Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?!-Chapter 342- Updated*

The main hall of the Flying Crane Sect was unusually lively today.

Elders sat in two neat rows and at the head of the hall sat the Flying Crane Sect Leader, Zhao Mei, her posture upright, gaze calm but sharp.

Yet beneath that calm, displeasure simmered.

Because standing at the center of the hall were guests.

And it was not just any guests, it was the Soaring Dragon Sect Leader, Qin Shi Huang himself, who had personally arrived.

At his side stood a young man in dark robes, back straight, eyes bright with confidence.

Fang Tian.

The silence in the hall stretch on until finally, the Flying Crane Sect Leader spoke first, her voice measured.

"Daoist Qin," she said coolly, "what brings you here today? The promised date is not until a week from now."

A faint smile appeared on Qin Shi Huang’s face.

He clasped his hands lightly, looking completely at ease.

"I was bored," he replied frankly, "and thought I would pay my senior a visit."

The air in the hall tightened and several Flying Crane elders frowned at Soaring Dragon arrogance.

It was no exaggeration to say he was as blatant as ever.

The Flying Crane Sect Leader’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

"So the Soaring Dragon Sect has become so idle," she said, tone flat, "that its leader wanders about at will?"

Qin Shi Huang laughed softly.

"Senior is too harsh," he said. "Cultivation is long and dull. One must find entertainment where they can."

As he spoke, his hand rested lightly on Fang Tian’s shoulder.

Fang Tian stood proudly, neither bowing nor shrinking back, his presence calm yet undeniably sharp.

Across the hall, the elders of the Flying Crane Sect exchanged glances.

Displeasure was written plainly on their faces as they knew this visit was not courtesy but a provocation.

The three-year promise had been forged between the two sect leaders.

No one understood why their own leader, Zhao Mei, had been forced into accepting it.

The elders had tried to uncover the truth, but every inquiry led to a dead end. All they knew was that the duel’s victor would be granted a single wish by the loser.

Zhao Mei’s expression betrayed a rare trace of unease.

There had been some news in the area, whether it was deliberate or a leak, word was out that Fang Tian, the famed disciple of Qin Shi Huang, had stepped into the Hollow Spirit Realm.

Her own champion, however, remained trapped at the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm.

Her talent was exceptional, her spiritual root peerless but her very physique, wondrous though it was, seemed now more curse than blessing.

Without the rarest of divine herbs, breaking through to the Hollow Spirit Realm was all but impossible.

Meanwhile, Qin Shi Huang’s eyes flicked briefly over the hall, taking in every reaction, every stiffened posture.

Satisfaction bloomed quietly in his chest.

For the Soaring Dragon Sect Leader, this visit was pleasant indeed.

The Flying Crane Sect Leader’s fingers tightened beneath her sleeves.

Where is that wench Zhao Lusi... Zhao Mei ground her teeth inwardly.

Come save your sister.

She turned sharply to a nearby disciple. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Prepare seats for our guests."

Qin Shi Huang waved a hand dismissively before the disciple could even move.

"No need," he said with a relaxed smile. "I’m not so old that I need to sit the moment I arrive."

Zhao Mei’s brow twitched.

"Daoist Qin," she said stiffly, "you are an honored guest. The Flying Crane Sect does not neglect courtesy."

Qin Shi Huang chuckled.

"I appreciate the thought, but I truly am fine standing."

He showed no intention of yielding.

Zhao Mei felt a vein throb at her temple.

This man is doing it on purpose.

Just as she was about to snap internally, footsteps echoed from outside the hall.

A disciple hurried in and bowed deeply.

"Sect Leader, Elder Zhao Lusi has arrived... with her disciple."

Zhao Mei let out a quiet breath she did not realize she had been holding.

Then her eyes widened a fraction.

Since when did that girl take in a disciple?

Before she could dwell on it, another voice followed immediately.

"Reporting! Elder Hua has also arrived, accompanied by his disciple."

Qin Shi Huang’s eyes lit up.

His gaze shifted toward the entrance, amusement dancing openly across his face.

"Well, well," he said cheerfully, not bothering to lower his voice. "Looks like the Flying Crane Sect’s hospitality isn’t lacking after all."

He turned slightly, patting Fang Tian’s shoulder.

"They even brought your fiancée."

The words rang clearly through the hall and several elders stiffened.

Zhao Mei’s expression darkened.

Qin Shi Huang then turned back to the disciple Zhao Mei had ordered earlier and spoke as if the matter were already settled.

"Go on," he said casually. "Prepare a seat."

Only now...

he was suddenly willing to sit.

Outside the grand hall, Fang Yuan and Zhao Lusi arrived together, just in time to catch the shifting undercurrents of the gathering.

Zhao Lusi’s gaze immediately locked onto a familiar figure.

Elder Hao.

He stood a short distance away, arms folded, expression rigid and cold. His posture was composed, but the faint stiffness in his shoulders betrayed him.

Zhao Lusi laughed softly.

"Oh my," she said pleasantly, hands clasped behind her back as she strolled past him, "I truly enjoyed myself thanks to you, Elder Hao. Every sip tasted better knowing it was bought with your spirit stones."

She tilted her head, eyes sparkling.

"I really am very thankful."

Elder Hao did not even turn to look at her, he pretended not to hear a thing.

Yet inside, his heart bled.

Sixty thousand... high-grade spirit stones...

The pain was fresh and quiet deep.

Fang Yuan swept his gaze across the assembled figures and his attention paused.

A girl stood not far from Elder Hao.

She wore flowing red robes that stood out starkly against the sea of white and pale blue uniforms.

A thin blindfold covered her eyes, its fabric pristine and deliberate, as though it were part of her cultivation rather than a weakness.

Her presence was quiet.

Fang Yuan lingered on her for a moment longer than intended.

Zhao Lusi noticed immediately.

She followed his line of sight, then smiled knowingly.

"That one?" she said casually. "She’s our most prominent disciple."

Fang Yuan remained silent, listening.

"The Sect Leader originally wanted to take her in personally," Zhao Lusi continued, her tone light, "but unfortunately..."

Her eyes flicked toward Elder Hao, who was still pretending to be deaf.

"...that old coot over there happened to be the most compatible teacher for her."

Zhao Lusi shrugged as if it were nothing more than an amusing twist of fate.

Fang Yuan’s gaze returned to the blindfolded girl in red.

For reasons he could not yet explain, he felt that this disciple of Elder Hao was far more dangerous than she appeared.