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

"Want to see me make a move?"

Zhang Zhiwei's voice still had that nonchalant tone.

He put down his teacup and slowly stood up.

The entire hall fell silent.

Countless gazes, filled with anticipation, awe, excitement, and trepidation, were all focused on the tall, upright figure in the grey-white Taoist robe.

However, Zhang Zhiwei simply stretched lazily, glanced around, and his smile widened, as if to say:

What's the rush?

Then, his gaze fell on the center of the courtyard.

At this moment, Lu Jin stood in the courtyard, his moon-white robe soaked with sweat in several places, but his breathing was more steady and long than before.

The mystery of the triple rebirth lies precisely in this.

After a fierce battle, ordinary people will inevitably experience disordered breathing and depletion of vital energy, and need to sit quietly and regulate their breathing to recover.

Those who have successfully completed the first stage of the Reverse Rebirth Trilogy, "Refining Oneself," have already begun to experience the burgeoning of life within their bodies, much like the earth returning to spring and all things spontaneously regenerating.

Although Lu Jin had just fought two battles, he had recovered about 70-80% of his strength. Although the milky white aura around his body was no longer visible, it flowed quietly deep within his meridians, like an underground river, silent yet endless.

This is the extraordinary nature of the Three Ones Sect's unique skills.

The more you fight, the more you can stimulate the hidden vitality within your body;

The more it is consumed, the more it can refine the purity of the innate Qi.

When Lu Jin heard Zhang Zhiwei say, "Want to see me make a move?", her heart skipped a beat.

He subconsciously looked up at the figure in the gray-white Taoist robe.

Zhang Zhiwei...

The Little Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain is a peerless master whose fame resounds throughout the world.

While he was sparring with Feng Ping and Wang Ai, the young celestial master sat lazily at the table, as if he had no interest in anything.

But Lu Jin knew that his seemingly casual gaze had never truly left anyone in the room.

including yourself.

Lu Jin took a deep breath and clenched her fists hanging at her sides.

He could feel his heart starting to beat uncontrollably fast again.

If Zhang Zhiwei were to step in now...

If only I could fight this world-renowned young celestial master...

Even if you only survive one or two moves...

Lu Jin shook her head violently, trying to banish the thought from her mind.

No.

He reminded himself.

My master said that the most taboo thing on the path of cultivation is to be overly ambitious.

Zhang Zhiwei's cultivation level is definitely far beyond what I can achieve at this moment.

But that thought, like a weed, can be suppressed only to quietly sprout up again.

His gaze unconsciously drifted towards the main table.

Master Liyuan remained seated as still as a deep pool, seemingly oblivious to Zhang Zhiwei's rise.

Bai Ling glanced at him sideways, her gaze ambiguous, as if to say:

Why are you so nervous?

Lu Jin hurriedly looked away, trying to calm her breathing.

Lu Ci sat beside his elder brother Lu Ren, but his eyes were fixed on Lu Jin in the arena.

Looking at Lu Jin's still upright figure after two consecutive battles, the flame of "resentment" in his heart burned brighter and brighter.

Isn't it just a triple rebirth?

Isn't he just a direct descendant of the San Yi Sect?

In those two matches, one opponent was a brute from the Fire Virtue Sect, and the other was a callow child. What's so great about winning?

If I were to play, I could still win!

No, we'll win even more beautifully!

Lü Ci's gaze then turned to Zhang Zhiwei.

The figure in the gray-white Taoist robe stood lazily, seemingly doing nothing, yet the air in the entire room seemed to become somewhat stagnant.

Lü Ci narrowed his eyes.

Zhang Zhiwei...

The Little Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, a successor of thunder magic, is famous throughout the world.

Everyone says that he is undoubtedly the number one among the younger generation.

Everyone says that, apart from Li Yuan, the naturally born Daoist who detaches himself from worldly affairs, no one of his generation can rival him.

Lü Ci gritted his teeth.

He wanted to say, "You've all forgotten the Lü family."

He wanted to say that his elder brother, Lü Ren, had reached the pinnacle of the Ruyi Jin technique. In terms of temperament, cultivation, and wisdom, how was he inferior to Zhang Zhiwei?

Why is Zhang Zhiwei so highly praised?

Why should my older brother have to sit here and watch others steal the spotlight?

Lü Ci suddenly turned his head and looked at Lü Ren beside him.

Lu Renzheng held a teacup, looking calmly at the scene with a faint smile on his lips.

There was no jealousy or resentment in that smile, only the tolerance and satisfaction of an older brother watching his younger brothers play.

Lü Ci became anxious.

"Big brother!" he whispered, leaning close to Lü Ren's ear.

"Don't you want to participate?"

Lu Ren glanced at him, his gaze still gentle, as if he had already seen through what was on his mind.

"Aci..." Lu Ren's voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable certainty.

"Today is Old Master Lu's birthday banquet. Let's make friends through martial arts, but stop when we've reached our limit."

"Victory or defeat is not important; why argue over such a short time?"

"But..." Lu Ci wanted to say something more.

"Besides..." Lu Ren interrupted him, his gaze drifting towards Zhang Zhiwei's direction, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes.

"That young Taoist master is indeed extraordinary."

"Not your average 'strong'."

"His strength lies in...you have no idea how strong he is."

Lü Ci was stunned.

My older brother rarely gives such a evaluation of a person.

No, it should be said that the eldest brother has never made such a comment about any of his peers.

He gritted his teeth, and his indomitable spirit only intensified.

"If you're not going, then I will."

Lu Ren frowned slightly: "Aci, you..."

"I'm going to meet that Lu Jin." Lu Ci had already stood up, a smug smile spreading across his face.

"Let him know that besides the Triple Rebirth Technique, there is also the Ruyi Jin (a magical technique) in this world."

"Let that young Taoist master see that the Lü family has members too!"

When he said this, Lü Ci did not turn around to look at Zhang Zhiwei, but everyone knew who he was referring to when he said, "There are also people in the Lü family."

Lu Ren reached out, trying to grab his younger brother, but only touched a wisp of wind on the hem of his clothes.

He watched Lü Ci stride towards the center of the field, his brows furrowing even more, but ultimately he did not speak to stop him.

He just sighed softly.

Ah Ci's personality... she'll suffer sooner or later.

But then I thought, how can young people grow up if they don't suffer losses?

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, but his gaze became increasingly focused on the scene before him.

Zhang Zhiwei was standing lazily, one hand still tucked into his sleeve, the other hand hanging casually at his side.

He saw Lü Ci rise from his seat and stride toward the center of the courtyard, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes.

"Oh?"

He muttered something under his breath, but no one could hear what he said.

Then, he glanced at Lü Ci, and then at Lu Jin, who was still standing in the middle of the room, and the smile on his lips seemed to deepen slightly.

He didn't say anything, but slowly sat back down in his seat.

The movements were fluid and effortless, as if he had just gotten up to stretch his muscles and had nothing to do with anyone or anything.

However, many discerning people present read a deeper message from his seemingly casual actions.

He saw Lü Ci.

He knew what Lü Ci was going to do.

He chose to "give way".

It's not out of fear, nor is it to back down.

It's a higher level of "indifference".

—You guys play first.

—I'll talk to you guys after you've had your fun.

This composure, this serenity, carries more weight than any grand pronouncements.

Lü Ci naturally sensed it as well.

He paused slightly, his jaw clenching even tighter.

But he didn't turn around.

He walked straight up to Lu Jin, stopped about two zhang away, and clasped his hands in a salute.

The gesture of clasping hands was crisp and clean, with a hint of sharpness.

"Lu Ci of the Lu family requests guidance from Young Master Lu!"

His voice was clear and loud, penetrating every corner of the courtyard.

Lu Jin was slightly taken aback.

He never expected that, after Feng Ping and Wang Ai, the third person to challenge him would be the second son of the Lü family.

He never expected that Lü Ci would resolutely step forward after Zhang Zhiwei got up.

He glanced towards the main table.

His master, Zuo Ruotong, nodded slightly to him, his eyes filled with encouragement and expectation.

He glanced again at the spot not far behind Lü Ci.

Lu Ren remained seated, his gaze complex as he looked over, but he made no move to stop them.

Lu Jin withdrew his gaze, took a deep breath, and solemnly returned the greeting to Lü Ci.

"Lu Jin of the Sanyi Sect is willing to learn from the Lu family's Ruyi Force."

His voice was calm, yet it carried a hint of solemnity that was quite different from before.

Ruyi Jin.

The secret of the Lü family, passed down through generations, is renowned for its combination of strength and gentleness, and its unpredictable nature.

Unlike the fierce and domineering style of Huo Dezong, and even more so the freehand style of Wang Jia Shen Tu.

The wonder of Ruyi Jin lies in the word "following"—

Do as you please, adapt to circumstances, and take on any shape you desire.

It is said that when one cultivates to a high level, one can be both strong and gentle, both offensive and defensive, and can harness the power of all things for one's own use, as well as borrow the power of heaven and earth to subdue enemies.

Lu Jin quickly recalled all the information about the Ruyi Jin in his mind.

He remembered what his master had once said:

"Ruyi Jin, the strength is just as its name suggests, and its value lies in the word 'Ruyi' (meaning 'as you wish')."

"If you encounter a master of this art, remember not to fight head-on, nor to underestimate your opponent."

"The subtle changes in its force can often occur in the blink of an eye."

"It's less about 'strength' and more about 'intention'."

"It is a kind of 'living force' that the ancestors of the Lü family comprehended and refined from their understanding of the principles of generation, restraint and change of all things in the universe."

"The power of life..."

Lu Jin repeated in a low voice, his gaze becoming increasingly focused.

Seeing his solemn expression, Lü Ci smiled with satisfaction.

"Young Master Lu certainly knows his stuff." His hands hung naturally at his sides, his fingers slightly spread, as if he were holding something.

"In that case—please go ahead!"

Before he finished speaking, he stomped his foot and shot forward like an arrow!

The first level of Ruyi Jin – the force follows the person!

His movements were not flashy; in fact, they could be described as simple and unadorned.

But that indomitable spirit, that sharp edge of "I'm going to meet you head-on," is more oppressive than any trick.

Instead of retreating, Lu Jin stepped forward to meet him.

The two were no more than ten feet apart.

Lu Ci extended his right palm!

This palm strike was simple and unadorned, no different from the palm strike of an ordinary martial artist.

The palm strike was flat, without any imposing force whatsoever.

However, just as Lu Jin was preparing to use his reversal of life energy to neutralize the palm strike...

He sensed it.

That "energy" has changed.

It does not condense in the palm, nor does it spit out in the palm.

Instead, just as the palm was about to touch him, it suddenly "transferred" like a living thing!

The originally fierce palm strike suddenly "softened" in Lu Jin's perception.

No, it's not soft.

It is "empty".

It was as if Lü Ci's palm strike hadn't exerted any force at all, but was merely a feint.

However, at the same time...

Lu Jin suddenly felt an extremely soft yet sharp force seeping into his left rib area, like mercury seeping into the ground!

"This is--"

Lu Jin's pupils suddenly contracted.

The first transformation of Ruyi Jin – Jin can be turned at will!

Lu Ci's palm strike appeared to be a frontal attack, but his true killing move had already been secretly moved to the flank!

That subtle, intangible force, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, suddenly bared its fangs the moment Lu Jin focused on facing the attack head-on!

Before Lu Jin could think any further, the milky white aura within her body instinctively surged wildly, converging towards her left ribcage!

"puff--"

A very faint muffled thud.

Lu Jin swayed slightly and stumbled half a step.

He looked down at his left side.

The moon-white robe was intact and without any damage.

But there came a tingling, numb sensation, as if someone had struck you with a blunt object.

The tingling and numb sensation was not intense, but it was extremely stubborn, like a carbuncle that was stuck to the bone and could not be driven away.

Lu Jin took a deep breath and activated the Qi of Reversal to try to cleanse the invading alien force.

However, what alarmed him was—