Star Journey: Destiny Returns

The night was dark, the stars shimmering like water. The misty clouds between the mountains shone with a chilling, dreamlike quality. Yunxuan and Yaoyue left the ancient altar and continued their journey, following the star map. The radiance on the star map had dimmed slightly, as if it had fulfilled some predetermined mission. But the shock still lingered in their hearts.

Yaoyue's steps were light and her gaze was determined, but the worry between her brows was still obvious. She looked up at the night sky, as if seeking some kind of comfort. Just then, the sound of footsteps came from behind her, accompanied by the sound of wind and the light dust. Yunxuan was immediately alert and turned to face the figure slowly emerging behind him.

The man wore a black robe, his face hidden within his hood. His footsteps were as light and silent as a ghost. He slowly stopped, a hint of amusement in his voice, "Nice to meet you again. It seems you both possess considerable wisdom and courage to have made it this far."

"Who are you?" Yao Yue looked coldly, holding the short blade in her hand, not willing to relax easily.

The black-robed man chuckled, his voice as cold as the night. "I am merely a part of this trial ground, a guardian, prepared for those foolish intruders."

"What you call 'ignorance' is nothing more than a reverence for and pursuit of the unknown," Yun Xuan said calmly. "Since you are the guardian, why don't you stop it openly?"

The black-robed man lowered his head slightly, as if lost in thought. After a moment, he spoke in a low voice, "The power of the Ultimate Taste is the essence of heaven and earth, and it is beyond the reach of ordinary people. If you continue to be stubborn and stubborn, you will sooner or later suffer the consequences."

Upon hearing this, Yao Yue's eyes flashed with coldness, and she said coldly, "We are not greedy people, but rather seek inner truth. The Way of Ultimate Taste is a kind of inner purification for us. Your dissuasion is meaningless."

The black-robed man was silent for a moment, then raised his hand. A dense mass of black spiritual energy condensed within his palm, seemingly shaking the very air. His voice was icy, yet held a hint of undeniable authority. "Since that's the case, let me test your resolve and see if you can truly endure this so-called path of purification."

Before he finished speaking, his figure had already swept towards Yunxuan like a shadow. The black energy was like an invisible black cloud, enveloping the two of them. Yunxuan reacted instantly, swinging the long sword in his hand. The sword light was like a rainbow, piercing the black cloud, but the black energy enveloped the sword light like water, swallowing it up completely.

"Yaoyue, be careful!" Yunxuan shouted. Seeing that Yaoyue's figure was almost swallowed by the black air, he jumped up quickly and used his sword to force back the black air.

Yaoyue quickly retreated, standing shoulder to shoulder with Yunxuan, their minds focused on the fight. They exchanged a resolute glance, their understanding tacitly coordinating their attacks. With swift, agile movements, Yaoyue swiftly navigated the black aura, while Yunxuan used the powerful aura of his sword to contain the black-robed man's attack.

However, the black-robed figure's strength far exceeded their imaginations. His figure appeared and disappeared, seemingly merging with the black energy. Each attack carried a fierce, oppressive force. The two gradually felt their spiritual energy drain, and their inner uneasiness began to grow.

At that moment, the black-robed figure suddenly stopped, smirked coldly, and clasped his hands together. A thick black aura burst forth from his palms, transforming into a massive black shadow that pounced upon the two. Yunxuan and Yaoyue simultaneously exerted their spiritual power to resist, but the shadow possessed a strange corrosive power that rapidly depleted their spiritual energy and even began to seep into their bodies, making it difficult to resist.

Yao Yue's eyes flashed with a hint of determination, and she shouted softly: "Yun Xuan, keep holding on, we can only do our best!"

Yun Xuan nodded at this, his gaze growing more determined. A fiery sword energy condensed from his longsword, and he suddenly slashed towards the black shadow. The sword energy was like thunder breaking through the air, violently colliding with the black shadow, stirring up waves of spiritual energy and dispersing the surrounding mist.

The black-robed figure retreated slightly, seemingly enraged by the two men's stubborn resistance. His eyes were cold, and he gently raised his hand. A thick black aura once again gathered in his grasp, as if threatening to engulf the entire space. At this moment, Yun Xuan suddenly felt a sense of realization and quickly pulled the star map from his bosom. A faint golden light suddenly appeared on the map, slowly spreading and enveloping the two men.

Amidst the golden light, Yao Yue's expression instantly calmed. She closed her eyes slightly, as if in a state of tranquility. The dark energy gradually dissipated under the golden light. The black-robed figure seemed to be startled by the sudden radiance, his body trembling slightly, as if struggling with something.

"The Star Map...why does it produce this kind of power?" Yun Xuan wondered, but he didn't have time to ponder. The golden light enveloped them, and the figure in black robes gradually became ethereal in the light, eventually dissipating into thin air.

After the black-robed figure disappeared, the golden light gradually dimmed, and the star map returned to its original tranquility. The two exchanged glances, each filled with confusion and alarm.

"Yunxuan, what was that light from the star map just now? Why could it dispel the black air?" Yaoyue asked softly, with a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Yunxuan shook his head and whispered, "I don't know either... Perhaps the star map itself contains some kind of power. Although we have received the most profound revelation, the true mystery may have just begun."

The two of them fell into deep thought. After a moment, Yunxuan raised his head and said firmly, "No matter what lies ahead, we must uncover the truth of this star map. It is the only clue that will guide us forward, and it is also the key to our path to the ultimate taste."

Yaoyue nodded gently, a determined glint in her eyes. She took a deep breath, as if ready to face the unknowns of the future. She whispered, "No matter how difficult this journey may be, we are no longer afraid."