Star Journey: Destiny Returns

After passing through the Resonance Forest, the star map's light flickered once more, guiding Yunxuan and Yaoyue into a new land. This land was shrouded in thick clouds and mist, and the air carried a faint scent of dampness and decay. Standing atop a mountain, the two gazed into the distance. At the foot of the mountain, a vast ancient complex, shrouded in dense forest, was faintly visible, with only a few broken walls visible, revealing a glorious past unknown to the world.

"This is where the star map leads us." Yun Xuan stared at the scene before him, frowning slightly. "It looks like this is some kind of ancient ruins."

"These broken walls are covered with traces of time, hiding countless secrets." Yao Yue spoke slowly, a hint of vigilance in her eyes. "The star map has led us here, and there must be a reason. We need to proceed with caution to avoid triggering the restrictions or mechanisms here."

The two cautiously walked along the mountain path toward the center of the ruins. As they approached, the surrounding fog gradually dissipated, revealing an ancient stone path. This path was covered with mottled moss and gravel, as if no one had set foot on it for a long time. Mysterious runes were engraved on each stone brick, flickering with a faint spiritual light, as if a quietly dormant power was surging in the dark.

"These runes seem to have some special formation, as if they are guarding something." Yunxuan carefully observed the runes under his feet and found that they were arranged in some kind of complex formation, intended to prevent outsiders from breaking in.

Yao Yue nodded and whispered, "If this relic once possessed such powerful protective power, it must be no ordinary place. It could very well contain the secrets of an ancient power, or even the 'ultimate essence' that the star map is guiding us to pursue."

The two held their breath, growing increasingly cautious. Each step they took clung to the broken stone slabs, their footsteps echoing through the silent ancient path like the only sound. After passing through the long, dark stone path, their view suddenly opened up to a vast courtyard. In the center of the courtyard stood a tall stone tablet, engraved with ancient inscriptions. Time had carved deep cracks into it, even blurring some of the words.

"These words seem to be some kind of ancient oath." Yun Xuan gently touched the stone tablet with his fingers, feeling the remaining power on it. A trace of awe rose in his heart. "The existence of this relic may be related to an ancient protective oath."

Yaoyue slowly walked to the stone tablet and read the words on it softly: "...It is destiny's will to protect this place forever. Those who betray will be punished by heaven and earth..." Her voice trembled slightly, as if she felt the will and emotions remaining on the stone tablet.

The moment Yaoyue read these words, a powerful surge of spiritual energy suddenly surged through the courtyard, as if responding to the call of the oath. The ground throughout the courtyard shook slightly, and Yunxuan and Yaoyue immediately stood firm, observing their surroundings warily. The spiritual energy quickly condensed in the courtyard, forming a blurry image: a figure in armor, holding a longsword, standing majestically before them.

"It's the phantom of the guardian!" Yun Xuan's eyes were solemn, holding a long sword in his hand, ready to fight at any time.

The phantom's gaze was stern, as if gazing down upon them from across time and space. Its deep voice echoed through the courtyard, "Why have you trespassed here? This is a holy place protected by a vow. Only those with a pure heart, capable of safeguarding the true meaning of the Supreme Taste, are worthy to set foot here."

Yao Yue responded calmly, "We follow the guidance of the star map and come here to seek the ancient supreme taste and power. We mean no offense."

The Guardian Phantom was silent for a moment, then a sharp, calculating look crossed his gaze. "Seeker, if your resolve is strong enough, you must accept the trials of these ruins and prove yourselves worthy of your oath. You seek not for your own sake, but solely to safeguard the true meaning of the ultimate taste."

Yaoyue and Yunxuan exchanged a look of determination. Yunxuan nodded and said, "We are willing to accept the trial!"

The Guardian Phantom nodded slightly, wielding his sword with a gentle wave. Runes across the courtyard suddenly lit up, and the aura converged in the air into a dazzling curtain of light. A path emerged from the curtain, leading to a misty area.

"Go in, embark on this road of trial, and prove your faith." The voice of the guardian phantom gradually dissipated in the light curtain, and in the end only the road leading to the unknown remained.

As the two stepped into the light curtain, the scene before them immediately transformed into a blurry illusion. Thick fog permeated the surroundings, severely restricting their vision. They had to move forward cautiously, fearing they would be lost in the fog.

Suddenly, a hazy memory surfaced before Yaoyue's eyes—one from her time in the orphanage, the helplessness and loneliness of the past resurfacing. She recalled herself sitting on a worn wooden bed, longing for warmth and companionship, yet always alone. Although she now fought alongside Yunxuan, the loneliness and wariness within her heart remained deeply ingrained, difficult to erase.

Yunxuan, meanwhile, was lost in his own memories, recounting repeated setbacks in his cultivation. Whenever he felt frustrated, his father's sighs echoed in his ears. The unfinished family mission felt like a heavy burden he'd always carried, a burden he'd never truly let go of.

Yaoyue took a deep breath and returned to the present. She looked at Yunxuan and said softly, "Every delicious taste we've seen and every bit of power we've felt along the way is part of our growth. And I've also realized that only by facing the loneliness of the past can we truly escape it."

Yunxuan looked at Yaoyue, firmly grasped her hand, and responded, "Every trial is meant to make us stronger. I will continue to shoulder the family's mission and protect the balance of this world."

Their beliefs merged, and the fog before their eyes gradually dissipated, and the surrounding scene gradually became clearer. As they walked, a wide stone platform appeared in front of them. In the center of the platform was a small jade box, which emitted a faint spiritual light, as if awaiting their arrival.

Yaoyue slowly stepped forward, gently touching the jade box with both hands, sensing the rich spiritual energy within. She exchanged a glance with Yunxuan, her heart filled with respect, and carefully opened the jade box. Inside was a crystal-clear jade pendant, emitting a faint fluorescent glow that seemed to hold endless power.

"This jade pendant may be the ultimate essence guarded by this relic." Yun Xuan said with emotion, his eyes filled with awe. "The concentration of ancient power is probably not just strength, but also a will to protect it."

Yao Yue nodded and said slowly, "The essence of protecting the Supreme Taste is not just the pursuit of power, but inheritance and responsibility. The oath in these ruins is a symbol of protecting this world."

They placed the jade pendants in their arms and bowed deeply to show their respect for the ruins. As they turned around, the runes on the stone tablet gradually dimmed. The entire ruins seemed to have completed its mission and returned to tranquility, as if waiting for the arrival of the next guardian.

With respect and understanding for the ancient ruins, Yunxuan and Yaoyue continued their journey on the star map.