Star Journey: Destiny Returns

The mountains remained towering, and the morning light shone through layers of mist, casting a golden glow over the valley, casting a mysterious veil. Yunxuan and Yaoyue stood in the center of the beautiful valley, surrounded by the fragrance of exotic flowers and plants. However, after the recent battle, everything seemed particularly strange. Although the black fog had dissipated, a hint of chill lingered in the air, as if an unknown danger lurked in this beautiful world.

Yunxuan gently stroked the star map in his arms, his gaze sweeping across the surrounding scenery. A pensive look crossed his brows as he whispered, "The appearance of these shadows is no accident. This place seems to be hiding a deeper secret."

Yaoyue gazed into the distance, a hint of worry in her eyes. "We've only just entered this secret realm, and we've already encountered such a formidable obstacle. It seems the true trial has only just begun."

Her voice flowed like a spring, yet it carried a hint of unspoken meaning. The morning light shone on her face, making her even more beautiful and charming. She gently brushed the hair by her ear and turned to look at Yunxuan: "What are you going to do next?"

Yun Xuan smiled slightly, his eyes determined. "Since we have chosen this path, there is no turning back. Let's continue to go deeper and see what this secret realm hides."

Yaoyue nodded, a faint smile on her lips: "Okay, I'll go with you."

As the two journeyed deeper into the valley, the scenery gradually changed. Initially, it was a forest path filled with the fragrance of flowers. Suddenly, the vegetation thinned, replaced by towering cliffs and jagged rocks. The sound of the wind echoed through the valley, carrying a somewhat ancient resonance, like a whisper from ancient times.

"This place... seems to be a little bit wrong." Yaoyue paused and frowned.

Yunxuan also felt an inexplicable sense of oppression. He gripped his sword tightly and looked around cautiously. "Be careful, there might be something watching from the dark."

At this moment, a faint golden light suddenly flashed on the rock wall in front of them. Although the light was not dazzling, it carried a mysterious attraction.

"What is that?" Yaoyue asked puzzledly.

Yunxuan narrowed his eyes and stared at the golden light: "Go and take a look."

They approached cautiously and discovered that golden light was emanating from a crack in an ancient rock face. The rock face was covered in intricate runes, as if recording ancient legends. Yao Yue reached out, and just as her fingertips touched the runes, they suddenly radiated a dazzling light, and an invisible force enveloped her.

"Yaoyue!" Yunxuan was shocked and reached out to grab her arm. However, the force was too strong, and he could only watch Yaoyue's figure disappear in the light.

"Damn it!" Yun Xuan gritted his teeth, his heart aching. He immediately pulled out the star map and placed it close to the rune. Instantly, light erupted again, engulfing him.

The world spun before his eyes, and Yunxuan felt a pain as if his body were being torn apart. A moment later, he suddenly opened his eyes and found himself in an unfamiliar space. It was a huge stone chamber, and the walls were inlaid with countless gleaming gems, emitting a faint light.

"Yaoyue! Where are you?" Yunxuan shouted loudly, and his voice echoed in the stone chamber.

"Yunxuan, I'm here." Yaoyue's response came from a distance.

Yunxuan followed the sound and saw Yaoyue standing in the center of the stone chamber, before an ancient altar. On the altar sat a dish of delicious food emitting a strange glow. The aroma was even richer than the previous delicacy, intoxicating.

"Are you okay?" Yunxuan walked over quickly and asked with concern.

Yao Yue smiled slightly: "I'm fine, I was just suddenly teleported here and was a little caught off guard."

Yun Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, then turned his gaze to the food on the altar: "Is this the next spiritual flavor?"

Yao Yue nodded, her expression solemn: "It seems so. However, I always feel that this trial will not be that simple."

Before he finished speaking, several dark figures suddenly appeared around the stone chamber. They were wearing black cloaks, ferocious masks on their faces, and holding weapons that gleamed with cold light.

"Intruder, accept the trial of the Black Flame Cult!" The leading black-robed man spoke in a hoarse voice, revealing a cold murderous intent.

"The Black Flame Sect!" Yun Xuan's face darkened instantly. He had heard that this sect was treacherous and vicious, specializing in hunting down practitioners and seizing their power.

Yao Yue gripped the silver short blade tightly, her eyes icy, "It seems they have set up an ambush long ago."

The black-robed man sneered, "Your souls will become a sacrifice for our power!"

Before he finished speaking, the black-robed men launched their attacks simultaneously. Black flames danced in the air, transforming into ferocious beasts that roared and pounced on Yunxuan and Yaoyue.

"Be careful!" Yunxuan warned, swinging his sword at the oncoming flaming beast. The sword energy collided with the flames, triggering a violent explosion. Yaoyue, nimble and swift, dodged the attack, her silver blade drawing a graceful arc in the air, piercing a black-robed figure.

However, these men in black robes seemed to possess incredible power. Their bodies were like shadows, and the attacks penetrated through them but could not cause any harm to them.

"We can't go on like this!" Yaoyue frowned and retreated to Yunxuan's side.

Yunxuan's eyes were sharp: "Their real bodies are not here. We are attacking their phantoms."

"What should we do then?" Yaoyue asked.

Yunxuan glanced at the delicacies on the altar and suddenly thought of something: "Perhaps, this spiritual flavor is the solution."

"What do you mean?" A hint of understanding flashed in Yaoyue's eyes.

"I'll lead them away, and you go get the spiritual scent!" Yun Xuan gave the order decisively.

Yaoyue nodded: "Be careful!"

Yun Xuan took a deep breath, his spiritual energy surging, and he swung his sword with all his might. He shouted, "Come on, let me see how powerful you are!"

The black-robed men were attracted by his aura and attacked him one after another. Yun Xuan was alone against many, and although the situation was dangerous, he was agile and could handle it for the time being.

Yaoyue took the opportunity to run quickly towards the altar. However, just as she approached the altar, an invisible barrier suddenly rose up around the altar, blocking her out.

"Oh no!" Yao Yue frowned, reached out to touch the barrier, and felt a strong repulsive force.

At this time, the voice of the black-robed man echoed in the stone chamber: "It's not that easy to get the spiritual taste!"

Yunxuan's heart tightened upon seeing this. He leaped up, slashing at the black-robed men with his sword, trying to buy Yaoyue some time. However, the enemy was too numerous, and he gradually began to feel the strain.

"Yunxuan, we must find a way to break the barrier!" Yaoyue said loudly.

Yunxuan dodged an attack and responded, "Try the star map!"

Yao Yue immediately took out the star map, which shone brightly in her hands. She placed it close to the barrier, and sure enough, the barrier began to vibrate slightly.

"It's working!" Yao Yue was delighted and increased her spiritual power output. The barrier gradually dissipated under the influence of the star map.

Just as the barrier was about to completely disappear, the black-robed people seemed to sense something was wrong. They let out shrill screams and rushed towards Yaoyue.

"Don't even think about it!" Yun Xuan roared, unleashing his full force. His sword ignited with a fiery white light, instantly severing the shadows of several black-robed figures.

Yao Yue seized the opportunity, rushed to the altar, and quickly picked up the spiritual flavor. Without hesitation, she took it directly into her mouth. Instantly, a powerful force erupted within her body, and a golden light flashed in her eyes.

"Yunxuan, catch it!" Yaoyue threw the remaining spiritual flavor to Yunxuan.

Yunxuan took it and swallowed it. He felt the spiritual power in his body increase instantly, as if he possessed infinite power.

"Together!" Yao Yue shouted softly, and she and Yun Xuan simultaneously unleashed their strongest attack. Two beams of light intertwined in the air, transforming into a massive lightsaber, pointed directly at the black-robed figures.

"This is impossible!" The black-robed people roared in despair, and the shadows collapsed under the illumination of the lightsaber and eventually turned into nothing.

Silence returned to the stone chamber, and the light from the surrounding gemstones gradually dimmed. Yunxuan and Yaoyue smiled at each other, their eyes filled with relief.

"It's finally solved." Yunxuan put away his sword and breathed a sigh of relief.

Yao Yue nodded slightly: "This time it's all thanks to the power of the spirit."

Yun Xuan clenched his fists, feeling the surge of spiritual energy in his body: "It seems that these spiritual flavors are not only delicious, but also the key to improving our strength."

Yao Yue looked into the distance, her eyes deep: "Perhaps, the star map guides us not only to seek delicious food, but also to repeated trials and growth."

Yunxuan smiled and said, "No matter what, with you by my side, I believe we can uncover the secret of the star map."

Yaoyue smiled back, her eyes full of trust: "Well, let's go together."

They gathered themselves and prepared to leave the stone chamber. Just then, the ground suddenly shook slightly, and new runes appeared on the walls of the stone chamber, forming a new route.

"It seems that this is the instruction for the next step." Yunxuan said.

"Then let's move on." Yaoyue responded.

The two walked side by side towards a new journey, their backs appearing determined and full of hope in the afterglow of the gemstone. Perhaps even greater challenges awaited them ahead, but they were no longer afraid.