Star Journey: Destiny Returns

Armed with the Lost Pearl found in the Black Mist Forest, Yunxuan and Yaoyue embarked on the next leg of their journey, guided by the star map. This time, the star map's light shone upon a chilling mountain range: the Frost Ridge Snow Region. This frozen land, covered in snow year-round, was said to harbor an exquisitely cold and sublime flavor.

From afar, the peaks of the Frost Ridge Snow Region towered majestically, clad in silver, stretching as far as the eye could see. The snow-covered mountains reflected a pale light, appearing particularly glaring in the sunlight. As they reached this point, the temperature plummeted, and Yaoyue couldn't help but wrap herself tightly around herself, gently rubbing her hands against the chill.

"The coldness of this Frost Ridge Snow Region is more than just superficial." Yun Xuan walked ahead, a look of vigilance in his eyes. "It's rumored that the snowflakes here contain a special power that can freeze people's spiritual energy. If one's determination is weak, it's easy to get lost in this world of ice and snow."

Yao Yue nodded slightly, exhaling a puff of white mist as she whispered, "The legend of Zhiwei says that there is a 'Ice Heart Snow Lotus' in this snowy region. It is said that this snow lotus not only possesses the power of extreme cold, but can also purify the soul. However, to find it, one must enter the core area of ​​the snowy region and pass through the numerous ice walls."

Yun Xuan nodded, his eyes determined: "Since we have embarked on this path, no matter how difficult it is, we must find the Ice Heart Snow Lotus."

The two of them stepped into the Frost Ridge Snow Region. As they advanced, the chill grew stronger, making even breathing difficult. The snow was thick and soft, sinking deeper with every step. A gentle crunching sound echoed beneath their feet, as if the entire snow region were responding to their arrival.

After walking for a while, Yaoyue suddenly noticed something strange about the snowflakes around her. As they fluttered in the air, they emitted a faint blue glow, resembling stars in the night sky, with a cold and eerie beauty.

"This snowflake seems to have a spirit," Yao Yue whispered, raising her hand to catch a snowflake and examining it carefully. The snowflake landed in her palm, sending a bone-chilling chill through her body, causing her to shiver slightly.

Seeing this, Yun Xuan warned, "Be careful. The snowflakes here carry a strong spiritual energy. Once in contact, they will consume the spiritual energy in your body. If you don't have enough spiritual energy to protect your body, it will be difficult to withstand the cold."

Yaoyue nodded, shook off the snowflakes in her hand, and quickly circulated her spiritual energy to resist the chill. As they went deeper, the snowflakes around them became denser and denser, and a blue light illuminated the entire snowy area. It was as if they were in a fantasy world of ice and snow. The temperature around them also continued to drop, and the cold eroded their bodies and minds.

At this moment, a blurry figure suddenly appeared on the snowy ground ahead. The figure, draped in a white cloak, stood quietly in the middle of the snow, its gaze cold and indifferent, like a cold spirit guarding the snowy land.

Yao Yue whispered, "Is this... the guardian of the Snow Region?"

Yunxuan was also startled by the sudden appearance, but he quickly regained his composure and watched the guardian warily. The guardian's gaze was icy, carrying a chill that kept people at a distance. He slowly raised his hand, and a stream of icy spiritual energy quickly condensed in the air, transforming into countless sharp ice blades that shot towards Yunxuan and Yaoyue.

Yun Xuan quickly drew his sword, and his spiritual energy condensed on the sword to form a barrier, blocking the incoming ice blade. The ice blade collided with the barrier with a crisp "clink" sound, and then turned into countless fragments, scattering on the snow.

Yao Yue also immediately drew out the silver blade and dodged several ice blade attacks. The spiritual power circulated rapidly in her body, condensing into an ice shield to resist the guardian's attack.

The Guardian snorted coldly, a flicker of disdain flashing in his eyes, and his figure instantly disappeared into the snow. Just as they were wondering, the snowflakes around them suddenly spun, forming a massive vortex of ice and snow that swept them in. The cold wind and snow howled, enveloping the two of them, making it almost impossible to tell which way was which.

"Yaoyue, be careful! He seems to be using the power of the snow region." Yunxuan reminded loudly, trying to maintain the spiritual shield to resist the invasion of the cold wind.

Yaoyue nodded, quickly closed her eyes, and concentrated on sensing the Guardian's presence. She knew that the Guardian was using snowflakes and ice blades to create an illusion intended to confuse them, and she had to stay awake to see through the illusion.

Suddenly, Yaoyue's consciousness caught a glimpse of icy air. She opened her eyes sharply and swung the silver blade in her hand, pointing it straight ahead to the right. As she struck, the figure of the guardian emerged from the snow, a cold glint in his eyes.

Seeing this, Yunxuan quickly followed Yaoyue's attack, his longsword carrying a sharp sword energy directly hitting the guardian's vital points. Seeing that the two had discovered his trail, the guardian's eyes flashed with surprise, but he quickly regained his composure. He quickly retreated, and with a wave of his hands, countless icicles instantly appeared in the snow, completely blocking Yunxuan and Yaoyue's path.

"It seems he doesn't want us to get close easily." Yao Yue said in a low voice, with a firm look in her eyes.

Yun Xuan smiled slightly and nodded gently, saying, "In that case, let's break through his blockade and see what the secret of this snowy area is."

The two men stared at each other, then, in tacit agreement, simultaneously exerted their strength. The longsword and silver blade, with a sharp surge of spiritual energy, shattered the icicles before them one by one. Seeing their determination, the Guardian's eyes flashed with a solemn expression, and then his figure transformed into a gust of icy wind, disappearing into the snow.

"He escaped?" Yaoyue asked doubtfully, gazing at the snow around her.

Yun Xuan shook his head slightly and said in a deep voice, "No, he is only leading us deeper into the snowy region. This guardian seems to want us to go through a more severe test."

As expected, as they advanced, the chill of the snowy region grew stronger, with snowflakes flying like ice blades, gradually draining their physical and spiritual energy. However, they did not retreat and continued forward until they reached the core area of ​​the snowy region.

In the center of this silvery-white world, a glittering, translucent snow lotus quietly bloomed, its surrounding snowflakes seemingly guarding it, exuding a sacred and tranquil aura. At its center lay a blue crystal core, emitting a faint glow, as if it were the soul of the entire snowy region.

Yao Yue stared at the snow lotus intently and whispered, "This is the legendary Ice Heart Snow Lotus. It possesses the ultimate power of coldness and purification, and can bring unprecedented spiritual purification."

Yunxuan slowly stepped forward and reached out to touch the crystal core of the Ice Heart Snow Lotus. Instantly, an extremely cold force surged into his body. The chill threatened to freeze him completely, but he gritted his teeth, steadied his mind, and transformed the chill into spiritual energy, channeling it into his body. Yaoyue also stepped forward to touch the crystal core of the Snow Lotus, feeling the cleansing power of the cold.

"The Ice Heart Snow Lotus allows us to experience the extreme cold, while also purifying our souls. Only by not fearing the cold can we gain true power." A hint of determination flashed in Yunxuan's eyes.

Yao Yue smiled and nodded. "Every ultimate taste is not only a concentration of strength, but also a baptism of the soul. The chill of the Ice Heart Snow Lotus makes us understand the importance of fearlessness and perseverance."

With the purifying power of the Ice Heart Snow Lotus, Yunxuan and Yaoyue's hearts became purer and more resolute. The star map shone once more at this moment, illuminating their journey ahead. With the Ice Heart Snow Lotus's blessing, they journeyed deeper into the unknown.