Moreover, over time, the newly opened ice cave will freeze over very quickly.
Su Wei didn't want it to be a one-time use ice cave; it wasn't easy for him to carve one out.
Of course, we have to look at it in the long term.
The black water was calm, reflecting the gray sky above.
Beneath the ice layer lies the pale green halo area marked by the Gathering Module, where a cluster of charophytes sways with the water flow.
Fish are likely to gather here, and Su Wei's hopes for ice fishing today also lie here.
He took off his windproof gloves and stuffed them into his clothes to keep them warm; as soon as his hands were exposed to the air, his skin immediately tightened.
Unboxing.
Take the bait.
A five-gram golden lure is held between the fingers.
Su Wei's fingers were a little stiff from the cold, but she still tied the knots steadily.
For fish that have been starving underwater all winter, this piece of metal, when it enters the water, will vibrate irregularly, much like an injured little fish, which is a deadly temptation.
After preparing the bait, Su Wei immediately put on gloves.
bite.
The lure, along with the fishing line, fell into the water and sank gently.
One meter.
Two meters.
Three meters.
The spool has stopped spinning.
That's it.
Su Wei tightened the excess fishing line and lifted it half a turn, allowing the lure to suspend about 30 centimeters above the bottom, which is the height at which big fish like to move.
He sat on a folding bucket, holding a half-meter-long ice fishing rod in his right hand, his index finger resting on the fishing line, feeling the movement underwater.
Su Wei gently lifted the rod, letting the underwater lure bounce once before falling freely.
This is called teasing fishing.
Silence reigned all around.
The wind stopped, and only the occasional sound of branches snapping under the weight of snow could be heard from the distant forest.
One minute.
Five minutes.
There wasn't a sound at the tip of the rod.
The cold air seeped into my trouser legs from the stool, feeling like needles pricking me.
Su Wei remained unmoved.
Fishing is all about patience; it's about who gives up first.
Cotton Candy doesn't have that kind of patience.
It circled the ice cave twice, its nose twitching, and even tried to stick its head into the water to take a look, but Su Wei blocked it with his calf.
"Shh."
Su Wei forced out a sound through gritted teeth.
If the Gathering Module is working correctly, areas with abundant algae will attract aquatic insects, which in turn will attract small fish. Therefore, larger fish will likely be found nearby.
The moment the thought crossed my mind, my index finger, resting on the fishing line, felt a sudden, sharp jolt.
It wasn't small fish testing the waters; something below was aggressively stealing the food!
It's here!
Su Wei subconsciously twitched his wrist, tentatively lifting it!
The ice fishing rod instantly bent into a large arc, with the tip pointing directly at the ice hole.
A heavy force traveled up the fishing line to my arm; this weight was no small fish!
Squeak!
The spinning wheel emitted a piercing screech as it lost power.
The creature underwater felt pain and suddenly burst out with strength, trying to burrow into deeper water or into the seaweed.
Trying to run away?
Su Wei spread his feet firmly, pressed his thumbs down on the line spool to prevent the fishing line from going out.
The fishing line was taut.
The standoff lasted less than three seconds.
The underwater force failed to make a final push; it weakened slightly.
Now!
Su Wei quickly turned the handle to reel in the line.
One lap, two laps.
The creature underwater was still struggling, each flick of its tail transmitting force to the fishing rod, making his hands and fingers go numb.
But Su Wei maintained firm control of the rhythm, dragging it up inch by inch from underwater.
With a splash, a dark figure appeared at the entrance of the ice cave.
rise!
Su Wei lifted the rod one last time, and a big fish broke out of the water!
The fish has a large dorsal fin and a silvery-purple sheen.
It swung its tail forcefully in the air, and water droplets splashed onto Su Wei's goggles, instantly freezing into ice.
This is an Arctic grayling.
It's over 40 centimeters long!
Its large dorsal fin is marked with black spots, making it quite distinctive.
Snap!
Su Wei threw the fish onto the snow.
When the fish encountered air at minus thirty degrees Celsius, it thrashed about a few times, and the mucus on its body quickly froze, causing its struggling movements to visibly slow down.
At the same time, a line of blue text popped up in front of Su Wei's eyes, covering the fish on the snow that was still breathing with its mouth open.
[bite!]
Congratulations! You have successfully caught an adult Arctic grayling (3.2 lbs) using your tools.
[Prerequisites met, Hunting branch – Fishing Module unlocked.]
[ Fishing Module LV1 (1/100): You are a beginner angler.]
[Effect: Water Condition Perception. When you are fishing, you can sense the approximate density and activity level of fish within a ten-meter radius.]
Su Wei looked at the line of text and his shoulders relaxed.
You made the right bet.
Both the Gathering Module and the assessment of this body of water were correct.
This fish will be more than just our next meal.
This shows that in this snow-covered place, he finally had a stable way to get food.
As long as you don't starve, there is hope.
"Eek!"
A white figure pounced.
Cotton Candy held down the fish, which was bigger than its head, and opened its mouth to bite the fish's tail, making a whimpering sound in its throat, as if it were guarding its food.
This little thing is quick to snatch food.
That's my dinner.
Su Wei grabbed the little fox by the scruff of its neck and lifted it up.
The Cotton Candy was kicking its four paws wildly in the air, but its blue eyes were fixed on the fish on the snow, and drool was dripping from its mouth.
Su Wei ignored it.
He took out his folding knife and skillfully tapped the fish's head to kill it quickly.
This respects the food and preserves the quality of the meat.
He picked up the frozen fish with one hand and stuffed the Cotton Candy into his pocket with the other, leaving only its fluffy head sticking out.