However, this "Taiyi Thunder Control True Canon" was not a specific thunder-elemental martial art, divine skill, or spell. Instead, it was an exposition on the great Dao of thunder and lightning, explained from its most basic principles to its deepest complexities. It could even be considered the master text for the myriad of thunder-based spells in the world!
If one could master it, cultivating any Thunder Technique thereafter would be twice as effective, as if guided by divine aid. It could even turn the mundane into the miraculous, allowing one to unleash astonishing power from an otherwise mediocre Thunder Technique.
To use a simple analogy, the Wind-Thunder Talisman Sword Art and the Seven Steps Dragon Slaying Technique were like being given a pile of handgun parts. As long as you followed the instructions, you could assemble a handgun to attack your enemies. The "Taiyi Thunder Control True Canon," on the other hand, didn't give you parts. Instead, it explained from the inside out how every gun was constructed, detailing the principles and purpose of each component. It taught how modifying various parts would strengthen or weaken them in certain aspects. With this knowledge, you could spend a little more time to fabricate your own parts and assemble not just a handgun, but also rifles, submachine guns, and even Gatling guns!
Comparatively, the difficulty of this inheritance was a hundred, or even several hundred, times greater than that of ordinary Thunder Techniques. Even among the most astonishingly brilliant prodigies of the Thunder Sect in the Sanqing Immortal Sect, most had to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage, allowing their spirit to sublimate and their comprehension to transform, before they could grasp even the slightest inkling of its true nature. In fact, many experts at the Soul Travel and Saint Manifestation stages had only managed to comprehend it to a minor level of mastery.
But at this moment, under the System's empowerment, Wang Xiu's understanding of this true canon of thunder was rapidly advancing toward perfection!
BOOM...
Wang Xiu's eyes were tightly shut as an endless sea of purple brilliance manifested in his sea of consciousness. Massive bolts of lightning, like great dragons and serpents, surged through the air, emanating a terrifying pressure that made one tremble uncontrollably. This endless purple light coalesced into a majestic figure a hundred zhang tall. Thunder formed a war chariot beneath its feet, lightning became a war spear in its hands, and its body was entwined with endless chains of order. The surrounding void twisted and shattered under its overwhelming might, dissolving into countless floating fragments.
Such was its heavenly power! Anyone with a guilty conscience would inevitably break out in a cold sweat and tremble from their very core when faced with this vision of the Thunder God.
Wang Xiu's expression, however, was utterly serene. He calmly observed the vision of the Thunder God. The chains of order coiling around it were the concentrated manifestation of the Thunder Principle, containing the core mysteries of all Thunder Technique spells. However, unless one possessed talent unseen throughout the ages, they could observe this vision for a hundred or even a thousand years and still fail to comprehend a shred of its true essence.
Only Wang Xiu, who had already received the perfect-level comprehension of the "Taiyi Thunder Control True Canon," could gain true insight as he observed the Thunder God vision, the two resonating with and reinforcing each other.
***
WHOOSH...
「The moon set in the west as the Golden Crow rose in the east.」
An entire night passed quickly. Wang Xiu finally awoke from his deep state of enlightenment and exhaled a turbid breath, which faintly flickered with electric sparks.
"The Thunder Technique," he murmured. "Truly worthy of being one of the great Daos of heaven and earth. It is indeed profound and infinitely wondrous!"
Taking a deep breath, Wang Xiu slowly raised his right hand. A brilliant wisp of lightning gradually appeared, dancing and swirling around his fingertips. The lightning then grew denser and more dazzling, enveloping his entire arm and flowing slowly like a liquid.
If the True Disciples of the Thunder Sect were to witness this scene, their eyes would surely bulge out of their sockets. After all, lightning was one of the most violent and destructive energies in the world. The slightest mishap could cause the thunder-elemental energy to run rampant and injure the user. Therefore, even the disciples and elders of the Thunder Sect were exceedingly cautious when casting Thunder Techniques, fearing they would injure themselves before harming their enemy.
Yet, in Wang Xiu's hands, this lightning was incredibly docile. Forget running rampant, it didn't even let off a single stray spark. It's important to know that the power of a Thunder Technique isn't measured by how many sparks it throws off. In fact, those errant sparks were, to some extent, just wasted mana. Concentrating the power of lightning to such a high degree that it became liquid, as Wang Xiu had done, was the true mark of ultimate control. Not a single trace of power was wasted, allowing one to unleash the strongest possible destructive force in battle.
"What a pity," Wang Xiu sighed. "The 'Taiyi Thunder Control True Canon' only explains the theory; it doesn't come with corresponding spells. To learn specific skills, I'll still have to make a trip to the Scripture Pavilion."
The thought gave Wang Xiu a headache. Although the Scripture Pavilion had copies of the legacies from every branch of the Sanqing Immortal Sect, the money-grubbing Sect Leader had set the "borrowing fees" quite high. Wang Xiu had just raided the Tiger Demon's lair and made a decent haul, but he had even more expenses. The borrowing fee… spending money on that just felt a little dissatisfying.
What about not borrowing any books and just creating his own Thunder Techniques based on the theoretical knowledge from the "Taiyi Thunder Control True Canon"? It's not impossible, but it would definitely be more troublesome and time-consuming than learning existing techniques. It would delay my main mission of leveling up by listening to people brag. What a headache!
Just as Wang Xiu was wrestling with his dilemma, the Communication Token at his waist buzzed. It was a message from Ji Zidian. "Senior Brother, are you there?"
Heh... Isn't this just what the doctor ordered? I remember this girl promised to teach me Thunder Techniques. As the princess of the Thunder Sect, she surely wouldn't charge a destitute fellow like me for lessons, right?
Thinking this, Wang Xiu immediately sent a video call request.
***
「Meanwhile, on Thunderclap Peak in the Sanqing mountain range.」
In a room filled with antique charm, a purple-haired girl leaned against a window, cradling a purple saber.
I wonder how Senior Brother's injuries are. With the Tribulation Thunder Fluid to help him recover, he shouldn't have any hidden wounds that might affect his foundation, right?
The purple saber shimmered with light, as if in response to her thoughts.
A smile graced the girl's lips. "It seems you're quite fond of Senior Brother! Well, you did fight alongside him and even drank his blood, so of course you feel close to him."
"It's been so long since we've seen him. You must miss him too, right? How about I take you to see him? I can bring him some healing medicine while I'm at it!"
With that, the girl gripped the Purple Cloud Saber, her body surging with electric light as she sheathed it within her body.
HUMM...
Just then, the Communication Token in front of her vibrated. It was a video call invitation from Wang Xiu.
HISS!
Like an electrified kitten, the girl's hair stood on end. She scrambled to her bed, grabbed a mirror, and meticulously straightened her appearance several times. Only then did she sit down gracefully by the window and accept the call. "Good morning, Senior Brother! How are your injuries? I have some Top-Grade Healing Medicine from a Senior Sister in the Alchemy Sect. If you're at the Divination Sect, I can bring it over to you!"
Injuries? Wang Xiu paused for a moment before smiling. "I appreciate the thought, Junior Sister. With that drop of Tribulation Thunder Fluid from your father, my injuries have completely healed. There's no need for you to bring me medicine."
Ji Zidian nodded slightly, a hint of disappointment in her expression. "That's good to hear."
The atmosphere turned somewhat awkward. Just as Wang Xiu was trying to think of how to bring up his request without seeming too abrupt or rude, Ji Zidian's face brightened as if she'd thought of something.
"Senior Brother, didn't you say you were very interested in our Thunder Sect's techniques?" she asked with a smile. "Are you free? If you are, I can come to Spirit Turtle Peak right now to teach you Thunder Techniques!"