As twilight deepened, Li Yundong and his companions returned home. After dinner, everyone retired to their respective rooms for cultivation. Li Yundong waited until the dead of night before silently gliding up to the rooftop.

When he arrived, he found Ziyuan already waiting for him up there.

Li Yundong chuckled, "You're early. I even made sure to come a bit earlier myself."

Ziyuan smiled faintly, "Then perhaps I should follow the example of Huang Shigong and send you home to return another day?"

Li Yundong recognized the allusion immediately. He quickly waved his hands, laughing, "No need, no need. I am not Zhang Liang seeking counsel, and you are certainly not the enigmatic Huang Shigong. There’s no need for such formalities."

Ziyuan offered a soft smile and said, "Let's go. We're heading back to Longhu Mountain." With that, her figure dissolved into a streak of cyan light, shooting away like lightning.

Li Yundong followed close behind, their flight speed astonishingly fast. Tiannan City wasn't exactly worlds apart from Longhu Mountain; after about two hours, they entered the mountain range's vicinity.

Mid-air, Li Yundong addressed Ziyuan, "This is the undisputed territory of the Zhengyi Sect. Aren't you afraid of being discovered?"

Ziyuan chuckled, "Longhu Mountain is vast. The Zhengyi Sect’s influence hasn't expanded to a point where they monitor every living soul within a hundred-mile radius."

Li Yundong laughed, "Then I might have overestimated them slightly."

Ziyuan shook her head, "Not at all! This is primarily because since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Zhengyi Sect's power has severely waned. During their zenith in the mid-Ming Dynasty, the Shangqing Palace on Longhu Mountain was teeming with protective arrays, and the Celestial Master’s Residence housed the earth-shattering Three Ultimate Formations. Even an immortal entering would have their body and spirit annihilated, reduced to dust! Back then, everyone within a hundred-mile radius practiced the Dao—men, women, young, and old—all serving as eyes and ears for the Zhengyi Sect. Never mind one person entering, they would know if the fly that buzzed in was male or female."

Li Yundong sucked in a sharp breath, "The Zhengyi Sect was that formidable back then?"

Ziyuan sighed with deep emotion, "Indeed. The precursor to the Zhengyi Sect, the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice, was founded by Zhang Daoling, who achieved mastery in cultivation and alchemy here on Longhu Mountain. From the fourth Celestial Master, Zhang Sheng, in the late Han Dynasty, succeeding generations resided here. They occupied Longhu Mountain seeking immortals and esoteric arts, lectured and spread their doctrines from the Shangqing Palace, and cultivated their character in the Celestial Master’s Residence—a continuous hereditary lineage spanning sixty-three generations and over eighteen hundred years right up to today. Furthermore, almost every generation of Celestial Masters received reverence and official appointments from successive feudal dynasties, reaching the rank of First Grade, becoming ministers of the highest standing! In the history of our nation, only one great lineage can compare to them!"

A thought struck Li Yundong, and he blurted out, "The Sage Confucius?"

Ziyuan nodded, "Precisely. In the history of Chinese culture, only two great lineages have been passed down hereditarily to this day: 'Southern Zhang, Northern Kong'! In the South, the Celestial Master Zhang; in the North, the Sage Confucius!"

Although Li Yundong had experienced friction and grievances with the Zhengyi Sect, hearing Ziyuan speak of their history instantly filled him with solemn respect and burgeoning awe. He looked down from the air, observing Longhu Mountain bathed in the starlight and moonlight.

Li Yundong saw peaks stretching for tens of miles below, the mountain range unending, like dozens of great dragons lying dormant. The mountains coiled like dragons and crouched like tigers, a contest of celestial beasts fiercely balanced. Through the ranges, a clear stream flowed in from the distant east, winding gently alongside the mountains, circling peaks—pausing leisurely, lingering over the scenery—turning white over the shallows, and appearing green in the pools.

In this silent forest, one could occasionally hear birdsong or the cry of beasts, and sometimes, faintly, the soft, elegant chanting of Daoist scriptures.

Li Yundong felt his vision clear and his spirit refreshed. An immense surge of heroic feeling erupted within his chest. He exhaled a long, lingering breath, as if intending to swallow the dragons and tigers below and pierce the stars above. The pure vital energy absorbed from gazing at this magnificent landscape in a single moment seemed greater than a full night of his usual cultivation!

"Truly a blessed place for immortals!" Li Yundong sighed deeply.

Seeing Li Yundong lost in contemplation of Longhu Mountain, Ziyuan smiled and said, "Now you understand why all cultivation sects must be situated in the mountains? Don't be discouraged, though. When you've earned enough money, Tianlong Mountain will naturally return to your hands, and then you, too, will have your own cultivation sanctuary."

Li Yundong smiled, "I accept your good wishes! Let’s go down."

Ziyuan guided Li Yundong downward. Once they entered the depths of Longhu Mountain, the perspective shifted entirely from looking down from the heavens. Ziyuan led Li Yundong through the mountain paths, describing the scenic beauty along the way.

Ziyuan explained, "Longhu Mountain has ninety-nine peaks and twenty-four crags, gathering the utmost softness from the winding streams and embracing the masculine strength of ninety-nine dragons. Whenever a new Celestial Master descends, dragons and tigers manifest, and the sky fills with shimmering clouds."

Li Yundong chuckled, "I wonder why, dwelling in such a blessed land, the Zhengyi Sect declined?"

Ziyuan sighed, "The warlord era during the Republic of China, followed by the War of Resistance Against Japan and the civil war, all affected Longhu Mountain. Many Daoist temples were repeatedly destroyed. After the founding of the People's Republic, out of the vast Longhu Mountain, only the main gate, Wuchao Gate, the Bell Tower, Xiama Pavilion, and the Dongyin Courtyard remained. During the decade of turmoil, even these structures were utterly demolished, not one spared. If the pinnacle of Daoist practice suffered such devastation, you can imagine the impact on other sects!"

As she spoke, Ziyuan suddenly smiled, "Now that the state has relaxed its control over the cultivation world, the Zhengyi Sect is eager to restore its former glory. Therefore, the first thing they must do is gather the branch sects scattered previously, consolidate all possible strength, and then unify the cultivation world, achieving singular supremacy!"

Li Yundong let out a cold laugh, "So, they came for you, and they ran into me. That’s how we forged this enmity with the Zhengyi Sect."

Ziyuan nodded slightly. Wind seemed to rise beneath their feet, and before long, they arrived at a subsidiary peak of Longhu Mountain. Ziyuan stopped before the entrance to a Daoist temple, raising her eyes to see two glaringly conspicuous seals pasted across the doorway.

Ziyuan gave a slight sneer. With a delicate lift of her hand, the seals fluttered without wind, peeling off and dropping to the ground moments later.

"Let's go to the Scripture Pavilion," Ziyuan softly murmured, gently pushing the door open for Li Yundong.

Li Yundong nodded and followed her inside. Everywhere he looked, the temple was a scene of chaos, as if Red Guards had swept through.

Ziyuan stated calmly, "Our Linggong Sect hasn't suffered such a catastrophe since the decade of turmoil. It is truly regrettable that today's calamity comes from within our own fraternity."

Li Yundong observed everything, then smiled in consolation, "It’s alright. We will reclaim all of this sooner or later."

Ziyuan gave him an inscrutable smile and continued to lead the way gracefully.

Following Ziyuan, Li Yundong passed through a collection of cave dwellings and skirted a lotus pond, finally arriving before a stone cavern. Ziyuan turned and told Li Yundong, "Wait here for a moment."

Li Yundong nodded. He watched as Ziyuan held his sleeve with one hand, while her other hand's fingers danced lightly over a smooth vertical surface of the wall, as if tracing a talisman. Soon, a gleaming golden symbol appeared on the smooth section of the wall, growing brighter before vanishing. After a moment, a krala sound echoed from within the wall, and shortly after, a slotted shelf projected outward, bearing a jade plate.

Ziyuan reached out and retrieved the jade plate. Moments later, the shelf retracted automatically, leaving no trace of the mechanism on the wall surface.

Li Yundong asked in wonder, "That's miraculous? Are all your treasures hidden inside the walls?"

Ziyuan smiled and explained, "Every sect has its own hidden treasury. The treasury of our Linggong Sect is concealed within the walls of the cave dwelling. These walls are covered in unseen arrays and talismans; if anyone attempts to force entry through external power, it will only result in the total destruction of everything inside. Only by knowing the correct unlocking method can one retrieve what they seek."

Li Yundong laughed, "This is truly magical."

Ziyuan solemnly presented the jade plate in her hands toward Li Yundong, but just as he reached for it, she drew it back, her expression turning serious. "Li Yundong, before you study the Thunder Arts, you must promise me absolutely that you will never use such magic to commit evil, to harm the innocent! Otherwise, if Heaven spares you, I will deal with you myself!"

Li Yundong’s face grew grave, and he spoke each word deliberately, "Rest assured. I, Li Yundong, vow never to do those wicked things. If I break this oath, may I be struck by the Five Thunders!"

A smile returned to Ziyuan’s face. She gently placed the jade plate into Li Yundong's hand, "I trust your character, otherwise I would not pass on the Jade Book of the Five Thunders to you. I am merely following tradition in teaching you this."

Li Yundong took the jade plate. At a glance, he saw it was entirely emerald green. The center was inscribed with text in archaic golden characters rendered in dark green seal script, while the rim was bordered by cinnabar-red lines resembling a formation.

Li Yundong was puzzled, "You called it the Jade Book of the Five Thunders, but why is it a jade plate?"

Ziyuan smiled, "Must it be paper to be called a book? This is a magical artifact passed down to me by my master. It is inscribed with the Five Thunders Orthodox Methods of the Shenxiao Sect. I myself have never studied it. You can examine it yourself; with your cultivation level, learning it should be doubly effective with half the effort."

Li Yundong nodded in agreement and looked down at the jade plate. He saw the first line inscribed with large characters: The Thunder and Lightning are the Pivot of Heaven and Earth. Thunder is Heaven’s Command, possessing the greatest authority; all things in the Three Realms and Nine Underworlds can be summarized and commanded by Thunder!

Though the characters were small, they exuded a powerful, majestic aura that struck the eardrums and invigorated the spirit!

Ziyuan looked deeply at Li Yundong and spoke with profound meaning, "Li Yundong, throughout history, every cultivator who mastered the Five Thunders technique was a great practitioner whose name was etched into history. From this moment onward, the magic you practice will transcend the Five Elements and rise above all living beings!"

This week I have to return to Shanghai, so there won't be any rapid updates. Seven consecutive days of three chapters have exhausted me~ D