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

Li Yuan withdrew his gaze, and the inscription "May the Heavenly Venerable Bless You" gently dissolved the stagnant atmosphere in the courtyard, like a spring breeze and rain, nourishing everything silently.

The first to come to his senses was Old Master Lu. He slowly stood up and bowed deeply to Li Yuan.

"Li Yuan Daozi——"

Grandpa Lu's voice was old yet resonant, filled with barely concealed excitement and gratitude:

"Having lived most of my life, to witness the manifestation of the Celestial Master today is truly a blessing! I have no regrets whatsoever!"

"The arrival of the Daoist immortal is truly a blessing bestowed upon the Lu family by three generations of good deeds!"

As he spoke, his eyes reddened slightly, and turbid tears welled up in them.

Li Yuan slightly turned his body, refusing the full bow, and returned a half-bow with one hand in a palm-up gesture, his voice gentle:

"Old Master Lu, you flatter me."

"The manifestation of the Celestial Master is not due to my own merit, but rather to the grand gathering today, where heroes have come together and the Daoist energy has converged, naturally attracting me here."

"I merely happened to be there and offered some guidance."

These words were extremely humble, attributing the credit to the "grand event" and "distinguished guests," subtly elevating everyone present.

But everyone present knew perfectly well that—

What is "natural inspiration" and what is "coincidence"?

If there were no Li Yuan, how could the image of the Celestial Master have appeared out of thin air?

Old Master Lu said no more, but bowed deeply again before slowly straightening up and returning to his seat.

Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing had now calmed down.

He looked at Li Yuan, his deep eyes still filled with awe, but now with a touch of genuine closeness and gratitude.

He walked slowly to Li Yuan and bowed deeply in return.

"Young friend Li Yuan."

"The old Taoist priest has been in charge of the Celestial Master's Mansion for decades, burning incense day and night and kowtowing morning and evening, hoping to receive even a fraction of the ancestral Celestial Master's blessing."

"Today I have witnessed the manifestation of the Celestial Master's image, though it was through the help of my young friend, it is enough to comfort me for the rest of my life."

"This kindness will be remembered by the old Taoist priest, and by everyone on Longhu Mountain."

As he spoke, he took out a jade talisman from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

The jade talisman was entirely blue-green, about three inches square, with an ancient seal character "正" engraved on the front and intricate cloud and thunder patterns and talisman marks on the back.

"This is the 'Tongzhen Jade Talisman' of Longhu Mountain, which was worn by the Celestial Masters of all generations. It can sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and also resist the invasion of external evils."

"This old Taoist priest wishes to present this talisman as a token of his sincere gratitude."

"I hope my young friend will not refuse."

These words caused an uproar in the courtyard.

"Tongzhen Jade Talisman!"

That is one of the treasures of Longhu Mountain, and it has been worn by the Celestial Masters of all generations and never passed on to outsiders!

The Celestial Master actually gifted it to me; what recognition and gratitude this shows!

Li Yuan looked at the jade talisman and shook his head slightly.

"I deeply appreciate the Celestial Master's kindness."

"However, this talisman is a legacy of the Celestial Master's Mansion, and I am not a disciple of the Celestial Master's Mansion, so I am ashamed to accept it."

"Besides—"

He paused, his gaze falling on the jade talisman, a gentle light flashing in his eyes:

"I have always shared the same path with the Celestial Master and Longhu Mountain; why do I need external evidence to prove it?"

Upon hearing this, Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing's eyes flashed with a hint of emotion, yet he remained steadfast:

"If you don't accept it, young friend, this old Taoist priest will not be at peace."

After a moment of contemplation, Li Yuan finally nodded slightly.

"In that case, I will accept this talisman."

"But if the opportunity arises in the future, it will be returned to Longhu Mountain, or given to someone who is destined to receive it."

The Celestial Master then smiled and solemnly handed the jade talisman to Li Yuan.

Li Yuan took it and put it in his sleeve without looking at it for long.

The Celestial Master nodded in satisfaction, then turned and returned to his seat.

Zhang Zhiwei remained standing in the center of the courtyard.

He watched his master interact with Li Yuan, and saw the "Tongzhen Jade Talisman" fall into Li Yuan's hands, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

It wasn't jealousy, nor was it resentment.

Rather, it is a kind of—

It's like looking at a peak that can never be surpassed, evoking both awe and longing.

He suddenly spoke, his voice much calmer than before:

"Senior Brother Li Yuan."

Li Yuan looked at him.

Zhang Zhiwei looked directly into his eyes. In those bright eyes, there was no eagerness, no sharpness to challenge, only one thing—

The devotion of a true seeker of truth.

"Junior brother wants to ask—"

"Senior Brother, was that palm strike you just unleashed the Dao of the Celestial Master, or your own Dao?"

The question fell silent once again.

Everyone looked at Li Yuan.

Yes, was that palm strike just now the Daoist aura of the Celestial Master, or Li Yuan's own cultivation?

If it is the Daoist charm of the Celestial Master, then it is manifested through external objects. Although it is astonishing and unconventional, it is ultimately "borrowed".

If it were Li Yuan's own path—

What does that mean?

This means that the young Daoist has reached an unimaginable level of attainment.

Li Yuan quietly looked at Zhang Zhiwei, gazing into those burning eyes.

"Junior Brother Zhiwei."

He spoke softly, his tone still gentle and calm:

"Do you know why I was able to invoke the Daoist Master's wisdom?"

Zhang Zhiwei shook his head.

Li Yuan continued:

"Because the Dao of the Celestial Master and the Dao of this humble Dao are originally one."

"Or rather—"

He paused, his gaze becoming profound:

"Throughout history, all those who have attained the Dao have found that the Dao is fundamentally one."

"When Shakyamuni Buddha held up a flower, Mahakasyapa smiled; this is the seal of the mind."

"When Lao Tzu left Hangu Pass to the west, Yin Xi, the gatekeeper, saw purple clouds coming from the east, and their hearts were in perfect harmony."

"The Celestial Master received the secret manual of the Zhengyi Alliance from the Supreme Lord at Heming Mountain, and thus his mind was enlightened."

"The Way has no past or present, and the Law has no opposite."

"Those who can resonate with this heart will all be able to receive its response."

"Those who can understand this mind can manifest themselves."

Therefore—

He looked at Zhang Zhiwei, his gaze clear as water:

"That palm strike just now was both the Dao of the Celestial Master and the Dao of this humble Daoist."

"Because the Dao that the Celestial Master comprehended is the same as the Dao that I comprehended."

"All things come from nothingness and return to nothingness."

"Respond to all things with 'no intention' and transform all things with 'non-action'."

"All of them are inherently complete and do not require external acquisition."

Zhang Zhiwei was stunned.

As he pondered these words, he felt as if something was quietly sprouting within him.

Seeing his stunned expression, Li Yuan's smile deepened:

"Junior Brother Zhiwei, do you know what happened with the question you just asked—"

"Is that the Celestial Master's Way, or my senior brother's own Way?"

"The question itself is already a poor one."

Zhang Zhiwei was startled.

Li Yuan continued:

"Because when you asked this question, you already had a distinction in your mind."

"Distinguish between the Celestial Master and me, between the ancient and the modern, between the source and the flow."

"Where there is separation, there is estrangement."

"Without barriers, there can be no harmony."

"Without a contract, there can be no—"

His gaze fell on Zhang Zhiwei's bright eyes:

"Manifestation".

Zhang Zhiwei was struck dumb, standing frozen in place.

He suddenly understood.

He understood the true chasm between himself and Li Yuan.

It's not about cultivation level, nor is it about spiritual realm.

Yes--