Jade of Another World

Lin Ning and Xiao Cui cautiously groped their way through the desolate wilderness, trying to find a safe escape route. All around was silent, save for the rustling of the wind through the grass, which sent chills down their spines.

Just as they were filled with anxiety and didn't know where to go, a familiar figure suddenly appeared in front of them. Lin Ning looked closely and saw that it was Ouyang Qingchuan! She was both surprised and delighted, and a surge of hope welled up in her heart.

"Master Ouyang, what brings you here?" Lin Ning hurriedly went to greet him and asked eagerly.

Ouyang Qingchuan, panting and anxious, said, "Quick, come back to the Imperial Observatory with me! Xuan Yuanche has already gone to Nanzhao to find Lin Wan. Now, this most dangerous place is the safest place. Only by hiding under his nose, in the dark, will we be less likely to be noticed by him."

Lin Ning and Xiao Cui exchanged a glance, realizing that Ouyang Qingchuan was right. They truly had no better option at the moment. Rather than hiding outside, constantly at risk of being discovered by Xuan Yuanche's men, they should listen to Ouyang Qingchuan and hide in the Imperial Observatory.

“Alright, we’ll listen to you, Master Ouyang,” Lin Ning said decisively.

Therefore, the three of them dared not delay and immediately headed towards the Imperial Observatory. Along the way, Ouyang Qingchuan explained the situation in the capital and Xuan Yuanche's insane actions to Lin Ning and Xiao Cui in detail. After listening, Lin Ning's hatred for Xuan Yuanche deepened, and she also became more worried about Lin Wan's safety.

"I hope Lin Wan is safe and sound. That guy Xuan Yuanche has gone completely mad and is capable of anything," Lin Ning said worriedly.

Ouyang Qingchuan comforted her, "Don't worry, Miss Lin. Lin Wan is clever and resourceful, and she has connections in Nanzhao. She shouldn't be easily captured by Xuanyuan Che. Our most important thing now is to protect ourselves and find a way to restore His Majesty to normal." Lin Ning nodded, secretly vowing to find a solution as soon as possible and, ideally, restore everything to normal.

Soon, the three arrived at the Imperial Observatory. Ouyang Qingchuan led Lin Ning and Xiao Cui through a secluded path, avoiding the sight of others. After entering the Imperial Observatory, Ouyang Qingchuan settled them in a secluded room and instructed them, "Rest well here and don't go out easily. I will find a way to provide you with what you need and continue to inquire about the whereabouts of the jade pendant."

Lin Ning looked at Ouyang Qingchuan gratefully and said, "Master Ouyang, thank you. We will repay your great kindness in the future."

Ouyang Qingchuan waved his hand and said, "Miss Lin, you don't need to be so polite. This is also for the sake of the country and the people of Dayu. We are now in the same boat. Only by working together can we overcome this difficulty."

After speaking, Ouyang Qingchuan turned and left the room, leaving Lin Ning and Xiao Cui inside. Lin Ning sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at the night sky outside the window, her mind filled with countless thoughts. She didn't know what the future held, but she firmly believed that as long as she didn't give up, she would surely find a glimmer of hope…

Lin Ning and Xiao Cui spent their days in Ouyang Qingchuan's secret room, utterly bored. The cramped space and monotonous environment made time seem to slow down. Xiao Cui would occasionally peek out the door, her heart filled with worry about what was happening outside, while Lin Ning, in this dreary state, would turn her gaze to the bookshelves in the secret room.

She slowly rose and walked to the bookshelf, her gaze sweeping over the old books. Suddenly, her eyes fixed on them, a look of surprise on her face—the bookshelf was filled with books about time travel. Countless questions welled up in Lin Ning's mind. Why did Master Ouyang possess so many books on time travel? Was there some secret hidden within them?

But curiosity quickly overcame her doubts, and Lin Ning reached for a rather old-looking book, gently opening it. Between the yellowed pages, densely packed text told wondrous tales of time travel. She became increasingly engrossed, the descriptions of intersecting timelines and soul journeys seeming to open a door to a new world.

As Lin Ning read on, her heart raced. She saw a glimmer of hope for returning home in these books. Perhaps her time travel wasn't accidental, and the secret lay hidden within them. Perhaps she could find a way back to her original world.

"Xiao Cui, come and see!" Lin Ning excitedly called Xiao Cui over and told her about her discovery.

Xiao Cui leaned closer, glanced at the contents of the book, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes: "Miss, could this be our turning point? If we can find a way back, you can go home!"

Lin Ning nodded, her eyes filled with anticipation: "Very likely. But why would Master Ouyang have so many books of this kind? Could it be that he knows something?"

So Lin Ning and Xiao Cui plunged headlong into the books. They studied them word by word, discussing the viewpoints and conjectures within. A tense yet exciting atmosphere filled the room; they seemed to see a glimmer of light in the darkness.

While reading, Lin Ning discovered that these books repeatedly mentioned a mysterious power, supposedly capable of breaking the boundaries of time and space, allowing for time travel. This power seemed to be related to a certain period of time. A thought struck Lin Ning: could this so-called special opportunity be a lunar eclipse?

Lin Ning clenched his fist, his heart filled with confidence, thinking, "When I see Master Ouyang, I must ask him what he thinks about this matter."

And so, Lin Ning and Xiao Cui studied these books day and night in the secret room, firmly believing that as long as they didn't give up, they would definitely find the answer... Meanwhile, Ouyang Qingchuan was still busy working on their behalf, and Lin Wan, far away in Nanzhao, was facing the threat of Xuan Yuanche. An even greater crisis was quietly approaching...

Ouyang Qingchuan gently pushed open the door to the secret room and walked in with steady steps. Lin Ning and Xiao Cui were engrossed in their books. Hearing the noise, they quickly looked up, their eyes full of anticipation.

"Master Ouyang, what's the situation outside?" Lin Ning asked anxiously, closing the book and standing up.

Ouyang Qingchuan sighed slightly and said, "Xuanyuan Che has already arrived in Nanzhao. There is still no news of Lin Wan. However, given Lin Wan's abilities, she shouldn't be caught so easily."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ning's heart tightened, and a look of worry appeared on her face: "I hope Wan'er will be safe and sound."

At this moment, Lin Ning remembered the question in her mind and asked, "Master Ouyang, Xiao Cui and I found many books related to time travel in this secret room. Why are you interested in time travel?"

Ouyang Qingchuan paused slightly, then a complex expression appeared on his face as he slowly said, "To be honest, I once met a friend who was a time traveler. He told me many things about his original world, which broadened my horizons. But later, this friend suddenly disappeared, as if he had vanished into thin air. I was curious and wanted to find out if time travel was real or not, so I collected these books and tried to study their mysteries."

Lin Ning listened to Ouyang Qingchuan's words with a mixture of belief and doubt.

Ouyang Qingchuan seemed to sense Lin Ning's suspicion and quickly changed the subject: "But none of that matters anymore. I've come here to tell you that I've made some progress in my research on time travel."

Lin Ning and Xiao Cui's eyes lit up immediately, and they both came over at the same time.

Ouyang Qingchuan cleared his throat and continued, "According to the information I have reviewed and my calculations, every year after the day the time traveler arrives, as long as there is a solar eclipse, the time portal can be opened at the same location and time, allowing for free time travel."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ning felt a surge of excitement, and her hands trembled slightly: "So, I have a chance to return to my original world?"

Ouyang Qingchuan nodded: "That's how it is in theory. But I haven't put it into practice."

Xiao Cui excitedly asked from the side, "Can we try it out on the next solar eclipse?"

"Why are you experimenting with this?" Ouyang asked. "Are you two time travelers?"

Lin Ning took a deep breath, her eyes filled with determination, and said, "Master Ouyang, please keep this a secret for me. I am actually a time traveler."

Ouyang Qingchuan was quite surprised and said, "No wonder, from the first time I saw you, I felt that your aura was completely different from the one here. Now you're telling me, do you want to go back to your place?"

"That's what I was thinking," Lin Ning said frankly.

"Alright, I'll definitely help you back. It'll also be a good opportunity to see if my research has been successful." Ouyang Qingchuan smiled and left the secret chamber. Lin Ning watched his departing figure, so tall and imposing. What a kind person!

That day, Ouyang Qingchuan rushed into the secret room with hurried steps and a panicked expression. Before he could even speak, Lin Ning and Xiao Cui sensed something was wrong from his anxious expression.

"Master Ouyang, what exactly happened?" Lin Ning's heart tightened, and her voice trembled involuntarily.

Ouyang Qingchuan's face was full of anxiety: "Miss Lin, something terrible has happened! Lin Wan has been captured and is now tied to a pillar in our square with ropes. Xuan Yuanche has issued a decree that if you do not appear, she will be burned to death at noon three days from now."

"What?" Lin Ning felt a sudden darkness before her eyes and almost lost her balance. Xiao Cui quickly stepped forward to support her, her eyes also filled with fear and worry.

"That bastard Xuan Yuanche!" Lin Ning's eyes blazed with fury, her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms. "How could he do this!"

Ouyang Qingchuan frowned slightly, his face full of helplessness: "Miss Lin, the situation is critical. Xuan Yuanche is using Lin Wan as bait to force you to show yourself. We must think of a way as soon as possible."

Lin Ning bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. Lin Wan was her sister, and she couldn't bear to watch her burn to death. But she also knew that Xuan Yuanche was cunning and shrewd; this was clearly a trap, and if she showed up, she would surely be plunged into utter ruin.

"Master Ouyang, do you have any ideas? Please, you must save Lin Wan." Lin Ning pleaded urgently, grabbing Ouyang Qingchuan's sleeve.

Ouyang Qingchuan pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "I don't have a foolproof plan right now. But we can send someone to scout out the situation, check the guard deployment in the square, and see if there's any opportunity." Xiao Cui anxiously said from the side, "But time is running out, we only have three days!"

Lin Ning took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down: "Xiao Cui, don't panic. We can't panic. The more this happens, the calmer we need to be. Master Ouyang is right. We should send someone to find out the situation first, and then think of a way to rescue them."

Ouyang Qingchuan nodded: "Miss Lin is right. I will go and arrange the manpower now. You should not make any rash moves in this secret room. Wait for my news."

After saying that, Ouyang Qingchuan turned and hurriedly left the secret room. Lin Ning watched his departing figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She paced back and forth in the secret room, constantly thinking of various possible rescue plans, but none of them seemed feasible.

"Wan'er, you must hold on. I will definitely find a way to save you." Lin Ning prayed silently in her heart, her eyes filled with determination and resolve. At this moment, Xiao Cui also clenched her fists tightly, secretly vowing to work with her mistress to do everything she could to rescue the second young lady... A tense rescue operation was about to begin.