The fish took the bait even before the fishing line touched the water.
What's even more incredible is that there was no bait on the hook!
"Unbelievable!"
Among the onlookers, an old lady with a kind smile narrowed her eyes and sighed softly, "Mondstadt's younger generation is truly remarkable, grasping the essence of fishing so early. 'Willing bait' - how fascinating."
"Come on, granny, don't spout nonsense. You actually believe in the 'willing bait' concept?"
Some of the young people who had recovered from their shock crossed their arms and sneered, "It's just luck. The fish below see the shiny hook on the surface and jump to eat it. What's so hard to understand? Anyone can do this."
"Hmm."
The old lady smiled and shook her head, not bothering to argue with the young people. She turned and walked away from the crowd, seemingly slow but covering vast distances with each step.
"Hmph, talking about gods and whatnot."
The onlookers didn't pay much attention to the unassuming old lady. They found her words amusing, thinking, "An immortal in Liyue being so boring? Forget it, old hag, I don't believe you."
"Let's be honest, without exaggerating or downplaying... Jams was just lucky a moment ago. His casting was flashy, but it looked completely amateurish."
"Agreed, I'm just a passerby here, and I also think Jams' confident movements seemed impressive but ultimately served no purpose. If he's so skilled, why not use the same method to catch another fish? Do the fish in Cider Lake really have a death wish, determined to give him a free meal?"
"Tsk."
Jams chuckled and shook his head.
Some of the internet trolls were getting fed up.
He paid no attention to the ongoing discussions among the onlookers but instead turned his head to look at the fisher Nantuck, thirty meters away.
A slight smile formed at the corner of his mouth, showing a hint of intriguing meaning.
"Mr. Nantuck, we're now tied with one fish each. How do you feel about that?"
"Just caught one fish, nothing to get cocky about!"
Initially, Nantuck was also impressed by Jams' baitless fishing technique.
But upon reflection, the fish jumping out of the water to bite the hook was purely coincidental.
If the fish in Cider Lake were that foolish, there would be no skilled fishers going home empty-handed.
"This Jams guy couldn't catch a single fish before, and now he suddenly pulls off this stunt. Clearly, he's up to something."
Nantuck's mind raced, and finally, he figured out the reason!
"Jams must be trying to pressure me with this flashy fishing technique, hoping I'll give up voluntarily... Hah, what a dream!"
As an experienced fisher, Nantuck had his own judgments and principles.
What situations hadn't he seen?
Though Jams' fancy move did touch upon his blind spot, it wouldn't crush his fighting spirit!
"I, Nantuck, the master of Mondstadt's most powerful fishing rod 'Windtangler,' won't lose to a shameless pervert like you!"
"Tsk, that's a bit of a personal attack there."
Jams clicked his tongue lightly, thinking, "I already gave you a chance, but if you're not up to the task, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
At this moment, some onlookers, always eager to gossip, started moralizing.
"Jams, focus on fishing. Why do you keep talking to Nantuck? Are you deliberately messing with his mindset?"
"Despicable!"
"..."
"Ugh, these people are going too far! Little Paimon is furious!"
Little Paimon's face turned red with anger as she tightly clenched her fist, about the size of a lychee.
She was initially very happy that a fish had taken the bait, but now the crowd began taunting Jams again.
While Jams remained as composed as ever, Paimon was almost in tears.
"Don't cry, Paimon. I won't let anyone who makes you cry off the hook."
Seeing Paimon and the girls getting indignant, Jams felt touched and his expression turned increasingly ruthless and cold.
He looked around, memorizing the faces of those who were being rude, his eyes carrying a mix of derision, indifference, and contempt.
"I intended to interact with you all as an ordinary person, but instead, I got mocked. Well, I won't pretend anymore. I'm laying it all out!"
Jams snorted coldly and cast his fishing line again.
Whoosh!
"My fishing is completely different from yours. I understand if you don't get it, but before you get astonished, remember one thing..."
"I, Jams, don't cheat!"
Rumble!
Before the onlookers could mock him this time, they saw the serene Cider Lake suddenly roil and seethe as if it were boiling.
A massive shadow appeared on the clear surface of the lake.
Experienced fishers could recognize it immediately—it was a school of countless fish!
"This..."
Several onlookers gaped, staring at the churning lake water in astonishment.
The lake trembled, and the ground trembled. Everyone's hearts trembled too!
That small silver fishhook seemed to have become the center of the world, not only hooking the fish but also everyone's necks, leaving them breathless.
As the fishhook flew to a position three feet above the water, an unforgettable scene unfolded...
Boom!
With a deafening explosion, countless fish leaped out of the water, like a pack of hungry wolves, swarming towards Jams' fishhook.
Splash, splash, splash!
Waves surged, and the water roared as the myriad of fish fought to bite that tiny fishhook, blotting out the sky and shaking everyone's hearts!
"..."
Some of the people who had mocked Jams before now found their legs trembling, falling to their knees.
They stared dumbfounded at Jams' back.
One person, one fishing rod, countless fish flocking to the hook.
The entire lake seemed like a black carpet, slowly being lifted by Jams' fishhook.
They couldn't comprehend it, but they were utterly terrified.
This wasn't fishing; it was fishing an entire lake!
"Jams, big brother!"
"Jams!"
In the cacophony of waves, Klee, Lumine, Noelle, Barbara, and Amber all laughed like tinkling silver bells.
They didn't quite understand why Jams suddenly became so powerful, but it didn't stop them from hugging him with all their hearts, excitedly rubbing against him.
Fishing the whole Cider Lake with a single cast—such magnificence, such a man, who wouldn't love him?
"Oh my, could you ladies be a bit more rational? Can't you see I'm fishing here? Women indeed only affect my fishing speed!"