"Iâll first give your people a thousand Jinlan coins as a deposit, so they can help me search for and gather intelligence on the Forbidden Fruit Island. Meanwhile, youâll take us to that place. If we canât find it, weâll return and continue mobilizing your people to assist."
He planned to prepare for both eventualities, not pinning all his hopes on one side.
"That works... a thousand Jinlan coins are enough to buy a large amount of supplies at the nearest seaport. They will agree to help."
Gu Gucha had another reason he didnât mention: Wang Zhifan had defeated many of his tribe members in previous duel challenges, earning their sincere respect and willingness to cooperate with him.
"In that case, letâs set off as soon as we can! Iâve been really bothered by this whole island situation."
With this discussion concluded, Wang Zhifan decided not to dwell on it further. This particular quest was already the longest heâd ever endured, and the constant drain on his patience made him unwilling to miss any chance to wrap it up.
Thus, the subsequent steps became quite clear: Wang Zhifan and Gu Gucha visited the Crocodile Clan once, reaching an initial cooperation agreement under Gu Guchaâs coordination. Then, they returned to the Great Horn Shark and set off for the location provided by the Crocodile Clan leader that day.
According to Gu Gucha, that place was quite distant from the Crocodile Clanâs territory, situated in a central region of the Storm Sea. Even with the ship sailing at maximum speed, it would take more than half a month. The waves there were even stronger, increasing the risk of navigating the ship.
However, none of this could deter Wang Zhifanâs resolve. The fact that the position was in the central region of the Storm Sea made it seem even more promising to him. According to his long investigation, the Forbidden Fruit Island almost always appeared in such locations. If the Storm Sea werenât so vast, and the so-called central area equally large, he wouldâve already directed the Great Horn Shark straight into it.
Thus, nearly a month was spent in monotonous sailing through the Storm Sea. During this period, they occasionally encountered troubles besides the tempestâsuch as sea monsters appearing. However, Wang Zhifanâs Ice Origin Power was incredibly effective against these creatures, easily dealing with them, resulting in no significant impact on their voyage.
A month later, Gu Gucha and the navigators were able to precisely determine their location using the distinctive islands in the area, reaching the spot provided by the Crocodile clan leader at last.
"Thereâs absolutely nothing here!"
"Weâve wasted a month for nothing!"
Amidst the gigantic waves, the Chen Ming brothers excitedly ran to the deck from the cabin, eager to end the ordeal of this protracted mission, but the result seemed far from satisfactory.
"Iâm certain the clan leader said it was this sea region... Could he have deliberately lied to get us to leave?"
In the face of overwhelming waves with no island in sight, even the crocodile giant Gu Gucha found it hard to maintain his composure. He had chosen to trust his instincts a month ago, only to be proven so egregiously wrong.
Unlike the disappointed expressions of the others, Wang Zhifan stood by the shipâs rail with his eyes focused, braving the mighty sea wind. He gazed at a seemingly unremarkable patch of sea ahead, then suddenly turned and instructed the sailors to steer the Great Horn Shark over there.
Unlike the players, the sailors were simply paid to do their job, without any particular obsession with finding the Forbidden Fruit Island. Thus, they felt little frustration at the current setback and promptly busied themselves at Wang Zhifanâs command.
A short while later, under the skilled maneuvering of the sailors, the Great Horn Shark rocked and swayed its way into the target area. Yet, there still seemed nothing but the ceaselessly charging waves amid the furious sea breeze.
"I was right... This place retains a distinctly mysterious aura... though quite faint, no other sea area reveals such a power... It likely traces back to that Sea Godâs messenger..."
Upon the Great Horn Sharkâs entry into the target zone, Wang Zhifan unleashed his sensory abilities fully, swiftly affirming that his earlier discovery wasnât an illusion. This sea area might indeed have seen the appearance of the Forbidden Fruit Island, with it being mobile and protected by the Sea Godâs envoy. It was perfectly normal for said envoy to leave traces here.
"The trail extends in that direction... Sail that way now!"
He promptly issued another order to the sailors, directing the Great Horn Shark to pursue the course heâd designated through his extraordinary perception.
This process wouldnât conclude in a short time. Wang Zhifan continually sensed the direction of the mysterious energy flow, guiding the shipâs course for several days. Though the sailors rotated their shifts, he refused to rest even for an hour as he sensed the mysterious aura becoming increasingly distinct with their journey. They were progressively closing in on the pursuit target!
Eventually, after a few more days, as several crew members privately questioned whether Wang Zhifan was randomly directing the shipâs route these days, the people on the deck of the Great Horn Shark suddenly spotted a marvelous, enchanted island emerging atop the distant sea surface!
It was an island not particularly large in area, yet entirely different from the other rocky islands in the central area of the Storm Sea. This island was exceptionally beautiful; the surface blanketed in verdant trees, embellished with numerous flowers and fragrant grass. Several brightly colored birds flitted about, presenting a stark contrast to the tempestuous sea surrounding itâtwo worlds apart!
"Found it! This must be the Forbidden Fruit Island!"
Seeing the island ahead, Wang Zhifan dashed to the shipâs rail. He needed no further evidence to be utterly convinced that the splendid island before him was the Forbidden Fruit Island heâd sought for over two months. Not only did its appearance match the information heâd gathered, but he also sensed a significant presence hidden beneath the sea surface!
"The Sea Godâs messenger? Letâs see what youâre made of!"
Contemplating briefly, Wang Zhifan inferred that the presence lurking beneath the sea must be engaged and took out his Wind Concealing Conical Hat from his space storage, donning it. Then, with a light step, he vaulted over the rail, pacing over the sea.
Wearing the Wind Concealing Conical Hat was intended to mitigate the impact of the fierce sea winds. Walking over the sea, he employed a technique to freeze the waters beneath his feet, forming stable ice as assistance.
After a while, with the Wind Concealing Conical Hat atop his head, Wang Zhifan, stepping over continuously forming ice, arrived near the enchanting island. Yet, his gaze wasnât fixed on the beguiling island but directed toward the adjacent sea surface. The waves there surged turbulently, indistinguishable from other parts of the Storm Sea, save for how they uniquely spared the island nearby.
As he observed through the veil of the hat, slowly, a giant shadow emerged below the sea surface. Like a landmass, it surfaced, then, akin to a small mountain, quickly rose, revealing its full form before him.
This was a colossal oceanic creature of deep blue hue, somewhat reminiscent of a whale in shape, yet with five eyes situated on each side of its forehead. Each eye bore a distinct color, all glinting with mystical luminescence, imbuing it with an imposing air of unchallengeable might.
"Outsider, congratulations, you are the second group to find your way here."
The entity, appearing as a multi-eyed giant whale, directed its ten eyes toward Wang Zhifan, speaking in a gentle tone with the voice of a patient, elderly woman awaiting a long-absent friend.
"Iâm the second batch?"
Wang Zhifan was somewhat startled; he was partly surprised by the seemingly friendly attitude of what appeared to be a formidable creature and partly curious about who might have beaten him to it.
"Indeed, there are several people similar to you who have already ascended the Forbidden Fruit Island. They are currently encountering minor troubles; it would be best for you to go and assist them."
The multi-eyed giant whale, likely the Sea Godâs messenger, continued to explain.