Elder Chang Jiang pressed it on him, saying, "First, get used to it. Then, you'll gradually become familiar with it and be able to control it perfectly."
Ming Zhi Tian nodded. He first stretched his thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinky, then extended his palm and clenched his fist. He quickly mastered it, and as Elder Chang Jiang had said, it was more flexible and useful than his original hand.
The two soon began to use their hands, assembling and manufacturing the mechanical beasts of their hearts' desires.
They built five mechanical beasts in one go, then pitted them against each other in a five-versus-five battle. The scene instantly exploded, combat erupted, and it was truly spectacular!
...
The result was as expected. Ming Zhi Tian lost, but Elder Chang Jiang nodded in satisfaction, saying, "Not bad, not bad. You actually managed to slay one of my Hundred Dao Su Fox beasts and heavily wounded a Ling Lei."
Ming Zhi Tian, however, criticized himself, "Senior, you flatter me. I am truly inadequate, not even a tenth as good as you."
Elder Chang Jiang appreciated his humility, saying, "Keep up the good work."
Elder Chang Jiang then lay on the ground and leisurely began composing a poem:
"Ten thousand years of life, better than bounded by limits,
A hollow name, heaven's making them white.
Supreme cliff, thousand-cut walls,
Better to enter the long river, body full of clarity."
Ming Zhi Tian thought he was reciting a spell, "Senior, what spell is this?"
Elder Chang Jiang shook his head, "Not at all, not at all. This is my lifelong work, 'Heavenly Union.'"
Ming Zhi Tian understood, recalling the poem with a profound implication.
Then, Elder Chang Jiang, inspired, continued to chant:
"My desires can be empty, all exhausted,
Gazing at peach blossoms, their shadows gone.
Seeking a thousand wondrous fragrances,
Waiting only for the feast of flowers in the heart."
Ming Zhi Tian said, "So profound. What is the title?"
Elder Chang Jiang looked up at the dark and empty sky, shaking his head, "No title."
Ming Zhi Tian smiled slightly, "How about I give it one? Let's call it... 'Wanting Out.'"
"'Wanting Out?'" Elder Chang Jiang laughed heartily, "'Wanting Out,' good, good, let's call it that."
For a long time afterward, Ming Zhi Tian continued to learn the essentials and secrets of the mechanical arts from Elder Chang Jiang, often sparring in mechanical arts, or engaging in boisterous arguments when things became too boring.
It seemed like years passed, days upon days, and no one knew how much time had gone by.
Until one day...
Elder Chang Jiang discovered a nearly imperceptible crack at the boundary, but it healed itself. He then emptied his storage bag of all equipment and told Ming Zhi Tian he would go into seclusion for ten days and not to be disturbed.
Ten days later, Elder Chang Jiang produced ninety thousand mechanical beasts and mechanical puppets. Looking at the grand and magnificent army of perfect-grade puppets, Ming Zhi Tian exclaimed, "Masterpiece!"
Elder Chang Jiang said to him, "Do you want to learn? I'll teach you."
Ming Zhi Tian smiled slightly, "Alright."
Suddenly! Elder Chang Jiang pointed a finger, striking directly at Ming Zhi Tian's brow!
A powerful surge of blood-like energy poured in. Ming Zhi Tian felt a massive amount of information flood his mind, filling his entire brain. The sheer volume of information was far vaster and more extensive than the encyclopedias he had acquired before.
It contained the secrets of mechanical arts, the path to success, and most importantly, the never-before-taught secret art of the past mechanical gods, the [Blood Demon]!
Ming Zhi Tian opened his eyes. When he woke, he didn't know how much time had passed. He saw Elder Chang Jiang gazing intently at the distant boundary crack, deep in thought.
It wasn't until Ming Zhi Tian called out to him, "Senior."
Elder Chang Jiang nodded, "Xiao Tian, come here."
This was the first time Ming Zhi Tian had heard him address him like this since he had known him. He slowly walked over:
"Senior?"