With the awareness born of a single thought, a wondrous scene immediately appeared beside the pool.
On the bank, an old man swung his rod and cast his hook, while the young man in the pool kept his eyes closed, dodging left and right, twisting his waist and shifting his body to avoid each ripple. This was Lian Youming's first attempt at the exercise. At first, he was often struck, but as his awareness deepened, he grew increasingly at home in the water. His evasions became more agile, and his harmony with nature grew more complete.
He practiced this way for the better part of a day.
The old man's timing and force were just right. Whenever Lian Youming surfaced for air, he stopped to let him breathe, only to follow with an even fiercer assault. Once Lian Youming could evade the Lead Weight every time, the truly deadly part began.
"Good! You have a gift for understanding!"
Chuckling, the old man reeled in his line and removed the Lead Weight. Then he flicked his hand, snapping several meters of fishing line taut and sending it straight into the sky. But as a tremor traveled from the rod, the line abruptly reversed direction. The Straight Hook plunged down at Lian Youming like a great spear descending from heaven. As killing intent fell from above, Lian Youming's mind jolted, but he showed no panic. He merely concentrated his mind to its utmost, as though merging with the pool, sensing the invisible currents surging toward him from every direction and discerning every minute change around him.
They were minute indeed.
How could someone underwater discern the currents beneath the surface?
The answer was simple: turn this pool into his own world.
Whether the waterfall or the old man's hook, both were external