He immediately formed his water barrier to block the attack, but it wasn't much use since it was instantly destroyed.

"Second brother we should kill him fast to save eldest brother." Said the skinny man.

The man with huge build swung his axe towards Ming Li but Ming Li dodged his attacks. Even the guy with spear also attacked him but he also failed to kill Ming Li.

Ming Li became tired because of the continuous usage of water shield and dodging, but he noticed that the two did not use any skill while fighting him.

"Are they waiting for the right moment to utilize their skill? Or are their skills too weak?"

They fought continuously, Ming Li wasn't easily pushed back since he can use his shield and the two did not even use a single skill.

Ming Li tried to use torment several times but he was unable to do it. He realized that his level was too low to cast it on another person. So he decided to pull out the torment affecting the man with a scar.

The man became too weak and his skin have signs of rotting. When Ming Li retracted the skill, the deteriorated part of his body did not recover and he could not gather his strength to move.

Ming Li then pointed his hands at the huge man and the sphere of symbols formed at the tip of his fingers.

The man was startled and he tried to dodge, Ming Li then smiled and thought "So that's how it is. You guys have no skill."

The man with spear tried to stab him but he pointed the sphere of symbols at the tip of the spear. The symbols flowed like water swirling around the spear, spreading to the hands of the skinny man then rapidly spreading throughout his body.

The man screamed in pain and Ming Li heavily panted as sweats drifted in his forehead. He felt exhaustion utilizing the skill the second time. Good thing was that the man with huge build did not notice Ming Li's exhaustion because he was terrified at the sight of his second brother having a seizure from unimaginable pain.

The man did not dare to attack Ming Li and stayed at a distance observing the situation then said. "Young master please forgive us. We have been disrespectful. I promise that we will leave immediately if you cancel your skill."

Ming Li felt relived because he was extremely exhausted and cannot actually continue fighting. Even though he knew that he can't beat the man with his current condition he still said "Do you think I will just let you go because of you asking for forgiveness?"

Ming Li's eyes flashed with killing intent as he lifted his hands. The man shouted in terror "No! Young Master please do not attack me with that skill."

"And why should I not attack you?"

The man shivered when he looked at Ming Li pointing at him while hearing the screams of his brother. He then kneeled and said "Please spare me. Here, I will return all the soul ores you gave me along with the sou ores you gave to my brothers."

Ming Li smiled and said "Ok give me all the soul ores."

The man rushed his two brothers and collected the soul ores, then he tossed it below Ming Li.

Ming Li looked at the three bags of soul ores and said "I said give me ALL the soul ores. Of course this include your own soul ores."

The eyes of the man went wide. He never thought that instead of robbing, they would be robbed instead. He hesitated for a bit, but everytime he saw the agony of his brother, he felt his stomach twitching from fear.

He collected all their soul ores and threw it below Ming Li. He never dared to approach Ming Li because he doesn't want Ming Li to think he has any motive to attack.

Ming Li's mood lifted up when he saw that the soul ores the thieves have was triple than what he gave them. He glanced at their weapons and his smile grew brighter "Also your weapons look kind of nice, can you also give me those?"

The man's jaw dropped but he still complied with Ming Li. He never thought that a mere 5th level beginner realm and a weak looking boy would be so daring as to rob bandits.

Ming Li then retracted his skill on the skinny man and walked away happily. I never thought that I would be stronger than those idiots. So having an art really makes a great difference.

He met several monsters along the way and tried torment several times, but after using it twice he does feel exhausted. Even how many times he used it, it still ended up the same way. 

"I really need to increase my level. But my ability to refine natural energy sucks. Even though I have been consuming a lot of pills lately there is almost no improvement in my level."

After traveling nonstop for fifteen days he arrived at the town. The town was three times as large as the village he was from. In the entrance of the town there are a lot of people passing by and a lot of guards roaming around. He can see a big sign "River Saint Town" hanging at the gate of the town.

It was his first time in this town, so he approached the guard and politely asked the requirements to get inside the town. Since he was well dressed and talked politely the guard honestly told him that he only needs to pay ten soul ores to enter. Without further hesitation, Ming Li handed over the needed amount and entered the town.

When he entered, he saw hundreds of people bustling in business. The town has rivers at every corner, It was like the town was floating in water. People traveled by the use of the rivers and there were even sea monsters used for transportation.

His eyes shone with excitement like a country bumpkin who first set foot on the city. 

He hurriedly checked every stall he saw.

"I will splurge a bit today!" He said as his eyes shone with weird determination.

He bought a lot of books, random herbs, and various magical items. He felt satisfied with everything he bought, acting like a rich person really makes him feel better.

When night fell, he rented one of the best room in town and enjoyed the best dishes. "Yes. Haha I need this. I have been gloomy for two months. releasing my stress is a good idea. Maybe after this my control for natural energy will become better."

Two days passed and he was still acting like a rich young master which made people begin to take notice in him.

There was a specific bandit guild which saw him and took interest in him. 

...

Inside a mansion a young man was sitting comfortably at a luxurious wooden chair while having two lady serve him drinks. 

"Young Master we apologize. We were beaten badly by someone and he took all our soul ores, so right now we cant deposit the share of our hunt."

The man glared at them and said "Who dared to attack the mighty Black Spider Guild!"

The three men shivered and a man with a scar on his face said "It was a young boy who has a weird skill. I think he was from a prominent clan since he was wearing nice clothes and he also have a lot of soul ores"

"He has a lot of soul ores? Is he wearing a red robe around fifteen years of age?" The young master said

"Yes young master. How did you know this?" Said the man with scar on his face

The man laughed maniacally and said "That bastard dared to step foot in this town! I Gui Mo will make sure to make him suffer!" 

"Rong Gao and Ru Gao gather some men and come with me. We will hunt for some treasure" Gui Mo said while licking his lips.