The gateway to the Astral Plane hovered in the air, a swirling vortex of silver and blue energy. The celestial token in Jin Long's hand pulsed in sync with the portal, drawing him closer.
Yue Lan stood beside him, her gaze resolute. "Once we step through, there's no turning back."
Jin Long clenched his fist around the token, feeling the power of the Starbound Crystal resonate within him. "I know. But if the Celestial Starstone is the key to amplifying our strength, then we need it. Liu Shao is growing stronger by the day."
Taking a deep breath, they stepped forward, the vortex pulling them in. The world around them blurred, colors and shapes twisting into a kaleidoscope of light and shadow.
When the disorientation subsided, they found themselves standing in a realm that defied reality. The Astral Plane was a vast expanse of floating islands, connected by bridges of starlight. The sky was a swirl of cosmic energy, and in the distance, a massive crystalline structure loomed—the Celestial Starstone.
Before they could move, a figure materialized before them—a celestial guardian with eyes that burned like twin suns.
"Who dares enter the Astral Plane?" the guardian intoned, his voice echoing like a thunderclap.
Jin Long and Yue Lan exchanged a glance before Jin Long stepped forward. "We come seeking the Celestial Starstone. The Celestial Envoy sent us."
The guardian's gaze narrowed. "Many seek the Starstone, but few are worthy. To claim it, you must prove your resolve."
Before Jin Long could respond, the guardian's body split into multiple forms, each one wielding a weapon of cosmic energy. The ground beneath them trembled as the guardian clones charged forward, their attacks swift and relentless.
Yue Lan unleashed a flurry of ice shards, but the clones shattered through them effortlessly. Jin Long swung his sword, channeling the Starbound Crystal's energy, but each strike only seemed to multiply their numbers.
"Yue Lan!" Jin Long shouted, "Focus on the source! The real guardian is hiding among them!"
Yue Lan's eyes narrowed. "I see it."
Together, they channeled their combined energy, the power of the Starbound Crystal converging with Yue Lan's elemental force. A surge of light erupted from them, illuminating the Astral Plane and revealing the true guardian—a towering figure cloaked in celestial flames.
The guardian roared, and the clones vanished, their energy converging back into the original form. The real battle had just begun.
Jin Long and Yue Lan readied themselves, their powers burning brighter than ever. To claim the Celestial Starstone, they would have to defeat a being whose power transcended anything they had ever faced before.