Ergou, being a robust sixteen-year-old lad, had a strong constitution.
After taking two bowls of medicine and sweating profusely, his fever subsided.
Ergou's family was overjoyed, and Old Luo, the pharmacist, was free to quickly prepare the medicine for Zhou Yuan.
"Shi Tou, although this medicine is nourishing, you shouldn't overconsume it. Remember, all medicines have some toxicity."
"Don't worry, Uncle Luo. I'm just using it for emergencies. If I were to take it regularly, I'd need some expensive supplements."
"Look at you, talking big. Expensive supplements are worth more than you. Ginseng, Lingzhi, and Fo-Ti Root aren't things you can afford."
After prying twelve copper coins from Zhou Yuan's hand, Old Luo explained how to brew the herbs.
Zhou Yuan, relying on his attribute panel, boldly experimented with the medicine's effects.
Old Luo, being a fellow villager, wouldn't deceive him. As Zhou Yuan drank a bowl of the bitter medicine, his health bar indeed changed.
However, initially, the health bar didn't increase; it decreased.
After a 2% drop in health, it then increased by 4%, effectively recovering only 2% of his health per bowl.
Watching his health bar drop from 92% to 90%, then rise to 94%, Zhou Yuan suddenly understood the meaning of "the weak can't handle supplements."
Given his current robust health, anyone weaker might suffer more damage from the potent medicine, recovering even less, making it better not to take it at all.
Zhou Yuan believed there were formulas in this world with mild effects and significant results.
It's just that Old Luo didn't have any expensive supplements or good formulas.
"One man's honey is another man's poison.
I have food supplement and rest skills, allowing me to absorb more of the nourishing effects and mitigate the negative impacts of the medicine."
"This medicine is a tonic for me, a small health-recovery soup, but it might not be the same for others."
Even if the medicine first harms and then heals, providing only a 2% positive feedback, Zhou Yuan found it acceptable.
A pack of medicine could be brewed twice, allowing him to recover 4% of his health in a day, giving Zhou Yuan a new way to recover besides sneaky tactics.
With the help of the supplements, Zhou Yuan further enhanced his skill training and quickly reaped new rewards.
[You have comprehended 'Thrusting Spear', mastering a spear technique]
[Thrusting Spear, Lv1 (1/10)]
[Effect: Front hand like a ring, back hand like a lock, gathering strength, the spear strikes in a line.]
The core of the Thrusting Spear technique lies in two points: power and precision.
After skillifying the Thrusting Spear, Zhou Yuan's precision greatly improved, surpassing the stage of clumsy execution. Get faster updates on g.com.
"Clang..."
A bamboo pole without a spearhead accurately struck the copper coin hanging on a straw rope.
The sound of metal clashing caught the attention of three village men. Just as they thought Zhou Yuan was lucky, the clanging continued.
The effect of the bamboo pole striking the coin was too obvious, far less concealed than chopping wood with a hatchet.
Only then did the three village men realize, to their surprise, that Shi Tou had truly mastered something.
"Amazing, Big Huang Uncle, Shi Tou really got it this time.
I've been practicing with sticks these past few days, and hitting the eyes or neck is already good. Shi Tou can actually hit such a small copper coin."
"Don't compare yourself to Shi Tou. He's had many epiphanies, so he should have mastered something real by now.
But this kid is getting more and more uncanny. He's at least five steps away from the copper coin, yet he can hit the hanging coin."
Thrusting in a straight line sounds easy, but it's not simple in practice.
Zhou Yuan's spear thrust wasn't a slow, aimed strike but a powerful, explosive thrust.
In such an explosive thrust, maintaining precision meant he was no less than a proper practitioner.
"Good, this kid's got something. If he becomes a soldier, with this accuracy, he could pierce a few heads.
This spear is fierce and deadly, just what we need. You two, quickly serve tea and say some nice words, and let Shi Tou teach you."
"Big Huang Uncle, why don't you go?"
"I'm old and frail, no chance of becoming a soldier. You two train well. A quick and accurate spear is better than anything."
The two village men took the advice to heart. Initially, they were reluctant when chosen to guard Zhou Yuan.
But now things were different. Zhou Yuan was bold, daring to lead them in driving away idlers, and his spear was precise, earning their respect.
So they served tea and stood quietly by Zhou Yuan's side, hoping to learn a trick or two to increase their chances of serving in the military.
"Whew..."
Only after the Thrusting Spear skill reached level 2 did Zhou Yuan put down the bamboo pole and stretch his sore arms.
The benefits of skillification were immense. The appearance of a skill acted like a qualifying line, firmly stabilizing the lower limit of technique.
As skill proficiency increased, it continuously raised the skill's lower limit, giving Zhou Yuan a sense of ease and mastery over the spear.
"What should I say? That I've had another epiphany?"
"Yeah, that's it. Shi Tou, since you've had an epiphany, you must understand the trick. Why not teach us?
We won't let you work for nothing. Eggs, beans, fruits, and other good food, we'll arrange for you."
"Alright, you guys practice a bit, and I'll watch."
Without an attribute panel guaranteeing results, quickly training martial skills was difficult.
Zhou Yuan guided them for half an hour, but the two village men's Thrusting Spear showed no significant improvement.
Fortunately, his instructions were straightforward, and his techniques were clear. Even if they didn't master it, the two village men felt they benefited greatly.
The tactile feedback from the Thrusting Spear, an action-based skill, was more apparent than that from life skills.
After acquiring a new skill, Zhou Yuan's pursuit of running became more intense.
He reduced his rest time, focusing on running whenever he wasn't training techniques.
"Brother Shi Tou, running again? Once I'm better, I'll run with you."
"Sure, Ergou, are you feeling better?"
"I can get out of bed now, and my body doesn't hurt, but I'm still weak and coughing a lot."
Passing by Ergou's house, Zhou Yuan took a look at him. The lad was sitting on a wooden stump, basking in the sun.
His wife was worried about him getting tired, so she didn't let him do anything, just letting him rest.
His health bar had recovered from 76% to 80%. After all, being young, once the illness improved, his vitality quickly returned.
"If you're weak, rest more. I have some of Old Luo's supplements. Once you're better, I'll give you some to strengthen your body."
Seeing Zhou Yuan about to leave, waving his hand, Ergou quickly stood up from the stump and leaned on the fence to shout.
"Brother Shi Tou, come here, I have something to tell you."
"What's up, Ergou? Do you have some secret?"
"Brother Shi Tou, I almost died this time, and I've realized a lot.
This pearl is Cui Niang's dowry. Keep it safe. If you join the army, you can use it to bribe the officers for a better position."
The round pearl was beautiful under the sunlight, and Zhou Yuan immediately recognized it as coming from the [Qingsha General's Nest] instance.
"It's too valuable. I can't accept it. Besides, if we're joining the army together, you should be the one to secure a good position."
"Brother Shi Tou, just keep it. My dad sold the field and asked the Village Head to report the epidemic. The county agreed to replace me in the army."
"Alright, you should find a livelihood soon and live well."