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

Chapter 450. Furry? Yes, Zhao Mei is one.

Appearing out of thin air, Zhao Lusi stopped right in front of Fang Yuan, startling him.Without a moment’s hesitation, Lin Zhaoyue stepped in front of him, ready to confront the unexpected visitor.

"How did you get these?" Zhao Lusi asked genuinely, completely ignoring the crazy woman standing before her.

After dealing with Lin Zhaoyue before, she already knew the woman was not entirely sane.

So she simply ignored her.

"Bad woman! Stay away from Daddy!" the little Fang Qingyue shouted as she ran forward and repeatedly punched Zhao Lusi’s leg with her tiny fists.

Fang Yuan was stunned for only a brief moment before replying, "Master, I found them inside the spatial ring of a senior from my world."

"How fortunate indeed..." Zhao Lusi muttered as she stared at the five Spirit Seeds.

"Don’t get any ideas about them. We know exactly how valuable they are," Lin Zhaoyue immediately warned.

Zhao Lusi nodded calmly. "I know. I wish to make a deal. My sect will protect the place where you intend to plant the Spirit Seeds. In return, you will open the door of your realm to our sect once every year, allowing ten disciples to enter."

Lin Zhaoyue considered the proposal before replying, "The visit will last only five months. In addition, my husband will have unrestricted permission to leave your sect whenever he pleases."

"Deal." Zhao Lusi agreed without hesitation. "Although our sect desires talented disciples, we prefer raising our own from childhood."

Lin Zhaoyue snorted. "You and the sect’s ridiculous obsession with loyalty. You people believe anyone who joins at an older age must have ulterior motives, don’t you?"

"It’s true, though!" Zhao Lusi shot back. "History has proven it countless times."

As the two women continued arguing over loyalty and history, Fang Yuan lowered his gaze to the five Spirit Seeds resting in his palm.

With these in hand, the Fang Clan’s foundation for ascending into the Higher Realm was now as solid as a mountain.

Back at the Flying Crane Sect, Zhao Mei leaned against the pavilion railing, humming to herself as the mountain breeze played with her sleeves.

"I wonder what kind of woman managed to catch my elder sister’s attention," she murmured with a grin. "She must be extraordinary if Sister personally went to see her."

Before long, hurried footsteps echoed through the courtyard.

"Sect Master Zhao," an elder called after cupping his fists. "Peak Master Zhao has returned. She has brought a family of three with her."

"A family of three?" Zhao Mei blinked before a smile spread across her face.

By the time she reached the sect gate, countless disciples had already gathered, their eyes fixed on the sky.

A massive white figure drifted through the clouds.

Standing upon its broad back were Zhao Lusi, a handsome young man, a graceful woman, and a little girl who was enthusiastically waving at the disciples below.

The enormous fox descended gracefully before landing without making the slightest sound.

For a heartbeat, the entire mountain fell silent.

Zhao Mei’s gaze swept past Zhao Lusi, the man, the woman, and the child before locking onto the giant fox.

Nine immaculate tails swayed lazily behind it. Its snow-white fur rippled like flowing silk, while a pair of golden eyes held a quiet intelligence that was impossible to mistake.

The corners of Zhao Mei’s lips slowly curled upward.

"Oh..."

She unconsciously took a step forward.

"What a magnificent beast..."

Her heart began pounding.

Those broad shoulders... that proud posture... that elegant bearing...

If this fox ever took human form...

A tall, broad-shouldered beastkin man with snow-white hair, golden eyes, fluffy fox ears, and nine magnificent tails immediately appeared in her imagination.

"..."

Zhao Mei stood there in silence.

The corners of her mouth twitched upward even further.

She immediately covered her mouth with one hand, barely suppressing the smile threatening to spread across her face.

"Elder Sister..." she muttered softly. "You truly know me too well."

She was already looking forward to the day this Nine-Tailed Fox transformed.

Only then did Zhao Lusi leap down from Xiao Bai’s broad back.

Seeing the strange expression on her younger sister’s face, she frowned and glanced behind her.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing."

Zhao Mei answered a little too quickly and immediately looked away.

Zhao Lusi narrowed her eyes.

Knowing her younger sister all too well, she let out a helpless sigh.

"Sister, I’m telling you this now. If you really want a spirit beast as a pet, just pick one from my collection." She casually patted Xiao Bai’s side. "This one already has an owner. They’ve already formed a spirit bond."

The moment the words already formed a bond entered her ears, Zhao Mei froze.

Her elegant face gradually turned crimson.

A bond...

Her imagination immediately ran wild.

The majestic white fox, a handsome beastkin man...

"No wonder..." she muttered under her breath.

"What?"

"N-Nothing!"

Zhao Mei hastily waved both hands, desperately trying to suppress the embarrassing thoughts racing through her mind.

Seeing her reaction, Zhao Lusi blinked in confusion.

"...Why are you blushing?"

"I said it’s nothing!"

The elders standing nearby exchanged puzzled glances.

None of them understood why their normally composed Sect Master suddenly went 180% in front of her sister.

Only Zhao Mei knew.

She had completely misunderstood what her elder sister meant by a bond.

Meanwhile, Lin Xuan stepped forward and gently helped Lin Zhaoyue down from Xiao Bai’s broad back before reaching up to lift the little Fang Qingyue into his arms.

The little girl immediately wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Daddy!"

Lin Xuan chuckled as he rubbed her head.

"Did you enjoy the ride?"

"It was fun!" Fang Qingyue nodded vigorously. "Xiao Bai is really fast!"

As if understanding the compliment, Xiao Bai proudly raised his head and let out a low, satisfied huff.

Zhao Mei finally tore her gaze away from the enormous fox and looked at the family before her.

"So..." Zhao Mei said with a curious smile, "this is the family Elder Sister personally went to bring back."

Zhao Lusi nodded.

"They are our honored guests."

Lin Xuan stepped forward and cupped his fists.

"This junior, Lin Xuan, greets Sect Master Zhao."

Lin Zhaoyue followed with a slight nod.

"This junior greets Sect Master Zhao."

Perched comfortably in her father’s arms, Fang Qingyue tilted her head.

"Hello, Auntie!"

The sweet greeting instantly softened Zhao Mei’s expression.

A warm smile spread across her face as she crouched to meet the little girl’s eyes.

"And hello to you too."

She reached into her spatial ring and produced a delicate jade pendant carved into the shape of a flying crane.

"This is a little greeting gift."

Fang Qingyue looked at the pendant but didn’t reach for it immediately.

Instead, she turned toward Lin Xuan.

"Daddy?"

Seeing his approving smile and nod, she accepted the pendant with both hands.

"Thank you, Auntie."

"You’re welcome."

Zhao Mei gently patted the little girl’s head before, almost involuntarily... her gaze drifted back toward Xiao Bai once more.

She only looked for a split second but Zhao Lusi noticed immediately.

"...Sister."

Zhao Mei opened her mouth as if to explain herself but the words were caught in her throat.

"...I..."

In the end, she let out a long, defeated sigh.

"...Just kill me."

She covered her face with both hands, completely giving up on trying to explain herself.

There was no point.

Her elder sister had already seen through everything.