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

"As you command, Young Master." The old man's voice was filled with reluctant as he pulled a small boat like item from his spatial ring, slightly larger than his very palm.

Yet the instant it appeared, Fang Yuan felt an ocean of power contained within that tiny vessel.

Wei Yichen's gaze remained steady as he spoke.

"As Senior may have already guessed, this is no common trinket. This is the legendary Flying Boat. You can use it to soar the sky without the need to fly with your body. You can rest, you can sleep in it. As long as you provide it enough spiritual qi."

His tone was calm, but every word carried weight.

"But such an item may also invites jealousy, enemies, assassins. It is also why my siblings are currently sending their men to hunt me down. I also have other options to offer in place of that, clan head Fang."

Fang Yuan's eyes narrowed as a faint grin tugged at his lips.

He could clearly hear the unspoken warning beneath Wei Yichen's calm words.

This treasure brings immense danger to its owner. So it's best I keep it so you can avoid the danger. I'm a good guy after all.

He dismissed the thought almost instantly.

He was already locked in a four-way fatality match against Tharz Kingdom, whose royals seemed royally pissed at him and his family.

And that wasn't the worst, there was also the Azure Phoenix Kingdom who was preparing their invasion of Tharz Kingdom, starting from the east.

Coldwind City was in their path of invasion so… whether he liked it or not, Azure Phoenix Kingdom was gonna come for him at some point.

and then there was the new addition into the big league.. the Ember-Heart Monastery, one might even call it, a graciously packed gift from his generous dear younger brother before he finally got banished.

So with that many already at his neck, what was one more enemy added to the pile?

At the very least, he had his Hollow Spirit Realm aura so he could perhaps frighten others away by brandishing the Hollow Spirit Realm as his banner...

Even if his foundation was far from stable compared to the others.

Ultimately, what he truly needed right now was time. More time to grind his body refinement and at least bring it to being stable or barely passable.

Fortunately, no one else aside from Xiao Bai know how shaky his footing really was.

He reached out his hands and swiftly accepted the tiny boat without hesitation, slipping it into his spatial ring.

"Your intentions are well received," he said evenly, his lips curving into the faintest smile. "But I'll still be keeping this. Thank you. Now, have a safe journey. I won't be seeing you off."

Before either of them could respond, his figure blurred and vanished, leaving only silence and the oppressive darkness of the forest.

Old Man Ming clenched his fists, face tight with frustration.

Wei Yichen exhaled softly, the corners of his mouth lifting to a grin.

"He is an interesting man," he murmured. "That aside, let's get moving."

From his sleeve, he produced a delicate pocket watch, its surface glinting faintly even in the dim light.

After a brief glance, he snapped it shut and started toward the northern direction without another word.

Old Man Ming's face was still clouded with frustration.

"Young master, I still don't understand… why would you reveal your name so recklessly?"

Wei Yichen didn't even slow his steps.

"And you," he said coolly, "were about to reveal our kingdom. Don't act clever with me. Just follow and do so in silence."

The old man swallowed hard, then bowed his head, trailing after him in silence.

Fang Yuan, on the other hand, returned to the Eastern Ravine arriving just above the rows of cultivation caves.

He caught a glimpse of elder Joshua, at cave #36, Fang Joshua stood with a troubled expression, facing a boy who looked uneasy.

"Elder Joshua… this cave…" the boy stammered, glancing at the spirit well. "I—I don't know how it happened, but it's dried up."

Joshua's brows knit tightly, his tone stern.

"Do you realize this is the seventh cave you've dried up this month?"

The boy lowered his head, guilt written all over his face.

"I'm sorry, Elder Joshua…" he muttered.

Fang Yuan decided to descend at this moment and the moment they noticed him, both the elder and the boy straightened at once and bowed deeply.

"Clan Head."

Fang Yuan landed lightly before them, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"So… what seems to be the problem here, officers?" he asked casually.

Both Elder Joshua and the boy blinked in confusion at his strange phrasing.

Fang Yuan coughed lightly, correcting himself.

"Ahem. What I mean is, what happened? Tell me, I'm curious."

Joshua glanced at the boy, his expression half helpless, half exasperated.

"Oh, that… Clan Head, this child is something of an anomaly," he began.

Before the elder could continue, the boy quickly stepped forward, bowing earnestly.

"Good morning, Clan Head! My name is Fang Niyun. I've just been… very unlucky lately. Every time I enter a cultivation cave, it dries up right away. I haven't been able to use them at all."

Joshua let out a weary sigh and added, "Perhaps it's his name, Clan Head. 'Niyun' means to defy fortune… and it seems he's living up to it, in the worst way possible."

Fang Yuan's smile deepened as he spoke lightly,

"Well then, this seat finds itself intrigued. Elder Joshua, why don't you refill the cultivation well for this one and send Niyun in?"

"As you command, Clan Head." Joshua bowed and hurried off.

Fang Yuan turned back to the boy, his eyes glinting with curiosity.

"Alright, Niyun. Let's see just how true your name really is."

The child nodded politely and stepped into the cultivation cave.

A breath later, a shout echoed from outside.

"Clan Head! The spirit pond just got emptied! Could you please come and refill it?"

Fang Yuan's brows twitched. Surely not because of the boy…

He glanced at Niyun and spoke gently,

"Don't worry. This seat will see to it that you get your fair share of hours."

With that, he strode toward the spirit pond. Elder Joshua was already waiting, looking visibly unsettled.

"I thought I told you to remind me a day before it runs dry," Fang Yuan said coolly. "Surely you would know how much is enough to last a day and make the request in advance, no?"

Elder Joshua's face stiffened with disbelief.

"That's true, Clan Head, but… I'm certain there was at least two days' worth here. But just now, when I opened the pipe leading to Cave #36 and the moment it connected, everything was drained in an instant. Clan Head… do you think perhaps—?"

"Perhaps the boy absorbed it all?" Fang Yuan finished for him, lips curling faintly.

Joshua shook his head quickly. "No… I mean—what if this is Heaven's way of saying his name shouldn't remain?"

Fang Yuan's smile lingered, but inwardly a cold weight pressed on him.

Oh, dear Elder… if what you said is true, then what of the name I gave to the newborn, Nitian? That's to defy the Heavens themselves… you know...