Star Journey: Destiny Returns

As the night deepened, Yunxuan and Yaoyue walked beneath the veil, their steps slow but unwavering. The star map glowed faintly in Yunxuan's embrace, as if quietly guiding them along an invisible path. Despite a night of fierce battle, their hearts grew calmer, as if their confrontation with the black-robed figure had solidified their resolve.

However, it wasn't just the peaceful night that accompanied them on their journey. Yaoyue felt a subtle chill hanging in the air around them, as if harboring an unresolved threat. This subtle aura made her feel uneasy, and she unconsciously tightened her cloak to block out the chill.

"Yunxuan, have you noticed anything unusual?" Yaoyue asked in a low voice, with a hint of vigilance in her eyes.

Yunxuan nodded, his brow furrowed slightly. He, too, sensed something unusual in the air. "There's an inexplicable sense of oppression... It's like someone's watching from the shadows."

They slowed down their pace. In the darkness, only the shadows of trees swayed in the wind. Just then, a gust of wind suddenly blew, carrying with it a faint whisper. The sound seemed to come from the distant abyss, but it also seemed to be right next to their ears.

"Come back... Stop and give up the pursuit..."

The voice was erratic, carrying a certain irresistible temptation. Yunxuan and Yaoyue exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of vigilance in the other's eyes.

"Who is playing tricks there?" Yun Xuan shouted coldly, his voice particularly clear in the silent night.

The low, murmuring sound that answered him was still there. It seemed to penetrate their defenses and seep into their hearts, bringing with it an irresistible sense of drowsiness, as if dragging their consciousness into endless darkness.

Yaoyue closed her eyes, trying her best to concentrate and calm her mind, pushing away the sleepiness. However, she gradually realized that the sound was not just an external sound, but had a direct impact on their hearts.

"Yunxuan, this is a test of the mind! We must resist it with a firm will!" Yaoyue reminded in a low voice, with a hint of nervousness in her voice.

Yunxuan nodded slightly, silently reciting a mantra in his mind to calm his inner fluctuations. However, the voice became increasingly strange, as if it had become his thoughts, carrying with it an irresistible sense of despair.

"Give up... The ultimate taste you seek is nothing but a vanity in this world... Why do you still persist in moving forward?"

That voice lingered in Yunxuan's mind, and unexpectedly, memories of his childhood surfaced. A lonely figure, a bewildered gaze, and the warmth and care that he could never receive. Those memories seemed to have become shackles, weighing down his heart, making his steps even heavier.

Yaoyue's situation isn't easy either. Her mind reels at her father's stern face, along with the family's expectations and responsibilities. Yaoyue has carried the family's honor since childhood, yet a longing for freedom has always lain within her heart. Yet, these memories are now slowly consuming her will, leaving her filled with inner conflict.

Yunxuan noticed the struggle in Yaoyue's expression and immediately held her hand, saying softly, "Yaoyue, don't be deceived. This is just an illusion. We must stick to our original intentions."

Yao Yue's eyes froze, then, as if awakened by Yun Xuan's voice, the fog in her heart gradually dissipated. She took a deep breath, cast those memories behind her, and regrouped her inner conviction.

The two held hands, the warmth of each other's touch bringing them back to peace of mind. The voice, sensing their resolve, gradually faded into the air, and the night returned to its original tranquility.

"It seems that the closer we get to the truth, the more severe the trial will become." Yun Xuan whispered, with a hint of heaviness in his tone.

Yaoyue nodded gently. She knew that this road was not easy, and that each step would bring more difficult and dangerous tests. However, her eyes remained firm, as if nothing could shake her determination.

"No matter what we encounter, we must keep going together." Yaoyue said softly, with a gentle and firm light in her eyes.

Yunxuan smiled slightly, patted her shoulder gently, and gestured for them to continue. In the night, the two walked side by side, the light of the star map flickering again, like a star guiding them forward.