Star Journey: Destiny Returns

The mountains remained majestic, the morning light shimmering across the emerald green slopes, casting a golden veil over the landscape. Yunxuan and Yaoyue had just endured a thrilling battle, their spiritual energy still surging. Yet, at this moment, everything around them seemed to have returned to calm, as if everything that had just happened was only a fleeting illusion.

Yun Xuan sheathed his sword, took a deep breath, and gazed at the distant mountains, his brows furrowed slightly. "Although the Black Flame Cult's forces have been temporarily repelled, I have a feeling they won't give up."

Yao Yue nodded slightly, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes: "Their whereabouts are secretive and their methods are vicious. We must deal with them with caution."

Yun Xuan turned his head and looked at her slightly tired face. He asked with concern, "Are you okay? The battle just now consumed a lot of spiritual energy."

Yao Yue forced a smile: "I'm fine, just a little tired. Perhaps we should find a place to rest and recover our spiritual strength."

Yunxuan looked around, his eyes resting on a dense forest not far away: "There seems to be a quiet place there, let's go and take a look."

The two walked side by side into the woods, leaves rustling and a gentle breeze bringing a fresh breath of air. Passing through the trees, their view suddenly opened up to a tranquil valley. The valley was lush with vegetation, flowers in full bloom, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance.

"It's so beautiful here." Yaoyue exclaimed, and the fatigue on her face seemed to be dispelled by the beautiful scenery.

Yunxuan smiled and said, "Rest in a place like this is a good choice."

They found a flat patch of grass and sat down. Yunxuan took out a water bag from his backpack and handed it to Yaoyue: "Have some water."

Yaoyue took the water bag, took a sip, and looked into the distance: "Yunxuan, you said that the star map led us here, what is the purpose?"

Yunxuan pondered for a moment and said slowly, "I think the star map is not only guiding us to find the spiritual scent, but also testing our determination and ability."

Yao Yue nodded: "Maybe. But there are many dangers along the way, and I sometimes worry..."

Yunxuan looked at her with a firm gaze: "No matter how many difficulties lie ahead, I will face them with you."

Yaoyue's cheeks flushed slightly, and she whispered, "I feel at ease with you by my side."

At this warm moment, a strange fragrance suddenly came from the air, rich but not greasy, which refreshed people's spirits.

"This fragrance..." Yun Xuan frowned, "It seems to be some rare elixir."

Yaoyue also noticed something unusual and stood up and said, "Let's go take a look."

The two followed the scent, crossing the valley and going deeper and deeper. The plants around them became more and more lush, and the flowers became more and more colorful, as if they had entered a fairyland isolated from the world.

Soon, they came to a quiet spring. The water was crystal clear, emitting a faint blue light. Various strange herbs grew by the spring, flickering with faint light.

"This is... a spiritual spring!" Yao Yue said in surprise, her eyes full of amazement.

Yunxuan approached the spring and felt the rich spiritual energy coming towards him. He exclaimed in admiration, "I didn't expect to encounter such a precious spiritual spring here. What a pleasant surprise."

Yaoyue squatted down, reached out and touched the spring water, feeling a warm power seeping into her body, and she immediately felt refreshed.

"This spring water can quickly restore our spiritual power." She said happily.

Yunxuan nodded: "It's a good opportunity to recover."

They each took out their water bags, filled them with spring water, and sipped gently. The power of the spiritual spring flowed rapidly through their bodies, sweeping away their fatigue.

Just as they were enjoying the comfort brought by the spiritual spring, Yunxuan suddenly raised his head alertly and looked around with sharp eyes.

"What's wrong?" Yao Yue noticed his abnormality and asked in a low voice.

Yun Xuan frowned and said, "I sense a strange aura, as if danger is approaching."

Yaoyue immediately became alert and tightened her grip on the silver blade in her hand.

Suddenly, ripples began to form in the spring, and the blue light on the surface dimmed. Then, a low, eerie roar came from the depths of the spring.

"Be careful!" Yunxuan shouted and pulled Yaoyue back quickly.

Before he could finish his words, a gigantic black monster leaped out of the spring, its body covered in sharp scales, its eyes gleaming crimson. It opened its bloody mouth, revealing its sharp white fangs, and roared at the two men.

"This is... the Quanling Beast!" Yaoyue said in shock.

Yunxuan calmly analyzed: "It seems that it is guarding this spiritual spring."

The monster didn't give them much time to think, suddenly lunging at the two. Yun Xuan drew his sword, and with a flash of lightning, he struck the monster head-on. The blade slashed through the monster's scales, making a metallic sound, but failed to injure it at all.

"Its defense is too strong!" Yunxuan was shocked.

Yao Yue quickly dodged to the side of the monster and stabbed its belly with the silver blade. However, the monster's tail swept over like a steel whip, and Yao Yue was almost hit, and she retreated several steps in panic.

"We can't go on like this. We must find its weakness." Yun Xuan said in a deep voice.

Yaoyue thought for a moment and suddenly said, "Perhaps, its eyes are its weakness."

Yunxuan nodded: "Okay, let's cooperate."

The two exchanged glances, their understanding clear. Yunxuan drew the monster's attention, swinging his sword repeatedly at its head. The monster, enraged, attacked Yunxuan furiously. Yaoyue seized the opportunity to swiftly maneuver behind the monster, aiming for its eyes.

"Now!" Yunxuan shouted.

Yao Yue's figure flashed, and she leaped several feet high. The silver blade gleamed coldly in the sunlight, piercing the monster's left eye. The monster let out a terrible roar, and its huge body began to tremble violently.

"Success!" Yaoyue said happily.

However, the monster became even more violent after being injured, waving its huge claws and attacking all around crazily. Yunxuan and Yaoyue had to retreat quickly to avoid its attack range.

"We must get rid of it while it's weak!" Yunxuan said firmly.

He concentrated all his spiritual energy, and his sword shone with a dazzling light. Yun Xuan took a deep breath and suddenly leaped up, leaping high above the monster's head and stabbing its head with his sword. The sword pierced through the monster's skull and penetrated its core.

The monster let out a final wail, and its huge body collapsed, gradually turning into a black mist and dissipating into the air.

Yunxuan landed safely and breathed a sigh of relief. Yaoyue ran over and asked with concern, "Are you okay?"

Yunxuan smiled and shook his head: "I'm fine."

Her gaze turned to the spiritual spring, and she was surprised to find that the spring water had become clear again, the blue light was brighter, and the spiritual herbs around it had regained their vitality.

"It seems that the disappearance of the monster has restored the spiritual spring to its original state." Yaoyue said with emotion.

Yunxuan nodded: "Perhaps, this is also a test from Lingquan for us."

Yao Yue smiled slightly: "After this battle, our tacit understanding has improved a lot."

Yunxuan looked at her and said seriously, "With you by my side, I believe we can overcome all difficulties."

Yaoyue's cheeks flushed again, and she whispered, "We are best friends."

At this moment, ripples appeared in the center of the spring, and a crystal clear gem slowly emerged from the bottom of the water, suspended in the air, emitting a soft light.

"That is..." Yunxuan looked at Baozhu in surprise.

A hint of surprise flashed in Yaoyue's eyes: "This is the secret treasure of Lingquan. Legend has it that only those who pass the Lingquan trial can obtain it."

The orb slowly floated towards the two of them, finally stopping in front of them. Yun Xuan reached out to take the orb, feeling the powerful force within it.

"This may be a reward for us." Yunxuan said.

Yao Yue nodded: "With it, our cultivation will be further improved."

Yunxuan took the orb into his arms, turned around and looked into the distance: "There are still more unknown challenges waiting for us ahead."

Yaoyue smiled and said, "No matter what lies ahead, we will face it together."

Yunxuan extended his hand, and Yaoyue gently grasped it. Their hands clasped tightly together, their gazes determined, their steps steady as they continued on their journey towards the unknown.