Star Journey: Destiny Returns

Since leaving the ancient town of Mixin, Yunxuan and Yaoyue embark on a new journey. A star map reveals a new direction before them, pointing them directly to a valley ahead. Locals call this valley "Spiritual Deer Valley." Legend has it that a rare spiritual beast, the "Black Deer," lives here. Its blood and flesh are considered the ultimate delicacy, imbued with unparalleled nourishing power. Legend has it that Black Deer meat is a product of the fusion of earth and spiritual energy. Consuming it not only enhances cultivation, but also purifies the body of impurities and even heightens perception.

However, capturing this magical deer is no easy feat. The Black Deer possesses not only extraordinary speed and strength, but also possesses the ability to deceive and bewitch people. Legend has it that anyone without a strong will who enters this valley will be lost in the illusion within a few days, unable to find their way back.

At the valley entrance, Yao Yue frowned slightly and said with some concern, "The rumored Black Deer isn't easy to find. Once we enter the valley, we might face a strong spell of confusion. Yun Xuan, we must stay awake."

Yunxuan smiled slightly, his eyes filled with determination. "Yaoyue, we have come this far and experienced countless trials and tribulations. Since the star map has led us here, it means we are ready to face the challenges it brings."

They nodded gently and stepped cautiously into the Spirit Deer Valley. The air in the valley was unusually fresh, as if imbued with boundless spiritual energy. Lush trees teemed with life, and the occasional gurgling stream could be heard. However, this seemingly peaceful valley was shrouded in an invisible sense of oppression, as if awaiting the arrival of uninvited guests.

They had just started when Yunxuan felt the scenery before him begin to blur. The trees around him seemed to be distorting and shifting, and a faint mist filled the air. He quickly realized that he might have been caught in Xuanlu's illusion.

"Yaoyue, be careful of illusions!" Yunxuan warned. But as soon as he finished speaking, Yaoyue's figure disappeared. Silence reigned, and only an indescribable chill enveloped him, as if an invisible net were trapping him.

Yunxuan stood there, trying to keep his mind calm. Illusions seemed to surge from all directions, gradually influencing his thoughts and causing him to experience all sorts of illusions. Suddenly, an ancient temple appeared before his eyes, and within it stood his late master. His face remained kind, his eyes brimming with gentle smiles.

"Yunxuan, your master once taught you that cultivation is not for strength, but for the improvement of your state of mind. Do you still remember your original intention?" The master's voice was deep and soft, as if it came from the depths of his heart.

Yunxuan's heart trembled slightly. The illusion before him was so vivid that it seemed almost tangible. His master's voice and expression were so real that he almost wondered if he had truly returned to the past. However, he quickly regained his composure, took a deep breath, and whispered to himself, "Illusion or reality, my mind remains unshaken."

He slowly closed his eyes, shutting out the distractions of the outside world and focusing on his inner world. Gradually, the illusion before his eyes dissipated like mist, and the surrounding scenery became clear again.

Meanwhile, Yaoyue on the other side was also caught in an illusion. In her illusion, she saw the hometown of her youth. The figures of her parents were vaguely visible, standing in the fields and smiling at her, as if beckoning her back to her hometown.

Yaoyue's heart ached, and her eyes moistened slightly, as if all her longings were flooding back at that moment. However, she knew it was only an illusion. She slowly closed her eyes and whispered softly, "No matter how beautiful my hometown is, the path in my heart is my true home." With her firm belief, the illusion gradually dissipated, and she returned to the reality of the valley.

Just as they each broke free from the illusion and prepared to continue on, light footsteps suddenly echoed from the distant woods. A snow-white black deer, its eyes aglow with a spirit, appeared before their eyes. The black deer had an elegant figure, a gentle and mysterious gaze, like a forest spirit, possessing a unique spirituality.

Yunxuan and Yaoyue exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with joy and awe. Yaoyue whispered, "It seems the black deer is no ordinary prey. Perhaps it has already sensed our approach."

Yun Xuan nodded slightly and whispered, "The black deer has extraordinary spirituality. We must approach it with caution and must not disturb it."

They tried to slow down their pace, maintain steady breathing, and quietly approached the black deer. However, the black deer seemed to sense their presence and leaped lightly into the dense forest, quickly disappearing among the thick trees.

Unwilling to give up, Yunxuan and Yaoyue followed the deer's trail. They carefully made their way through the woods, passing one mountain path after another, always keeping their distance. However, the deer was incredibly fast, and whenever they approached, it would lightly leap away, leading them deeper into the valley.

Just as the two were tracking the black deer, Yaoyue suddenly felt that the surrounding scenery began to distort again. The Linglu Valley seemed to gradually disappear, and was replaced by a vast starry sky. She felt as if she was in an endless galaxy.

Countless stars twinkled in the sky, each one seeming to speak of some ancient power. Suddenly, a gentle voice sounded in her ears, "Yaoyue, what are you pursuing? Power, glory, or inner peace?"

Yaoyue was stunned, a wave of doubts rising in her mind. She had followed Yunxuan all the way, experiencing countless adventures and trials, but what was her true desire? She suddenly fell into deep thought, unable to extricate herself.

Just when she was feeling lost, Yun Xuan's voice came clearly, "Yao Yue, don't be fooled by illusions! The purpose of our journey is not only to gain power, but to follow our inner beliefs!"

Yaoyue suddenly woke up, realizing she had been bewitched by an illusion. She quickly regained consciousness. The starry sky before her gradually dissipated, and the scene of Linglu Valley reappeared. She returned to Yunxuan's side.

The two continued to track the black deer, gradually entering the deepest part of the valley. The air around them grew cooler and the spiritual energy grew richer, as if the entire valley's spiritual power was converging in this one spot. Ahead, the black deer reappeared, standing quietly beside a clear lake, its eyes fixed on Yunxuan and Yaoyue, as if awaiting their arrival.

Yunxuan and Yaoyue approached slowly, exchanged glances, and felt a strange sense of tranquility. They stood before the black deer, without any intention of attacking it, simply watching it silently. The black deer looked at them gently, then slowly lowered its head, as if to express friendship.

Suddenly, a low and gentle voice emanated from Xuan Lu's mouth. "You two have come all this way, not just for power, but for a belief in transcending yourselves. I am willing to give you my essence and blood to help you complete the Star Chart Path."

As soon as he finished speaking, a drop of golden blood slowly appeared on Xuan Lu's forehead. The blood bead floated in the air, emitting a faint light, as if it had condensed the purest spiritual power between heaven and earth.

Yunxuan and Yaoyue smiled at each other and slowly accepted the precious drop of blood, their hearts filled with gratitude and respect. They knew that Xuanlu's gift was not only a delicious treat, but also a silent blessing, an acknowledgment of their beliefs.

The two solemnly placed the deer's blood essence into a specially crafted jade bottle, then bowed deeply to the deer as a token of gratitude. The deer nodded slightly, then turned and slowly walked into the dense forest, its figure gradually disappearing among the shadows of the trees, as if it had never appeared.

Yunxuan and Yaoyue stood there, feeling the spiritual energy fluctuations brought by the black deer's blood, their hearts filled with awe and satisfaction. Yaoyue sighed softly, "On this journey, we have not only been pursuing the guidance of the star map, but also the answers in our own hearts."

Yun Xuan smiled slightly, his eyes fixed firmly on the distance. "Yes, the Star Map Road will continue, but every journey will sharpen our resolve and strengthen our faith."

They walked out of the Spirit Deer Valley with the essence of the black deer. Night once again enveloped the earth, and the stars twinkled on their shoulders, as if seeing them off on their journey.