Chapter 253: 252, Exploring The Pan-pacific Current, Ghost Ship And Mysterious Ring Reef Island
After a night of entertainment, it was time to get down to business; Fang Wen had no intention of staying in San Francisco long-term.
Besides, the ghost ship moved on the sea surface, so if they went late, the search area would also expand accordingly.
For this exploration, Fang Wen provided one search aircraft, the Xuan Ming.
He had originally planned to requisition three Taishan Airlines cargo ships to act as a transit point for supplies.
However, the other two partners in the treasure hunting operation did not want Fang Wen to bear the entire expense himself.
For this purpose, two families actually prepared a fleet to handle at-sea docking, fuel replenishment, and temporary rest.
Furthermore, they also arranged for professional diving and treasure hunting teams, as well as armed personnel to ensure their safety.
It was quite lively.
On November 10th, the well-prepared exploration fleet set out first.
Seven ships of various sizes headed towards their designated flight path.
Four days later, Fang Wen, Lin Shuiwang, John Harvey, Wu Yingzong, Zhao Wanping, and four treasure hunting partners boarded a small boat and took off from the Xuan Ming at San Francisco Port.
With only nine people on the aircraft, it felt very spacious. Lin Shuiwang, John Harvey, and the four descendants of tycoons, who had never been on a seaplane before, toured the aircraft filled with curiosity.
Especially Elizabeth Catherine Rockefeller.
She truly began documenting the entire treasure hunting process with professional photography equipment.
She herself used a Primarflex film camera from the German Zeiss Company, which was one of the earliest 120 film SLR cameras, capable of shooting medium format photographs and currently a professional shooting tool.
As for other film-style recording devices, they required a team, so they were all arranged on the accompanying fleet.
The Xuan Ming seaplane flew for nearly 3,000 kilometers, taking 15 hours, and met with the exploration fleet.
Looking at the seven sea vessels below, Fang Wen used the aircraft’s wired telephone to announce, “Fleet sighted, preparing to land for refueling. Everyone please be seated on the berths and hold onto the handrails.”
After the announcement, he controlled the aircraft to land on the sea surface.
The aircraft landed on the calm sea surface. After the engine was shut off, Wu Yingzong deployed the anchor from the mooring compartment to anchor in the area.
Fang Wen climbed down from the cockpit and instructed, “Notify the fuel ship to come over for refueling, and we’ll take off after a two-hour break. Also, have Professor Suarez come to the aircraft.”
Wu Yingzong and Zhao Wanping acted immediately, and Lin Shuiwang also came to help.
Lin Shuiwang, with his years of seafaring experience, used signal flags to communicate with the fleet not far away, awaiting the fuel ship.
Fang Wen then spoke with the four treasure hunting partners: “In two hours, I will conduct a flight exploration. You can choose to rest on the ships or accompany me.”
The four men had a pursuit for complete adventure, and even though they felt tired, they wanted to continue.
Fang Wen said no more, waiting for the fuel ship to arrive, refueling, taking on water, eating something, and then taking a nap on a berth in the cabin.
When two hours had passed, he woke up precisely on time and piloted the aircraft for takeoff again.
The flight exploration began.
Fang Wen took out the nautical chart for comparison.
The current location was the area of latitude and longitude coordinates he had recorded at that time.
But now, that ghost ship was no longer there.
Fang Wen picked up the wired telephone handset and asked, “Professor Suarez, what is the current situation of the ocean currents in this area, and in which direction would the ghost ship drift with the currents?”
Professor Suarez, who was prepared, stated his analyzed findings.
“This is the convergence point of the North Pacific warm current and the California cold current. After the cold and warm currents meet, they create a deflection. The ghost ship is likely drifting towards the southeast with the North Pacific warm current.”
Fang Wen chose to believe Professor Suarez’s judgment and piloted the aircraft southeast.
The aircraft flew for several hours, but there was no trace of the ghost ship.
Fang Wen picked up the wired telephone in the aircraft and asked, “Professor Suarez, are the ocean currents straight?”
“No, they form an arc towards the South Pacific Gyre,” replied Professor Suarez.
It seemed there was a miscommunication; flying in a straight line to the southeast might have caused them to miss it.
Fang Wen adjusted the heading and flew northwest.
Not long after turning, Fang Wen saw a series of underwater shadows.
It appeared to be an underwater mountain range, with continuous mountains submerged beneath the sea, only a small portion of which broke the surface, forming reefs.
Fang Wen couldn’t help but have an idea.
These reefs would not only form an interception point for the currents but also impede the ghost ship’s course.
Immediately, he piloted the aircraft along this reef area.
They actually found it.
It was a ring-shaped island, with lush vegetation growing in the exposed areas, and a natural waterway in the center of the entire ring island.
The ghost ship had actually entered the interior of the ring island by following this waterway and was anchored within.
Fang Wen immediately picked up the wired telephone inside the aircraft to notify everyone.
“Found it, it’s right below.”
Upon hearing this, everyone rushed to the windows to look down.
“It’s true, the ghost ship is right below,” John Ivan Rockefeller said, his breathing deepening with excitement.
Elizabeth Catherine Rockefeller picked up her professional camera and started shooting, but then she disliked the angle and moved to the front cabin.
Connor Alexander Whitney and Alison Grace Whitney also took out their cameras to shoot.
Professor Suarez, however, raised a question of confusion.
“It shouldn’t have anyone controlling it, how did it get here?”
Yes, how the ghost ship entered the ring island through the waterway also puzzled everyone.
The sense of fear brought about by mysticism made them hesitant to venture in person.
However, they were well-prepared this time, and the following fleet had professional explorers to handle this matter.
The aircraft then landed on the sea surface next to the ring island.
Because the ghost ship had been found, there was no immediate need for flight. To prevent underwater currents or storms from carrying the seaplane away, simply using an anchor was not enough.
Therefore, Wu Yingzong and Lin Shuiwang swam to a small island on the ring reef and tied the cable to a large stone on the island.
This way, they wouldn’t have to worry about the aircraft being swept away by the sea.
With safety secured, everyone waited on the aircraft for the fleet to arrive, casually boiling water for cooking and having a simple airline meal.
They waited for six hours, and the fleet, with an average speed of only 30 kilometers, finally arrived.
As soon as they arrived, the four tycoons were very excited.
They had a discussion with Fang Wen.
“Mr. Fang, for this ghost ship exploration, could we be in charge of the command?” John Ivan Rockefeller asked.
“You?” Fang Wen understood what these people wanted, and since they had reached this stage, it wouldn’t hurt to let them have their fill.
He just played a little coy.
Elizabeth Catherine Rockefeller immediately added, “Didn’t you say you have a movie you want to release in the United States? I can help with that.”
Connor Alexander Whitney also made a guarantee: “I can guarantee the supply of Pratt & Whitney R-1830 follow-up engine models.”
Fang Wen couldn’t help but smile: “It would be great if you were in command; I look forward to a grand discovery.”
Subsequently, the four tycoons who had taken over command began directing their personnel.
They first sent a team of explorers.
These explorers boarded small boats and entered the ring island, cautiously approaching the ghost ship.
They did not board the ship but explored around the ghost ship and reported their findings.
“There are multiple collision and friction marks within the ring island, both old and new, indicating that this ship has entered the interior of the ring island before.”
This discovery was terrifying.
It implied that this ghost ship had entered the ring island multiple times without anyone at the helm.
How was this possible!
For this reason, Professor Suarez made a startling judgment.
He believed that after the annual ocean current changes, the ghost ship would automatically sail out of the ring island with the currents, then enter the North Pacific warm current, which would carry it eastward until it encountered the California cold current and turned.
The ghost ship would also return to its original location with the current’s turn, thus completing an incredible unmanned voyage year after year.
While this speculation was reasonable, it was still chilling.
Another explanation circulated among the fleet members.
The Caribbean pirates on the ghost ship were cursed, so they could never leave.
To vent their endless anger and their pirate instincts, these ghosts would control the ghost ship to sail out of the ring island every year and then embark on a cruise.
This conclusion made the fleet members believe it even more, and many began to retreat.
Seeing one crew member after another afraid to board for exploration, the four tycoons became anxious.
They wanted to experience a thrilling adventure but were unwilling to take risks themselves. If the hired personnel didn’t participate, this trip would be in vain.
For this reason, they increased the reward; if double the bounty wasn’t enough, then triple.
Under a generous reward, brave individuals emerged, and a new exploration team was formed.
Before the exploration team set off, Wu Yingzong and Zhao Wanping voluntarily requested.
“General Manager, could the two of us also go inside to take a look?”
Fang Wen, however, shook his head and refused.
What he wanted was the exotic treasure from inside the ghost ship; no one else knew what it was besides him.
Even if the exploration team brought out the treasure this time, Fang Wen could find a way to obtain it.
Therefore, it was unnecessary to have his subordinates take risks.
Wu Yingzong and Zhao Wanping did not join the exploration team. The exploration team then set off in two boats.
However, they encountered great misfortune; 8 out of 10 people returned, and these survivors recounted the horrors within.
Monsters hidden beneath and within the ship, and the terrifying and eerie environment inside.
Those two who perished were killed by monsters.
Now, the ghost ship was confirmed, and no one on the fleet dared to venture in for exploration anymore.
The matter of the ghost ship suddenly stalled, which was a problem for Fang Wen.
But he didn’t believe there was any danger on the ship; perhaps it was just some accident.
His own supernatural ability gave him this judgment; if there were truly problems on the ship, why was the mysterious energy completely normal?
More importantly, if there were terrifying monsters inside, why did only two people remain, and everyone else got out?
That would be underestimating the monsters too much.
For this reason, Fang Wen suggested gathering those 8 people to ask about the situation inside again.
In the cabin of the seaplane, Fang Wen and the four tycoons questioned them together.
“I want to know the situation inside, can someone explain in detail?” he asked.
The burly man stood up and said, “I was the appointed captain of this exploration team, so I’ll explain. At the time, we approached the ghost ship by boat and sent a diver to explore the ship’s bottom. Then, one person stayed to receive him, while the other eight climbed onto the ghost ship.”
The man continued his narration.
After they climbed onto the ghost ship, they gathered on the deck. Suddenly, one team member missed his footing and fell below the deck.
The others quickly went down to rescue him.
However, in the darkness, they were suddenly attacked by many monsters.
The exploration team had to abandon the rescue of the fallen crew member and retreat the way they came.
But after they got off the ghost ship, they heard from the team member who stayed outside that the diver had also been attacked by monsters.
Therefore, the entire exploration team chose to return immediately.
Listening to their account, Fang Wen remained noncommittal and instead asked the four tycoons:
“What is your opinion on this matter?”
John Ivan Rockefeller made the sign of the cross: “It’s the demons and ghosts in the ship causing trouble. The wicked pirates offered their souls to the demons; that is not a place humans can tread.”
Clearly, this devout believer was ready to give up.
The Whitney couple, however, were hesitant.
Elizabeth Catherine Rockefeller remained silent.
Fang Wen stood up and walked towards the 8 exploration team members: “May I see the wounds caused by the monsters?”
These exploration team members all revealed their respective wounds.
The wounds were basically two bloody holes, still very deep.
What kind of monsters were these?
Several images flashed in Fang Wen’s mind.
Rats, snakes, bats, and vampires.
It seemed all four could cause such wounds.
John Ivan Rockefeller, who had also come to examine, exclaimed, “You were bitten by vampires.”
His exclamation greatly frightened the others.
Seeing that the situation was not right, Fang Wen quickly analyzed.
“It’s not vampires. Think about it, are vampires that weak? If you were all bitten by vampires, why wasn’t your blood even drained?”
Indeed, how could the powerful vampires of European legends be so weak?
Everyone’s panic subsided.
Fang Wen continued his analysis: “If they were vampires, none of you would have escaped. How could you all have returned like this? I suspect you were bitten by rats or sea snakes on the ship, and because you were scared, you gave up rescuing your companion, leaving him on the ship.”
There seemed to be a possibility of that.
The captain of the exploration team showed a look of guilt, but then remembered another matter: “The diver was also attacked by monsters.”
Yes, what about the diver?
Fang Wen whispered with Wu Yingzong for a moment. Wu Yingzong, having received the order, immediately went out.
After a while, he returned and whispered in Fang Wen’s ear.
After listening to Wu Yingzong, Fang Wen sneered and looked at the person who had stayed outside to assist the diver: “What you heard was told by him. Apart from him, no one knows the truth. But he omitted one very important thing: why did the breathing tube and safety rope break?”
That person quickly explained, “The monsters bit them off. I tried to drive the monsters away, but one turned to bite me, and I was scared and dodged.”
Fang Wen shook his head: “You’re lying. Wu Yingzong, bring the remaining safety rope and breathing tube.”
Wu Yingzong went out for a moment and then carried two large bundles of diving equipment back.
Fang Wen picked up the broken ends and showed them to the four tycoons.
“Look, what kind of monster bit this cross-section to make it so smooth? I think it looks like it was cut with a knife.”
The **Captain** ordered them to take the **sea vessel** and go to the **Port** to refuel.
After the four of them examined it carefully for a while, they all nodded in agreement.
The captain, Fang Wen, said, “Mr. Fang, the ship is ready.”
“Yes, the ropes bitten by the wild beasts I kept at home were all rough and bumpy. I’ve never seen such a neat gap.”
Mr. Fang had a sudden idea.
“Only a knife could do this.”
The exploration fleet then began its cruise towards the destination.
“It seems we were deceived.”
The captain, Fang Wen, a member of the exploration fleet, was discussing with Grace about the treasure.
“Arrest him.”
My suspicions grew.
The explorer who had plotted against the diver was subdued, and coupled with Fang Wen’s analysis of the wound, it made everyone doubt again if there was a monster inside the ship.
The Xuan Ming Seaplane’s engine sputtered.
Afterwards, the personnel searching the ring reef discovered the diver’s corpse; the clear seawater could not conceal those crimes.
Captain Fang, you’re not listening to my explanations!
The diver’s corpse, with no wounds on his body, was proof. Everything finally came to light; the diver was not harmed by a sea monster.
The professor’s speculation was that the treasure hunting expedition was an attempt to find the mysterious energy.
After some explanation, the expedition team’s tension eased.
There was a mysterious energy.
But they had already lost their courage from their first encounter, and the appointed captain was unwilling to take command.
The ship’s captain was Mr. Fang.
Fang Wen didn’t want to drag this on any longer. He decided to go himself and also wanted to give the expedition team the courage to go together.
The treasure hunting expedition was about to begin.
Besides him participating, Wu Yingzong and Zhao Wanping were also there. Even Lin Shuiwang and John Harvey bravely joined.
She was excited by the prospect of a treasure hunt.
Professor Suarez also wanted to go.
Under these circumstances, the expedition team agreed to go again.
The exploration fleet headed northwest.
At the same time, Elizabeth Catherine Rockefeller also applied to join the adventure.
The captain of the exploration fleet, Captain Fang Wen, was discussing the problem of approaching the sea vessel.
This was the boldest among the four tycoons.
Wu Yingzong nodded, indicating his understanding.
For this exploration, Fang Wen prepared thoroughly, bringing a portable miner’s lamp and even candles.
The flight path was southeast.
To respond to potential monsters, they also brought weapons.
Captain, you have to be careful, it’s too dangerous.
The group took a small boat and set off again, arriving by the ghost ship.
The exploration fleet was heading southeast.
Lin Shuiwang said that the mysterious energy was not a supernatural ability, but rather the result of a partnership with the sea.
