Water was brought over. Niu Youdao took the kettle and began pouring water into the imitation Boundless Fruit.
He then stuffed the pearl fragments suspended by silk thread into the imitation. After examining how it transmitted light, Niu Youdao smiled and began tying the other end of the silk thread to the opening in the imitation, leaving the pearl fragments hanging inside. He then carefully used magic to fuse the opening shut.
Once it had been completely sealed, Niu Youdao took up the carving knife again and carefully carved the fused area in detail, perfecting the imitation.
Once he was done, he set down the carving knife and casually tossed out the imitation. Smiling, he said, "Take a look. What do you think?"
Black Cloud caught it in one hand. As he held it in his palm and examined it, everyone present was dumbstruck.
It was not that they had seen a Boundless Fruit before. None of the Fox Clan of their generation had ever seen one. What left them gaping was that the thing seemed almost alive.
A faint red glow seeped out from the crevices in its uneven surface. As the light shifted, it seemed to breathe, or like a heart was beating.
Holding it in his hand, Black Cloud could sense where this marvel came from. He could feel the pearl fragments hanging inside the imitation swaying. The breathing-like light was merely an illusion created as the pearl fragments rocked in the water.
Then he looked at the carving on the imitation. It appeared rough, yet every rough spot had actually been deliberately carved. Such exquisite craftsmanship made Black Cloud click his tongue in admiration. "Niu Youdao, I never expected you to possess such skill."
Niu Youdao chuckled. "I once took an interest in imitations. Just a