"I'm going to lose it, this is the second update, and still only two monthly votes, I’m so pathetic I could cry. Begging for votes with a heavy heart; you all really have to spare me another one.

Otherwise, if I put out a third update and still have fewer monthly votes than updates, I’ll probably feel like smashing my head against a wall." "Really?" Even after hearing the object was a puzzle box, Yu Feibai remained skeptical. However, at that moment, without anyone knowing what Elder Qian’s finger had touched, the object suddenly sprang apart, almost like building blocks.

Of course, it didn't completely fall to pieces, but rather revealed a series of fissures, allowing the item to twist and turn like a Rubik's Cube. "Damn, can you not slap my face this quickly?" Yu Feibai stared, his eyes nearly popping out.

"That's the consequence of doubting Elder Qian," Wang Guan chuckled, though he too was exceptionally curious inside. After all, ancient texts contained numerous records of ancient mechanical devices: for instance, Gongshu Zi carving a bird from wood that flew upon completion and remained airborne for three days; or Zhuge Liang’s mechanical ox and flowing horse, or the repeating crossbow.

Naturally, these records certainly included the hidden mechanisms and booby traps buried in ancient tombs for theft prevention. But due to the passage of ages, none of these marvelous mechanical creations survived materially, thus becoming legends.

Many people assumed these accounts were merely embellished narratives, not worth mentioning at all. Wang Guan had wanted to refute this notion before, but lacking physical evidence, any rebuttal would sound weak.

He never expected the tide to turn so abruptly, actually witnessing a genuine artifact now. "So that’s how you solve the mechanism?" At the same time, Yu Feibai exclaimed in surprise, "It doesn't seem that hard." This was classic hindsight, as he couldn't figure out the mystery of the puzzle box initially, nor was he clear on how Elder Qian deciphered its secret.

However, he had noticed Elder Qian’s recent movements—it seemed he pressed down on the four corners, triggering a mechanism that caused the box to change. So, even if he restored the puzzle box now, he could follow the pattern and try again.

"How could it be this simple?" Yet, Elder Qian shook his head, his expression growing more solemn. "That first step was merely finding the keyhole.

To truly open this box, I suspect several trials remain." "Elder Qian is absolutely right," Fang Mingsheng quickly nodded. "Elder Zeng said this is the Qiankun Five Elements Lock, requiring five stages to open the box.

Elder Zeng got stuck at the fourth stage and couldn't solve it no matter what." "Qiankun Five Elements Lock," Elder Qian was slightly startled. "No wonder." "That name sounds pretty imposing." At this, Yu Feibai quickly pressed, "Is it really that formidable?" "Not necessarily; sometimes powerful, sometimes ordinary," Elder Qian shook his head, explaining with a smile.

"Qiankun Five Elements Lock is just a general term, indicating it has five mechanisms installed. But the strength of these mechanisms varies from craftsman to craftsman.

Ordinary locksmiths might only set up five relatively simple mechanisms, easily bypassed." "But a master locksmith designs mechanisms that are interlinked—seemingly independent yet closely connected, where moving one part affects the whole body. You can’t afford a single misstep, or all previous efforts will be wasted, requiring a full reset." As he spoke, Elder Qian sighed with emotion, "Secret techniques of ancient locksmiths, like Mandarin Duck Interlocking Chains, Three Yangs Bring Prosperity, Qiankun Five Elements, Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon, and Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams—these have vanished now; it is truly regrettable." "That sounds a bit mystical," Yu Feibai blinked, unable to help but complain, "Elder Qian, why have we never heard you mention these things before?" "Didn't I just say they’re lost arts?" Elder Qian replied casually.

"There was no reason; you didn't ask, so how could I tell you?" After dealing with Yu Feibai, Elder Qian fell silent, focusing entirely on solving the puzzle box. Yu Feibai was tactful enough to know when to keep quiet and when to speak, so he also quieted down, not daring to disturb Elder Qian's concentration.

After examining it for a moment, Elder Qian tentatively began twisting it—left once, then right—with no apparent pattern. Consequently, it jammed after just a few turns and could not be moved further.

"Elder Qian, did you break the puzzle box?" For a moment, Yu Feibai’s eyes widened, finding it hard to believe. "I'm not an immortal; how could I find the correct solution instantly?" Elder Qian chuckled lightly.

"One must test and explore a bit, then summarize... " Fang Mingsheng nodded repeatedly.

As far as he knew, Elder Zeng had spent a good ten days or half a month cracking the second stage back then. The third stage was comparatively simpler and quickly solved, but he was completely stuck at the fourth, making no headway whatsoever.

Of course, the reason might also be that Elder Zeng didn't have much knowledge of mechanisms, which is why he found it so difficult. However, Elder Qian seemed quite experienced, which explained why Elder Zeng had asked him to bring the puzzle box over for assistance.

Specialization in one's craft is the natural order. If Elder Qian couldn't solve it either, it wouldn't matter; he had extensive connections and might know someone in that field.

Perhaps Elder Zeng’s original intent in asking Elder Qian for help was precisely to seek professional assistance. Just as Fang Mingsheng was speculating, the puzzle box Elder Qian had casually placed on the table, which was stuck, suddenly moved.

Then came a series of kacha kacha sounds, and after a brief shudder, it returned to its plain, unassuming appearance, just like a block of wood. "Damn, isn't that a bit exaggerated?

Is this a puzzle box or the Transformers?" Seeing this, Yu Feibai's mouth fell open, his eyes radiating a hungry... no, a covetous light.

Fang Mingsheng was very familiar with such a gaze; it was clearly the look of someone delighted by a rare find and desiring ownership. He recalled feeling the same way himself.

He had initially thought the puzzle box was just difficult to solve, not imagining it was even more marvelous than he supposed, capable of self-restoration—definitely high-tech. While marveling at the ingenuity of ancient artisans, Wang Guan also noticed a subtle detail and couldn't help asking, "Elder Qian, did you already know it would do this?" After all, Elder Qian showed no sign of anxiety when the box jammed, clearly anticipating its automatic reset.

This implied Elder Qian was confident enough to test it without reservation. "More or less; I've seen something similar before," Elder Qian smiled and was about to pick up the box when Yu Feibai snatched it first.

"Elder Qian, you rest a bit. Watch me." Yu Feibai was quite confident.

Mimicking Elder Qian's earlier move, he pressed down on the four corners, immediately hearing a faint click, and successfully solved the first layer of the mechanism. Next, he hit a wall; the second layer offered no hints whatsoever, making him feel like he was holding a porcupine with no place to start.

A moment later, Yu Feibai also imitated Elder Qian, tentatively twisting it. But he fared worse than Elder Qian—it jammed after only two turns.

"Stuck in the dark, aren't you?" Wang Guan couldn't help but laugh upon seeing this. "Did you really think this was a Rubik's Cube that you could just turn randomly without consequence?" "Hmph, at least I solved the first layer." Yu Feibai shamelessly claimed the credit, then pouted, "If you're so capable, you try it.

Aren't you supposed to be a lock-picking master? Let's see if you can open this lock." While he was speaking, the puzzle box had reset again.

After successfully solving the first layer, Yu Feibai handed the box to Wang Guan, hoping to see him fail. Wang Guan was keen to try as well and took the box to examine it.

Only when it was in his hands did he understand what Elder Qian meant by "heft." It was indeed quite heavy. Even ironwood of this volume shouldn't weigh this much.

Of course, considering it was a puzzle box with internal mechanisms, it was reasonable for it to be heavy, perhaps even containing other items. The weight was secondary; the real question was how to decipher the mechanisms inside.

After fiddling with it for a while, Wang Guan, relying on his memory of Elder Qian’s movements, managed to turn it four times successfully, but he made the wrong move on the fifth step and, as expected, was eliminated. "Tch, you’re no better." "At least I went two steps further than you..." While the two were bickering, the puzzle box reset again.

But this time, they stopped arguing and obediently handed the item back to Elder Qian, letting the old man continue his efforts. Without any clues, Elder Qian couldn't make progress for a while.

Fang Mingsheng repeatedly tried to speak, but Elder Qian stopped him. After all, for an item like this, solving it oneself brought far greater satisfaction.

Unless, like Elder Zeng, the object had been in hand for two or three years, the novelty had worn off, patience had been exhausted, and only boundless frustration remained, prompting a request for help. "Give me three days.

If I can’t solve this puzzle box in three days, then I’ll invite someone who can," Elder Qian was slightly stubborn and wouldn't give up easily. "Elder Qian, who are you planning to invite?" Yu Feibai was very curious.

"A friend; you wouldn't know him even if I told you," Elder Qian said casually, waving his hand to stop Yu Feibai from disturbing him, and then concentrated on studying the puzzle box. Elder Qian didn't reach a conclusion by evening.

Only when Granny Lü called everyone to dinner did he reluctantly put the puzzle box down and join them at the dining table. Even during the meal, his mind was on the box, making him somewhat distracted.

Seeing this, Sister Lü threatened, "Keep acting like this, and don't blame me for calling Brother Hou. If he finds out there's an ancient puzzle box here, he’ll rush over tonight." "...Don't trouble him over such a small matter." This threat worked wonders.

Elder Qian immediately regained his spirit, focused on the dining table, and diligently began serving guests drinks and food. But once he was full, he immediately picked up the puzzle box to play with and examine.

Perhaps it was replenished energy, or maybe he had summarized his findings and discerned a pattern. Whatever the reason, Elder Qian was seemingly divinely inspired now.

He twisted it left, then right, then brought his hands together and pressed down with a little force. "Kacha!" In an instant, the movable fissures sealed tightly together, once again forming a perfectly square block of wood.

This made it appear as if everything had returned to the starting point, looking the same as it did before solving the first layer or before solving the second. Of course, everyone knew it wasn't that simple.

They quickly leaned in to look closely and saw that on one face of the re-formed cube, there were now some faint, delicate engravings...