Seven days later.
Near Barracuda Bay, on a coral reef.
"Caw..."
A sharp, soaring cry echoed overhead. High in the sky, a Short-tailed Albatross with snow-white feathers and a body larger than others of its kind circled faintly into view.
Xia Nan had found a good spot.
It was atop the coral reef, close to shore—a reef rock riddled with holes after countless years of waves washing and gnawing at it, yet remarkably flat.
Its position was perfect. It was neither too close, avoiding those annoying Dinggong Fish that were barely palm-length yet kept brazenly attacking the bait, nor too far, where tentacles rising inexplicably from the sea abyss might drag both man and hook beneath the water.
It made perfect use of the coral reef's rich ecosystem, greatly increasing the chances of hooking the finest, most outstanding, most satisfying big fish.
His keen senses even allowed him to feel the enticing shadows darting through the coral reef below, despite the seawater between them.
His heart could not help but stir, and he even felt a long-lost hint of nervousness.
"Stay calm. Fishing requires calmness..."
Xia Nan silently repeated to himself.
His goal for today was to catch a fish at least one meter long.
Compared to the abundant fish resources within the coral reef, he had already lowered his expectations as much as possible. If luck was on his side today, perhaps there would even be a few pleasant surprises.
There was plenty of time, so he was in no hurry to cast his line. Instead, he sat on the reef rock and made his preparations.
To be honest, given the number of sea fish in this coral reef where Xia Nan now was, there was no need for baiting.
However, he had always been meticulous and rigorous. Rarely