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

The moment the words fell.

Zhang Zhiwei struck with his palm.

That palm strike was extremely simple and unadorned.

However, Lu Jin's pupils contracted to pinpoints in that instant.

He "senseed" it.

That's not power, not intimidation, not anything that can be measured by "strength" or "weakness".

It was something more primal, more pure, and more despairing.

That's Zhang Zhiwei himself.

For twenty years, Zhang Zhiwei has been on Mount Longhu, chanting the morning bell and evening drum, day after day...

The pure "sense of existence" is refined by perfecting every breath, every thought, and every exhalation.

Zhang Zhiwei's palm strike was not an "attack" on Lu Jin, but rather a "definition" of him.

The distance between the small space where Lu Jin was located and Zhang Zhiwei's palm was no longer considered a "distance".

There was no longer any "obstacle" between the reverse aura surrounding Lu Jin and Zhang Zhiwei's seemingly empty palm.

Defining Lu Jin—she will inevitably be touched in the next instant.

This is an "inevitability" that transcends all moves, all changes, and all techniques.

It was as if the heavens and earth were in motion, the sun and moon were rising and falling, and day and night were alternating.

It was as if mountains were collapsing and rivers were flowing backward.

Unstoppable, inescapable, and non-negotiable.

Lu Jin felt a chill run down his spine.

He had never felt such a "palm" before.

No, he had never even imagined that such a "palm" existed in the world.

There was no murderous intent, no malevolence, and none of the "hostility" that offensive spells should have.

What exists is only a kind of almost cruel "reality"—

Once this palm strike is unleashed, it will surely strike the opponent.

Is this Zhang Zhiwei?

Is this the successor of the Thunder Magic of Longhu Mountain?

But Zhang Zhiwei didn't use lightning magic!

He didn't even use any techniques!

It was just... a palm strike.

Simply push your palms together.

Lu Jin wanted to hide.

But his body told him there was no escaping it.

The palm strike appeared slow, yet it seemed to block all possible escape routes for him.

No matter which direction he moves—forward, backward, left, right, up, or down—he will eventually be accurately struck by that palm.

Lu Jin tried to block it.

But his triple rebirth told him that he couldn't stop it.

That palm seemed empty, yet it seemed to contain a "force" powerful enough to crush any defense.

The milky white aura surrounding Lu Jin was already a profound and unfathomable protective technique in the eyes of ordinary extraordinary people, but in the face of this palm strike, it was as thin as paper to a sharp blade, or morning dew to the blazing sun.

he thinks--

Lu Jin didn't even know what else she could think about.

The palm strike has already arrived.

There was clearly still a distance of three zhang, Zhang Zhiwei was clearly standing still without moving, and it was clearly just a palm strike in mid-air.

But Lu Jin had already sensed it.

That hand, three zhang away in the void, gently touched his chest.

It doesn't hurt, it's not heavy, and you could even say it's gentle.

However, under the influence of this "gentle" touch, the aura of reverse life around Lu Jin suddenly trembled violently.

It was not an attack, nor was it a suppression.

Rather, it was...that they were "seen".

It was seen completely and without reservation by a higher level of being.

Lu Jin had never had such an experience before.

Having cultivated the Reverse Rebirth Triple Level for many years, he had long been accustomed to regarding the Qi around his body as the most private and secretive existence.

That was his root, his essence, his life.

Apart from the master and oneself, no one can truly "touch" that level.

But now, Zhang Zhiwei's palm strike did nothing but lightly "shine".

His carefully constructed, layered, reverse-glow aura was like a thin mist penetrated by sunlight...

Every wisp of Qi flowing, every bit of force distributed, and every weakness in the defense was completely exposed.

There are no secrets.

There was no cover-up.

There was nowhere to hide.

Lu Jin was stunned.

He suddenly understood.

Zhang Zhiwei had just said, "Let me see just how far the Triple Rebirth Technique of the Sanyi Sect can go."

That was not a provocation, not a test, not even a "test".

That's... the truth.

He really was just "watching".

Use this palm strike as a mirror to reflect the true nature of the Triple Rebirth.

That's it.

Lu Jin stood there blankly, the aura around her still trembling, but showing no signs of collapse.

Zhang Zhiwei remained standing in the same spot, maintaining his palm-out gesture.

The hand was still three zhang away from him, but the "gaze" truly enveloped him, warm and transparent, like the spring sunshine.

A smile appeared on Zhang Zhiwei's lips.

There was no teasing or mockery in that smile, only a pure sense of appreciation.

"good."

"Triple Rebirth is indeed very different."

As he spoke, Zhang Zhiwei's gaze seemed to pierce through the milky white halo, looking directly at the source of the rebellious life force within Lu Jin's body:

"When I 'shone' on you, your aura didn't dissipate; instead, it tried to adapt, tried to understand, tried... to 'shone' on me in return."

He blinked, and a hint of surprise flashed in his excessively bright eyes:

"Good heavens, is your technique trying to 'reverse' my power too?"

Lu Jin was stunned.

He himself was unaware of this.

No, it's not that we didn't notice it, it's that it was simply impossible for us to notice it.

That level of interaction was far beyond his current perception.

But Zhang Zhiwei sensed it.

Moreover, he spoke of it so casually, as if he were merely stating a trivial matter.

Lu Jin suddenly realized that her request to "only accept one move" was incredibly naive.

This is not a matter of "taking a move".

This is the problem of being "completely seen through".

He didn't even know whether he should feel fortunate or apprehensive.

Zhang Zhiwei's smile deepened as he looked at his expression.

He withdrew his hand.

The "gaze" that had been surrounding Lu Jin also dissipated.

Lu Jin felt a lightness all over her body, and the invisible pressure completely disappeared.

He was panting heavily, and cold sweat finally streamed down his forehead.

But he did not fall, nor did he take a single step back.

Lu Jin stood there, his moon-white robe soaked with sweat, his chest heaving violently, but his spine remained straight.

Zhang Zhiwei looked at him, his admiration growing stronger.

His tone was also completely different from before; it was no longer that languid manner, but rather a rare solemnity.

"Junior Brother Lu."

"Your cultivation of the Reverse Rebirth Triple Level is quite good."

"I'm not referring to your cultivation level—your cultivation level is indeed not enough in my eyes."

"It refers to the heart."

Zhang Zhiwei pointed to his chest:

"There's something here."

"When you faced my palm strike just now, you didn't try to withstand it or show off, but instead chose to 'observe' it."

"You saw your own shortcomings, you saw the boundaries of the three levels of rebirth, you saw the gap between you and me, and then you did not run away, you were not discouraged, and you were not even resentful."

"You just...accepted it, and then kept your eyes open, waiting for that palm strike to land."

"Junior Brother Lu, do you know what this is called?"

Lu Jin shook her head.

"This is called—the Dao Heart."

Zhang Zhiwei's voice became unusually serious:

"On the path of cultivation, talent is important, techniques are important, and lineage is important."

"But most importantly, what is your first reaction when you see that the mountain is insurmountable?"

"Some people will be jealous, some will be resentful, some will be angry, and some will try every means to climb, surpass, or even destroy that mountain."

"And you..."

He looked at Lu Jin, and a hint of genuine approval appeared in the smile on his lips:

You just stood there quietly, looking at the mountain, and said: So this is what you look like.

"And then, you remembered it."

"And then, you went on your own way."

"That's what's most precious."

Lu Jin listened intently, her eyes welling up with tears.

He wanted to say something, opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

Zhang Zhiwei didn't give him a chance to be moved, turning around and leaving while waving his hand as he went:

"Alright, alright, stop looking like you're about to cry. I haven't even used my lightning magic yet, why are you crying?"

"Go back and practice your Reverse Life Triple Technique properly. Come back to me when you finally break through that 'Dust Cleansing' barrier."

"Then, I'll use lightning magic to play with you."

Lu Jin was stunned. He opened his mouth, as if to say something.

Say thank you, be humble, or something else.

But it felt like something was blocking his throat, and he couldn't say a word.

He just stood there, staring blankly at Zhang Zhiwei.

Zhang Zhiwei had already turned around and strode towards his seat.

His steps remained leisurely, as if that astonishing palm strike was nothing more than a trivial matter.

But no one in the entire room thought so.

Silence reigned.

Everyone was still reeling from the shock of that palm strike.

There was no lightning, no roar, and not even any other visible phenomenon.

But that invisible and intangible "gaze," that "sense of presence" that seemed to illuminate everything, was deeply imprinted in the hearts of every perceptive person.

This is true strength.

No fancy moves or dazzling illusions are needed.

Simply by standing there and gently pushing out a palm, one can expose all of an opponent's secrets and captivate the attention of onlookers.

This is the Little Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain.

This is Zhang Zhiwei.

Lu Jin remained standing in the same spot, motionless.

He looked down at his hands.

Those hands were still trembling slightly, whether from exhaustion or excitement, it was hard to tell.

But he knew that from this day forward, the vague outline of the "mountain" in his heart had become incredibly clear.

Zhang Zhiwei.

That mountain.

He did not cross that mountain today.

He didn't even actually "catch" the mountain.

But he saw it, clearly saw how high, how steep, and how insurmountable that mountain was.

Seeing is itself a gain.

Lu Jin subconsciously took a deep breath, finally took a step, turned around and walked to his seat, returning to his master's side, and bowed deeply:

"Master, your disciple..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zuo Ruotong gently patted his shoulder. The force was extremely light, yet it seemed to carry immense weight.

"From today onwards, you will have truly entered the gate of the Threefold Reversal of Life."

Lu Jin was stunned.

Seeing his stunned expression, Zuo Ruotong smiled slightly:

"What you practiced before was 'technique'."

"From this day forward, you will be cultivating the 'Tao'."

Lu Jin's eyes welled up with tears again.

He nodded vigorously, his voice hoarse but firm:

"Disciple understands."

Zuo Ruotong said no more, but simply picked up her teacup and took a sip.

The noise in the courtyard remained unchanged.

Standing beside his master, Lu Jin felt for the first time that the commotion in the courtyard had nothing to do with him.

He has a long way to go.

But at least, he now knows where that road leads.

at the same time...

Zhang Zhiwei returned to his seat, picked up his teacup, only to find that the tea had already gone cold.

He didn't care, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, then continued to swirl the empty cup.

Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of helplessness and doting:

"Zhiwei, you stopped just now perfectly."

Zhang Zhiwei responded lazily:

"Um."

"To subdue the enemy without fighting is the best strategy," the Celestial Master smiled.

"Letting the child see the gap for himself is far more profound than beating him down."

Zhang Zhiwei's fingers, which were twirling the teacup, paused slightly.

He looked up at his master, a rare hint of complexity flashing in his bright eyes:

"Master, do you think he can really break through that barrier?"

The Celestial Master looked at him, his gaze profound:

"Do you hope he can?"

Zhang Zhiwei remained silent for a moment.

Then he smiled.

That smile lacked its usual nonchalance, revealing only anticipation:

"hope."

"Otherwise, this journey would be so boring."

Upon hearing Zhang Zhiwei's words, Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing suddenly burst into laughter.

The laughter was hearty and loud, drawing the attention of everyone around.

Zhang Zhiwei continued to swirl his teacup, but his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the figure in the moon-white Taoist robe at the main table.

Li Yuan's gaze was fixed on Lu Jin at this moment.

After being struck by Zhang Zhiwei's palm, Lu Jin did not become dejected; instead, she seemed to be illuminated from within by some kind of light.

Those eyes were clearer than ever before.

That spine was straighter than ever before.

The boy who once looked on with curiosity and awe on the mountain path of Daluo Palace now sits in this courtyard where heroes from all over the world gather, exuding a calmness and composure that is not quite in line with his age.

Li Yuan lowered his eyes, silently pondering:

"That slap didn't happen."

There were no tears streaming down his face.

There was no humiliation of youthful spirit being crushed in public.

Deep in my memory, there are "famous scenes" from another time and space, with a touch of absurdity and humor.

Unexpectedly, yet seemingly predictably, it did not happen.

Lu Jin, on the contrary, won three battles in a row, and with his reverse life three times, he successively encountered the domineering power of the Huo De Sect, the mysterious power of the Wang family's Divine Tu, and the exquisite power of the Lü family's Ruyi Force.

Finally, in full view of everyone, he took the initiative to challenge Zhang Zhiwei.

That wasn't an arrogant provocation.

That was a true "questioning of the Dao".

Lu Jin caught Zhang Zhiwei's palm strike.

Zhang Zhiwei did not use thunder magic or exert his full strength in that palm strike; it could even be described as gentle, almost like a gentle instruction.

But once you catch it, you catch it.

Lu Jin wasn't brought to tears; she simply stood there, illuminated by that gaze, and then, with an even stronger resolve, walked back to her seat.

Li Yuan stroked the warm edge of the teacup, a ripple spreading across the depths of his eyes.

He suddenly realized something.

From the moment he was reborn into this world, realized his identity as a transmigrator, and became aware of the tragic calamities and predetermined course of his future.

They habitually viewed everything from the perspective of a "prophet".

He knew who would die and when.

He knew which secret techniques would be lost and when.

He knew when that catastrophe would strike and in what way it would destroy everything he had sworn to protect with his life.

He also knew that Lu Jin would be slapped and made to cry by Zhang Zhiwei at the Lu family banquet.

These are all "known".

These are all chapters already written in the "book of the future" in his heart.

But...

Li Yuan raised his eyelids, his gaze passing over the noisy courtyard and landing on the gray-white Taoist robe figure lazily eating melon seeds.

Zhang Zhiwei sensed his gaze, the smile on his lips remained casual, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.

Li Yuan did not avoid that gaze.

He just watched quietly.

He looked at this scene, which was completely different from what he "knew".

Li Yuan suddenly smiled.

Seeing this, Bai Ling, who was sitting next to him, showed a hint of interest on her beautiful face.

"What are you laughing at, Daozi?"

Li Yuan did not answer immediately.

He continued to look at Zhang Zhiwei and Lu Jin, watching these two people who should have clashed violently at some point in the future, but instead completed their first "encounter" in this way.

After a long pause, he spoke softly, his voice so faint it was almost a soliloquy:

"I'm thinking..."

"Before I came down the mountain, I thought I knew a lot of things."

"But now it seems..."

"The things in this world may not be as simple as I know them."

Bai Ling listened to these almost soliloquized words, her beautiful eyes darting around as if she wanted to ask something.

But Li Yuan stopped talking.

He simply sat quietly, letting the cup of tea gradually cool down.

But a thought I'd never had before slowly surfaced in my mind:

What did I change?

Or rather...

"Is my very existence already changing all of this?"

He recalled what his master had told him in the Hunyuan Cave Heaven before he descended the mountain:

"Your inner world is profound and your status is extraordinary, which may not be fully contained by this world."

"This entry into the world may trigger certain causes and effects, and touch upon certain established 'trajectories'."

Whether it's good or bad, a calamity or a blessing, remains to be seen.

"But now that you have embarked on this path, there is no need to turn back, nor to be afraid."

"The Great Dao is fifty, Heaven evolves into forty-nine, and man escapes to one."

"You yourself may be the biggest 'variable'."

variable.

Li Yuan pondered the word, his gaze calmly sweeping across the entire room.

The light swept over Lu Jin, over Zhang Zhiwei, over Lü Ci, Lü Ren, Wang Ai, and Feng Ping, and over those young and promising faces.

Every piece I place subtly changes something.

"My guidance on 'opportunity' during our encounter in the rain that day might give Zhou Sheng a clearer understanding when he comprehends the Feng Hou Qi Men in the future."

"That fleeting glimpse of Xia Liuqing from the audience that night, my interpretation of 'divine manifestation' might lead him down a path completely different from that of the 'fierce clown.'"

"Bai Jin is traveling with me. Her understanding of the 'Tao' may influence the future direction of the entire Asura lineage outside the Great Wall."

And Lu Jin—

He closed his eyes slightly, then slowly opened them again.

He's no longer the boy who should have been slapped and made to cry.

Therefore, that iconic scene will naturally never happen again.

Today he was "examined" by Zhang Zhiwei, and seen by all the extraordinary people in the world, yet he still walked back to his seat with his back straight.

This tempering is more precious than any victory.

"And the future Jia Shen Rebellion, the future Thirty-Six Traitors, the future War to Defend the Country..."

'And they will all inevitably be different because of this.'

Li Yuan suddenly felt as if an extremely light stone had quietly fallen to the ground in his heart.

He couldn't explain what it was.

Is it a regret? No, it isn't.

Is it relief? That seems too simplistic.

It was a more subtle and indescribable emotion.

It's like watching a painting whose ending you already know being rewritten stroke by stroke before your eyes, creating a completely different picture.

And the first stroke of this rewriting was made by him personally.

Li Yuan put down his teacup and turned his gaze back to the center of the courtyard.

There, the lights were bright, and voices began to rise.

The younger generation's gaze still occasionally drifts towards Zhang Zhiwei.

And Zhang Zhiwei—

He was still eating sunflower seeds.

It was as if that astonishing slap from just now was really just a trivial matter.

But Li Yuan knew.

Zhang Zhiwei is also waiting.

Waiting for someone who can truly motivate him to "take action".

He's waiting for someone who truly deserves his thunder magic.

wait--

he.

Li Yuan withdrew his gaze, his expression as calm as ever.

The faint ripple in my heart caused by the absence of the "famous scene" has long since vanished without a trace.

Instead, there is a deeper, more serene clarity.

"Once you're in this situation, observe it, respond to it, and adapt to it."

As for that scene that never happened—

Let it remain forever in another time and space.