Silence fell in the reception hall.
Li Xinge looked at Shi Qianqiu.
Shi Qianqiu met his gaze.
There was not the slightest bit of yielding in his eyes.
After a long time.
Li Xinge said faintly, "Your pavilion truly thinks quite highly of me."
"If we didn't think much of the King of Chu, then there would be no one in this world worthy of our regard."
Shi Qianqiu said.
"In twenty-odd years, going from a minor clan in a county town to holding ten provinces in your hands now, and about to contend for the realm..."
"A Divine Mansion Realm Great Perfection in your early forties."
"Not to mention that battle beyond the heavens."
He raised his head and looked at Li Xinge.
"What manner of person the Princess Royal is, Shi knows better than anyone."
"Yet she lost."
"She lost at the hands of the King of Chu."
Li Xinge smiled.
"I am comfortable hearing Pavilion Master Shi say this."
"Still, one easily grows muddled from hearing too many comfortable words."
He raised his eyes.
"I understand the intentions of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, but with the strength and heritage of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, is there any need for this?"
Shi Qianqiu fell silent for a moment.
Then, he slowly spoke.
"King of Chu, do you feel this world is vast?"
Li Xinge's gaze flickered slightly.
"What is Pavilion Master Shi trying to say?"
"When Shi was young, he traveled all over."
"At that time, I felt this world was already so vast there was no end in sight."
"Later, by a twist of fate, I entered the Myriad Treasures Pavilion."
"Only then did I realize those places I had walked through in my life..."
He raised his hand, his two fingers pinching together.
"Could not even