In the endless chaos, a massive ancient tree swayed gently in the void. Countless pavilions and palaces rested upon its colossal branches, glowing softly against the dark. This was no ordinary tree. It was the legendary Parasol Tree, a small world in itself.
At the base of the tree, several figures stood together. Each one radiated otherworldly beauty, their proud bearing unmistakable. They were members of the Phoenix Clan, gathered to embark on a distant and dangerous mission. Yet one problem remained. Their little princess refused to be left behind.
A silver-haired girl, no older than five, stood before them with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Despite her tender age, the elders were well aware of her reputation within the clan. She was cunning, fearless, and relentless.
"We are setting out on an important task," spoke an elderly man gently. His name was Elder Han, one of the elders of the Phoneix clan. "It is too dangerous for you, Princess. You cannot come."
The little girl tilted her head and smiled slyly.
"Aren't the elders of the Phoenix Clan supposed to be invincible? And you mean to say you can't protect me, Elder Han?"
The old man's face flushed in embarrassment. He had no words. Where had this child even learned to speak like this?
At that moment, a voice transmission echoed in Elder Han's mind. It was the Phoenix Clan Leader.
"Take her with you."
Elder Han's expression shifted. It was unprecedented. Traditionally, those with pure blood were forbidden to leave the clan until adulthood. But a command was absolute. Besides, he was confident he could protect the little princess.
Without delay, the group activated a teleportation array. Space twisted, and they traveled through the void. The little girl's eyes sparkled with excitement. Born of fire and favored by the laws of space, she felt no discomfort in the swirling emptiness.
Before long, an awe-inspiring sight appeared ahead. A massive glimmering river flowed through the void, as if it surrounded the entire world. The others gasped. Even in the ancient Phoenix Clan, the Starry Sky River was a legend. Only few of them had ever seen it.
Only Elder Han remained calm, though his gaze turned grave. He took the lead, and the group approached the shimmering expanse.
Then, without warning, time and space froze.
Elder Han alone sensed it. A colossal, primal roar shattered the silence, shaking the very laws of existence.
"No!" Elder Han cried out, transforming instantly into his true form, a radiant phoenix wreathed in endless flames.
The others, sensing danger too late, barely reacted before Elder Han's voice thundered through the void.
"Take the princess and run!"
His body ignited in apocalyptic flame as he charged toward an unseen enemy.
The Phoenix Clan members snatched up the little girl and fled, their hearts pounding. The child's cries echoed in the emptiness as Elder Han's silhouette began to fade.
The void trembled once more. A colossal dragon corpse, its body stained with ancient blood, crashed onto a nearby planet. The impact shattered the land and birthed endless seas.
The fleeing Phoenix Clan members turned to look. In that instant, horror seized their hearts.
One by one, they vanished, erased from existence as though they had never been.
The void itself caught fire, and the Starry Sky River blazed like a second sun. Amidst the devastation, a lone blue flame lingered where the little girl had stood. It flickered stubbornly in the emptiness.
After a while, space twisted once more. An old man appeared. His ancient eyes swept across the remnants of the scene.
He sighed softly and murmured to the void:
"The Universe had moved on.
But the laws never forget."