Star Journey: Destiny Returns

After the battle for the Night Spirit Fish, Yunxuan and Yaoyue waited quietly by the shores of Starry Night Lake, their hearts filled with respect and gratitude. This trip had yielded not only the preciousness of the exquisite Night Spirit Fish, but also a renewed experience of the trials posed by the Star Chart. Night enveloped Starry Night Lake like a silken satin, its tranquil surface shimmering with twinkling stars in the moonlight, like a tranquil painting.

Yunxuan placed the Night Spirit Fish in a specially made spirit box and turned to look at Yaoyue, his eyes filled with determination. "We have successfully obtained the second ultimate taste guided by the star map. Next, we should continue to follow the guidance of the star map."

Yao Yue nodded, a hint of anticipation in her tone, "According to the markings on the star map, the next ultimate delicacy is located beneath the lake."

Yun Xuan was slightly startled, then a hint of doubt appeared. "The lake bottom? The star map actually led us to the bottom of the lake. Is there some secret hidden at the bottom of the lake?"

The two carefully examined the markings on the star map and discovered a strange symbol in the center of the lake. The faint lines seemed to indicate some ancient trial. Yao Yue pondered for a moment and said softly, "Perhaps the star map has already arranged the next test for us. The secrets beneath the lake are waiting for us to uncover."

Yun Xuan took a deep breath, his eyes filled with determination: "In that case, let's dive to the bottom of the lake and explore the secrets of the star map."

The two of them carefully stowed their belongings, ensuring they wouldn't be eroded by the lake water. After calming themselves, Yaoyue dived first, followed closely by Yunxuan. They carefully made their way to the center of the lake. The water was clear and cold, the moonlight still reflecting off the surface, like star-like pinpricks of light. The surroundings were serene and silent, like another world.

They slowly descended, the lake's bottom gradually becoming visible. Water plants swayed, a few fish swam around, and the deep blue waters seemed like a dream. Soon, they came upon a massive rock in the center of the lake. It glowed faintly, its surface covered in intricate runes.

Yao Yue pointed at the boulder, a puzzled look in her eyes. "This stone... seems to contain some ancient power."

Yunxuan nodded and carefully examined the runes on the stone, discovering that they were surprisingly similar to the markings on the star map. He reached out and touched the surface of the boulder. Instantly, a surge of spiritual energy surged from the stone, surrounding their bodies, as if activating some ancient mechanism.

Suddenly, a narrow passage emerged from the boulder. At the end of the passage stood a stone door, faintly visible with intricate carvings. Yunxuan looked at Yaoyue and whispered, "It seems this is the lakebed trial that the star map has opened for us. Only by passing through this passage can we unlock the true secret of the ultimate taste."

Yaoyue nodded, and the two smiled at each other before cautiously swimming towards the stone gate. As they approached, the stone gate at the bottom of the lake gradually took on its full form. The patterns on the gate depicted various strange creatures and symbols, as if recording some ancient story.

As they approached the stone gate, the runes on the door suddenly glowed, and a low and mysterious voice echoed in the water, like a call from ancient times.

"Those who wish to enter this place must first accept the trial of fate."

Yunxuan and Yaoyue exchanged a glance, then stepped through the stone gate without hesitation. The moment they entered, the scene before them instantly changed, as if they had been transported to a strange underwater space. This space was enveloped in a pale blue light, as if condensed from the purest spiritual energy in the universe. In the center of this space, a shimmering, translucent crystal stone hovered.

Yao Yue looked at the crystal stone and whispered, "The spiritual energy of this stone is so pure, it seems that it is the core of the trial."

Yunxuan nodded and slowly placed his hand on the crystal. Instantly, the crystal emitted a dazzling light, instantly enveloping Yunxuan and Yaoyue. Within the glow, they seemed to be immersed in a boundless starry sky. All around them was silence, with only a few twinkling stars.

Suddenly, a deep voice sounded in their ears, "If you want to find the ultimate taste, you must first correct your mind and complete the test of your heart."

As soon as he finished speaking, the dots of light in the starry sky gradually coalesced into countless illusions, revealing scenes from Yunxuan and Yaoyue's past. Home, family, friends, and the hardships they encountered on their journeys emerged one by one, as if revealing their truest feelings.

Yaoyue's gaze fell upon these images, a complex wave of emotions welling up within her. She recalled the hometown she had left as a child, her mother's face, and the struggles and choices she had faced on her journey. Her heart wavered, as if these memories had stirred up her deepest obsessions.

Seeing this, Yunxuan gently reminded her, "Yaoyue, this is a test of our souls. If we are deceived by these illusions, we will lose the strength to move forward. What we need is firm faith."

Yao Yue took a deep breath, trying to calm her inner turmoil, gradually gathering her mind and putting these illusions behind her. Her eyes gradually became firm, and her inner turmoil dissipated.

Likewise, Yunxuan experienced some visions of his own. His master, his family's expectations, the loneliness and responsibility he endured on his journey—all flashed before his eyes, as if questioning his inner resolve, wondering if he could shoulder the mission of the Star Chart Path.

He closed his eyes, his mind clear, and whispered to himself, "The path of the star map is my inner choice. No matter how difficult the road ahead is, I will continue on with determination."

As his mind became more resolute, the illusions around him gradually dissipated, and the starry sky before their eyes also melted away. The crystal stone's light slowly faded, and the surrounding blue light gradually returned, and the two were once again in the underwater space.

Suddenly, a soft halo emerged from within the crystal stone, and then transformed into a crystal-clear blue spirit bead, floating in mid-air. Yunxuan and Yaoyue exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with surprise and respect.

Yao Yue whispered, "This is the true essence of the Supreme Night Spirit Fish. It is the core that gathers the spiritual power of the lake and the world."

Yun Xuan reached out and gently took the spirit bead. Feeling the spiritual power surging within it, he whispered, "This is the crystallization of the Night Spirit Fish's spiritual power. This spirit bead is not only the core of the ultimate taste, but also symbolizes our achievement in this trial."

They carefully placed the spirit pearls into their bags and left the lake bottom trial ground with hearts filled with joy and awe. Returning to the lake surface, the night sky remained silent, and the lake water had returned to its calm state, as if nothing had ever happened.

The two of them gathered their thoughts and slowly walked back to the lake. Yao Yue exhaled softly and smiled, "It seems our journey is becoming more and more wonderful. Every experience is verifying the mystery and wonder of the star map."

Yunxuan nodded, his eyes full of determination, "Yes, every taste on this road carries the power of heaven and earth. Only after going through countless tests can we truly comprehend the secrets of the star map."

They gazed quietly at the Starry Lake, the moonlight casting a shadow on the surface, like a galaxy reflected in the mortal world. At this moment, Yunxuan and Yaoyue felt a surge of anticipation for the future. The star map would guide them on their journey, exploring the unknown mysteries of the universe.