Chapter 782: What Is a Heaven‑Born Prodigy?

Ji Rufeng swept his hand dramatically and shouted in a harsh voice.

A few members of the Lingyun Team looked uneasy, and Bai Pang pointed at Ji Rufeng, scolding, "Ji Rufeng, haven't you always said that the captain of our Lingyun Team is a turtle that hides its head? She's back now—what do you want to do?"

Ji Rufeng furrowed his brows, "What does she think our Jade Autumn Sect is? Does she think she can come when she pleases and leave when she pleases?"

Ji Rufeng's face was angry, his eyes burning with fury, "Because of her, how much loss has our Jade Autumn Sect suffered? Because of her, how many of our sect's disciples can't hold their heads up outside?"

When Ji Rufeng said that, members of the Black Iron Team all echoed him, agreeing that he was right.

"You're right."

Ye Qingran gave a slight nod, surprisingly also agreeing with Ji Rufeng.

Ji Rufeng was taken aback, apparently not expecting Ye Qingran's reaction, and squinted, "Ye Qingran, I don't know what game you're playing, but as long as I, Ji Rufeng, have a day in the Jade Autumn Sect, I won't let you go back and trample my sect again!"

Qing Lan and the others looked at Ye Qingran with surprise.

Ye Qingran curled her lips, "You said the matter started because of me; shouldn't I be the one to step forward and resolve it?"

Ji Rufeng pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

"Things must eventually be resolved; if we keep dragging them out, it will be just as you said—the disciples of the Jade Autumn Sect won't be able to hold their heads up before the world."

"It's been so many years—how else can we solve it? The world's prejudice against our Jade Autumn Sect is already deeply rooted; how will you overturn it?"

"There's a saying that the one who tied the bell must untie it. The Jade Autumn Sect's reputation suffered because of my disappearance, so if I return and prove to the world that the sect did not exaggerate back then, perhaps we can turn the tide?"

Everyone present was stunned.

"What do you think?" Ye Qingran's gaze swept over the people, a faint curve lifting the corners of her mouth.

Ji Rufeng pressed his lips hard, his hand inside his sleeve tightening.

He had to admit that Ye Qingran's words made a lot of sense.

Back then, Ye Qingran shone brilliantly in the Jade Autumn Sect, her fame soaring. When top disciples from the other two major sects came to spar, they were told Ye Qingran had disappeared; the world would not accept that excuse, accusing the Jade Autumn Sect of feigning mystery. From then on, people deemed the sect hypocritical, and many prodigies no longer regarded it as a place for cultivation.

Now, only Ye Qingran can prove to the world that she exists and truly is a Peerless Heaven's Pride, to silence the endless gossip, to turn the tide, and to dispel the world's seven‑year prejudice against the Jade Autumn Sect.

But can Ye Qingran actually do it?

"It's been so many years—who knows if you're still the heaven‑born prodigy you were back then?" If not, her reappearance would be useless and would again make the Jade Autumn Sect a subject of ridicule.

"Tell me, what counts as a heaven‑born prodigy?"

Ye Qingran was genuinely curious.

Perhaps the Floating Life Realm's standards differ from those of the Xuanmiao Continent.

Ji Rufeng pondered briefly, then answered loudly: "Let me put it this way—today in the Floating Life Realm, the younger generation has two great heaven‑born prodigies. One is Ye Feixing of the Zhai Xing Pavilion, the other is Liu Chenyu of the Suspended King Hall. Both are twenty‑four now, already top‑level saints who have grasped the Emperor's Will—one masterful with Talisman, the other skilled in alchemy, both exceptionally talented and peerlessly elegant."

Ji Rufeng paused, his gaze at Ye Qingran deepening, "If you can stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with them, you'd be a heaven‑born prodigy. But that's not enough. Back then, the sect master and the Elders all praised your unparalleled talent, a once‑in‑a‑millennium gift capable of suppressing an era, so you must be even more outstanding than they are."

Ye Qingran listened and could only say, "Is that it?"

It doesn't seem that impressive, does it?

At most, it's just on par with the top prodigies of Nan Yin Zhou.

"That's fine."

Ye Qingran was still very confident in her own strength.

Hearing Ye Qingran's reply, Ji Rufeng was stunned again.

He thought Ye Qingran would at least hesitate, but she showed no shame in speaking so boldly.

"Ye Qingran, do you think it's still like seven years ago? Everything's changed—you're no longer that peerless prodigy you once were!"

"No," Ye Qingran replied seriously.

No?

Ji Rufeng realized Ye Qingran was answering his question. So she was admitting she wasn't as good as seven years ago?

Indeed, everything changes; even a once‑unparalleled star will eventually dim in the river of time.

"Since you know, why return to the Jade Autumn Sect?"

Ji Rufeng's tone had clearly deepened.

He probably hadn't realized that the moment he heard Ye Qingran's admission, what flashed through his heart wasn't schadenfreude but loss.

Qing Lan and the others also showed a slight change in expression.

Boss, is it really not as it used to be?

But no matter how she changes, she remains the spirit of their Lingyun Team!

"I'm even more outstanding than before."

What?

Ji Rufeng stared, thinking he must have misheard.

Ye Qingran sneered, "If I'm not as good as before, doesn't that mean I've wasted all these years?"

Ji Rufeng opened his mouth, at a loss for what to say.

After a while, he regained his voice and haughtily hummed, "Who knows if you're being overconfident?"

Ye Qingran chuckled lightly, finding the Black Iron captain rather cute, "Then let's see how it goes."

"Let's see, and see. If you dare disgrace my sect again, I'll make your life worse than death!"

Ji Rufeng threatened.

"You won't get that chance."