Come At Me All Together

'Activate skill [Existence]'

[

Name: Zhang Wei

Cultivation: Ninth Layer Soul Formation

Information: Tenth elder of the Heavenly Palace. Since you wiped out the Mei clan, he wants to check whether or not you have the Chen Family treasure and maybe invite you to join the heavenly palace.

]

'Invite me huh?'

Chen Mo's brow furrowed as his thoughts drifted back to the enigmatic treasure the Mei Clan elder had mentioned. Despite his exhaustive efforts, utilizing his divine sense to scour every inch of the sect grounds, the elusive artifact remained frustratingly elusive, its whereabouts a tantalizing mystery.

'Maybe it's not in the sect grounds or has an array formation protecting it, that explains why the Heavenly Palace still hasn't found it yet. Do I have to wait for Rasiel to wake up'

Although Chen Mo could use the same powers as Rasiel if not better, Rasiel was just much more efficient. Its like debating whether to write an essay or just generate it using AI. Of course Chen Mo as a man of culture preferred the latter, I mean, who doesn't [wink]. [ERROR]

A flicker of hope ignited within him as he considered the possibility that this Elder Zhang, who had unexpectedly requested an audience, might possess valuable information regarding the treasure's location. Perhaps this was an opportunity to unravel the riddle that had plagued him for days.

With swift strides, Chen Mo made his way to the sect's gates, his footfalls echoing through the cavernous halls. As he emerged into the open courtyard, a cacophony of jeers and taunts assailed him from the gathered crowd of cultivators, each vying for his attention with boastful proclamations and challenges.

Ignoring their provocations, Chen Mo's gaze settled upon the figure of Elder Zhang, and he inclined his head in a respectful bow. "I greet fellow Daoist Zhang," he spoke, his tone cordial yet tinged with an undercurrent of authority.

Elder Zhang's brow creased ever so slightly as he regarded Chen Mo, a flicker of uncertainty flickering across his weathered features. "Fellow Daoist?" he murmured, almost to himself, his words laced with a hint of disbelief.

Extending his divine sense, Elder Zhang attempted to probe the depths of Chen Mo's cultivation, seeking to unravel the enigma that stood before him. However, to his utter astonishment, his efforts were met with an impenetrable void, his divine sense rebuffed as if striking an unyielding barrier.

"How is that possible?" he breathed, his eyes widening in a mix of awe and trepidation. "I have the strongest divine sense among my peers in the Soul Formation realm. Could it be...?"

A frown etched itself upon Elder Zhang's visage, and Chen Mo did not fail to notice the subtle shift in his demeanor. A knowing smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he recognized the telltale signs of Elder Zhang's failed attempt to gauge his cultivation.

'You thought I used a treasure to suppress the Mei clan and wanted to forcefully take it from me but now you realize that I'm stronger than you. What will you do now?' Chen Mo mused, his eyes glinting with quiet amusement.

Elder Zhang, however, quickly schooled his features into a mask of polite neutrality, though the tension that now thrummed between them was palpable. 

"What's wrong, Elder Zhang?" Chen Mo inquired; his tone deceptively innocent.

A fleeting hesitation flickered across Elder Zhang's expression before he responded, his words carefully measured. "It's nothing. It's just that there are many people here, so I won't disturb Sect Master Chen any longer." With a curt nod, he turned and took to the air, his robes billowing in his wake.

As Elder Zhang's figure receded into the distance, his thoughts churned with a maelstrom of implications and revelations. 'I must inform the Patriarch immediately,' he resolved, his jaw set in grim determination.

 'I had hoped to persuade Chen Mo to join us amicably, or subdue him if necessary, but now that we have the same cultivation realm, such a task would not be so easily accomplished. He even possesses a stronger divine sense than my own.'

Chen Mo watched Elder Zhang's departure with a calculating gaze, his mind already turning to the potential ramifications of this unexpected encounter. It was clear that Elder Zhang had initially harbored hopes of either recruiting him or, failing that, attempting to overpower him through sheer force. However, the revelation of Chen Mo's true cultivation had shattered those aspirations, rendering Elder Zhang virtually powerless against him.

A wry smile tugged at Chen Mo's lips as he contemplated the Elder's hasty retreat. It seemed that, for the time being, he had secured a reprieve from the incessant challenges and posturing that had plagued his sect in recent days. 

'Now that they know my strength, it's not easy for them to send elders to subdue me as they would lose face so they'll probably invite me for an opportunity in a secret realm or something like that then try to suppress me or my sect disciples'

Chen Mo let out a chuckle as he thought to himself that he had read so much novels like these he could almost read the elder's thoughts.

…

Chen Mo turned his gaze towards the gathered crowd of onlookers huddled outside the sect's gates, their hushed murmurs and furtive glances betraying their bewilderment over the recent exchange with Elder Zhang. 

As the clamor reached a crescendo, Chen Mo raised his hand in a commanding gesture, and a hush fell over the crowd once more. With a flick of his wrist, the shimmering array formation that had previously shielded the sect dissipated, its intricate runes fading into nothingness, leaving the onlookers gaping in astonishment.

"Those who wish to join the sect," Chen Mo proclaimed, his voice resonating with authority, "you may return in three days' time."

A beat of silence hung in the air, thick with anticipation, before Chen Mo's lips curved into a provocative smile. "As for the others..." His gaze swept over the gathered cultivators, alight with a challenge that sent ripples of excitement through the crowd. "Just come at me, all together."