Star Journey: Destiny Returns

As night fell, starlight quietly shone, illuminating the star maps held by Yunxuan and Yaoyue. The flickering light seemed to reveal untold secrets. Having weathered many trials and tribulations, their gazes were resolute, a touch of travel fatigue etched in their gazes, yet their determination and thirst for truth could not be concealed.

Yunxuan gently unfolded the star map. The patterns on the map flowed like a galaxy, illuminating the cliff face before them. The scene before them was truly bizarre: a towering cliff, covered in lush vines and dense shrubs. Ancient runes, revealed here, glowed faintly, as if answering the call of the star map. At that moment, they realized they were standing at a crucial juncture they had never seen before. Perhaps this was the place where the ultimate connection between the ultimate flavor and the star map could be unlocked.

"Look, that rune seems to be pointing the way." Yao Yue said softly, with a hint of uneasiness and anticipation in her tone.

Yunxuan nodded, as he too sensed the extraordinary power of these runes. However, just as they began to advance, a sudden burst of hurried footsteps rang out from behind, shattering the tranquility of the valley. The two men immediately turned on their guard, only to see a tall figure hurriedly approaching. It was none other than Baiju, the mysterious explorer they had encountered several times along the way.

"You've indeed come here," Baiju's eyes flashed with a complicated expression, and a suppressed sneer appeared on his face. "It seems that this last supreme power has attracted more than just you."

Yunxuan and Yaoyue exchanged a glance. Yaoyue's brow furrowed slightly, clearly wary of Baiju's sudden appearance. Yunxuan calmly replied, "Baiju, you've traveled with us many times, but you've always concealed your intentions. The ultimate taste is a power bestowed by heaven and earth. If anyone could easily seize it, why would there be so many tests?"

Baiju smiled faintly, but a hint of sarcasm played at the corners of his mouth. "The ultimate taste you know is just the tip of the iceberg of this power. You think you can control it after going through the test, but in reality, this power is far more than what it appears. What you want is exactly what I also seek, and the star map will lead us together to encounter the unknown truth."

Before he finished speaking, Baiju suddenly took a step forward. In his palm, a broken stone slab appeared. Inscribed on it were runes remarkably similar to those they had seen in the ancient city. Baiju raised the stone slab and gently touched the runes embedded in the cliff face. Suddenly, the mountain shook violently, and the runes glowed brightly, as if a power was awakening from deep within.

Yunxuan was startled, immediately realizing that this stone tablet was the key to unlocking the rune. He exchanged a glance with Yaoyue, and immediately understood that Baiju wanted to use the power of the rune to obtain the ultimate power. He felt both apprehensive and a faint curiosity.

"Don't you want to know the truth of all this?" Baiju said in a low voice, his eyes filled with unconcealable enthusiasm. "This moment of peace is a preparation for even greater power. Without me, the power of this star map and the ultimate taste will never be truly unlocked."

Yao Yue said coldly, "Baiju, we are not here for power. The Star Map brings us awe of heaven and earth and the refinement of our souls. If you only seek great power, then the mystery of the ultimate taste will be nothing but self-destruction."

Baiju snorted lightly and said sarcastically, "Self-destruction? Perhaps. Perhaps only when you truly reach the pinnacle of this power will you understand what true control is."

As the three of them confronted each other, the runes suddenly erupted with brilliant light, and a powerful force surged from the ground, instantly enveloping them. The world before them suddenly shifted, the cliffs, the runes, the valley vanishing into nothingness. It was as if they had traveled through time and space, finding themselves in an ancient and mysterious fantasy world.

In this dreamlike world, the sky was a deep blue, a galaxy of light interwoven across the sky, and tiny stars shone endlessly. Before them, a faint light slowly emerged. It was an ancient figure in a robe, seemingly the embodiment of the power of the Ultimate Taste.

"Welcome, travelers across time and desire." The ancient figure's voice was deep and distant, like a mountain wind blowing through millennia. "What is the ultimate taste you seek?"

Yunxuan replied calmly, "The ultimate taste is the understanding of the universe and the response to the depths of the soul. We don't come here to control, but to seek knowledge and understanding."

Yao Yue continued softly, "Every supreme taste has its roots. We are willing to face this test of strength, because it is not just about strength, but also the guidance of the soul."

The ancient figure nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on Baiju. His deep eyes, filled with scrutiny, whispered, "The power of the Ultimate Taste can only be mastered by those who truly understand its meaning. Those with preoccupations will eventually be devoured by its power. Baiju, what desires are burdened within you?"

Baiju's expression changed slightly, as if he was unwilling to face the question. However, the power within him prevented him from retreating, forcing him to confront his inner desires and fears. His gaze gradually grew colder, and he spoke slowly, "Power is the only way to control everything. Only by controlling it can I escape the shackles of fate!"

The ancient figure gazed deeply at Baiju and shook his head gently: "If you live only for control, this ultimate power will eventually backfire on your soul."

Before he finished speaking, the figure raised his hand slightly, and a ray of light shone down, enveloping Baiju. Baiju's expression gradually changed from calm to pain, and his eyes gradually lost their luster, as if he was completely swallowed by the power and fell into an endless abyss.

"This is the final fate of those trapped by obsession." The ancient figure spoke with regret, turning his gaze towards Yunxuan and Yaoyue. "And are you willing to face your deepest fears in this illusion?"

Yun Xuan took a deep breath and said firmly, "If the ultimate taste is truly an examination of oneself, then no matter how difficult it is, we will accept it."

Yaoyue's eyes were calm and deep, and she nodded in response.

The ancient figure waved his hand gently, and the surrounding illusion began to distort violently, instantly transporting the two into two different dimensions. Yunxuan found himself in a boundless wasteland, the sky dark as ink, and the wind and sand swirled wildly around him. Deep within him, a desire for power and adventure gradually emerged. However, he also saw the loneliness and helplessness hidden behind this desire.

"Is it power you seek? Or a way to escape your own loneliness?" the disembodied voice whispered in his ear.

Yunxuan slowly closed his eyes, memories of his journey with Yaoyue emerging in his mind. He knew he longed for power, but even more so, he longed for a day when he could stand at a higher level and protect everything he cared about. This obsession transcended the simple pursuit of power and became a bond of responsibility and bond.

In another dream, Yaoyue stood alone beside Mirror Lake, its surface reflecting her past and future like a mirror. She saw her own caution and rationality, but also the cowardice and insecurity lurking within. The water asked, "Why don't you dare take risks? What are you afraid of?"

Yaoyue's heart trembled, and she suddenly realized. She feared loss, and even more so, facing unknown dangers. Yet, she also knew that without the courage to move forward, she would never find herself, nor could she follow the star map's guidance towards her true future.

When the two emerged from the illusion, the ancient figure had vanished, and the valley before them had returned to peace. Yunxuan and Yaoyue smiled at each other, their mutual trust and understanding deepening.

At this moment, the star map quietly changed, the runes on it flickered with light, and the next ultimate guidance gradually emerged.