Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?!-Chapter 329- Zhao Lusi [1]
Fang Yuan dragged himself up another step, lungs burning and vision trembling.
His robes were soaked through with sweat, clinging to him as if trying to pull him down. Each breath felt like fire in his chest.
"Master..." he panted, nearly collapsing on the railing, "how far are we...?"
Zhao Lusi turned around and she lifted her head, counted something with her fingers, and nodded thoughtfully.
"Just fifty million steps more. Hang in there."
Fang Yuan’s soul momentarily left his body.
Fifty... million...?
He forced his legs forward again, despairing in silence.
Seven days passed.
Seven days of endless climbing.
When they finally reached the summit, Fang Yuan collapsed onto the stone platform, arms spread, chest heaving like a dying ox.
He could feel every muscle in his body... he also wished he couldn’t.
I would never have survived this if not for my physique strengthening after entering the Hollow Spirit Realm... he cried internally.
Zhao Lusi nodded with satisfaction.
"You did well, disciple."
Her voice carried genuine pride.
Fang Yuan wanted to thank her.
Instead, he coughed and wheezed while trying to sit upright.
Before he could recover, footsteps echoed behind them.
Several figures emerged from the staircase he had suffered on... but they looked completely fine.
Completely fine.
Their steps were light, their breathing was steady and their clothes weren’t even wrinkled.
One of them clicked his tongue.
"Wow. Trash like him actually managed to climb all the way up?"
Another snorted loudly.
"I cannot believe someone like that was allowed to take the Immortal Flying Crane Sect entrance test."
A third chimed in with a laugh.
"Did you see the way he climbed? Pathetic. It took him ten whole days."
They walked past Fang Yuan without even masking their disdain.
Beyond them, the summit spread wide already filled with cultivators gathered before a colossal gate carved with soaring cranes.
It remained closed for now, creating a growing crowd of hopeful disciples.
Fang Yuan pushed himself to his feet, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Zhao Lusi paid no attention to the mockery behind them.
She stepped closer to Fang Yuan, her expression calm, almost amused, as she spoke softly.
"My disciple, before you start thinking you are tired only because I forbade you from using spiritual qi..."
She lifted her chin slightly toward the group that had just passed them.
"...none of them used spiritual qi on the climb either."
Zhao Lusi folded her arms and nodded toward the same cultivators who were laughing at him.
"The difference between you and them," she continued, her voice light but mercilessly honest, "is that they were born and raised on the East Continent. Their physiques, foundations, and resources far surpass anything a mortal-born cultivator like you would have."
She gave him a gentle smile, almost reassuring.
"This does not mean you are weak. It simply means your starting point was lower. Up here, perseverance matters far more than pride."
Zhao Lusi patted his shoulder. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
"Do not compare yourself to them," she said.
"Climbing this mountain without qi as a mortal-born Hollow Spirit cultivator... is already more impressive than you realize."
She gave him a proud nod.
"You have done well."
"Master," Fang Yuan said with steady confidence, "I understand."
But in truth, he barely registered the cultivators around him.
What held his full attention... was the translucent system screen hovering before his eyes.
[ Pass the test to enter the Flying Crane Sect ]
Reward: Become a sect disciple of the Flying Crane Sect and receive 10× Hollow Spirit Pills
Failure: Become a sect disciple of the Flying Crane Sect and earn a disappointed master.
Fang Yuan then turned toward Zhao Lusi with a burst of fresh fire in his gaze.
He raised a confident thumbs-up.
"Master, just sit back and watch," he declared. "I will definitely pass the sect test."
Zhao Lusi blinked.
Her brows slowly drew together in confusion.
"Test? What test?"
Fang Yuan confused muttered.
"...The Flying Crane Sect entrance test?"
Zhao Lusi stared at him blankly before waving her hand dismissively.
"You won’t be taking any test. You are already my disciple."
Before Fang Yuan could respond, a booming voice echoed across the mountaintop.
"Well, well, if this isn’t Elder Zhao Lusi!"
A man in flowing white robes strutted toward them with a massive smile.
"The famous Drunk Immortal herself," he continued cheerfully. "What wind blew you out of your wine cellar? Seeking a disciple again?"
He laughed loudly, patting his stomach in exaggerated amusement.
"Dear Elder Zhao, save yourself the embarrassment and return home. Not a single candidate here would choose to be your disciple."
He leaned closer, voice dropping to a jeering whisper.
"Even if they were blind."
The surrounding candidates glanced over with thinly veiled curiosity, some even smirking.
Zhao Lusi simply stood there, smiling faintly.
Fang Yuan turned to Zhao Lusi with a grin.
"Master," he said confidently, "you should let me take the test now."
Zhao Lusi blinked, her expression torn between confusion and disbelief.
Take the test?
Why? Didn’t I just already told you that you’re already my disciple and that the test was no longer necessary? Why are you still—
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she glanced at Elder Hao, then back at her disciple.
Ah. So that was it.
Internally, Zhao Lusi sighed, He wants to take the test just because this wrinkled old peacock mocked me.
Zhao Lusi let out a breath and nodded.
"Alright," she said, resigned but amused. "Go ahead and take the test."
Fang Yuan felt relief bloom in his chest.
Good. Now I can calmly finish the system task.
But before he could step forward, Zhao Lusi turned her sharp smile onto Elder Hao.
"Elder Hao," she began sweetly, "since you are in such a good mood today, may I borrow a few thousand spirit stones?"
Elder Hao stiffened immediately.
Zhao Lusi added cheerfully, "All high grade, of course."
Fang Yuan watched the elder’s face drain of color.
Elder Hao’s smile trembled.
"You... want to borrow... how many?"
Zhao Lusi leaned forward, still smiling.
"A few thousand."
