Traveling through thousands of years, I only love you

Xiao Yi stood alone in the palace bedroom where he had once lived with Li Lingyuan. Everything around him was as magnificent as before, but without that lively and charming figure, the whole world seemed to have lost its color. His eyes slowly swept across every corner of the room. The carved bed seemed to still hold her scent. Her used brushes, inkstones, and paper lay on the desk, and a small portrait of her hand-painted hung on the wall.

Ever since Li Lingyuan disappeared, Xiao Yi had mobilized every possible force to search for her. He dispatched his most elite secret guards, commanding them to search for her throughout the country and even beyond the borders. These guards traveled day and night, shuttling between bustling cities and remote mountain villages, leaving no trace of a single clue. They searched every inn and tavern, questioning countless passersby if they had seen a woman with strange attire and an extraordinary aura. However, all they received were shakes of the head and blank indifference.

Xiao Yi himself was also busy, personally visiting many mysterious places. Legend has it that within the ancient mountains and forests lay a hermit. He braved the rugged paths and thorny bushes, trekking deep into the depths, seeking only a clue. The forest was shrouded in thick fog and heavy with humidity, and every step forward seemed to stalk an unknown danger. He once stopped before a steep cliff, having heard that there lay a hermit who could understand the past, present, and future. Xiao Yi, regardless of the danger, scaled the cliffs, a single mistake could have crushed him to death. But he had only one goal in mind: to find Li Lingyuan. When he finally reached the cave at the top, he found it empty, save for the ashes of a long-extinguished campfire, proof that someone once inhabited the place.

He then came to the legendary Lingxu Temple, a holy place for Taoist practice. It was said that the Taoist priests in the temple had the ability to predict the future. When Xiao Yi entered the temple, he saw the smoke of incense curling up inside. Taoist priests dressed in Taoist robes were chanting scriptures in the hall with solemn expressions. He met the master of the temple, an old man with white hair and deep eyes. Xiao Yi bowed respectfully, recounted his experience, and asked the master for help. The master shook his head slightly and sighed: "Your Majesty, this is fate. There is no method in my temple that can help Your Majesty find the person." Xiao Yi felt a burst of despair when he heard this, but he still asked: "Is there really no hope?" The master closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then said: "Your Majesty, perhaps you can go look for the legendary Lingxi Stone. This stone is said to have the power to sense people's hearts and transcend time and space, but its location is extremely secret and accompanied by many dangers."

After thanking the temple master, Xiao Yi embarked on a journey to find the Lingxi Stone without hesitation. He led a team of trusted followers and headed towards the mysterious place where the Lingxi Stone was rumored to be. It was a barren desert, the sun was high in the sky, the heat was unbearable, and the yellow sand underfoot was so hot that it seemed to melt the soles of shoes. They struggled to move forward in the desert, and the water source was soon exhausted. Everyone was thirsty and their lips were dry and chapped. Xiao Yi looked at the endless desert, but he had no intention of retreating. Suddenly, a sandstorm swept in, with howling winds and yellow sand filling the sky. Everyone was instantly submerged in the sandstorm. Xiao Yi held the reins tightly and shouted for everyone not to panic. With strong will and outstanding leadership skills, he led the team to survive the sandstorm.

After finally surviving the sandstorm, they were attacked by bandits. A group of bandits, mounted on swift horses and brandishing long swords, surrounded them from all sides. Xiao Yi drew his sword, his eyes revealing determination and resolve. He led the charge, charging into the enemy camp. His sword wielded like a dragon emerging from the sea, each strike carrying immense force as he repelled wave after wave of bandits. His trusted followers also fought bravely, and after a fierce battle, they finally drove the bandits back.

Continuing on, they finally arrived at the legendary Lingxi Stone. It was an ancient ruin hidden deep in the desert, its architectural style unique and radiating a mysterious aura. Xiao Yi cautiously entered the ruins, which were dark, damp, and filled with a foul odor. The walls were engraved with strange symbols and patterns, seemingly telling of a distant history. They explored the ruins and finally found the Lingxi Stone in a secret chamber. It was a stone emitting a soft glow, its lines seemingly flowing, brimming with life.

Xiao Yi excitedly stepped forward, grasping the Lingxi Stone, silently praying that it would help him find Li Lingyuan. However, no matter how hard he tried, the Lingxi Stone remained unresponsive. Xiao Yi's heart was filled with despair. He angrily threw the Lingxi Stone to the ground, its impact creating a resounding sound that echoed through the silent ruins.

After returning to the palace, Xiao Yi became even more withdrawn. He often sat alone in the pavilion of the Imperial Garden, gazing at the blossoms, reminiscing about the wonderful times he and Li Lingyuan had spent there. They had once admired the flowers, recited poems, and exchanged couplets, her laughter echoing like silver bells. But now, he was left alone, completely alone.

Ministers came to persuade him, hoping he would pull himself together and take care of state affairs. After all, national affairs could not be neglected. Although Xiao Yi was heartbroken, he also understood his responsibilities as an emperor. He forced himself to attend to state affairs, but whenever he grew tired of reviewing memorials, his thoughts would involuntarily drift back to Li Lingyuan.

At night, Xiao Yi lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. Li Lingyuan's face kept resurfacing in his mind: her smile, her tears, her gentleness and her stubbornness. He often encountered her in his dreams, but whenever he reached out to grasp her, she vanished, leaving him waking in the darkness, his clothes soaked with sweat.

"Lingyuan, where are you? Why did you leave me?" Xiao Yi asked softly to the empty room, his voice filled with pain and longing. He knew he couldn't live without her. No matter the cost, he would find her, even if it meant crossing the boundaries of time and space.