Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?!-Chapter 350- [Happy New Year!]

Zhao Lusi and Fang Yuan soon arrived back once again at the rather barren mountain peak.

Zhao Lusi came to a stop at the gate and Fang Yuan followed suit but then his gaze drifted inward as a familiar translucent screen hovered right before his eyes.

[Face off Fang Tian and intentionally lose.

Requirement:

They must not suspect that the loss was because you held back.

Reward:

2× Enlightenment Pills (Heaven Grade)

Result: Failure

Punishment:

Your dantian will be sealed for the next two weeks.]

Countdown until punishment: 227 sec, 226 sec, 225 sec, 224 sec.....

Fang Yuan stared at the countdown, then slowly closed his eyes.

What the hell...

I thought there was no punishment involved.

This isn’t fair, not fair at all!

Before he could sink any deeper into his thoughts, Zhao Lusi’s voice cut in.

"Did you know? Every elder is given a mountain peak of their own once they step into the middle stage of the Spirit Severing Realm."

Fang Yuan’s eyes opened and shifted away from the system screen as he asked

"Why middle?"

Zhao Lusi glanced at him, mildly surprised.

"Because initial is stabilization, middle is mastery, and peak is perfection," she replied matter-of-factly.

"Did you not know that?"

Fang Yuan shook his head.

She frowned slightly before muttering, "...Weird."

Then she stopped walking and turned fully toward him, "Is there anything you want to ask?"

Fang Yuan instantly took his chance and asked, "The reason the sect leader called for you when Qin Shi Huang paid a visit was it because you’re the only one who can stand up to him?"

Zhao Lusi’s lips curved faintly.

"Tricky question," she said. "Yes and no."

She folded her arms.

"I can stand up to him, even go head on against him for months but don’t underestimate Zhao Mei."

Her tone sharpened.

"She didn’t become sect leader just because I quit the competition."

She shook her head once.

"No. That’s far from the truth. Others might say she only rose because I stepped down. But what they did not know was that, If I hadn’t stepped down... I’d likely be dead."

Fang Yuan froze.

Holy... what?

You can stand up to the sect leader of another sect, yet you say you have no confidence facing our own sect leader?

Oh... so it’s that kind of situation.

Our sect must rank higher than the Soaring Dragon Sect, like the top three sects back in the Tharz Kingdom.

His thoughts then derailed for a brief moment.

Although two of those ended up being pusillanimous... muhahaha.

"That’s how strong she is," Zhao Lusi continued. "So next time you see her, make sure you show her proper respect. Understood?"

Fang Yuan nodded without hesitation.

As someone in the Hollow Spirit Realm, he knew better than anyone that failing to show respect here wasn’t arrogance... It was just a death wish.

"Good," Zhao Lusi said, satisfied. "Anything else?"

Fang Yuan took his shot again," there is one, So... if she didn’t call you because she needed your help."

He stopped midway, eyes narrowing.

"Does that mean—"

Zhao Lusi looked at him and smiled faintly.

"You’re pretty observant," she said.

"Yes. She called for me because she heard I had taken in a Hollow Spirit disciple, you."

Fang Yuan met her eyes, then gave a simple nod.

"So if I hadn’t stepped up," he began carefully, "then you or the sect leader would have—"

"Yes," she cut in flatly.

"In case you haven’t noticed, this Three Years Promise is something we desperately need to win."

Her voice hardened.

"We wanted to gauge Fang Tian’s strength by sending you in."

She looked away briefly, then back again.

"We never expected you to win," she said flatly.

"Especially not like that."

Fang Yuan stared at her, face twisting into a pained expression.

"Ah... you should’ve said that earlier then," he said weakly. "cuz when I saw that Zhu Juan—"

"Zhu Xian."

"Oh. Right. Zhu Sian."

Zhao Lusi opened her mouth to speak, then paused. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"...Go on," she said.

"So," Fang Yuan continued earnestly, "I saw that girl, Zhu something was barely at the Nascent Soul Realm, so I figured you and the sect leader wanted to delay that three-years promise. Or whatever promise it was. Thats why I did what I did."

Zhao Lusi slowly turned to him.

A forced smile spread across her face.

Her eyes closed.

"Listen here, young man," she said pleasantly.

"Her name is Zhu Xian. Xian, as in immortal." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

She opened her eyes and stared at him.

Fang Yuan returned the gaze with a polite smile leaving her simply sighing.

"...Since you’re my disciple," Zhao Lusi said, rubbing her temple, "I’ll let you in on a little secret regarding her."

"No thanks, Master," Fang Yuan replied instantly. "I’m perfectly fine without secrets."

Their eyes met and neither blinked. Slowly Zhao Lusi’s smile sharpened as she asked,

"Who among us here is the Human Immortal, hmm?"

Fang Yuan stayed silent.

"Thought so," she said. "Now shut up and listen."

This is not fair!!! Fang Yuan screamed internally.

I want no part in your secrets!

Let me cultivate peacefully!

Secrets spell trouble. Do you hear me?

Trouble!

Especially when the person’s name literally means ’Slaying Immortal’!

What kind of cursed naming scheme is this?!

Zhao Lusi spoke calmly, utterly unaware of the mental chaos unfolding beside her.

"Zhu Xian stepped into the Hollow Spirit Realm long ago," she said.

"We kept her breakthrough hidden for this very moment."

She glanced at him sideways.

"And you just had to go and ruin it. Tsk. Tsk."

Fang Yuan clasped his hands together obediently.

"Hai, hai. You’re right," he said solemnly. "My fault. Please forgive me, Master."

"Good boy," Zhao Lusi nodded approvingly.

Then her tone turned casual.

"Now, if this information leaks," she added, "I’ll know it was you. After all, only you, me, her master, and the sect leader know."

Fang Yuan stiffened.

"Hey! That’s not fair!" he protested.

"It could’ve easily been you. I wouldn’t even be surprised if you sold the information for a jar of wine!"

Zhao Lusi paused and her brows furrowed.

"...Wait," she said slowly.

"I can do that?"

Fang Yuan looked at her and muttered, "Perhaps Lin Zhaoyue wasn’t so crazy after all."