The Northern Song Dynasty returned south, seeking the truth of the Dao.

The mirage dragon seemed quite afraid of the Taoist priest, and when it saw its hand being grabbed, it hurriedly shook its head, trying to break free. However, the Taoist priest's arm remained completely unaffected.

Without even a tremor, the mirage dragon, unable to break free, gradually grew terrified. Suddenly, it transformed into a woman, kneeling on the ground, tears streaming down its face, pleading with the Taoist priest.

The Taoist priest still held its wrist, unmoved. After a moment of this stalemate, the mirage dragon transformed into an old woman with white hair, trembling as she begged the Taoist priest to release his grip.

In the short span of time, less than half an incense stick's time, the mirage dragon transformed into nearly a dozen people, men and women, young and old. Their professions varied, including commoners, officials, and even street performers.

Wang Zhenzhen watched with great interest, finding the mirage dragon's transformations not merely altering its appearance and clothing. Even its expressions and movements were incredibly lifelike; had he not already known its identity, he would have been completely unable to distinguish it.

"A great dream lasts no more than a hundred years, why bother coming here?" The Taoist priest looked at the mirage dragon constantly changing shape, his eyes filled with a trace of pity and sympathy, and sighed.

"Stop pretending! You've cultivated Taoism your whole life, aren't you also seeking immortality? I was born this way, why can't I achieve immortality?" The mirage dragon then transformed into a half-grown child.

Looking at the Taoist priest glaring angrily, Wang Zhenhuan asked, but the voice coming from his mouth was childish and saccharine. It was so comical that Wang Zhenhuan couldn't help but chuckle.

Unexpectedly, seemingly provoked by Wang Zhenhuan's laughter, the child suddenly transformed into an old man, pointing a finger at Wang Zhenhuan and saying, "You weak little Taoist priest, if it weren't for this old Taoist priest interfering, you would have become my skin long ago! You're just a fox borrowing the tiger's power, how infuriating!"

Seeing its exasperated state, Wang Zhenhuan's smile deepened. He didn't speak, but shook his head and then bent down, turning his back to the mirage dragon and the Taoist, intending to help Ling Zhizi up first.

Seeing Wang Zhenhuan's expression, the mirage dragon's anger intensified. Clouds and mist swirled around it, and it transformed into a seven-foot-tall general, drawing a long sword from its waist and slashing at Wang Zhenhuan.

But he forgot that his wrist was still being held in the Taoist's hand. Seeing that it still dared to try and harm him, the Taoist frowned. He then raised his other hand and struck the mirage dragon in the chest.

boom--

Wang Zhenhuan only heard a deafening thunderclap before the general, transformed from a mirage dragon, was sent flying backward, lying motionless on the ground. His armor still emitted blue smoke, and his form became increasingly transparent.

Palm Thunder?

After Wang Zhenhuan helped Ling Zhizi up, he looked at the Taoist priest in surprise. The Palm Thunder was a secret technique of the Five Thunder Orthodox Method. The prerequisite for casting it was to cultivate the Five Thunder Orthodox Method and have a thunder seed in one's body.

However, Ao Shuang had previously stated that the Five Thunder Orthodox Method had been lost since the Qin and Han dynasties. Could it be that this Taoist priest…? Wang Zhenhuan was filled with doubt and wanted to ask him for clarification.

However, the Taoist priest had his back to him, and he wasn't familiar with him, so it wouldn't be appropriate to ask about it rashly. Therefore, after hesitating for a moment, Wang Zhenhuan still didn't speak.

Perhaps he was being too sensitive; maybe this Taoist priest only knew thunder magic. While Taoist priests who knew thunder magic were few in number, they weren't nonexistent. And among the myriad Taoist spells, the Five Thunder Orthodox Method wasn't the only one.

No sooner had his thought crossed his mind than he saw the Taoist priest form hand seals and chant incantations: "Jade Purity Begins, True Talisman Proclaims the Alliance, Yin and Yang Five Thunders, Quickly Assemble the Yellow Peace, Amidst Transformation, Roaring Lightning and Swift Thunder, Arriving Upon Hearing the Call, Quickly Emits the Yang Sound. Primordial Emperor Great Dao Lord, Hasten As the Law Commands!"

Having said that, he flicked a yellow talisman from his sleeve. The talisman rose into the air and exploded, transforming into a golden light that split in two, then into four.

Suddenly, it transformed into four bolts of lightning, striking straight at the mirage dragon lying on the ground. These four bolts of lightning were incredibly fast, covering a distance of one zhang in an instant. The mirage dragon opened its eyes in terror and suddenly rose from the ground.

It transformed into a white cloud, drifting away at an incredible speed. But how could this cloud outrun lightning? Before the cloud had even traveled a foot, the thunder arrived.

boom!!-----

The first bolt of lightning struck the clouds, instantly transforming the mirage dragon back into human form. It trembled, then rolled on the ground in agony, its body becoming increasingly transparent.

Then came the second, the third, and the fourth strikes. They came one after another, all landing accurately on the mirage dragon. At first, it could still scream a few times, but later it fell silent.

It lay motionless on the ground. After all four bolts of lightning struck, the mirage dragon could no longer maintain its human form and transformed into a small dragon about the length of an arm. This small dragon looked exactly like its original form.

It wasn't as huge as before; it was small and delicate, like a little snake. The Taoist nodded upon seeing this. He then tossed a yellow talisman towards the mirage dragon's true form.

The yellow talisman, like clothing, wrapped around its entire body. It hissed and emitted wisps of green smoke from the mirage dragon's body. After the smoke dissipated...

The surrounding sky suddenly cleared, the clouds and mist dissipated. The scenery changed, the illusion shattered. They returned to reality. Ling Zhizi was now lying at his feet.

Wang Zhenhuan got up and looked around. Behind him was the familiar cave. However, the cave was now less than ten feet deep. At the end of the cave, Ao Shuang and Xiao Liuzi were lying quietly inside.

Wang Zhen was overjoyed. Without even greeting the Taoist priest, he rushed into the cave and checked the two men's breathing. Thankfully, their breathing was steady; they seemed to be alright.

He then realized what was happening, hurriedly walked out of the cave, and bowed to the Taoist priest, saying, "May you be blessed with good fortune! I, Wang Zhenhuan, am honored to meet you, Taoist Master! Thank you for saving me!"

The Taoist bent down, picked something up from the ground, turned around, and came to Wang Zhenhuan. He smiled and returned the greeting, saying, "May the Heavenly Venerable grant you boundless blessings. Chonghezi returns the greeting."

"I pursued this mirage dragon southwards, and it was only thanks to your help, fellow Daoist, that I was able to subdue it. If this mirage dragon had escaped, who knows how many people it would have harmed. You are truly benevolent, fellow Daoist!"

"You flatter me, Master. It was merely for self-preservation. If it weren't for your help, my friend and I would likely have perished in the hands of this mirage dragon." Wang Zhenhuan shook his head with a wry smile.

"Fellow Daoist is too modest. I believe you and several of my friends are injured. Why don't you come with me to the town for a few days? I also know a little about medicine and would like to treat you," the Daoist said kindly.

Wang Zhenhuan glanced at the three unconscious people, gritted his teeth, and nodded with a flushed face, saying, "Then thank you, Master."