Comics!
Animation!
TV series!
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked.
They all thought Meiyou Novel was just a small-time venture, only out to make a quick buck.
But they never expected it to start with a bang!
Not just anime adaptations, but also film and television IP adaptations!
Such a grand gesture, many established websites couldn't achieve it, yet Meiyou Novel arranged it right from the start.
It's simply incredible.
As a result, all the executives of Chunshui Novel felt as if they were facing a formidable enemy.
Upon learning of Meiyou Novel's launch, all executives and chief editors of Chunshui Novel website gathered in the conference room to watch the Meiyou press conference live.
Even CEO Yue Qianrou felt as if she was facing a formidable enemy.
Meiyou Novel had just started, and initially, she didn't care about it, not even giving it a second thought.
But with such rapid development, planning IP adaptations from the start, and launching next year!
Backed by Chairman Wang and Meiyou!
Yue Qianrou felt a chill of fear.
The market for female-oriented novels wasn't large to begin with, and now there was another strong competitor.
The outcome was predictable, wasn't it?
And the barrage of comments flowing across the screen filled her with envy, jealousy, and hatred:
"Meiyou is amazing, starting with film and TV IP adaptations right away."
"It's a comic adaptation, an anime, and a film and TV IP adaptation. As expected of Chairman Wang, he goes all out!"
"Chairman Wang succeeds in whatever he does. My husband is just excellent!"
"With such a grand gesture from Meiyou Novel, could it possibly overthrow Chunshui Novel website?"
"It's possible. After all, Chairman Wang succeeds in everything he does, and Chunshui Novel is too petty."
"I've been writing on Chunshui Novel for three years and made some achievements. Should I switch to Meiyou?"
"Definitely switch! Chairman Wang is so handsome, I must abandon the dark and embrace the light!"
...
The torrent of comments was all praise for Meiyou Novel and disparagement for Chunshui Novel website.
Yue Qianrou felt even more displeased.
She decisively used a newly registered alt account to send a comment:
"Even if they make a TV series, it's probably just a small-time affair, investing a few million to make a low-budget web drama!"
This comment instantly drew everyone's attention:
"It's possible. Meiyou Novel is just starting, so testing the waters with a low-cost web drama is normal."
"So it's a small web drama with a few million invested. Then it's not worth looking forward to."
"With a budget of a few million, it's probably impossible to even invite big-name stars, and the drama will be shoddily produced."
"Why would a small web drama need big stars? Meiyou is just trying to create a buzz to attract readers and authors."
"The problem is that historical dramas are very expensive. A few million won't even be watchable."
"Exactly. A few million might be enough for a modern drama, but historical dramas are high-cost. Don't even think about it."
"My heart aches for Sister Hai; another original work ruined."
Watching the comments being swayed by her, turning from praise for Meiyou into criticism, Yue Qianrou's mood brightened considerably:
"With this Empress here, how could we, Chunshui Novel website, let a newly launched website overshadow us?"
"What a joke!"
"An empress will always be an empress, and a maid will always be a maid. How dare you try to compete for favor with the master?"
Upon hearing this, the executives burst into laughter:
"This analogy is spot on. Our Chunshui Novel is the queen of the novel world, and Meiyou Novel is nothing but a maid!"
"The CEO is brilliant. For male-oriented novels, it's Qidian; for female-oriented novels, it's still us, Chunshui!"
"Someone who sells clothes actually wants to make novels? That's hilarious."
"They still say Chairman Wang succeeds in everything he does? He doesn't know how deep the waters are in novels!"
"Just starting to make novels and already thinking about IP adaptations? Aren't they afraid of taking too big a step and being doomed forever?"
Yue Qianrou nodded:
"That's right, Wang Yi is probably just making a web drama to test the waters. What a shame, such a good script like 'Nirvana in Fire' wasted on him!"
However, no sooner had Yue Qianrou finished speaking than Song Sining's voice rang out in the live broadcast:
"Meiyou Novel's IP film and television adaptations will all be high-standard and grand productions! And as the first batch of adapted works, they will be given the highest standards!"
"We will invest 80 million yuan to film the TV series 'Nirvana in Fire'!"
"What!"
"80 million!"
Suddenly, everyone present was aghast.
Those watching the live broadcast were dumbfounded.
And at Chunshui Novel website, from CEO Yue Qianrou down to ordinary editors and authors, everyone was too shocked to speak.
They all thought Meiyou Novel website's first IP adaptation, 'Nirvana in Fire', was just a small venture, a web drama to test the waters.
With a total investment of only a few million.
But it turned out to be a grand production, starting with 80 million!
Such an investment, even in 2011, was top-tier, a terrifying sum.
After all, Director Zheng's 'Empresses in the Palace', made to the highest standards, also had an investment of only 80 million yuan.
It could be said that an 80 million yuan investment, at that time, was already the ceiling.
The comments section completely exploded:
"666! 80 million investment, grand production, Meiyou is awesome!"
"Who the hell said 'Nirvana in Fire' is a web drama? Does your web drama have an 80 million investment?"
"Who said it was a small production? Does your small production have such a grand scale?"
"Meiyou is really impressive. Their first drama has an 80 million investment. It's something to look forward to."
"Hope the cast is strong and the quality is high. There's a drama drought."
"The first drama has an 80 million ceiling investment. Meiyou Novel website has a limitless future."
"Enough talk, I was going to submit my new book to Chunshui Novel, but I'll submit it directly to Meiyou Novel now. Any editors receiving submissions?"
"I've already submitted it. Meiyou Novel's official website has editors' QQ numbers."
"Meiyou APP updated to version 4.0, and the novel section also has editor contact information."
"Looking forward to Meiyou Novel growing big, looking forward to 'Nirvana in Fire' being released!"
"Also hope the anime for 'The Untamed' is released soon. Wonder which platform will broadcast it."
"It depends on which major platform gets it first. Meiyou's productions are always quality. Looking forward to it."
...
The completely changed public opinion made Yue Qianrou's mouth twitch.
After a long time, she scoffed:
"Hmph! Chairman Wang certainly has influence, to attract an 80 million investment for one drama, that's truly impressive!"
"But temporary good luck doesn't represent everything. Next time, someone might not be willing to invest in you!"
No sooner had she finished speaking than Song Sining said:
"The 80 million investment for 'Nirvana in Fire' is entirely funded by Xingyi Group itself, giving us absolute say. So please rest assured, there will be no issues of 'capital-carrying into the crew'. Our Xingyi Group is not short on money; we don't need investments!"
One stone stirred up a thousand waves!
The comments section completely exploded:
"80 million, Xingyi Group investing themselves, truly amazing."
"I remember 'Empresses in the Palace' also had an 80 million investment, but it was a joint investment by four companies."
"Definitely. Besides Xingyi Technology being so powerful, let alone 80 million, even 50 million would require four or five companies to finance."
"Our Xingyi Group is not short on money; we don't need investments! Chairman Wang is mighty, CEO Song is formidable!"
"Most dramas are ruined by 'capital-carrying into the crew'. Xingyi Group's sole investment in filming means the quality should not be bad."
"The quality will definitely be high, after all, this is the first drama Meiyou Novel is filming!"
"Before 'Nirvana in Fire' is released, I'll go re-read the novel."
"I'll also go re-read it; I'm downloading the Meiyou app now!"
...
Unlike the excitement of the crowd, Yue Qianrou's face turned ashen: "!!!"
Slapped in the face again!
And twice in a row!
So much so that the other executives' gazes at her became somewhat subtle.
There was nothing they could do.
Who the hell would have thought Meiyou was so amazing?
Logically, when first starting a novel platform, shouldn't one proceed cautiously, and only consider film and television adaptations after growing big in two or three years?
Meiyou, on the other hand, went straight into film and television adaptations, with comics, animation, and TV series right off the bat!
Fine, film and television adaptations are one thing, but don't they usually start by investing a few million to make a small web drama to test the waters?
Meiyou, on the other hand, directly poured in 80 million yuan, starting with a grand production!
80 million would be one thing, but typically, several companies are invited to invest together, drinking until they vomit, and drawing up plans until even they believe them, just to secure investment.
Meiyou, on the other hand, directly invested solely, 80 million, the group handled it themselves!
Damn, they're so rich and powerful!
'When can our Chunshui Novel website be so generous?'
'Damn it, it makes me want to become the CEO of Meiyou Novel!'
'Wait, are others thinking the same thing?'
Yue Qianrou's expression subtly changed.
She scanned the crowd and instantly felt unwell.
She saw a group of executives and chief editors all staring intently at the Meiyou press conference, their eyes filled with an irrepressible eagerness to move!
She was too familiar with that look!
'Damn it, these people are unreliable. Seeing that Meiyou is rich, they actually want to switch jobs!'
'They're truly ungrateful wretches!'
'We Chunshui Novel haven't treated you badly, have we?'
'Isn't Meiyou Novel website just richer than us? Don't they just offer better benefits?'
'That bitch Kuchatea jumped ship, do you all want to do the same?'
Yue Qianrou was filled with both shock and anger.
The anger naturally stemmed from everyone's disloyalty, wanting to switch to Meiyou Novel!
The shock was that if all these people left, they would certainly take their subordinate editors and top authors with them.
Chunshui Novel website would be emptied out.
That would be the end of it!
This couldn't happen!
She had to stabilize everyone.
Yue Qianrou scoffed:
"Everyone, don't be misled by appearances! Meiyou Novel spending 80 million to film a drama is just a show, just inflating themselves to look important. It's to make everyone mistakenly believe they are very strong and offer great benefits, to trick our authors, editors, and even executives into joining Meiyou!"
"But this kind of massive investment, there will only be this one. There won't be any more in the future. It's just a show to deceive authors and editors!"
Upon hearing this, some people expressed agreement:
"Makes sense. New platforms all need visibility, need to put on a show, need gimmicks!"
"Meiyou Novel using an 80 million gimmick to make Meiyou Novel popular and trick authors and editors from other platforms into joining is simply shameless!"
Yue Qianrou nodded:
"Exactly. Meiyou is using 80 million to advertise and poach people. I have to admit, it's an excellent marketing strategy. But it's also a harmful one. In the future, Meiyou will hardly have another 80 million IP investment. Once a top author goes there, they'll be utterly swindled. Make sure to tell all your authors, especially the top ones, not to fall for it!"
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison, and those who originally had ideas also calmed down.
Song Sining, however, continued:
"Besides investing 80 million to film 'Nirvana in Fire', next year, we will also invest 90 million to film the great classic novel 'Red Sorghum'! This will be the second TV series we invest in!"
This time, everyone was shocked.
The hearts of Chunshui Novel executives, which had just calmed down, suddenly became fervent again:
"What? 'Red Sorghum'! 90 million!"
"Filming two TV series in one year, one for 80 million, one for 90 million! Meiyou is going to be huge, they're truly lavish."
"Two dramas a year, both grand productions worth 80 or 90 million. Meiyou Novel website is too powerful."
"Compared to Meiyou, this new website, our established Chunshui website seems a bit overshadowed."
"Don't even mention it, what do we have to compare with?"
...
Listening to everyone's words, Yue Qianrou's face turned extremely unsightly.
She had just said that Meiyou was just making empty promises and creating hype, and that there would never be another investment as large as 80 million.
But then it came, an investment of 90 million!
The slap in the face was resounding.
Yue Qianrou's expression was grim, and cold sweat appeared in her palms:
"Meiyou is so powerful, I'm afraid the top authors on our website won't be able to stay calm. This is big trouble!"
A chief editor spoke faintly:
"Could it be that the 90 million for 'Red Sorghum' is also entirely invested by Meiyou itself?"
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, and the entire room became unusually quiet.
After a long pause, someone said:
"Surely not? First 80 million, then 90 million, plus tens of millions for anime. Meiyou Novel website just started, how could it be so rich?"
"Meiyou Novel might not have money, but Meiyou Technology has money, Xingyi Technology has money."
"That's true. It's good to have a big tree to lean on. Chairman Wang is using the money earned from clothing to support novels and film dramas. Alas, we can't compare."
Yue Qianrou's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.
She was about to say, "This 90 million shouldn't be solely invested by Meiyou," but remembering the continuous slaps in the face before, she swallowed her words.
What if she got slapped in the face again? How embarrassing would that be?
Does the CEO of Chunshui Novel not care about her reputation?
As expected, Song Sining continued:
"Similarly, there will be no 'capital-carrying into the crew' for 'Red Sorghum' either; it is also solely invested by our Xingyi Technology! We guarantee excellent plot quality!"
Yue Qianrou: "..."
Executives: "!!!"
The entire room fell silent, with only occasional weak sighs.
No comparison, truly no comparison.
Yue Qianrou, however, felt a bit fortunate.
Luckily, she swallowed her words, otherwise, she would have been slapped in the face again.
She simply closed her mouth, saying nothing, just watching the screen with a grim face.
Song Sining smiled slightly:
"Furthermore, 'Red Sorghum' will be personally helmed by the renowned A-list director Zheng."
The comments section completely exploded:
"Director Zheng? Which Director Zheng?"
"Could it be Director Zheng from 'Empresses in the Palace'? The president of the Directors' Association?"
"If that's true, then 'Red Sorghum' is bound to be of excellent quality. I'm so looking forward to it!"
"Meiyou is amazing, they even managed to invite Director Zheng. Incredible, truly incredible!"
...
Song Sining raised her hand:
"Welcome, Director Zheng!"
The lights came on, and Director Zheng walked onto the stage with a smile.
The comments section exploded:
"Indeed, it's Director Zheng! The famous Director Zheng!"
"You know, top directors Feng Kuzi and Zhao Dagang were both mentored by Director Zheng! Director Zheng is definitely a top-tier director, a true powerhouse."
"Productions by Director Zheng are always classics. 'Red Sorghum' is just as much to look forward to as 'Empresses in the Palace'!"
"90 million investment, Director Zheng personally helming it. Amazing, Meiyou is invincible! Even I, a male-oriented author, want to switch jobs!"
...
Director Zheng smiled slightly:
"It is my honor, Zheng, to be invited by Chairman Wang to direct 'Red Sorghum'. I will cherish this opportunity and once again create a high-quality hit for everyone!"
"Whoosh!"
Thunderous applause erupted.
Director Zheng continued:
"Furthermore, I will sign a long-term strategic partnership with Meiyou Novel. We welcome all writers and editors to join Meiyou!"
"As long as there's a good script, Chairman Wang will handle the funding. I will film the TV series!"
"Everyone is welcome to join Meiyou Novel. Let's work together to create more high-quality blockbusters and bring more visual feasts to the audience!"
"Whoosh!"
Applause resounded again, lasting for a long time.
The comments section completely exploded:
"With Chairman Wang's investment and Director Zheng at the helm, it's bound to be a masterpiece!"
"Chairman Wang + Director Zheng, an invincible lineup. No, I'm switching jobs right away. Meiyou Novel is where I belong!"
"I'm also switching jobs. If Chairman Wang values and invests in my work, and Director Zheng films it, my work can also go down in history."
"Going down in history might be a bit difficult, but becoming an overnight sensation and a top author is certainly possible."
"Exactly, the fastest way to become a god-tier author is to join Meiyou Novel, write quality works, be valued by Chairman Wang, and have them filmed as a TV series by Director Zheng!"
"No way, I'm going to drop the novel I'm serializing on Chunshui Novel. I'm going to publish a new book on Meiyou Novel now."
"I'm going too. I'll submit my newly finished book directly!"
"I want to go too, but I can't bear to leave my editor. She's been very good to me, a true benefactor."
"That's easy to solve. Get your editor to switch to Meiyou Novel with you!"
"??? There's such a move? Alright, alright, I'm going to ask now!"
"You're just asking now? My editor just proactively talked to me about switching jobs together..."
...
Watching these comments, Yue Qianrou sighed, her expression dim:
"Another 80 million investment, another 90 million grand production!"
"Another sole investment by the group, and another top director at the helm!"
"Can't withstand it, absolutely cannot withstand it!"
Any single one of these would be a "king bomb", capable of severely impacting Chunshui Novel.
What's more, with four "king bombs" all at once, bombing four waves consecutively, it's simply impossible to withstand.
Even Chunshui Novel's well-known top authors, the elite authors, wanted to switch jobs.
After all, Meiyou Novel's development and future were too good, completely crushing Chunshui Novel.
What those top authors cared about isn't just earning a bit of manuscript fees, but IP adaptations.
Low-budget film and television adaptations would ruin their reputation and original works, something top authors looked down upon.
But a 90 million + Director Zheng film and television adaptation, that's a top-tier grand production, a blockbuster, winning awards left and right!
Forget top authors, even supreme authors were envious.
Even the "Five Whites of the Central Plains" next door were tempted.
After all, their works hadn't reached the point where Director Zheng would personally helm them!
All at once, numerous online literature authors were moved.
Song Sining also struck while the iron was hot:
"Thank you, Director Zheng. Meiyou Novel has only been established for a short time, but we are full of sincerity. We welcome writers from all walks of life to join Meiyou. Not just female-oriented authors, but male-oriented authors and traditional authors, we warmly welcome them all!"
"Meiyou Novel is an open, inclusive, and diverse platform, and three male-oriented novels with over ten thousand subscriptions have appeared! We also have the Four Great Classical Novels, 'Red Sorghum', and other high-quality traditional novels."
"Whether you are a male-oriented, female-oriented, or traditional author, we welcome you! All benefits are the highest in the industry. As long as the book quality is good, we will offer a buyout of 150%-200% of the industry standard!"
"We also welcome experienced editors and online literature enthusiasts to join Meiyou Novel. All benefits are also the highest in the industry."
Now, numerous editors and writers no longer had any qualms.
They all made up their minds to switch to Meiyou Novel.
Originally, everyone was worried that Meiyou Novel was just starting, had few readers, and thus low subscription fees.
Now it seemed, they had completely overthought it!
Meiyou was just starting, with few readers and indeed low subscription fees, but they were rich and powerful, offering direct buyouts!
For a hit article that Chunshui paid 100 per thousand characters, Meiyou paid 150 per thousand characters!
For a massive hit that Chunshui paid 200 per thousand characters, Meiyou paid 400 per thousand characters!
How could they compare?
What else was there to worry about?
Going to Meiyou Novel meant not only higher buyout fees but also a greater chance of IP film and television adaptations, and even Director Zheng personally at the helm!
With all these advantages, anyone who didn't go would be a fool.
All at once, the top authors, mid-tier authors, minor authors, and elite writers of Chunshui Novel website were all tempted.
They had originally just been watching the Meiyou new product launch to see what good new products there were.
But then they saw Meiyou Novel, and it was so promising!
What was there to hesitate about?
They had to switch jobs!
But Yue Qianrou's face turned ashen.
She slammed the table, burning with rage:
"That hateful Meiyou Novel, that hateful Song Sining! She's openly poaching people!"
"And she even pulled Director Zheng in to poach people together. How can we withstand this?"
"It's too hateful!"
"At today's Meiyou new product launch, the down jackets were just a backdrop; Meiyou Novel is the sharp knife! A sharp knife directly stabbing our Chunshui Novel!"
"They are trying to shake our very foundations!"
Helplessly, Yue Qianrou had no way to deal with this, other than impotent raging.
Online literature authors don't even have social insurance and housing provident funds; their mobility is too high!
Chunshui Novel has traffic, so everyone comes to Chunshui.
Meiyou Novel has an even brighter future, so everyone will go to Meiyou!
It's an unavoidable situation.
At the end of the press conference.
Song Sining smiled charmingly:
"Winter is coming. Donning a Zhenyou fur, walking through the snow, admiring the beautiful mountains and rivers, and watching the myriad lights of homes, is truly a blessing in life."
"Wearing a Meiyou down jacket, sitting by the window, reading Meiyou Novels, and savoring the myriad aspects of life, is also an elegant way of living!"
"With this, the press conference concludes successfully. Thank you all!"
"Finally, a piece of news: the Xingyi Phone launch event will be on December 1st at the Water Cube. See you there!"
The music played, and the press conference concluded successfully.
But the subsequent impact had only just begun.
Especially for Meiyou Novel, it was initially thought to just be the release of Meiyou 4.0 and the launch of Meiyou Novel.
Unexpectedly, it directly announced IP film and television adaptations of 80/90 million, with Director Zheng at the helm.
This was not just a critical blow to Chunshui Novel, but a nuclear bomb effect throughout the entire online literature industry!
Even many male-oriented authors were thinking of going to Meiyou Novel.
After all, Meiyou Novel also had male-oriented content, and three books had already reached over ten thousand subscriptions!
And they get listed after only fifty to seventy thousand words, which is too appealing!
Especially IP-oriented works, which have a great advantage on the Meiyou Novel platform.
On this day, in major online literature author groups and forums, there was only one topic of discussion!
That was Meiyou Novel!
Female-oriented authors were discussing switching to Meiyou Novel, and male-oriented authors were discussing it too.
Posts on a certain forum were all about Meiyou Novel.
Even major media outlets reported:
[Meiyou 4.0 Update, Launch of Meiyou Novel, Triggering a Major Shakeup in the Online Literature Industry!]
[The Landscape of Online Literature Drastically Changes, All Because of a New Platform Established Less Than Two Months Ago!]
[Meiyou Novel Invests 80 Million to Film 'Nirvana in Fire', 90 Million to Film 'Red Sorghum', a Grand Gesture of 170 Million Right from the Start.]
[Unheard of! 170 Million, Xingyi Group Independently Invests, Preventing 'Capital-Carrying into the Crew'.]
[Meiyou Novel Introduces a Buyout System, with Buyout Prices the Highest in the Industry, 50%-100% Higher Than Competitors!]
[Meiyou Novel Also Features Male-Oriented Novels and Traditional Literature, with Three Male-Oriented Books Reaching Over Ten Thousand Subscriptions.]
[Starting with 170 Million in Film and Television Adaptations, Meiyou Novel Delivers a Dimension-Crushing Blow to the Online Literature Industry!]
...
As soon as these news reports came out, they quickly topped the trending searches, causing a huge uproar.
So much so that Meiyou Novel, immediately after its official launch, became a sensation across the entire internet.
Along with it, the download count for the Meiyou app steadily climbed.
There was no other way.
Meiyou Novel was integrated into the Meiyou APP.
Currently, there was no separate Meiyou Novel APP; users could only download the Meiyou APP.
The reason was simple: this would increase the number of Meiyou users.
Even if those book lovers initially only wanted to read novels, once they downloaded Meiyou and saw the beautiful clothes and exquisite makeup in the Meiyou Mall, they would inevitably be tempted to place orders.
Even male book lovers wouldn't mind; seeing pretty dresses, 'pure yet alluring' lingerie, and stockings, they would buy them for their partners or friends...
This way, besides subscription revenue from novels, it could also bring traffic to Meiyou Mall and generate income!
After all, Meiyou Mall was currently the primary profit driver.
And upon seeing the advertisement for "Defend the Pomelos," they would also try downloading and experiencing it, and would be so annoyed by the "copy beast" that they'd recharge just to clear the levels!
Wang Yi had already considered all of this early on.
After all, the original intention of Meiyou Novel was to increase user engagement time for the Meiyou APP and retain users.
In his previous life, Meiyou initially developed well but later fizzled out.
It became a tool opened once a month to check how many days until one's period.
Nothing more, it simply lacked other attractive features, leading to low user stickiness.
In fact, this is the reason for the decline of many popular software.
For example, Baidu Tieba was incredibly popular before 2015, with 300 million monthly active users, crushing Weibo!
But after 2015, it completely fizzled out, with only 30 million monthly active users remaining...
The fundamental reason was Tieba's single function, lack of user stickiness, and abandonment by ninety percent of its users.
Similarly, Wang Yi continuously empowered the Meiyou APP precisely because he feared the Meiyou APP would also be abandoned by users, becoming a product used once a month, just like in his previous life.
That would be the end of it.
Now, Wang Yi's addition of a social square, Meiyou Mall, and novels to Meiyou is to continuously retain users and attract new user groups.
Only in this way will the monthly active users of the Meiyou APP steadily increase, and the revenue of Meiyou Mall continue to grow.
If they were all split into single APPs, it's feared that the Meiyou APP would quickly fizzle out.
No one would browse the mall daily for shopping, check their period daily, or frequent the social square daily...
Conversely, novel readers would open the APP daily and read daily.
It must be said that Wang Yi's plan succeeded.
On November 16th, shortly after Meiyou 4.0 was released, the number of new Meiyou users that day exceeded four million!
Seven out of ten of them came for Meiyou Novel!
Wang Yi believed that these people would eventually become consumers of Meiyou Mall; it was only a matter of time.
As for Meiyou Novel being integrated into the Meiyou APP, girls didn't mind; they were already potential users of Meiyou.
Male users initially minded, but seeing so many girls posting on Meiyou Square, discussing women's topics they didn't understand, sharing beautiful photos, showing off their figures...
Not only did they not mind, but they became ecstatic, openly declaring they had discovered a new continent!
(End of chapter)