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

The date for the banquet has been set, and the journey into the world is about to begin.

But before leaving, Li Yuan still needed to see one person.

It was his master, who had been in seclusion for some time.

The current abbot of the Daluo Palace, the Mysterious and Subtle True Man.

Li Yuan stood up, closed the book "Zhouyi Cantongqi", and put it into his pocket along with the gold-leafed invitation from the Lu family.

He stepped out of the courtyard, but did not head towards the front palace, where incense burned brightly and the halls stood majestically.

Instead, they turned onto a secluded path deeper into the back of the mountain, almost completely hidden by weeds.

This path leads to the true forbidden area of ​​the Great Luo Palace, which is also where the Mysterious Mysterious Immortal is in seclusion.

Hunyuan Cave Heaven.

Although it is called a "grotto-heaven", it is no ordinary mountain cave.

Instead, it is a naturally formed innate Qi acupoint deep within the mountain, relying on the millennia-old earth veins and Daoist principles of Daluo Palace.

Through generations of ancestral masters' reinforcement with array formations, it has become an independent and serene place, externally connected to the shape of mountains and internally containing the wonders of heaven and earth.

Ordinary disciples, and even palace elders, are absolutely forbidden from approaching without permission.

Only Li Yuan was allowed to freely enter and leave this place from a young age.

The path winds its way downhill, gradually entering the heart of the mountain.

As the light dimmed, the "qi" flowing in the air became even purer and richer, carrying the warmth and vitality unique to the depths of the earth.

Blurry, ancient carvings began to appear on the stone wall, resembling talismans or star maps, ancient in age and now integrated with the mountain rocks.

Li Yuan moved with light steps, undisturbed by a speck of dust, as if strolling through his own courtyard in this dark passage.

He was intimately familiar with every turn and every mark here.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

It wasn't that we saw the light of day, but rather a huge, naturally formed grotto.

The cave's dome is high and wide, and what is on it is not rock, but rather a miniature starry sky, with soft starlight scattering its gentle glow.

The ground was as smooth as a mirror, neither gold nor jade, its luster so bright it reflected the stars above.

In the center of the grotto, a wisp of purple mist slowly rotated.

Amidst the purple aura, a slender figure could be vaguely seen sitting cross-legged, dressed in a simple blue Taoist robe, with snow-white hair and a long beard reaching his chest. His face was indistinct in the swirling purple aura.

Only one pair of eyes, seemingly opening and closing, looked over the moment Li Yuan stepped into the cave.

That gaze seemed to penetrate the skin, shining directly into the essence, carrying the insight and compassion gained through the vicissitudes of time.

"Disciple Li Yuan greets Master."

Li Yuan stopped at the edge of the purple aura and respectfully performed a Taoist kowtow.

The purple aura rippled slightly, and the voice of True Immortal Xuanwei came, not old, but clear and peaceful:

"Yuan'er is here."

His gaze lingered on Li Yuan for a moment, as if examining a flawless yet infinitely mysterious Dao artifact.

"Divine light converges inward, Qi merges with the Great Void..."

"It doesn't seem like a deliberate attempt to restrain itself, but rather like it's naturally the way it is."

"Yuan'er, your progress has already surpassed the mere mention of 'Refining Truth'."

Li Yuan remained calm, showing neither the awkwardness of being seen through nor the deliberate display of sharpness, and simply said:

"I have made some progress, but I dare not say that I have made any significant progress. I have simply followed the path I came from and taken a few more steps."

"The way we came..." Xuanwei Zhenren repeated softly, his purple aura undulating slightly.

"Your 'path of origin' is probably different from that of all the other beings in this world."

"When I carried you into the palace, I knew you were no ordinary person."

"When the purple aura comes from the east, the statues of gods tremble; that is the heavens and earth endorsing you."

"Over the past eighteen years, what you have shown has far exceeded the scope of 'genius,' and is almost like the embodiment of the Tao descending to earth."

"Now, looking at you, you are clearly standing right in front of me, yet it is as if you are separated by layers of Daoist principles, standing in another lofty realm."

"I have explored the mysteries of heaven and man to the utmost, yet I have never been able to fully comprehend the profound mysteries of your inner world."

"I could only sense a vast, boundless, and supremely noble 'existence,' as deep and immeasurable as a mountain."

Li Yuan stood quietly listening. He knew that his master's cultivation was profound and he must be able to sense the abnormality in his inner vision.

However, the inner landscape of the Great Luo Palace, guarded by all the gods, is an unprecedented phenomenon, and its status is too deeply involved.

Even the master could hardly imagine the specifics; he could only sense that transcendent "quality".

This is not a concealment, but rather his way of life, which is simply how it is.

"Master has discerning eyes."

Li Yuan bowed slightly, tacitly acknowledging his master's assessment of him as "unfathomable," and then got down to business.

"Just now, Lu Xuan from the Lu family brought his son Lu Jin up the mountain to deliver an invitation to Old Master Lu's birthday banquet."

"I wish to attend the Lu family's birthday banquet."

The figure within the purple aura seemed to move slightly, a barely perceptible hint of emotion lingering in its voice:

"The Lu family... Time flies, and Mr. Lu has reached the age to celebrate his birthday."

"The world of supernatural beings may seem peaceful now, but undercurrents are brewing."

"It seems he wanted to use the birthday banquet as an opportunity to observe the talents of the world and pave the way for the future of the Lu family."

"Very well, this birthday banquet will surely gather many heroes, which is indeed a good opportunity for you to enter the world, observe the trends, and verify your own path."

"With your current level of attainment, there is little in the mortal world that can shake your foundation, but the human heart is unpredictable, and the world is like a game of chess."

"Although you hold a superior position and have a profound understanding of the Dao, you have not yet experienced all the aspects of the world. There may be things you have not noticed in the details and in the realm of reason and emotion."

"On this trip, the focus should be on 'observation' and secondary on 'experience.' There's no need to force it or avoid it."

"Go with the flow and follow your heart."

"Thank you for your teachings, Master." Li Yuan could feel the solemnity in his master's words.

"This disciple has entered the mortal world for two reasons: first, to temper his Dao heart and observe the myriad phenomena of the mortal world; second,... to see the extraordinary people of this world, and the outlook and vision of the younger generation."

He did not mention the future catastrophe, nor did he state that he wanted to change anything.

But Master Xuanwei was no ordinary person; from his calm words, one could hear the determination and responsibility hidden beneath the calm.

The purple aura surged slightly, and Xuanwei Zhenren's gaze seemed to pierce through what was in front of him and fall on a more distant future.

Or rather, it falls upon a grander possibility embodied in Li Yuan.

He suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a profound and insightful quality.

"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'."

Li Yuan's eyes flickered slightly; his master's words were full of profound meaning.

His expression remained unchanged as he slowly opened his mouth, his voice calm yet possessing an air of serene composure.

"Whether it's a variable or a fixed number."

"The way is in the places you walk, the path is under your feet."

"What I ask for is nothing more than to protect what should be protected and to understand what should be understood."

"As for the path of cause and effect, if it obstructs the way, simply brush it away; if it is a karmic connection, why not accept it?"

His words were simple, yet they conveyed a sense of detachment and confidence that transcended the chaos.

That was not arrogance, but a composure based on a profound understanding of one's own "Tao" and "power".

Upon hearing this, Xuanwei Zhenren's purple aura suddenly condensed, then slowly expanded.

It was as if some invisible worry had been lifted, or as if something had finally been confirmed.

He remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "That's...very good."

"It seems there's not much more I can teach you."

"You must explore the road ahead on your own."

"This Daluo Palace is your starting point, and also your eternal destination."

"But your world extends far beyond this."

"Go." Xuanwei Zhenren's figure seemed even fainter in the purple aura, and his voice was also a little more ethereal, but it carried a sense of relief and blessing.

"Mountains are high and rivers are long, the journey is boundless."

"Yuan'er, may you... take every step a lotus blossom."

"Take care, Master. This disciple is off."

Li Yuan bowed deeply, more solemnly than ever before, yet also more naturally.

Upon exiting the Hunyuan Cave Heaven, the outside world was bathed in bright sunlight.

Li Yuan returned to his small courtyard, stood under the ancient pine tree, and closed his eyes for a moment.

Inside the interior, the vast and boundless Great Luo Palace, guarded by all the gods, floats silently.

Compared to physical palaces and temples in the outside world, it is more magnificent and sacred, filled with ineffable supreme Taoist charm.

After talking with his master, the last trace of subtle distance between him and his master, caused by their different identities and powers, disappeared.

My master is a leading figure in the Taoist sect of this world, with unfathomable cultivation. He has nurtured and taught me, and our bond is as strong as a mountain.

As for himself, he was a time traveler, and his inner world formed a supreme divine court, with a transcendent status.

The two are not contradictory.

Just as Master said, Daluo Palace is the starting point and the destination.

But his path lies in a wider world.

It is to confirm the "Tao" revealed by the inner landscape of the Great Luo Palace, which even he himself is still exploring.

A moment later, Li Yuan opened his eyes, the divine light in his eyes completely subsided, and his gaze returned to its gentle and peaceful state.

He looked around the small courtyard: ancient pine trees, a stone table, a bamboo fence...

Eighteen years of quiet contemplation, every moment etched in my heart.

Then, he pushed open the bamboo door, went out, and left the door slightly ajar behind him.

Without alerting anyone, Li Yuan descended the mountain path.

Passing through the main hall area, the morning prayers had just ended, the lingering sounds of bells and chimes, and the aroma of incense filled the air.

A Taoist priest saw him, bowed respectfully, and looked at him with great reverence.

Li Yuan nodded slightly, continuing his steps.

Upon reaching the mountain gate archway, he paused again and looked back.

Amidst towering mountains, the Daluo Palace stands majestically, resembling a fairyland in the morning sun and mist, carrying a thousand-year-old tradition and witnessing his growth and transcendence.

He knew that beneath this peaceful and serene facade lurked a brutal future.

That ferocious calamity, which devours civilization and heritage, originated in Japan and will spread throughout China, consuming this peaceful and sacred land and turning millennia of accumulated wealth into scorched earth and ruins.

That was not a vague prophecy.

Rather, it is the "reality" that has already occurred in another time and space, clearly etched deep within his soul.

All of the previous events—whether it was his master's expectations, the Lu family's invitation, or his own improvement in his Dao realm—seemed to be preparations for a predetermined moment.

His spiritual practice is complete, and his resolve to follow the Way is firm.

Inside the inner realm, the ancient Great Luo Palace operated silently, and the phantoms of myriad gods remained still, as if awaiting the will of this innate Dao Child.

Li Yuan gazed quietly, his eyes no longer holding the gentle, peaceful depths of an ancient well.

Rather, it possessed a kind of indescribable divine light, slowly brewing and settling.

That was not the flame of hatred.

It was a colder, more absolute, and more rooted in the very essence of "Tao"—a chilling and resolute determination.

A resolute stance against those who "destroy the Way"!

A chilling stern look at those who "trample" on others!

He slowly raised his hand and solemnly bowed once more towards the palaces and temples, towards the direction of the Hunyuan Cave.

After the ceremony, he straightened up.

The aura that was originally in harmony with heaven and earth and nature remained unchanged.

But at that moment, it was as if an invisible yet resolute "sharpness" had been injected into it.

Li Yuan spoke slowly, his gaze seemingly piercing through the magnificent palace and mountain scenery before him.

I saw a tragic future, a future intertwined with blood and fire; I saw that ferocious flag and rampant atrocities.

Deep within his eyes, the lingering cold light suddenly condensed, transforming into a chilling will powerful enough to make even ghosts and gods hold their breath.

His voice wasn't loud, but every word blended into the mountain breeze, imprinting itself on this world he was about to temporarily leave:

"In this life..."

"I, Li Yuan, will use this body of Daoist bones and this still-warm blood..."

"Exterminate all Japanese pirates and sweep away all evil influences from the world!"

"Give me back my homeland, one—"

"Bright and clear sky."

The last four words fell.

The invisible "sharpness" quietly receded, and the fierce will sank into the deepest part of his eyes, returning to a profound tranquility.

The mountain breeze flows again, the pine trees still rustle, and the bell tolls softly.

Li Yuan didn't look back. He turned around, took a step, and stepped down the stone steps.

The figure in the moon-white Taoist robe stood alone amidst the morning light and mountain mist.

Yet it seemed to carry the resolute momentum of a thousand troops about to break through the mountains and passes.

It is like a peerless sword slowly returning to its sheath, yet destined to drink the blood of the enemy.

Calm and unstoppable, it plunges down into the turbulent world below.

The Daluo Palace stands silently, witnessing its Daoist son, who, with the calmest demeanor, made the most tumultuous vow.