All the people in the room looked at Wang Wei with a speechless look. Their faces seemed to be asking why you admit that this poem was not yours? The creator was long dead, just take the credit. Didn't you see that the Goddess was moved by you, so this is the perfect opportunity to impress her.
However, Wang Wei ignored these looks as most of these people do not dare to say anything about his actions. Of course that did not go for everyone.
"Hmmph," snorted Ji Song. "If you cannot create an artistic piece of your own, then you should remain silent."
Wang Wei then looked at him with a smile, "Unlike you people, I am not a little puppy that wags his tail in front of his owner to attract their attention. Between Heaven and Earth, I have nothing to prove to anyone or anything."
The faces of all the people in the room became ugly after hearing this, however, no one said anything else as they were a little ashamed; their behavior of trying to impress Xi Shi did look like a puppy trying to garner the attention of its owner.
However, who can blame them? Her beauty was simply otherworldly.
"Young Master Wang Wei, I am a little confused. This was a perfect opportunity to impress Miss Xi Shi, so why ruin it?" suddenly asked Wu Hong.
"I thought I made my intention very clear: I am not interested in her." replied Wang Wei with a calm look on his face.
"I know this, but why are you not interested? No one can deny that Miss Xi Shi is a peerless beauty that comes once every generation."
Wang Wei turned his head to the side and looked deep in Wu Hong's eyes for a few seconds before turning away.
"That's because she is nothing but a vase."
"A vase?"
"A woman like her would offer nothing to a partnership. She is nothing but a beautiful decoration that added embellishment to me, but nothing of real substance. Let me ask you, what did you feel when you heard her playing the zither?"
After pondering for a few seconds, Wu Hong then answered, "She is truly talented and her zither art has reached the realm where it can help sooth people's mind"
"Anything else?"
"...It seemed that there was no edge or power behind it."
Wang Wei nodded before continuing:
"As a Zither Grandmaster, she should be able to use her arts to attack and kill people with it, but yet I felt none of such power on her zither intent. Meaning that she actively ignored this part of the Zither Dao because she knew that she would not need it. As a beautiful woman, all she needs is a powerful man to protect her; this kind of mindset has been ingrained in her ever since she was young.
"Am I wrong, Miss Xi Shi?"
However, Xi Shi did not answer him, and she even lowered her head to avoid his deep and piercing gaze.
"Is there anything wrong with a woman using her beauty to find someone to protect herself? In this largely patriarchal society, it is the best way for many helpless women," suddenly said Su Ya, who sat a few tables away from Wang Wei.
After looking over in her direction, Wang Wei replied: "I will not argue with you how cultivation allows women to eliminate the gap with men, but why do you care, Young Lady Su Ya? Are you one of these women?"
"Of course not," replied Su Ya with a smile--an act which actually turned her hair from blue to red. "I'm just curious, that's all."
"As a matter of fact, you are indeed correct. And personally, I have nothing against Miss Xi Shi, she just does not fit my requirements for a companion, that's all."
"Then, young master Wang Wei, what are your requirements?" asked Su Ya back with an intriguing look on her face.
After pondering for a few brief seconds to organize his words, Wang Wei then explained:
"My goal in life was never to become a Great Emperor, but to walk towards the end of Great Dao, and even go beyond it. Becoming a Great Emperor is just one of the many steps that I have to take to achieve such a goal.
"And in that process, I know that the journey ahead will be long and fraught with unimaginable difficulties. And that I will need someone to walk along with me side by side, someone that can motivate me when things seem hopeless or that there seems to be no path ahead, a person that can carry me on their back when I am beaten and can no longer move ahead. And I will also do the same thing for said companion.
"To be blunt, Miss Xi Shi does not come close to meeting my requirements. If she was my companion, I can foresee how things would go between us. For once, I will have to use countless resources and efforts for her to be able to even keep up with my pace and rapid progress.
"Then there is the amount of time I will have to use protecting her when my enemies realize that it is easier to get through me through her; she would perfectly play the role of the damsel in distress, and I will waste my time saving her every time. It is simply not worth it just for a beautiful face."
The room suddenly became quiet. While some of the geniuses were thinking about how cold hearted and decisive Wang Wei was, the true Heaven Chosens like Lin Fan, Ji Song, Jian Wushuang, Sun Jiaolong and Su Ya were focusing on something else: his goals.
While most of them were trying their hardest to one day prove the Dao and one day become a Great Emperor, their number one competitor already had his vision beyond them.
What they pursued for their entire lives was nothing but one of the many steps in Wang Wei's goals; his vision reached far beyond them, it has already gaze beyond the Dao itself.
All of them secretly sighed as they realized that the difference between them and Wang Wei might not just be strength, but also will, state of mind and Dao Heart and ambitions.
However, despite figuring this out, none of this made them give up pr destroyed their confidence. On the contrary, they saw this situation as a learning opportunity. Since they lacked in certain areas compared to their competitors, then they will find ways to make up the gap.
While everyone was still contemplating his words, Wang Wei was secretly whispering with Wu Hong.
"Young master Wang Wei, your requirements are too harsh. I am afraid that it will be difficult for you to find such a person."
"On the contrary Miss Wu Hong, I have a feeling that the person I am looking for is at a gaze's length," replied Wang Wei while looking deep in her eyes.
However, she did not blush nor evade his gaze. She just placed her hand in front of mouth, then giggled with an ethereal voice before answering:
"Then you are a very fortunate man."
"That I am."
After all the people processed what just took place, Lin Fan suddenly stood up slowly and elegantly, then cupped his hand together.
"Respectfully, Sacred Son Wang Wei, I believe that you are wrong. Miss Xi Shi deserves to be protected, deserves to receive the admiration and praise of myriad beings in myriad worlds. She deserves to leave her name in the annals of history, for her beauty is one of a kind. As for all those things you just said about her, to me, it sounds like excuses a scum man would use to justify not being able to protect his own woman."
Wang Wei removed his gaze from Wu Hong with great difficulty; he then looked up and down at Lin Fan.
"Young master Lin Fan, have you noticed that all the praiseworthy 'adjectives' that you use to describe Miss Xi Shi can also be used to describe a magnificent and unique piece of art, or a beautiful vase in an art's collector?"
Lin Fan almost choked after hearing this. He wanted to refute, but he did not know what to say. So, his face just became red out of anger.
"You know that this is not what I meant?"
"How do I know what you mean?" replied Wang Wei while deliberately making a puzzled face. Lin Fan then just snorted at him before turning to look at Xi Shi. He cupped his hand together and slightly bowed.
"Miss Xi Shi, do not listen to any of his words as they are just his opinion. You are beautiful and should be proud of that. And you alone can decide how you choose to live your life." Then, he returned to his seat.
As for Xi Shi, she was finally able to relieve her embarrassment. Then, she fulfilled her position as hostess and continued the meeting. Many people were given the chance to perform after Wang Wei. Unfortunately, the mood of the meeting was not as harmonious as previously.
While Wang Wei was chatting happily with Wu Hong, he sensed someone approaching him and sitting at the table on his right, making him sandwiches between two people. So, he turned around to see who it was.