Xia Baiyi!
That was Ye Ming's guess.
Coupled with the information that Xuan Yue had previously conveyed to him through Xi Yao and the strength the other party had displayed, Ye Ming was almost certain that the woman before him was the undisputed number one among the younger generation from that otherworldly land—Xia Baiyi.
"Oh!"
Hearing her name spoken directly, Xia Baiyi seemed somewhat surprised.
"How did you recognize me?" she directly voiced her question.
Logically speaking, the young man before her should not have known of her existence.
"What! You're surprised?"
This time, Ye Ming finally regained the initiative.
After all, the words "you're surprised" were spoken to him by Xia Baiyi not long ago.
This was considered a return favor.
"It's not exactly surprise, just a little astonished!" A hint of cunning flashed in Xia Baiyi's eyes, and she chuckled, "Compared to my astonishment, you must have more questions, right!"
Questions in his heart!
Upon hearing this, Ye Ming's mouth twitched, and he fell silent.
That's right!
As she had said, his mind was now filled with all sorts of questions.
The initiative had once again shifted.
"Alright! I admit, I do have many questions! However..."
At this moment, Ye Ming suddenly flashed a wicked smile and said, "However, if I can capture you, I believe all my doubts will be resolved."
Judging by his demeanor, he was prepared to use force to solve the problem.
"Capture me?"
Upon hearing this, it seemed like the most interesting thing she had heard in recent years: "Young Master Ye, are you planning to use your Celestial Realm strength?"
Young Master Ye!
This appellation was undeniably quite... unique.
"What? Can't I!"
Ye Ming once again extended his right hand, and the mysterious power from before was once again condensed in his palm. Moreover, this power was being continuously compressed by him, as if undergoing a qualitative transformation.
Seeing this, Xia Baiyi's beautiful eyes shone with golden light, staring intently at the process of transformation.
"Hmm?"
Sensing two burning gazes fixed on his palm, Ye Ming's mouth twitched again. He stopped his action and said, "Aren't you even a little afraid?"
He had originally planned to use his Celestial Realm strength to intimidate her. But now, it seemed to be different from what he had imagined.
"Hey! Don't stop!"
Seeing Ye Ming halt the transformation process, Xia Baiyi quickly urged, "Continue! Don't stop!"
"???"
Hearing her slightly hurried voice, Ye Ming's heart trembled, and he almost lost his balance.
What kind of suggestive words were these?
Finally, in utter helplessness, Ye Ming sighed deeply, dispersed the power in his palm, and conceded, "Alright! You win!"
If it were not absolutely necessary, he would naturally not use his Celestial Realm strength.
"Tsk! I thought you were so brave!"
To this, Xia Baiyi naturally responded with a taunt.
"Forget it! I'm done joking with you!"
At this moment, Xia Baiyi's tone suddenly became somewhat serious, and she said solemnly, "I didn't intend to meet you at this time, but..."
As she spoke, as if remembering something, her tone carried a hint of gritted teeth: "But you've been causing trouble for me, so I had to show myself to stop you."
"Hmm? You didn't intend to meet me at this time?"
Ye Ming didn't pay much attention to the latter part of her words. His focus was on the first half. "What do you mean by that?"
However, Xia Baiyi did not answer him.
"I know you have many questions, and I can answer all your questions right now! But..." Xia Baiyi turned around and said sternly, "But there are some things I hope you will find the answers to yourself!"
"My appearance this time is just to tell you to stop interfering with the formation assessment of the Heavenly Guardian Land! Doing so will only expose yourself sooner!"
Xia Baiyi's words were a warning, but in reality, they were an admonishment.
"Expose myself?"
Ye Ming carefully savored these four words.
Expose?
Did it refer to his identity, or... his strength.
"Alright! I can promise not to interfere with the matters of the Heavenly Guardian Land anymore! However, I hope you can answer one question for me!"
Seeing the faint silhouette, Ye Ming's eyes gradually became complex.
"Tell me!"
The other party did not say she absolutely had to answer him.
"Where can I find the answers to my questions?"
Since she had told him to find the answers himself, she should at least give him a hint!
"Where to find them?"
Xia Baiyi seemed to be repeating his question. Then, she shook her head, and her figure gradually began to blur, leaving only an ethereal echo.
"Go to the place you least want to go!"
This!
This was Xia Baiyi's hint to him.
"The place I least want to go?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Ming fell into silence for a moment.
Several minutes later.
He raised his head, looked in the direction where Xia Baiyi had disappeared, and gave a self-deprecating smile: "Actually, I should have thought of it earlier."
It had to be said that what he had experienced today had once again delivered a massive shock to Ye Ming's psyche.
Especially Xia Baiyi's appearance.
Both her strength and her attitude towards him left Ye Ming with a stomach full of questions.
"Forget it! I already have too many things to do! I'll put the rest aside for now!"
With a sigh, Ye Ming vanished from his spot.
...
On a certain peak, the woman in the white plain dress returned once again. She seemed to enjoy looking at the scenery below from this spot.
"Ye Ming! Do you know, we are all very happy that you survived?" Xia Baiyi's gaze revealed a hint of tenderness as she softly said, "I'm truly sorry for forcing you back to that place in this manner."
"I know you harbor hatred and resentment. But..." She gazed at the clouds over the distant mountains, her tone so melancholic, so heart-wrenching: "But back then, they truly had no other choice!"
"So, please forgive them!"
These words must have been held within her heart for a long time.
A moment later, Xia Baiyi's drifting thoughts slowly retracted.
The tenderness in her eyes completely disappeared.
In its place, an unyielding decisiveness and resolve emerged: "What nonsense about severing worldly ties to enter the Celestial Realm, it's utterly laughable!"
As she spoke these words, one could clearly sense a trace of... killing intent emanating from Xia Baiyi.
And this killing intent was exceptionally pure.
"Heh! To try and control me, to turn me into a heartless killing machine!"
"Dream on!"