gift here, which will be recorded in a special book.

The gift list was densely packed with names, and the congratulatory gifts were piled up like mountains, including rare treasures, antiques, paintings, and exotic medicines...

The bizarre and astonishing sights silently demonstrate the breadth of the Lu family's social circle and the depth of their connections.

The deafening roar of noise, the festive atmosphere, the strict order, and the profound cultural heritage were all vividly displayed on this long street and before the gate of the mansion.

This is not just a birthday banquet for Old Master Lu alone.

This was also a grand declaration by the Lu family, one of the four great families in the world of supernatural beings, to the world, showcasing its flourishing branches, deep roots, and current prosperity.

Ordinary people were impressed by its bustling atmosphere and extravagance, while extraordinary people were impressed by its power and connections.

The truly insightful representatives from various factions could glimpse the family's formidable depth and enduring vitality from the orderly arrangements and the demeanor of its members.

Li Yuan and his group did not deliberately show off, but their extraordinary demeanor could not be concealed no matter what.

Bai Ling's stunning beauty and ethereal aura immediately drew countless gazes and caused a stir of whispers of amazement as soon as she appeared at the street corner.

Many people speculated about the origins of the stunning woman in red, and their gazes toward Li Yuan were filled with curiosity and awe.

How could this young Taoist priest be an ordinary person, able to walk alongside such figures?

The sharp-eyed head steward of the Lu family lingered on Li Yuan for a moment before his gaze suddenly froze, and his face quickly became respectful like never before. He then personally strode down the steps to greet him.

The loud, clear voice rose a notch, drowning out the surrounding noise:

"At the Daluo Palace of Mianshan, Daoist Liyuan, a disciple of the Mysterious True Man, has arrived!"

This announcement was like a drop of water falling into a boiling oil pan, instantly stirring up a suppressed gasp and deathly silence!

Mianshan Daluo Palace! Daoist Liyuan!

Over the years, the mysterious rumors about this "born Daoist child" of the Great Luo Palace have been widely circulated in the world of supernatural beings.

Many of the prominent guests present had heard of it to some extent.

At this moment, the rumored protagonist actually arrived at the Lu residence in person, and he was so young, with such an extraordinary demeanor, accompanied by an ethereal and stunningly beautiful woman in red!

All eyes, whether on the guests and commoners outside the door or on the figures vaguely visible inside, focused on this place.

Li Yuan remained calm, seemingly oblivious to the sudden silence and the gazes directed at him. He merely nodded slightly to the approaching head steward of the Lu family and presented him with a simple yet profound invitation.

The head steward of the Lu family hurriedly accepted the item with both hands, checked it to ensure it was correct, and became even more respectful, bowing and standing to the side, his voice even softening slightly.

"The presence of Daoist Li Yuan is a great honor to the Lu family!"

"The head of the family had already given instructions that the Daoist priest is a guest of honor among guests."

"Please follow me to the 'Chengxin Water Pavilion' for tea. The birthday banquet will begin shortly, after which you will be invited to take your seat in the main hall!"

Li Yuan remained calm and said nothing more than "thank you for your trouble" before entering the Lu family home under the watchful eyes of countless people.

Bai Ling, in her flowing red dress, gracefully followed along, taking in the scenery of the Lu residence with great interest.

This mansion of a prominent family from Hunan and Hubei is indeed magnificent, with pavilions and towers offering ever-changing views, possessing both grand scale and exquisite elegance.

Guan Xiugu didn't seem to care that the steward had only greeted Li Yuan's arrival; instead, she paid more attention to the guests coming and going.

Along this short stretch of road, she had already seen many well-known figures in the world of supernatural beings.

He secretly thought to himself that the Lu family's appeal for this birthday banquet was indeed extraordinary.

Little Guan Shihua was captivated by the various novel and exquisite decorations in the mansion, her big eyes darting around non-stop.

Chengxin Water Pavilion is built on a stretch of clear water, surrounded by water on three sides and connected by only a winding corridor, creating an extremely tranquil environment.

Li Yuan and his group arrived first. The waterside pavilion was empty, with only the dampness brought by the breeze and the faint fragrance of lotus blossoms.

The four of them chose a seat with the best view over the water and immediately someone served them tea and several exquisite snacks.

Li Yuan took a sip from his cup, his gaze calmly fixed on the surface of the pool.

Morning light shines through the carved window lattices of the waterside pavilion, casting dappled shadows on the water's surface. As the water ripples, it resembles a flowing primordial Tai Chi diagram.

He didn't consciously adjust his breathing, but his mind naturally sank into a mysterious state of harmony with the surrounding water and sky.

Inside the inner palace of Daluo, the illusory figures of Taoist gods are serene.

Only a few deities associated with "water," "wisdom," and "tranquility," such as "Water Virtue Star Lord," "Wenchang Emperor Lord," and "Taiyi Savior from Suffering Heavenly Venerable," are included.

The clear light above seemed to subtly echo the spiritual energy of the pool, flowing with a gentle and peaceful Taoist charm.

Bai Ling sat quietly beside Li Yuan, her exquisite face reflecting the water's shimmering light, adding to her ethereal beauty.

Guan Xiugu sat upright, while little Guan Shihua curiously clung to the railing of the waterside pavilion, her eyes wide as she watched the colorful koi swimming in the water, her face full of excitement.

This tranquility lasted for less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

A clear voice broke the silence at the entrance of the winding corridor.

A boy's voice, clearly childlike, rang out first; it was melodious and his tone was quite playful:

"Wow, the Lu family really knows how to enjoy life, digging such a big pond to raise fish."

"Dad, look at those red ones! They're so fat they can barely swim. They'd make an amazing soup!"

Immediately afterwards, a calm, gentle, and somewhat helplessly smiling middle-aged man's voice came:

"Ai'er, stop talking nonsense."

"This is Lu Family's Clear Heart Lake, where the koi carp are all quite intelligent, far surpassing ordinary pond fish."

"It is forbidden to trifle with it, and even more so to speak of the desires of the palate."

"Today is Lord Lu's birthday, so you better behave yourself and don't cause any trouble."

The child said dismissively, "Etiquette? Father, you're just too concerned with these fancy things."

"For a birthday celebration, the sentiment is what matters most. I think catching a couple of the fattest fish to add to Old Master Lu's meal would be more meaningful than giving him any antiques or calligraphy!"

"Besides, it's so boring to stay indoors all day scribbling on those old sheets of paper. The water here is fresh and the fish are plentiful, so it's a good opportunity to stretch our muscles."

"Dad, how about we have a competition?"

"I won't use those old-fashioned methods at home; I'll use my newly invented 'trick' and see who gets the big one first!"

The middle-aged man seemed to sigh, his tone a mixture of indulgence and headache:

"Nine times out of ten, your 'thinking' is crooked and heretical."

"Very well, let's see what tricks you come up with this time. Just remember, don't disturb the spirit of the lake, and don't bother the other guests who may be resting here."

"Hehe, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Just you wait and see!" The child's voice was filled with eager excitement.

But his tone just didn't sound very reliable.

As they spoke, two figures appeared from the turn of the corridor and stepped onto the waterfront platform in front of the waterside pavilion.

Walking in front was a middle-aged man of about forty years old, dressed in a light white silk long gown, with a refined and scholarly appearance.

His brows and eyes carried an air of scholarly refinement and the composure of someone accustomed to being in a position of power, but at this moment his brows were slightly furrowed, and his gaze toward the person beside him was full of helplessness.

He is Wang Wang, the current head of the Wang family.

Closely following him was a chubby little boy who looked about the same size as Guan Shihua.

The little boy was fair-skinned and chubby, wearing a red brocade jacket, and looked just like a lucky baby from a New Year's painting.

But his darting eyes and slightly pursed lips revealed a mischievousness and cunning that didn't match his honest appearance.

This was Wang Wang's only son, Wang Ai.

The moment I saw this chubby little boy.

A subtle and meaningful ripple spread across Li Yuan's heart, which was as calm as an ancient well and a deep pool.

Wang Ai...

"That chubby boy, with his innocent, mischievous face, has decades later become a cunning, treacherous, and treacherous old fox."

However, he wasn't particularly surprised by this.

The threads of fate are often woven starting from the most inconspicuous beginning.

Beneath Wang Aina's seemingly pure and mischievous childlike nature lies a deeper, more nuanced understanding.

With his prophetic vision and lofty Dao realm, Li Yuan was able to glimpse a 'seed' of profound power struggles and ingenious schemes in the future.

Behind that unconventional and unrestrained spirit lies a strong will to resist being constrained;

That drive to break conventions and even ignore elders' warnings without hesitation for the sake of "fun" or "want"...

These qualities, if honed by time, immersed in worldly affairs, and nurtured by power, combined with the Wang family's unpredictable magical arts and vast fortune, will only become more pronounced.

This chubby little boy will naturally grow up to be a cunning and treacherous old fox.

Thinking of the future, the Jia Shen Rebellion that swept through the world of supernatural beings, the Thirty-Six Thieves, the Eight Extraordinary Techniques...

Beneath the surface, undercurrents surge, with various forces vying for power and the complex roles played by the four major families...

Furthermore, Wang Ai's future choices and methods are among the key variables that could disrupt the situation.

However, if one can quietly plant a special "fate" before their mind is settled.

It even became, in a transcendent way, an indelible and unique 'mark' in their growing-up memories...

So, in the grand game of the future, a complex and intricate game concerning the survival of the orthodox tradition and the response to catastrophe.

Wang Ai, this "chess piece" positioned at a crucial juncture among the four major powers, may have an extra degree of "inertia" or "inclination" that can be indirectly guided or utilized in his moves and direction.

This has nothing to do with manipulating good and evil, but rather with a transcendent "planning" based on a profound understanding of historical inevitability and the possibilities of human nature.

Like a skilled chess player, one can foresee the various changes in the middle game and even the end game from the very beginning, and place a seemingly insignificant but actually far-reaching move at a crucial point.

In the blink of an eye.

Li Yuan remained seated, as if observing a childlike spectacle that had nothing to do with him.

At this moment, the father and son clearly noticed that there were already people in the waterside pavilion.

Wang Wang's gaze swept across the scene, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at Li Yuan. Then, when he saw Bai Ling and Guan Xiugu, a hint of surprise and seriousness flashed in his eyes.

She immediately suppressed the helplessness she felt when facing her son, regained the dignified demeanor of the head of the family, and nodded with a smile.

The chubby Wang Ai was more direct. He first curiously looked at the people in the waterside pavilion, his gaze lingering on the stunning Bai Ling for a moment, seemingly surprised, but he was quickly drawn to Guan Shihua.

The eyes of two children of similar age met.

Guan Shihua looked at him curiously, while Wang Ai blinked and suddenly made an exaggerated face, which startled Guan Shihua. She then found it amusing and covered her mouth to secretly laugh.

Seeing this, Wang Ai seemed to get even more excited and was about to do something even more ridiculous when her father gently pressed down on her round shoulders.

He pursed his lips and looked away, but his attention was still partly on the waterside pavilion.

Upon seeing the two, Guan Xiugu whispered to Li Yuan and Bai Ling:

"Daozi, Aunt Bai..."

"These two are Wang Wang, the head of the Wang family, and his only son, Wang Ai."

"The Wang family is unparalleled in the world of supernatural beings for their 'Divine Painting' technique, which allows them to condense their own 'Qi,' their 'insights' into the heavens and earth, and even a trace of 'divine charm' into their paintings using a special method."

"The paintings I create, when activated by the art of divine painting, can temporarily 'manifest' the artistic conception and creatures within the painting in the world, possessing real and undeniable power or characteristics."

"Those with profound skills are said to be able to trap enemies with paintings, seal off areas with diagrams, open up landscapes with a single stroke, and bring dragons and snakes to life with the finishing touch."

"Wang Wang is a master of this art, and his son is said to be the most gifted member of the Wang family in the last hundred years, displaying an astonishing talent for divine art from a young age."

"And they are often not bound by ancestral rules, and can always use them in unexpected ways, even 'improving' the art of divine anointing."