Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?!-Chapter 339- Updated*

Fang Yuan found an empty seat among the crowd and lowered himself into it.

He had already made his request to sell one Hollow Spirit Pill.

Since such pills were rare and hardly appeared for sale, the staff had asked him to wait while they located an alchemy expert to verify its authenticity.

Waiting suited him fine.

He leaned back casually, eye scanning the platform until a movement from the corner caught his attention.

It was the girl from earlier walking through the hall with calm steps, her presence drawing subtle attention.

Fang Yuan stiffened slightly.

No way... Is she following me?

Did I stand out too much?

Was just walking suspicious? 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Before he could think deeper, he noticed something else.

The same girl was suddenly surrounded by attendants and being politely escorted up the stairs.

Her destination was obvious.

So she was not here for him specifically.

Probably.

He still pushed up from his seat. There was no reason to remain here when nothing had been handed over.

And leaving now would avoid complications, his instincts warned that he couldn’t stay here any longer and he trusts them more.

But the moment he turned to leave, one of the auction guards spotted him and quickly approached.

His suspicions deepened.

I’m definitely being watched.

Still, his expression did not shift and remain calm.

The guard bowed slightly.

"Sir Zhu, our young miss would like to speak with you."

Sir Zhu.

Right.

His registered alias: Zhu Yao.

Fang Yuan’s lips curved faintly.

"What if I say no?" he asked lightly, joking in tone.

The guard did not so much as blink.

His lack of reaction made it very clear...

No...

was not an option.

Fang Yuan sighed quietly.

"Lead the way," he said, voice flat.

As he followed the guard toward the upper level, his mind drifted.

I wonder if I can escape unscathe if I try to run right now, but won’t that give them a reason to label me a thieve or some other unsavory title.

If this truly turned troublesome, he could simply reveal his true identity. After all, Zhao Lusi was still somewhere out there drowning in wine.

As hopeless as she was... she still held the title of Human Immortal Elder.

When he recalled that, it felt as if he had a safety net thrown to him and he suddenly became more confident.

His steps grew lighter.

The guard stopped before an ornate door guarded by formations.

He bowed respectfully.

"Miss, I have brought him here."

A voice came from within, soft yet brimming with confidence.

"Good. Send him in."

Fang Yuan straightened his back slightly and entered the VIP booth.

Inside the private booth, Fang Yuan stepped through the curtain of incense haze and found the girl from earlier waiting for him.

Her posture was elegant, her smile poised.

She rose lightly and bowed.

"I am Xiao Ninger."

Fang Yuan returned a polite nod.

"Zhu Yao."

Her lips curved higher, amusement flickering in her eyes.

"Good to see you, Young Master Zhu Yao... but you can be truthful with me. Young Master Fang Tian."

Fang Yuan stopped mid-step when he heard that name, a chill swept through the room.

His eyes sharpened, his aura surged for a heartbeat and the air turned heavy, suffocating.

Xiao Ninger’s breath caught in her throat as invisible pressure pinned her still.

She was only at early Nascent Soul.

Facing the frost of a Hollow Spirit Realm cultivator even for a moment was terrifying.

"What did you just say?" Fang Yuan asked quietly yet coldly.

Her face drained of color as she struggled to breathe.

Realizing he was crushing her by mistake, Fang Yuan pulled his aura back immediately. The sudden invisible weight melted away.

He turned and sat down casually, the shift so smooth it left doubt whether that frightening moment even existed.

He forced an apologetic smile.

"My apologies. I was only surprised that my identity was discovered."

Xiao Ninger exhaled shakily, the fear already replaced with admiration.

She fidgeted and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks warming.

"I know you tried to make yourself look... more uglier, but there is no way I would fail to recognize Young Master Tian."

Fang Yuan’s smile froze.

Make himself uglier?

This is my real face, you blind girl.

He swallowed that thought and reminded himself to calm down.

Calm down.

Calm down.

You got a beautiful wife.

A very beautiful wife.

But then, thinking of Lin Zhaoyue only made it worse, so he quickly shoved that thought away as well.

"Good," he said, voice level. "Please keep it a secret that I came. How have you been, Lady Xiao?"

"I am doing well, Brother Tian. Ah... I called you brother. Forgive me."

She bowed her head shyly, but the sparkle in her eyes made it obvious she did not regret a single word.

Fang Yuan studied her quietly.

She was deeply infatuated with Fang Tian, who happened to share an uncanny similar appearance with him.

He shifted his gaze to the glass window overlooking the auction hall below.

So Fang Tian is in this realm.

And judging by her reaction, he seems to be doing well... when did that happen?

A faint unease twisted in his chest.

Did he make the wrong decision by banishing his brother back then?

Should he have killed him instead?

He sat very still, drawing a slow breath into his lungs.

No... this unease is not regret. It is weakness.

I am not strong enough. Not yet.

His gaze darkened, thoughts sharpening like a blade.

And to be safe... one must pull out the grass along with its roots.

If you truly become a threat to me, brother...

I will not hesitate again.

His mind steadied as the resolve settled.

"Lady Xiao," he said calmly, "do you have a list of the auction items today?"

Her eyes brightened instantly.

She practically leaped to retrieve a booklet from the table, presenting it to him with both hands.

"This one has everything listed, Brother Tian."

Fang Yuan accepted it, flipping through the pages with a thoughtful expression while Xiao Ninger watched him expectantly, her heart beating a little too fast.

Fang Yuan flipped through the pages casually, scanning for anything useful.

Then his fingers paused. His brows slowly lifted.

"What... why is that here?" he muttered under his breath.

The item glimmering on the page:

Flying Crane Sect – Elder Seal

Xiao Ninger leaned forward, curious about what had caught his attention.

But the moment she saw the listing, her expression shifted to confusion.

"Brother Tian, you are interested in the Flying Crane Sect’s Elder Seal?" she whispered.

Her tone lowered, as if sharing a secret only lovers should know.

"I thought you came here this time to rescue your fiancée..."

She suddenly gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth.

"You are planning to infiltrate, are you not?"

Fang Yuan slowly turned his head toward her.

Confusion.

Complete, utter confusion.

This girl... she was still infatuated with Fang Tian, even while knowing he had a fiancée????

Fang Yuan was flabbergasted beyond comprehension.

He simply stared at her, words refusing to exist.

Only after a long stretch of silence did a quiet sigh escape his lips.