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

"Heart".

A heart that is far from the abyss is without distinction.

But Zhang Zhiwei's heart is different.

Li Yuan regards the Celestial Master as himself and himself as the Celestial Master. The past and present are one, and the origin is the same.

He regarded the Celestial Master as his ancestor, considered himself his disciple, revered the ancients, and looked down upon the present.

This separation is estrangement.

This barrier is—

Between him and Li Yuan, there was a seemingly insurmountable chasm.

Zhang Zhiwei remained silent for a long time.

Then, he clasped his hands in a fist salute, bowed deeply, and gave another profound salute.

This bow was deeper, more solemn, and more devout than any other before.

"Senior Brother Li Yuan."

"Junior brother, I have learned a lot."

Li Yuan nodded slightly in return.

Zhang Zhiwei straightened up, his bright eyes still shining, but now with a touch more calmness and depth.

He suddenly turned around, faced the guests in the courtyard, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and spoke in a clear and melodious voice:

"Fellow seniors, fellow practitioners."

"I have benefited greatly from today's meeting."

"In particular, Senior Brother Li Yuan's guidance enlightened me, like the sun breaking through the clouds, like a sudden awakening."

"I will remember this kindness and virtue forever."

"If the opportunity arises in the future, I will definitely seek further guidance from my senior brother."

"At that time, I would like to ask my senior brother to show mercy and not let the Ancestral Celestial Master come out to frighten people again."

Upon hearing this, the entire courtyard fell silent.

immediately--

He burst into laughter!

The laughter surged up like a tide, dispelling the previous solemn atmosphere, the awe and reverence that filled the courtyard, and bringing everything back to reality.

Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing laughed heartily, his beard and hair trembling with laughter.

Zuo Ruotong held her teacup, a smile appearing on her lips. The smile contained satisfaction, appreciation, and a complex emotion that was hard to describe.

Standing beside her master, Lu Jin couldn't help but laugh at Zhang Zhiwei's grinning face.

He suddenly realized that this young Taoist master wasn't as aloof and unapproachable as the legends suggested.

He seems to be—

He's also an ordinary person who can joke around, be sarcastic, and still laugh even after being proven wrong.

As soon as this thought arose, the last trace of estrangement caused by the gap in their abilities quietly dissipated in Lu Jin's heart.

He suddenly understood why Master Liyuan had said he had "seen" it.

Only by "seeing" can one truly understand.

Only by "seeing" can one truly accept.

Because I "saw" it—

Only then can we truly walk alongside them.

Standing on the Huode Sect seat, Feng Ping listened to Zhang Zhiwei's words and couldn't help but cheer loudly:

"Good! What a fine 'I'll ask my senior for guidance again'!"

"Senior Brother Zhang, your skin is thicker than the Flaming Palm technique of our Fire Virtue Sect!"

Everyone burst into laughter again.

Zhang Zhiwei turned and glared at him, but there was no anger in his eyes, only a smile:

"Go away, what do you know?"

"That's called 'unyielding spirit,' that's called 'becoming stronger with each setback'!"

"Once I've mastered it, I'll challenge you to a match first!"

Feng Ping laughed heartily: "I'll be waiting anytime! I'll be waiting anytime!"

Qin Muting, who had been kneeling on the ground, finally came to his senses and quickly stood up to straighten his clothes.

Looking at the figure in the moon-white Taoist robe in the arena, and then at Zhang Zhiwei's grinning face, he suddenly felt an indescribable emotion welling up inside him.

He recalled the piety and reverence he had felt when he questioned the Thunder Law earlier, and Li Yuan's guidance that "the Thunder Law is inherently without law."

I recall the shock and speechlessness I felt when the image of the Celestial Master manifested.

Thinking back to this moment—

All of this suddenly became so real, so tangible.

He took a deep breath and bowed deeply again in the direction of Li Yuan.

This time, he didn't say anything.

He simply bowed deeply, then turned and strode back to his seat.

The sect leader of Shenxiao Sect watched his disciple return, gently patted his shoulder, and said nothing, but his eyes were full of relief and expectation.

Lu Ci sat beside his elder brother, watching this scene unfold, his expression complex and indescribable.

He suddenly spoke, his voice very low:

"Brother, I think I understand now."

Lü Ren turned his head to look at him: "Understand what?"

Lu Ci looked at the figure in the moon-white Taoist robe in the arena, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said:

"I understand why his mere presence makes all the difference."

"It's not because he's strong."

"Because—"

"Because he's standing there, you feel that you can become stronger too."

Lü Ren was slightly taken aback.

Then he smiled.

That smile held a mixture of relief, pride, and a touch of wistfulness.

"Aci, you've grown up."

Lu Ci pursed his lips, wanting to say something in rebuttal, but ultimately didn't say anything.

However, the way he looked at the figure in the arena had a different quality than before.

Little Wang Ai squeezed next to his father, watching intently.

He suddenly tugged at his father's sleeve, his chubby face full of seriousness:

"Father, I want to be like Li Yuan Daozi in the future."

Wang Wang raised an eyebrow: "What?"

Wang Ai thought for a moment, then said seriously:

"Just by standing there and doing nothing, you can make everyone think—"

"Hmm—I feel especially at ease."

Wang Wang was stunned.

Looking at his son's chubby, earnest face, which was almost comically funny, he suddenly felt a lump in his throat.

He reached out and vigorously rubbed his son's sweaty back of the head, his voice hoarse:

"it is good."

"Then you should study hard."

"Father is waiting for that day."

Guan Shihua sat beside her mother, her little face full of admiration as she looked at Li Yuan.

She suddenly leaned close to her mother's ear and whispered:

"Mom, Brother Liyuan is so amazing!"

Guan Xiugu nodded gently, without saying a word.

He simply pulled his daughter closer to him, and a complex light flashed in his eyes as he looked at the figure in the moon-white Taoist robe.

She suddenly remembered what the elders of her clan had said before she left:

"If this trip south can forge good relationships, it will be a blessing for the Guan family."

At the time, she took it as just a routine reminder.

Only then did she understand—

What exactly does this so-called "good karma" mean?

Bai Ling sat quietly at the table, her exquisite face devoid of its usual playfulness, displaying only one thing—

It was as if a sense of relief had finally been confirmed.

She looked at Li Yuan, silently pondering:

"I see."

"No wonder that day outside Qingshui Town, when I only sensed a faint trace of Daoist energy, it felt like seeing the North Star, like returning to my ancestral source."

"The inner vision of this Daoist master must match the legendary..."

Her gaze sharpened slightly as she looked at the faint, lingering purple aura between Li Yuan's brows.

But I dared not think any further.

The laughter gradually subsided in the courtyard.

Old Master Lu rose again, bowed deeply to the assembled guests, and spoke in a loud voice:

"Distinguished guests!"

"Today's gathering is an opportunity to witness the manifestation of the Celestial Master's Daoist essence, and to hear Daoist Li Yuan and the Celestial Master's eminent disciples discussing the Dao and profound mysteries—"

"I have no regrets in this life!"

"Someone come here!"

He shouted loudly.

The Lu family members, who had been waiting under the eaves, immediately filed in.

Each person held a vermilion lacquered and gold-painted tray, filled with wedding money, fruits, and candies.

"Sahih!"

Old Master Lu waved his hand.

The young members of the Lu family then scattered the celebratory money and fruit from the trays to the guests throughout the courtyard!

Coins jingled, candies flew, and red dates and peanuts rained down from the sky!

The entire courtyard erupted in cheers!

The young disciples laughed and scrambled for the lucky money, while the senior disciples chuckled and reached out to accept a few pieces of lucky fruit.

Even little kids like Wang Ai jumped around trying to grab the scattered copper coins, their chubby faces beaming with excitement.

Laughter and cheerful voices filled the courtyard once again.

The atmosphere that had been tense due to the manifestation of the Celestial Master finally dissipated completely.

This birthday banquet has finally returned to its original form—

A lively, festive, and joyous event filled with laughter.

Standing beside her master, Lu Jin watched the lively scene unfold in the courtyard, a smile involuntarily appearing on her face.

He suddenly remembered his words to Zhang Zhiwei earlier: "I want to see how high the real mountain is."

I recall Master Li Yuan's teaching: "Only by seeing clearly can one act accurately; only by seeing thoroughly can one settle down steadily."

I recall the laughter that filled the courtyard at this moment.

He suddenly felt that he seemed to understand something.

Understand what the true "Tao" is.

It's not about being aloof and superior, nor about being detached from the hustle and bustle of the world.

But -

It can manifest in the heavens and travel with the Celestial Master.

They can also find their place in this mortal world and enjoy themselves with everyone.

It can "illuminate" people's hearts and see through everything.

One can also sit here peacefully and observe all things.

This is—

"road".

Lu Jin took a deep breath, and her gaze involuntarily drifted back to the figure in the moon-white Taoist robe.

Li Yuan still stood quietly in the center of the courtyard, surrounded by a laughing crowd, fluttering wedding coins and fruits, and a cacophony of voices.

He seemed to be both one with all of this and detached from it all.

It was as if he himself was part of the painting as he stood there.

It's as if this painting exists because of him.

Lu Jin recalled the words that Daoist Li Yuan had said to him that day on the back mountain of the Daluo Palace:

"Young Master Lu, at such a young age, already possesses a solid foundation in innate Qi."

At that time, he only felt awe.

Only then did he understand—

With that one glance, I "saw" everything about him.

That one glance planted the seed for all of this today.

Lu Jin knew that from this day forward, his life would be completely different because of that one look.

In the courtyard, auspicious coins and fruits still fluttered about.

Laughter filled the air.

The figure in the moon-white Taoist robe remained standing quietly in the center.

He slightly raised his eyes, a very faint smile appearing in them.

That smile held a clear understanding of everything that had happened that day.

There is something for everything tomorrow—

look forward to.

Li Yuan withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhang Zhiwei beside him.

Zhang Zhiwei was reaching out when he caught a flying fruit, popped it into his mouth, chewed it, and then grinned at Li Yuan:

"Senior brother, these dates are quite sweet, want one?"

Li Yuan was slightly taken aback.

Then he smiled.

That smile was more genuine and warmer than before.

He reached out and caught a red date that flew towards him, then took a small bite.

"Um."

"It is indeed very sweet."

Zhang Zhiwei laughed heartily.

The laughter pierced through the clamor of the courtyard and soared to the heavens.

The laughter continued in the courtyard.

This day is destined to be remembered by countless people for a lifetime.