The Most Random System

Chapter 1261: Chapter 556: Still a Wild Irregular Recruit (Part 2)

At this moment, ah—, it feels like man has merged with the world around him.

The man closed his eyes, took a deep breath in with an expression of contentment, and continued:

"Catch of the day? That’s just an added bonus. If there is fish, I enjoy its freshness; if not, I revel in the atmosphere.

The goal isn’t the weight of a few pounds in the bucket, but the clear-hearted serenity achieved by retreating from noise, communing with nature and spirit. Between the rise and fall of the rod, it’s tempering patience, nurturing the mind. This is the true fish of fishing, the one stored in the heart."

He cautiously opened his eyes and sneaked a peek (·_-?).

Seeing Lin Li and Bai Bufan still saluting him, without any change in expression due to his words, his calm emotions shattered—

Dammit! Did neither of you hear a word I was jabbering?

"Cough cough, besides, it’s normal to not have any catch tonight; you may not realize it but there’s much to consider.

Today is New Year’s Eve, with firecrackers I don’t need to mention, you were playing over there, weren’t you? The noise certainly affects the fish, though I’m not blaming you, no need to overthink it.

Secondly, during New Year’s Eve, the transition between seasons brings significant water temperature changes, causing fish to hide in the deep water and not move much.

The moon is too bright tonight, moonlight directly shines on the water surface, making the fish alert and reluctant to come close. This river section looks calm, but there’s an undertow; all the bait I’d dropped was washed away! And... cough, what I mean is, the timing and environment aren’t favorable tonight, so... not catching anything is highly likely. It’s quite scientific, and has nothing to do with my skill level! Really! Truly!"

"Understood, understood." Bai Bufan nodded reassuringly.

"Then why are you still saluting!!!" The man couldn’t help but exclaim.

"Uncle, do you have a spare fishing rod?" Lin Li asked, with a different tone.

"Huh?" The man responded with confusion, looking at Lin Li.

Lin Li’s gaze was fixed on the fishing rods under the moonlight and the system panel before him.

[Fortunate to encounter a true cultivator tonight. He speaks of hunting Spirit Beasts in the water, but actually uses his resource to protect them, a genuine righteous cultivator.]

[As I’ve been contemplating harmonious co-existence with Spirit Beasts recently, why not learn a bit from this favorable encounter? Observe his teachings, might gain something!]

[Task Triggered!]

[Task One: Follow the cultivator before you, and comprehend his teachings.]

[Task Reward: Physical Improvement: Spirit Beast affinity raised by 50%; Cultivation Technique talent increased by 100%; System Currency*100]

This task popped up just after the man’s second speech ended.

The task objective is a progress bar, judging from the currency amount, it’s not a particularly difficult basic task and likely easy to complete.

Only Lin Li found it somewhat hard to maintain composure.

What’s with "actually using his resource to protect Spirit Beasts," the system’s wording almost seems more sarcastic than Lin Li himself.

Could it be that this wild cultivator keeps having zero luck not just tonight, maybe he’s often an "air force"...

Lin Li glanced at the iron basin next to the fisherman.

There was still one-third of the mixed bait left, and judging by the markings on the basin, it used to be full.

This means at least two-thirds of the bait was thrown in to set up the fishing spot.

No wonder during the fishing ban periods, conventional fishing isn’t restricted.

After all, banning fishing might severely impact the restoration of fish populations and slow down the recovery rate of fishery resources.

It’s basically the inverse of celestial balance.

In the past, fools used to sacrifice boys and girls to the so-called ’Dragon King’ and ’Immortals’ for favorable weather.

Now, fishermen just need to offer a pair of boys and girls to the gods onshore periodically, and they’ll have endless food!

Most importantly, the boys and girls of the fools are really gone, and they can’t even be sure of peace, while the food for the fishermen is real, and the boys and girls are even thrown back into the river disdainfully.

Tsk tsk.

But, since the task’s been triggered, it seems I’m forced to become someone who feeds fish with my own body.

Let’s see how to make this task progress bar move.

Lin Li estimated that following the man while fishing, listening to his experiences, should suffice.

Yet, there are not many hours left until midnight, and Lin Li is not going to leave his family behind just for the task, so it might not be finished tonight.

But that’s not a problem.

The task isn’t time-limited, as long as I determine the completion direction, it’s all good. Based on the previous banter with Bai Bufan, the fisherman’s reaction suggests he has a decent character, coupled with anyone out fishing on New Year’s Eve must be strongly passionate about it; therefore I just need to add him as a friend and find a way to get him to invite me in the future.

So the current task is to get the progress bar moving and figure out how to make it move.

Hence, Lin Li asked if he had a spare fishing rod.

"Spare fishing rod? I don’t have one, I only brought this single rod." After Lin Li repeated the question again, the man snapped back to reality and answered, "Kid, do you want to fish too?"

Although it’s true that many anglers bring two sets of gear, he isn’t among them.

"Hmm... Uncle, do you have extra hooks?" Lin Li pondered briefly and asked.

"I do have plenty of those..." The man bent down and shook his tackle box, showing that a corner bag was filled with various fish hooks.

"That’s great, Uncle, can you lend me a hook, fishing line, and bait? Or I could buy them from you if you prefer." Lin Li said immediately.

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