Star Journey: Destiny Returns

The dense shadows of the trees made it difficult for light to penetrate, as if a deep darkness had swallowed the entire forest. As Yunxuan and Yaoyue entered this area known as the "Shadow Forest," they felt a deep and oppressive force coming upon them. All around them was silent and hushed, with only the occasional breeze, bringing a chill that sent shivers down their spines.

The star map flickered faintly in Yunxuan's hands, but amidst the endless darkness, its light seemed faint and insignificant, as if it were struggling to resist some powerful external force. Yaoyue glanced around warily and whispered, "This forest... seems to possess some devouring power. We must be extremely careful; we could get lost in it if we're not careful."

Yunxuan nodded, calming his mind and gripping the star map tightly. As the two of them delved deeper, the surrounding landscape gradually shifted. Blurred shadows loomed faintly on the dense tree trunks, like some unresolved obsession, forever frozen within the trees. Occasionally, faint whispers could be heard, as if the forest's creatures were mumbling to themselves, slowly drawing them into an unfathomable abyss.

"We seem to have entered some kind of illusion," Yao Yue warned softly, "This illusion seems real, yet full of confusion. We must not relax our minds."

At that moment, Yunxuan's gaze was drawn in a certain direction, as if he heard a familiar voice softly calling his name. His heart couldn't help but move. The voice was infinitely gentle, familiar, as if it had awakened the softest part of his heart. He tilted his head slightly, but Yaoyue grabbed him just in time. Yaoyue's eyes flashed with anxiety, and she whispered, "Don't be distracted. This is the Shadow Forest. Any doubts and desires will become its food."

Yunxuan suddenly woke up, calmed down, looked at Yaoyue, and said gratefully: "I was negligent, luckily you reminded me."

However, just as they thought they were about to escape the bewitching force, a deep laugh echoed from the darkness, and a chilling aura spread like a tide. Along with the laughter, the shadows of the surrounding trees began to sway, casting mottled shadows that twisted like living things, as if to devour them inch by inch.

"Want to escape the Shadow Forest?" A deep voice seemed to echo in their ears, carrying a hint of coldness and oppression. "This is the land of your desires, the deepest test of your soul. Without desire, there is no shadow. Without obsession, there is no form."

Yao Yue snorted coldly, tightened her grip on the short blade, and said coldly: "If you want to seduce us, you have to see if we allow it!"

Before he finished speaking, the shadows of the trees slowly condensed into illusory figures. Each figure seemed to carry endless resentment and desire, staring straight at Yunxuan and Yaoyue, as if they saw in them their own unfulfilled obsessions.

Yaoyue felt the shadows approaching, and a sense of unease rose in her heart. She whispered to Yunxuan, "We must find the source, and then this illusion will be broken. If we delay, I'm afraid we will be consumed by these obsessions and trapped here forever."

Yunxuan nodded silently, his gaze firm as he held up the star map and gazed intently. A faint light still flickered on the map, a faint glow that seemed to point in a certain direction. Yet, Yunxuan felt a faint sense of unease, for that direction was exactly where he had heard the call. It was as if the voice was deliberately guiding him there.

"I heard a voice..." Yun Xuan hesitated for a moment, and finally whispered, "It's calling me. Perhaps that's the source."

Yao Yue was silent for a moment, then looked at him firmly and said, "No matter what path you choose, I will accompany you. Whether it is a test or an illusion, the star map is in our hands, and we decide our own path."

The two followed the faint light, slowly advancing forward. The shadows of the trees surged like a tide, attempting to drown them. However, whenever the shadows approached the star map's light, they would let out a soft whine and quickly retreat, as if fearing its power. Yunxuan clutched the star map tightly, moving forward step by step, finally stopping in an open space.

In the center of the clearing stood a strange stone tablet, engraved with ancient characters. The writing was vigorous and powerful, faintly revealing a kind of ancient pressure. Yun Xuan slowly approached and read the words on it:

"Desire creates shadows, obsession takes form. Only by breaking the shadows can one be free."

Yao Yue frowned in thought and said, "The desires and obsessions mentioned here may refer to the confusion and struggle within ourselves. If we cannot truly see ourselves clearly, we will be swallowed by illusions and never be able to escape."

Yunxuan gazed at the stone tablet, his mind racing. He suddenly realized that these phantoms weren't simply illusions, but reflections of their inner selves. Perhaps only by truly seeing clearly and letting go of the obsessions within could he break free from this forest of shadows.

Just as he made up his mind, a ray of light emerged from the darkness, and a vague figure stepped out of it. The man's features were distinct, and surprisingly resembled Yunxuan. However, there was a hint of resentment and greed in his eyes, as if reflecting the repressed desires deep within Yunxuan's heart.

"Do you really think you can escape this shadow?" That "Yun Xuan" spoke coldly, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "The pursuit of ultimate taste and star maps are just excuses to satisfy your own desires. The longing deep in your heart is what drives you!"

Yun Xuan looked at the "self" in front of him with a calm gaze, and said in a deep voice: "Perhaps I do have an obsession in my heart, but it is precisely because of this that I continue to surpass myself in my pursuit. This obsession is not my weakness, but my strength."

"Yunxuan" sneered, his figure gradually twisting, transforming into countless black shadows that pounced on him. Yunxuan gripped the star map tightly, gathering its light in his hand. He swung it out suddenly, and the light pierced through the black shadows like a sharp sword. The black shadows screamed shrilly and then disappeared.

The darkness gradually receded, and the shadows around them dissipated with it, and the Shadow Forest returned to its tranquility. Yaoyue walked over to Yunxuan and smiled slightly, "It seems that the trial here is nothing more than this. Your determination is enough to repel any desire."

Yunxuan smiled and looked down at the star map. The light was even brighter, as if celebrating their victory. The two walked out of the Shadow Forest side by side. The starlight under the night sky shone through the treetops and fell on them, like a guide leading them forward.

However, just when they thought the test was over, a low bell sound suddenly came from afar. The bell sound carried a mysterious power, piercing the night sky and shaking the soul.