Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?!-Chapter 336- Zhao Lusi [1]

The room broke into hushed commotion.

"She wants Elder Zhao to guide her?"

"Is she insane? Does she not know about the rumours years ago, elder Zhao once pushed her own disciple into qi deviation!"

"Yes, that was a scandal, everyone knows she only kept her elder seat thanks to her Human Immortal cultivation!"

"Ah! Didn’t she just give Fu Ji Wei a Hollow Spirit Pill earlier? Is that why she’s doing this, as a repayment?"

Sympathy-filled glances swept toward Fu Ji Wei.

Even the examiner leaned in slightly, concern wrinkling his features.

"Fu Ji Wei," he said carefully, "I suggest you reconsider your choice. There are other Elders who would gladly take a talent like yours."

Fu Ji Wei didn’t even blink. Her voice was steady and unwavering.

"I have made my decision."

The examiner exhaled slowly... then turned his gaze onto Fang Yuan.

He opened his mouth, clearly about to offer the same advice he paused.

"Very well," he announced formally.

"If you have chosen an Elder, you must present their personal seal of acknowledgement. Have your chosen instructor sign the paperwork and return it to me. Only then will your identity plates be officially inscribed."

He clapped his hands sharply.

"This concludes your examination. You are dismissed."

The formations on the walls dimmed as the chamber doors groaned open once more.

Candidates poured out some whispering anxiously, some boasting, others shooting complicated looks at the pair who had just pledged themselves to the infamous Zhao Lusi.

Fu Ji Wei walked ahead without hesitation.

Hua Shen yawned and followed with lazy steps, hands tucked in his sleeves.

Hao Lo lingered behind them, still haunted by regret and a looming sense of doom.

Fang Yuan stepped out into the sunlight, the new crane-emblem robe settling neatly over his shoulders.

A calm breath escaped him as he lifted his wrist and flicked open the system screen only he could see.

[Mission Completed — Reward: 10 Hollow Spirit Pills]

His lips curled slowly.

Just like that very first task when he awakened the system except back then he had failed before he even started.

He closed the screen and followed the path leading toward the sect’s upper courtyard, where he sensed his troublesome master waiting.

Sure enough, Zhao Lusi lounged against a stone railing, swinging her legs lazily and grinning.

The moment she spotted him, she hopped down lightly.

"Well, well, my disciple," she declared dramatically, hands on hips, "you were magnificent today! One move! The way that senior disciple’s body just—"

She flung her hand outward to demonstrate a flying cannonball. "Bang! Beautiful!"

Fang Yuan stared at her flatly.

There was... entirely too much enthusiasm in her eyes.

She clapped his shoulder. "Come, come! Your master is in a very generous mood. I’m treating you to a feast!"

His eyes narrowed and he stared at her, from his observation earlier, she doesn’t appear to be someone who would treat a disciple to a meal.

She blinked her large, innocent eyes at him. "I’m not going to stay young forever, kid. Let me enjoy life while I still have charm, okay? Now stop looking at me like I’m about to sell your organs!"

She turned to lead the way, humming cheerfully.

Fang Yuan recalling what the previous elder had said he hurried a few steps to catch up.

"Master... the examiner needs a seal of acknowledgement from you. Could you put your seal on the paperwork so I can receive my identity plate?"

Zhao Lusi stopped mid-stride and then she slowly turned around and smiled sweetly.

"No."

He blinked. "...No?"

His voice cracked with disbelief.

Zhao Lusi nodded, absolutely certain.

"What do you mean, ’no’?" Fang Yuan asked, jaw dropping. "Why can’t you!?"

She scratched her cheek... and then proudly puffed her chest.

"Well... you see... i traded away that seal for a jar of wine."

Fang Yuan’s expression slowly froze and then he stood there simply staring.

His master, a Human Immortal... had bartered away a critical official credential... for alcohol.

He stared up at the sky, questioning his fate, karma, and every choice that led him here.

Why... why did I choose her as my master again? Ah right, to survive.

Zhao Lusi wiped a tear of laughter and patted him on the back.

"Oh, don’t look so dead inside. We’ll sort it out! It’s not like the sect can refuse a genius disciple like you..."

She paused, grin widening mischievously.

"Probably."

Fang Yuan’s lips twitched as he continued walking.

"...Master, will I really be okay?"

Zhao Lusi waved a hand dismissively.

"Of course you’ll be fine! Look at me, perfectly fine despite not having a single disciple for the last... what... hundred years?"

Her cheerful confidence only made the weight in Fang Yuan’s stomach drop harder.

Why does that NOT make me feel better at all?

He cleared his throat.

"Then... do you perhaps know which establishment you traded your seal to?"

She stopped in her track and turned.

"You ask too many questions," she snapped, pulling at his sleeve. "I’m hungry."

Before Fang Yuan could protest—

Snap.

The world blinked out.

They reappeared a heartbeat later on a bustling street paved in crimson lantern-light.

Perfumed air washed over them.

A luxurious inn towered ahead, gold filigree across its balconies, silk curtains fluttering like dancing flames.

But as Fang Yuan’s eyes roamed...

He froze.

Women in extravagant dresses leaned over railings and doorways, waving lace sleeves and blowing flirtatious kisses at passing cultivators.

Laughter, coy voices, and suggestive invitations filled the air.

Zhao Lusi caught him staring at the overwhelming chaos.

So she narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"I thought you had a wife. Why are you staring around like a starving wolf?"

Fang Yuan’s eyebrow twitched.

"I’m looking at the location, you idiot—"

He stopped but it was too late, the word had left his mouth and he slowly looked at her.

Zhao Lusi turned very slowly.

"What... did you just call me?"

Fang Yuan swallowed hard, fighting the urge to turn and sprint.

His back straightened stiffly.

"...Master?"

Her smile came back, bright and dangerous.

"Good. Let’s keep it that way."

She hooked her arm through his and marched toward the inn entrance, ignoring the scandalous cheers of the women calling out:

"Handsome young man! Come play!"

"Little hero, don’t let that old woman drag you away!"

Zhao Lusi flicked a killing glare behind her, silencing the entire street in one instant.