Xian Lord!
The mere utterance of these two words sent a chill down Ye Ming's spine, heightening his every nerve and sense to the utmost alert.
Even... a sliver of fear.
It was astonishing that a single name could make Ye Ming, a cultivator at the Heavenly Man realm, so tense.
However, anyone who knew of the existence of "Xian Lord" would find this reaction hardly surprising. They would deem it entirely appropriate.
One ought to feel fear and reverence in the face of that Xian Lord.
Even if that person were an enemy.
"It seems your inheritance contains clear records of that Xian Lord!"
Seeing Ye Ming's expression, Xia Baiyi certainly didn't perceive it as cowardice. For her own hidden emotions, veiled in mist, were no less strained than his.
"You are correct!"
Ye Ming took a deep breath, his heart heavy. "My master once said that the Xian Lord would be an existence without precedent and without peer in the future."
This brief evaluation spoke volumes about the opponent's terrifying nature.
And "terrifying" here might not solely refer to strength; it encompassed all aspects.
"Given such an appraisal from Sage Ye, that Xian Lord must indeed be an exceptionally special individual," Xia Baiyi sighed lightly.
The "Sage Ye" she mentioned naturally referred to Ye Ming's teacher, Ye Zhisheng.
To be precise, "Sage Ye" was the title most commonly used by the majority when referring to Ye Zhisheng.
However, Xia Baiyi's statement also indirectly revealed something: she was well aware of the inheritance Ye Ming possessed.
It appeared Xia Baiyi's understanding of Ye Ming was far greater than one might imagine.
Conversely, Ye Ming felt a degree of unfamiliarity with this sudden appearance of his fiancée.
Thus, it might be a bit difficult for Ye Ming to stand tall and proud before Xia Baiyi.
"As expected! You know of my teacher's existence!"
Upon hearing Xia Baiyi's words, Ye Ming let out a wry smile, unsure of what to say.
He felt utterly cornered by her.
"Sage Ye! Ten thousand years ago, he was also a saint revered by all. While his cultivation was not exceptionally high, his approach to teaching and research was always innovative, benefiting countless individuals greatly," Xia Baiyi said, looking at him with a hint of regret in her voice. "It is a pity we never crossed paths!"
Indeed.
He was a figure from ten thousand years ago, existing only in legends for them.
And Ye Ming, though his successor, had only inherited his notes and insights, never meeting him in person.
"It truly is a pity!"
Ye Ming wholeheartedly agreed.
"However, we might have a chance to meet the awakened Xian Lord!"
Xia Baiyi steered the conversation back, returning to the matter of the awakened Xian Lord.
This was their most pressing concern.
"If possible, I'd rather not meet him right now!" Ye Ming shook his head, smiling wryly. "Ten thousand years ago, he was already the strongest. His cultivation was divine, shaping creation. My meager power would likely be extinguished with a single palm strike."
Ye Ming's words were by no means mere humility.
The true realm of that mysterious Xian Lord was beyond his current comprehension. Therefore, his current priority was to avoid him whenever possible, even sidestepping encounters.
This wasn't fear; it was an acknowledgment of insurmountable odds.
"Some things, you cannot avoid!" Xia Baiyi poured cold water on his intentions.
"You should know that the reason that Xian Lord fell into slumber back then was not because he was defeated, but by his own choice," Xia Baiyi said softly. "From what I understand, when he entered slumber, he seemed to have met with your teacher."
Met with Ye Zhisheng.
"That's right!"
Mentioning this, Ye Ming's expression grew even more helpless. "The Xian Lord chose to slumber because of an agreement with my teacher. But now, it seems my teacher has pushed all the responsibility onto me, leaving me to resolve it alone."
The thought almost made Ye Ming want to curse.
Was this something a person would do?
His own destiny being arranged was one thing, but now he had to face an unfathomably mysterious Xian Lord. This was not how a teacher should behave.
"Oh? An agreement?"
Seeing Ye Ming's expression, which was more like a grimace than a smile, the corner of Xia Baiyi's lips, hidden in the mist, curled up slightly.
She seemed rather pleased.
Ye Ming couldn't see the curve of Xia Baiyi's lips at the moment, but he sensed a hint of schadenfreude in her tone.
"Don't you know everything! Are you unaware of the agreement made between my teacher and that Xian Lord back then?"
He was about to retaliate.
He couldn't remain in a passive position indefinitely.
"Hmph! I refuse to believe you aren't curious!" Ye Ming felt a surge of smugness.
However, his petty calculation had targeted the wrong person.
"I truly do not know!"
Xia Baiyi turned around, smiling even more brightly. "But what does that have to do with me?"
"Didn't you just say your teacher dumped all the blame on you? Why should I get involved? You think I'd share the burden with you? Dream on."
Hearing this, Ye Ming felt a tightness in his chest, almost choking him to the point of spitting blood.
"Damn it!"
He wailed internally.
Wasn't this seeking suffering?
Why would he, out of the blue, use his lamentable intelligence to provoke someone? Wasn't this just asking for trouble?
"You win!"
Ye Ming secretly swore an oath, vowing to seize an opportunity. Otherwise...
But then he remembered she possessed the "Dao Spirit," and in the future, he might indeed not be her match.
"I..."
He despaired.
"Enough! I've told you what I needed to. How you proceed from here is up to you."
Xia Baiyi's figure slowly faded, leaving behind a final piece of advice:
"However, I must remind you of one thing: their actions might be faster than you imagine. So..."
"You better hurry!"
As the last word fell, the temporal stillness that had permeated the space vanished. The air resumed its flow, and various sounds assailed Ye Ming's ears.
Yet, Ye Ming's state of mind was remarkably calm.
This conversation with Xia Baiyi, though fraught with twists and turns, had sent his emotions on a rollercoaster ride. However, after it concluded, his once complex feelings felt considerably lighter.
This feeling wasn't bad.
"Since you're going back to reel in your catch, I can't just stand idly by!"
Ye Ming smiled, and his figure, too, gradually vanished into the bustling street.