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

In the tranquil waterside pavilion.

The atmosphere between Li Yuan and the Wang family father and son, the Guan family mother and daughter, and Bai Ling was still lingering from their insightful and profound conversation.

Wang Ai, the chubby boy, was unusually quiet, sitting next to his father with his chubby hand supporting his chin.

He seemed to be pondering Li Yuan's words about "observation" and "control" and would occasionally steal a glance at Li Yuan.

Looking at the fish swimming in the pond, his eyes lost some of their playfulness and gained more seriousness.

Bai Ling sipped her tea with an elegant posture, her eyes occasionally glancing around, taking in every subtle change inside and outside the waterside pavilion.

Guan Xiugu paid more attention to the movements of her daughter and the two children, Wang Ai, while secretly marveling at the subtle influence that Li Yuan's few words had on Wang Ai.

It was in this relatively tranquil atmosphere.

At the other end of the winding corridor, the sounds of new footsteps and conversations could be clearly heard.

A young, clear voice, but tinged with obvious impatience and nonchalance, rang out first, speaking quite quickly:

"Father, aren't you being a little too hasty? The auspicious time for the birthday banquet hasn't arrived yet, and the streets outside are bustling with activity—so many interesting people and things happening!"

"My brother and I rarely get to come out, so why don't you go inside and socialize first? Why do you have to keep us here at 'Chengxin Shuixie' all morning?"

"Just hearing the name makes me feel suffocated. I'd rather be outside and see how the Lu family puts on such a grand show!"

"Right, bro? You must be bored too, right?"

The owner of the voice was clearly young, and his tone was full of the playful, active, and unrestrained characteristics of a teenager.

Moreover, she seemed to have a very close relationship with her brother, and there was no distance between them in their conversation.

Immediately afterwards, another, slightly more composed yet equally young male voice rang out gently, carrying a hint of consolation and a helpless smile:

"Aci, say less."

"Father brought us here for a reason."

At this moment, a middle-aged male voice, authoritative yet composed, carrying the distinct air of an elder, rang out, its tone containing both reproach and a hint of indulgence:

"Aci! When will you ever rein in your impetuous and unruly nature? All you do all day is play and frolic, you have no composure whatsoever."

"You and your brother are together every day. When will you learn from your brother's composure, maturity, and thoughtfulness?"

The young man called "Aci" immediately retorted, his voice rising a few decibels, revealing a reckless and unruly attitude:

"Learn from my brother? Father, aren't you putting me in a difficult position? Who is my brother? He's a genius that our Lü family has only seen once in a century!"

"His temperament, his methods, his cultivation—aren't they all top-notch?"

"Me? That's just who I am. I can't learn it, and I never thought about becoming like my brother! Anyway, I have my brother!"

He said this with complete confidence and without a trace of inferiority.

Instead, there's a kind of arrogant pride that "my brother's prowess equals my prowess."

The middle-aged man seemed to choke for a moment, and sighed helplessly:

"You! Your brother and I have really spoiled you rotten!"

The previously calm and steady young voice spoke again, its tone even yet clear and articulate, clearly explaining on behalf of their father, and also addressing their younger brother:

"Aci, Father brought us to the Lu family not just to celebrate his birthday."

"At Old Master Lu's birthday banquet, extraordinary talents from all over the world gather, making it an excellent opportunity to observe the situation, make friends with outstanding individuals."

"Do you know that not only will Lu Jin, the outstanding member of the Lu family who has joined the Sanyi Sect, make an appearance, but Zhang Zhiwei, the young Celestial Master of the Celestial Master's Mansion of Longhu Mountain, will also be attending the banquet?"

"More importantly..."

He paused, his voice filled with solemnity and anticipation:

"It is said that Li Yuan, the legendary 'born Daoist' of the Mianshan Daluo Palace, has also accepted the invitation from the Lu family head and promised to attend the banquet."

"My father sent us along this time primarily so that we could have the opportunity to meet this Daoist Li Yuan."

The middle-aged man took over the conversation, his voice becoming more serious: "Your brother is right."

"The name of that Daoist Li Yuan has become widely known among the high-ranking members of various factions and schools in the world of supernatural beings in recent years."

"Although young, his cultivation in the Dao realm and his wisdom and understanding are said to have reached an unbelievable level."

Even figures like the Celestial Master and the abbot of Baiyun Temple praised it highly, saying that "what he saw was another world."

"You two brothers are among the best of the younger generation, especially your brother, but you should know that there are always people better than you, and there is always something beyond your understanding."

"If you can meet that Daoist Li Yuan this time and personally experience his demeanor and Daoist charm, it will be of great benefit to you two brothers, especially to you, Aci, in broadening your horizons and tempering your character."

"We must not treat this lightly anymore!"

After he finished speaking, footsteps were already close at the entrance of the corridor.

Inside the waterside pavilion, Li Yuan remained calm, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

Bai Ling's lips curled slightly, revealing a playful smile.

Guan Xiugu and Wang Wang exchanged a glance unconsciously.

The Lü family...

The four major families are famous for their "Ruyi Jin" technique, and their influence is deeply entrenched, making them very important in the world of supernatural beings.

Unexpectedly, the head of the Lü family personally brought his two sons here, and their goal was clear: to pay a visit to Li Yuan Daozi.

As they spoke, three figures turned the corner of the corridor and stepped onto the platform in front of the waterside pavilion.

Leading the group was a middle-aged man in his fifties with a square face and an imposing presence.

He was dressed in a red silk robe with floral patterns, his steps were steady, and his eyes shone with a sharp inner light.

It was none other than Lü Jian, the head of the Lü family.

Two young men followed behind him.

The man on the left, around twenty years old, was tall and handsome with striking features, sharp eyebrows, and bright eyes. He had a gentle and refined demeanor, and a habitual, warm smile that made people feel at ease. Yet, his eyes were clear and calm.

It was Lü Ren, the eldest son of the Lü family.

His movements were steady and refined, and there was a harmonious and serene aura around him, which clearly showed that his cultivation had reached a high level and that he had excellent character and temperament.

The one on the right is slightly younger and bears a resemblance to Lü Ren, but his eyes lack that gentleness and have more sharpness and unruliness.

He was dressed in a sharp, dark blue outfit, his hair was slightly disheveled, the corners of his mouth were habitually turned up slightly, and his eyes were lively yet carried a sharp, all-seeing gaze.

He seemed to be curious about everything yet also a little disdainful.

This is Lü Ci, the second son of the Lü family.

He followed behind his father and brother. Although he had complained earlier, his eyes quickly scanned the surroundings as he entered the quiet waterside pavilion.

He was visibly taken aback when he saw Bai Ling, a look of amazement flashing across his face. Then his gaze fell on Li Yuan, scrutinizing him from head to toe, making no attempt to hide his curiosity.

Lu Jian's gaze swept across the waterside pavilion, and when he saw Li Yuan and his group, his eyes clearly narrowed.

Li Yuan's detached and otherworldly demeanor, Bai Ling's unfathomable depth beneath her unparalleled beauty, Guan Xiugu's dignified competence, Wang Wang's refined composure, and even the two bright and intelligent children...

This combination is highly unusual in itself.

Especially when he saw Wang Wang, he clearly recognized the head of the Wang family, and his heart stirred slightly.

Wang Wang had already stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and smiled:

"Brother Lü, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Lü Jian immediately put on a smile and returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Brother, it's been a long time."

"It seems that Brother Wang arrived quite early as well."

His gaze then turned to Li Yuan. Although he had never met him before, he already had a guess in his mind, and his attitude became even more solemn.

Lü Ren followed behind his father, bowing respectfully to Wang Wang:

"Junior Lü Ren greets Uncle Wang."

His gaze swept humbly over the people in the waterside pavilion, finally settling on Li Yuan.

A slight thought stirred within him. As a rising star among the younger generation of the Lü family, he had cultivated the Ruyi Jin technique since childhood and possessed an extremely keen perception of qi and force fields.

At this moment, they were facing the young Taoist priest who should be the legendary "born Taoist prodigy".

He subconsciously used the unique method of Ruyi Jin to lightly touch the direction of Li Yuan's location with his senses, like a dragonfly skimming the water.

However, in that very instant when this thought stirred...

Lu Ren's gentle smile froze on his face, and his pupils suddenly contracted!

What he "senses" is neither the sharp, profound, or obscure force field he has experienced before from various renowned figures in the world of supernatural beings, nor is it a void of emptiness.

Rather, it was an "existence" that he had never experienced and could not even accurately describe in words!

It was as if what he was probing was not a mere thought of probing.

Instead, it cast a tiny speck of dust into the boundless starry sky, where it fell into the unfathomable depths of the void!

That force field is not "strong", but a kind of "being" that is as vast, profound and all-encompassing as "Tao" itself!

It was incredibly gentle, without any oppression or aggression, yet it naturally melted away and embraced his tentative perceptions.

Just as the ocean accepts a drop of rain, the vast night sky embraces a glimmer of light.

He couldn't even perceive its boundaries, let alone fathom its depth.

He felt that his own proud sense of power was so insignificant and almost laughable in the face of this "sea of ​​stars".

It is like a lost child finally glimpsing the outline of the mother source, and a tremor that is both shocking and peaceful arises involuntarily from the depths of the soul.

This is a force field that Lü Ren has never felt on any living being since he began practicing the Ruyi Jin!

Even his father, even some renowned elders he had sensed from afar, possessed a force field that could be described as powerful and domineering, or as unfathomable and profound.

But ultimately, there are traces to follow and a sense of "quality" to be felt.

However, the force field of the Daoist Li Yuan in front of them seemed to transcend the level of "quality" and directly reach a more essential and lofty manifestation of "Daoist charm"!

After a moment of stunned silence and shock.

With his exceptional composure, Lü Ren managed to calm himself down, and the gentle smile on his face quickly returned.

But deep in his eyes, there was an unprecedented solemnity and awe.

He had no more doubts in his heart. Those rumors about "born Daoist" and "another world" were definitely not unfounded!

At this moment, Lü Ren even had a vague feeling that those rumors were probably still not enough to describe even a fraction of the true nature of this Daoist.

At that moment, Li Yuan's gaze seemed to unintentionally meet his for a fleeting instant.

Those clear, gentle eyes seemed to hold a hint of understanding, yet also seemed utterly empty.

Lu Ren felt a chill run down his spine and quickly suppressed all distracting thoughts, lowering his gaze with even greater respect.

Lü Ci was much more casual, bowing to his elder brother but his eyes never left Li Yuan. Suddenly, he spoke:

"Father, could this... be the Daoist Li Yuan from the Great Luo Palace you just mentioned?"

Upon hearing this, Lü Jian inwardly cursed his son for his recklessness, but showed no outward sign. He cupped his hands to Li Yuan and said:

"This Taoist priest possesses extraordinary bearing. I humbly request your guidance; are you perhaps Taoist Priest Li Yuan of the Daluo Palace on Mianshan Mountain?"

Although he was asking, he was already 80-90% certain in his heart.

Li Yuan slowly rose, his posture composed, and returned the greeting with one palm raised, his voice calm and clear:

"It is indeed I, the humble Taoist."

"Patriarch Lü, greetings."

Upon receiving confirmation, a glint flashed in Lü Jian's eyes, a sincere smile appeared on his face, and his tone became tinged with respect:

"As expected of Daoist Li Yuan!"

"I, Lü, have long admired your reputation, and to have the honor of meeting you today is truly a blessing beyond measure!"

"My son was just behaving inappropriately and spoke bluntly. I hope you will not take offense, Daoist Master."

After saying that, he turned around and glared at Lü Ci.

Lu Ci shrank back when his father glared at him, but his gaze toward Li Yuan became even more intense and curious.

They seemed to want to see what was so extraordinary about this so-called "born Taoist."

Li Yuan didn't pay attention to Lü Ci's gaze, and simply said, "Young Master Lü is simple and honest, and speaks frankly. There's nothing strange about that."

"Patriarch Lü, please take a seat."

Wang Wang greeted everyone with a smile, and they all sat down again, making the waterside pavilion a bit more lively.

After Lü Jian sat down, he got straight to the point:

"To be honest, Daoist Li Yuan, the reason I brought my two sons here today, besides to celebrate Lord Lu's birthday, is that I hope to pay my respects to you, Daoist."

"Daozi is exceptionally talented and possesses a profound understanding of the Dao. Although young, he has already become a guiding light for many on their path of cultivation."

"Although my two sons have some minor talents, they are still young, have limited experience, and need to temper their character."

"To meet the Daoist here today is truly a godsend."

"I hope that Daoist Master will not hesitate to give them some pointers, so that they may know what the true grandeur of the Great Dao is, and that there are always people more capable than oneself."

His words were sincere, and his posture was quite humble.

It was clear that she genuinely hoped her son could be influenced by Li Yuan in some way.

Upon hearing this, Lü Ren immediately straightened his posture and bowed respectfully to Li Yuan again. This time, his bow was even more solemn than before, and he referred to himself as a junior.

"I, Lü Ren, have long admired the Daoist's virtuous reputation. Today, I am honored to meet you, as if looking up at a towering mountain."

"This junior's cultivation is shallow and knowledge is crude. If I could hear even a few words from the Daoist Master and enlighten my ignorance, it would be an immense blessing."

Although Lü Ci wasn't as refined, he still followed his brother's bow, but his eyes remained fixed on Li Yuan as he asked directly:

"Master Li Yuan, they all say you were born with innate knowledge, your Daoist arts are all-encompassing, and you can learn anything with just a glance. Is that true?"

"If that's the case, take a look at my brother's 'Ruyi Jin' (a type of martial arts technique). Can you see anything special about it?"