Qin Yan, White Streak in the Waves

"Brother Yan, where did he go?"

The three boys watched for Qin Yan, who had disappeared underwater without resurfacing. Confusion appeared on their faces, tinged with anxiety.

"Brother Yan, could something have happened to him?"

Song Bao's voice trembled.

Splash!

Just as they were growing anxious, the sound of someone breaking the surface drew their attention.

Qin Yan appeared before them, clutching a palm-sized crucian carp.

"Brother Yan, amazing!"

Delighted, Chen Ergou immediately gave him a thumbs-up.

There were plenty of fish in the lake, but those who could catch one without using anything were few and far between.

"Ergou, go get a bamboo basket. We're eating fish today."

The three boys exchanged glances, pleasantly surprised.

Chen Ergou wasted no time. He immediately went ashore, got dressed, and fetched a bamboo basket for the fish.

"You two keep playing. I'll catch a few more fish."

Qin Yan called out to the other two, took a deep breath, and dove into the lake again.

His whole body undulated through the water, and he moved with remarkable speed.

He closed his eyes, and that peculiar mental perception spread in every direction, encompassing several meters around him.

The moment he found a target, he moved swiftly.

Song Bao and the other boy floated on the surface, watching the figure faintly visible underwater. Its speed left them stunned.

"Brother Yan's swimming is really something else. You can't help but admire it. He's like a fish."

Qin An watched with admiration and envy written all over his face.

At that moment, Qin Yan was like a fish in water, thanks to his exceptional swimming ability and the passive ability granted by his skill.

At his current level, catching fish underwater with his bare hands was not particularly difficult.

Swimming could also train his powerful heart and lungs, as well as the coordination of his muscles.

This is a good way to improve my strength, too.

Holding his breath underwater, Qin Yan thought to himself that he could train his swimming skill and improve his physical condition at the same time.

His mental perception was like radar, allowing him to spot fish hidden in the murky lake water time and again.

It was not only a test of his swimming ability; it also let him train the force and accuracy he used when catching fish.

At that moment, he was like a cold, venomous snake, relentlessly pursuing a large carp as it fled through the lake in panic.

Before long, Qin Yan gave up and surfaced, drawing a deep breath.

I'm still not fast enough!

Qin Yan thought that, at his current speed, chasing smaller fish was not particularly difficult.

But with bigger fish, their strength and speed were on another level.

Looks like I can try grinding my swimming proficiency. I can strengthen my attributes and bring in plenty of fish!

Two birds with one stone. I can improve my strength and solve the problem of putting food on the table.

A smile appeared on Qin Yan's face. Of course, if he really wanted to catch fish, he could make a spear out of bamboo, and his efficiency would soar.

But he was doing this to improve his basic physical attributes. Catching fish came second.

All afternoon,

Song Bao and the others watched Qin Yan dive underwater again and again. Each time, he resurfaced after a while with a fish in his hand.

His fish-catching speed was such a display that it made their scalps tingle.

"These little whitebait are almost filling the basket. Brother Yan's practically a beast. Doesn't he ever get tired?"

Song Bao and the others sat on the bank, each watching the figure in the water with admiration.

If someone were a little stronger than them, they might feel competitive.

But a freak like Qin Yan was completely beyond their understanding.

Even the best swimmer in the village wasn't fit to carry Brother Yan's shoes.

They all shared that thought.

[Underwater Hunting: speed limit increased by 0.1]

[Underwater Hunting: spirit limit increased by 0.1]

Waves of fatigue washed over Qin Yan's body, but his spirits remained high.

As he continued using his mental perception, its range increased somewhat, and it became more precise and clear.

After he got dressed, the other three gathered around him, their faces full of delight.

"Brother Yan, we caught a lot today. The big fish must weigh at least three or four jin, and these little whitebait have filled the whole basket."

Chen Ergou carried a string of fish threaded onto a hemp rope in one hand and the bamboo basket in the other.

Their catch from less than half a day was much bigger than what those anglers brought in.

The other two had also gathered a pile of firewood, and they took the big fish and roasted them right there.

The setting sun gradually faded!

Qin Yan and the other three sat around a bonfire. The roasted fish was crisp and browned, and though they had added hardly any seasoning, everyone ate with relish.

"Brother Yan, what should we do with that basket of little whitebait?"

Chen Ergou asked quietly as he ate his fish.

Qin Yan frowned slightly. These little fish were delicious fried, but his family didn't have much oil for frying them.

"Ergou, you put in the most effort today, so half the fish in here are yours. The rest can go to Song Bao and Qin An. What do you think?"

When Qin Yan spoke,

"Brother Yan, you caught all of these. How could we take them?"

Song Bao was the first to shake his head and refuse. Qin An and Chen Ergou looked surprised at first, then shook their heads and refused as well.

"It's settled, then."

Qin Yan smiled magnanimously. He had no worries about food or clothing now, and if he wanted fish, he could come catch them anytime.

After all, they were his three little brothers. He had to maintain their brotherly bonds and win their loyalty.

Especially Chen Ergou, whose family had it even worse than his.

His father had accidentally broken a leg while working as a porter in town, and his mother had supported the family all these years. Besides him, there were also his two younger siblings.

In the past, he had spent the least time with them, mainly because he needed to help his family work the fields.

"You saw how I caught fish today. If I want some, I can come anytime. Consider these fish a little gift from me."

Qin Yan spoke firmly, giving them no chance to refuse.

Seeing how determined he was, the hearts of the other three boys warmed.

Before they knew it, Qin Yan had become the center and leader of their little group.

Chen Ergou in particular looked at Qin Yan with gratitude.

There were quite a few fish in the bamboo basket. Someone else might not have been willing to share them.

"With these fish, Dad, Mom, and my little brother and sister can have a good meal too."

Chen Ergou's nose prickled, and his gratitude toward Qin Yan grew even deeper.

The boys gathered together, happily eating roasted fish, chatting and laughing in a cheerful atmosphere.

"Brother Yan, how did you suddenly get so amazing? Can you tell us?"

Amid the cheerful atmosphere, Song Bao summoned his courage and spoke, a trace of anticipation in his eyes.

At his words, the other two pricked up their ears.

Hearing this, Qin Yan's heart stirred. He had a good relationship with the three boys, and he wondered whether he should take them under his wing.

"Do you want to learn?"

The corners of Qin Yan's mouth rose slightly. His words immediately made all three boys' eyes light up.

"Yes!" All three nodded together.

"Brother Yan, are you really willing to teach me?"

Song Bao could hardly believe it.

"Of course! But from now on, you have to listen to me, and you can't pass it on to anyone else."

"No problem!"

Song Bao and the other two hurriedly thumped their chests in pledge.

"Brother Yan, don't worry. If anyone dares leak it, you won't need to lift a finger. I, Song Bao, will clean house for you."

Song Bao's expression was solemn as he looked at the other two.

"Song Bao, don't look down on us. The two of us would never betray our brothers."

Qin An and Chen Ergou looked at Song Bao with some displeasure. Was he treating them like outsiders?

"All right! If you want to learn, come to my place tomorrow."

"Yes, Brother Yan!"

The three boys' eyes shone, and they were full of anticipation.