Following the invitation of the Star Palace researchers, Lu Yang ultimately headed to the very center of the mother star's "Research Zone," a mountain-like steel structure.
With Lu Yang's cultivation and strength, every light turned green along the way. He encountered almost no obstacles, and no one even approached to question him. He quickly arrived outside the steel structure, where a group of Foundation Establishment-level researchers emerged to replace his previous guides.
Following them, Lu Yang passed through numerous sectors.
Each sector seemed to be a dedicated laboratory for a specific project. With a casual sweep of his gaze, Lu Yang could see researchers everywhere experimenting with formations.
Soon, a large door came into view.
The researcher leading the way gently pushed the door open and stepped aside. Lu Yang didn't stand on ceremony; he strode right in.
This was also a laboratory.
The floor, ceiling, and all four walls were a bright, sterile white. One wall featured a massive isolation window, behind which lay the simulated environment of a primeval forest.
Standing in front of the isolation window was a tall, elegant silhouette wearing a white lab coat and high heels. She held a metallic data pad, occasionally tapping her slender, jade-like fingers across it to write or draw. When lost in thought, she would unconsciously push up the glasses resting on the bridge of her nose.
"Mentor, the distinguished guest has arrived," the lead researcher said softly.
"Oh. He's here?"
The tall, elegant silhouette seemed to finally snap out of her thoughts. She turned around, revealing a face that, despite being unkempt, remained beautiful due to its excellent natural features.
She didn't offer any pleasantries, looking straight at the lead researcher and Fu Chen. "All of you, out. I need to have a detailed discussion with this Fellow Daoist."
Fu Chen and the researcher immediately nodded. "Understood."
Following that, with a soft click, the door closed behind Lu Yang. Instantly, dense formation patterns surfaced throughout the white laboratory.
Seeing this, Lu Yang narrowed his eyes.
"Don't be nervous," the tall, elegant silhouette smiled and explained. "These are just artifact-formations necessary for examination. I've been ordered to study your Dharma Body. Give me a drop of your blood."
Lu Yang smiled as well. "What if I refuse?"
"Refuse?"
She was taken aback for a moment, her delicate eyebrows furrowing. Then, noticing Lu Yang staring at her intently with a burning gaze, she suddenly seemed to realize something.
"Could it be you have improper thoughts about me?"
"Well, I suppose that makes sense. You seem to be quite skilled at dual cultivation... But I'm sorry, you probably don't fully understand my situation. I modified myself a long time ago."
"My entire body, every single organ, has undergone artifact-formation modification, including the necessary organs for dual cultivation. If you really want to dual cultivate... see that nutrient tank over there? My dual cultivation organ is inside. Don't worry, after my modifications, it's incredibly efficient now."
"You don't have to be shy around me. I happen to have some work to finish up anyway."
"Besides, soaking in the Five-Element Star Essence inside that tank provides it with abundant energy. If you use it directly, the results will be even better than doing it with me personally."
Lu Yang: "..."
What the hell kind of person does she think I am!?
The only reason he had been staring at her was because he suspected that, as the Star Palace's Grandmaster of the Dao of Artifact-Formations, she might be connected to the Saint Sect.
And now, he was even more suspicious.
With serious business at hand, he had absolutely no interest in any dual cultivation nonsense. He immediately forced the topic back on track. "I want to learn the knowledge of artifact-formations first."
"Furthermore, it's impossible for me to give you any blood."
"Mainly because I only came here in an incarnation. Although it looks indistinguishable from a real person at first glance, there is no blood to provide for you."
"...What?"
Hearing this, her frown deepened. Only after a moment did her brow relax again. "Then forget it. We'll skip straight to the Great Dao examination phase."
"Oh, right... you said you wanted to learn about artifact-formations?"
"Exactly..."
"Give it up. You won't be able to learn it."
Lu Yang: "..."
Completely ignoring Lu Yang's expression, she spoke rapidly, seemingly unwilling to waste any time. "One look is all it takes for me to know you lack the talent."
"The Dao of Artifact-Formations is different from simple formations or pure artifact refining. It's the art of truly combining the two. The required innate talent is exceptionally high. At the very least, you need to reach the point where the 'Light of Wisdom' manifests. A cultivator like you, who doesn't even have a trace of the Light of Wisdom, should just abandon this path."
"I think the Dharma Body Dao suits you very well."
Lu Yang immediately felt indignant.
What is she implying? That I'm a muscle-brained brute who only knows how to throw punches?
Are you kidding me? My persona this time is an exceptionally talented Unorthodox Perfected Lord. If I back down now, wouldn't my image as an Unorthodox heaven-chosen completely collapse?
"To tell you the truth, I am not completely ignorant of the Dao of Artifact-Formations."
Lu Yang raised his hand and casually refined a crimson sword pellet. It was the very same [Blood Sun] Sword Pellet he had refined after studying the [Secret Explanation of Formations and Treasures].
Seeing this, a look of surprise flashed across her face. "Oh?"
"This sword pellet... is refined quite well."
"Just a minor trick," Lu Yang smiled faintly. Back then, this Blood Sun Sword Pellet had cost him decades of his life; he had only successfully refined it right before his lifespan ran out...
But then, she asked curiously, "If I remember correctly, Fellow Daoist, you should be a cultivator from outer heavens, right? Interesting. Where did you get your hands on our Research Zone's children's reading materials? The quality of this sword pellet is quite good; it could probably win a children's design gold medal..."
Crack!
Lu Yang crushed the Blood Sun Sword Pellet in his hand, his expression utterly serene. "Are you going to teach me today or not? If you refuse, don't blame me for using my fists to ask for guidance."
She immediately took a step back.
"Don't be hasty, Fellow Daoist... Since you insist on learning, fine. I have a blueprint here. Follow it to refine the item. As long as you can successfully produce it, you pass."
With that, she swiped across her metallic data pad.
The next second, a massive, incredibly complex blueprint appeared before Lu Yang's eyes, almost making him dizzy. But he didn't panic in the slightest.
Patriarch! Save me!
After a moment of silence, Lu Yang quietly opened his soul connection with the Righteous Dao Banner. Then, while listening closely to the instructions, he began refining according to the blueprint.
The tall, elegant silhouette stood nearby, watching. Her expression shifted from her initial nonchalance, to slight seriousness, to grave intensity, and finally, to utter shock as her red lips parted. She watched helplessly as Lu Yang actually followed the blueprint and successfully refined the corresponding artifact-formation.
He actually modified some of the details... and the artifact-formation runs even better after the modifications?
Huh?
She stood there, dumbfounded, completely engulfed in disbelief. Lu Yang's performance had directly shattered her worldview.
It didn't make sense!
How could a cultivator without even a trace of the Light of Wisdom easily refine an artifact-formation of this level? He shouldn't even be able to understand the blueprint!
"I already said I'm exceptionally talented."
Lu Yang calmly toyed with the artifact-formation in his hand, smiling. "How is it? You should believe me now, Fellow Daoist. Can you teach me the Dao of Artifact-Formations?"
At his current realm, he needed to start accumulating a deeper foundation.
Whether it was dual cultivation or artifact-formations, both were grand avenues of the Great Dao. He didn't seek absolute mastery, but drawing analogies and expanding his perspective would certainly help his Dao comprehension grow.
However, to Lu Yang's complete surprise, she gave him a massive shock in return.
After a long silence, she exhaled a heavy breath of foul air, her tone turning solemn. "I apologize. It seems my eyes truly failed me earlier."
"I am Ming Feng, the eldest disciple of the second generation of the Saint Sect's Myriad Treasures Peak."
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist."