Not everyone is Lu Ban, capable of such unimaginable craftsmanship and the miraculous art of mechanisms. But once one steps onto the path of cultivation, brand new alternatives emerge. Talismans, or runes, are manifestations of the natural laws, summarizing the principles of the world. They contain the Dao's rhythm and harbor all kinds of mystical powers. When combined with traditional craftsmanship, the result is a chain reaction of infinite possibilities.
Yi Tianxing already had experience in crafting Heavenly Tome Cards, and had personally witnessed the crafting principles behind the Guiding Lantern and Rune Arrows. Naturally, he clearly understood that the direction Master Lu was pursuing also aimed to integrate runes with the mechanisms of daily life. Mechanism techniques, when pushed to their limits, became something incredibly sophisticated—something that required a level of wisdom beyond measure to achieve a qualitative leap.
However, if one could incorporate runes, then it would be an entirely new approach, a novel way to innovate and transform mechanism techniques.
Yi Tianxing was certain that Master Lu's research was on the path of combining mechanism techniques with talismans.
Faced with a genius so deeply immersed in technical exploration, any meaningful conversation would have to begin from the things that interested him most.
"Embedding a Wind Control Talisman can indeed make this mechanical bird fly. But how do you control its direction? A mechanism that can't be controlled doesn't count as complete. Mechanical creations depend on the precise combination of parts to ensure smooth, agile operation. If it lacks agility, its value is greatly diminished," Master Lu said with a slight frown.
The original purpose of mechanism techniques was to allow humans to soar like birds, to fly in the sky and land at will. They mimicked animals and birds, aiming to craft mechanical beasts with lifelike movements. If they were so clunky that they couldn't even turn or change direction, then they couldn't be called top-tier constructs.
If runes were integrated into mechanisms, they would surely endow them with extraordinary powers—but control became a serious issue. A mechanism that couldn't be controlled could never be considered mature.
"In the cultivation world, there is a branch of arts called Puppet Techniques. Puppetry can control constructs freely, making them fight, perform tasks, or even manipulate objects and other cultivators. If one masters puppet techniques—or better yet, crafts Puppet Talismans—controlling a mechanical beast becomes trivial. It can move as smoothly as a real creature," Yi Tianxing said thoughtfully.
He had heard of such wondrous techniques before. In fantasy worlds, puppet arts often existed, and since this Eternal Continent was a fusion of all worlds, they surely existed here as well. With such marvelous control, managing a mechanism would be effortless.
However, puppet techniques were not easy to acquire.
At least in the Scripture Pavilion, there were no related books or methods. Even Puppet Talismans were nowhere to be found—they weren't something that existed in the basic talisman canon.
"Yes! Puppet Talismans! That could absolutely be the key to controlling mechanisms. But where would I find one? I don't have anything like that in my talisman records." Master Lu's eyes lit up. He slapped his thigh with excitement as countless sparks of inspiration exploded in his mind.
If a Puppet Talisman could be embedded into a mechanism, the entire thing could be turned into a puppet—controlled at will, like an extension of one's own body. That would allow mechanism techniques to truly flourish.
But the biggest problem remained: no one knew what a Puppet Talisman even looked like.
Without one, all the theorizing was just empty talk.
"Master Lu, although we don't have Puppet Talismans in Xuanhuang Village now, I believe that as the village continues to grow, we'll eventually acquire them. Our Scripture Pavilion will become richer and more comprehensive."
"But for Xuanhuang Village to become stronger, we need great talents like yourself to work together. Only by strengthening the village can we obtain more resources—and with those resources, we can better protect and benefit our people," Yi Tianxing said with a warm smile.
It wasn't a complicated idea. It was simple and logical.
Only by growing the pie could everyone eat their fill. Right now, they were all members of the same village. If the village wasn't strong, even if they came across treasures, they wouldn't be able to secure them—let alone keep them. The world was harsh like that.
Only a strong village could protect its people, and no one—not even Yi Tianxing—could achieve this alone.
It took an army of talented people.
Yi Tianxing believed that Master Lu could see the sense in that. The man clearly wasn't some reclusive craftsman with no worldly experience. There was depth behind his eyes, a story behind his demeanor.
Of course, Yi Tianxing had no intention of digging into that story.
He just hoped that Master Lu would become another pillar of strength to help build Xuanhuang Village into something greater.
"What's your real purpose in building Xuanhuang Village?" Suddenly, Master Lu's expression turned serious, his eyes piercing into Yi Tianxing's with an air of scrutiny.
Yi Tianxing's heart trembled slightly—he recognized this for what it was: a test.
In this world, rulers chose ministers, and ministers chose worthy lords. Talented people never gave their allegiance lightly. They all had their own values and ideals. Only if their visions aligned could they truly work together in harmony.
"Survival."Yi Tianxing replied without hesitation."My real purpose for establishing Xuanhuang Village is survival. In this chaotic world, in this reborn land, I want to survive—and help others survive. Alone, I am nothing. But if we unite, if we pool our strength, then we can survive. Not just survive, but live well."
"That's why I created the Scripture Pavilion. Why I shared cultivation methods. Why I want the whole village to practice and grow stronger. I want everyone to become a dragon, to fight for their own survival. If someone won't even strive to live, then they have no one to blame if they die."
"I hope that one day, Xuanhuang Village can stand tall among the myriad races—that when others speak of humanity, they think of Xuanhuang Village."
This world was no longer ruled by humans alone.
Any foreign race could rise to become the protagonist of the Eternal Continent. It wasn't just humanity's battlefield anymore.
Yi Tianxing was truly hoping that one day, among all the races of the world, people would speak the name of Xuanhuang Village with awe.
Master Lu's eyes shimmered. He stared directly into Yi Tianxing's gaze—saw no hesitation, no deceit. Only a sincere, burning conviction.
In this world, survival was indeed the foremost concern of all human beings.
If one couldn't even survive, what right did they have to speak of ambition?
And yet, Yi Tianxing had also voiced his own dream and ambition.
"Well said. You're right—the village is far from safe. This valley itself may still hide unknown dangers. You haven't been blinded by short-term success, which means you've got potential. You may even become a true overlord," Master Lu said with a smile.
"Besides, that brat Hu already sold me out. I've been living in this village since the early days, and back then, I was powerless. It was you who led the charge, who rallied everyone to resist the beasts and found this village. Without that, this old man probably wouldn't have made it. So I owe you a life. Since you've come looking, I might as well contribute something—otherwise, I'd never hear the end of it."
"Wonderful! Master Lu, you're finally coming out of seclusion!" Hu Bin, usually composed, couldn't help but show his delight.
"Hmph! I'll deal with you later," Master Lu huffed, glaring at Hu Bin.
"If Master Lu is willing to help, then Xuanhuang Village will be like a tiger with wings," Yi Tianxing said with a wide smile.
"Let's be clear," Master Lu said, turning serious again. "I don't care about politics or daily affairs. I'll stay in the Heavenly Workshop, handling tools, fixing things—tables, walls, whatever. That's what I do. Don't drag me into governance. I'm just a woodworker."
Clearly, he wanted nothing to do with village politics—he only cared about perfecting his craft, about inventing more wondrous devices.
And that was exactly what Yi Tianxing wanted too.
Using talent where it fits best—that was the key.
He had long been searching for someone with profound craftsmanship to take charge of the Heavenly Workshop. No one was more suited than Master Lu.
"The Heavenly Workshop is a vital part of our village. Without craftspeople and invention, we can't develop civilization. I've been planning to appoint you as its Master. If you don't want to handle trivial matters, leave them to Hu Bin. You just focus on crafting tools that strengthen the village—like those Rune Arrows. That alone would make a world of difference."
Yi Tianxing's decision was firm and decisive.