Your Technique is So Professional

The moment they stepped into the Star Dou Forest, the surrounding light dimmed instantly.

Sunlight was filtered through layers of overlapping canopies, leaving only dappled spots of light scattered across the ground like shards of gold.

Qin Chuan looked around with curiosity. The flora here was completely different from anything he had seen before.

Some trees bore multicolored leaves that shimmered with iridescent light in the dim environment; some flowers were as large as basins, their petals covered in strange patterns and emitting an alluring fragrance; others were glowing mushrooms, growing in clusters on rotting tree roots like tiny lanterns, illuminating the path ahead.

"These flowers and plants are all so beautiful." Qin Chuan couldn't help but reach out to touch a small blue flower growing by the roadside.

"Don't touch that!" Hu Liena's hand moved with lightning speed to swat his away, her tone stern. "Many plants here are highly toxic; the more beautiful they look, the more lethal they tend to be. That's a 'Soul-Devouring Blue Banshee.' Its pollen can paralyze the nervous system. If you inhale too much, even a powerhouse at the Soul King level would be rendered unconscious."

Qin Chuan was startled and quickly pulled his hand back, casting a lingering, fearful glance at the little blue flower.

"It's that powerful?"

"That's considered mild." Hu Liena led the way, explaining as she went. "Look at that vine over there, the 'Ghost Vine.' It actively ensnares any creature that gets close, using its barbs to drain the victim's blood dry. And those red mushrooms are 'Burst Fungus'; they explode upon vibration with a force comparable to a full-strength strike from a Soul Master."

Qin Chuan felt his scalp tingle. He no longer dared to look around or touch anything, following obediently in Hu Liena's footsteps.

The deeper they ventured, the more dangerous the environment became.

"Hiss..."

A green snake as thick as an arm darted out from the grass, striking at Qin Chuan's ankle like lightning.

Qin Chuan had no time to react; he was about to be bitten.

Without even turning her head, Hu Liena flicked her hand back. A streak of pink soul power shot out, striking the Green-Scaled Snake precisely at its vital point.

With a soft "pop," the century-level soul beast didn't even have time to let out a cry before it was reduced to a mist of blood.

"Be careful and stay close to me." Hu Liena's voice remained calm, as if she had merely swatted a mosquito.

Qin Chuan swallowed hard, looking at the blurred mess of flesh on the ground, and gained a new appreciation for Hu Liena's strength.

This wasn't a date; this was hiring a Soul Saint as a personal bodyguard! This kind of treatment was something even the Emperor of the Empire probably couldn't enjoy!

Hidden a hundred meters away, Qian Renxue watched everything.

She was concealed in the canopy of a giant tree, her presence completely suppressed, blending in like an ordinary leaf.

The moment Hu Liena struck, Qian Renxue's pupils constricted.

The intensity of that soul power...

She remembered clearly that three days ago, during a mock battle at the academy, she had briefly crossed paths with Hu Liena. Back then, while Hu Liena's soul power was substantial, it was nowhere near as condensed and majestic as it was now.

Perhaps due to the distance, Qian Renxue wondered if her judgment had been off.

Hu Liena, walking ahead, had no idea she was being treated as an experimental subject.

As she walked, she vigilantly released her soul power, forming an invisible aura that enveloped both her and Qin Chuan.

The century and thousand-year soul beasts lurking in the shadows felt the powerful pressure of the Soul Saint and retreated, not daring to take a single step forward.

Along the way, Qin Chuan only heard strange rustling sounds and low growls from time to time, but he didn't see a single hair of a beast.

He naively assumed he was just lucky and hadn't encountered any powerful soul beasts.

"We're almost at Star Dou Lake; I can smell the moisture." Hu Liena took a deep breath, a relaxed smile appearing on her face.

Sure enough, after walking for a few more minutes, the path ahead suddenly opened up.

A vast, boundless lake appeared before their eyes.

The sight instantly made Qin Chuan forget the fear he had felt in the forest.

It was a lake as clear as a sapphire, its surface as calm as a giant mirror, reflecting the azure sky and white clouds.

On the far shore lay rolling green mountains, shrouded in mist like a fairyland.

By the lakeside was an open meadow, the grass lush and dotted with colorful wildflowers—red, yellow, and purple—all competing in beauty.

A gentle breeze swept across, causing the lake to ripple with shimmering light. The air, filled with the fresh scent of flowers and moist water, was refreshing and invigorating.

"So beautiful..." Qin Chuan sighed sincerely.

"Right?" Hu Liena smiled. "This is the most beautiful spot on the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest, and very few people come here. Let's fish here."

"Okay!"

Qin Chuan was immediately energized. He chose a flat, open patch of grass near the lake and set down his gear.

"I'll set up the tent!" Hu Liena took the initiative to handle the physical labor.

She connected the tent poles one by one, unfolded the fabric, and secured it to the grass with stakes. Her movements were nimble; it was clearly not her first time doing this. Soon, a blue tent capable of holding two or three people stood firmly on the grass.

Qin Chuan wasn't idle either. He opened his tackle box and began the preparations for fishing.

He took out a small basin, poured some golden powder from a bag he had brought, mixed in some red granules, added lake water, and stirred it rapidly with his hand.

As the powder and granules met the water, they expanded quickly, emitting a strange, fragrant aroma of mixed grains and spices.

Hu Liena finished setting up the tent and the grill. When she turned back, she saw Qin Chuan focused on kneading the yellow bait, his technique as skilled as an experienced old fisherman.

"Brother Chuan, I didn't realize you were so professional." Hu Liena leaned in, looking curiously at what he held. "What are you making? It smells so good."

"This is fish bait," Qin Chuan replied without looking up. "I used spirit grain powder, added some special spices, and mixed it with the lake water here. The fish here love this scent."

As he spoke, he picked up the Black Dragon Wood fishing rod, selected a gleaming Dark Iron Fishhook from the tackle box, and began to tie the line.

His fingers were long and nimble; the Ice Silkworm Thread, as thin as a strand of hair, wound and knotted between his fingertips with such fluid, effortless grace that it left Hu Liena dazzled.

"Wow, Brother Chuan, you're amazing! The way you tied the hook and prepared the bait just now—your technique is so practiced," Hu Liena couldn't help but exclaim.

"Haha, is that so?" Qin Chuan felt a bit smug at the praise. "It's because I used to fish all the time."

"Then where did you usually go fishing?" Hu Liena asked curiously.

"Well..." Qin Chuan thought for a moment and said casually, "The South China Sea."

"The South China Sea?" Hu Liena paused.

She knew that to the south of the Douluo Continent lay a vast ocean, but few people ever ventured there. The waters were home not only to powerful sea soul beasts but also to mysterious maritime factions, such as the legendary Sea God Island.

Assuming Qin Chuan was referring to those outer seas, she couldn't help but look at him with newfound respect. "Oh, I didn't expect you to have traveled so far."

Qin Chuan smiled but offered no explanation.

The South China Sea he spoke of was the one on Earth.

Once everything was ready, the two set up a pair of small stools by the lake, each taking a rod to begin their leisurely fishing.

Qin Chuan handed his Black Dragon Wood fishing rod to Hu Liena. "You use this one; it's better."

"What about you?" Hu Liena asked.

"I'll just use this short one." Qin Chuan picked up the short rod the tackle shop owner had given him, baited the hook, and gave it a casual flick. The line traced a graceful arc through the air, landing the float and hook precisely on the surface of the lake dozens of meters away.

Hu Liena mimicked his movements and cast her own line.

The two sat side by side by the lake, enjoying the rare peace and comfort.

The warm sunlight spilled over them, a gentle breeze brushed their faces, and the air was filled with the fragrance of grass and flowers.

In the distance, Qian Renxue hid in the canopy of a large tree, watching this serene scene from afar and feeling like a superfluous clown.

She endured the mosquitoes in the forest and the biting wind just to keep watch over others.

Yet those two were acting as if they were on vacation—setting up tents, fishing, laughing and chatting, having a grand old time.

In particular, she found herself increasingly unable to read this man, Qin Chuan.

He was clearly a mortal, yet he seemed to understand so many strange and peculiar things. Those bait recipes and that skilled hook-tying technique were not things an ordinary person should know.

And that "South China Sea" he mentioned—what kind of place was that?

Qian Renxue's mind was filled with questions.

Just then, the float on Hu Liena's line suddenly plunged deep into the water!

"A fish is biting!" Hu Liena felt a surge of joy, gripped her rod tightly, and instinctively prepared to pull it up.