The guardian's body erupted in celestial flames, the scorching heat distorting the air around him. The entire Astral Plane quaked as his power surged, and the floating islands trembled as if they could shatter at any moment.
Jin Long stood firm, the Starbound Crystal's energy coursing through him like a raging river. The surge of power had amplified his strength, but it was also threatening to overwhelm him. His muscles ached, his veins pulsing with intense heat.
"Jin Long," Yue Lan's voice echoed in his mind, her presence a stabilizing force amidst the chaos. "Focus. Don't let the power consume you."
Jin Long clenched his jaw, taking a deep breath to steady himself. The Starbound Crystal's power was not his to command yet. It was like holding a raging storm in his palm, threatening to escape at any moment.
The guardian sneered, his eyes blazing like twin suns. "So, you've awakened the first phase of the Starbound Crystal. Impressive, but do you think that alone is enough to defeat me?"
With a sweep of his arm, the guardian unleashed a torrent of celestial flames, each flame as sharp as a blade. Jin Long raised his sword, the blade glowing with radiant energy as he met the onslaught head-on.
The impact sent shockwaves across the Astral Plane, the clash of their powers echoing like a thunderstorm. Jin Long gritted his teeth as each strike pushed him back, the force of the guardian's attacks more relentless than before.
Yue Lan's eyes narrowed as she watched the battle unfold. The guardian was toying with Jin Long, testing his newfound strength. "If this continues, Jin Long will lose control," she thought, her fists tightening.
Without hesitation, she stepped forward, her hands moving in swift, fluid motions. The air around her shimmered as frost began to gather, forming a massive icy barrier that encased the battlefield.
The guardian's flames crashed against the ice, steam hissing as the two elements clashed. "You dare to interfere?" the guardian snarled, his gaze snapping toward Yue Lan.
Yue Lan met his gaze with a defiant glare. "You think I'll just stand here and watch? Jin Long isn't fighting alone."
The guardian roared, his form blazing even hotter. "Then perish together!"
He raised his hand, and from the sky, countless celestial spears of flame descended, each one aimed directly at them.
Yue Lan's hands moved faster, forming a massive dome of ice around her and Jin Long. The spears crashed against it, the ice cracking but holding firm.
Inside, Jin Long's breaths came in ragged gasps. The Starbound Crystal's power was surging within him, but it was like trying to contain a wild beast. Sweat dripped down his face as he fought to maintain control.
"Yue Lan," he said through gritted teeth, "I can feel it... The power is too much."
Yue Lan knelt before him, placing a hand on his chest. "Listen to me, Jin Long. You can do this. The Starbound Crystal chose you. You just need to focus."
Jin Long closed his eyes, forcing his breathing to slow. He reached deep within himself, seeking the core of the Starbound Crystal's power. Images flashed in his mind—his training with Elder Zhang, the trials he had faced, the bond he shared with Yue Lan.
And then, he felt it.
A calm center amidst the storm, a place where the Starbound Crystal's power resonated in perfect harmony. In that moment, Jin Long's eyes snapped open, now glowing with a soft, radiant light.
The air around him pulsed, and the ground beneath him trembled. The cracks in the icy dome began to heal as the Starbound Crystal's energy stabilized.
The guardian's eyes widened. "You... You've gained control?"
Jin Long rose to his feet, his sword now blazing with celestial light. The aura around him was no longer chaotic—it was a focused, controlled power that radiated like a star.
Jin Long met the guardian's gaze, his voice calm but firm. "I understand now. The Starbound Crystal's power isn't about domination. It's about balance."
With a single step, Jin Long vanished, reappearing behind the guardian in an instant. The guardian barely had time to react as Jin Long's sword slashed through the air, cutting through the flames and striking the guardian's chest.
The guardian howled in pain as celestial flames erupted from the wound, his form flickering like a dying star. "Impossible! You can't—"
Before he could finish, Jin Long thrust his palm forward, releasing a surge of celestial light that engulfed the guardian. The light seared through the guardian's body, shattering his form into fragments of starlight that scattered across the Astral Plane.
As the last remnants of the guardian's energy faded, Jin Long dropped to one knee, gasping for breath. The Starbound Crystal's power receded, and his eyes returned to normal.
Yue Lan rushed to his side, her eyes filled with concern. "Jin Long!"
Jin Long managed a weak smile. "I'm... I'm fine."
Above them, the Celestial Starstone began to descend, its radiant glow illuminating the entire plane. It hovered before them, a massive, crystalline structure pulsating with cosmic energy.
Jin Long reached out, his fingers grazing its surface. The Starstone's energy flowed through him, filling him with a sense of calm and clarity.
"This is it," Yue Lan whispered, her eyes shining. "The key to unlocking the next phase of the Starbound Crystal."
Jin Long nodded, his gaze fixed on the Starstone. "And the beginning of the next trial."