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

Li Yuan calmly turned his gaze to the Wang family father and son on the platform.

At this moment, the chubby boy Wang Ai took out a small brocade handkerchief from his bosom and laid it flat on the ground.

He then extended two fingers from his sleeve, the tips of which shimmered with a warm, lustrous sheen, demonstrating that he could condense his own Qi at his fingertips and control it at will.

"Aier, what's wrong with you...?"

Before Wang Wang could finish speaking, he saw his son lightly dip his fingertip in water, using his finger as a brush and the water as ink, and begin to draw on the brocade handkerchief.

Wang Ai's expression was focused; wherever her fingertips touched, the watermarks were not randomly applied, but rather flowed along a unique rhythm.

He first used light strokes to outline several winding ripples, and the watermarks did not immediately spread on the brocade handkerchief.

Instead, it has a slight lake-green sheen, as if there really is a pool of living water flowing within this small space.

Immediately afterwards, he subtly circulated his Qi at his fingertips, took out a small piece of dark green material resembling dried seaweed from his pocket, crushed a little, and let the powder fall into the "water ripples" he had just drawn.

Instantly, a fresh, moist atmosphere, carrying the scent of duckweed from the lakebed, spread out.

This is not the end.

Wang Ai held her breath and focused, her fingertips falling again.

This time, he no longer drew specific forms, but rather several intertwined and swirling "lines of intention" that seemed to exist but were not.

These lines are ethereal and seem to express vague ideas such as "leisure," "curiosity," and "fragrance."

He then used a secret method to infuse it with a trace of his own pure feelings of "play" and "invitation".

The whole process took only a few breaths.

On a simple white cloth, a "miniature lake" seemingly appeared, imbued with a specific meaning.

Tangible ripples, intentional allure, and divine invitation.

A look of surprise appeared in Wang Wang's eyes.

The son's method, though seemingly simple, has actually transcended the rudimentary stage of "merely imitating form and capturing spirit."

By directly using "intention" and "environmental resonance" as bait, a small "realm" is constructed targeting the thoughts of swimming fish.

This touches upon the rather profound realm of "setting up a scene to attract spirits" in the art of divine exorcism.

It's just that its scale and strength are small.

"The bait is ready; those who are willing will come."

Wang Ai murmured to herself, her chubby little hands forming a peculiar hand seal.

It is not a Wang family tradition, but seems to be something he figured out himself, emphasizing the guidance of "intention" rather than the constraint of "force".

On the silk handkerchief, the intertwined lines of thought trembled slightly.

An extremely subtle and indescribable ripple, like the ripples spread from a pebble thrown into a still lake, silently seeped through the cloth and spread towards the surface of the lake below.

This fluctuation was not a forceful summons.

It's more like a fun and benevolent "situational simulation" and "psychological suggestion," gently brushing against the fish swimming in the lake.

Especially the koi with its bright gold forehead and plump body.

The koi's tail fins suddenly slowed down, and its lively eyes turned towards the platform.

It seemed to have "heard" some intimate whisper that only it could understand about "fun places" and "harmless food".

They even "saw" a small, lush, and fascinating world.

It hesitated for a moment, then actually turned around and swam leisurely toward the platform, its eyes revealing a hint of curiosity.

Upon seeing this, Wang Ai's lips curled up slightly.

He did not apply any additional force, but simply maintained the stability of the "state" and the dissipation of the "intention" on the brocade handkerchief.

Like a patient angler, simply waiting quietly.

The koi swam closer and closer, eventually stopping in the water below the platform, looking up at the water.

It seemed to be trying to figure out where the "fun part" that attracted it was.

Right now.

Wang Ai's eyes flashed, and she gently raised her fingers, which were forming a hand seal, while uttering a low utterance:

"Now that we've seen this sacred place, why not take a visit?"

The lines on the handkerchief that represented the idea of ​​"invitation" suddenly brightened for a moment.

It created a mysterious resonance with the koi fish in real life.

The koi suddenly felt that the platform above it had truly transformed into a paradise of rippling water and fragrant bait, right within reach.

An impulse to leap out of the water and explore the mystery arose naturally.

And so, under everyone's watchful eyes.

The incredibly intelligent koi fish swung its tail fin with great force, its silver scales and golden tip drawing a smooth and graceful arc in the sunlight.

With a "splash," it truly leaped lightly out of the water, just as it had promised, and landed steadily on the edge of the platform.

The fish's lips opened and closed, its gill covers moved slightly, showing little panic, but rather a somewhat bewildered curiosity.

Wang Ai then dispersed the hand seals, and the watermarks, colors, and lines of intention on the handkerchief quickly faded, returning to normal.

He bent down and scooped up the koi. It felt slightly heavy in his hand, and its body was smooth and cool.

"Father, look, it came of its own volition."

Wang Ai turned her head, her small face showing a mixture of pride and curiosity.

Looking at the koi carp that had leaped onto the platform in his son's hand, and then at the ordinary brocade handkerchief on the ground that had lost its mystique, Wang Wang felt a surge of emotions.

Although this technique is limited by one's cultivation level, the "realm" it constructs is extremely small and lasts for an extremely short time.

However, it contains the idea of ​​"constructing a scene with intention and inspiring the spirit with the scene".

I have already vaguely touched the profound threshold of the divine painting technique of "painting a world of life and creating a white space in an empty room".

Moreover, the entire process was performed with ease and without any strain, which is in line with the way of nature.

"Where...where did you get this idea from?" Wang Wang's voice was somewhat hoarse.

Wang Ai blinked and explained, "The book says that a wise person's mind is like a mirror, neither welcoming nor rejecting."

"Our Shen Tu is always thinking about 'drawing' things out or 'bringing them over,' it's exhausting."

"I was thinking, could we just draw a 'meaning' and set up a 'platform' so that they would 'feel' they should come and want to come?"

"It seems... like it might work?"

In the waterside pavilion, Guan Shihua was mesmerized and exclaimed softly in amazement:

"He...he didn't seem to use any force; the fish just jumped up by itself?"

"The water on that handkerchief looks so real..."

Guan Xiugu's expression was solemn, and she said in a low voice, "The Wang family boy... is extraordinary."

"This is no longer a simple gift, but a unique understanding of the use of 'divine' and 'will'."

"Given time, he will surely achieve great things."

Bai Ling's eyes sparkled as she softly praised, "Wonderful."

"Without leaving any trace, it directly points to the essence."

"At such a young age, with such understanding, he is truly a gem in the rough."

Li Yuan observed the entire process with a clear mind, reflecting everything like a mirror.

"Discard form and grasp meaning; forsake effort and utilize the environment."

Though immature, its direction has already grasped the essence of excellence, subtly aligning with the higher-level principle of "being carried away by success"...

What's even more remarkable is that they know how to use the most primal instincts like "appetite" and "playfulness" as bait; their goals are clear, their methods direct, and their efficiency high.

This intuitive grasp of biological weaknesses, and the tendency to use any means necessary to achieve one's goals...

No wonder he's so shrewd and adept at exploiting weaknesses.

At this moment, Wang Ai, who was on the platform, had already put the koi back into the pond and finished cleaning it. She was being pulled by her father and walked towards the waterside pavilion somewhat reluctantly.

With an apologetic expression, Wang Wang cupped his hands to Li Yuan and the others, saying:

"My son is unruly and mischievous, offending the eyes of you distinguished guests. I am truly ashamed and have failed in my duty to raise him."

"My name is Wang Wang of the Wang family, and this is my son, Wang Ai."

"I apologize for any disturbance caused."

Little Fatty Wang Ai had his head pressed down by his father, and he perfunctorily cupped his chubby hands, but his eyes kept darting around Li Yuan and Bai Ling.

She lingered on Li Yuan for a long time, her small face showing obvious confusion and curiosity, as if she felt that this young Taoist was different from others.

There's a kind of... particularly "quiet" feeling.

It was so quiet that it seemed to match the lake behind it and the pillars beside it.

Li Yuan nodded slightly, his tone calm: "This humble Taoist priest, Li Yuan, comes from the Daluo Palace of Mianshan Mountain."

"These two are Guan Xiugu, the head of the Guan family outside the pass, and her daughter Shihua."

"This is Fellow Daoist Bai Ling."

"The Great Luo Palace? Daoist Li Yuan?" Upon hearing this, Wang Wang's body trembled slightly, and his face showed genuine surprise and respect. He bowed deeply once again.

"So it was Daozi's imperial entourage!"

"I, Wang, have long admired your reputation, and today I have finally met you; indeed, your name is well-deserved!"

"My son is clever and mischievous. Whenever he makes a discovery, he shows off recklessly, making a fool of himself in front of experts. I hope you will forgive him."

Wang Wang's heart was actually churning with unsettling emotions.

Unexpectedly, the legendary innate Daoist before me is so young, and his aura is profound and majestic.

He sat upright before us, yet his expression seemed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding water and mountains, making him unfathomable.

My son's "invitation to fish" was ingenious but ultimately naive.

Standing before such a person is like watching a child play with fireflies under the bright moon.

When the chubby boy Wang Ai heard the name "Li Yuan," he tilted his head, seemingly trying to recall something, then his eyes suddenly widened, and he blurted out:

"Ah! I know you!"

"When the adults in the family talk about you, there's a very special 'feeling' in their words..."

He paused, seemingly searching for a more precise description:

"They say you're 'born with knowledge.'"

"And you still say those scriptures and doctrines aren't something you learned, but something that 'was always been there,' and you just 'saw' them?"

As he spoke, the chubby Wang Ai took two steps forward, tilting his rosy little round face up to look at Li Yuan with curiosity, his tone carrying a sense of seeking confirmation and showing off.

"Just like when I watch my dad paint, he outlines the shape and then applies the color."

"But sometimes I can 'feel' the image my dad already has in his mind before he puts pen to paper, and I can even feel that the 'mental image' is more vivid than the drawing on paper..."

"When you observe others practicing spiritual cultivation, can you also directly see the more vibrant 'face' within their 'heart'?"

"So that's why you can learn it at a glance?"

Guan Shihua, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but prick up her little ears and look at Li Yuan with curiosity.

Li Yuan looked at Wang Ai's chubby eyes, which were filled with pure curiosity and inquiry, smiled slightly, and spoke in a clear and gentle voice:

"Though the rain from heaven may be plentiful, it cannot nourish grass without roots; though the teachings of Tao may be vast, they cannot save those without affinity."

"Knowledge and insight are inherently contained within the mind."

"Some people's minds are clouded, and they see scriptures as words and Dharma as forms."

"Some people have a clear mind, like a still lake, so they can see the true meaning behind words and understand the natural world beyond the law."

"Whether it happens sooner or later is all a matter of fate and destiny; it cannot be forced, nor should one be arrogant."

He shifted his tone slightly, referring to Wang Ai herself:

"When you observe your father painting, you can sense that his 'intention precedes his brushstrokes.' This is a keen intuition, a gift, and also a window into his life."

"Although the 'idea' is lively, it ultimately needs the 'brush' to define its form, the 'qi' to imbue it with spirit, and the 'skill' to ensure its longevity."

"You just invited the fish, cleverly using 'intention' as bait to construct your mindset; this is your 'lively nature'."

"However, this realm is small and fleeting, easily dispersed and difficult to solidify, like a bubble in water; it may be beautiful, but it cannot carry anything far."

"But is that so?"

Wang Ai blinked as she listened, the smug look on the chubby boy's face fading slightly, replaced by a thoughtful expression.

He could indeed feel it; the "state" on the handkerchief was being maintained with extreme difficulty.

Once the fish come ashore, they quickly disperse. It would be impossible to trap or guide more complex creatures.

Seeing that he was somewhat moved, Li Yuan continued to delve deeper, his voice calm yet each word clear, as if striking directly at Wang Ai's spiritual level:

"His intuition is sharp, as if he possesses a sharp carving knife."

"However, carving requires a steady and strong hand to hold the knife, knowledge of the wood and stone grain, and a clear vision in one's mind in order to create a work of art, rather than just making random scratches."

"The Way of the Divine Path, and indeed all forms of cultivation in the world, involves 'observation' as understanding the patterns of all things, and 'control' as refining the power to wield a sword."

"For example, when you look at a fish, you should not only observe how it swims, but also 'feel' why it swims that way—the resistance of the water flow, the power of its muscles and bones, and its leisurely spirit."

"Or, when you observe flowers blooming and withering, you should not only see their changing forms and colors, but also 'understand' the principles of their growth, development, and transformation in accordance with the times."

"When you see clearly and feel thoroughly, the 'lively image' in your heart will naturally become full and clear."

"When it is then expressed through the divine method, it will no longer be a mirage, but a corner of the 'true realm' where one can dwell and roam, where the real and the illusory coexist."

"Only your 'intention' can truly have power."

Upon hearing these words, Wang Ai's subtle self-confidence, born of her talent, was swept away and she became even more clear-headed.

He used to think his "ideas" were great, but when he actually implemented them, they always lacked something in terms of "flavor" and "energy".

What was lacking was the skill of transforming this deep-rooted "observation" and "control".

My father had said something similar.

But none of them connect the question of "why observe" with "how to achieve a higher level of divine power after observation" like the Daozi of the Liyuan before them.

His explanation was so clear and thorough that it directly pointed to his instinctive yearning for a "higher and more sublime realm".

"Observe its cause, feel its origin, and then both form and spirit will be captured, and its meaning will be complete..."

Little Fatty Wang Ai murmured repeatedly, as if he were savoring the weight of those words.

When he looked up again, the playful look in his eyes had subsided considerably, replaced by a more serious gleam.

Wang Wang listened from the side, his heart filled with emotion.

He often retorted with his son's "rigid" and "stupid" teachings.

Li Yuandaozi's few words were like a gentle spring breeze and nourishing rain, not only pointing out the key points but also arousing his son's desire to actively seek knowledge.

This Daozi's insight into and guidance of people's hearts and spiritual practice is truly admirable.

He immediately and sincerely invited Li Yuan and the others to take a seat.

After everyone was seated, Wang Ai approached Li Yuan and asked him all sorts of questions.

Li Yuan, as always, responded fluently, his words neither overly profound nor obscure, nor superficial.

It always stops just right at the boundary where Wang Ai can understand but needs to think a little, occasionally extending the discussion to broaden her horizons.

He didn't simply impart doctrines; rather, he quietly planted several "seeds" containing tranquility, harmony, and profound Taoist principles within Wang Ai's unique and active spiritual thinking.

This kind of interaction, neither teacher nor friend, transcends the rigidity of ordinary elder instruction, nor the playful banter of peers.

It is unique and profound, like a clear spring flowing into the burgeoning riverbed of Wang Aizheng's mind.

This spring may be small, but its water is clear and cold, and its source is far away and unfathomable.

In the long years to come, when Wang Ai faces crossroads, is filled with mixed emotions, or attempts to act in a clever and unorthodox way...

This feeling of a clear, cool spring, deeply rooted in memory, may unexpectedly surface.

It became an "anchor point" that made him suddenly realize and look back at his original aspirations.

Today's conversation in the lakeside pavilion has already become part of a grand game of chess that will affect the fate of the world in the future.

Beside the important hub of the "Wang family," a seemingly random piece was placed.

This child is currently silent and insignificant.

However, times change and the world changes.

In the year of Jia Shen, when the world was in turmoil, various forces were maneuvering and maneuvering, and people's desires and power were entangled in a tangled mess.

This "idle seed," planted in its early years and imbued with a transcendent Taoist spirit, may one day appear at an unexpected juncture.

A slight shift in the flow of energy subtly alters the balance of power, causing the scales of decision to tip slightly to one side.

Li Yuan finished the last of his tea and turned his gaze back to the vast lake, as if he could already see the magnificent yet treacherous future.

The chubby boy in the waterside pavilion today will eventually become a complex and pivotal character in that painting.

He had already left a faint but indelible mark of purity and sanctity on his life's trajectory.