Star Journey: Destiny Returns

The night in Spirit Valley remained serene, yet the air lingered with the lingering echoes of battle. Yunxuan and Yaoyue had just endured a life-or-death battle with the Guardians. Though physically exhausted, their minds were clearer than ever. They knew the secrets of Spirit Valley still awaited their discovery, and this trial was only the beginning.

The moonlight cast a silvery glow over the two of them. Yunxuan sheathed his sword and slowly walked over to the battle axe stuck in the ground. The axe shimmered faintly with spiritual energy, as if speaking of the guardian's former majesty and power.

"Although his power has dissipated, we cannot let our guard down," Yun Xuan whispered, his gaze piercing the night sky towards the distant valley. A faint glow shone from there, like the stars calling out.

Yao Yue nodded gently, her cold face appearing even more ethereal in the moonlight. She stared at the light and whispered, "The star map has led us here. It seems something even more important awaits us ahead."

"We have no choice but to keep moving forward." Yunxuan's voice was firm and calm. He clenched the star map in his hand and felt the faint power calling them forward.

Yaoyue smiled slightly, a look of determination in her eyes, "No matter what challenges lie ahead, we must face them one by one."

Without further ado, the two quickly gathered themselves and set out on the road leading deeper into the Spirit Valley. As they advanced, the surrounding scenery began to subtly change. A strange aura gradually permeated the previously tranquil woods, and the grass and trees swayed gently, as if awakened by an invisible force.

"The spiritual energy here is becoming more and more dense, as if we have entered the core area of ​​the Spirit Valley." Yao Yue said softly, her steps still light and nimble, but there was a hint of alertness in her eyes.

Yunxuan also felt the change in the spiritual energy. He frowned slightly and said, "This area seems to be shrouded by some kind of power. We must be careful."

As they walked, they suddenly came to a vast corridor. Tall stone pillars stood on either side of the corridor, engraved with ancient runes. Each rune emitted a faint glow, as if imbued with some mysterious power. The passage between the pillars twisted and turned, like an endless road leading to an unknown distance.

"This is the Phantom Corridor in the Spirit Valley." Yao Yue stopped and stared at the stone pillars, with a solemn tone in her voice.

"Phantom Corridor?" Yun Xuan raised his eyebrows slightly, obviously having heard of this name.

Yao Yue nodded and explained, "The Phantom Corridor in the Spirit Valley is an extremely complex formation. It can confuse the practitioner's perception, interweaving reality and illusion. Without a firm mindset, it's easy to get lost in it."

Yun Xuan took a deep breath, his eyes becoming more determined. "It seems we have already entered this formation. In this case, we must go all out."

The two stood in front of the entrance of the corridor, looked at each other, and saw determination and trust in each other's eyes.

"Let's go together. No matter whether the road ahead is an illusion or reality, as long as we are determined, there will be no obstacles that we cannot overcome." Yunxuan said softly, with a confident smile on his lips.

Yaoyue smiled slightly, her cold face appearing particularly gentle in the moonlight. She said firmly, "No matter how real the illusion is, we will not be deceived by it."

The two walked side by side into the corridor's entrance. The runes on the stone pillars glowed faintly, and the surrounding scene changed instantly. The once clear stone pillars and road gradually blurred, and the world before them seemed to be shrouded in a light mist. The surrounding sounds also became hazy and unclear, as if they were in a completely unfamiliar space.

"This is the power of the Phantom Corridor. It is trying to confuse our perception." Yao Yue said softly, tightening the silver blade in her hand and looking around vigilantly.

Yun Xuan nodded, his sword twirling gently in his hand, ready to respond to any emergency. He whispered, "Remember, we must take care of each other and not be separated."

Yaoyue responded: "I understand. Let's go together."

Suddenly, countless blurry figures emerged from the surrounding mist, wandering the air like ghosts, carrying an eerie aura. Each figure seemed like a life form that had once existed. Their faces were blurry, but their eyes revealed endless emptiness and sorrow.

"These are illusions, but their existence carries some real power." Yun Xuan said in a low voice with a cold look.

Yao Yue nodded gently. "They are not physical entities, but if we are deceived by these illusions, we might be trapped in this dreamland and unable to extricate ourselves."

As they advanced, the illusions grew more numerous, gradually approaching their bodies. The blurry figures seemed to whisper, their voices like ancient calls, carrying a bewitching power, attempting to lure them into the endless fog.

A gentle voice sounded in Yunxuan's ears: "Yunxuan, do you still remember me?" He turned his head suddenly and saw a familiar woman, who was his childhood friend who had passed away in an accident long ago.

"Qing'er?" Yunxuan's eyes were filled with surprise and confusion, and a sour feeling surged in his heart.

Yao Yue noticed something was wrong with Yun Xuan and immediately walked over to him, whispering, "Yun Xuan, this is an illusion, don't be fooled!"

Yunxuan's mind suddenly trembled, realizing that he had almost fallen into an illusion. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and calmed his mind. When he opened his eyes again, the figure had disappeared without a trace.

"Thank you, Yaoyue." Yunxuan said gratefully, his eyes becoming firm again.

Yao Yue smiled slightly, "We must support each other to get out of this illusion."

Continuing on, Yaoyue also encountered her own vision. She seemed to see her mother, calling her name gently, with eyes full of love.

"Yaoyue, go home and stop wandering." The voice was as warm as the spring breeze and touched her heart directly.

Yaoyue paused slightly, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes. Seeing this, Yunxuan immediately held her hand and said firmly, "Yaoyue, don't forget our goal!"

Yaoyue's mind instantly returned. She nodded gently and looked at Yunxuan gratefully. "Thank you. I almost got fooled too."

Yunxuan smiled and said, "We are partners, we will face this together."

Holding each other's hands tightly, they continued forward. The power of the illusion continued to grow, and the whispers from the mist became clearer and clearer, carrying an irresistible temptation. But their hearts were firm, and they would not be shaken by the illusion.

Finally, the fog ahead began to dissipate, the runes on the stone pillars gradually dimmed, and the exit of the corridor vaguely appeared in their sight.

"We're almost out." There was a hint of relief in Yaoyue's voice. Her eyes remained calm, but she already felt that victory was in sight.

Yun Xuan nodded, his eyes burning, "If we work harder, we can pass this trial."

Just as they were about to step out of the corridor, a final illusion appeared before them. It was the leader of the Black Flame Cult, his gaze cold and a pitch-black sword in his hand, pointed directly at the two of them.

"Do you think you can escape from my clutches?" The leader in the illusion sneered, his voice full of ridicule and threats.

Yun Xuan snorted coldly, "A bluffing illusion, you think you can stop us?"

Yao Yue's silver blade flashed with a cold light, "Let's put an end to this last obstacle!"

The two attacked simultaneously, their sword light and blade gleam intertwined, transforming into a brilliant radiance that charged straight at the illusion. Under the overwhelming force, the illusion instantly collapsed, dissipating into countless points of light in the air.

As the last illusion faded, they finally emerged from the Phantom Corridor. The view before them suddenly opened up, revealing a beautiful valley. Moonlight shone across the valley, a stream gurgled, and the surrounding vegetation swayed gently in the night breeze, exuding a rich spiritual aura and the tranquility of nature.

"We succeeded." Yunxuan let out a breath and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

Yaoyue also smiled slightly, her cold face appearing even softer in the moonlight. She sighed, "Although this trial was difficult, it made us more determined."

Yunxuan looked into the distance with a deep gaze, "The journey ahead may be more difficult, but with you by my side, I am full of confidence."

Yao Yue glanced at him sideways, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes, "Let's face the challenges of the future together."

The two stood side by side in the valley, the night breeze blowing, bringing a hint of coolness. The beauty of the Spirit Valley was refreshing, but their eyes remained firm, because they knew that their true mission was still waiting for them to complete.

"Let's go, the guidance of the star map continues." Yunxuan stretched out his hand, the star map glowed slightly in his hand, pointing to the distance.

Yaoyue gently held his hand and said with a smile, "Let's go together."

The two figures stretched out in the moonlight, reflecting their unwavering determination and deep friendship. The stars in the night sky shone brightly, as if guiding their journey.