Chapter 14: Your Master’s True Power

The elder's face twisted in rage at the blatant disrespect being shown. "Seize them!" he bellowed, pointing a gnarled finger at Chen Mo and Mei Ling. "They dare to mock and defy the mighty Mei Clan! Teach them a lesson they'll never forget!"

In an instant, the laughter died down as dozens of Mei Clan disciples sprang into action. Swords were drawn, fists clenched, and cultivators' inner energies flared as they surrounded Chen Mo and Mei Ling.

Chen Mo cracked his knuckles, a cold smile playing on his lips. With blinding speed, he moved first. His palm strike slammed into the chest of the nearest disciple, sending the man flying back in a spray of blood.

The initial shock faded quickly as over fifty cultivators rushed in to attack Chen Mo simultaneously. Mei Ling backed away, her eyes wide, but Chen Mo stood his ground.

His arms blurred as he deflected strikes and countered with ferocious force. Bodies dropped left and right with each thunderous blow he landed.

Switching tactics, several Mei Clan disciples fired off blasts of pure energy. Chen Mo spun in a tight circle, his robes whipping around him, as he erected a swirling vortex of energy that absorbed and deflected their attacks.

Two cultivators were caught in the backlash of their own energy blasts, crumpling to the floor.

"You fools have no concept of my true strength!" Chen Mo roared. Channeling a massive surge of his profound internal energy, he smashed his open palms together with bone-shattering force.

A shockwave of power radiated outward, slamming disciples into walls and reducing heavy stone pillars to rubble.

Undeterred, more Mei cultivators rushed in, some attempting coordinated combination attacks. Chen Mo proved to be too agile and perceptive, always one step ahead, dodging and weaving with an almost ethereal grace.

His counterattacks were ruthless haymakers that could shatter boulder-sized chunks of falling debris with contemptuous ease.

Mei Ling watched in awe, unsure if she should feel terrified or simply marvel at the overwhelming display of power and skill. At one point, she covered her mouth in horror as one of the powerful cultivator's severed arm landed at her feet.

She knew that her master was mysterious ever since he admitted to knowing her ancestor, but she didn't think he'd be this strong and ruthless. He was simply another person when fighting.

Chen Mo became a cyclone of devastation, a whirlwind of feet, fists, elbows and knees pummeling everyone within range. In mere minutes, the once rambunctious crowd of Mei cultivators lay groaning and broken at his feet, their foolish laughter now supplanted by cries of pain.

Panting slightly, Chen Mo straightened up and turned his gaze to the elder. The old man trembled as their eyes met, realizing all his clan's top talents had been decimated by this one monstrous cultivator. Gathering his nerve, the elder raised his arms, forming an intricate series of hand seals.

"Ancient Mei Clan Art - Heavenly Devastation Palm!" he roared, slamming his hands forward and unleashing a spiraling torrent of energy that churned with multi-colored light.

Chen Mo slid into a sturdy low stance, gathering his internal energy. "You still don't understand!" With a burst of speed, he charged forward to meet the elder's attack head on. Their palms met in a resounding thunderclap that shook the entire main hall. Bolts of energy arced between the two, sizzling and cracking.

The elder's eyes widened in shock and fear as he felt Chen Mo's superior cultivation and power. He redoubled his efforts, chanting arcane words to try and overcome the irresistible force bearing down on him. But it was futile - Chen Mo's internal power was simply too immense.

Chen Mo thought to himself that although both he and the elder were in the peak of Core Formation real, his foundation was built on millions of simulations until it was rock solid. To put it simply, he was invincible in the same realm.

With one final surge, Chen Mo overwhelmed the elder's technique, shattering the spiraling torrent of energy. His palm slammed into the old man's chest with crunch of shattering bone, lifting him off his feet. The elder flew back, smashing through walls and furniture until skidding to a halt in a broken, whimpering heap.

Silence reigned over the devastated hall, littered with bloodied and unconscious bodies. Chen Mo stood unharmed, his expression stoic. Mei Ling slowly approached him, her eyes never leaving his face.

"Now do you see your master's true power?" Chen Mo said.

Mei Ling could only numbly nod in response. She had much to ponder about this mysterious and frighteningly strong young cultivator who had become her master.

The sound of slow, deliberate clapping echoed through the devastated hall. From a side door, the Patriarch of the Mei Clan emerged, an inscrutable expression on his weathered face.

"Very good, truly a genius," he said, eyeing Chen Mo. "Not only did you recover your broken spiritual roots, but you also managed to advance your cultivation to such a state at such a short time. I'm quite impressed."

His gaze swept over the broken bodies littering the floor. "But just because you managed to defeat a few of our disciples and an elder, don't think that you are invincible."

Chen Mo met the Patriarch's gaze evenly. "I admire your talent for one so young," the old man continued. "Hand over Mei Ling and join my Mei Clan. I'm even willing to let you take my granddaughter's hand in marriage."

Chen Mo let out a derisive snort. "Don't make me laugh, old man. Keep dreaming if you think I'd ever join your corrupt clan." His voice hardened. "You wanted to kill me before when you thought I was weak. Now that you've realized my true strength, you want to keep me as your dog on a leash."

The Patriarch's expression darkened. "It seems you don't appreciate my kindness and generosity." He shook his head slowly. "Then don't blame me for being ruthless."

With a wave of his hand, the side doors opened once more. Eleven figures strode in, each an elder of the Mei Clan and all bearing imposing auras of immense cultivation. "Attack together and show this impudent brat the might of our Mei Clan!"