Star Journey: Destiny Returns

Since leaving the Abyssal Secret Realm, Yunxuan and Yaoyue have been traveling straight towards the next location indicated by the star map. They reached a vast plain, and the once clear sky gradually became shrouded in dark clouds. In the distance, faint rumbles of thunder could be heard, as if some unsettling force was hidden between heaven and earth, brewing a catastrophic change.

Yao Yue looked up at the sky, her brow furrowed. "This change in the weather is a bit strange. Perhaps we are about to face new challenges."

Yunxuan nodded slightly, a hint of vigilance in his eyes. "It seems there are more than just natural obstacles ahead. The trials we've endured along the way may have alerted others. They might be waiting for our arrival in this area."

As they continued forward, Yunxuan and Yaoyue gradually sensed an unusual fluctuation of spiritual energy in the air, like countless subtle perceptions silently monitoring their every move. This power, unlike the pure spiritual energy they had sensed in the secret realm, carried a subtle sense of oppression and hostility.

Yao Yue quietly warned, "Be careful, this area may be controlled by other forces."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of the wind suddenly stopped, leaving an unsettling silence. Suddenly, several dark figures appeared on the ground ahead. They wore tight cloaks and cold masks on their faces, and they approached silently and swiftly like ghosts.

One of the men in black said coldly, "You're finally here, Yunxuan and Yaoyue. You've passed all the tests in the secret realm, but do you think you can easily obtain the power of the ultimate taste?"

Yun Xuan snorted coldly, gripping his sword tightly, and replied calmly, "Who are you? Why are you blocking our way?"

The man in black sneered, "The power of the Ultimate Taste is related to the balance between heaven and earth. How can we allow intruders like you to take it so easily? Today, if you don't hand over the star map, you will never leave this place."

Yao Yue's expression was solemn. She whispered to Yun Xuan, "It seems they know something about the secret of the star map. I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to resolve this peacefully."

Yun Xuan nodded, his eyes sharpening as he said calmly, "Since they've come to us on their own initiative, let's see what they're capable of."

As soon as he finished speaking, the men in black launched their attack. Their movements were as swift as flowing water, their weapons gleaming with cold light, swiftly striking at Yunxuan and Yaoyue. Yunxuan moved nimbly, swinging his sword to meet the attack. Sword energy like a rainbow cut through the air, meeting the men in black. While his swordsmanship was sharp, the opponent was clearly no ordinary force. The men in black worked together, their attacks in perfect sync, and in an instant, they surrounded Yunxuan and Yaoyue.

Yaoyue's silver blade danced like the wind, each strike precise and accurate. However, the enemy's sheer numbers and their coordinated tactics made it difficult for her to fully unleash her offensive. Facing this relentless onslaught, she took a deep breath, channeling her spiritual energy and wielding the silver blade with increasing swiftness and ferocity, gradually forming a tacit rapport with Yunxuan.

However, the men in black seemed to be well prepared and kept changing the rhythm of their attacks, forcing Yunxuan and Yaoyue to constantly adjust their response strategies, and the spiritual energy consumption in their bodies became increasingly greater.

Yun Xuan frowned slightly, thinking to himself, "Where exactly are these men in black? Why do they know everything about our whereabouts and even know about the existence of the star map?"

Seeing the battle at a stalemate, the leader of the men in black suddenly pulled out a piece of rune paper from his bosom and muttered something. The paper then ignited, transforming into a massive spiritual energy shockwave that struck Yunxuan and Yaoyue. This spiritual energy wave was incredibly powerful, carrying an unparalleled pressure that instantly forced them to retreat.

Yao Yue gritted her teeth, her brow furrowed. "They used some kind of spiritual power. I'm afraid our defense won't last long."

A trace of determination flashed in Yunxuan's eyes: "We can't delay any longer, we must fight and end it quickly!"

He took a deep breath, pushing his spiritual power to its limit. The long sword in his hand suddenly burst out with a brilliant sword light, slashing at the black-clothed men in the air. The sword light split the air like thunder, forcing several black-clothed men to retreat repeatedly.

Yao Yue was not to be outdone. She swung her silver blade, emitting a streak of cold light that transformed into frost that quickly spread out, temporarily freezing the men in black. However, the men in black quickly adjusted their stance, resisting the erosion of the cold air and continuing their fierce attack.

At this moment, a sudden, powerful aura surged from afar, instantly piercing the entire battlefield. The men in black seemed to sense the source of this force, their expressions changing color as they quickly retreated, their gazes averted. Yunxuan and Yaoyue also sensed the power's might. Following the sound, they saw a woman in plain clothes slowly approaching, her expression calm and composed, her figure as graceful as a cloud, seemingly gliding upon the water.

A trace of fear flashed in the eyes of the leader of the men in black, and he said coldly: "People from the Tianyin Sect actually come here to interfere! We will retreat for the time being regarding today's matter, but we will definitely settle the score one day!" Before he finished speaking, the men in black quickly retreated at the signal of their leader, and disappeared into the dense forest in a flash, as if they had never appeared.

The woman's eyes swept over Yunxuan and Yaoyue calmly, and then she said softly, "Are you two the holders of the star map?"

Yun Xuan looked at her warily and nodded, "Exactly. I wonder who you are, Senior, and why you're helping us?"

The woman smiled slightly, her eyes deep and clear. "I am not your enemy, but I am different from those men in black. They seek to control the power of the star map, while we in the Tianyin Sect pursue the true meaning of the star map."

Yao Yue asked cautiously, "Tianyin Sect? I've heard that this sect is always mysterious and cryptic, and their actions are strange. Could it be that you also covet the secret of Zhiwei?"

The woman smiled calmly, seemingly unconcerned with Yaoyue's doubts, and slowly spoke, "The Ultimate Taste is not an ordinary thing, but a carrier of ancient power. Those who truly control it can create a new order between heaven and earth. However, not everyone can withstand the power of the Ultimate Taste. Many, driven by desire, try to use this power to change their own destiny."

Upon hearing this, Yun Xuan asked thoughtfully, "Then what is your purpose, Senior? Why are you helping us?"

The woman sighed softly, "We in the Tianyin Sect have always valued cultivation and the cultivation of the mind. The power of the Ultimate Taste is more like a test for us. Helping you is simply to help the Star Map find its true destined person."

The woman finished speaking and turned to leave, but Yunxuan was a little confused and asked hurriedly, "Senior, since you know something about the star map, can you tell us its ultimate purpose?"

The woman paused, turned, and gazed at Yunxuan and Yaoyue, a meaningful smile in her eyes. "The guidance of the star map will lead you to your destiny, but before that, you will need to endure more trials. If you can always hold fast to your original intention, the true meaning of the ultimate taste will be revealed to you."

As the words fell, the woman's figure gradually dissipated in the wind, as if she had never appeared. Yunxuan and Yaoyue looked at each other, with complicated emotions welling up in their hearts.

Yao Yue sighed softly, "It seems this road is far more tortuous and complicated than we imagined. Those men in black, the Tianyin Sect, and even more unknown forces are secretly watching the whereabouts of the star map."

Yunxuan's eyes were firm. "No matter how many obstacles lie ahead, since we have embarked on this journey, we will never retreat easily. Every flavor represents the power of heaven and earth, and we must protect it with our faith."