Traveling through thousands of years, I only love you

Xiao Yi's stardom in the entertainment industry continues to blaze. His name and face frequently appear on major media platforms, in advertising endorsements, and in film and television productions. His fans are madly in love with him, and every public appearance is a sensation, from airport arrival halls to red carpets at film and television events. His image in period costumes has won him widespread recognition, making him a beloved idol in the hearts of countless viewers, and his popularity is at its peak.

After becoming a breakout star, Xiao Yi's life was filled with a myriad of commitments. Every morning, urged by his agent, he would rise early and head to the studio for shoots for magazine covers or advertising campaigns. Inside, the lighting technicians, stylists, photographers, and other staff were already bustling with preparations. Stylists tried various fashionable outfits on him, discussing the perfect match to highlight his unique style. They dressed him in opulent couture gowns, then simple yet stylish casual wear, constantly adjusting the details of his accessories. The photographer, on the other hand, directed his poses, "Xiao Yi, turn slightly to the left, and look deeper. Yes, like this, very good." Every expression and every movement was repeatedly filmed and refined, all to capture the perfect moment. These shoots often lasted for hours, with only brief breaks in between, leaving Xiao Yi exhausted. However, he persevered, as this was one of his means of obtaining resources and funds in the modern world to pursue a method of time travel.

In addition to filming, Xiao Yi also participates in various variety shows. On one reality show, he and other celebrity guests complete challenging tasks. Sometimes these involve intense outdoor competitions, such as navigating obstacle courses and scaling high walls. While Xiao Yi's ancient physical training allows him to handle these challenges well, he struggles with tasks requiring modern skills or teamwork. For example, during a collaborative model-building project, he struggled with modern tools, and communication with his teammates, due to differences in language and thinking, led to minor hiccups, temporarily delaying progress. However, his sincere attitude and dedication earned him the respect of his teammates and the audience. During the filming process, he also had to constantly monitor his behavior, as cameras were everywhere, and even the smallest details could be magnified and interpreted. He often longed for the freedom of ancient life, free from tedious rules and external scrutiny.

Xiao Yi's social life became increasingly frequent. He frequently received invitations to various fashion dinners and award ceremonies. These occasions required him to mingle with celebrities from all walks of life. Walking the red carpet, he faced countless flashes of light and media questions, maintaining an elegant demeanor and a well-placed smile. Entering the dinner venue, he was surrounded by a throng of people: colleagues trying to make small talk, brands hoping to collaborate with him, and enthusiastic fans seeking photos and autographs. He had to navigate this crowd, politely responding to everyone's questions, maintaining a friendly and affable outward appearance despite feeling exhausted and annoyed. At the awards ceremony, he sat in the audience, feeling a wave of anxiety, anticipating the award but also fearing making a mistake or embarrassing himself. When his name was called, he stood up and walked to the stage to receive the trophy, feeling a mixture of emotions. He knew the award was recognition of his acting skills, but he also longed to return to ancient times and share this joy with Li Lingyuan.

On a daily basis, Xiao Yi is surrounded by fans and paparazzi. Every time he shows up at the airport, a crowd of fans awaits, holding signs and cameras, and rushes toward him screaming as soon as he appears. Shouts of "Xiao Yi, look here!" "Xiao Yi, we love you!" echo incessantly. Escorted by bodyguards, he struggles through the crowds, sometimes even accidentally tugging at his clothes or touching him by overly enthusiastic fans. The paparazzi frantically snap photos, trying to capture any newsworthy moment of his, whether it's his attire, his facial expressions, or his interactions with those around him. These photos and reports quickly appear in major entertainment media outlets, becoming a hot topic among fans and bringing him even more attention and pressure.

While filming on the set, although he had gradually adapted to the acting work, he would still encounter some troubles. Some actors or staff members who were jealous of his rapid rise to fame would do small things behind his back. Once, when filming an important emotional scene, he discovered that his script had been secretly modified, causing him to make some verbal mistakes during filming and being criticized by the director. Another time, the props team made a mistake when preparing the props, and the prop sword he was given suddenly broke during an intense fighting scene, almost injuring him. But Xiao Yi endured these grievances and difficulties silently. He didn't want these trivial matters to affect his work progress, and he didn't want to lose the opportunity to find a way to travel through time.

However, behind this seemingly glamorous appearance, Xiao Yi's inner loneliness and longing remain undiminished. He always remembers his original intention of coming to this modern world, and his longing for Li Lingyuan is like a flame burning deep in his heart, constantly tormenting his soul.

While filming a costume drama set deep in the mountains, Xiao Yi took a break and wandered into a quiet forest. Surrounded by towering ancient trees, their branches and leaves dense, sunlight filtered through the cracks, casting dappled shadows. As he lost himself in memories of the past, a familiar figure slowly emerged from behind the trees. Xiao Yi took a closer look and saw it was the old man who had known the secret of time travel in ancient times.

A complex wave of emotions suddenly surged in Xiao Yi's heart: surprise, anticipation, and, above all, endless pleading. He hurried forward, plopped down before the old man, and with a thud, clasped his hands together. His voice trembled slightly as he spoke, "Senior, you have finally appeared. I have struggled in this modern world, hoping to find a way to return to ancient times and reunite with my beloved. I beg you to show me your mercy and tell me how to travel back in time."

The old man sighed softly, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and pity. He gently helped Xiao Yi up and said, "Child, time travel is not that easy. You were caught in the turbulence of time and space and came here by accident. Now, it is even more difficult to go back."

Xiao Yi stood up and looked at the old man with a determined look. "Senior, no matter how difficult it is, I am willing to try. The love between Ling Yuan and I spans thousands of years, and I cannot be separated from her like this. In this modern world, although I have achieved success and fame, I am like a walking corpse with no happiness at all. My heart will always be in the ancient times, with Ling Yuan."

The old man paced slowly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Let me ask you, have you ever discovered any clues about the mysteries of time and space in this modern world?"

Xiao Yi nodded and recounted his experiences in the modern world to the old man. He described reading ancient books in libraries, searching for information online, discussing ideas with scientists and occult enthusiasts, and his own attempts at simple time travel experiments. Although they all ended in failure, he never gave up.

After hearing this, the old man shook his head slightly. "While what you've done has some exploratory value, it hasn't touched the core of time travel. The operation of time and space follows an extremely complex and mysterious law, involving many factors such as the energy of the universe, the movement of the stars, and the destination of the soul. The technology and knowledge you've come into contact with in the modern world are just the tip of the iceberg; it's difficult to truly unlock the mystery of time and space."

A flash of despair flashed across Xiao Yi's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination: "Senior, you must know something. Please give me some advice. Even if there is only a glimmer of hope, I will never give up."

The old man looked up at the sky and spoke slowly, "I once read about an ancient ritual in ancient books that may be related to time travel. However, this ritual requires the gathering of five rare spiritual objects at a specific time and place. Furthermore, the performer must possess powerful spiritual power and a firm will to open the gate of time and space. However, these five spiritual objects have long been hard to find in the world, and if the ritual fails, the performer will be devoured by the power of time and space, and their soul will dissipate in the endless turbulence of time and space."

Xiao Yi said without hesitation: "Senior, as long as I can return to Ling Yuan, I am willing to take the risk. No matter what the cost, I will pay it."

The old man looked at Xiao Yi, a glint of approval in his eyes. "Your dedication to love is admirable. But you must know that this is not just a personal decision of life and death for you. It may also have unpredictable effects on the space-time order of the two worlds. If the space-time gate is opened improperly, the space-time turbulence it triggers may once again sweep across the two worlds, bringing about a catastrophic disaster."

Xiao Yi fell into deep thought, fully aware of the gravity of the situation. But the thought of Li Lingyuan overwhelmed him, overwhelming his worries. "Senior, I understand the dangers involved. But if I can't be reunited with Lingyuan, my life will be meaningless. I'm willing to bear all consequences, just for a chance to return to her."

The old man was silent for a long time, then finally sighed. "Alright, since you've made up your mind, I'll tell you what these five spirit creatures look like and where they might appear. But remember, you must be extremely careful when searching for them. This modern world is different from the ancient world, and there are many dangers and temptations you haven't encountered yet."

Xiao Yi nodded quickly and listened carefully to the old man's story. He memorized every detail and the flame of hope was rekindled in his heart.

After bidding farewell to the old man, Xiao Yi returned to the crew. However, his heart was no longer in filming. He began to use his celebrity status and connections to inquire about the whereabouts of the five spiritual objects. He turned down many unnecessary business activities and social engagements, devoting himself wholeheartedly to the quest for the spiritual objects.

His fans noticed his change and took to social media to ask about it. Xiao Yi simply responded that he was pursuing a goal that was very important to him and hoped his fans would understand. While some fans expressed disappointment, many were moved by his persistence and expressed their support for his decision.

In his search for spiritual objects, Xiao Yi encountered many difficulties and challenges. The first spiritual object was a type of algae that grew near a deep-sea volcano. It absorbed energy from deep within the earth's veins, emitting a faint blue glow. To obtain it, Xiao Yi spared no expense to rent a deep-sea diving vessel and hired a professional diving team. However, the deep-sea environment is extremely harsh, with immense water pressure, freezing temperatures, and a variety of unknown and dangerous creatures. During one dive, the vessel's equipment suddenly malfunctioned, cutting off their oxygen supply and trapping them in the depths. With a cool head and unwavering perseverance, Xiao Yi and the diving team urgently repaired the equipment, ultimately escaping danger and recovering the spiritual algae.

The second spiritual creature is a spirit bird that inhabits the peaks of ancient snow-capped mountains. Its feathers are as white as snow, and its song can transcend the barriers of time and space. Xiao Yi, despite the severe cold and altitude sickness, embarked on a quest to climb the snowy mountains. The terrain is complex, with frequent avalanches and howling winds. During his ascent, he was caught in a sudden avalanche, burying him beneath a thick layer of snow. Fortunately, his physical fitness allowed him to struggle through the snow, eventually digging a passage and escaping death. After days of arduous ascent, he finally located the spirit bird's nest atop the mountain. However, the bird was extremely alert, and Xiao Yi had to go through great pains to capture it.

The third spiritual object is a spirit crystal hidden deep within a mysterious desert. This desert, known as the "Sea of ​​Death," is blanketed in yellow sand, scorching hot, and plagued by deadly quicksand traps and sandstorms. Xiao Yi ventured into the desert alone, quickly running out of water and food. He became lost and repeatedly fell into the quicksand. During one sandstorm, he was nearly swallowed by the sand. But driven by his longing for Li Lingyuan and his unwavering faith, he persevered through the desert and ultimately found the spirit crystal.

The fourth spiritual object is the fruit of a spirit tree that grows in the heart of an ancient forest. This forest is shrouded in a mysterious power, shrouded in a thick fog that hides ferocious beasts and mysterious spirits. In this forest, Xiao Yi was attacked by a pack of wild wolves and engaged in a desperate battle. He was severely injured in the battle, but he persisted. Deep in the forest, he found the spirit tree. However, a powerful guardian force surrounded the tree, and after many attempts, Xiao Yi finally broke through the protective barrier and reached the fruit.

The final spiritual object was the Time and Space Stone, found within an ancient ruin. Hidden within a remote valley, the ruins were filled with traps and ancient curses. Xiao Yi navigated the ruins cautiously, deciphering each trap and dodging the curse. Deep within the ruins, he found the Time and Space Stone.

After gathering the five spiritual objects, Xiao Yi followed the old man's instructions and arrived at a remote mountaintop. Atop the mountain stood an ancient stone platform, engraved with mysterious runes. Xiao Yi placed the five spiritual objects in the center of the platform, then formed hand seals, chanted a few words, and began the ritual of time travel.

As the ritual progressed, dark clouds gathered in the sky, accompanied by flashes of lightning and thunder. The five spiritual objects released powerful energies, which converged to form a vast vortex of space and time. Xiao Yi gazed upon it, his heart filled with anticipation and anxiety. He knew this was his only chance to return to Li Lingyuan's side, and no matter the dangers ahead, he had to bravely take this step.

Just as the vortex was about to fully open, a powerful external force suddenly struck, disrupting the rhythm of the ritual. The vortex began to shake violently, and the energy of the five spiritual objects became unstable. Xiao Yi was horrified and desperately maintained the ritual, trying to resist the external interference. But his power was limited, and under the powerful external force, the ritual ultimately failed.

The five spiritual creatures were instantly reduced to dust. Xiao Yi, consumed by the force of time and space, vomited blood and collapsed on the stone platform. He stared at the sky, his eyes filled with despair and resentment. He was only one step away from returning to Li Lingyuan, but ultimately failed.

In the last moment before he lost consciousness, Xiao Yi recalled Li Lingyuan's smile. He whispered, "Lingyuan, I'm sorry. I still couldn't come back to you..."