Time travel, quick transmigration

Xiao Die, instantly enlightened by Xiao Huanling's gaze, straightened her body and patted her chest, looking as if to reassure Shi Yan.

Seeing that Xiaodie was neither unhappy nor reluctant, Shi Yan nodded.

"Well, I'll leave Huanqing Residence in your care, Xiaodie. And don't forget to relay what I told you to Abbot Qingfeng."

Xiao Die responded with a "yes" and lowered her head to eat. Only when she could no longer feel Xiao Huanling's gaze on her, that extremely oppressive look, did she secretly breathe a sigh of relief and calm herself down.

"Young Master Xiao is truly frightening!"

After breakfast, Shi Yan told Xiao Huanling the truth about a sealed back door in an abandoned courtyard in the backyard of Dongling Temple that led to the outside road.

The two of them put their heads together, took a water bag filled with water and some steamed buns prepared for Liuyun, and left Huanqing Residence for the backyard.

"It should be here."

Shi Yan and Xiao Huanling found a dilapidated and abandoned courtyard in the backyard. The courtyard had a door that was boarded up.

Xiao Huanling and Shi Yan exchanged a glance and knew that the place was restricted because there must be some inside story.

As Shi Yan hesitated about how to open the courtyard gate, Xiao Huanling kicked it away.

Yes, it was very easy to kick it away.

Looking at the shattered wooden planks, Shi Yan twitched her lips twice and gave Xiao Huanling a thumbs-up in admiration.

"No hesitation, precise and powerful kicks, you're awesome!"

"Let's go in."

Xiao Huanling shook his head and chuckled, then pulled Shi Yan's hand and led her inside.

"Hey, isn't it too conspicuous to just destroy the courtyard gate like this?"

Shi Yan couldn't help but turn back to look at the dilapidated wooden door lying on the ground, and asked Xiao Huanling with a hint of worry.

Xiao Huanling glanced at her and gently comforted her.

"This place seems to have been forgotten long ago. It's in a remote location, and it looks like a forbidden area. In that case, no one would make a special trip here. Except for the two of us, of course..."

Shi Yan felt this made sense.

The abandoned courtyard was somewhat messy, which was out of place with the clean and quiet Dongling Temple. Shi Yan looked around and guessed that someone must have lived here a long time ago, but she didn't know why it was abandoned and appeared dilapidated.

"Let's look around, that door should be nearby."

Shi Yan pulled her hand away from Xiao Huanling's grasp and turned to start searching around.

Xiao Huanling watched Shi Yan's busy and focused expression, and after a moment of distraction, he also began searching around.

Shi Yan was like a mystery to him; he had many doubts and questions. He longed to understand her, yet he was unwilling to delve into her background. He feared that asking too many questions would displease Shi Yan and cause her to distance herself from him, which was not what he wanted. He also wondered why Shi Yan knew about such a hidden place within the Dongling Temple, and why she seemed indifferent to the emperor's arrival.

"Found it! Haha, it was here all along. Ah Ling, come quick!"

Shi Yan's melodious and joyful voice instantly dispelled the chaotic thoughts in Xiao Huanling's mind. He looked up and responded to the smiling woman, then strode over to her side.

"You really can't miss it if you're not careful."

Xiao Huanling looked at the wall covered with a large vine of trumpet creeper, and following Shi Yan's gaze, he parted the vines that were covering the wooden door.

"It's locked. It's alright, I'll take care of it."

As he spoke, he pulled out a dagger from his waist and slashed the lock in half.

The whole thing happened in the blink of an eye. Shi Yan stared intently at the dagger in Xiao Huanling's hand, which was as sharp as a knife and had already been sheathed. She couldn't help but feel a little tempted by the deep blue gemstone embedded in the dagger.

Xiao Huanling glanced at her sideways and smiled.

"If you like it, take it."

As soon as he finished speaking, he handed the dagger to Shi Yan.

Shi Yan glanced down at the dagger she had taken, examined its blade, and then sheathed it before handing it back to Xiao Huanling.

"I'm just curious, I'll just take a look. You should keep it for self-defense."

Xiao Huanling neither agreed nor disagreed, then tucked the bag into his waistband.

"Let's go!"

Xiao Huanling reached out and pushed the door open from the inside out, then lifted the obstructing vines to let Shi Yan pass.

He followed Shi Yan out the door. The two were already in the bamboo forest outside Dongling Temple.

Xiao Huanling closed the door and gestured for Shi Yan to follow behind him.

The two had only been in the bamboo forest for a short while when a small ditch blocked their path.

Seeing Shi Yan's eager expression, Xiao Huanling stopped her and then lightly leaped away.

"Jump over here, I'll catch you, don't be afraid."

Shi Yan had already witnessed Xiao Huanling's agility, and besides, the ditch in front of her wasn't very wide; she could easily jump across it if she gathered her strength. So she nodded, then made a jumping motion and lightly leaped across, landing safely in Xiao Huanling's outstretched arms.

A faint fragrance wafted into Xiao Huanling's nostrils, and he was momentarily distracted. When he looked at the person in his arms again, he felt as if he were holding a cloud, ethereal and soft, making him reluctant to let go.

"Thank you."

After thanking him, Shi Yan calmly stepped away from Xiao Huanling's embrace and walked straight into the depths of the bamboo forest. Only she knew that her heart had skipped a beat when she bumped into Xiao Huanling's arms. She was somewhat annoyed by her reaction and worried that he would notice something was amiss if she got too close to him, so she left him behind.

Xiao Huanling was completely unaware of Shi Yan's fluctuating emotions, and quickly followed after her as she walked away.

The two walked out of the bamboo forest one after the other and came to a small path.

Shi Yan's heart had calmed down, and she glanced at Xiao Huanling beside her.

"Which direction should we go?"

Xiao Huanling smiled slightly upon hearing this.

"Wait here for me, I'll go and fetch Liuyun."

"I remember there's a valley not far from here. It's a beautiful valley with lots of wildflowers and a lake called Starfall. Shall we go for a walk there? The main thing is that there's a large meadow next to Starfall Lake, perfect for horseback riding."

Shi Yan was somewhat tempted by Xiao Huanling's words.

"Go ahead, I'll wait for you here."

"Don't take too long..."

Xiao Huanling understood Shi Yan's meaning, and he wouldn't let Shi Yan wait here alone for too long.

"I am coming over now."

He turned and left as soon as he finished speaking.

After Xiao Huanling left, Shi Yan found a relatively clean tree trunk lying on the ground by the roadside and sat down.

It took Xiao Huanling only half an incense stick's time to find Liuyun in that forest.

"Liuyun, you'll see her soon. She's waiting for us on the path near the bamboo grove ahead. Don't keep her waiting; take me to see her quickly."

Liu Yun seemed to understand his words, and with a flick of its hooves, it galloped towards Shi Yan's location like a bolt of lightning.

Shi Yan faintly heard the sound of horses' hooves. When she looked up, she saw Xiao Huanling riding on Liu Yun at breakneck speed. Her eyes lit up and she immediately stood up and waved to Xiao Huanling.

Looking at Shi Yan's vibrant and bright appearance, Xiao Huanling's smile deepened, and he quickened his pace.