Wasting Cultivation resources on Maidens makes me the STRONGEST

In the banquet hall, after Wei Jin stormed out, the air was thick with tension.

The guests exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from confusion to disbelief.

The silence lingered like a heavy cloud until a member of the Wei Family, a middle-aged man known for his diplomatic nature, stepped forward.

With a composed demeanor, he cupped his hands in the traditional gesture of respect, first bowing toward Ru Shen and then toward Ru Shaonian.

"Ru Shen, Patriarch of the esteemed Ru Family, and Miss Ru Shaonian," he began, his voice steady and reverent, "please do not take offense or worry yourselves over what just transpired. Our young Wei Jin must have been momentarily overcome by some... confusion.

"Perhaps the pressure of cultivation or the weight of expectations has clouded his mind. As everyone here knows, Wei Jin has always cherished Miss Ru Shaonian deeply, treating her as the treasure of his life."

His words seemed to resonate in the room, and soon, others began to murmur in agreement.

"Indeed! Wei Jin has always been devoted to Miss Ru Shaonian. It is unthinkable that he would harbor ill intentions toward her!"

"Perhaps he misspoke, or his actions were driven by a momentary lapse in judgment. We all know how much he adores her!"

"True, true. Wei Jin has always been the epitome of loyalty and admiration when it comes to Miss Ru Shaonian. Such an incident must be a misunderstanding."

"Maybe he was simply overwhelmed. It's not uncommon for young cultivators to struggle with their emotions, especially when dealing with someone they hold so dear."

"Yes, yes! Remember how he once stayed up all night guarding the alchemy room just so no one could disturb Miss Ru Shaonian during her cultivation breakthrough? Such devotion cannot be feigned!"

"And wasn't it just recently that Wei Jin offered her that rare Hundred-Year Spirit Herb? A token of his unwavering support and care!"

The murmurs grew louder, overlapping in a chorus of sympathetic comments, each trying to outdo the other in rationalizing Wei Jin's behavior.

"Perhaps Wei Jin simply needs time to compose himself. He might be feeling unworthy or burdened by the honor of being tied to such an extraordinary woman as Miss Ru Shaonian."

"Yes, yes! And who among us has not been overwhelmed by the weight of love and responsibility?"

Ru Shen, standing quietly amidst the growing tide of voices, finally raised a hand, his expression calm but firm, signaling for silence. The room obediently hushed.

"Your words are kind and generous," Ru Shen said with a slight bow, his tone steady and diplomatic.

"I am thankful for your understanding and goodwill toward my son-in-law. Indeed, Wei Jin has shown great respect and care for my daughter. Perhaps this is but a minor misunderstanding, a passing storm in the journey of youth."

Despite his composed words, Ru Shen's eyes would occasionally dart toward Ru Shaonian, who had been unusually quiet throughout the commotion.

Her delicate features remained unreadable, but there was a serene strength about her that drew attention.

The atmosphere shifted when Ru Shaonian suddenly rose from her seat, her movements graceful and deliberate.

Her silent ascent commanded the room's attention, and one by one, the conversations fell to an abrupt halt.

All eyes were on her as she clasped her hands in front of her, bowed slightly, and spoke in a soft yet resolute voice.

"This matter is my fault," she said, her tone carrying an air of dignity and grace that left everyone spellbound. "I shall go and speak to him myself. Please, do not trouble yourselves further."

The room was silent, captivated by her composed demeanor.

Slowly, gracefully, Ru Shaonian turned and began to retreat. Her every step was deliberate, her movements like a dance, as if the very air around her honored her presence.

The guests could only watch in admiration as she exited, her calm, dignified grace etching itself into their memories.

As the doors closed behind her, a sharp voice broke the silence.

"That bastard child Wei Jin!" one of the Wei Family elders growled, his face red with fury.

"How dare he disgrace us like this? Such behavior is unbecoming of a member of the Wei Family! Staining our honor before the Ru Family—unacceptable! When he returns, I will personally deal with him!"

The elder's outburst drew nods of agreement from others in the Wei Family, their faces mirroring his anger.

Ru Shen, ever the diplomat, raised a hand in a placating gesture.

"Elder Wei, there is no need for harsh measures. These are matters of the young, and they often have a way of sorting themselves out.

"Perhaps Wei Jin's actions stem from deeper struggles we cannot yet understand. Let us not be hasty in judgment."

The elder hesitated, grumbling under his breath, but eventually nodded. "Very well. But mark my words, Ru Shen—if this matter escalates, the Wei Family will not stand for such disrespect."

"Of course," Ru Shen said with a small bow, his tone calm. "But I trust in the wisdom of both families. Let us wait and see how the young ones navigate this storm."

With that, the elder seemed appeased, and the tense atmosphere lightened.

Soon, the sound of cups clinking together filled the air as the guests raised their glasses in a toast.

"To the Wei and Ru Families!"

"To the unity and strength of our clans!"

"And to the wisdom of the young as they chart their paths!"

The banquet resumed, the guests cheering and laughing, though a subtle tension lingered beneath the surface, a reminder of the dramatic storm that had yet to fully pass.

…

Outside, under the soft glow of moonlight, Ru Shaonian walked in silence. Her heart felt an unfamiliar stir, like a trickle of water slipping through cracks she hadn't known existed.

She recalled the words of the Wei Family member in the banquet hall: Wei Jin was trembling when he asked for a divorce.

At first, she dismissed it as a fleeting moment of weakness on his part, but deep down, Ru Shaonian knew better.

She had known Wei Jin for a long time—long enough to understand that when he made a decision, he meant it. His trembling was not a sign of doubt, but of determination, and that realization unsettled her.

Something was slipping away.

She could feel it, though she couldn't name it.

A strange, foreign sensation clawed at her heart, yet she shook her head, refusing to dwell on it. This isn't the time, she told herself.

After all, she had what she needed—the Hundred-Year Spirit Herb, crucial for Mo Tian.

Her footsteps echoed softly against the cobblestones, and only then did she realize her path. She was heading toward Wei Jin. She stopped abruptly, her breath catching in her throat.

Ru Shaonian closed her eyes, trying to compose herself. She had chosen Wei Jin willingly, she reminded herself.

Unlike Mo Tian, who was charming but a notorious womanizer, Wei Jin had always been steady, aloof, and solitary. He never chased after women, never indulged in meaningless flattery, and that had been reassuring. It had given her a sense of stability that she hadn't known she needed.

Yet even as she recalled Wei Jin's unwavering care, a bitter truth surfaced.

For all his devotion, for all the times he had gone out of his way to support her, Ru Shaonian couldn't feel anything deeper for him. She couldn't find the spark, the pull that would tie her heart to his.

But Mo Tian...

With Mo Tian, her heart had always been in turmoil.

She cared about him.

Even after their paths diverged, her emotions for him never faded completely. And though she tried to rationalize her actions, the truth was that her care for Mo Tian extended beyond mere gratitude.

Ru Shaonian shook her head, pushing the thoughts aside. She wasn't doing anything wrong. She had married Wei Jin, accepted him, and done her part.

If she couldn't reciprocate his feelings, it wasn't her fault.

Right now, Mo Tian needed help, and she couldn't abandon him.

The torment she'd suffered in her cultivation was unbearable until Mo Tian stepped in, guiding her past the barriers that had shackled her progress.

Thanks to his help, she had finally broken through and stepped into the Spirit Realm.

This was why she owed him, and this was why she couldn't turn her back on him now.

Ru Shaonian took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. I'll talk to Wei Jin later, she decided. But for now, her priority was to repay Mo Tian for his kindness. He needed her help, and she couldn't ignore that debt.

Without another thought, she turned, walking in the opposite direction of Wei Jin.