The Person I Hate Most in This Life

Secluded cultivation was not all Xun'er did after returning to the clan.

Ever since she had recognized the decay within the Ancient Clan, she had constantly contemplated one thing—

Strength.

Cultivation and strength could not be equated. Take the Xiao Yan of old, who, with the body of a Dou Ling, had defeated a high-level Dou Wang head-on. Or Hun Ruoruo, who had dared to draw her sword against Tong Xuan, a Half-Saint.

Such things could not be gained through cultivation alone. They required momentum, spirit, and an unyielding edge that feared no powerful foe and looked down upon all beneath heaven.

Such sharpness could not be gained without long battles, nor could it be found in sheltered upbringing.

If she had always clung to the title of the strongest among the Eight Clans and disdained to look down upon the mortal world, she would never have realized the value of this sharpness.

"I had always wondered why. Why Brother Xiao Yan, who had been in Wutan City back then, made me admire him so much that I was even willing to defy the clan's orders."

Xun'er held her spear, countless golden traces rippling through her eyes.

"Until I saw the same temperament in you."

Hun Ruoruo's expression remained unchanged as she stood quietly in place, neither confirming nor denying Xun'er's words.

Seeing this, Xun'er smiled faintly. Whether the other responded or not, she continued on her own.

"I think that may be why I cannot bring myself to hate you. Even if you are his daughter, even if we stand on opposing sides, you are still you. Your identity cannot change your essence."

"If you cannot hate me, does that mean you do not exactly like me either?"

Hun Ruoruo smiled teasingly.

"Yes. Perhaps there is no one in