In the vast, boundless ocean, a colossal ancient wooden ship sailed steadily, defying the raging winds and surging waves. The vessel was crafted from ancient wood, strong as iron, carved with archaic runes across its entire hull. Its mast towered into the sky, and the sails fluttered gracefully with the wind. Every inch of the ship radiated enchantment, as though it were no ordinary ship but a sacred entity that sailed beyond the laws of nature.
Beneath the dark, ominous sea, prehistoric beasts moved in the shadows. The Mosasaurus, a powerful predator of the Cretaceous era, swam with eyes locked on its prey. The Leedsichthys, an enormous fish tens of meters long, drifted like a dark phantom beneath the waves. The Tylosaurus, a silent hunter, shot through the water's surface with lightning speed. Their silhouettes gleamed ominously in the sunlight, evoking fear and awe.
Yet no matter how fierce they were, none could touch this ship.
A mysterious magic enveloped the ship, glowing faintly whenever a beast came near. The ancient runes etched into the wood shimmered as if alive. It was a protective force, intricately woven from ancient spells, shielding all aboard from the perils of the sea be it storms, tidal waves, or ravenous sea monsters.
The sea dinosaurs circled the ship. Some lunged forward with instinctive ferocity, but as they drew too close, an unseen yet potent barrier repelled them effortlessly. No claw or fang could pierce this divine shield.
Though the ocean remained in turmoil, with waves crashing loudly all around, within the enchanted bounds of the ship, peace reigned. It continued to glide forward serenely, carrying its passengers through the dangerous waters toward their unknown destination unstoppable and undisturbed.
A butterfly of dimensions led the five children onto the great ship, and the moment their forms appeared, their appearances began to transform by the magic of a miraculous elixir. Their bodies grew instantly, becoming children around eight years of age. Their hair was neatly arranged, and their clothes became twice as elegant as before. Their facial features grew more defined, and their bodies became sturdier and well-proportioned, as if freshly refined.
Many eyes turned to look at them. Some stood chatting in small groups, others wandered about. Amid the buzz of conversations and the bustling crowd, a few glanced at the children with curiosity but no one seemed particularly concerned, as if their arrival were nothing more than a passing breeze.
Ye Juan, Lan Chanzhun, and Xin Tingting widened their eyes, startled as a massive shadow flashed past the ship. The wind howled sharply as it struck the sea, accompanied by a tremor that rippled outwards as though something colossal had torn through the air at high speed. The three turned to each other, hearts pounding, straining to catch a clearer view of whatever it was. Perhaps it was a massive sea creature. But whatever it was, it was a being unlike anything they had ever seen likely the most terrifying creature imaginable.
An elderly man glanced after the shadows before stepping forward with his staff and speaking in a friendly voice,
"Young ones, how did you manage to board my ship?"
They all turned toward the old man who had become the center of attention. Xin Tingting replied with innocent sincerity,
"We came from a dimension."
"This ship… I built it myself with tight and powerful enchantments. Normally, no outsider can enter by accident without my permission," said the old man as he stroked his long, white-gray beard before continuing,
"So who created the dimension that brought you onto this ship?"
"My grandfather. He created it and gave it to me," Xin Tingting said.
"What is your grandfather's name?" the old man asked curiously.
"His name is You Yichen."
The moment Xin Tingting uttered that name, the atmosphere around them seemed to freeze. The elder immediately stiffened. His previously calm expression twisted in visible shock. The eyes, once dim with age, widened in disbelief. His lips, poised to speak, froze as if bound by some ancient magic.
The name he had just heard… You Yichen.
That was the name of a person of great reverence!
"I offer my deepest respects, Princess!"
The elder dropped to his knees without hesitation. Despite his frail appearance, his movements were swift and fluid. He dropped his staff without a second thought and pressed his hands together reverently, bowing his head so low it nearly touched the floor an act of utmost respect.
Xin Tingting and the others looked on in stunned silence. They were all baffled. Why would he bow to Xin Tingting just from hearing someone's name? A heavy silence followed until Xin Tingting finally broke it,
"Elder… why are you ?"
But before he could answer, her question was swallowed by the wind as a strikingly handsome young man dressed in off-white robes stepped forth from behind the children. His long jet-black hair flowed, and he held a white jade flute in his hand. He grasped it firmly, smiling joyfully before bowing gracefully.
"Princess Xin Tingting, the elder and I have long awaited your arrival. My name is Han Xiyao. I am your personal guardian knight. In truth, there are two other guardians a man and a woman but they cannot leave the realm of the enchanted crystal orb. So I have come alone," he said, raising his head.
"The elder here was once a close friend of your grandfather. He knows him very well. All of us in the realm of the enchanted orb have long believed we would one day meet you and now that moment has come."
"Me? A princess?" Xin Tingting looked bewildered. "You must be mistaken. My grandfather once told me that I was born from a cluster of stars. That means I have no parents or relatives. How could I be a princess?"
Standing beside her, Bai Wangyan glanced briefly at her delicate figure. She was a noble princess and goddess of restoration clearly not an ordinary person. He couldn't understand why she would go so far to help someone like him. Her kindness was far beyond what he could ever repay.
"Born from a cluster of stars…" the elder repeated thoughtfully as he slowly picked up his staff.
"Yes. My grandfather definitely told me that," Xin Tingting replied earnestly.
"Perhaps… he didn't want to reveal certain truths," the handsome man said softly. "He once told us that the princess would have golden wavy hair with slight curls at the ends, vivid blue eyes, and fair luminous skin. I'm certain we've found the right person."
Xin Tingting turned to the handsome man, her serious gaze melting away into surprise.
"Ah! So you really are my guardian? You're quite good-looking! Haha!" she laughed excitedly, delighted by his appearance.
The young man smiled, blushing slightly as he replied,
"Thank you, Princess, for your kind words."
"Princess, this is the enchanted orb of the Empress. Only her bloodline can truly control and connect with it," said the elder, producing a clear, empty orb that had just materialized from a glimmering light in his palm and offering it to Xin Tingting.
"Who is the Empress?" she asked.
"The Empress is your mother. She left orders that when you grew older, you were to train and live within the enchanted orb for your safety but only when you turn twelve. From that point on, you must reside within it at certain intervals," the elder explained, gazing at the golden-haired girl with tender affection.
"So you're going to throw me into that crystal orb?!" Xin Tingting immediately hid behind Bai Wangyan, gripping his shoulders with both hands. She felt uneasy, certain they meant to trap her inside.
The elder chuckled kindly,
"Don't be afraid, Princess. We would never do such a thing. But when you turn twelve, the orb will draw you in by itself."
"Princess, would you like me to remain by your side and protect you?" the young man asked cheerfully. He hadn't expected the princess to be this beautiful. As she grew older, she would surely be unmatched. And besides, she had complimented him in front of the elder perhaps he might get closer to her someday.
Xin Tingting, still holding Bai Wangyan's shoulders, glanced at the handsome young man, furrowed her brow, and answered plainly,
"I don't want that."
Her voice was calm but carried a cold undertone.
"Xin Tingting! Speak properly he's your guardian!" Ye Juan leaned close and whispered urgently.
"But I really don't want a guardian," she replied, smiling dryly. "He is good-looking, yes, but Bai Wangyan is much more handsome. And I don't like being followed around. It feels like I've lost my freedom."
"In that case, I will wait for the Princess in the realm of the enchanted orb. We shall meet again." The young man respectfully raised his white jade flute and bowed gently. His eyes glimmered with profound emotion before his body vanished. A soft flute melody played as light enveloped him, too bright to look at. His form disappeared completely into the glow, as if slipping through an unreachable dimension.
"Princess, please accept the enchanted orb," the elder offered it again.
Xin Tingting looked at it, eyes filled with doubt and caution. She couldn't read the elder's intentions. Why was he giving this to her? But it probably wasn't anything harmful. After a moment's hesitation, she slowly reached out and accepted it. Her fingers brushed the orb gently, and she carefully stored it in her body, feeling a cool sensation spreading from its surface to her skin.
"Elder, please take my friends and me to our sleeping quarters. I'd like to rest now," Xin Tingting said, tilting her chin and looking at the old man as if expecting a swift response.
"Mm," he replied briefly, then led the children to the guest rooms. When they arrived, he paused to speak a few kind words of advice before leaving to greet other guests aboard the ship.