Seeing his resolute gaze, Elder Chang Jiang sighed and no longer held back. "The path of the [Blood Demon] is neither close nor far. It requires years of accumulated, domineering mechanical arts, honed through practice, integrating will, focus, potential, tempering, and perseverance to reach its apex."
"Humans are not born walking. They need constant refinement and pursuit, to unearth their hidden potential, and strive to grasp the power of the clouds, which is the Great Dao."
Ming Zhitian nodded. "This disciple understands. Thank you, Master, for guiding me. May I ask… why do you possess the Diamond bloodline?"
Elder Chang Jiang stroked his white beard and explained its origin. "I am the progenitor of the Diamond bloodline. In ancient times, each異血脈 (strange bloodline) had thousands, even tens of thousands of families. But they have gradually dwindled. Coupled with the plundering from conflicts between various factions, they have become exceedingly rare, and talent has been lost, leading to the current situation."
Ming Zhitian nodded. "So that's how it is. I thought only our Ming family uniquely possessed this bloodline."
Elder Chang Jiang suddenly asked, "Xiao Tian, do you want to go out?"
Ming Zhitian fell silent. He thought about how to escape every moment. Otherwise, if he remained in this godforsaken place forever, how could he resume his cultivation? There would be no hope of success.
He then responded directly. "Yes, I've always wanted to."
Elder Chang Jiang nodded, then took out an ancient, star-bright token and handed it to him. "Take this."
Ming Zhitian took the heavy stone token and saw the words "Shen Ji" engraved on its polished surface, front and back.
Elder Chang Jiang said, "This is the Shen Ji Token. It can command the disciples of the Mechanical Gate across all ten directions and thousand realms. Now, as the 1308th generation Gate Master of the Mechanical Gate, I bestow the Shen Ji Token upon you and appoint you as the 1309th generation. I hope you will uphold the tenets of the Everlasting Mechanical Gate, eliminate evil and promote good, adhere to benevolence and righteousness, form alliances for offense and defense, and traverse the myriad realms."
Ming Zhitian raised the token with both hands and knelt on one knee. "I respectfully obey the decree of the Mechanical Gate!"
Elder Chang Jiang stroked his white beard and nodded. "Rise, disciple. I have spent almost my entire life in this hellish desolation, constantly thinking of a way to escape this place. Now the time has come, it is the only chance to leave."
Upon hearing this, Ming Zhitian was overjoyed. "Is that true, Master? That's wonderful! I've long been fed up with living in this place that never sees the sun."
However, he did not anticipate that only one person could leave. Elder Chang Jiang pondered for a while, sighed softly, and decided to give the opportunity to Ming Zhitian.
Ming Zhitian sensed it and could not help but ask, "Why are you sighing, Master?"
Elder Chang Jiang glanced at him and shook his head. "It's nothing."
Ming Zhitian asked, "Master, you mentioned earlier how many disciples there are in total across the Mechanical Gate of the ten directions and thousand realms?"
Elder Chang Jiang uttered two words: "Millions."
Ming Zhitian exclaimed, "Master is truly amazing!"
Elder Chang Jiang said with a tense expression, "There is no time to delay, opportunity waits for no one. Come with me quickly."
Leading ninety thousand mechanical beasts and ten Diamond Blood Demons to the rift at the border…
Ming Zhitian saw the barely perceptible small opening slowly merging. Elder Chang Jiang, without a word, controlled the mechanical army and the Blood Demons like a puppet, concentrating all their formidable attacks towards the rift, bombarding it relentlessly!
The rift broke open, and with continuous attacks, it grew larger and larger, until it was the size of a watermelon.
At this moment, blood trickled from the corner of Elder Chang Jiang's mouth, clearly indicating he had reached his limit. But he ignored it and shouted, "Go! Quickly! It's closing!"