Recaps

Xiao Cheng struggled to brew drinkable fruit wine with the system’s Brewing Machine, then arranged for Zi Yan to sleep while she digested the pastries’ energy. Meanwhile, Gu He recruited Gu Ni to help at Ruyi Zhai, where Qing Lin was assigned to train him.

• Zi Yan forgave Xiao Cheng after he promised to make her more pastries, and he began preparing to brew alcohol for a system task.
• Xiao Cheng tried more than a hundred fruit-wine batches, but none tasted right, so he stopped and cleaned the Brewing Machine.
• The system told Xiao Cheng that Zi Yan needed to sleep until noon the next day, and he settled her in an inn room where she could rest undisturbed.
• Gu He asked Gu Ni to help at Ruyi Zhai and offered him pastries, and Gu Ni agreed.
• Gu He gave Gu Ni shop clothes and equipment, then asked Qing Lin to teach him how to help with the work.

Xiao Yi Xian, Haibodong, and Xue Lan arrived in Stone Desert City to help the Mo Tie Mercenary Group rescue Dan Zai and the others from the Snake People Tribe. Meanwhile, Zi Yan brought Xiao Cheng all the herbs she had taken from Qi Tianchi’s medicine garden, and Su Qian discovered the garden had been emptied.

• Xue Lan escorted Haibodong and Xiao Yi Xian into Stone Desert City and brought them to the Mo Tie Mercenary Group’s headquarters.
• Xiao Li and Xiao Ding welcomed Haibodong and Xiao Yi Xian, and Xiao Yi Xian agreed to try to help rescue Dan Zai and the others.
• Xue Lan joined Xiao Yi Xian and Haibodong as they set out for the Snake People Tribe, unaware that the captors belonged to Yue Mei’s territory.
• Zi Yan gave Xiao Cheng the high-grade medicinal herbs she had taken from Qi Tianchi’s medicine garden, and Xiao Cheng turned them into pastries for her.
• Su Qian found Qi Tianchi’s medicine garden completely emptied and furiously demanded to know what Zi Yan had done.

Xiao Cheng sold pastries that increased Dou Qi to curious customers and fulfilled Rakshasa Gate’s order. Su Mei wondered how long Rakshasa Gate could keep the pastries’ effects secret before leaving for an unknown destination.

• Su Qian and the First Elder searched for Zi Yan after discovering the medicinal garden’s spirit herbs had been pulled up, then decided to wait for the Headmaster’s return.
• Fan Qian arrived as Zi Yan ate Xiao Cheng’s pastries, and Xiao Cheng sent him to notify Rakshasa Gate that its order was ready.
• Xiao Cheng asked the system why it had chosen him, and the system insulted his intelligence before ignoring his follow-up questions.
• A group of customers tested the pastries and felt their Dou Qi increase, then bought large quantities, prompting Xiao Cheng to bake more.
• Rakshasa Gate collected its pastries through a Dou Wang, and Su Mei reflected on the pastries’ effects and how long the gate could keep them secret.

Xiao Cheng closed his shop after a busy day, endured Zi Yan’s cheating at Train Game, and learned that Fan Lao had ordered an investigation into him. The chapter left Fan Lao wary of Xiao Cheng’s unknown backing and worried about what his arrival could mean for the Blood Sect.

• Xiao Cheng complained about restocking pastries, then agreed to play Train Game with Zi Yan when she showed him the cards Old Man Huo had given her.
• Zi Yan cheated throughout the game, beat Xiao Cheng, and said that having delicious food mattered more to her than keeping him as a friend and manager.
• Xiao Cheng closed the shop for the day as Fan Ling and Wang Ming met Fan Lao at an inn in Black Seal City.
• Fan Ling told Fan Lao about Xiao Cheng’s strength and unusual mount, prompting Fan Lao to order an investigation into Xiao Cheng’s origins and backing.
• Fan Lao watched the moonlit sky and worried that Xiao Cheng’s appearance might bring bad news for the Blood Sect.

Yue Mei ordered the detained mercenaries released, and Xue Lan’s group met them on the way back to Stone Desert City. In Rakshasa City, Xiao Cheng learned why Zi Yan gained no benefit from morning exercises, while the Blood Sect secretly investigated him.

• Yue Mei decided the detained mercenaries had done no harm and ordered a snake person to release them the next morning.
• Dan Zai and the mercenaries were released, then met Xue Lan, Haibodong, and Xiao Yi Xian as everyone traveled back to Stone Desert City.
• Dan Zai learned that Xiao Yi Xian worked at Ruyi Zhai and heard about the shop’s lucrative sales.
• Xiao Cheng led Xiao Yu and Zi Yan through morning exercises, and Xiao Yu noticed her body warming and her Dou Qi growing more condensed.
• Xiao Cheng asked the system why Zi Yan felt no effect, and the system explained that her fifth-tier magical-beast body was already exceptionally strong.
• The Blood Sect secretly observed Xiao Cheng in Rakshasa City while investigating his identity and background.

Xiao Cheng’s pastries left Qin Zhen and Bai Shan longing for their cultivation boost, while Zi Yan soundly defeated Xiao Cheng at Gomoku in Rakshasa City. As Rakshasa Gate disciples arrived seeking the pastry seller, Xiao Cheng discovered his Experience Points had surged, only for the system to announce an imminent gift-package update.

• At Jia Nan Academy’s Outer Academy, Qin Zhen and Bai Shan lamented Xiao Cheng’s departure and the loss of his pastries, then relaxed after Hu Jia left.
• At the Pastry Cart in Rakshasa City, Zi Yan repeatedly defeated Xiao Cheng at Gomoku, and he quit to research alcoholic drinks in the storage room.
• Xiao Yu remarked on Xiao Cheng’s losses while unfamiliar visitors arrived, and bystanders recognized them as Rakshasa Gate disciples seeking the pastry seller.
• While Zi Yan played with cards and a Rubik’s Cube, Xiao Cheng checked his Personal Panel and found he had more than 6,700 Experience Points.
• The system announced that it would update its gift-package patch in one hour, and Xiao Cheng angrily threatened to stop spending if he disliked the new rewards.

Xiao Cheng learned that Five-worm Cake restored people to peak condition and arranged a new drink order from Rakshasa Gate. Meanwhile, Dan Zai and the others returned safely to Stone Desert City, and Xiao Yi Xian and Haibodong headed back to Ruyi Zhai, where Gu Ni was helping run the shop.

• Rakshasa Gate disciples ate Five-worm Cakes and said the pastries had restored them to peak condition.
• Fan Qian told Xiao Cheng that Su Mei wanted to order three hundred cups of Sour Plum Drink and Ruyi Juice, and Xiao Cheng offered her thirty cups for free.
• Xiao Cheng gave Fan Qian a Five-worm Cake, hoping to earn his favor through the gift.
• Dan Zai, Haibodong, and the others returned safely to Stone Desert City, where Xiao Ding and Xiao Li heard that the snake people had released Dan Zai's group without harming them.
• Xiao Yi Xian and Haibodong left for Ruyi Zhai, where Gu Ni had learned to serve customers while helping Gu He run the shop.

Su Mei learned that Five-worm Cake could restore strength and Dou Qi and ordered thirty from Ruyi Zhai, while Xiao Cheng struggled to make alcohol and was soundly beaten at cards by Zi Yan. In the Imperial Capital, Haibodong and Xiao Yi Xian accepted Nalan Su’s invitation to rest at the Nalan Family residence.

• Sun Ming reported Five-worm Cake’s effects to Su Mei, who ordered thirty cakes at two thousand Gold Coins each.
• Xiao Cheng lamented his failed attempts to make alcohol and argued with the system about becoming a Dou Di through pastries.
• Xiao Cheng challenged Zi Yan to Train Game, but she cheated repeatedly and defeated him over the next hour.
• Haibodong and Xiao Yi Xian decided to stay overnight in the Imperial Capital before returning to Wutan City.
• Nalan Su encountered Xiao Yi Xian and Haibodong and invited them to stay at the Nalan Family residence, where they agreed to go.

Xiao Cheng sold thirty Five-worm Cakes to Sun Ming of Rakshasa Gate, while Gu He finished work at Ruyi Zhai and promised to teach Gu Ni. As new watchers and enemies turned their attention toward the shop, Wu Ying began plotting to enlist Protector Tie’s help.

• Sun Ming told Xiao Cheng that Sect Master Su Mei had sent him to buy thirty Five-worm Cakes, and Xiao Cheng completed the order.
• Xiao Cheng closed the pastry cart and returned to the inn with Xiao Yu, Zi Yan, and the others.
• Gu He praised Gu Ni’s work at Ruyi Zhai and told him to come help again the next day, while Yue'er teased Gu He about his promise to teach him.
• Qing Mang received orders from Heavenly Snake Mansion to monitor Ruyi Zhai and report new developments.
• Ge Ye observed Ruyi Zhai from a distance and noted that two people were missing while Gu Ni had joined the shop.
• Wu Ying scouted Ruyi Zhai, blamed Xiao Cheng for ruining his plans, and decided to seek help from Protector Tie.

Xiao Cheng kept selling pastries in Rakshasa City while Mu Jie, an elder of the Eight Sects Gate, came to investigate the rumored cultivation-enhancing pastries. After buying several pastries and three Five-worm Cakes, Mu Jie left, and Xiao Cheng anticipated Yuan Yi's next move.

• Gu He opened the shop and checked the remaining pastries while Yue'er, tired after a nightmare, agreed to nap as Qing Lin took her place at work.
• Xiao Cheng made more Mung Bean Cakes and Shredded Pork Floss Pastry for the Rakshasa City cart and considered how to increase Ruyi Zhai's sales.
• Mu Jie, sent by Yuan Yi to investigate the rumored divine item, introduced himself to Xiao Cheng, who explained that the item was pastry.
• Mu Jie bought several kinds of pastries from Xiao Yu and learned that Rakshasa Gate had recently bought thirty Five-worm Cakes.
• Mu Jie bought three Five-worm Cakes for six thousand Gold Coins and hurried away, while Xiao Cheng said he looked forward to Yuan Yi's response.

Fan Qian asked Xiao Cheng for pastries, while Haibodong and Xiao Yi Xian left the Nalan Family and headed back to Wutan City. Mitel Tengshan placed a large drink order for Ruyi Zhai and committed the Mittel Family’s future to Xiao Cheng, as Wu Ying searched for Protector Tie to plot against the shop.

• Fan Qian asked Xiao Cheng for pastries, and Xiao Cheng agreed to give him some.
• Haibodong refused Nalan Su’s attempts to question him and keep him at the Nalan Family, then left with Xiao Yi Xian for Wutan City.
• Haibodong told Xiao Yi Xian that he disliked Nalan Su and that the Nalan Family’s conflict with Xiao Cheng had shaped his attitude toward them.
• Mitel Tengshan ordered his steward to buy five hundred drinks from Ruyi Zhai and declared that the Mittel Family’s future depended on Xiao Cheng.
• Wu Ying searched for Protector Tie so they could cooperate against Ruyi Zhai and set off after discovering a trace of him.

Xiao Yi Xian and Haibodong returned to Ruyi Zhai, where they helped with the busy shop as Princess Yao Ye bought five hundred cups of Ruyi Juice. Xiao Cheng teleported back to Jia Nan Academy to discuss business with Hu Gan, while Old Man Huo’s experiment with pastries ended in an exploded pill furnace.

• Xiao Yi Xian and Haibodong returned to Ruyi Zhai, found Gu Ni helping there, and joined the staff as customers began arriving.
• Princess Yao Ye visited Yue'er and ordered five hundred cups of Ruyi Juice before leaving with her guards.
• Xiao Cheng told Xiao Yu to watch the cart and Zi Yan, then paid the system fifteen thousand Gold Coins to teleport to Jia Nan Academy.
• Xiao Cheng landed hard near the academy office building and headed toward Hu Gan’s office, where Hu Gan was speaking with Hu Jia.
• Old Man Huo exploded his pill furnace while testing whether he could fuse pastries into it, unaware that Xiao Cheng had already arrived at the academy.

Xiao Cheng sold Five-worm Cakes to Dean Hu Gan and then encountered his disciple Old Man Huo, whose hair had turned green after experimenting with the pastries. Xiao Cheng teleported away toward Rakshasa City, but an unexpected accident interrupted his trip.

• Xiao Cheng demonstrated a Five-worm Cake to Hu Gan, who felt its restorative effects and ordered thirty at a discounted price.
• Xiao Cheng left the administrative building and ran into Old Man Huo, whose hair had turned green.
• Xiao Cheng punched Old Man Huo before recognizing him, then learned that he had caused the change by experimenting with Xiao Cheng's pastries.
• Xiao Cheng told Old Man Huo to restore his hair and not repeat the mistake, and Old Man Huo went to fix it.
• Xiao Cheng asked the system to teleport him to Rakshasa City, but an accident occurred as he vanished.

Yuan Yi broke through to three-star Dou Huang after eating a pastry from Ruyi Zhai and sent Mu Jie to offer the shopkeeper gifts. Xiao Cheng returned to Rakshasa City to find a long queue and discovered that Sun Ming’s bulk purchases had nearly completed his Five-worm Cake mission.

• Mu Jie told Yuan Yi that Ruyi Zhai seemed mysterious and presented him with pastries from the shop.
• Yuan Yi ate a piece of Sesame Candy and broke through from peak two-star Dou Huang to three-star Dou Huang.
• Yuan Yi instructed Mu Jie to bring gifts to Xiao Cheng and build a relationship with the shopkeeper.
• Xiao Cheng returned to Rakshasa City and found a long queue at his cart, where Xiao Yu urged him to make more pastries.
• Xiao Cheng checked his mission and saw that Five-worm Cake sales had risen from thirty-six to ninety-eight, realizing Sun Ming had organized a large purchase.

Xiao Cheng arranged for Fan Qian to deliver thirty Five-worm Cakes to Hu Gan and spoke with Sun Ming, while news about Ruyi Zhai’s cultivation-boosting divine item reached powerful sect leaders. Fan Lao sent someone to investigate the shop, and Mo Tianxing dispatched two Black Emperor Sect elders to Rakshasa City to investigate and recruit its maker if the item was real.

• Xiao Cheng gave Fan Qian thirty Five-worm Cakes to deliver safely to Jia Nan Academy’s Headmaster Hu Gan, promising him pastries for completing the task.
• Xiao Cheng recognized Sun Ming as a talented Rakshasa Gate disciple and encouraged him to keep working hard.
• Fan Ling brought Fan Lao intelligence identifying Xiao Cheng and reporting that his shop, Ruyi Zhai, possessed an item said to increase cultivation.
• Fan Lao ordered Fan Ling to send a stranger to Rakshasa City to buy items from Ruyi Zhai.
• Mo Tianxing asked Che Cheng and Qi Shan about the reported divine item, then ordered them to investigate Ruyi Zhai and recruit its maker into the Black Emperor Sect if the item was genuine.

Xiao Cheng rejected Elder Mu Jie’s offer to cooperate with the Eight Sects Gate, then let Zi Yan eat the two high-grade spiritual herbs Mu Jie had brought as gifts. Mu Jie watched the herbs disappear, while Xiao Cheng went to experiment with alcohol.

• At Ruyi Zhai, Xiao Yi Xian thanked Gu Ni for helping with the busy shop and gave him ten cups of Ruyi Juice.
• Xiao Cheng and his companions resumed selling pastries in Rakshasa City, and Xiao Yu and Xue Ni asked him to make more Sesame Candy and Peanut Nougat.
• Elder Mu Jie delivered gifts from Sect Master Yuan and asked Xiao Cheng to cooperate with the Eight Sects Gate, but Xiao Cheng refused to work with any force for now.
• Mu Jie joined the line to buy pastries, while Zi Yan woke up, smelled the gifts, and ate both high-grade spiritual herbs.
• Xiao Cheng went to experiment with alcohol, unaware that Mu Jie had watched Zi Yan consume the herbs.

Xiao Cheng learned that the system would undergo a six-hour update and was punished with an education course and a deduction of 500 Shopkeeper Level experience for insulting it. Meanwhile, Su Mei learned that three rival factions were pursuing Ruyi Zhai and decided Rakshasa Gate would have to cooperate with them.

• Xiao Cheng made pastries for Zi Yan, checked whether his order had reached Jia Nan Academy, and asked Fan Qian whether unfamiliar factions had entered the city.
• The system announced a six-hour patch update, then imposed a three-day education course and deducted 500 of Xiao Cheng’s Shopkeeper Level experience after he insulted it.
• Xiao Cheng checked his Personal Panel, saw his experience had fallen to 6521, and went to the storeroom to study the liquor.
• Xue Ni asked Xiao Yu why Xiao Cheng looked upset, and Xiao Yu told her he had likely encountered something difficult.
• Su Mei learned that the Black Emperor Sect, Eight Sects Gate, and Blood Sect were pursuing Ruyi Zhai, and decided Rakshasa Gate would have to cooperate with them to maintain its influence.

Xiao Cheng met Fan Ling, who came to apologize for the Blood Sect and sought to buy the shop’s cultivation-enhancing pastries. Fan Ling sampled Sesame Candy, confirmed its effect, and left laden with pastries, while Xiao Cheng returned to work.

• Xiao Cheng came out of the storage room after Xiao Yu told him Fan Ling had arrived to apologize and make amends.
• Fan Ling bowed and apologized, then asked whether Xiao Cheng’s pastries could increase cultivation.
• Xiao Cheng explained the pastries’ different effects and sold Fan Ling a piece of Sesame Candy for sixty-six Gold Coins.
• Fan Ling ate the Sesame Candy, cultivated as Heaven and Earth Qi surged into him, and found that his cultivation had increased.
• Fan Ling bought some of every kind of pastry and departed carrying them, while Xiao Cheng went back to work.

At Ruyi Zhai, Gu He lost a Gomoku match to Haibodong, who agreed to switch jobs with him. Meanwhile, Che Cheng and Qi Shan of the Black Emperor Sect headed toward Rakshasa City, bringing the next faction closer to the battlefield.

• Gu He challenged Haibodong to a best-of-three Gomoku match to make him switch jobs, and Haibodong won the first round.
• Yue'er called Haibodong crafty, and he silently resolved to teach her a small lesson.
• Xiao Lu visited Ruyi Zhai, spoke with Xiao Yi Xian and Gu He, bought Peanut Nougat, and left to handle his duties.
• Payne arrived to buy pastries to aid his cultivation and explained that he wanted to grow stronger for the Xiao Clan.
• Haibodong won the match and agreed to take Gu He's counter job, while Gu He promised him medicinal pills.
• Che Cheng and Qi Shan of the Black Emperor Sect traveled toward Rakshasa City as Xiao Cheng remained unaware of their approach.

Xiao Cheng gathered ingredients for his drink research while replenishing pastries, and the Black Emperor Sect elders arrived in Rakshasa City seeking the cultivation-boosting divine item. After Xiao Cheng refused to join or immediately cooperate with their sect, Che Cheng and Qi Shan lined up to buy pastries.

• Xiao Cheng learned that the six rare materials had been found and told Sun Ming to bring them over.
• Xiao Cheng asked Fan Qian to gather a hundred nonpoisonous kinds of fruit so he could brew wine, promising him a reward.
• Che Cheng and Qi Shan entered Rakshasa City and followed the line to the Pastry Cart after hearing it might be connected to a divine item.
• Xiao Cheng told the Black Emperor Sect elders that his pastries increased cultivation and refused their offer to recruit him or begin cooperation.
• Che Cheng and Qi Shan accepted Xiao Cheng's direction to line up and buy pastries while Xiao Cheng went back to resting.

Nalan Su visited Ruyi Zhai to buy pastries and drinks, then Yun Yun arrived seeking Xiao Cheng and learned he was away in the Black Corner Region. After Yun Yun left, Qing Mang saw her visit and suspected the Misty Cloud Sect had faced a major event, while two masses of Black Mist plotted in Wutan City.

• Nalan Su visited Ruyi Zhai and bought pastries, Ruyi Juice, and Sour Plum Drink.
• Yun Yun arrived at the shop and told Xiao Yi Xian she needed to discuss something important with Xiao Cheng.
• Gu He told Yun Yun that Xiao Cheng had gone to the Black Corner Region and that the pastries would last four or five more days.
• Yun Yun asked Xiao Yi Xian to notify her when Xiao Cheng returned, then left the shop.
• Qing Mang saw Yun Yun at Ruyi Zhai and suspected the Misty Cloud Sect had experienced a major event.
• Two masses of Black Mist discussed a sinister scheme in a dark corner of Wutan City.

Xiao Cheng received a quest to invent a pastry that would sell for at least 500,000 Gold Coins at the Black Seal City auction, but the system refused to offer guidance. The next morning, he struggled to get Zi Yan to work and ended up making her fresh pastries before beginning his research.

• Two Black Emperor Sect elders bought pastries and again invited Xiao Cheng to join their sect, but he dismissed their offer.
• The system assigned Xiao Cheng a quest to develop a pastry and auction it for at least 500,000 Gold Coins, with an Egg Roll recipe as the reward and no time limit.
• Xiao Cheng asked the system for a hint, but it denied him help because his authority was insufficient.
• The next morning, Xiao Cheng woke Xiao Yu, Xue Ni, and Zi Yan and took them to the Pastry Cart.
• Xiao Cheng roused Zi Yan by promising food, then stopped her from eating the pastries meant for sale and agreed to make her fresh ones.

Yuan Yi and Fan Lao discovered that Xiao Cheng’s pastries could strengthen cultivation, prompting the Blood Sect to abandon recruiting him and instead treat him as an honored guest. Xiao Cheng rested after caring for Zi Yan while worrying about what pastries to develop next.

• Yuan Yi tasted several pastries Mu Jie had brought and found that they strengthened the body, then rewarded Mu Jie with a spiritual herb.
• Fan Ling told Fan Lao that Sesame Candy had increased his cultivation, and Fan Lao ate a piece and gained a third of his cultivation progress.
• Fan Lao decided Xiao Cheng could not be recruited and ordered Fan Ling to make sure the Blood Sect treated him as an honored guest.
• Fan Ling agreed to help the Blood Sect build a good relationship with Xiao Cheng so it could obtain more pastries.
• Xiao Cheng rested after tending to Zi Yan and worried about recalling more ancient Huaxia pastries.

Xiao Cheng made salt-and-pepper Ox-tongue Pastries while waiting for the system to complete its patch, then received a Dragon Toy that turned out to be a Balala the Fairies doll. The toy’s energy could accelerate a dragon’s growth in strength, and Sun Ming arrived with the six rare materials Xiao Cheng needed.

• Xiao Cheng prepared and baked salt-and-pepper Ox-tongue Pastries while the system completed its optimization.
• The system awarded Xiao Cheng a Dragon Toy for completing the quest, but he discovered it was a Balala the Fairies doll.
• Xiao Cheng gave the doll to Zi Yan to distract her from the pastries, and the toy emitted a wave of energy.
• The system explained that the Dragon Toy could accelerate dragons’ growth in strength, and Zi Yan happily left with it.
• Xiao Cheng tasted his pastries as Sun Ming of Rakshasa Gate hurried over with the six rare materials.

Mo Tianxing sampled the pastries brought back by Qi Shan and gained new insights after entering enlightenment from Sticky Rice Strips. Xiao Cheng priced his new Ox-tongue Pastry and received the six rare materials needed for his mission from Sun Ming, but chose not to submit them yet.

• Mo Tianxing sent Che Cheng to Rakshasa City to help Xiao Cheng and have the Black Emperor Sect earn his favor.
• Qi Shan gave Mo Tianxing the pastries, and eating Sticky Rice Strips triggered enlightenment that gave Mo Tianxing insights into combat techniques and cultivation realms.
• Mo Tianxing ordered Qi Shan to visit Xiao Cheng's shop, buy more pastries, and bring capable disciples to escort them.
• Xiao Cheng priced each Ox-tongue Pastry at 277 Gold Coins and asked Xiao Yu to add it to the shop's price list.
• Sun Ming delivered the six rare materials, and Xiao Cheng gave him two Ox-tongue Pastries without submitting the materials to complete his mission.