Star Journey: Destiny Returns

After leaving the valley, Yunxuan and Yaoyue continued their journey, following the star map's guidance, heading towards an area known as the Qianyun Mountains. Legend has it that within this mountain range lies an ancient delicacy: the Cangyan Fish. This spiritual creature lives deep within the Earth's crust, constantly absorbing the essence of nature and nature. Its ability to remain hidden allows it to be discovered only where spiritual springs converge. Because of this, the Cangyan Fish is extremely rare and elusive, earning it a legendary status as a delicacy.

"Qianyun Mountains, this is a dangerous place." Yaoyue looked at the mountains in the distance, with both expectation and a hint of uneasiness in her eyes.

Yun Xuan clenched the star map in his hand and smiled, "The star map's guidance will not be wrong. Since this is the location of the next ultimate delicacy, we must go and give it a try."

Yaoyue nodded. Although she tended to be cautious, the adventures along the way had gradually changed her mindset. Now, she was no longer the cautious explorer, but a guardian who continued to grow through adventure.

The two slowly stepped into the Qianyun Mountains. Surrounded by dense forests, their green shades covered the sky. The cries of birds and beasts occasionally emanated from the woods, giving them a sense of life. However, they also knew that this seemingly peaceful forest actually concealed countless unknown dangers.

As the mountain climbed higher, a chill settled in the air. Arriving at a spring, Yunxuan raised his hand to signal Yaoyue to stop. He whispered, "Let's rest here for a while. This spiritual spring might be a habitat for Cangyan fish."

Yao Yue looked around, observing the surrounding environment vigilantly, and said softly: "If the Cangyan fish are really here, we must remain quiet. They are very alert and will disappear without a trace at the slightest disturbance."

The two of them carefully squatted near the spiritual spring, observing the movement of the water. The spring water was crystal clear, and the bottom was covered with moss on the rocky bottom. A few small fish could be vaguely seen swimming in the water, but these fish were small and obviously far from the legendary Cangyan fish.

Time passed slowly, and night gradually enveloped the valley. Just as the two were feeling a little disappointed, a slight ripple suddenly appeared from the depths of the spiritual spring. Then, a gray-brown fish slowly emerged, its body shimmering with a faint silver light, like a spirit nurtured by the spiritual spring.

"It's a Cangyan fish!" Yaoyue exclaimed in a low voice, with a hint of surprise in her eyes.

Yunxuan quickly gestured for her to remain silent. The two held their breath, watching the Cangyan fish's every move intently. The Cangyan fish slowly swam toward the edge of the spring, its movements nimble and graceful, as if sensing its surroundings. Yunxuan knew that this kind of creature was extremely perceptive. Once it sensed a threat, it would quickly dive underwater, making it nearly impossible to recapture.

Just then, a Cangyan fish swam beneath a rock, seemingly searching for food. Yunxuan seized the opportunity, slowly reached out, and pulled a special net from his bag. He carefully approached the Cangyan fish. However, just as he was about to catch it, he heard hurried footsteps behind him, accompanied by a roar, shattering the night's tranquility.

"Roar--"

A gigantic spirit beast suddenly burst out from the woods and charged straight for the spiritual spring. Its appearance frightened the Cangyan fish so much that it instantly dove into the water and vanished without a trace. Yunxuan and Yaoyue were startled and quickly stood up, staring at the suddenly appearing spirit beast.

This spirit beast was the size of a mountain, covered in thick, silver-gray scales. Its eyes were bloodshot, its limbs were strong and powerful, and blood still clung to the corners of its mouth, clearly fresh from hunting. Its aura was strong and fierce, clearly no ordinary spirit beast. The two had never seen such a powerful aura before.

"It's a Thunder Scale Bear!" Yao Yue exclaimed, her face changing slightly. "It's rumored that the Thunder Scale Bear is one of the overlords of the Qianyun Mountains. It's extremely powerful and has a ferocious temperament."

Yun Xuan's eyes remained calm as he quickly drew his sword and protected Yao Yue behind him. He said in a deep voice, "It seems it thinks we're invaders. Now I'm afraid we have no choice but to fight back."

The Thunder Scale Bear, seemingly drawn to the Cangyan Fish's presence, saw the two men blocking the spring. Its scarlet eyes flashed with a fierceness, and with a sudden roar, it lunged at them with its massive body. Yunxuan and Yaoyue quickly separated, dodging the Thunder Scale Bear's attack while preparing to counterattack.

The Thunderscale Bear's attack speed was far beyond imagination. Its claws sliced ​​through the air, creating a thunderous roar and enough force to shake the surrounding trees. Yun Xuan dodged the claw attack and swiftly swung his sword at the Thunderscale Bear's flank. The sword light gleamed in the moonlight, but was blocked by the Thunderscale Bear's thick armor, leaving only a shallow scratch.

"Its defense is too strong." Yunxuan sighed inwardly, realizing that a head-on confrontation was not a wise move.

Yao Yue quickly adjusted her strategy, wielding the silver blade in her hand and nimbly circling the Thunder Scale Bear's rear, attempting to strike its hind legs. However, the Thunder Scale Bear seemed to sense her intentions, spun around, and lashed out with its tail. Yao Yue quickly retreated, barely avoiding the blow, but was still knocked back several steps.

"We will never be able to defeat it at this rate." Yao Yue said breathlessly, a serious look in her eyes.

Yunxuan took a deep breath and looked at the Thunderscale Bear with a serious expression. Various strategies flashed through his mind, and he finally came up with a risky plan. He whispered to Yaoyue, "I'll attract its attention. You take the opportunity to attack its abdomen. That's its only weak point."

Yao Yue was slightly startled, a trace of worry in her eyes, but then she nodded firmly and gripped the silver blade tightly in her hand, "Be careful, I will seize the opportunity."

Yunxuan smiled at her, his eyes gleaming with confidence. He then charged at the Thunder Scale Bear, his sword flashing with a cold light as he thrust it straight into the bear's chest. Seeing this, the Thunder Scale Bear roared in anger and swung its claws to meet Yunxuan's attack.

The two forces collided in mid-air, unleashing a deafening roar. Yun Xuan was forced to retreat under the immense pressure, but he remained focused on the Thunder Scale Bear, striving to attract its attention and create an opportunity for Yao Yue.

Just as the Thunder Scale Bear was completely focused on Yun Xuan, Yao Yue lightly leaped up, and with a silver blade carrying a sharp cold light, she stabbed straight into the Thunder Scale Bear's abdomen. The silver blade accurately penetrated between its scales, and the Thunder Scale Bear let out a painful roar, its huge body trembling violently, obviously suffering a great deal of trauma.

Yunxuan seized this opportunity and swiftly advanced, slashing his longsword at the Thunder Scale Bear's abdomen once more. The combined force of their attack finally shook the Thunder Scale Bear. The Thunder Scale Bear retreated repeatedly in excruciating pain, its breath growing increasingly weak. Finally, under their combined force, it collapsed to the ground, gradually losing its breath.

The two men slowly put away their weapons and stood beside the Thunder Scale Bear's corpse, breathing slightly. They looked at each other, with relief and a hint of fatigue in their eyes.

Yao Yue sighed softly and said, "If we hadn't cooperated so well, it would have been difficult to defeat this Thunder Scale Bear."

Yunxuan nodded and smiled, "That's right, our tacit understanding is our strength." He looked towards the spiritual spring, and new hope ignited in his heart.