Countdown: 00:00:39
Yu Xunge recalled something she had read in her notes.
—"Eleven thousand three hundred and sixty-seven sunsets. Eleven thousand three hundred and sixty-seven sightings of Blue-Spotted Grouper. It never took the bait, so why did it come every day? I wonder whether, before I die, I'll see someone catch Blue-Spotted Grouper."
She turned around, ignoring the thousands of apprentices watching Blue-Spotted Grouper and waiting for the game to end. She saw the Fishing Master standing at the fishing spot. He had already picked up his gear and was preparing to leave.
This was the eleven thousand three hundred and sixty-eighth sunset.
Why did it come every day?
Why did it leave only at sunset every day?
—"The joy of fishing lies in waiting and adventure."
—"From the fish's point of view, are those of us who can never catch anything also ultra-rare anglers?"
She had previously thought "waiting" described anglers waiting for fish to bite, while "adventure" referred to fish deciding whether to risk themselves for the delicacy on the hook.
But what if it was the other way around?
What if "waiting" referred to Blue-Spotted Grouper, and "adventure" referred to the anglers?
Thirty-two seconds remained.
Yu Xunge suddenly put away Sunset and Tsunami and took out her first fishing rod, Reef.
Without hesitation, she pierced the hook through her own wrist. The line wrapped around her wrist several times and was quickly stained red with blood. Then she activated the fishing rod's innate skill, Fishing Master!
The rod was cast lightly.
A Black Shadow separated from Yu Xunge's body and caught the fishing rod thrown by the original body.
Only twenty-six seconds remained!
The fishing line cut an arc through the air. Drops of blood flew off and fell into the sea, and the apprentice