Star Journey: Destiny Returns

Outside the stone pagoda, the night deepened, moonlight shimmering through thick clouds, and the surrounding woods seemed unfathomable. Yunxuan and Yaoyue felt a sense of satisfaction after receiving the scroll, but deeper questions also arose. The scroll's power seemed far greater than it appeared, as if it held secrets waiting to be uncovered.

"Yunxuan, this scroll may contain a truth that we don't know about. The words of that phantom just now seem to have a deeper meaning." Yaoyue said softly, her eyes scanning the surroundings from time to time, maintaining a high level of vigilance.

Yunxuan carefully put the scroll away and nodded slightly. "Indeed, I have always felt that the Way to Ultimate Taste is not just about gaining the power of a single ingredient, but rather guiding us to comprehend deeper principles. Perhaps, the scroll will reveal more in due time."

They stared at each other, their eyes revealing determination. The journey wasn't over yet, the road ahead still shrouded in mist. They followed the path deeper into the dense forest, intent on finding an exit before dawn. However, at some point, faint movements could be heard in the woods, as if some creature was silently approaching them.

Yaoyue immediately stopped and scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes. Yunxuan also quickly became alert, gripping the hilt of his sword and whispering, "Be careful, someone might be following us."

Just as he finished speaking, light footsteps were heard in the bushes not far away. The two men immediately became alert. Yunxuan signaled to Yaoyue, and they slowly retreated behind a thick old tree, holding their breath and observing the surrounding movements.

Soon, a figure emerged from the shadows of the trees and slowly approached them. The person was wrapped in a dark cloak, making his face difficult to discern, but his cautious movements showed he didn't want to be easily discovered. Yunxuan and Yaoyue exchanged a glance, a cold glint in their eyes; it was clear the other person wasn't a friendly person.

"It seems they are coming for the scroll in our hands." Yao Yue whispered, tightening her grip on the short blade.

Yunxuan nodded, signaling her to remain hidden while he quietly circled behind the man. When he was close enough, he suddenly attacked, thrusting his sword straight at the man's back.

However, the opponent seemed to have sensed it and quickly retreated the moment Yunxuan attacked, dodging the fatal blow. Beneath his cloak, a pair of cold eyes revealed a hint of sarcasm. His voice was low and threatening, "Yunxuan, Yaoyue, you are indeed worthy of being the one who pursues the ultimate taste. You are quite skilled."

Yun Xuan looked at him coldly, unmoved by his provocation. "Who are you? Why are you following us?"

The man sneered and didn't answer. Instead, he pulled out a dagger emitting a strange light from his sleeve. His eyes flashed with hostility. "The scroll in your hands is a treasure our organization has been searching for for years. Hand it over, and I can spare your life."

"Really? I'm afraid you underestimate our determination." Yun Xuan showed no sign of weakness. The long sword in his hand flashed coldly in the moonlight, ready to fight at any time.

Yaoyue also came out, staring at the other party with a cold gaze, and said with a hint of warning: "If you want to seize the scroll, it depends on whether you have the ability."

Seeing the two men's uncompromising attitude, a ruthless look flashed in the man's eyes. With a cold snort, he suddenly swung his sword at Yunxuan, the blade carrying a sharp gust of wind, directly attacking Yunxuan's vitals. Yunxuan quickly raised his sword to block, and the two weapons collided with a crisp sound, rustling the surrounding leaves.

Yaoyue didn't hesitate, quickly joining the fray, deftly attacking the man from the side. Her speed and precision caught him off guard, nearly dropping the dagger several times, and his movements became increasingly chaotic. After a moment, the man seemed to realize he was facing a difficult situation from the two of them, and he quickly jumped away, gazing at them with a sullen expression.

"You are very powerful, but I will make you regret it next." The man said coldly, then took out a smoke bomb from his waist and threw it to the ground in an instant. He disappeared without a trace in the smoke.

Yunxuan and Yaoyue exchanged a glance, frowning. Clearly, the other person's appearance wasn't accidental; they were most likely members of an organization sent to uncover the scroll's secrets. And the very existence of this organization's hidden purpose made them even more uneasy.

"It seems that the scroll in our hands does affect the interests of certain people." Yun Xuan said in a deep voice, with a hint of vigilance in his eyes.

Yao Yue nodded slightly and tightened her grip on the weapon in her hand: "This is just the beginning. We must be more careful. This journey will obviously not be that easy."

After a brief regroup, they continued on their way. The darkness of the forest deepened, and the silence around them was filled with a sense of tension. As the sound of footsteps echoed through the trees, the two men remained vigilant, wary of any possible attack.

Soon, they passed through the dense forest and arrived at an open meadow. Surrounded by tall trees, it seemed remarkably quiet. Moonlight shone on the grass, bringing a brief sense of peace. The two rested for a moment, preparing to gather their thoughts and decide their next move.

Yao Yue gently stroked the scroll and asked in a low voice, "Yun Xuan, what kind of secret does this scroll hold that could have caused those people to pursue it so relentlessly?"

Yun Xuan shook his head slightly, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "Perhaps the true secret of the Way of Ultimate Taste is far beyond our comprehension. And this scroll may be just one of the keys to unlocking the true nature of Ultimate Taste. We must find more clues to solve this mystery."

Yao Yue sighed softly, her eyes determined. "No matter what, we must continue on our journey. The star map's guidance has never been wrong. Perhaps the secrets within the scroll can only be unlocked at a certain location."

As they pondered this, a rustling sound suddenly emanated from the distant brush, as if something was slowly approaching. Yunxuan and Yaoyue immediately became alert, gripping their weapons tightly and looking warily in the direction of the sound.

Gradually, a blurry figure appeared in the moonlight. The person was thin, but his steps were steady. Yunxuan and Yaoyue were unable to determine the identity of the person and could only remain on guard.

The man walked a few steps away from them and stopped. He spoke slowly in a low voice, "Two of you, are the scrolls in your hands looking for the answer to the Way of Ultimate Taste?"

Yunxuan and Yaoyue exchanged glances, a flicker of doubt in their hearts. The other party seemed to know their whereabouts intimately, but his tone was calm, seemingly devoid of malice.

"Who are you? Why do you know about us?" Yaoyue asked cautiously.

The man smiled faintly, revealing an unfathomable expression. "I am merely a heir of the inheritance, one of the guardians of this dense forest. The path to the ultimate taste is the supreme secret of heaven and earth, and only those who seek it truly can glimpse its truth. The scroll in your hands is a crucial component, but to uncover its secrets, you must pass the final test."

Yunxuan and Yaoyue were attracted by his words and couldn't help asking, "What test?"

The man's eyes were penetrating as he spoke slowly, "The true meaning of ultimate taste lies not only in the sense of taste, but also in the cultivation of the mind. To truly understand the secrets within the scroll, you must undergo a spiritual test here. Only with undivided attention and a firm will can you gain insight into the path to ultimate taste."

Yunxuan and Yaoyue exchanged a glance, their hearts already understanding the significance of this test. Their repeated adventures had made them realize that the power of the ultimate flavor came not only from the outside world, but also from inner awakening.

"We are willing to accept the trial." Yunxuan said firmly.

The man nodded and raised his finger slightly. The surrounding scenery changed instantly. The grass turned into a misty void, and the two seemed to be in endless darkness.

"Close your eyes, put aside all distractions, and feel every breath between heaven and earth. This is the origin of the ultimate taste." The man's voice echoed all around.

Yunxuan and Yaoyue followed his instructions, closing their eyes and gradually shutting out external distractions, immersing their minds in the void. As time passed, their consciousness gradually entered a state of tranquility and peace, as if everything in the world had become their thoughts, and they could sense the subtle aura of the ultimate flavor.

At this moment, an indescribable understanding arose in the hearts of the two, as if all their efforts had finally paid off.