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

The Celestial Master spoke in a calm tone.

But when he uttered words like "good-for-nothing" and "stubborn brat," and used them to describe Zhang Zhiwei, it sounded more like a unique form of praise and intimacy.

"Zhiwei is carefree and has some unorthodox methods in his cultivation. Relying on his talent, he is good at making a fool of himself."

"Young friend Li Yuan, your understanding of the Dao is profound. Although you are about the same age as my unruly disciple, you have already embarked on a completely different path in your comprehension of the Dao."

"If there is an opportunity in the future, I hope you will not hesitate to give him, my junior brother, some pointers."

The words "Junior Brother" were clearly uttered by the Celestial Master, and when they landed in the ears of everyone in the waterside pavilion, they were like a thunderclap!

Everyone inside and outside the waterside pavilion who heard these words felt a violent jolt in their hearts!

Wang Wang, Lü Jian, and the others exchanged shocked glances.

Zhuge Yunting paused slightly as he stroked his beard.

The three Taoist priests, Yunshu, Chonghe, and Mingzhen, also looked surprised.

What does this mean?

This means that in the Celestial Master's mind, Li Yuan, this young Daoist disciple who was not from the Celestial Master's Mansion, and not even a disciple of the Zhengyi sect in the strict sense, has been officially recognized.

He placed himself on equal footing with his personal disciple and future Celestial Master successor, Zhang Zhiwei...

Even because of his unique identity as a "Daoist Child" and his lofty Dao realm, he was someone Zhang Zhiwei needed to respectfully consult!

This is by no means ordinary politeness, but a recognition and positioning of an extremely high standard!

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiwei's usual lazy and composed smile remained unchanged, seemingly having no objection to the title of "junior brother." On the contrary, his eyes showed even greater interest.

He stepped forward and respectfully performed a Taoist kowtow to Li Yuan.

His movements were precise, yet he still carried that unique air of taking everything for granted.

Zhang Zhiwei then raised his head, his clear, bright eyes looking directly at Li Yuan. The slight curve at the corner of his mouth seemed more genuine as he spoke:

"Senior Brother Li Yuan, it's an honor to meet you."

"Master often mentions you, and I've been curious about you for a long time. Today I finally get to see you in person."

As he spoke, Zhang Zhiwei's eyes remained fixed on Li Yuan, clear and unwavering, and his expression of "curiosity" was genuine.

Li Yuan returned the greeting with a clasped hand, his expression serene.

"Junior Brother Zhiwei, you're too kind."

"You flatter me, Celestial Master. I am unworthy of such praise."

"My junior brother's name is truly renowned. Seeing him today, I know it's no exaggeration. His demeanor is indeed extraordinary."

Their eyes met in mid-air.

For a moment, the air in the waterside pavilion seemed to freeze.

Li Yuan's gaze was gentle and peaceful, as deep as an ancient well without waves, and as vast as the starry sky.

It encompasses everything, reflects everything, as if it can contain all of Zhang Zhiwei's sharpness and exploration.

Zhang Zhiwei's gaze was bright and sharp, clear and unobstructed, yet it seemed to contain endless changes and power, like the rising sun.

Its radiance is boundless, fiery and open, pointing straight to the heart, attempting to penetrate the warm starry sky and see the truth beneath.

There were no explosive sounds of colliding energies, and no unusual phenomena of spiritual clashes.

But all the onlookers, especially those with profound cultivation such as Wang Wang, Lü Jian, Zhuge Yunting, and several Daoist priests, and even the spiritually perceptive Bai Ling...

Both of them clearly felt that where their eyes met, there seemed to be an invisible "Taoist charm" flowing silently and reflecting each other.

The "Tao" of Liyuan is "harmony", "tolerance", "stillness", the unfathomable "abyss", and the all-encompassing "starry sky".

Zhang Zhiwei's "Dao" is "sharp", "true", "moving", "unstoppable" "light", and "the blazing and pure" "sun".

Two completely different kinds of "Taoist essence", both of which have reached a certain extreme.

In this calm gaze, a brief "encounter" on a spiritual level, transcending words, was completed.

Standing behind his father, Lü Ren felt the most direct and profound impact.

Thanks to his childhood training in the Ruyi Jin technique, he has a perception of force fields and momentum far exceeding that of ordinary people.

At this moment, he felt as if the place where Li Yuan was had transformed into a boundless, tranquil, and profound sea of ​​stars.

Vast, all-encompassing, and mysterious, it inspires awe and longing, yet also makes one feel incredibly insignificant.

The place where Zhang Zhiwei was located was like a majestic, towering mountain that rose from the ground, unreachable, and completely shrouded in the blazing sunlight.

It is magnificent, domineering, and dazzling, so that one can only look up to it and feel a sense of immense, pure power.

These two forces did not conflict; on the contrary, they coexisted in this waterside pavilion in a strange way, complementing each other and highlighting their respective extraordinary nature.

Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing is like a towering tree rooted in the earth, enduring countless storms and lightning, yet growing ever more lush and verdant, sheltering all directions.

He stood there quietly, his aura deep and heavy, encompassing the "sea of ​​stars" and "sacred mountain" before him.

Starry sea, sacred mountain, giant tree.

Three distinct kinds of "existence" that all reach heights that are difficult for ordinary people to attain.

Within this tranquil waterside pavilion, a breathtaking scene unfolds, enough to captivate the hearts of any cultivator from the supernatural world.

The eye contact lasted only a few breaths.

Zhang Zhiwei blinked first, his smile widening slightly, revealing a pure joy at finding something "interesting":

"As I thought, senior brother is right. This is very interesting."

His words seemed disjointed, yet they gave the impression that he had drawn his own conclusion after his earlier "observation."

Li Yuan smiled slightly, withdrew his gaze, and spoke in a calm tone:

"My junior brother is the same."

The Celestial Master looked at the two of them, his smile deepening, and stroked his beard, saying:

"Alright, don't just stand there doing nothing."

"Young friend Li Yuan, won't you invite this old Taoist priest in for a seat?"

Li Yuan stepped aside: "Please, Celestial Master."

As everyone took their seats, the atmosphere inside the Chengxin Water Pavilion instantly changed.

Just moments ago, the scene was one of many wise men, each with their own strengths and talents. But now, it was as if the stars were surrounding the moon, and the invisible center naturally converged on the place where the Celestial Master, Li Yuan, and Zhang Zhiwei were.

However, this "center" itself contains a delicate balance and tension.

Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing sat calmly opposite Li Yuan, picked up his teacup, and gently blew on the tea foam, his movements relaxed and natural.

However, when his gentle gaze swept over everyone present...

Whether it was the heads of the family like Wang Wang and Lü Jian, or the high-ranking Taoist priests like Zhuge Yunting, Yun Shu, Chong He, and Ming Zhen, they all involuntarily sat up straight and looked respectful.

This is due to the accumulated prestige of the Celestial Master's Mansion over a thousand years and the personal charm of Zhang Jingqing.

"Young friend Li Yuan..." The Celestial Master took a sip of tea, his tone relaxed, as if chatting about everyday matters.

"This birthday banquet for Lord Lu is quite lively."

"The old Taoist priest and I, his unruly disciple, have traveled together and met many old friends and rising stars, all of whom are quite remarkable."

"Look at this city of Tanzhou, the energy is converging, there's a hint of dragons and tigers intertwining, can you discern anything from that?"

His seemingly casual question was actually a test of Li Yuan's insight into the current situation, and also a form of exchange and verification between like-minded individuals.

Li Yuan held a teacup, his gaze seemingly looking through the carved windows of the waterside pavilion towards the increasingly bustling and vibrant atmosphere and complex yet powerful flow of Qi in the core area of ​​the Lu Mansion in the distance.

"Tanzhou was originally a land of outstanding natural beauty in Hunan and Hubei. The Lu family has been operating here for generations, and their roots are deep. They have already become well-connected with the local culture and reputation."

"Today's birthday banquet has attracted congratulations from all directions, and outstanding talents have gathered here."

"The various auras are mixed together, seemingly noisy, but in reality, they are like hundreds of rivers flowing into the sea, all ultimately pointing to the main hall of the Lu family—that is today's 'Tiger,' which commands respect and absorbs the fortunes of all directions."

He paused briefly, then lightly traced the rim of the glass with his fingertip, as if parting the surface of water:

"However, the waters of a hundred rivers each have their own source, and their strength, clarity, and turbidity vary."

"When things come together, undercurrents are bound to surge."

"Especially..." He raised his gaze slightly, as if he had seen something even more vivid and dazzling.

"Several auras, like dragons lurking in the abyss, are unruly and powerful, unwilling to be subjugated by the 'tiger'."

"Today's banquet, though seemingly honoring the Lu family, actually conceals a 'struggle for supremacy'."

"The aura of Tanzhou is not only the convergence of dragons and tigers, but also the probing of a group of dragons, eager to test their might."

His view compares the Lu family to a "tiger" guarding the territory.

The attendees, especially the outstanding young people, were likened to hidden "dragons."

It points out the competition and clashes hidden beneath the surface harmony of the birthday banquet, demonstrating a grand vision and keen insight.

Upon hearing this, the Celestial Master's eyes showed even greater admiration, and he stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "Young friend, you have discerning eyes."

"'A group of dragons reaching out their claws'—that's a brilliant saying."

"Throughout history, when great events occur, there is always a clash of brilliant minds."

"But..." He changed the subject slightly, his tone becoming more meaningful.

"Dragons are inherently proud, with sharp claws and teeth. When they gather together, without rules and boundaries, they are bound to rubble and bleed."

"Lord Lu's grand gesture this time must also be an opportunity to observe the talents of the world and perhaps even to encourage and guide them."

"However, it takes some thought to consider who holds this 'grinding' tool and how to measure it."

Li Yuan nodded slightly: "What the Celestial Master says is quite right."

"A birthday banquet is a celebration, but it is also a time for reflection and self-improvement. If the standards are too rigid, the banquet will break easily; if they are too lenient, they will lose their effectiveness."

"The host's sense of propriety and the guests' character are both being tested."

"However, the aura of a true dragon is ultimately not something that can be contained within a pond."

"Today's gathering may offer glimpses of the bigger picture, but the full extent of its potential and the extent of its growth cannot be fully revealed in a single banquet."

The Celestial Master laughed heartily: "Young friend, you see things very clearly."

"Very well, let's just stand by and watch how these 'dragons' frolic today; that will be a bit of fun too."

Their conversation, though seemingly casual, was full of witty remarks and insightful analysis of the situation.

Hearing this, Wang Wang, Lü Jian, and the others felt a chill run down their spines and pondered to themselves.

Zhuge Yunting's eyes sparkled with wonder, as if he were using the art of divination to deduce the "dragon and tiger aura" that Li Yuan had described.

The Taoist priests also seemed to be deep in thought.

Zhang Zhiwei, however, seemed somewhat distracted from the moment he sat down.

He rested his chin on one hand, while casually turning a rough ceramic teacup with the other, his gaze occasionally drifting towards Li Yuan and then sweeping over the other people in the waterside pavilion.

Finally, the focus shifted to the koi that resurfaced in the pond, as if watching the fish was more interesting than listening to these witty remarks.

Only when Li Yuan speaks of "dragons reaching out their claws" and "the aura of a true dragon is not something that can be contained in a pond" does this become clear.

His fingers, which were swirling the teacup, paused slightly, and a sharp glint, almost instinctive, flashed in his eyes.

He seemed slightly touched by a certain word, but then quickly returned to his lazy demeanor.

Bai Ling took everything in, a slight smile playing on her lips. She turned her head toward Li Yuan and whispered:

"This young celestial master's mind isn't entirely on the 'Tao,' but more on 'people,' or rather, on 'fun.'"

"His eyes looked at people as if they were watching a play, with a childlike pickiness and...judgment."

Her words carried no derogatory meaning, but rather a hint of appreciation and amusement, as if she were commenting on a rare and vibrant treasure.

Li Yuan remained unmoved, slightly turning his head, his gaze still fixed on the noisy birthday banquet scene ahead, his voice gentle and clear:

"A pure heart, like a rough gem yet to be carved."

"What you see is the truth, what you feel is the reality."

"His philosophy lies in 'truth' and 'sincerity,' therefore he is intolerant of empty rhetoric and directly points to one's true nature."

"Seemingly carefree, but actually pure."

Both of them spoke softly and naturally, and did not attract much attention in the noisy Wanshou Hall.

But his classmates, such as the Celestial Master, Wang Wang, and Lü Jian, were highly skilled and had exceptionally keen hearing.

Upon hearing this, the Celestial Master's hand holding the cup paused almost imperceptibly, a deep meaning flashing in his eyes before turning into a faint sense of satisfaction and emotion.

He naturally knew his disciple's character, and Li Yuan's words were spot on.

Wang Wang, Lü Jian, and the others were deeply moved and became even more impressed by Li Yuan's ability to judge people.

A wise light flashed in Zhuge Yunting's eyes, as if he were confirming Li Yuan's words in his heart.

Zhang Zhiwei, who was sitting on the other side of the Celestial Master and idly observing the people coming and going in the hall, seemed to vaguely hear Li Yuan's words, "Seemingly carefree, but actually pure."

He turned his gaze back to Li Yuan, the usual smile on his lips seemed to deepen slightly, his eyes were still clear, but there seemed to be something more to them.

He didn't speak, but instead blinked his left eye very lightly yet very quickly at Li Yuan, the movement casual and natural.

It carries a hint of nonchalance, as if saying "you've found out," and also seems to be a silent form of "acknowledgment."

Li Yuan felt his gaze and returned it with a calm glance and a slight nod, everything understood without words.

Just then.

Another, equally resonant and solemn declaration pierced through the clamor and rang out clearly:

"The leader of the Sanyi Sect, the Great Ying Immortal, has arrived—"