Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?!
Chapter 29: the new guest.

Chapter 29: the new guest.

The crowd’s gaze shifted to the girl at the front of the Alchemist Association entourage.

Whispers rose.

Even Matriarch Lin Xi, composed and reserved as always, suddenly stood from her seat, eyes widened in surprise.

She spoke first, her voice steady but touched with disbelief.

"Are you not Miss Xie Lin? The direct apprentice of Pill King Tushan?"

Her words struck the Phoenix Soul Pavilion like thunder.

"Pill king Tushan’s disciple?"

The other clan heads; Zhao Ming, He Long, and Wu Shun glanced at each other with expressions flickering between astonishment and unease.

The Pill King’s disciple appeared here?

How deep does Fang Yuan’s reach go?

Meanwhile, the girl in question—Xie Lin—appeared taken aback herselfvas well.

Her brows furrowed slightly, mind racing as she glanced around the courtyard.

The Fang Family... is this clan truly so prestigious? she wondered as her gaze flicked toward the still-seated Crown Prince.

They even managed to invite the Crown Prince himself?

She didn’t know about the Spirit Pond’s existence.

So in her mind, the only explanation for such presence and grandeur had to be long-standing status and renown.

Still... she found that conclusion oddly reasonable.

And on the dais above, Fang Yuan—who had just finished flipping open his system interface, excited to explore the rewards of his newly completed quest—

[QUEST: Prevent Your Own Impeachment]

Objective: Retain your position as Fang Family Head throughout the evening.

Reward: Access to the System Shop

+1,000 System Points (usable within the System Shop)

Status: Completed

—was thoroughly annoyed.

Just when I was about to check the shop...

He sighed internally, suppressing his irritation. He had heard of Master Tushan. Who hadn’t? A Pill King held the same level of reverence as a Nascent Soul powerhouse.

Even if a Nascent Soul could destroy mountains, a Pill King could bring dying cultivators back from death’s door and command entire sects with a word.

Disrespecting someone from the Alchemist Association, especially one connected to a Pill King, was not an option.

Fang Yuan slowly rose to his feet, his demeanor calm but dignified.

His voice was steady, respectful.

"What is your name, lady? And what brings you here?"

The girl took a step forward and gave a graceful bow.

"I am Xie Lin," she introduced herself.

Fang Yuan took note of the name. Xie Lin... he repeated inwardly.

But just then, as his gaze brushed past Matriarch Lin Xi, he noticed something strange.

Her expression. The look she gave him, it wasn’t of admiration or contempt.

It was pity.

Huh? Fang Yuan blinked. What was that? Why does she look like she’s staring at a fool?

The confusion distracted him briefly, but Xie Lin did not notice.

She raised her voice slightly, so the entire gathering could hear.

"Family Head of the Fang Family. Our Master wishes to take in your younger brother, Fang Tian, as a disciple."

Silence.

And then, a wave of murmurs rippled outward.

The trash?

Fang Tian? Chosen to be an alchemist? By a Pill King?!

Gasps followed.

That boy... picked by Master Tushan?

All eyes turned to Fang Yuan, expecting the obvious.

Of course he would agree. What family head wouldn’t?

And Fang Yuan, he stared in momentary disbelief.

My little brother? Blessed by the heavens?

His expression twitched.

Wait—don’t tell me... am I living in a novel where my younger brother is the main protagonist?

He shook his head in disbelief.

Then calmly, almost too casually, he replied:

"My brother is not here. And I don’t make decisions on his behalf."

That one sentence sent another wave of shock through the crowd.

He actually left it up to Fang Tian?

Even with a Pill King’s offer?

He’s not even trying to persuade him?

Xie Lin, on the other hand, didn’t look disappointed at all. If anything, she seemed... unsurprised.

She smiled.

"Fang Family Head is as amazing as they say."

She paused briefly before continuing, this time with a small tilt of the head, her voice more relaxed.

"But asking the Fang Family’s help to recruit a disciple..."

Fang Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly.

He cut in, voice steady and probing.

"My brother rejected your master’s offer, didn’t he?"

She laughed softly and nodded.

"Yes, he did. Master saw lots of potential in the kid in passing and offered. I was surprised by Master’s action but his direct refusal before Master even introduced himself surprised me even more."

Fang Yuan’s brow furrowed.

Then, like a light suddenly clicked on, his expression sharpened.

Wait. Where?

Where did you see him?

That crucial detail... how could he forget?

His brother had left without a word. And now, finally, someone mentioned him again and he’d nearly let it slide?

Fang Yuan exhaled and quickly asked the question.

"Oh, wait. Fang Tian—where did you see him?"

The relief of finally remembering to ask was palpable in his voice.

Xie Lin responded easily.

"It was in the Capital. A week ago."

Now even the clan heads came forward one by one.

Zhao Ming, He Long, Wu Shun, and Lin Xi.

Each took turns offering a formal greeting.

"Zhao Ming of the Zhao Clan greets Miss Xie Lin. Your Master’s name commands boundless respect in the north."

"He Long greets you as well. To meet a disciple of the Pill King Tushan, an honor."

"Wu Shun of the Wu Clan. Your association’s legacy brings warmth to every city you pass."

Lin Xi smiled gently, adding only, "A pleasure."

And finally, the Crown Prince descended from his place.

He approached with a glimmer of intrigue in his tone.

"I never expected the Fang Family to be this amazing," he said, fan resting gently in one hand.

His eyes sparkled.

"Your strength impresses me... but your influence impresses me more.

Join me, Fang Yuan. Before you become an obstacle on my path."

The statement hung in the air like a boulder in still water.

Even Fang Yuan blinked.

That was... blunt.

The clan heads froze.

Even they weren’t prepared for such an open threat from the prince himself.