Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

Ling Xiao smiled with some reserve and said, "Of course, that would be great!"

Although the Gu Family disciple was somewhat suspicious and resistant toward Ling Xiao, he was having a hard time opening the large mechanism on his own. Besides, people like him, who spent all day studying various devices, weren't particularly good at socializing. So, after seeing how polite and gentle Ling Xiao was, that little bit of resentment he felt vanished.

This disciple from the Gu Family was truly remarkable. In such a short time, he had actually found the source of all the mechanisms here! He even determined that there was another room right beneath their feet! It was probably the lowest room, but whether it contained any treasures was anyone's guess.

But seeing so many treasures here already, everyone was filled with anticipation for the floor below!

The young leader of the Jingwu Family watched Ling Xiao and the Gu Family disciple busying themselves with the mechanism, his eyes glinting with what seemed to be great interest. The girl beside him, however, wandered about out of boredom and began to inspect the Golden Statues one by one.

It seemed everyone knew their identities. No matter how the 'fake young master' wandered around, not a single person went up to question or stop her.

Ling Xiao looked at the intricate mechanism before him. 'I can't help but compare it to the Mechanical Skills I've mastered.' He was surprised to find that the mechanisms here were in no way inferior to his own! 'This must mean that during the Ancient Era on the Canglan Continent, there was a group of master craftsmen who could design such ingenious products!'

'Even a large-scale mechanism like this was made with such meticulous and exquisite detail! Every part looked as though it had been finely carved and polished. Despite the countless years that must have passed, they remained rounded and smooth, operating without the slightest hint of sluggishness!'

In front of outsiders, Ling Xiao didn't deliberately show off. He simply did whatever the Gu Family disciple instructed him to do. Although his work wasn't necessarily perfect, it always met the disciple's requirements.

After a while, the Gu Family disciple's attitude toward Ling Xiao grew warmer, and he started to chat and laugh with him. "My friend, if not for your age—if you were twenty years younger—I would definitely invite you to join the Gu Family! Your skill level is quite impressive!"

Ling Xiao gave a light smile. "You flatter me. I just happened to come across a book on mechanisms in my youth. I read a lot and only have a little understanding, that's all!"

While disabling an offensive trap, the Gu Family disciple pulled a handle and said with a laugh, "You're too modest! Your skill really is excellent... Come on, give me a hand. Help me pull this open. Below... let us witness the birth of a miracle!"

"Don't use Inner Strength!" the Gu Family disciple shouted. "Come on... heave!"

As he spoke, Ling Xiao went over. Together, they pulled hard on the handle, which was over a meter long, yanking it upward with considerable force! The other end of the handle felt as if it weighed ten thousand pounds. Without using Inner Strength, their combined might was barely enough to lift it. By the halfway point, both their faces were red with exertion.

The Gu Family disciple was truly using every ounce of his strength, but Ling Xiao was only pretending. Surrounded by so many powerful experts, he had no desire to become the center of attention. Right now, these people were all looking down their noses, not giving Ling Xiao's group a second glance. Ling Xiao couldn't be happier with this attitude.

The Western Li Family and the Dragon Valley Gou Family were wary of each other, and the atmosphere between them was extremely tense. In fact, what Ling Xiao didn't know was that the two families had nearly come to blows on the very first night!

Li Yan had once fought a great battle with Gou You. Moreover, Gou You had even declared that he would annihilate the entire Western Li Family. After Li Yan returned to his family, he naturally reported Gou You's words. As a result, everyone in the Li Family, from top to bottom, was furious with the Dragon Valley Gou Family. Seeing that the people the Dragon Valley Gou Family brought this time weren't particularly strong, the experts of the Li Family had already begun to plot against them.

But now, almost everyone's gaze was fixed on Ling Xiao and the Gu Family disciple. With another roar from the Gu disciple, the long handle moved up a little more.

At this moment, Qin Zhaoran asked, "Do you need a hand?"

The Gu Family disciple quickly shook his head, panting, "No! It's all gears and hidden latches down there. We've barely managed to adjust it to this point. If more people help, or if we use Inner Strength, it will throw everything off again! This mechanism can only be opened if the calibration is perfect!"

Only then did Qin Zhaoran and many others nod in understanding. 'No wonder this Gu Family disciple is being so cautious. It's true that different fields are worlds apart. No matter how powerful one becomes in the Martial Dao, when faced with this kind of Mechanical Skill, they can only stand by and watch.'

The Gu Family disciple looked at Ling Xiao and suddenly let out a hearty laugh. By now, Ling Xiao had completely earned his respect. He laughed loudly and said, "Brother, one more push! It's been a pleasure working with you!" With that, they both let out a shout in unison, lifted the long handle in one go, and slammed it down!

BOOM...!!!

A loud bang suddenly erupted from beneath their feet. The people here were powerful, but they still felt an instinctual wariness in the face of the unknown. Following the massive sound, they all focused their minds and grew vigilant. At that moment, everyone felt as if the scenery before them was shifting! Then, they immediately realized—they were descending!