In this vast, cold, and lethal ice-sealed world, he used his own hands and wisdom to create a warm, tranquil, and hopeful "absolute domain" for himself, which measured less than three square meters.

This is not merely survival; it is gradually becoming a way of life.

He patiently waited, waited for the first greeting from the underwater world!

Time passed by, second by second.

Outside the shed, the sun started to slowly slide from the zenith towards the west, and inside, the light transitioned from bright to a dim yellow.

The charcoal inside the iron barrel had already been replaced, yet the fishing rod in front of him stood completely still as if under a spell.

An hour had passed.

Lin Yu'an slightly furrowed his brow and gently pulled on the fishing line, feeling the subtle sensation transmitted back from the lead sinker underwater.

"The underwater environment is fine, the bait is fine too..." he murmured to himself, beginning a self-analysis.

"Polar freshwater fish have a very slow metabolism, with a low appetite during winter. Patience, patience is paramount."

He waited for another hour.

The wind outside the shed seemed to have increased, and the sun had dyed the snow with a lazy golden hue.

Inside, the temperature remained as warm as spring, but the camp chair under his buttocks seemed to have grown nails, making him restless.

He began trying some more proactive techniques, gently shaking the fishing line slightly, performing a "tease fishing," imitating a struggling tiny creature by the submerged wood.

He even took another piece of rabbit guts from his backpack, threw it into the ice hole, performing a "baiting the nest," attempting to use the stronger scent to attract distant fish.

Yet all efforts seemed to vanish without a trace; the taut fishing line remained as quiet as a library.

Another hour passed, and it had completely turned dark outside, enveloping the shed in a deep twilight.

Inside the shed, the stove became the only source of light on this ice plain, casting his solitary shadow onto the willow-woven walls.

He finally sighed a long, drawn-out sigh, slowly retrieving the fishing line from the water.

The gutted bait, full of hope, came back before him, intact but somewhat paled from the cold river water soak.

"Alright..." he said to the empty fishhook, a hint of self-deprecating humor playing on his face.

"We've perfected our theories, explored the best fishing spots, built the sturdiest shelter, and armed ourselves with a fire-and-iron-forged, unstoppable ice drill..."

He paused, raising the immobile fishing rod and addressing it as if speaking to himself:

"...Then, we were airborne."

He couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head as he packed away all the fishing gear.

He had no plans to trek in the dark and instead lit a pine torch specifically prepared for nighttime ventures.

The flame on the torch crackled, instantly dispelling the biting cold around him with its rich forest scent.

The orange-red firelight cast a warm yet solitary glow on the surrounding snow, illuminating his frostbitten, rosy-red face covered with a defiant expression.

Dragging his complete set of equipment, holding the bright torch, he walked back to the shelter with his backpack containing no new food but his mind brimming with a fierce review and tactical upgrade.

While walking, he spoke to the camera: "Today's airborne operation is definitely not a technical issue; it's a matter of probability and timing."

"Fish are most active during the darkest dawn and dusk. I only fished for one afternoon, missing the optimal time window."

A streak of fisherman-like obsession began to rise in his heart; he refused to accept returning empty-handed in his most skilled domain.

"Tomorrow, I'll change my strategy! I'll set out before dawn, bringing enough charcoal, food, and my sleeping bag. I'm going to wage a battle lasting over 24 hours at that fishing spot!"

"If there's no catch during the day, I'll sleep in that willow-branch shed, waiting for the dawn of the next day!"

This crazy thought made even him feel a surge of passion.

Meanwhile, he was already conceptualizing a grander and more intricate plan involving nets, guide ropes, and underwater traps.

Today's airborne effort is a step towards tomorrow's full haul!

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