Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?!-Chapter 83: Back to Clan.

Fang Yuan arrived quietly at the gates of the Phoenix Soul Pavilion, the heart of the Fang family estate.

From the distance, he could already hear the laughter, music, and the unmistakable clinking of wine cups.

Lanterns hung high in the sky, flickering softly in the evening light. Celebration was in full swing.

He gave a faint, knowing smile.

"Well, our family is never short of banquets, huh," he muttered, descending into the crowd with the ease of falling snow.

As soon as his feet touched the courtyard tiles, the festive chatter slowly stilled.

Heads turned and gasps followed.

"The clan head’s returned!"

The entire Phoenix Soul Pavilion erupted in cheer.

And none louder than Fang Chen, his uncle, the current acting clan head.

Arms wide open, face beaming like a child reunited with his long-lost toy, he charged forward with absolutely no regard for seniority or image.

"Ah, nephew! I missed you so much!" Fang Chen bellowed, nearly tripping over his own sleeves in joy.

Several clan elders coughed awkwardly at his over-the-top enthusiasm, exchanging glances.

Some forced polite chuckles, while others tried to maintain their composed, stoic facades.

Except for Fang Jingyi, she burst into a sudden, uncontrollable fit of laughter, clutching her stomach and wheezing.

Elder Yin coughed into her sleeve. "Someone fetch her tea."

Just then, Fang Tian, his younger brother, stepped out from the crowd.

Straight-backed, proudly dressed in the ceremonial robes of a Coldwind City Champion, and with an expression that balanced pride and composure.

He stopped in front of Fang Yuan and smiled.

"Brother, we won the championship," he said simply, trying to sound modest.

Fang Yuan stared at him for a second.

And then His lips curved into a faint but genuine smile.

"Congratulations."

But then... silence.

The crowd didn’t move. The joy didn’t resume.

Everyone was staring. Their eyes fixated somewhere.

Fang Yuan blinked.

What?

And then, it hit him—

His eyes drifted to Fang Tian, locking onto the subtle ripple of spiritual energy around his younger brother’s body.

Golden Core Stage.

Of course, Fang Yuan had already sensed it the moment he stepped out of seclusion.

The shift in his brother’s qi was too obvious to miss for someone of his level.

But still... the others didn’t know that.

The whole family probably assumed he hadn’t noticed yet.

So, he decided to play along.

A brief pause, a beat of stillness and then his eyes widened just enough, his brows lifting as if only now realizing it.

He stepped back a half-step, as if startled.

"Wait a second... You’re already at Golden Core Stage?" he said, tone layered with just the right mix of shock and admiration.

His expression shifted into a proud, almost teasing smile.

"Incredible. Truly incredible. Now I’m very convinced you’ll win your three-year duel."

A few nearby elders nodded in agreement, visibly pleased with Fang Yuan’s recognition.

And Fang Tian?

He simply gave a slight bow... but Fang Yuan didn’t miss it.

The way his younger brother’s lips curled upward, struggling to suppress the smirk that threatened to escape.

Tch... You’re enjoying this a little too much, Fang Yuan thought, his own grin deepening.

Fang Tian turned away from the center of attention, his steps calm but clearly laced with satisfaction.

And then—

"Look at that," came a voice only he could hear, echoing from the jade ring that was on his neck like a necklace, faintly amused. "Your brother really is a born performer."

It was the soul residing within his ring, Qin Shi Huang, the once-supreme emperor whose consciousness still lingered through sheer will.

Fang Tian merely smiled.

Qin Shi Huang didn’t stop there.

"I already told you. Your brother sensed our presence back during the Coldwind City Tournament," the soul continued, voice edged with curiosity. "So why pretend just now?"

Fang Tian let out a light chuckle, hands clasped behind his back as he walked through the banquet crowd.

"Brother enjoys his mystery," he said quietly. "But me? I like slipping in a little drama from time to time. Makes me feel like I’m playing a game only we understand."

There was a pause. Silence stretched for a moment, and then Qin Shi Huang’s voice lowered, contemplative.

"You and your brother... it’s rare. But perhaps, just perhaps, the two of you might truly be Heaven’s chosen.

Two roads that fork yet cross. Opposing stars born under the same sky."

Fang Tian said nothing in response. His expression grew unreadable.

He quietly shifted course, walking over to where Fang Mei stood under the shade of a pavilion, engaged in conversation with Fang Ruì.

As he approached, Fang Ruì’s gaze flicked toward him, then she grinned.

"Well, here he come," she said to Fang Mei, "You can do it."

Her smirk was sly, knowingly mischievous.

And just like that, she turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Fang Mei behind, visibly flustered.

Fang Tian raised an eyebrow as he arrived.

"...Well, what’s this about?" he asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Fang Mei, caught between embarrassment and confusion, quickly looked away, trying to hide the subtle redness blooming on her cheeks.

"...Nothing!" she said too quickly.

Which, of course, made it something.

Fang Tian didn’t press immediately.

He simply stood there, watching her squirm for a breath longer than necessary.

Then, his eyes curved in a soft arc, his smile annoyingly pleasant.

"Are you sure?" he asked, folding his arms and leaning slightly in.

"Because for ’nothing,’ you’re awfully red in the face. Should I call for the clan physician?"

"N-No!" Fang Mei burst out, almost too loud for the nearby banquet guests.

A few eyes turned their way, curious, but she quickly bowed her head, hands clutched tight at her sleeves, clearly trying to will herself invisible.

Fang Tian chuckled under his breath.

"Ah, then maybe it’s a secret? One only cousin Fang Ruì knows?" His tone was all teasing lilt now, mischief dancing in his eyes.

Fang Mei’s face flushed deeper.

Her gaze darted, as if considering fleeing entirely, but something must’ve snapped in her resolve.

She stomped her foot softly and blurted out in a single breath:

"I-I want to go on a date with you tomorrow!"