Star Journey: Destiny Returns

Chapter 26: Ancient Road in the Deep Forest, the Test of Obsession

After another encounter with the explorers, Yunxuan and Yaoyue felt their mutual faith strengthened, and their pace of exploration became even more resolute. The star map clearly showed them a winding ancient road, like a road to heaven hidden in the deep forest, carrying an ancient and mysterious aura.

This ancient path, known as the "Eternal Life Path," is said to be a remnant of an ancient pilgrimage route for ascetics. Because it connects diverse regions and spiritual nodes, it has become a destination for many explorers. Numerous rumors surround the ancient path, including claims that it harbors mysterious illusions that can even shake travelers' faith and resolve.

As they entered the ancient path, they were gradually surrounded by dense forest. The lush foliage obscured the light from overhead, leaving only a few spots of light filtering through the branches onto the road, making the path seem deep and mysterious. Yunxuan observed his surroundings and whispered, "This ancient path has an unusual aura. It seems every step carries an invisible pressure."

Yao Yue nodded slightly, her expression becoming more solemn. "Perhaps this is one of the tests of the star map. The legendary 'Ancient Path of Immortality' is not only a gathering place for spiritual power, but also a place to test one's inner beliefs."

As the two continued on, walking deeper into the ancient path, the scenery around them began to undergo strange changes. An irresistible gravitational force seemed to permeate the air, drawing them involuntarily in a certain direction. Suddenly, Yaoyue heard a familiar voice whispering in her ear. The voice was gentle and kind. It was her late mother.

"Yaoyue, don't go any further. Come back. This road is too dangerous..." The whisper was filled with a hint of sadness and tenderness, as if persuading her to give up moving forward.

Yaoyue's heart trembled slightly, her eyes were blurred, her steps slowly stopped, and an indescribable emotion surged in her heart. She knew it was an illusion, but she could not resist this long-lost sense of intimacy.

Yunxuan noticed something strange about Yaoyue, and quickly turned around to support her shoulders, whispering, "Yaoyue, these are all illusions of the ancient path. Don't be fooled by them!"

Yao Yue took a deep breath and slowly closed her eyes, gathering her emotions. When she opened them again, her gaze was a bit clearer, and she whispered, "I'm sorry, I almost gave into the illusion. This place is truly a test of one's inner obsession."

Yunxuan smiled slightly, his tone encouraging: "We have come this far, we must not waver. Illusions are nothing but memories in our hearts. Only with firm faith can we cross this dark forest."

They continued on their way, but the visions didn't cease, but intensified. The surrounding scene shifted, one moment displaying Yaoyue's memories of her hometown, the next, Yunxuan's youth playing with friends in the mountains. Each vision sought to stir up deep emotions within them, causing them to hesitate.

Suddenly, a majestic voice came to Yunxuan's ears. It was his deceased master.

"Yunxuan, why do you want to abandon the peace of your family and pursue illusory power? This is not the path you should take, don't you understand?" The master's voice was filled with heavy disappointment, as if examining his inner choice.

Yunxuan's heart trembled slightly, and his eyes involuntarily dropped. He knew it was an illusion, but his master's voice made him waver. Since embarking on the Star Map, he had faced life-and-death tests many times, but his inner faith had never wavered as it did today.

Yao Yue looked at Yun Xuan's dazed expression, reached out and gently held his hand, and whispered, "Yun Xuan, since we have chosen this path, we have decided not to look back. The star map is our inner guide. Whether it brings us power or responsibility, it is a choice we will never regret."

Yunxuan took a deep breath, regaining some clarity. He held Yaoyue's hand tightly, a determined glint in his eyes. He knew his faith hadn't wavered, and the illusion was merely a test of his resolve. So, pulling Yaoyue closer, he took a firm step forward, continuing through this ancient path shrouded in illusions.

As they advanced, the illusions around them gradually dissipated, replaced by a clearer outline of the ancient path. It seemed as if each time they broke through the illusion, the path's true nature would be revealed. This experience deepened their mutual trust and reliance.

Finally, they emerged from the illusion, and the scene before them suddenly opened up. At the end of the ancient path, a towering stone gate appeared. Intricate runes were carved into the gate, faintly emitting faint spiritual fluctuations. Yunxuan and Yaoyue gazed at the stone gate, a sense of awe welling in their hearts.

"The aura of this door is unusual, and it seems to have some connection with the power of the star map." Yunxuan whispered, with anticipation in his eyes.

Yao Yue nodded slowly and said softly, "Perhaps this is the star map's reward to us. After breaking through the illusion, we finally received deeper guidance."

The two exchanged glances and nodded. Yunxuan was the first to step onto the stone steps, reaching out to touch the runes on the stone door. A gentle, warm spiritual energy flowed through his palm into his body, as if conveying a silent power to them. Then, the stone door slowly opened, revealing a stone path leading to the mountainside. A faint light shone from within, as if it were a passage to an ancient secret realm.

They slowly walked down the stone path. The surrounding walls were covered in runes symbolizing natural forces, as if these runes contained the mysteries of heaven and earth. At the end of the stone path, a wide cave appeared. In the center of the cave stood an ancient stone platform. Above the platform, an ancient scroll hovered, emitting a faint spiritual light.

"Is this... the second clue in the star map?" Yao Yue exclaimed softly, with a gleam in her eyes.

Yunxuan slowly approached the stone platform, gazing at the runes on the scroll. A strange feeling welled up in his heart. He reached out and touched the scroll, and instantly, a surge of spiritual power surged from it, enveloping his palm, as if the scroll were communicating with him in some invisible way.

Yaoyue also stepped forward, gazing intently at the scroll. A mysterious calling surged within her, as if the scroll were revealing the truth behind the star map. Just as the two of them poured their entire attention into the scroll, the runes on it suddenly emitted a dazzling light, instantly filling the entire cave.

In the light, the scroll gradually unfolded, revealing a brand new map. The map marked their next route, clearly indicating the location of the next "ultimate flavor." However, at the end of the map was a blurry area, as if it hid even more unknown secrets.

"It seems that the guidance of the star map is not over yet." Yunxuan sighed softly, with a hint of awe in his eyes.

Yaoyue nodded, her tone full of emotion: "The star map is like a puzzle. Behind every solution lies a deeper secret. Perhaps our journey has just begun."

The two meticulously memorized the map, collected the scroll, and left the cave. As they emerged from the stone gate, they looked back at the end of the ancient path, their hearts filled with awe and pride. Along this journey, they not only grasped the power of the star map but also, through mutual support, strengthened their inner convictions and steadfastly pursued the future.

The night was already deep, and the starlight fell on their shoulders, as if guiding the direction of their journey. Yunxuan and Yaoyue smiled at each other and set out on the return journey side by side.