Star Journey: Destiny Returns

Yunxuan and Yaoyue left the lush fantasy forest. The power of the Spirit Deer Heart Spring flowed quietly through their bodies, purifying their spiritual strength and endowing them with a stronger will. At this moment, the star map emitted a faint red light, guiding them forward, towards a place called "Sparkling Shadow Valley." The terrain of Sparkling Shadow Valley was precipitous, and because it was constantly surrounded by blazing flames, the valley was filled with steaming rocks and flowing lava, earning it the nickname "the Land of Phantom Fire."

Yao Yue stared at the slightly reddish star map, her eyes filled with confusion. "The spiritual energy in this place doesn't seem suitable for living things. Why should we go there?"

Yunxuan also sensed a hint of something unusual in the Star Map's guidance, and said in a deep voice, "Every guidance from the Star Map seems to be testing us. If there truly is some kind of power hidden here, then it's definitely worth exploring. Perhaps, within the Shimmering Shadow Valley lies an unknown ancient power."

They said nothing more, moving resolutely in the direction indicated by the star map. Along the way, the air grew increasingly scorching, the ground beneath their feet blazing red. The surroundings were deserted, and even the plants seemed unable to withstand the scorching heat and withered. When they reached the heart of the valley, the sight before them made them both hold their breath.

Blazing flames hung in the scorching air, and lava occasionally tumbled out from between the rocks in the distance, like a flowing sea of ​​fire. Yunxuan and Yaoyue stood at the valley's mouth, gazing at this scorching world, their hearts racing.

"The spiritual energy here seems to be corroded by the flames." Yao Yue felt the strong fire element around her and frowned slightly. "We must act carefully. Everything here could be dangerous."

Yunxuan nodded, holding the sword in his hand, feeling the flames oppressing his spiritual energy. The two of them carefully walked between the flames and the rocks, avoiding the churning lava and heading straight into the depths of the valley.

Halfway through their journey, Yun Xuan suddenly felt the temperature around him rise sharply. A blazing flame erupted from the valley floor, sweeping towards them. Yun Xuan immediately swung his sword, its energy carving a path through the flames, blocking the scorching heat. However, just as the flames gradually dissipated, a dark figure slowly emerged from the thick smoke, carrying a powerful sense of oppression and hostility.

"It seems that our arrival has attracted the attention of the guardians here." Yun Xuan said coldly, his eyes fixed on the front.

The smoke gradually dissipated, revealing a burly man with dark skin and a fierce, fiery gaze. He held a massive, flaming sword in his hand and stood at the edge of the lava, gazing coldly at Yunxuan and Yaoyue.

"This is the land of the ancient fire spirit. Outsiders are not allowed to enter." The man's voice was low and intimidating, as if every word was burning with the heat of fire.

Yao Yue smiled slightly and said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone, "We have no ill intentions. We are guided by the star map and come here only to seek the ancient power."

The man sneered and swung the flaming sword lightly. The temperature around him suddenly rose, and the ground began to shake, as if it was about to be engulfed by the flames. "If you want to enter the depths of the Shimmering Shadow Valley, you must pass my test."

Yun Xuan gripped the sword tightly in his hand, his eyes sharp as an eagle. "In that case, let me see the power of your fire."

The man said no more, and suddenly swung his flaming sword down, sending a massive wave of flames hurtling towards Yunxuan. Yunxuan immediately swung his sword to meet the attack, his spiritual energy quickly condensing into a stream of sword energy, which collided head-on with the wave of flames. The powerful shockwave shattered the surrounding rocks.

The man snorted softly and swung the flaming sword again. The flames surged like waves, instantly enveloping Yunxuan and Yaoyue. Yaoyue calmly gripped the silver blade, and spiritual power instantly poured into the blade, transforming into a silver cold light that pierced the center of the flames, cutting a path through the flames.

Seeing that the two men easily resolved his attack, the man's eyes flashed with surprise, and then he sneered: "Interesting, but this is far from enough." He inserted the flaming long sword into the ground, and in an instant the flames around them surged, forming a flame barrier that trapped the two men inside, and the flames were as dazzling as day.

Yun Xuan felt the powerful pressure of the flame barrier and was slightly shocked. He said in a deep voice, "It seems that we must find his weakness as soon as possible, otherwise we will be trapped here and die."

Yao Yue nodded and calmly analyzed, "His power comes from fire, but it should also have some limits. If we can find the weak point of the barrier, we can reverse the trend."

They attacked together, Yun Xuan unleashing a continuous stream of sword energy, attempting to break through the barrier. The sword energy swept through the flames like a gust of wind, its silver light tearing cracks through the sea of ​​fire, but the flame barrier seemed to possess an indestructible power and quickly recovered.

At this moment, the man's voice rang out again: "Your power may be extraordinary, but if you cannot withstand the test of my flames, you are not worthy of the power here!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the flame barrier suddenly began to shrink, and the scorching temperature in the flames quickly approached. Yunxuan and Yaoyue felt that their spiritual power was suppressed, and their movements gradually became slow.

Yao Yue panted slightly, a trace of anxiety on her face, "If this continues, we will be engulfed by the flames sooner or later."

Yun Xuan stared at the blazing flames before him, a flash of inspiration dawning on him. He suddenly recalled the insights he gained from the Spirit Deer Heart Spring. While the power of fire was violent, if one could achieve a peaceful state of mind, merging with it, perhaps a glimmer of hope could be found.

He whispered to Yaoyue, "Try to restrain your spiritual energy and keep your mind calm. Perhaps this way we can find a way to break through."

Yaoyue nodded, slowly closed her eyes, slowed her breathing, and gradually calmed her inner anxiety. The two of them withdrew their spiritual power into their bodies. The moment they confronted the flames, the flames seemed to sense their intentions and began to slowly retreat.

Seeing that the two men were able to remain calm in the flames, the man's eyes flashed with approval. He said coldly, "Since you have the courage to face the flames, let me see your true strength."

He drew his sword again, and his entire body transformed into a streak of fire, charging towards Yun Xuan. Yun Xuan raised his sword lightly, and the sword energy and the flames met, the two forces colliding in mid-air, making a deafening roar.

Yao Yue refused to be outdone. Her figure was as swift as the wind, and the silver blade, gleaming with an icy light, stabbed the man's side. The man had no way to avoid it, and the silver blade struck his shoulder. The flames receded instantly, and his expression showed a hint of strain. However, he still refused to retreat, his eyes burning with an unyielding fire.

Yunxuan and Yaoyue continued their fierce attack, and the man gradually became unable to withstand it. The flames began to gradually weaken. He gasped and looked at the two of them, his eyes filled with mixed emotions.

"You have passed the test," the man said slowly, his voice tinged with both praise and resignation. "I was once the guardian of this place, guarding the flame power of Shimmering Shadow Valley, waiting for someone truly trustworthy to pass it on. Your state of mind and strength have proven your qualifications."

He put away the flaming sword, condensed a ball of blazing flame in his hands, held it gently in his hands, and slowly handed it to Yunxuan and Yaoyue.