Beast Taming Star Journey

The endless whiteness stung my eyes. I tentatively took a step forward, then a second, a third… There was no solid ground beneath my feet as I expected; it felt like walking on clouds, light and ethereal. “Is anyone there?” I tried to call out, my voice echoing in the empty space, but there was no response. It was eerily quiet; no wind, no birdsong, not even my own breathing. An unease began to creep in. Where was I? What was the final test? I closed my eyes, trying to recall everything that had happened. I remembered touching the stone tablet in the center of the plaza, and then… then I was swallowed by a blinding light… Was this the test? Trapped in this void? Time ticked by, but the surroundings remained a vast expanse of white, unchanged. I grew restless, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. I worried about running out of time, about all my previous efforts being in vain, and even more about Su Yao… She must be anxiously waiting for me outside, hoping I would successfully pass the test and become a true Beastmaster Star. I promised her I would fight alongside her to protect this continent… Thinking of Su Yao's expectant eyes, my heart gradually calmed down. I can't give up, I must persevere! I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Since this is a test, there must be a way to break it. I began to carefully observe my surroundings, trying to find a clue. But, besides white, there was nothing. Despair surged into my heart again. Am I destined to be trapped here? No! I can't give up! I clenched my fists, and an indomitable will rose within me. I am Nong Yu! I will not be defeated by any difficulty! "Come on!" I shouted into the empty space, "I know you are testing me! Whatever the test is, I accept it!" My voice echoed in the space, lingering for a long time. Suddenly, a slight tremor came from beneath my feet… A voice, deep and majestic, came from all directions: "Are you sure?" "I'm sure!" My voice was even more resolute than before, with a do-or-die determination. Su Yao, wait for me! The white space began to distort, like a crumpled painting. Immediately, ripples spread outwards, and a black vortex appeared at its center, like the gaping maw of an abyss, emanating a chilling aura. I instinctively sensed danger, yet showed no intention of retreating. I was prepared to face any challenge. Meanwhile, outside the trial, Su Yao waited anxiously. Her hands were clenched tightly, her palms sweating. She could feel Nong Yu's determination; that indomitable will, like a dazzling light, pierced through the thick barrier and reached her heart. She silently prayed, praying that Nong Yu would return safely. She knew that Nong Yu would not give up; he would overcome all difficulties and successfully pass the trial. She looked up, gazing at the sky, as if she could see Nong Yu's figure through the clouds. Her eyes were filled with deep affection and worry. The vortex spun faster and faster, generating an increasingly strong suction. I felt as if I were being grabbed by an invisible hand, involuntarily flying towards the center of the vortex. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and prepared to face the unknown challenge. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in unfamiliar surroundings. No longer was it a vast, white expanse, but a lush, verdant forest. Birds sang, flowers bloomed, and the air was fresh—a stark contrast to the empty space I had just been in. I looked around and found myself standing on a narrow path. The path wound its way forward, its destination unknown. "Is this the test?" I murmured to myself. Suddenly, a voice rang in my ears: "Welcome to the 'Trial of the Mind'." I whirled around, only to find no one behind me. "Who? Who's speaking?" I asked warily. "I am the guardian of this space; you can call me 'Inner Demon'," the voice replied again, as if it came from the depths of my heart. "Inner demon?" I frowned. "A trial of the mind? What does that mean?" "A trial of the mind, as the name suggests, is a test of your heart." The inner demon's voice carried a hint of mockery. "In this trial, you will face what you fear most deep within your heart. If you can overcome your inner demon, you will pass the trial. Otherwise, you will be trapped here forever." "What do I fear most?" I fell into deep thought. What do I fear most? Failure? Death? Or…? "You fear losing everything you cherish." The inner demon's voice seemed to pierce my thoughts. "You fear losing your friends, your lover, your family…" I jerked my head up, my eyes filled with terror. The inner demon was right; what I feared most was losing everything I cherished. Especially Su Yao… I couldn't lose her! "Now, are you ready?" The inner demon's voice sounded again, with a hint of temptation. "As long as you abandon your beliefs, you can leave here and return to the people you cherish." Abandon my beliefs? My heart began to struggle. On one side was Su Yao, on the other, my beliefs. What should I choose? "No!" I gritted my teeth, my eyes filled with determination. "I will not abandon my beliefs! Even if I have to face what I fear most, I will never back down!" As soon as I finished speaking, the surrounding scenery suddenly changed. The once idyllic forest instantly transformed into a sinister graveyard. I saw… my parents, my friends, and… Su Yao… they had all turned into hideous ghosts, reaching out their decaying hands towards me… "Nong Yu…" a familiar voice rang in my ear, tinged with resentment, "Why… did you abandon us…"