Star Journey: Destiny Returns

In that mysterious vortex, Yunxuan and Yaoyue felt an inexplicable pressure. The surrounding scenery was constantly changing, as if controlled by an invisible force. A gentle breeze blew by, bringing a hint of coolness, as if mocking their helplessness.

"Yunxuan, what should we do?" Yaoyue struggled hard in the whirlpool, her brow furrowed, and a wave of unease welled up in her heart. Her voice echoed in her ears, revealing anxiety.

"We can't give up!" Yun Xuan took a deep breath, his eyes determined, and encouraged himself secretly. He raised the star map in his hand high, trying to gather the starlight into a force. "Trust me, I will find a way!"

At that moment, a dazzling light flashed from the center of the vortex, and a low chanting voice could be heard faintly from the light, as if calling out to their souls. Yao Yue's heart trembled, as if she heard the voice calling her, urging her to explore.

"We must get closer to that light!" Yaoyue shouted. Although her heart was filled with fear, she was pulled by an irresistible force. She could not help but move closer to the light.

"Yaoyue, wait!" Yunxuan tried to grab her hand, but it was too late. Yaoyue was pulled by the light and instantly disappeared into the center of the vortex.

"Yaoyue!" Yunxuan's heart tightened, a pain as if being torn apart. He threw himself towards the light, recklessly, and was instantly sucked into that mysterious realm.

As the light gradually faded, Yunxuan reappeared in a strange space. Surrounded by a hazy mist, the azure sky rippled like an ocean, and the ground beneath his feet was a floating island formed by the condensation of light.

"Yaoyue, where are you?" Yunxuan called out anxiously, his voice echoing in the empty space, but there was no response.

"I'm here!" Suddenly, Yaoyue's voice came from the depths of the fog. Yunxuan immediately ran towards the direction of the voice, a surge of hope in his heart.

Soon after, he saw Yaoyue. She was surrounded by a faint light, standing quietly at the edge of the floating island, her eyes fixed on the front. Yunxuan quickly walked forward and took her hand.

"Are you okay?" Yunxuan asked with concern, and the worry in his heart turned into warmth.

Yao Yue smiled slightly and shook her head: "I'm fine, I just felt a strange power. The aura here... seems to be some kind of ancient existence."

"An ancient being?" Yun Xuan frowned. The surrounding fog seemed to hold untold secrets. He suppressed his uneasiness and said, "We need to find a way out as soon as possible."

Just as the two were about to explore further, the fog around them began to gather, slowly forming a gigantic figure. The figure was blurry yet majestic, emanating an irresistible pressure that made them hold their breath.

"You're finally here." The figure's voice resounded in the air like thunder, as if echoing endless ancient memories. "You are the bearers of destiny, and the explorers of the ultimate taste."

"Who are you?" Yunxuan's voice trembled a little, and his heart was full of confusion and nervousness.

"I am the guardian of this space, my name is Xuanying." The figure slowly took shape into a tall figure, surrounded by a mysterious light, like an ancient god. "The ultimate taste you pursue contains endless power, but the price of obtaining it is your courage and wisdom."

"We are willing to give everything!" Yun Xuan said without hesitation, with a determined light in his eyes.

"Very good." Xuan Ying smiled slightly, and a brilliant bead of light condensed in his hand. "But before you can taste the ultimate taste, you must pass my test."

"A test?" Yao Yue asked, feeling vaguely uneasy.

"Yes, only by passing the test can you obtain the key to the ultimate taste." Xuanying's voice was low and powerful. "You must face your inner fears and doubts and find your true self."

"We are willing to try!" Yunxuan said firmly, mentally prepared to face the challenge.

"Then, the test begins." Xuanying waved his hand lightly, and the light instantly enveloped their bodies, making their eyes go dark.

After a moment, Yunxuan opened his eyes and found himself in a dark space, surrounded by constantly changing fog, and a low whimpering sound could be faintly heard in front of him.

"Is this... my inner self?" Yun Xuan was startled, realizing that he had been projected deep into his own mind. He took a deep breath and tried to remain calm.

At the same time, Yaoyue also found herself in another space, surrounded by a gorgeous sea of ​​flowers, but the fragrance of the flowers was mixed with a pungent stench.

"This is what I once feared!" Yao Yue whispered to herself, feeling a surge of unease in her heart. "I must face it."

"Yunxuan, I will find you!" She said silently in her heart, trying to overcome the fear in her heart and began to move forward.

"I will find you too, Yaoyue!" Yunxuan's voice echoed in his heart, and he began to explore this unknown inner world.

As he continued to move forward, Yunxuan was suddenly stopped by a shadow. The shadow turned into a distorted figure with a strange smile on his lips, as if mocking his incompetence.

"Who are you?" Yun Xuan clenched his fists, panicking, "You are not me!"

"I am the fear and anxiety in your heart." The shadow's voice was low and sinister. "You will never be able to surpass me. You will be trapped here forever!"

"I won't be controlled by you!" There was a gleam in Yunxuan's eyes, and courage ignited in his heart. The starlight gathered in his palm again, forming a ray of light that shot towards the shadow.

"Ah!" The shadow screamed miserably, instantly swallowed by the starlight and dissipated into the air. Yunxuan's sense of oppression eased, and the fog before him began to clear.

"I did it!" He cheered involuntarily, a sense of pride welling up in his heart.

Meanwhile, Yaoyue faced her own fears amidst a sea of ​​flowers. The rotting blossoms continued to bloom, seemingly speaking of pain and despair. Countless memories flooded her mind, overwhelming her.

"I can't retreat!" Yaoyue closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and silently chanted Yunxuan's name in her heart, "I must defeat the fear in my heart!"

As she called out, the sea of ​​flowers began to sway, the vibrant petals transforming into rays of light, dispelling the foul odor. Yaoyue's figure grew more resolute in the light. She took a step forward, eventually breaking through the sea of ​​flowers and arriving in an open space.

"Yunxuan!" She finally saw Yunxuan's figure, and her heart was filled with joy. "Did you succeed too?"

"Yes, we all did it." Yunxuan smiled and his heart was filled with pride.

"But this is just the beginning." Yaoyue turned her gaze to Xuanying, "Do we need to face more tests?"

"You have passed the test of your inner self. Next, you will find the true key to the ultimate taste." Xuanying's voice sounded again, and a shining bead of light slowly emerged. "This will be the key to your exploration of the ultimate taste."

"We will find it!" Yunxuan and Yaoyue said in unison, with fearless flames burning in their eyes.

"Then, go to that bright land, which will be your new starting point." Xuanying smiled slightly and waved his hand. The fog surged again, carrying them towards an unknown future.