Star Journey: Destiny Returns

The purifying power of the Ice Heart Snow Lotus brought Yunxuan and Yaoyue an unprecedented sense of peace and fortitude. Just as they left the chill of the Frost Ridge Snow Region behind, the light of the star map once again pointed in a new direction, illuminating a desolate land—an ancient city buried in the yellow sand, also known as the "Desolate Sand Mirror Tower."

Legend has it that this ancient city was once the birthplace of an ancient civilization, renowned for its wealth and knowledge. However, after an unexplained natural disaster, the city was buried beneath the vast expanse of sand, becoming the dust of history. Legend has it that within the Mirror Tower of the Desert lies a rare and exquisite flavor, one that not only offers exquisite flavor but also possesses the power to awaken deep memories, allowing one to revisit the past and the inner self.

"Mirror Tower, this name sounds like a forgotten memory." Yao Yue looked up at the yellow sandy plains, a hint of melancholy in her expression. "It seems that every place where the ultimate taste is found hides some feeling of loss."

Yunxuan nodded and said, "Perhaps this ancient city is more than just a ruin buried by the desert. Perhaps its true meaning lies in awakening the longings and memories deep within our hearts. Since the star map has led us here, it means we will inevitably find something worth remembering."

As they entered the ancient city ruins, they were greeted by a blanket of yellow sand, nearly impassable under the scorching sun. After passing a stone path lined with crumbling statues, the ruined city gate slowly came into view. The walls were covered in mottled sandstone and cracks scoured by wind and sand, as if time itself had relentlessly eroded this once-glorious place.

Entering the ruins of the ancient city, they gradually came across stone carvings and pillars half-buried by the yellow sand, symbolizing a lost craft. The surrounding buildings, like reflections of time, sketched a beautiful afterimage stripped of time. Yunxuan leaned over and picked up a broken stone carving. Carved with an unidentified pattern, it seemed to hold some ancient memory and wisdom. An indescribable reverence welled up in him, as if he were remembering a history no longer recollectable.

Yao Yue sighed softly and whispered, "Was the destruction of this city a natural disaster or a man-made disaster? The wisdom and lives of so many people have vanished, as if they never existed."

As they savored the emotions of this lost land, a gentle breeze suddenly surged from the center of the Desert Mirror Tower. As if pulled by some force, the sand formed a tall column. The column swirled, gradually converging into a hazy image in the air: a towering building towering amidst the yellow sand. The Mirror Tower shimmered with a hazy light, as if transcending the barriers of time, appearing before their eyes in a translucent form.

Yunxuan stared at the mysterious image, a trace of awe in his eyes. "Could this be the 'Mirror Tower'? Can it lead us into the past of this city?"

Yao Yue nodded slightly and cautiously approached the image, her eyes filled with curiosity and desire. She whispered, "This mirror building seems to be guiding us to find some answers. Perhaps entering it will uncover the buried memories here."

The two encouraged each other and cautiously stepped into the image of the mirror tower. The moment they stepped in, the surrounding scene changed instantly. The yellow sand seemed to disappear without a trace, replaced by a bustling street. The sky above was a clear blue, and the city was surrounded by people coming and going, a picturesque scene.

Yunxuan and Yaoyue looked around and found themselves in the city's heyday. Tall buildings rose one after another, and people bustled through the streets, chatting and chatting, their laughter filling the air. In the city's center, the massive Mirror Tower towered majestically, a symbol of the city, embodying the hopes and dreams of everyone.

Yao Yue sighed softly, "So the Desert Mirror Tower was once such a prosperous place. No wonder it's known as the source of wisdom and wealth."

As they paused to observe, an elderly man approached them. His gaze was deep and full of experience. He slowly spoke, "You two appear to be outsiders. Do you know the secret of the Mirror Tower?"

Yunxuan and Yaoyue exchanged a glance and politely replied, "We are indeed outsiders, but we were guided here by the star map, seeking a supreme taste called 'Memories of Dust'."

The elder smiled slightly and nodded, "So that's how it is. The Dust-Remembering of the Mirror Tower is a treasure of ours, but it's not easily accessible to everyone. It's not only a true delicacy, but also holds the memories of this city, a bridge to the truth and the past."

He paused briefly, then continued, "If you desire the Memory of Dust, you must enter the Mirror Tower, where the final memories of this city are sealed. Pass the test of the Mirror Tower, and you will see those past events, and you will also bear the weight of these memories."

Yun Xuan's eyes were determined as he bowed slightly to the elder and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior. We will do our best to protect the meaning of this memory."

Guided by the elder, the two arrived at the main entrance of the Mirror Tower. Pushing open the heavy door, they were greeted by an endless mirrored world. The interior of the Mirror Tower was covered in countless mirrors of varying sizes, each one a vessel of memory, reflecting various scenes of the ancient city, unfolding before them in an endless stream.

Yaoyue stood before the mirror, seeing countless scenes reflected within: children playing in the square, vendors hawking their wares in the market, artisans crafting exquisite utensils, even scenes of people praying for a good harvest. Each mirror was like a window, showcasing the life and hopes of the ancient city in the past.

However, as the two men venture deeper into the Mirror Tower, the image within the mirror gradually shifts, revealing scenes of war and turmoil. Foreign enemies invade, the city is ravaged by flames, and the people are displaced. The Mirror Tower's former splendor gradually gives way to destruction, its former splendor reduced to a shattered memory.

Yunxuan watched these scenes in silence, a deep sorrow welling up in his heart. "The glory and destruction of this city are sealed in the Mirror Tower. Their memories have never been forgotten, but no one knows them."

Yaoyue's eyes were also filled with sadness. She whispered, "Each mirror represents their lives, their hopes and despair. The memories of the dust are not only a taste of the past, but also a remembrance and recollection of the past."

At this moment, a dazzling light emerged from the depths of the Mirror Tower. Within that light, a clear bead quietly hovered, and within the bead flowed golden dust, as if carrying all the memories. That was the Memory of Dust.

Yunxuan and Yaoyue slowly approached the bead, sensing the intense emotion within it, as if the voices of the ancient city's inhabitants were whispering in their ears, filled with reluctance to part. Yunxuan took a deep breath and slowly reached out to touch the Floating Dust Memory. Instantly, the dust within the bead swirled, enveloping him and Yaoyue in a golden glow.

In the light, Yunxuan and Yaoyue seemed to have experienced a baptism of time. They saw the smiles and tears of countless people in the ancient city, felt their joy and sorrow. At this moment, they were no longer bystanders, but integrated into the memory of this city, breathing with them and sharing their fate.

The light gradually faded, and Yunxuan and Yaoyue slowly opened their eyes, their hearts filled with complex emotions. Not only had they gained the power of Dust's Memory, but they had also gained the joys and sorrows of this ancient city, remembering the lives and past events that had passed.

Yun Xuan said softly, "The power of Dust Memory is not just about recalling the past, it reminds us not to forget those things that have passed away and to cherish everything in front of us."

Yao Yue nodded slightly, a look of determination in her eyes. "This journey not only allows us to seek the ultimate taste, but also makes us understand the meaning of memory and cherishment. Every past event is worth remembering, and we will continue to move forward with this memory."

With the power of the lingering memory, their hearts grew stronger. They left the Mirror Tower and walked out of the ruins of the ancient city. The yellow sands once again buried the Mirror Tower, as if nothing had happened. However, Yunxuan and Yaoyue knew in their hearts that this memory would always be with them, a part of their pursuit of the ultimate taste.