27 Surprise (1/2)

The Forest of Ruin, a few hours ago.

Shi Li was standing idly as he looked at the dirt road that would lead him back to Verdant Breeze Town. The problem he was facing wasn't because of Moddy or anything, but it was still quite a problem.

”The amount of beasts we've killed go beyond the hundreds. I could fit it all into my storage, but wouldn't you think the people would become suspicious of my ability?” Shi Li asked Moddy.

”Nya. I don't how humans work, but they might catch you if you show it-nya. How about leaving most of the corpses here in the outskirts, then having just one corpse in your storage-nya? They'd get the illusion of your storage being small, and you would still get a lot of money-nya,” Moddy deduced.

”But then, how do I explain where my storage ability came from?” If Shi Li showed this without a reason, then people would definitely hunt him down.

Moddy closed its beady eyes for a while before getting to a good idea. ”Nya! You use the ability when you say ”Storage” nya? How about I open my mouth and nya after you say that-nya?”

Shi Li thought it was a great idea, but he had a sad face on. ”But wouldn't you that mean you'd end up being the one hunted instead?”

”Nyat to worry. You know what my Aurora Blast could do nya? Also, I'm sure you're there when people try to capture me nyahahaha!”

The last statement was quite true. Shi Li chuckled with Moddy before replying.

”Well, let's go with that then. How about you cast a barrier around the pile of corpses and when a human gets to the proximity of it, the barrier dissipates?”

”Nya...it seems hard without having inner energy, but I can try-nya.”

Shi Li opened up the rift and gave Moddy its bongos as he placed almost all the beast corpses into a neat pile beside the path, leaving one corpse to spare.

Afterwards, Moddy casted multiple Aurora Blasts and Enhancement Waltzes with his drums and made sure that only the beast corpses were the only items surrounded by the barrier.

After that was assured, Moddy continued to cast Enhancement Waltz and Aurora Blast on the barrier, making the barrier glow with light as the energy within the barrier increased. After Moddy felt that the amount of skills it used was enough, it casted a Harmony Bind to tie it all together.

Bang!

A qualitative change happened to the barrier where the excess energy flowed around the ray of light from the Harmony Bind, turning into a self-sustaining barrier that would supply energy to where it was needed.

Moddy gave Shi Li the drums back and said, ”This is the first time I made a self-sustaining barrier-nya. At most, it can hold on for 6 hours-nya. If I were to practice even more, then I can make longer barriers than that-nya.”

Shi Li was surprised that Moddy's first attempt would actually be a success. He didn't mind the time limit as they just had to move faster than usual.

”Well, since that's done, let's go back to my home.”

Shi Li gave Moddy the drums again and said, ”Cast 10 Enhancement Waltzes on me. We're gonna have to rush our journey.”

Moddy nodded and beat on the drum 10 times. At first, a faint gold aura surrounded Shi Li's body, but each Enhancement Waltz after the first one intensified the gold color, turning it into a semi-corporeal aura surrounding Shi Li and Moddy.

'Hmm...how about I combine it with that skill?'

”[Overlimit]!”

As Shi Li said this, a surge of energy was released and spread throughout his body with the speed of a bullet train. With the 10 Enhancement Waltzes affecting the body, the sensation intensified by ten times, which surprised Shi Li.

Shi Li finally kept Moddy's drums into the storage and bent his legs afterward.

”Moddy?”

”Nya?”

”Better on hold tight.”

Swoosh!

With his strength at the Second Stage of Skin Tempering, the effect of 10 Enhancement Waltzes and the [Overlimit] skill, Shi Li moved through a large distance with just one step.

”Nyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh...”

...

Shi Li and Moddy slowly walked to the gates without putting an air of arrogance whatsoever.

”Halt!” A voice resounded through the Shi clan gates as two guards showed themselves to Shi Li.

They emanated a terrifying aura to anyone who looked at them, including Shi Li and Moddy. But with their wills being tempered through multiple fights, it was just a small pressure compared to the threat of dying.

”Oh?” A guard raised its eyebrows, surprising that the kid in front of them could withstand their aura.

”What are you doing here in front of the Shi clan gates?” The other guard asked Shi Li.

Even though the aura they emanated was tolerable, their strengths were at an extremely high level compared to Shi Li. Their skins were compacted, their bones screamed of strength and even their organs were fortified. Not to mention, they also have inner energy accumulating in their bodies. What realm were they at?

Well none other than the Peak of Organ Tempering!

'Since they're the Shi clan guards, I guess they'd recognize my face. But this dilemma might be due to my tattered clothes and dirty face.'

Even though Shi Li knew how to make his appearance look good, he was still given glances of disgust as he walked through the streets of Verdant Breeze Town.

Shi Li cupped his hands and bowed politely to the guards. ”My name is Shi Li and I have come back from my tempering journey from the Forest of Ruin. Can I enter the Shi clan?”

Hearing Shi Li's name and looking at his appearance, the guards easily connected it to Shi clan patriarch's son with their enhanced minds.

All of a sudden, a guard started to chuckle dryly as he signalled another guard to open the gates. He then waved his hand inwards as he forced out a smile, saying ”Ah...haha. It's the Shi clan patriarch's son. It is our mistake of not recognizing you at first glance. Go ahead, do come in!”