Chapter 788: Could Ye Qingran Have Taken a Liking to Ji Rufeng?

"Me... you..." Gu Jirong's face flushed red, ashamed to the point he couldn't speak.

Thinking back on his earlier reckless words, belittling Ye Qingran as unable to comprehend the Emperor's Will and his various actions, he now feels utterly ashamed.

"Ye Qingran truly remains Ye Qingran, worthy of the peerless genius praised by the sect leader back then!"

"Indeed, Gu Jirong still falls short compared to her..."

The surrounding murmurs made Gu Jirong feel like he might bite his own teeth.

No, he couldn't accept that he might be inferior to Ye Qingran.

Right!

It must be that Ye Qingran got lucky, grasping the Emperor's Will more deeply than him; in real combat, she would surely be no match for him!

With that thought, Gu Jirong regained confidence, a sparkle lighting his eyes.

"Ye Qingran, cut the nonsense—if you have the skill, duel me!"

The crowd stared at Gu Jirong in astonishment, wondering how he could be so obstinate; his cultivation realm was clearly far behind, how could he possibly defeat Ye Qingran?

"You have no right to fight me!"

If Gu Jirong had been more courteous at first, she might have agreed.

Now, she refuses!

Hearing that, Gu Jirong's anger flared, and he resorted to provocation: "Ye Qingran, are you just scared? In real combat, you're nowhere near my opponent!"

Ye Qingran no longer looked at him, but addressed the crowd, "Next."

Gu Jirong, seeing Ye Qingran ignore him so completely, darkened his gaze and lunged at her; in the next instant, four figures blocked her path.

Qing Lan, Bai Pang, Yingsu, Lu Fei.

They were the four members of the Lingyun Team.

"If you want to fight our leader, you must first get past us!"

"You..."

Even though Gu Jirong felt great resentment, he was powerless.

The members of Lingyun Team, though not possessing top-tier talent, each had stronger combat ability than the last, and being older, they were far beyond his reach.

"Lingyun Team, back again..."

Some Jade Autumn Sect disciples, upon seeing the few standing together, were reminded of many years ago when this unbeaten team, each in splendid attire and riding spirited horses, exuded such carefree elegance and youthful flair!

They couldn't help but have tears well up in their eyes.

There are always some people who once dazzled you in your youth, right?

Gu Jirong, like a defeated rooster, reluctantly returned to the crowd.

The second to step forward was Ji Rufeng.

"I've also comprehended the Emperor's Will; with one foot crossing the Emperor's threshold, I should now have the right to duel you, right?"

The young man was handsome, dressed in sleek black combat attire that outlined a pine‑like upright and agile figure; his face radiated a sunny aura, instantly showing he wasn't a villain.

Although Ye Qingran had little impression of Ji Rufeng, from their encounter in Wild Forest to returning to Jade Autumn Sect together on swords, Ji Rufeng seemed to her like a big boy.

He laughs brightly when chatting with teammates, yet when speaking to her, he wears a stone‑cold expression, as if she owed him a hundred million.

Now, he is just like that.

"Show me whatever skill you have! I won't hold back!" Ji Rufeng's face remained expressionless, his tone cold.

As Ji Rufeng spoke, he displayed his power, matching Ye Qingran evenly.

"Now there's a good show to watch!"

Everyone's eyes sparkled; Ye Qingran's realm was on par with Ji Rufeng's, but it was uncertain who would prevail in combat.

"Ji Rufeng is truly impressive! He's also the most diligent genius I've ever seen!"

At Jade Autumn Sect, Ji Rufeng is given the nickname 'Pian Ming San Lang.'

"Make your move!"

Ji Rufeng let out a deep shout and, without a word, launched his attack!

His figure flashed forward; his first move was a tremendously powerful punch, gusts of gale roaring, so fierce that tiger roars and the sound of breaking air could be heard.

"Huh, that's so brutal?"

Ye Qingran flickered, evading Ji Rufeng's strike; Ji Rufeng attacked again without pause.

The two exchanged attacks and defenses, the opening was incredibly thrilling, leaving the crowd dazzled and exhilarated.

"This is just too spectacular!"

After dozens of moves, Ji Rufeng adjusted his tactics, clenching his fist, standing a short distance away watching Ye Qingran, slightly out of breath.

"Her body is too agile; I can't keep this up, I won't be able to land a hit..." Ji Rufeng thought to himself.

At that moment, Ye Qingran on the opposite side spoke up, "Ji Rufeng, I heard you still don't have a girlfriend?"

What?

Not only the people around, even Ji Rufeng himself was stunned.

Ye Qingran smiled sweetly.

The crowd, seeing this, thought: Could Ye Qingran have taken a liking to Ji Rufeng?

It's not impossible.

Ye Qingran is indeed stunningly beautiful, and Ji Rufeng is also handsome, both the face‑value pillars of Jade Autumn Sect; countless female disciples admire him, so Ye Qingran's interest in him is understandable.

"My god, has Ye Qingran taken a liking to our senior brother Ji?"

"Suddenly thinking they're a perfect match—what's going on?"

"Love it, love it~"

Hearing those voices, Ji Rufeng's bronze‑colored face flushed red, his gaze began to dodge.

Damn it, what on earth is Ye Qingran trying to do?

Ye Qingran: "......"

These people are being way too imaginative, aren't they?

"Ji Rufeng, if you give me a little leeway, how about I introduce you to a girlfriend?"

What?

The crowd went mute in an instant.

So it wasn't Ye Qingran who liked Ji Rufeng, but she wants to set him up with a girlfriend?

This could be the shortest pairing ever.

Ye Qingran's smile was radiant; truly, she seems very precise—Ji Rufeng is indeed one of the few people she finds reliable, even though he now harbors deep hatred toward her.

Ji Rufeng's expression turned cold.

Ye Qingran said she wanted to set him up with a girlfriend?

An unnamed fury surged in his heart.