The map in Zhang Xiaoman’s hands was the one left behind after the Sect Establishment Order turned to dust.
This map was not an ordinary static map, but a dynamic, real-time map.
On the map, the green dot representing their current location was now very close to the land ahead.
Based on their current speed, Zhang Xiaoman estimated that in about five more hours, they should be able to see the specifics of that place.
The young members of the expedition team were all in high spirits at this moment, even the card-loving duo known as the "dog friends" had lost interest in playing cards. They, along with everyone else, were leaning over the ship’s railing peering into the sea, as if they could see through the water to the lost ancient relics below.
Zhang Xiaoman was also standing at the edge of the boat, though he didn’t look down at the monotonous sea but gazed ahead, his eyes revealing anticipation and curiosity.
"The island, it’s finally coming into view..." he murmured as he looked toward where the sea met the sky.
At that moment, a voice of confusion suddenly came from behind him—it was Yang Yangyang, who had just happened to walk over.
"Eh? What’s coming into view? Brother Man, did you just say there was something ahead? An island?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoman turned around and saw the newcomer, realizing that Yang Yangyang had overheard his remark.
However, he wasn’t worried. After all, if the gigantic island truly existed, then these people would definitely come to know about it eventually. There was no need for him to conceal anything.
But he didn’t feel the need to explain too much and casually replied,
"According to the information I have, there should be a gigantic island with an area of about one million square kilometers ahead. We should be able to see it in a few hours... Whether this news is true or false, I can’t say for sure now. We’ll find out when we get there."
Yang Yangyang was somewhat surprised by this news. However, he soon shook his head to himself; this was clearly a fake message. An island of one million square kilometers would be nearly 60 times larger than Hawaii, wouldn’t it?
Such a large island could almost be considered a small continent. If it really existed, how could it not be on the world map? And how could they have never heard of it before?
He immediately dismissed the matter from his mind, considering Boss Xiao’s introduced friend a bit too naive.
To believe such a far-fetched message, he wondered if Zhang Xiaoman had spent any money to obtain this information. If so, then he was simply too gullible...
"By the way, Brother Man, there’s one thing I’ve been meaning to ask you. What exactly was your purpose for coming here? I always thought you were looking for the relics of the Atlantis civilization like us. Could it be that you were searching for that giant island?"
Yang Yangyang asked with a hint of oddness in his gaze.
Zhang Xiaoman, however, didn’t notice his expression but continued to look ahead, saying,
"Relics? You could say that, but the relics I’m looking for are not from any Atlantis civilization..."
He stopped there without further explanation. After all, he too did not know what was there. It wouldn’t do to bluff Yang Yangyang on the spot like he did Xiao Shun and the others, right?
He had never shown any extraordinary means in front of them, as they would surely think he was crazy.
Seeing that he had no intention of elaborating, Yang Yangyang didn’t pursue the matter further. After a bit of casual chat about other things, they returned to their rooms.
Zhang Xiaoman pondered over the map in his room for a while, then lay on the bed idly, staring out the window at the sea until he dozed off unknowingly.
He wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but he could hear hurried footsteps above his head and loud, raucous voices in his ears.
He woke up from his light sleep right away, looking out the window to see the sky gradually dimming; it was nearing evening.
Stretching his back and sitting up from the bed, Zhang Xiaoman pushed open the room’s door and stepped out, and the voices became clearer.
"My God, such a big island! No! That’s a continent! Where are we!? How can such a place exist?"
"Could it be we’ve arrived at Hawaii? But the timing is off! Hawaii is at least twice as far from here! Where on earth are we?"
"There really is a giant island... It was true... How is this possible... how is it even possible..."
"Could it be... are we... have we found the lost ancient civilization? Is this really Atlantis?"
"Look! The power is back on! The ship’s electronics and machinery are working again! We’ve finally left that bizarre magnetic field’s range!"
Zhang Xiaoman, hearing this string of exclamations, instantly shook off the grogginess of just getting up. His mind jolted, and a thought immediately sprang up.
"Found it!? We really found it! The map was right, in the center of the Pacific Ocean there truly is such a gigantic island!"
He hurriedly ran to the deck, eager to witness the true face of that location.
On the deck, both the members of the adventure group and the sailors had gathered. Everyone’s faces were flushed with excitement, bursting with emotion.
All eyes were on a far-off sight, cheering, even two sailors had climbed up the mast to get a better view from above.
Zhang Xiaoman couldn’t bother to greet others at the moment, and joined the crowd to see for himself. At the end of his line of sight, a vast expanse of dark land sprawled atop the sea.
Even though the outline was still a bit blurry, it wasn’t hard to tell that there was a massive landmass there.
"Finally... we have arrived!"
Zhang Xiaoman suppressed his inner excitement, his gaze intensely fixed on what lay ahead.
Although he didn’t understand why there was such a huge unknown island in the Pacific Ocean, he knew that his goal for this journey was about to be achieved, and the Ultimate artifact was on the verge of complete activation!
"Hopefully this isn’t just a mirage..."
Bearded Captain Balria was comparatively more composed at this moment.
He squinted his eyes as he surveyed the distant landscape for a long time, yet he couldn’t find any flaws. Then he turned to one of the sailors beside him and shouted loudly in English,
"Damned Bambi! What the hell are you daydreaming for? Go start the engine! Let’s speed up and head over there!"