I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Zhang Wanqing's fingers gently flipped through the tattered book the old man in the antique shop had given her. Her eyes were focused in the dim light. The words on the pages seemed to dance, each symbol imbued with mysterious power. She knew these words were her only hope, the key to returning to her original time and place.

The antique shop was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, mixed with the unique musty odor of old books, which made people fall into contemplation. Zhang Wanqing sat in a corner, her shadow stretched out by the light, intertwined with the antiques around her, as if she had become a part of this time and space.

Her eyes wandered over the pages, trying to decipher the ancient symbols and patterns. These symbols were somewhat similar to those she'd seen in her ancestral texts, yet also distinct, seemingly a more ancient form of writing. She took a deep breath, calming her mind, and slowly, she began to understand the meaning behind the symbols.

The book described an ancient ritual requiring the five elements of space and time: wind, fire, water, earth, and ether. These elements must be activated at a specific time and place, in a specific order, to open a portal to another time and space. Zhang Wanqing's brow furrowed. She needed to find these elements and understand how to activate them.

She stood up, clutching the book to her chest, and walked over to the old man. "I need these things." Her voice was firm and powerful, and her eyes gleamed with determination.

The old man looked up at her, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "These elements aren't easy to find; they're hidden in every corner of this space and time." His voice was low, as if reminding her of the challenge she was about to face.

Zhang Wanqing nodded. She knew it wouldn't be an easy road, but she had no way out. "I will find them," she said with determination in her voice.

The old man pulled out a map from under the counter, with five different locations marked on it. "These are the places you need to go. Each one hides an element. But be careful, there are guardians in each place, and they won't let you obtain the element easily."

Zhang Wanqing took the map and gently touched the markings with her fingers, as if she could feel the power of the elements. "I'll be careful," she said softly, then turned and left the antique shop.

The night breeze brushed against her cheek, bringing a hint of coolness. She looked up at the starry sky. Those stars were completely different from the time and space she was in, as if they were telling stories from another world. Zhang Wanqing took a deep breath, knowing that her journey had just begun.

Her first destination was an ancient temple on the edge of the city, said to harbor the element of water. Zhang Wanqing made her way through the narrow streets and arrived at the temple's entrance. The gates were tightly closed, intricately carved with patterns that seemed to tell of an ancient legend.

She pushed open the door, and a damp air hit her face. The temple interior was dim and empty, with only a few rays of light filtering through the cracks in the ceiling, illuminating a central pool. The water was crystal clear, with a few fallen leaves floating on the surface, creating a tranquil and mysterious feeling.

Zhang Wanqing walked to the edge of the pool. She could feel the power of the water element pulsating through her fingertips. She closed her eyes and began to silently recite the incantation from the book. As the incantation continued, ripples began to form on the surface of the water, and then a small vortex gradually formed. In the center of the vortex, a crystal-clear water ball gradually rose, containing pure water element.

At that moment, a low roar echoed from the shadows of the temple, and a massive dark figure appeared beside the pool. Zhang Wanqing opened her eyes, her heart racing. She could sense the dangerous aura emanating from the figure. It was the guardian of the water element, a massive water serpent. Its eyes, like two burning embers, stared intently at Zhang Wanqing.

Zhang Wanqing took a deep breath, knowing she couldn't retreat. She confronted the water snake, her gaze determined and fearless. The snake slowly approached her, its massive form casting a shadow on the ground. Zhang Wanqing could sense the snake's power, but she also knew she could only obtain the water element after passing the Guardian's test.

She began a spiritual battle with the water snake, using spells and willpower to fight it. Time seemed to freeze at this moment, only the breathing of the water snake and Zhang Wanqing echoed in the temple. Finally, the water snake slowly lowered its head, acknowledging Zhang Wanqing's power.

Zhang Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she had passed the test. She gently removed the water element from the water ball, feeling its power pulsing in her palm. She bowed to the water snake in gratitude, then turned and left the temple.

As the night deepened, Zhang Wanqing walked back to the antique shop, her heart filled with a sense of accomplishment. She knew that this was only the first step in her journey, but she had already taken a solid step.

Zhang Wanqing's footsteps echoed on the ancient cobblestones, and she clutched the map tightly in her hands, as if it were her only salvation. The guardian of the wind element turned out to be an old acquaintance from her past life, a discovery that filled her with confusion and unease.

The night breeze, with a hint of coolness, gently brushed Zhang Wanqing's cheek, her long hair fluttering in the breeze. Her gaze was determined, but her heart was like a turbulent sea. The guardian of the wind element, the figure who had confronted her in the temple, why did it seem so familiar? She stopped, closed her eyes, and tried to search the depths of her memory for the answer.

Her thoughts drifted back to that ancient time and space, to the Tang Dynasty, when she, the third daughter of the Su family, was a young woman filled with curiosity about the world. She remembered the young man with a gentle smile, Feng Xing, her only friend in that time and space. Together, they had explored countless secrets and fought powerful enemies. However, a sudden disaster tore their world apart, and she lost all her memories, transporting herself to the present time and space.

"Feng Xing, is that you?" Zhang Wanqing murmured, her voice trembling. She didn't know how to face Feng Xing if the guardian was indeed him. There were too many unsolved mysteries and unfinished love between them.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. Now was not the time to dwell on the past; she needed to focus on finding the wind element and completing the ritual. She opened her eyes and her gaze fell on the next location marked on the map—an ancient lighthouse at the highest point in the city.

Zhang Wanqing quickened her pace, passing through the narrow streets until she reached the foot of the lighthouse. Towering into the clouds, it seemed a bridge connecting heaven and earth. Looking up, she saw a faint light flickering from its summit, like a distant beacon guiding those lost in the sea.

She began to climb the lighthouse's spiral staircase, each step feeling heavy. Her heartbeat echoed with the sound of her footsteps, and each breath seemed to freeze in the air. She could feel the power of the elemental wind waiting for her at the top, a force so free and powerful.

When she finally reached the top of the tower, a strong wind blew, nearly knocking her over. She steadied herself and saw a figure standing on the platform, his back looking particularly lonely in the wind. Zhang Wanqing's heart nearly stopped at that moment; that figure was so similar to the one she remembered.