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

Now that he was certain the two were alright, Wang Zhenhuan felt relieved. After having a banquet with everyone at Lord Sun's house at noon, he was slightly tipsy.

No wonder Daoist Chonghezi had been so fond of Lord Sun's wine. Although it wasn't very strong, it was fragrant and mellow, and the liquid was as clear as amber. Before he knew it, Wang Zhenhuan had drunk too much.

Ao Shuang was in even worse shape and had already been helped back to her room to rest by the servants. After drinking and eating to their hearts' content, Wang Zhenhuan, emboldened by the alcohol, asked Daoist Chong Hezi about a question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time.

He followed Okiko to the backyard and sat in the pavilion. Looking at the falling snowflakes, he asked, "Master, I have a question that has been lingering in my mind, and I must ask it. I hope you can enlighten me."

After drinking, Daoist Chong Hezi's face was slightly flushed. He waved his hand and said to Wang Huanzhen, "Ask away, this humble Daoist will answer to the best of my knowledge!"

"Since that's the case, then I'll be so bold as to ask. May I ask, if I'm not mistaken, when you subdued that mirage dragon, did you use thunder magic?" Wang Zhenhuan pondered for a moment before asking.

"Indeed, fellow Daoist, you have keen eyesight! Since you've asked, and I see a connection between us, I'll tell you. What I used that day was thunder magic! And not just any ordinary thunder magic!"

Perhaps it was because of the alcohol, but Oki Kazuko's true nature seemed to have been unleashed. He spoke with a smug look on his face, like a child showing off his abilities.

Wang Zhen was secretly delighted. This Okiwako's personality was indeed as he had guessed. His usual ethereal and otherworldly demeanor was all an act. In reality, his nature was somewhat like a mischievous child.

To put it nicely, this kind of personality is called straightforward and innocent; to put it bluntly, it's mischievous, enjoying seeing others make a fool of themselves and teasing others. This can be seen from his earlier request for wine from Lord Sun and his later taunts of Wang Zhenhuan in the room.

Having ascertained his personality, Wang Zhen was quite pleased. Once he understood his character, he could find a way to please him and get information about thunder magic from him.

A thought flashed through his mind, and Wang Huanzhen rose and sat down beside Chong Hezi. Smiling, he looked at him and asked, "May I ask, Master, was the technique you used earlier the ancient, lost divine art, the Five Thunder Orthodox Method?"

"Hmm? I didn't expect that you, a mere Taoist priest, with such low cultivation, would have such extensive knowledge. That's right, what I used earlier was one of the techniques of the Five Thunder Orthodox Method, called Palm Thunder." Taoist Chonghezi stroked his beard and said with a smug look on his face.

"Really? I thought I was seeing things. I never expected it to actually be the Five Thunder Orthodox Method. But wasn't the Five Thunder Orthodox Method lost during the Qin and Han dynasties?" Wang Zhenhuan looked at Chong Hezi in shock.

Seeing Wang Zhenhuan's surprised expression, Daoist Chonghezi became even more smug. He shook his head and said, "It is true that the technique has been lost, but my thunder magic is slightly different from that of the pre-Qin era. It was created by me."

Hearing this, Wang was genuinely surprised. A thunder technique he created himself? No wonder Chong Hezi was so proud; with just the fact that he created his own thunder technique, he could be proud of himself throughout the entire Daoist sect.

It's important to understand that a full thousand years have passed since the Qin and Han dynasties. During this time, Taoist practices regarding thunder magic have been in a state of discontinuity.

If this thunder magic could be created so easily, it wouldn't have been lost for so many years. Wang Huanzhen straightened up and respectfully cupped his hands to Chong Hezi.

"May I ask, Master, I also have some knowledge of thunder magic. Would you be willing to discuss it with me? I don't need to go deep, just the basics will do."

"You also understand thunder magic? Do you know how difficult it is to cultivate thunder magic? You can't just talk nonsense about this." Now it was Master Chonghezi's turn to be surprised. He looked at Wang Zhenhuan with an expression full of disbelief.

"Since you don't believe me, then allow me to offer my humble opinion first. If you find it acceptable, then we can exchange ideas further. How about that?" Wang Zhenhuan said after a moment's consideration.

When Daoist Chonghezi heard Wang Zhenhuan's sincerity, he was momentarily confused about his thoughts. He had thought it was just a casual remark, but unexpectedly, Wang Zhenhuan actually wanted to discuss the thunder magic that had been lost for nearly a thousand years with him.

It wasn't that he looked down on people; it was simply that the art of thunder magic had been lost for far too long. Even among the Taoist followers of the Song Dynasty in modern times, few had even heard of thunder magic, let alone studied it. And Wang Zhenzhen, no matter how he looked at it, didn't seem like someone who knew thunder magic.

So he suppressed his doubts, looked at Wang Zhenhuan and nodded, saying, "Since you are so sincere in asking, I naturally have no reason to hold back. Please!" In the end, he still didn't trust Wang Zhenhuan.

So, Okiko's idea was to see what Wang Zhenhuan was up to before making a decision. But something unexpected happened. After thinking for a moment, Wang Zhenhuan spoke.

"Very well, then let me offer my humble opinion as a starting point. One of the prerequisites for cultivating the Five Thunder Orthodox Method is to nurture an innate thunder seed within one's body..."

Unexpectedly, before Wang Zhenhuan could finish speaking, Daoist Chonghezi's eyes, which had been filled with doubt, suddenly widened. He hurriedly stood up and interrupted Wang Zhenhuan, saying, "Alright, that's enough."

Wang Zhenhuan had just begun, about to get to the crucial point, when Daoist Chonghezi interrupted him, and he looked at him with confusion. Daoist Chonghezi coughed and whispered something.

"It's not convenient to talk here. Come to my room later. I will explain everything to you in detail without reservation. Is that alright?"

Wang Huanzhen was delighted to hear his reply. He nodded and said, "Of course! Then I thank you in advance for your great kindness, Master! It is truly a rare opportunity to meet a senior who understands thunder magic. I am indeed destined to meet you, Master."

Master Chong Hezi coughed a few times, nodded slightly embarrassedly, and said, "Well, that's settled then. I'll go find my old friend first to discuss the repair of the river embankment."

Having said that, before Wang Zhenhuan could reply, he turned and walked into the house. Wang Zhenhuan stood in the pavilion, watching his back against the wind and snow, and it looked to him as if he were running away.

He shook his head, banishing the strange thoughts from his mind. Then he chuckled. Anyway, Daoist Chonghezi had agreed to his request, and Wang Zhenhuan's motive for asking him about thunder magic was quite simple.

That must be the innate lightning seed! Since Daoist Chonghezi can unleash palm lightning, he must have a lightning seed within him. If we could obtain even a fraction of it, or have him protect us and guide the heavenly lightning into our bodies...

If one obtains the seed of thunder from heavenly lightning, then one will have the opportunity to cultivate the Five Thunder Orthodox Method. After cultivating the thunder method, one will have another means of dealing with enemies!

This perfectly compensates for his lack of martial arts knowledge. This Daoist Chonghezi is truly his benefactor!