Chapter 10: Audrey's Style
"Big sis, aren't the tutorials and tools for fire-spitting expensive?"
Xia Zuo leaned against Audrey's embrace, furrowing his brow with concern, not wanting Audrey to spend too much.
"Don't worry, little one. I've been saving up points for years without using any. With the circus income, there's nowhere to spend those points anymore. I have more than I can use."
Audrey held the boy tightly, reluctant to let go, treating him as if he were a priceless treasure.
"After this show ends here, I'll head to the warrior guild outpost in town. Hmm, I'll need to... you can't keep the fact that you're learning fire-spitting hidden. I need to inform Fan Er Si; give him a mental preparation to pack up and leave in three years. A circus can only have one fire-spitter, it's an industry rule."
Audrey's tone was relaxed at first, but when she mentioned Fan Er Si, her words turned cold and determined.
"Big-big-big sis, no need to rush and tell Fan Er Si like that. I might not even learn it."
Xia Zuo worried about stirring up a potential rival, someone who enjoyed sneaky actions.
The other's experience, physique, and abilities were much stronger than his own, forcing him to be cautious.
Audrey thought the boy was concerned about Fan Er Si's future livelihood and gently reassured, "You don't need to worry. With his current fire-spitting skills, he could make a living in the busier cities up north."
"I don't mean that. Big sis, that day, I actually woke up, but I couldn't open my eyes," Xia Zuo revealed what he knew and his apprehension toward Fan Er Si.
At the end of his words, he firmly stated, "I promise I haven't told anyone about Fan Er Si stealing money."
Audrey's initial surprise turned into admiration, gradually evolving into a satisfied and fond smile towards the boy.
"You're even more mature than I imagined. I'll handle it. As long as you're always within my sight, Fan Er Si won't dare touch you. Who knows, hmph, he might be planning to leave our circus and move to a better place."
The two conversed by the ticket booth until nightfall. After Audrey escorted Xia Zuo back to his room, she went to talk to Fan Er Si.
Xia Zuo feared Fan Er Si's treachery, but big sis wasn't afraid. Having been in the circus for so long, she had the knack for this.
Besides, to Audrey, Fan Er Si's thievery itself was the best leverage.
...
The following morning, before the circus performance commenced, the troupe gathered around Audrey.
"Audrey plans for Fan Er Si to develop in the big northern city once he masters the new fire-spitting technique. Is that true, Fan Er Si?" Audrey said with a smile.
Sneck and the clown siblings, along with the hefty Pole Pie, were taken aback by this news. They were both happy for their companion and concerned about the absence of a fire-spitter in the act.
"Congratulations, Fan Er Si. Have you arranged with the new circus?" Sneck stroked the green snake around his shoulder, his dark face showing mixed emotions.
Who wouldn't want to perform in a big city?
More audience, greater fame, wealth, better performance venues, and outfits.
Among the circus, only Audrey and Fan Er Si were likely to change circuses. A knife thrower and a fire-spitter were much rarer than a strongman and a clown.
The former required sharp eyesight and superb throwing skills, while the latter needed to endure the toxicity of fire-spitting chemicals, facing the threat of flames.
The bald Fan Er Si was surrounded by everyone, maintaining an expressionless demeanor. On the surface, he perfectly matched the image of a circus master.
He nodded slowly, gesturing a series of signs: Found a new place. I'll need a few more years to meet their requirements.
Sneck understood his gestures, and a lot of his worry dissipated.
As long as Fan Er Si didn't leave immediately, the flourishing circus business wouldn't suffer setbacks.
Pole Pie and the clown siblings wore similar expressions, displaying a hint of relief.
"Everyone, I have more good news."
Audrey's smile grew brighter. "Our ticket seller, Xia Zuo, has a talent for fire-spitting. I've decided that once this show ends, I'll exchange the tutorials and tools for him at the warrior guild. While he trains, I'll personally be there to protect him and guide him in learning fire-spitting."
"Oh! Is that true?!" Sneck paused, then immediately hugged the boy beside him, laughing and shaking his arms.
Pole Pie chuckled and ruffled the boy's hair with his large hand, messing it up. The clown siblings squealed, bouncing around the boy excitedly.
Xia Zuo, having been saved by the members themselves, had a very close relationship with everyone, far different from what Fan Er Si could compare.
Even if he was just a flame-spitter who could spit fire, he was an indispensable part of the circus. Someone taking Fan Er Si's place was better than leaving the performance vacant.
Moreover, Xia Zuo was young and had just begun learning fire-spitting.
He would stay in the circus for a long, long time. The circus would enter a long and stable phase of development because of this.
The members, previously worried about the circus's business, suddenly realized that good and comfortable days were right ahead.
Under the contrast of prior worry and current joy, the feeling of happiness was intense and enduring.
"Yes, indeed, big sis tested me twice last night. Sneck, don't shake me, I'm a bit dizzy. Clown sister, your voice is too sharp, my ears hurt."
Xia Zuo finally found a moment to speak amidst the enthusiastic celebration of the group, casting a pleading look at Audrey.
"Alright, everyone. Let's get ready for the show. The audience is waiting."
Audrey clapped her hands, producing a sound that calmed the restless emotions of the members.
Everyone began their work.
Pole Pie and the clown brother checked the seesaw and safety ropes, Sneck adjusted his specially made flute, while Fan Er Si silently prepared the fire-spitting chemicals.
The clown sister applied delicate makeup on Xia Zuo's face and adorned his fluffy green wig with some star stickers.
Wearing clown shoes that lifted his toes high, a bright-colored scarf, Xia Zuo looked vibrant and dazzling.
He approached the ticket booth and blew a comical horn toward the queueing audience.
"Honk honk~ Audrey's Circus is starting!"
The circus is good, and so am I. Becoming a fire-spitter means coins and experience rolling in.
Honk honk.
...
In the blink of an eye, five days had passed.
The circus concluded its performance in this small town.
The ticket sales experience combined with the exercise from juggling balls granted Xia Zuo a smooth ascent to Level 2. It earned him a new attribute point, leaving him with a total of three, waiting to be allocated.
【Level】LV.4
【Experience】0/50
Moving from Level 3 to 4 only required 20 points of experience, but this time, it demanded 50...
Somewhere deep inside, Xia Zuo sensed his departure from the novice stage. He foresaw future leveling experiences requiring several additional zeros.
On the circus's final day at the outpost, the members had free time to pursue personal activities.
At dawn, Xia Zuo eagerly arrived at Audrey's doorstep.
"You seem more impatient than me."
Audrey pinched the boy's cheek. "Wait for me inside. I'll be back shortly."
About half an hour later, Audrey entered the room carrying a leather suitcase.
From the suitcase, she took out a book, a small bottle of potion, and a jar of oil, placing them on the table.
Xia Zuo casually tossed out "Scrying Art."
"'Essentials of Fire Breathing Training,' memorizing this book yields 10 experience points and increases mental attributes by 0.08 points. Upon completion, it automatically scans and records the entire content into the host's knowledge reserve."
"Weak Fire Breathing Potion, crafted by the Warrior Guild. Ingestion results in bodily harm, expected to deduct 60 points of health within 60 minutes. While held in the mouth, deducts 20 points per hour. Successful intake or fire-breathing yields experience."
"Edible Flame-Resistant Oil, when applied to the body, reduces external flame damage for 30 minutes. When ingested, decreases internal flame damage for 30 minutes, with an expected deduction of 1 health point within 60 minutes. Experience is gained upon flame damage during its effective period."
Xia Zuo flipped open 'Essentials of Fire Breathing Training.'
Half the book detailed body protection techniques.
From daily routines to exercise methods, dietary guidance, even down to the posture and frequency of drinking water, it resembled a health guide.
The remaining content covered various fire-breathing potions, their usage, and formulation methods.
The final pages contained illustrations demonstrating common fire-breathing poses, diagrams illustrating the relationship between environmental airflow, exhaled breath, and flames, along with emergency self-rescue techniques.
Hmm, very comprehensive.
Xia Zuo nodded to himself, closing the book, observing the elder sister figure tinkering with alchemical instruments from her suitcase.
Audrey's skill in throwing knives was top-notch, her hands agile, effortlessly handling glass vials, her movements smooth and fluent, surpassing Fan Er Si.
She concocted a new fire-breathing potion by combining weak fire-breathing and flame-resistant oils along with other protective substances.
Xia Zuo casually cast Scrying Art.
"Audrey's style Weak Mixed Fire Breathing Potion, possessing both fire resistance and fire-breathing effects.
"Holding it in the mouth for 3 seconds forms a flame-resistant layer.
"Holding for 5 seconds separates the weak fire-breathing potion from the flame-resistant oil, allowing breathing fire.
"Ingestion leads to bodily harm, deducting 30 health points within 60 minutes. While held in the mouth, deducts 3 points per hour. Successful fire-breathing yields experience."
Wow, a combination of various potions, reducing both toxicity and health deduction, maintaining the fire-breathing effect.
Xia Zuo smirked, suddenly feeling like having Big Sister as a part-time fire-breathing instructor was quite reliable.
The fire-breathing potion she crafted seemed much better than Fan Er Si's.
"Kid, let's start learning fire-breathing."
Audrey sat at the table, asking the boy to sit close to her so they could read 'Essentials of Fire Breathing Training' together.
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