The dark pavilion towered above.
A long river of shifting pure and turbid currents wound onward. Silver and Green thunder erupted in the air from time to time, stirring wind and rain that obscured the white sunlight pouring down from above.
Golden thunderlight glimmered faintly in the distance. A Daoist stood upon the clouds, his hair loose and disheveled, a Lightning Mirror in hand. His golden robe, patterned with thunderbirds and ghosts, exuded the stench of blood.
"The six essentials of the Thunder Manor are talismans, incantations, qi, astral force, hand seals, and pivotal workings. All Thunder Arts can be classified among them. This was what the Thunder Palace's [Canon of Daoist Methods] taught."
His voice was low and distant, as though he were speaking to someone. Dark-blue starfire gradually kindled beside him, and a woman in silver-white Daoist robes stepped out of it. It was Wei Peibai.
"I imagine your Dust-Sweeping understands these things better than I do."
"Of course. The world's calamities are gathered in [Primordial Beginning Myriad Kalpas], and its myriad Thunder Arts recorded in the [Canon of Daoist Methods]. The Heavenly Thunder High Immortal once cultivated this path, which was known as the pinnacle of all Thunder Arts."
Wei Peibai seemed moved by something and continued:
"'Canon' signifies the gathering of all methods, but also encompasses everything from the beginning to the source. Whenever another Thunder Art emerges in the world, this scripture records it on its own, leaving nothing out."
The golden-robed man stared at the dark pavilion ahead with burning eyes.
"My Thunder Edict tradition is also called [Demonic Thunder of Lost Edicts]. The path of divine thunder is Heaven's wrath and Heaven's slaughter. It slays all, regardless of good or evil. Consuming blood qi was never an impediment; cultivators today simply do not