Boom!
The sky was overcast with dark clouds, torrential rain poured down, and thunderbolts struck into the sea from the dark cloud layers.
The storm curtain, so dense it was almost impossible to see within, rolled up massive waves on the sea surface, also creating one deep whirlpool after another.
The rotation of these whirlpools was enough to grind any ship caught in them to pieces.
Then, amidst this terrifying storm, a vague silhouette of a ship appeared intermittently in the rain curtain as the thunder descended.
In the flashes of light, one could see a massive Black Ship, even darker than the gloomy sky, sailing steadily.
Anyone who saw it would feel terrified.
Of course, for those on the sea, this was also a famous terrifying legend.
A giant ghost Black Ship that could summon storms, carrying disasters capable of destroying everything, wandered the seas, devouring all that encountered it...
"Enough already!"
Inside the Captain's cabin of the Death Star, Renedia's temples bulged with veins as she angrily glared at Sage and shouted:
"Hey, Sage! The intensity has increased again, it was just lightning before, now whirlpools are forming! Can't you do something about it!"
The detestable white-haired man before her was lounging comfortably on his throne, puffing on a cigar.
"I've said repeatedly, this thing isn't under my control."
Sage sat up halfway and grabbed the bottle on the table, pouring the liquor into the Gemstone Wine Glass, he said:
"If I interfere, the storm will only get stronger."
"It's already too strong!"
Renedia rolled her eyes, "If this goes on, we won't have enough energy to burn!"
The Death Star could sail steadily because it had a Power Instrument made of Mother Steel installed at its core, not requiring her to use her powers as it could convert consumed objects into energy.
Every time the Death Star set sail, Renedia would first allow the Power Instrument to consume a lot of energy, then stockpile a large amount of minerals as backup energy to resist the ocean's waves.
Originally, according to the voyage's length and the power needed to cross the Calm Belt, she had prepared energy for a round trip.
But as it was, the intensity of their environment had risen, and not just by one level, the whirlpool's intensity in this sea area was much stronger than a hurricane.
At this rate, they might not be able to make the return journey.
"Crossing the Calm Belt is what's important, it's not a big problem."
Sage took the cigar out of his mouth, drank a large gulp of wine, and said, "Once we reach our destination, we can find more energy, that thing can consume anything, worst case scenario, we tear down an island to feed it and we'll have energy."
Lily, who was standing by Sage's side, paused for a moment upon hearing this and then said, "Maybe it's because of the energy issue."
Renedia's eyes widened, she slapped her left fist into her right palm and said suddenly, "I get it, it's because Sage brings bad luck, so the more energy we have, the greater the disaster we face!"
Sage tugged at the corner of his mouth, "I know I'm unlucky, no need to bring it up repeatedly, I'll stand strong even if the sky falls, what are you afraid of!"
If worst comes to worst, he'll just lift the ship and toss it back.
On the sofa, Marika smiled gently and said, "It should be soon, we're about to reach the Calm Belt."
Lily took out her pocket watch, checked the time, and nodded, "Very soon..."
Sage wouldn't miss out on fifty thousand laborers, without even gathering others, he just brought along his three female officers, along with the recently returned Gin and Pearl, and set off with three hundred Demon Race members.
With the Power Instrument's help, three hundred people could also control the ship.
Fortunately, this journey wasn't very far.
After sailing for about ten days, they were now close to the Calm Belt.
The Grand Line where the New World resides, connected the North Sea and West Sea, only separated by the Calm Belt.
Sage's main base, if calculated in terms of direction, was close to the Calm Belt in the direction of the West Sea.
To reach the West Sea, taking the Inverted Mountain route was not an option, they'd have to cross the Calm Belt.
The Grand Line also allows navigation by direction, but the unpredictable weather and magnetic fields make it difficult to simply navigate, requiring the use of Log Pose and Eternal Pose as anchors, and proceed based on direction.
This was not a difficult task for Lily at present.
As for what was difficult...
Splash!
Outside the window, as the waves rose, the head of a massive sea serpent surfaced, about half the size of the Death Star, its emerald body extended along the waves, painting the view from the window with a swath of green scales.
Sea King!
It's not small!
Lily instinctively gripped the hilt of her sword, her eyes full of seriousness.
And they weren't even at the Calm Belt yet!
"No need."
Sage remained unmoved, merely glancing at the window, continued sipping his wine, and called out.
Soon, the three women in the Captain's cabin sensed something too and relaxed their vigilance.
The emerald Sea King that kept stretching upwards, as it extended halfway, its raised waves became tainted with a blood-red hue.
The latter half of the giant body had become clearly torn and ravaged, scales and flesh mixed together as if twisted by something.
Boom!
At that moment, several bolts of thunder struck down from the sky, with half hitting the Death Star and the other half striking the Sea King, blackening the scale-covered body visible through the window.
The half giant body protruding from the sea suddenly spiraled and dived back into the sea.