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

After reading through all the records, Wang Zhenhuan raised his head. He moved his stiff neck, his heart filled with emotion. This Chonghe Zhenren truly lived up to his reputation as a high-level cultivator of the Purple Qi realm.

He not only reverse-engineered the Five Thunder Orthodox Method, but also improved upon it. The Five Thunder Orthodox Method recorded in the bamboo slips left by the True Man of Black Horn is the original version that circulated during the Qin and Han dynasties.

The most obvious difference lies in the cultivation of the Thunder Seed. The bamboo slips record that the most crucial step in cultivating the Five Thunder Orthodox Method is to draw thunder into the body.

This is also the foundation for cultivating the Five Thunder Orthodox Method. However, ordinary thunder and rain are not enough to achieve this. It must be heavenly thunder used for tribulation or for transformation, in order to nurture the thunder seed.

This alone is enough to deter most cultivators. Because both the heavenly lightning for tribulation and the lightning tribulation for transformation are things that can only be encountered by chance and cannot be sought after.

For mortals to transcend tribulation, they must reach the Deep Blue High Profound realm and activate their Qi through the Xuan Guan (mysterious gate) to summon heavenly lightning to overcome it. The power of the tribulation lightning is not like ordinary thunder and rain; otherwise, it wouldn't be called heavenly lightning.

The purpose of this heavenly lightning is to cleanse the body of impurities. Only the purest yang energy in the world can achieve this cleansing effect, and such things are almost nonexistent in the mortal realm. Therefore, for a Taoist to attain the Purple Realm, the only remaining path is to undergo tribulation.

Almost all cultivators seek a secluded place or ask relatives and friends for protection before undergoing tribulation. Therefore, it is virtually impossible for a stranger to find the tribulation lightning to guide them into their body.

That leaves only the path of the Transformation Tribulation, but for an alien to achieve this is even rarer than for a Taoist undergoing tribulation. Without a fortuitous encounter, an alien typically needs to cultivate for nearly a thousand years before achieving this transformation.

Where can one find such a tribulation lightning? Therefore, it's not without reason that the Five Thunder Orthodox Method lost its lineage since the pre-Qin era. If cultivation is difficult, perhaps some would still be willing to give it a try.

However, the entry barrier was too high, and the success rate of cultivating the Thunder Seed was low, which is the most important reason for the extinction of the lineage. The method recorded on the cloth by the True Man Chonghe is different from the ancient method.

He improved the method of obtaining thunder seeds by reducing the power of the Five Thunder Orthodox Method, thus lowering the barrier to entry for it. This made it possible to introduce ordinary thunderstorms into the body.

The advantage of doing this is that although the power of thunder magic has been greatly reduced, the entry barrier has been significantly lowered. The Five Thunder Orthodox Method has now become a thunder magic that everyone can practice.

In Wang Zhenhuan's view, this improvement was more beneficial than harmful. A powerful spell is certainly awe-inspiring, but the prerequisite is the ability to cultivate it. If even getting started is difficult, everything else is just empty talk.

Thunder is rare, but thunderstorms are common. Especially since Wang Zhenhuan is going to continue south, where there is little snow and much rain in winter, he is bound to encounter thunderstorms.

Then he can try to draw the thunderclouds into his body to nurture a thunder seed. Speaking of which, we must mention that the improved thunder technique by Master Chonghe has another advantage: safety!

To enter the ancient methods, one must be guided by heavenly lightning or tribulation lightning of transformation. Both are extremely dangerous and powerful lightning bolts, and carelessness in handling them could lead to death.

However, ordinary thunderstorms are different. Although their power is still astonishing, they are not so unbearable for cultivators. Even if something goes wrong when guiding thunderclouds, at most they will only be injured, and they can recover after a few days of rest.

No wonder that when Rin and the True Man subdued the mirage dragon, they didn't kill it with lightning magic. They merely reverted it to its original form, a fact that Wang Zhen hadn't noticed at the time.

Looking back now, the power of that lightning technique was indeed somewhat weaker than described in the records. If the lightning techniques recorded in ancient books were said to have a power of ten, then the lightning technique improved by Chonghe Zhenren would have a power of eight.

While its power appeared to have decreased by nearly 20%, its safety factor had more than doubled. Wang Zhen was amazed by Daoist Chong Hezi's imaginative ideas and impressed by his unparalleled talent in turning these ideas into reality.

He even wondered who the real deity had descended to earth. Could it be that this Chonghe Zhenren was actually the same kind of person as him? He just didn't know what his identity was in his previous life.

Wang Huanzhen was filled with excitement, wishing he could immediately go to the place where thunder and rain fell and try it out for himself. However, he quickly dismissed this idea, calmed himself down, and sat back down at the table.

Putting aside whether there would be thunderstorms near Xiayi, the current situation alone made it impossible for him to leave. Moreover, Chonghe Zhenren had imparted all of his self-created thunder magic to him without reservation.

Both morally and logically, he should express his gratitude properly. Moreover, this was a debt of gratitude for being taught skills, second only to the bond between master and disciple. He should not only thank him, but also do so in a grand and dignified manner, catering to his tastes.

How can I make Kazuko Oki feel my sincerity?

Wang Zhenhuan sat at the table, watching the flickering candlelight, lost in thought. What did Chonghe Zhenren like? Money? Wang Zhenhuan shook his head. He certainly didn't lack money; one could tell from the robes he wore when they first met.

Those who cultivate the Dao certainly don't get close to women. And given his high position, he must have no shortage of official duties. Upon careful consideration, it seems there's nothing about him that could interest Chonghe Zhenren.

This really stumped Wang Zhen. He racked his brains but couldn't come up with a good solution. By this time, a night had passed, and it was gradually getting brighter outside.

At dawn, Wang Zhenhuan blew out the candle, opened the door, and went out. As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Master Lu sweeping snow in the courtyard. When he saw Wang Zhenhuan come out, he greeted him with a smile.

"Young Taoist priest, you're up so early? The kitchen is already busy, it should be ready in about fifteen minutes. You can go to your room and wait for the servants to bring the food."

"No rush. By the way, Lao Lu. You should still call me by my name. We're so familiar with each other, and it's getting awkward to hear you call me 'Taoist Master' all the time. I have something to ask you." Wang Zhenhuan waved his hand, signaling him to stop, and then asked.

"Young Master... well, I'll still call you Master Wang. Master Wang, please ask me anything you need. I, Old Lu, will answer to the best of my knowledge." Master Lu thought for a moment and said with a slightly embarrassed tone.

"Alright then, Lao Lu. Let me ask you something: this Chonghe Zhenren is so familiar with your Master Sun, do you know what his hobbies are?" Wang Zhenhuan asked him with a smile.

"Hobbies? Master Tongmiao is a god-like figure. Although he is an old acquaintance of my master, I have never heard of him having any special hobbies." Master Lu frowned.

"I know that those who cultivate the Tao are supposed to be pure of heart and have few desires. But people are still people, and they have joy, anger, sorrow and happiness. Hasn't Master ever seen the Master happy?" Wang Zhenzhen pressed on, unwilling to give up.

"Ah, Master Wang, now that you mention it, I remember. If we're talking about hobbies, wine should be one of Master Tongmiao's. He even went to support the opening of the tavern in town a few days ago..."