Traveling through thousands of years, I only love you

Xiao Yi stood atop the towering palace, overlooking the vast landscape below, his heart filled with sorrow and confusion. The biting cold wind rustled his clothes, but it couldn't dispel the sorrow from his brow. Lately, he'd lost his appetite and couldn't sleep. Li Lingyuan's voice and smile constantly surfaced in his mind, and the sweetness and warmth they once shared had now transformed into a sharp blade piercing his heart.

He knew that as an emperor, he shouldered the expectations and responsibilities of the people of the world; however, as Li Lingyuan's lover, how could he bear to leave her trapped alone in time and space a thousand years later? These conflicting emotions collided fiercely in his heart, like a raging storm, almost drowning him.

After countless sleepless nights, Xiao Yi finally made up his mind. He summoned the court's most important officials. In the solemn and dignified hall, his voice was firm and steady: "I have summoned you all today to make a grave announcement. My bond with the Queen is unwavering, and now that she is trapped a thousand years in the future, I cannot rest in peace. I have decided to temporarily leave the throne and embark on a journey to find a way to travel through time and reunite with her a thousand years from now."

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers were in an uproar, kneeling down to offer their sincere pleas. A highly respected elder, tears streaming down his face, said with deep sorrow, "Your Majesty, this absolutely cannot happen! The country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. If Your Majesty leaves, the court will be in chaos, the world will be plunged into turmoil, and the people will be displaced. Your Majesty shoulders the legacy of our ancestors. How can you abandon it for personal reasons?"

Xiao Yi raised his head slightly, scanning the ministers with a determined gaze, and slowly spoke, "I am fully aware of the gravity of this action, and I too hesitated and wavered. But my love for Ling Yuan transcends the bonds of life and death, time and space. If I were to live in complacency and remain here alone, I would be as good as dead. Before I depart, I will carefully select a virtuous crown prince, teach him the ways of governing, and leave behind detailed statecraft. I believe that with your loyal assistance, the country will be able to maintain stability for the time being."

Seeing Xiao Yi's resolve, the ministers, though still concerned, knew it was difficult to change his decision. In the days that followed, Xiao Yi began intensively preparing for the selection of a crown prince. He examined each of the royal family's young men, assessing their character, wisdom, talent, and leadership. Ultimately, he chose a young and promising prince who possessed a broad mindset and remained calm and reserved.

Xiao Yi summoned the prince to the imperial study, where they spent the night in conversation. He imparted his years of experience in governing the country to the prince without reservation, advising him on every detail, from improving people's livelihoods to strengthening border defenses, from selecting officials to managing finances. He looked at the prince earnestly and said earnestly, "I entrust this country to you. I hope you will always remember to put the people first, uphold justice, and govern diligently. When encountering difficult matters, consult with the ministers and avoid being stubborn and self-willed."

After confirming the crown prince, Xiao Yi immediately began handing over government affairs to important officials at court. He meticulously reviewed the government documents submitted by various regions, offering his own insights and strategies for each important issue. He placed particular emphasis on border security, urging the officers responsible to strengthen patrols and closely monitor the activities of neighboring countries to prevent foreign invasion. Regarding fiscal revenue and expenditure, he urged his ministers to strictly control them, increase revenue and reduce expenditure, and ensure the rational use of national wealth. Regarding livelihood projects, he ordered relevant officials to continue promoting the construction of water conservancy facilities and the reclamation and improvement of farmland to ensure the people's food, clothing, housing and transportation.

After settling his various palace duties, Xiao Yi could finally devote himself fully to the arduous quest for a method of time travel. He plunged headfirst into the ancient and mysterious library, housing countless precious ancient books that might hold the secret to time travel. Xiao Yi toiled day and night, the dusty volumes bearing witness to his dedication and resolve. His fingers grew rough from the endless pages, his eyes bloodshot, but he showed no sign of stopping.

He meticulously studied every ancient tome, searching for any clues that might point to time travel. Sometimes, to verify a clue, he would repeatedly search the library for relevant information, comparing and analyzing it. He also moved some important ancient books to his own secret room for easy study at any time.

At the same time, Xiao Yi dispatched his most trusted confidants to the common people, seeking out those extraordinary individuals living in seclusion. Upon receiving the order, these confidants immediately embarked on their journey, their footprints covering every corner of the country. They had heard that in the distant mountains lay a white-haired sage, said to possess unique insights into the mysteries of time and space. Braving the perils, they traversed dense forests and climbed steep peaks, finally finding the sage's residence in a secluded valley. The sage sat before a thatched hut, his eyes deep and mysterious, as if he could see through everything. The confidants respectfully explained their purpose to the sage, who nodded slightly, then entered the hut and retrieved a scroll of ancient bamboo slips, engraved with obscure text and strange patterns. Overjoyed, the confidants carefully brought the scroll back to the palace and presented it to Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi accepted the scroll, a glimmer of hope igniting within him, knowing it might hold a key to unlocking the mystery of time travel.

In addition to exploring the local community, Xiao Yi also personally visited several ancient sects. Atop a towering, mist-shrouded mountain, stood a mysterious Taoist temple. Despite the arduous journey, Xiao Yi climbed the winding mountain path. The path was rugged and steep, requiring ropes in some places. But Xiao Yi held a single conviction: to find a way to transcend time. Finally, he arrived at the temple. The abbot greeted him, and Xiao Yi respectfully inquired about the method. The abbot stroked his long beard, pondered for a moment, and said, "Your Majesty, the Gate of Time and Space is not easily opened. It requires gathering spiritual objects from heaven and earth and harnessing the power of the stars. However, these objects are difficult to find, and their power is even more challenging to control." Xiao Yi's heart sank, but he pressed on without hesitation, "Master, what are these objects?" The abbot slowly recited the names of several rare treasures: the Rhinoceros Horn, the Dream Stone, and the Meteorite Iron.

To gather these magical artifacts, Xiao Yi even mobilized the national treasury while offering a public reward. For a time, the entire country was abuzz with the pursuit of these artifacts. Countless treasure hunters set out on their quests, some forming teams, others venturing solo. Some delved into treacherous ancient tombs, outwitting various traps and devices. The tombs were eerie and filled with the aura of death, but they bravely pressed forward for the promise of a rich reward. Some treasure hunters dived into the deep sea, searching for traces of meteorite iron. The deep sea faced immense pressure, dim light, and a variety of unknown and dangerous creatures, but they remained steadfast. Others carefully searched for the Phantom Dream Stone in mysterious ruins. The ruins were filled with mystery, potentially hiding dangerous magical powers, but they persisted in their search.

Xiao Yi himself established a secret chamber within the imperial palace, storing there all the ancient books, artifacts, and clues he had collected related to time travel. He devoted himself to research day and night, attempting to decipher the secrets. He examined a stone tablet inscribed with time and space runes, recovered from ancient ruins, and carefully observed the patterns therein, comparing them with the records in ancient texts, hoping to discover the pattern of runes and thereby unlock the portal to time and space. He often remained in the chamber for days and nights, refusing food or drink, completely absorbed in his quest for a method of time travel.

During this process, Xiao Yi encountered countless difficulties and setbacks. Once, he conducted an experiment based on a clue, trying to use the power of magic circles and spiritual objects to open a small space-time channel. He carefully arranged the magic circle in the backyard of the palace, placed the spiritual objects he collected at the center of the circle, and then chanted the spell according to the records in the ancient books. At first, the magic circle flickered with a faint light, and seemed to have some reaction. But as the spell deepened, the magic circle suddenly lost control, and a powerful force backfired. Xiao Yi was knocked to the ground, spitting blood, and the surrounding palace buildings also suffered some damage. But he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes more determined: "Ling Yuan, I will not give up."

He also faced pressure and questioning from all sides. Some considered him foolish for abandoning the throne and wasting precious resources on a quest for a way to travel through time for a woman. Rumors circulated among the people, expressing disapproval of his actions. But Xiao Yi remained unmoved. His only hope was to transcend millennia and reunite with Li Lingyuan. He knew everything he did was for love, for the unwavering love in his heart.

As Xiao Yi's research into the method of time travel deepened, he gradually realized that it wasn't just a matter of gathering spiritual objects and deciphering runes; it also required a powerful spiritual force—his endless yearning and love for Li Lingyuan. This emotional power might be the key to truly unlocking the door to time and space.

As Xiao Yi cultivated his magic and searched for spiritual objects, his yearning for Li Lingyuan intensified. He hung portraits of Li Lingyuan all over his secret room, expressing his longing to them daily and recalling every moment they had spent together. He remembered strolling through the imperial gardens, the sun bathing them in the fragrance of flowers; he remembered fighting side by side on the battlefield, sharing life and death, supporting each other; he remembered nights in the palace, sitting embraced, admiring the bright moon, and sharing their hearts. These beautiful memories intensified his love and longing, becoming his driving force. He braved any hardship or obstacle, determined only to journey through millennia and embrace his beloved.