<h4>Chapter 28: World’s Strongest Genius</h4>


    The frost pce stood as a majestic monument to the frigid beauty of the frozen tundra. Its towering spires and intricate architectural details were carved from solid ice, glistening like a million diamonds in the pale winter light. The pce walls shimmered with an ethereal radiance, refracting the sunlight in a kaleidoscope of colors that danced across the pristine snow nketing the grounds.


    Within the pce''s luxurious chambers, a breathtaking woman lounged regally, her regal bearing and exquisite attire befitting of royalty. Her features were striking, with high cheekbones and full, crimson lips that contrasted starkly against her porcin skin. A maid fussed over her, carefully adorning her with glittering jewelry that caught the light, casting prismatic hues across the room.


    Suddenly, the woman jolted upright, her movements startling the maid, who cried out in concern, "Empress?"


    The empress, however, paid no heed to the maid''s distress, her gaze fixed upon the distant horizon with a sly, knowing smile ying upon her lips. "This feeling..." she murmured, her voice low and sultry. "Thew of ice."


    Rising with a fluid grace, she made her way to the balcony, her steps purposeful and unhurried. She grasped the icy bars, her fingers trailing over the intricate designs etched into the frozen surface. "But this ce... it''s the mortal realm," she mused, her eyes alight with realization. "Could it be?"


    In a sudden, decisive motion, she brought her foot down upon the icy floor, and three figures emerged from the frozen surface, their forms d in crystalline garments that shimmered with every slight movement. They knelt before her; heads bowed in deference. "Empress," they intoned in unison.


    With a dismissive flick of her wrist, the empress summoned a gleaming ice block, its surface etched with intricate runes that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. She proffered the block to one of the kneeling figures, who epted it reverently. "Understood," the figure uttered, their voice resonating with an eerie, crystalline quality before sinking back into the icy depths from whence they came.


    A rich, melodicugh spilled from the empress''s lips, echoing through the cavernous halls of the pce. "This is getting interesting!" she eximed, her eyes sparkling with mischievous delight as she reveled in the unfolding mystery before her.


    ...


    Chen Mo gently helped Mei Ling to her feet, his brow furrowed with concern as he studied her unfamiliar tone and features. "You''re not Mei Ling?" he asked, his voiceced with trepidation. "Yin Mei?"


    Her gaze met his, eyes flickering with an ancient power that sent a shiver down his spine. "Yes," she affirmed, her tone regal andmanding.


    Chen Mo felt his heart skip a beat as the implications of her words washed over him. "What happened to Mei Ling? Did you two fuse together? Did your memories return?"


    Yin Mei shook her head, a slight frown creasing her delicate features. "No, not yet. As for my memories, they are still blurry. I only remember one thing."


    Chen Mo''s eyes widened with surprise. "One thing? What is it?"


    "Frost Empire..." Yin Mei began, but before she could borate further, her eyes rolled back, and she crumpled to the floor.


    Chen Mo reacted with lightning reflexes, catching her limp form before she could hit the ground. He gently shook her, calling out her name with increasing urgency, until finally, her eyes fluttered open, confusion clouding her gaze.


    "Where am I? What happened?" she mumbled, clutching her head as if in pain.


    Chen Mo regarded her with a sympathetic gaze, reaching out to pat her head in a soothing gesture. A small pill materialized in his hand, and he offered it to her. "Take this. You''ll feel better."


    Obediently, Mei Ling epted the pill, swallowing it without hesitation. Chen Mo gently guided her back onto the bed, ensuring she wasfortable before rising to his feet and making his way out of the chamber.


    As he walked, his mind whirred with a torrent of thoughts and theories. It seemed evident that Mei Ling and Yin Mei had not yet fully merged, their consciousnesses still separate entities vying for dominance.


    A pang of sadness tugged at his heart as he considered the possibility of losing Mei Ling, his first disciple, to the ancient consciousness of Yin Mei. Though he understood that Mei Ling was merely Yin Mei''s reincarnation avatar, he hade to regard her as a distinct individual, a cherished protégé whose well-being was of utmost importance to him.


    ''Use skill [Existence] – Where is the Frost Empire''


    [CONCEALED INFORMATION]


    ''It seems that Yin Mei isn''t that simple''


    With a heavy sigh, he resolved to ponder the implications of their potential fusion at ater time, when Rasiel had awakened and could offer his guidance. For now, more pressing matters demanded his attention.


    In the aftermath of the battle at the Mei n, Chen Mo''s reputation had soared to unprecedented heights, earning him the illustrious title of "World''s Strongest Genius." Word of his prowess had spread like wildfire, drawing scores of hopefuls to the gates of his sect, all moring to be epted as disciples under his tutge.


    Not everyone, however, harbored such noble intentions. Many hade to issue challenges, seeking to usurp his hard-earned moniker through sheer force. Yet, Chen Mo had paid them little heed, allowing them to linger outside the sect''s boundaries, their bravado slowly withering in the face of his indifference.


    Of course, there were those who sought to sow chaos and discord, but Chen Mo had taken precautions, erecting a formidable array formation that rendered the sect imprable to all below the Soul and Body Integration realm. This intricate defensive measure was the result of his meticulous analysis andbination of various formations looted from the Mei n, a testament to his ingenuity and dedication.


    ''Now that I think about it, it wasn''t all that hard even without Rasiel. It seems my processing power increased greatly from this battle. I should do it often. Of course I still prefer having Rasiel do it for me''


    Furthermore, Chen Mo had spent the past three days poring over the martial scrolls acquired during the battle, meticulously disassembling and reassembling their contents to create original techniques tailored specifically for his future disciples. It was abor of love, fueled by his desire to impart the mostprehensive and effective teachings to those who would follow in his footsteps.


    "Now that I think about it," Chen Mo mused, his thoughts drifting back to the conversation with the Mei n elder, "there was also that treasure he mentioned."


    Before he could delve deeper into the matter, a booming voice echoed through the halls, snapping him back to the present. "Elder Zhang of the Heavenly Pce seeks an audience! I hope Sect Master Chen allows it."


    *


    [UPDATING] – [Time left – 4 days]