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

41. Zhang Zhiwei fought against several Japanese pirates single-handedly.

At the main table, Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing had calmed his mind.

He held his teacup, but his gaze kept drifting to the two figures standing side by side in the corner of the courtyard.

Zuo Ruotong noticed his gaze and smiled slightly:

"Is the Celestial Master still worried?"

Zhang Jingqing shook her head, then nodded.

"Zhiwei is too sharp-witted. I've always worried that he'll suffer in the future."

"To meet young friend Li Yuan today and receive his guidance is a great opportunity for him."

Zuo Ruotong nodded slightly, her gaze also falling on the figure in the moon-white Taoist robe:

"I have never seen Li Yuan Daozi in all my years of life."

"His realm is not in cultivation level or magic, but in the word 'seeing'."

"He can see things that others cannot see, and he can also make others see things that they themselves could not see."

Upon hearing this, a profound meaning flashed in the Celestial Master's eyes:

"Brother Zuo, are you saying—"

Zuo Ruotong shook her head slightly, interrupting the Celestial Master before he could finish speaking:

"Zuo didn't say anything."

"I just feel that this Daoist descending the mountain is perhaps a fortunate thing for the world and for us."

The Celestial Master remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Fortunately... I hope so."

......

Bai Ling sat quietly at the table, but her gaze never left the figure in the moon-white Taoist robe.

She watched Li Yuan and Zhang Zhiwei stand side by side, watched the two talk in hushed tones, and watched the fleeting depth in Li Yuan's eyes as he looked up at the sky.

She recalled the secrets passed down through generations of the esoteric practitioners outside the pass.

I recall those ancient records about the "source of all gods" and the "primordial Dao realm".

Thinking back to this moment, there was a faint, lingering purple aura between Li Yuan's brows.

She couldn't help but feel deeply fortunate.

Fortunately, I sensed that Daoist aura outside Qingshui Town that day.

I'm glad I chased after him despite everything.

Fortunately—

He became Li Yuan's "fellow traveler".

She picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and a very faint smile appeared on her exquisite face.

......

Wang Ai, the chubby boy, squeezed next to his father. His face was full of sleepiness, but he stubbornly refused to fall asleep.

His gaze remained fixed on the figure in the moon-white Taoist robe in the corner of the courtyard.

He recalled what Li Yuan had said to him at the Chengxin Water Pavilion:

"Your spirituality is a good thing."

"But spirituality is like a stream, which needs a channel to guide it so that it can converge into a river and not drift aimlessly."

At the time, he was confused and only thought that the Taoist priest spoke very nicely.

At this moment, he looked at that figure, at the composure of that person standing side by side with Zhang Zhiwei, at the harmony of that person being one with heaven and earth—

He finally understood something.

Understand what a "river channel" is.

Understand what "guidance" is.

I understand that my unorthodox methods and wildly imaginative "spur-of-the-moment" ideas, if not guided by a true "path," will ultimately remain nothing more than streams, never becoming rivers.

He rubbed his eyes, his chubby face full of seriousness.

Wang Wang looked down at him, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

He didn't say anything, but just gently patted his son's shoulder.

......

Lu Ci sat beside his elder brother, looking at the two figures in the corner of the courtyard, and slowly spoke:

"Brother, what do you think Zhang Zhiwei will become in the future?"

Lu Ren was silent for a moment, then slowly said:

"It will be stronger than it is now."

"but--"

His gaze fell on the figure in the moon-white Taoist robe:

"If Zhang Zhiwei can truly understand what Li Yuan Daozi just said, his future achievements will be limitless."

Lu Ci nodded thoughtfully.

He couldn't help but recall the high spirits he had felt when he challenged Lu Jin earlier.

I recalled the shock and resentment I felt when I saw Zhang Zhiwei deliver that palm strike.

Thinking back to that moment, seeing those two standing side by side.

He couldn't help but feel that he wasn't so resentful anymore.

Because he knew he still had a long way to go.

And on that road, with people like that around, you'll never feel alone.

......

Fengping held a wine bowl and drank heartily with several fellow disciples of Huodezong, their laughter ringing out.

But his gaze would occasionally drift to the two figures in the corner of the courtyard, then he would suddenly put down his wine bowl and say to his fellow disciples:

"I've made up my mind."

His fellow disciple was taken aback: "Decided what?"

Toyohira grinned, revealing his neat white teeth:

"I've decided to go out more often from now on."

There are so many interesting people and interesting things in this world.

"Hiding in a sect and working in isolation will never make you a true master in your entire life."

His fellow disciples looked at each other, wondering why he had suddenly made such a remark.

Fengping offered no further explanation, but simply picked up his wine bowl, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

......

Qin Muting sat in the Shenxiao Sect's seating area, holding a cup of tea that had long since gone cold, and remained untouched for a long time.

Li Yuan's words echoed repeatedly in his mind:

"The ultimate essence of thunder magic lies not in 'unity' or 'faith'."

"And in 'nothingness'."

"Being selfless allows one to contain the thunder of heaven and earth."

"Being without intention, it can absorb the Qi of all things."

"Because there is no fixed method, all dharmas can be accomplished."

He once thought those records in the classics were exaggerations, ideals, and unattainable realms.

At that moment, it was as if we were illuminated by a light.

He took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed deeply to the leader of the Shenxiao Sect:

"Master, I wish to go into seclusion."

The sect leader was slightly taken aback, then smiled with satisfaction.

"Go."

Qin Muting nodded and turned to leave.

He walked very fast, as if afraid that the light in his heart would be extinguished at any moment.

......

The noise in the courtyard gradually subsided.

As night deepened, the guests began to take their leave.

Old Master Lu stood in front of the mansion gate, seeing everyone off one by one with a smile on his face, showing no signs of fatigue.

For him, today's birthday banquet is more than just a birthday celebration.

This was a day when the Lu family would leave a significant mark on the history of the supernatural world.

Li Yuan and Zhang Zhiwei walked side by side to the front of the mansion.

Old Master Lu hurriedly went to greet them and bowed deeply to the two of them.

"Li Yuan Daozi, a esteemed disciple of Zhang Tianshi, I will never forget your kindness today!"

Li Yuan slightly turned his body, refusing the full bow, but returning a half-bow in return:

"You're too kind, Mr. Lu."

"I have also benefited greatly from today's grand gathering."

Zhang Zhiwei returned the greeting with a fist and palm salute, and said with a smile:

"Grandpa, your birthday banquet was wonderful! Will you hold it again next year? If so, I'd love to come and freeload again!"

Old Master Lu laughed heartily: "Come! Come! As long as the young Celestial Master graces me with his presence, this old man will hold this event every year!"

Zhang Zhiwei smiled and waved his hand, then turned to look at Li Yuan:

"Senior brother, we'll meet again someday."

Li Yuan nodded slightly:

Until we meet again.

Zhang Zhiwei said no more and strode toward Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing.

The master and apprentice gradually disappeared into the night as the Lu family members saw them off.

Li Yuan stood quietly in front of the mansion gate, watching the two figures disappear into the distance.

Bai Ling had quietly arrived beside him without him noticing.

"Michiko, should we go too?"

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

Guan Xiugu, holding Guan Shihua's hand, also came closer.

Little Guan Shihua looked up at Li Yuan with her small face upturned, her big eyes filled with reluctance: