The Star Ocean was a magnificent and boundless expanse that separated the twelve Great Cosmic Continents of the Legendary Plains. It was an endless void filled with swirling streams of stars, cosmic dust, and luminous nebulas. It shimmered with a kaleidoscope of colors, a celestial canvas that spanned endlessly.
Stars of all sizes drifted gently, some glowing with a fiery brilliance, others emanating a soft, icy glow. Rivers of starlight intertwined, creating breathtaking constellations that seemed to form and dissolve in the blink of an eye.
Meteor showers occasionally streaked across the expanse, leaving behind trails of glimmering light, while distant black holes swirled ominously, pulling in errant debris.
The Star Ocean was alive with cosmic phenomena. Pulsars hummed faintly in the distance, their rhythmic beats creating an otherworldly melody, and radiant storms of solar wind drifted across the ocean like ethereal waves.
To traverse the Star Ocean was to witness the very heartbeat of the cosmos—a domain that both inspired awe and instilled fear in those who dared venture into its depths. Only legendary lords or above-rank treasures could sail through it, and even then, there were still various other dangers hidden in the Star Ocean.
At this moment, through the radiant expanse of the Star Ocean sailed an enormous battleship, its blackened hull glistening with enchanted star steel and runic inscriptions glowing faintly along its surface.
Its towering sails, crafted from translucent cosmic silk, shimmered with the reflected light of the surrounding stars while powerful energy cores at its base radiated pulses of vibrant elemental power, propelling the ship forward.
The vessel cut through the ocean of stars like a predator, its imposing structure bristling with weaponry and defensive formations. Cannons capable of firing concentrated bursts of star fire lined its sides, while the sharp prow resembled the head of roaring wyverns crackling with energy.
A symbol of a shattered star was engraved on its flag; this symbol was infamous in the legendary plains because a notorious crew, who roamed the Star Ocean with ruthless efficiency, was behind it.
On the deck, figures bustled about, their movements disciplined and precise. The crew comprised various races of the Legendary Plains, each clad in enchanted armor, their weapons glowing faintly with cosmic energy.
At the helm stood the ship's captain, a towering five-meter-tall giant with ferocious eyes, his gaze scanning the endless horizon of stars with familiarity.
Suddenly, the ship veered slightly to starboard, heading toward what appeared to be an ordinary cluster of stars.
But as the vessel approached, the Captain took out a neon stele engraved with a fine rune, and the moment it appeared, it began to shimmer, and invisible waves started to ripple through the ship.
Thereafter, a cosmic gateway shimmered into existence from the cluster of stars, its edges outlined with shifting cosmic markings of blinding white light. The gateway pulsated with an ancient, otherworldly energy, its surface resembling a liquid mirror rippling with starlight.
The ship surged forward, plunging into the gateway before it returned to its calmness as if nothing happened!
Thereupon, emerging from the cosmic gateway, the battleship entered a vast planetary domain. This was an Elemental Planet, not just any planet, but a haven for the infamous Star Pirates who roamed the Star Ocean!
Almost all the powerful organizations have been searching for this planet called the Evanesce Hub but to no avail,
Evanesce Hub's surface was a chaotic yet harmonious blend of elemental forces, each region brimming with energy that seemed to shape the very landscape.
Fiery volcanoes spewed rivers of molten lava into the sky while enormous waterfalls of liquid crystal cascaded from floating mountains. Thunderclouds perpetually swirled above certain regions, unleashing bolts of lightning that cracked the skies, while other areas were shrouded in frost, glimmering with the pristine purity of ice.
Evanesce Hub was an extremely rare five-elemental planet, and that's why it was a treasure trove but ended up in the Star Pirates' hands. There were only legends of this place, making many eyes green with envy.
The overlords of this planet were extremely careful and hid its existence meticulously, and only very powerful and 'respected' Star Pirates chosen by these overlords were given access.
The true Evanesce Hub, a sanctuary of the Star Pirates, was nestled in the center of the planet where all five elements entwine.
Rising above this region was a colossal city, a mismatched amalgamation of towering steel spires, ancient ruins, and airships docked at floating platforms. The city teemed with life, a chaotic yet thriving hub of trade, smuggling, and lawlessness. The streets were a labyrinth of vibrant markets, dimly lit taverns, and shadowy alleys where deals were struck and betrayals brewed.
However, the battleship wasn't heading towards these floating platforms. Instead, it directly headed towards the city's center, and no one dared to stop; some even showed expressions of fear and awe.
The battleship finally arrived in the central region, which was also called the Overlord Region, where only overlords of the Evanesce Hub and their minions were allowed entry. The battleship docked at one of the unique platforms for the overlords.
"Alright, you bunch of bastards, we are all home!" The Captain's thunderous voice reverberated in the entire ship, and the crew members cheered.
The Captain chucked before disembarking the ship, and a black cage enshrouded with concealment runes was in his hand; he carried it like a trophy. Only he and his crew knew who was imprisoned inside.
He looked at the cage as if he couldn't wait to return to his chamber and finally have fun. However, just as he had landed on the group, a streak of dark light suddenly bolted towards him.
With a hint of surprise, he raised his hand, and the light streak landed on his palm, but it wasn't harmful; instead, a grave voice rang in his head with a hint of urgency.
"Champion King, quickly come to the Overlord Tower. The Soulless Ghost King is here!"
The Captain or Champion King's expression changed ever so slightly as he looked towards the spiral tower piercing through the sky. It was the symbol of the authority in the Evanesce Hub, the Overlord Tower!
"What the hell is that ghost bastard doing here?!" He muttered with a solemn tone.
"What happened, Big Boss? Are you not satisfied with the 'goods' we captured this time, or you're regretting only choosing two of them?" A dark elf with a scared face asked in a teasing tone, noticing the Champion King's grave expression.
Although Champion King was a terrifying existence as a 5-Star Criminal, it was only for the outside world. For his crew, he was their spiritual pillar and like a father figure, so they all talked without restraints, and Champion King liked it better this way as well.
The Champion King looked at the Dark Elf, and his eyes lit up, "Good! Dark Wing, follow me to the Overlord Tower! A troublesome guy is here!"
Dark Wing was astounded and intrigued since he knew only five other overlords could match the Champion King's might, and even then, they were no match for him one-on-one, so he was curious about this 'troublesome guy.'
"Who is it?" He asked with a hint of confidence.
'Good brat! Since you dare to tease this Great Father of yours, I'll let you suffer without remorse!' The Champion King suddenly grinned as he approved of Dark Wing's recklessness and said, "It's the ghost bastard, the Soulless Ghost King!"
The moment Dark Wing heard that name, his confident expression instantly crumbled, and he started sweating. He even wanted to slip away, but it was too late; Champion King grabbed his collar and flew towards the Overlord Tower!