Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?! - Chapter 283

283: 283- Updated* 283: 283- Updated* Fang Yuan’s hand brushed against Lin Zhaoyue’s collarbone and then he froze as he felt a flicker, faint fragile pulse of qi.

It was barely a heartbeat long, but he could feel it and his eyes instantly widened as the realization hit him like lightning.

Lin Zhaoyue was a Nascent soul realm cultivator and a Nascent Soul cultivator’s spirit did not fade easily.

Unless her soul had been completely obliterated, she still had a chance to be revived, a sliver, but a chance nonetheless.

Without another thought, he scooped her into his arms, her blood soaking through the front of his robe.

The Blazing Fang Dagger clattered against his boot, he picked it up and slipped it at her side, the gift she’d guarded even in death.

“Don’t you dare die on me now, woman,” he muttered, voice low but edged with strain.

“I need you to take care of all my future paperworks.” With a sharp exhale, he pulled back, gathered qi beneath his feet, and shot into the sky.

The wind howled in his ears as he ascended through the smoke and ruin, Lin Zhaoyue’s limp form cradled close against him.

Every muscle in his body screamed to move faster, and the air burned as he streaked across the battlefield like a falling star turned backward.

And then just below him, the armies surfaced.

Tens of thousands of Qin and Azure Phoenix soldiers, marching in one big unit under the respective command of their own kings.

For one split second, his instincts surged.

His qi coiled in his core urging him to dive in and kill and crush them.

Make them pay for this.

His gut screamed: crush them all, every last one.

His head snapped him back: remember your promise.

And if that means nothing to you, remember where your disciple currently is.

The air around him shimmered and steadied once more.

Fang Yuan’s eyes narrowed into golden slits as he passed over the battlefield.

He did not look down again.

He flew straight to the Fang Family estate and without slowing, he dove straight toward it, landing in the inner courtyard.

Elders and disciples gasped, voices cracking the stunned silence.

“Clan Head-!” “Matriarch-!” Fang Yuan didn’t answer instead he stepped through the doorway and barked orders as he moved.

“Uncle Chen-go fetch Doctor Mu.

Now.” He turned, eyes catching Fang Jingyi.

“Aunt, prepare a bed.” He turned to Elder Sun.

“Have you done as I asked?” Elder Sun met his gaze and nodded once.

“I have, Clan Head.

Both armies trampled through, just as you predicted.” Fang Yuan let that settle, then nodded in turn.

“Good.

Both kingdoms will reach us in two days.

Do not leave the barrier.

I’ll handle a few things in the meantime.” The elders exchanged worried looks, but none questioned him.

Fang Yuan turned to Elder Yin.

“Elder Yin, take the Matriarch to Elder Jingyi,” he ordered.

Elder Yin hurried forward, bowing her head as she carefully received Lin Zhaoyue from his arms.

“Y–yes, Clan Head,” she stammered, clutching the Matriarch close as she hurried away, her steps quick and uneven.

Fang Yuan watched for only a heartbeat, then drew a deep breath and stepped into the void before his figure vanished entirely, reappearing upon Mount Skyhowl.

The tortoise sat where he had left it, granite shell half-buried in mist, as if it had been expecting him all along.

He folded his arms, studying the ancient beast.

“Is that why you asked me to save the two kingdoms?” he asked flatly.

The tortoise’s eyes glittered and a slow, stony grin split its face.

“Yes.

I do not doubt you could obliterate them both.

But you and I both need those kingdoms to exist.

Trust me.” Fang Yuan drifted toward the library’s entrance, every step measured.

He positioned himself so he could reach Fang Lian in an instant.

“They took something important from me,” he said, voice cold.

“I won’t let them walk free, even if the whole world comes for me.” The tortoise’s smile deepened into a creak of ancient amusement.

“But what if I told you your wife is still alive?

And that I can give you a way to save her?” Fang Yuan’s jaw tightened.

“They will pay for what they’ve done.” “Indeed,” the tortoise rumbled, eyes unblinking.

“They will.

But wiping entire kingdoms from the map is not the way.” It shifted, great plates grinding.

“Come.

Follow me, human.” With a single, ponderous heave, the tortoise rose and vanished into the mountain’s mist.

Fang Yuan paused only a heartbeat, then turned toward the library and moved to Fang Lian’s side.

He had no time to squander.

A soft cough cut through the air.

The tortoise had reappeared without sound, blocking the path with the immovable weight of a mountain.

“Uh… human,” it said, the tone suddenly awkward, almost deferential.

“I said-follow me.” Fang Yuan’s eyes narrowed, “Why should I?” he repeated.

“Two kingdoms are already marching toward my clan.” The titanic tortoise fell silent, genuinely taken aback as if Fang Yuan’s bluntness had cracked through some ancient patience.

For a long moment its amber eyes studied him, slow as shifting continents.

Then, at last, it spoke, each word heavy and deliberate.

“Your wife can be saved,” it rumbled, “if you listen to me.

Follow me.” Fang Yuan’s hand went to his sword.

He leveled the blade so the tip hovered between them, cold steel glinting in the thin mountain light.

“You’re not making much sense,” he said flatly.

“And from the look of it, you’re on the same side that had a hand in killing my wife.” The tortoise’s nostrils flared.

A hard, gravelly sound like a rock under foot escaped it.

“You think I associate with species who spill blood for power?

Do you look so far down on me, human?” Its voice was edged with genuine disgust.

“I am a human,” Fang Yuan replied, voice cool.

“What’s your point?” “I-uh-” The tortoise’s response faltered, awkward and almost sheepish.

It blinked, then forced its tone back to something steadier.

“No-no, I did not mean it like that.”