The [Dao Fruit Weaving Method], plainly speaking, was essentially Void Attainment.
Thus far, Lu Yang had only seen four types of Dao Fruit Weaving methods. The first was naturally the Celestial Court's Six Qi Dao Fruit weaving method, which could be used to track down the Dharma Body Dao.
The second was Mu Changsheng's [Heaven of Nothingness].
The third was Patriarch Nether Whisper's [Heaven of Carefree].
The final one, and the one with the highest value, was Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon's [Sword Dao Fruit]
However, all four of these weaving methods inherently possessed flaws. The Celestial Court's Six Qi went without saying—what they wove wasn't a true Dao Fruit to begin with.
While Mu Changsheng's and Patriarch Nether Whisper's [Wu You Heaven] were indeed Dao Fruits, they weren't the product of a single, continuous creation. Instead, they were the result of countless micro-adjustments leveraging the unique properties of the [Nurturing Life Master] world realm seed. As for the Sword Dao, while it was attained in a single attempt, it clearly relied heavily on numerous external forces.
Even the Immortal Nexus struggles with this.
How could the Star Palace possibly possess a complete and effective Void Attainment method?
Lu Yang didn't quite believe it. He immediately began observing the [Phantasmal Myriad Phenomena Genealogy] before him with unprecedented seriousness. After a long while, he let out a sigh of relief.
First, this truly wasn't a Void Attainment method.
Second, it was very close.
If I had to describe it, this thing is somewhat like a clumsy imitation of the Immortal Nexus's Five-Element Dao Fruit system. Using the analogy of the old professor from the tutorial...
If a Dao Fruit is a theorem and a Star Chart is a formula... then this [Phantasmal Myriad Phenomena Genealogy] is an incredibly complex set of formulas. The artifact-formation masters of the Star Palace seem to be trying to use these formulas to verify the corresponding Five-Element theorems, thereby achieving a secondary construction of the Immortal Nexus's Dao Fruits.
The idea was beautiful, but reality was cruel.
In fact, the Star Palace's Twenty-Eight Star Charts, and the Four Great Constellations of Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise, were themselves a deconstruction of the Five-Element Dao Fruit system.
However, judging by the gap between the two, this deconstruction was far from perfect.
After all, Star Palace cultivators didn't practice the Grotto-Heaven Method, nor could they attain the Dao Fruits of the Immortal Nexus. Without the ability to practically research Dao Fruits, it was only normal for flaws to exist.
But... I'm a native of the Immortal Nexus!
If they hand this over to me, I can absolutely find a way to patch the holes and fix the flaws. Perhaps my future exclusive Star Chart lies right here.
Just then, Ming Feng spoke up again.
"Well? Did you gain any insights? This [Phantasmal Myriad Phenomena Genealogy] was left behind by my master, encompassing his comprehension of the Great Dao of heaven and earth."
"Basically, every generation of artifact-formation masters aspiring to refine a Star Chart will try to integrate its contents and list out their own formulas. Unfortunately, all formulas have been subsequently proven false and untenable. That's why, after all these years, we still only have the formulas for the Twenty-Eight Star Charts."
"And even those Twenty-Eight Star Chart formulas weren't summarized by us."
"They were a product of the Dao Lord's mighty power."
At this, Ming Feng looked somewhat melancholic. Clearly, as an artifact-formation master, the bottleneck in Star Chart refinement technology had always weighed heavily on her mind.
Then, she looked up at Lu Yang.
"I heard from Exalted One Hao Yuan that besides your Dharma Body, you also achieved Void Attainment for a Dao Fruit... So I figured you might have some new insights."
"Mhm... I did gain some insights, indeed."
Lu Yang nodded, having no intention of hiding his capabilities. Since his current persona was that of a Void Attainment genius, it was only right that he put on a show.
The next second, he brought out the [Divine Firmament Thunder].
Instantly, the entire laboratory was illuminated by crackling lightning. The blazing Dao Fruit concept surged wildly. Ming Feng took one look and was instantly captivated.
"What a... what an incredible Dao Fruit..."
"Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth—the Five Elements, Yin and Yang, all blended almost perfectly... This isn't a formula anymore; it's a self-contained theorem!"
"Unbelievable!"
Ming Feng snapped her head up, staring at Lu Yang with burning eyes. "How did you do it? What's the underlying logic? Do you have drafts of the specific calculation process?"
"I'm sorry, I don't."
Lu Yang spread his hands. Don't ask. If you do, the answer is just that my talent is exceptional. Since you don't have The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes, it'd be very hard for me to explain the specific details clearly to you.
But right now, Ming Feng had no mind to argue over such things. Her entire focus was locked onto the [Divine Firmament Thunder]. Like she was looking at a holy relic, she wore a reverent expression and gently cupped it in her hands. Lu Yang even suspected she was going to pounce on it and lick it.
"I understand..."
Suddenly, Ming Feng shuddered, a look of sudden realization dawning in her eyes. "So that's how it is! So that's how it is! Ah! I finally understand!"
With those words, Ming Feng sprang into action.
She directly channeled her spiritual power and began rapidly sketching within the laboratory. Complex array patterns flowed from her fingertips, forming intricate texts.
This is...
Lu Yang raised an eyebrow. Is she designing a new Star Chart formula? I haven't even given her any hints, yet she achieved a sudden enlightenment just by looking at the Divine Firmament Thunder?
Thinking about it, Lu Yang felt it wasn't that hard to understand. After all, Patriarch Nether Whisper only needed one glance at the manual for Mu Changsheng's [Heaven of Nothingness] Dao Fruit to immediately design and weave the core profundity of his own Heaven of Carefree. To Ming Feng, the [Divine Firmament Thunder] clearly served the same purpose.
After all, the Divine Firmament Thunder itself is highly unique.
It's something I wove by integrating the concepts of four elements. Even in the Immortal Nexus, the conceptual precision of an ordinary Dao Fruit is far inferior to it.
Realizing this, Lu Yang kept his mouth shut.
This development suited him perfectly. He didn't have to do anything, nor did he run the risk of exposing his roots. He just had to sit back and watch Ming Feng's epiphany.
Time flew by like a shuttle.
Ming Feng's design process took a full two and a half years.
Now, as Lu Yang looked around, what met his eyes was a colossal blueprint that covered more than half the laboratory, its complexity dizzying.
"It's done!"
The next second, Ming Feng stood up abruptly, her eyes shining with brilliant light. "Fellow Daoist, your Dao Fruit is lacking in the Wood element. But just like a puzzle, the missing piece is the most obvious part, making it easier for me to extrapolate... This Star Chart is entirely new, and completely self-consistent!"
"The Twenty-Ninth Star Chart!"
Ming Feng's tone was extremely agitated. "This is a historic breakthrough! It will stimulate the entire Star Chart refining technology into making a new leap forward!"
"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist." Lu Yang was also feeling somewhat excited.
Because right now, with the completion of the blueprint, he could clearly feel a sense of intimacy radiating from it. It seemed to be resonating with his [Divine Firmament Thunder]!
This is... conceptual alignment!
Ming Feng used my [Divine Firmament Thunder] as a reference point for her design. The original intention behind it was precisely to fill the [Divine Firmament Thunder]'s flaw in the Wood element.
What an opportunity!
As long as the Star Palace could put this brand-new Star Chart into production, he could absolutely use this chance to elevate the [Divine Firmament Thunder] to a perfect state ahead of time!
Not bad, not bad at all!
Lu Yang was incredibly satisfied, even starting to fantasize. Coming to the Star Palace was definitely the right move... But just in case, I should inspect the goods first.
He scanned it with the Immortal Nexus Survival Guide.
Soon, a "Beep!" sounded in his ears, and his vision was obscured by a swath of crimson light. Blood-red text surfaced:
[Massive Trap! Please distance yourself as quickly as possible!]
"...Huh?"
Before Lu Yang could even react, Ming Feng suddenly walked over to him. As if she had just finished an intense workout, she was dripping with sweat. Yet, there was no foul odor; instead, a fragrant, refreshing scent wafted from her, making her resemble a stunning lotus rising from the water.
"I must thank you for this time, Fellow Daoist."
Ming Feng spoke softly, right over the red blaring alarm of the Immortal Nexus Survival Guide. "What name do you think we should give this Star Chart, Fellow Daoist?"
"I have a proposal."
"How about we call it... the Wondrous Seven Treasure Glazed Tree?"
As her words fell, Lu Yang's pupils shrank to pinpricks. However, he only saw Ming Feng's lips curl upward, her brow relaxing as she revealed a gentle, amiable, and compassionate smile.