My Manor

Boom!

With a loud splash, water sprayed everywhere as Jiang Hai gasped in surprise and plunged into the sea.

At first, panic surged through him as he hit the water, but the moment he realized he could breathe, a wave of calm washed over him. He remembered—he wasn't afraid of the water. It had just been so long since he'd done this that he felt momentarily disoriented.

Sensing Jiang Hai nearby, the big fool of a sand tiger shark swam circles around him, happily gnawing on a piece of beef.

"What the hell are you doing? Now I'm soaked!" Jiang Hai swatted the shark lightly and complained with mock disgust.

Truthfully, Jiang Hai wasn't afraid of water, nor did he feel the cold thanks to his remarkable physical constitution. But his clothes? They weren't so forgiving. Now drenched, he dreaded the thought of riding his motorcycle back home. The mere idea of the freezing wind cutting through his wet clothes was enough to make him cringe.

Noticing Jiang Hai's annoyance, the shark, which had been spinning energetically, abruptly stopped. While many sharks, like tuna, need to keep swimming to breathe, sand tiger sharks are different. These sharks can rest motionless on the seafloor or in caves during the day, hunting only at night.

As the shark floated nearby, Jiang Hai took the chance to inspect his unlikely companion.

Unbeknownst to him, the shark had grown significantly larger over time. Sand tiger sharks weren't particularly attractive to begin with, and this one was no exception—it was growing uglier by the day. Its jagged teeth jutted out menacingly, and its pronounced body stripes made it look even more intimidating. This creature was undoubtedly the dominant predator in the area.

Typical sand tiger sharks grow to about three to three and a half meters in length, but Jiang Hai's shark, enhanced by his unique blood and a steady diet, had exceeded four meters—and it was still growing. If it continued at this rate, it might even surpass tiger sharks and rival great white sharks someday.

The sunlight above the sea was dazzling, illuminating the offshore seabed. Jiang Hai could clearly see small patches of seaweed swaying with the currents on the sandy ocean floor.

The seawater's temperature was much warmer than the freezing air. Back in the Ice City, it was over 20 degrees below zero, yet some people still braved the cold to swim in winter. On land, though, such temperatures would be lethal without proper protection.

Here, beneath the waves, seaweed seeds had taken root in the seabed, nourished by the mud and sand. While the fledgling growth resembled a sparse underwater meadow, it symbolized progress. Tiny squids, octopuses, and shellfish scuttled across the seafloor, adding life to the scene.

Despite the burgeoning ecosystem, Jiang Hai wasn't overly impressed. Compared to the vibrant coral reefs nearby, the fishery's waters were dull. Coral reefs, with their kaleidoscope of colors and bustling marine life, were far more captivating. Even if the seaweed eventually flourished, it could never rival the beauty of the reefs.

Determined to explore, Jiang Hai decided to swim toward the coral reef. With a pat on the shark's head, he commanded, "Follow me!"

The shark obediently swam alongside him, ever-vigilant.

Unlike the shark, Jiang Hai couldn't glide through the water effortlessly. His human movements were slow and clumsy, and it took him nearly ten minutes to reach the edge of the coral reef, which had seemed much closer at first.

Corals, often admired for their beauty, are fascinating yet peculiar creatures. Many people know that corals are formed from the remains of coral polyps, but few understand the intricate details. Corals are not merely lifeless structures—they also house living coral polyps. These polyps attach themselves to the calcium-based skeletons of their predecessors, building layer upon layer over time.

In ancient times, corals were considered rare and valuable, as their formation depended heavily on natural conditions. However, modern advancements in artificial coral cultivation have made them more accessible. By fixing coral fragments onto iron nets and placing them in areas with strong ocean currents, people can cultivate corals within a year.

Even so, coral reefs in Jiang Hai's fishing grounds were not particularly remarkable. Most corals were small, standing just 10 to 20 centimeters tall, and their colors were muted—shades of white, gray, and black dominated, with only occasional bursts of blue, yellow, pink, or red. The few valuable red corals were tiny and not worth harvesting.

While Jiang Hai wasn't well-versed in coral biology, he was more interested in the seafood thriving around the reef. He spotted sea snakes slithering in the distance, but they wisely kept their distance from Dasha, the resident bully of the reef. Even a massive sea eel retreated into its cave at the sight of the shark.

Swimming to the top of the reef, Jiang Hai surveyed the seabed below. Sea cucumbers lay scattered across the sand, some nearly 20 centimeters long. Nearby, clusters of shellfish and abalone clung to the rocks. The abalones, prized in China but less so abroad, were abundant and tempting. Jiang Hai also noticed large lobsters with their claws raised defensively, as if challenging him and Dasha.

The coral reef teemed with life—schools of shrimp darted through the water, and clownfish played among the anemones. Jiang Hai kept a safe distance from these toxic creatures, having learned that sea snakes, jellyfish, and anemones were best avoided.

The underwater world was far more captivating than the coastline, and Jiang Hai lost track of time. For over an hour, he explored the reef, gaining insights he could never learn from books or TV.

The vibrant coral reef was just the beginning. Jiang Hai couldn't help but wonder what mysteries lay deeper, at 100 or even 200 meters. Though the thought thrilled him, it also reminded him of the dangers lurking in the unknown. Originally, he'd planned to avoid diving until he reached level three, but this unexpected plunge had him reconsidering. Perhaps once he reached level two, he could venture further.

As the setting sun painted the sea red, Jiang Hai realized it was time to head back. However, he wasn't leaving empty-handed. While catching fish was out of the question, he had no intention of letting those lobsters, sea cucumbers, and abalones go to waste.

(To be continued.)