"Don't rush. Stay calm."
Shui Bing'er held the fishing rod nervously, while Lin Xiao gently placed his hands over hers, guiding her through the process of fishing.
The sweet girl with sky-blue hair, dressed in elegant noble attire, had a faint blush on her cheeks.
Behind her sat a calm boy with crimson hair—his attention fully focused on the float bobbing atop the water.
Lin Xiao felt nostalgic.
How long had it been since he last fished, ever since arriving in Douluo?
And now, he had the lovely Shui Bing'er by his side. Although the little girl was still young, her presence made it feel like he wasn't fishing alone.
Granny Shuiyuehua sighed helplessly.
"Lin Xiao, are you sure this is going to work?"
"Do you think the fish are going to bite your rock?"
Lin Xiao smiled.
"Of course they will."
He knew the habits of the Ice Carp—it loved cold and icy things and often swallowed chunks of ice.
He had frozen the rock into ice so it would sink properly into the water. Whether or not a fish would bite now depended entirely on technique.
And fishing? Well, Lin Xiao happened to be an expert in his past life.
Even when others caught nothing, he always returned with a full basket.
Don't underestimate the prowess of a seasoned angler!
Shui Bing'er couldn't concentrate. She had been excited to fish at first, but now her thoughts were in disarray.
Because Lin Xiao was leaning so closely behind her.
He smelled... really nice.
Not a strong fragrance, just a clean and comforting scent.
Then her mother's words echoed in her mind—
"If a man touches you, you'll have babies!"
But Lin Xiao had touched her many times already today. Now they were practically glued together!
"Bing'er," Lin Xiao said gently, "fishing is a science in its own right. It involves both strategy and skill. It's a test of patience and endurance between you and the fish."
He was serious as he tried to teach her, but Shui Bing'er wasn't absorbing a word.
With no choice, Lin Xiao wrapped his hands over hers and guided her movements step by step.
Shui Bing'er stayed quiet, her face flushing red.
Suddenly, the wooden float bobbed.
"A bite! Let the line out, then pull!"
All embarrassment forgotten, Shui Bing'er reeled in with joy—but the Ice Carp was too strong. She couldn't pull it in alone.
Fortunately, Lin Xiao was there to help.
Their hands overlapped.
"Bing'er, follow my lead!" he said firmly.
"O-okay!" she nodded obediently.
"Let the line out first to wear it down. Keep it moving—don't let it rest. Once it's exhausted, we'll reel it in!"
After a tug-of-war lasting over ten minutes—
"Now, pull!" Lin Xiao gave a strong jerk of the rod.
A shimmering Ice Carp, crystal-like and bluish all over, flew through the air.
A hundred-year-old Ice Carp!
In panic, it fired a freezing blue beam toward Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er.
"Ahh!"
Bing'er closed her eyes in fright.
But nothing happened.
Opening them again, she saw the Ice Carp lying unconscious on the riverbank. Lin Xiao flicked some flames off his hand and grinned at her.
"You scare easily, Bing'er."
"…!"
Bad Lin Xiao! She was mad!
She puffed up her cheeks and glared at him.
But everyone knows—when a cute girl gets mad, she only becomes cuter.
Unable to resist, Lin Xiao reached out and pinched her cheek.
Looking at her fondly, like an older brother pampering his little sister, he asked:
"How about grilled fish tonight?"
Shui Bing'er's stomach grumbled in response. Drool sparkled at the corners of her mouth.
"I want grilled fish…"
Lin Xiao chuckled.
"You came to the right person—I'm a barbecue master."
Thud!
A much larger Ice Carp slammed down beside him.
It was over 400 years old.
Granny Shuiyuehua gave him a sharp look.
"I used up most of my soul power to lure in this school of Ice Carps, and you two were just playing around, fishing!"
"You little rascal, making an old woman do all the work!"
Of course, she wasn't actually scolding them. Seeing the two young ones enjoying themselves so much, she couldn't help teasing them.
Lin Xiao cupped his hands respectfully.
"Granny Shui, you're the real MVP!"
"Tonight, allow me to cook dinner. To honor Granny Shui, and to celebrate Bing'er obtaining her first soul ring."
Granny Shuiyuehua smiled and nodded.
"Then this old woman will look forward to your cooking."
She handed a dagger to Shui Bing'er.
"Go on, Bing'er."
Though she had never killed before, she didn't hesitate. After a couple deep breaths, she swiftly finished off the unconscious four-hundred-year Ice Carp.
A yellow soul ring rose from its body.
Shui Bing'er sat cross-legged and began absorbing it.
An hour later, she opened her eyes.
"Granny Shui, Brother Lin Xiao! I've finished absorbing the ring!"
Lin Xiao smiled and nodded.
Granny Shui asked, "What's your first soul skill?"
Shui Bing'er stood up and pointed at a large tree.
"First Soul Skill: Frozen Seal!"
A beam of icy-blue light shot from her fingertip and instantly froze the entire tree.
Granny Shui nodded in approval.
"It's a common soul skill, but very practical. And the power you exert is much stronger than others your age."
"As expected of the Ice Phoenix Martial Soul."
Even if the same soul beast is killed, the resulting soul skill can vary depending on the martial soul.
To be able to freeze an entire tree at the Soul Master stage, and with low soul power consumption at that—
Shui Bing'er's soul skill was already impressive.
Of course,
She was still a step behind Lin Xiao.
But that boy wasn't normal to begin with. He had survived a deadly Evil Fire outbreak and came out stronger. Nothing about him was ordinary.
Night fell, and they gathered around the bonfire.
Lin Xiao set up a grill.
Rummaging through his pack, he pulled out bottle after bottle, jar after jar of seasonings.
Even though he was in another world—
He was born in the land of gourmet food. A culinary soul could never be extinguished!
Before leaving Soto City, he'd packed all his spices.
Now it was time to let them shine.
He turned to the expectant Bing'er and the curious Granny Shui, who eyed the strange bottles with suspicion, and declared with pride:
"Tonight, I'll show you some mouthwatering spice magic!"
"Get ready for authentic Sichuan-Hunan flavor!"
Shui Bing'er looked at him with awe.
She didn't understand a word he just said, but somehow—it all sounded incredible.
Lin Xiao was amazing!
He was her age, yet he seemed to know everything. Brave, smart, and talented.
Granny Shuiyuehua remained unimpressed.
"I've lived a long life—there's no delicacy I haven't tried. Just grilled fish and some soup? Hmph."
She sighed, already preparing herself to fake enthusiasm later.
She could only hope the food would be at least edible.