It's not too late to meet in the book

The night was as dark as ink. Su Xiaoxiao and Lin Yu followed the trail of the mysterious black-robed man, passing through winding alleys and finally arriving in front of an ancient courtyard that seemed abandoned. The gate of the courtyard was closed, and the door hinges were covered with traces of time, as if it would collapse with a slight push.

The black-robed figure stopped and turned, his eyes, hidden in the shadows, seeming to see through everything. "Everything you want to know lies within this courtyard. But remember, knowledge has a price."

After saying that, the man in black robe pushed the door gently, and the door opened silently, revealing a road leading to the unknown.

Su Xiaoxiao and Lin Yu looked at each other. Although they were full of doubts and uneasiness, curiosity drove them to take a step forward. The courtyard was overgrown with weeds. The moonlight shone through the sparse leaves, casting mottled light and shadows on the ground. They followed a path and came to a small house deep in the courtyard.

The door of the hut was half-open, letting in a faint light. When they pushed it open, they saw a white-haired old man sitting inside, looking down at a yellowed book.

"You are here." The old man's voice was hoarse and low, as if he had already anticipated their arrival.

Su Xiaoxiao and Lin Yu were stunned, then walked forward and asked politely: "Old man, do you know anything about that symbol?"

The old man raised his head, his gaze deep, as if he could see into people's hearts. "That symbol... is the key to the gate of time and space."

"Gate of Time and Space?" Lin Yu frowned. The name sounded mysterious and incredible.

The old man nodded and said slowly, "The Gate of Time and Space, a legendary mysterious gate that can connect different times and spaces. And that symbol is the key to open this gate."

Su Xiaoxiao and Lin Yu looked at each other, their hearts filled with shock. They didn't expect that this mysterious letter was related to such an astonishing secret.

"Then... where is this space-time gate?" Su Xiaoxiao asked impatiently.

The old man remained silent, his gaze becoming complicated. "The Gate of Time and Space...is not so easy to find. It requires a specific time and place, as well as...a sufficient price."

"Price?" Lin Yu keenly caught the word, "What does it mean?"

The old man sighed, as if reluctant to say more. "There are some things you are still young and don't understand. But remember, knowledge has a price, especially the secrets of time and space."

After saying that, the old man lowered his head again and continued to flip through the book in his hand, as if he no longer wanted to talk to them.

Su Xiaoxiao and Lin Yu looked at each other, their hearts filled with helplessness. But they knew that the old man must know more about the Gate of Time and Space. So, they decided to stay and find a way to get the old man to reveal more information.

Over the next few days, they came to the courtyard every day, helping the old man clean, cook, and chat. Gradually, the old man's attitude towards them changed, from initial indifference to later acceptance, and he would even occasionally bring up some things about the Space-Time Gate.

“The Gate of Time and Space…is not a simple existence. It is both a bridge connecting different worlds and the source of destruction of everything.” The old man whispered, his eyes revealing deep worry.

"Why?" Su Xiaoxiao asked puzzledly.

The old man sighed, "Because the power of the Space-Time Gate is too strong, it is enough to change history and even destroy the future. Therefore, it must be strictly guarded and cannot fall into the hands of the wrong people."

Lin Yu frowned, "Then...what should we do? We just want to find the door of time and space and unlock the secret of the letter."

The old man glanced at them, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "Do you...really want to find the time-space portal? Even though you know the possible consequences?"

Su Xiaoxiao and Lin Yu looked at each other and nodded firmly. "Yes, we want to know the truth."

The old man was silent for a moment, and finally said slowly: "Well, since you are so determined, then I will tell you some clues about the Gate of Time and Space. But remember, this knowledge comes at a price, you must use it with caution."

The old man then told them some ancient legends and mysterious records about the Time and Space Gate. They learned that the Time and Space Gate was hidden in a corner of the world and could only be revealed at certain times and under certain conditions. The symbol was the key to unlocking the Time and Space Gate, but it required a special power to activate it.

"What is this power...?" Su Xiaoxiao asked curiously.

The old man shook his head. "This kind of power... I can't really explain it. It could be a belief, an emotion, or even a sacrifice. In short, only those who truly understand it can activate the symbol and open the door to time and space."

After listening to the old man's story, Su Xiaoxiao and Lin Yu were shocked and confused. They didn't expect that this mysterious letter would hide such an astonishing secret.

"Then...what should we do now?" Lin Yu asked.

The old man glanced at them, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. "You must continue searching for clues to learn more about the secrets of the symbol and the Gate of Time and Space. At the same time, you must be careful not to let this secret fall into the wrong hands."

After saying this, the old man closed his eyes, as if he was lost in thought. Su Xiaoxiao and Lin Yu looked at each other, their hearts filled with gratitude and respect. They knew that although the old man was mysterious, his words had benefited them a lot.