Chapter 12: "Healing Rate"
Xia Zuo was grumbling about the stinginess of the Golden Finger when unexpectedly a long string of information flooded his mind.
"Detection of the host possessing the first attribute exceeding 5 points, character template updating... Update complete, new entry added: 'Healing Rate.'"
The interface of the character template blurred momentarily, a faint tingling sensation running through his limbs.
In less than a second, the character template regained clarity.
Underneath 'Health Points' appeared additional lines of data:
"Healing Rate (Switchable time units using thoughts)"
- Basic Healing Rate: 1.11 points/hour.
This value, determined by vitality, indicates the host's healing rate unaffected by external factors.
- Real-Time Healing Rate: 1.11 points/hour.
This value reflects the host's actual healing rate considering items, skills, abilities, environment, and other influences.
- Average Healing Rate: 1.11 points/hour.
This data represents the moving average of the 'Real-Time Healing Rate' over the past 60 time units.
So, 'Healing Rate' was a hidden attribute. No wonder the Golden Finger stayed silent about it.
1.11 points/hour surpassed the estimated 0.98 points/hour, an extra gain of 0.13 points/hour. This indicated that vitality and healing rate didn't follow a simple proportional relationship.
Performing with the Pyro Powder infused with five drops of fiery solvent would now be a breeze.
By gently controlling the airflow, akin to spewing flames, he could easily maintain a flame length of over 0.5 meters.
Now that the 'Healing Rate' was visible on the character template, should he try a more advanced Pyro Powder?
Xia Zuo's eyes gleamed.
In truth, he had long wanted to test the power of the intermediate-level powder.
However, fearing his health wouldn't recover quickly enough, his mouth wounds preventing him from eating or drinking properly had held him back.
Thinking was one thing; acting on it was another.
Xia Zuo returned to his room, opened the trunk, and followed Audrey's instructions to concoct the Pyro Powder.
The powders, arranged by intensity from low to high, were: Weak, Intermediate, Medium, Strong, and Perfect.
The trunk contained Weak and Intermediate Pyro Powders.
The higher-grade ones remained with Audrey to prevent Xia Zuo from mistakenly using them and causing accidents during the fire training.
Five minutes later, a vial of Intermediate Mixed Pyro Powder appeared on the table.
Similar to the Weak Mixed Powder, it possessed fire-resistant properties but differed in depletion rate.
"Audrey's Intermediate Mixed Pyro Powder. Reduces health by 5 points per hour when ingested."
The panel displayed a health reduction rate of 5 points/hour. Surely, the actual depletion during performances would be lower.
Xia Zuo picked up the freshly made powder and a torch, locked the money chest and room door, and headed to the empty backyard of the inn.
The dark red liquid entered his mouth, its pungent odor more stimulating than the Weak version, leaving a bitter aftertaste, making his tongue and gums dry. He desperately wanted to expel the liquid, rinse his mouth with water, and quench his thirst.
Instantly, the information on the character template changed.
- Real-Time Healing Rate: 1.11-5→-3.89 points/hour
- Average Healing Rate: 1.11-0.08→1.03 points/hour
Enduring the discomfort, Xia Zuo picked up the torch and expelled water at a slower pace.
The flame exceeded 0.5 meters but fell short of reaching 1 meter.
He increased the water speed, expelling the liquid in two to three seconds.
The flame suddenly surged to 2 meters before rapidly dwindling and dispersing into the air.
Right after expelling the liquid, the healing data refreshed.
- Actual Healing Rate: 3.89+5→1.11 points/hour
- Average Healing Rate: 1.08+0.028→1.108 points/hour
Repeated trials gradually clarified Xia Zuo's thoughts.
Using real-time healing data, he could prearrange different intensities of Pyro Powders during performances, showcasing a diverse array of displays rather than simply emitting large flames.
For massive fireballs, he'd employ enhanced Pyro Powders. These would possess higher toxicity, deplete health rapidly, and yield a low 'Real-Time Healing Rate.'
For smaller flames or fire tendrils, transitioning with milder Pyro Powders, though still depleting health, would result in a higher 'Real-Time Healing Rate,' even if it remained negative.
Otherwise, when not ingesting toxic powders, the 'Real-Time Healing Rate' would remain positive.
Balancing between different 'Real-Time Healing Rates' would maintain the 'Average Healing Rate' consistently above 0 points/hour!
Fan Er Si's fiery performances were intense but lasted only about five minutes.
After all, this bald fellow lacked high vitality to sustain prolonged toxic ingestion, risking immediate poisoning and fainting.
Xia Zuo, however, was different!
He possessed both high healing speed and 'Undying Body,' monitoring the dynamic changes in 'Health Points' and 'Healing Rate'!
Ensuring safety, as long as the 'Average Healing Rate' stayed above -1 point/hour and his health remained above the safety line—90% or higher—he could extend the fire performances significantly!
But remember, the Golden Finger calculated experience based on fire duration and flame size.
If experience came from the performance and duration mattered...
Heh heh heh...
He could prolong the fire performance to ten minutes, even half an hour!
"Increasing the vitality attribute, along with the 'Basic Healing Rate,' raises significantly, no matter how intense the fire-breathing potion, the 'Real-time Healing Rate' remains positive.
When the big sister doesn't come to push people, he won't step down.
Let alone roasting just one chicken, roasting three, five chickens in succession, making a large plate of roast chicken is no problem.
Wow, the experience requirement for leveling up from level 5 to 6, is it high?
Not really. Xia Zuo chuckled in the backyard, pleased with himself. With a twinkle in his eye, he decided on the next plan.
Harvesting experience with this approach has one crucial condition: performances also yield experience.
So, the plan was to perform first and see how the 'Golden Finger' reacts.
Though the big sister supported him before, his skills weren't up to par, and he didn't dare confront Fan Er Si head-on.
But now...
Hmph, with the dynamic data of 'Healing Speed,' enduring fire-breathing is no longer a challenge.
"Those who enjoy sneaking and stealing, better leave my cradle of making money and gaining experience!"
With this thought, Xia Zuo quickened his pace back to his room, grabbing the money box and ledger before heading to the square.
The big sister and the others were rehearsing there.
...
Backstage of the performance area.
Audrey counted the money in the box and checked the ledger, passing it among the members.
She decided, following the old rules, to settle everyone's payment after dinner each day.
No one had any objections to this.
The square performance was for the common folk, the ticket money covered by the fortress commander, so Xia Zuo didn't need to stay at the ticket booth.
A week later, they would perform for the army, with the sergeants arranging the soldiers' viewing sessions, no ticket sales involved.
As the circus leader, Audrey had foreseen this.
She let the other members rehearse on their own and pulled Xia Zuo aside outside the small tent. "Kid, no need to sell tickets this month. Do you want to help us or read in the inn?"
"Big sister, I want to perform. Just now, in the backyard, I tested a secondary fire-breathing potion. It worked smoothly, and I could breathe fire for a long time without feeling any pain in my mouth."
Xia Zuo's tone matched his firm expression.
Audrey furrowed her brows slightly, a stern look on her face. She hadn't expected the boy to practice fire-breathing alone without her supervision. It was too risky.
She intended to sternly advise him, but seeing the spark of expectation in his eyes, the harsh words softened:
"Open your mouth, let me check."
"Ah~"
Xia Zuo tilted his head and opened his mouth.
He was at full health now, his mouth surely undamaged.
Audrey inspected carefully, not seeing any signs of the potion corroding his mouth:
"Why aren't your gums red and bleeding? Did you use the wrong potion?"
"I didn't, big sister."
Xia Zuo held Audrey's arm. "Let's try it again in the inn's backyard."
...
Empty space in the inn's backyard.
Under Audrey's observation, Xia Zuo performed with the secondary mixed fire-breathing potion for a few minutes.
When he opened his mouth again, there was only a tiny trace of damage to his gums.
With increased healing speed, if Audrey had checked a few seconds later, even this remaining injury would have healed completely...
Audrey looked at the boy with a complex expression:
"Xia Zuo, do you know your body's recovery ability is much faster than normal?"
Actually, she had noticed it when teaching him the low-grade fire-breathing potion.
At that time, Audrey attributed it to Xia Zuo still growing, having a better recovery ability than ordinary adults, and the weak potion not being harmful enough to damage his gums and tongue.
Now, even the secondary fire-breathing potion couldn't leave permanent scars. The boy in front of her certainly had some special constitution.
Audrey had heard of such people before but hadn't expected one to be standing right in front of her, let alone her own fire-breathing apprentice.
Xia Zuo knew he couldn't hide this from the big sister and had prepared a countermeasure.
"I wasn't like this when I was born. It's only after that villain in the underground cave poured many potions into me that my recovery ability became so strong."
Xia Zuo blinked innocently, speaking with utmost sincerity, perfectly shifting the blame onto the wicked old man, just the right fit.
This answer was fine, indeed, he gained experience and leveled up by testing the potion.
Just didn't mention the crucial part.
Audrey first furrowed her brows in thought, then gradually relaxed.
In her memory, there were indeed some extremely precious and rare potions that could significantly enhance the body's recovery ability.
That old villain hiding in the underground alchemy room must have obtained the formula for this potion through some illegal means.
Otherwise, why would he cower like a mouse in the cave?
"So that's it. Kid, your luck is really something else."
Audrey understood the cause and effect now, smiling faintly.
There was a hint of regret in her tone, seemingly lamenting the recipe that got burned in the fire.
Seeing the big sister's smile, Xia Zuo breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, then eagerly asked, "Can I perform now?"
"Of course. You'll start with warming up."
Audrey's expression changed, suddenly emitting a chill:
"When the time is right, we'll get rid of Fan Er Si. Addicted to potions, that guy. Hmph, if I hadn't kept an eye on him, he'd have been a disaster for the circus long ago."