Star Journey: Destiny Returns

Carrying the inherited flame of the Shuoying Valley, Yunxuan and Yaoyue embarked on a new journey, guided by a star map. This time, the map's light shone with a chilling blue, revealing a frosty texture. Following the map's guidance, the two journeyed toward a mountain range capped with perpetual snow. This region, known as the "Frost Peak," was rumored to be the hiding place of the "Ice Soul Heart." Legend has it that this Ice Soul is not only an exquisite delicacy, but also an ancient power capable of controlling the ice and frost of heaven and earth.

As they headed north, the mountain climate gradually grew colder, a whistling wind so strong it could penetrate even the protection of spiritual energy and chill the skin. Yao Yue tightened her coat and exhaled a misty puff. "This wind seems even stronger than we expected, and even has a deep, oppressive feeling."

Yun Xuan nodded, his eyes fixed sharply on the front. "This is not only the natural coldness, but also a kind of oppression, as if it contains a deep power."

They continued their climb. The closer they got to the summit, the thinner the air grew, and the chill grew more biting. The snow crunched beneath their feet, and each step Yunxuan and Yaoyue took required a significant expenditure of spiritual energy to withstand the chill. Just as they neared the center of the mountain, the star map suddenly glowed with a powerful, icy blue light, as if warning them of something.

Yao Yue stopped and whispered, "The light of the star map has suddenly become stronger. There may be some powerful force hidden here. We must be careful."

As she finished her words, the surrounding snow began to slowly vibrate. A strong chill emanated from the ground, and the surrounding snow mist gradually condensed into a floating ball of icy blue light, swirling before their eyes as if alive. Yunxuan and Yaoyue simultaneously stepped back cautiously, their grip on their weapons tightening.

The blue light gradually condensed into an illusory figure, clad in frost armor, with cold eyes and a chilling aura. His voice was like a whisper in the snow, carrying a sense of desolation: "This is the land of the Ice Soul. Why are you trespassing?"

Yun Xuan responded with a bow, his words full of respect: "We are here following the star map, seeking a taste of the ultimate flavor. If we have offended you, please forgive us, Senior."

The icy figure was silent for a moment, a look of scrutiny in his eyes. "If you wish to obtain the Heart of the Icy Soul, you must pass my test. This is the spirit of the Icy Soul. Only those who can endure the cold and are resilient can withstand its power."

Yunxuan and Yaoyue exchanged a glance and nodded fearlessly. The cold wind blew even harder. The frosty figure waved his arms, and a cloud of ice crystals formed into blades in the air, spinning rapidly towards the two of them.

A trace of vigilance flashed in Yao Yue's eyes. She quickly unleashed her spiritual power, and the silver blade in her hand turned into a cold light, slashing accurately at the ice blade. Each ice blade shattered into pieces when it touched her silver blade, but the cold air spread as the ice blades broke, quickly surrounding her.

Yun Xuan was not willing to be outdone. He raised the long sword in his hand, and the sword energy swept across the ice blade like a strong wind. However, the ice blade was not shattered when it hit his sword energy, but solidified in the air and gradually merged into a huge ice wall, completely isolating him in a piece of cold ice.

"Yaoyue! Be careful of the cold!" Yunxuan shouted, trying to swing his sword to break the ice wall, but found that the sword could only leave a shallow crack on the ice surface.

Upon hearing this, Yao Yue swiftly swung her silver blade, her spiritual energy weaving through the cold air and shattering some ice crystals. However, the chill gradually seeped into her body, slowing her movements. The frosty figure looked at them and said coldly, "If you can't even endure the cold air, how can you even think of enduring the Ice Soul Heart?"

Yao Yue took a deep breath, her heart gradually calming. She silently muttered, "The cold isn't unbearable. If my heart can be made of solid ice, even the cold can't shake me." Then, she used her spiritual power to gradually force the chill out of her body, focusing it on the silver blade. She met the frosty figure's gaze with a determined look.

At the same time, Yun Xuan calmed his mind, suppressing the chill deep within his body. He once again gathered spiritual energy into his longsword and slashed at the ice wall. This time, his sword energy transformed into a dazzling white light, instantly shattering the ice wall. The moment the chill broke through, a hint of approval flashed in the frosty figure's eyes.

"It seems that you are really willing to endure the coldness of the Ice Soul Heart. But this is just the beginning." Before the frosty figure finished speaking, the snow around him began to rise rapidly, turning into a giant ice dragon, roaring and rushing towards the two of them.

Yao Yue's eyes were determined, her spiritual power concentrated on the silver blade. She whispered, "We must work together to repel it."

Yunxuan nodded, and the two men attacked simultaneously, their sword energy surging. The silver blades gleamed in the cold wind, their sword energy piercing the ice dragon like a fierce gale. The ice dragon's scales gradually crumbled under their attacks, but it continuously absorbed energy from the surrounding cold, rapidly repairing its body.

Seeing this, Yao Yue calmly analyzed, "Its power seems to come from the surrounding cold air. If we can't stop the continuous influx of cold air, it will be difficult to completely defeat it."

Yunxuan took a deep breath, held his sword across his chest, and scanned the surroundings with lightning-fast eyes, pondering a solution. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he said to Yaoyue, "Why don't we merge our spiritual powers together? This way, the attack will be more powerful, and perhaps we can dispel the cold air in one go!"

Yaoyue nodded, and the two stood side by side, gradually gathering their spiritual energy. The silver blade and longsword simultaneously flashed a brilliant light in the cold wind. The icy blue and silver spiritual energy intertwined into a powerful force that surged out like a torrent, striking the ice dragon's heart.

The ice dragon roared, its body instantly shattered into pieces as the immense force impacted it, transforming into a cloud of ice crystals. The frosty figure quietly watched the crystals drift through the air, nodded slightly, and slowly spoke, "Very well. Your resolve and strength have proven themselves."

As soon as the words fell, the frosty figure waved his hand in the air, and a crystal-clear ice crystal slowly condensed, hovering in front of Yunxuan and Yaoyue. This was the legendary Ice Soul Heart, chilling yet exuding a strange beauty.

Yaoyue gazed at the Ice Soul Heart, her heart brimming with emotion. She knew it wasn't just a legendary treasure, but one of the most precious treasures of their journey. She whispered, "Perhaps the ice soul heart's coldness represents the determination and purity it holds."

Yunxuan slowly reached out and gently lifted the Ice Soul Heart. A chill instantly spread through his palm, spreading throughout his body. He didn't flinch, instead feeling a deep sense of peace. He closed his eyes, as if sensing the Ice Soul Heart's power. Within the cold lay an endless tenacity, like the eternal protection of the mountains and rivers.

The frosty figure spoke slowly, "The Heart of the Frozen Soul represents an unyielding will and a faith in protection. Only those who resonate with it can harness its power. May you use the power of this heart to bring protection to the future."

Yunxuan and Yaoyue bowed deeply in gratitude, watching the icy figure gradually dissipate in the chill wind. With the power of the Ice Soul Heart, they felt their spiritual energy condense, as if protected by an additional layer of ice. They smiled at each other, their hearts growing more resolute. The journey continued, but their resolve had grown stronger.

The cold wind blew as they continued to move forward. The star map in front of them flashed a new guide again, as if telling them that greater challenges were waiting ahead.