Recaps

Xiao Cheng sold Red Bean Cakes in Snake People City and modified a mission reward into 2,000 Shopkeeper Experience Points. Back in Rakshasa City, Wang Chu, Mu Jie, and Qi Shan played cards while Liu Qing arrived to discuss a partnership with Ruyi Zhai and learned Xiao Cheng was away.

• Xiao Cheng checked his status, used his Level 6 authority to change the Red Bean Cake mission reward to 2,000 Shopkeeper Experience Points, and began selling the cakes in Snake People City.
• A snake person bought three Red Bean Cakes from Xiao Cheng for sixty-eight Gold Coins each.
• In Rakshasa City, Qi Shan beat Wang Chu and Mu Jie at cards three rounds in a row, and the pair insisted on playing again.
• Liu Qing arrived and was surprised to find Wang Chu, Mu Jie, and Qi Shan playing cards together while Mo Ya watched and Xiao Yu served customers.
• Xiao Yu told Liu Qing that Xiao Cheng was away, so Liu Qing postponed discussing a collaboration with Ruyi Zhai and bought pastries instead.

Xiao Cheng sold Red Bean Cakes to the snake people and discovered that Hua She Er’s reaction to them could bring him an opportunity as well as trouble. Meanwhile, Payne briefly tried Gu He’s Rubik’s Cube before leaving.

• The Mitel Family's steward bought pastries from Xiao Yi Xian at Ruyi Zhai, while Gu He failed to solve his Rubik's Cube again.
• Gu He handed Payne the Rubik's Cube, and Payne quickly figured out how to use it; Haibodong teased Gu He for trying to teach anyone when he had never solved it himself.
• Payne played with the Rubik's Cube for half an hour before returning it and leaving with Xiao Cheng.
• Xiao Cheng sold more than thirty Red Bean Cakes to snake people, and Hua She Er bought several from his stall.
• Hua She Er ate three Red Bean Cakes, felt her body grow stronger, and went to the Snake People Temple to report the pastries to the Queen.

Fan Qian joined Qi Shan and Mu Jie for a game of Dou Dizhu while a Black Skull Tomb disciple secretly monitored Ruyi Zhai. Meanwhile, Xiao Cheng’s Red Bean Cake task neared completion, Queen Medusa left the Snake People Temple, and Yan launched a search after an Earth Flame Sect elder stole pastries and defected.

• Fan Qian joined Qi Shan and Mu Jie at the Pastry Cart to learn Dou Dizhu, and the two elders left with decks of cards before Fan Qian departed.
• A Black Skull Tomb disciple continued watching Ruyi Zhai but found nothing suspicious, while Mo Ya finished making fruit wine and Xiao Yu and the others closed the shop.
• Xiao Cheng saw that more than seventy Red Bean Cakes had sold, argued with the system about a reward, and decided to offer incense and pray for blessings for it each week.
• Queen Medusa stared out the window at the Snake People Temple, wondered whether her decision was right, and vanished.
• An Earth Flame Sect elder stole pastries and defected, prompting Yan to organize a search of the surrounding area, but the elder hid from the searchers.

Xiao Cheng completed his Red Bean Cakes quest and considered how to deepen his cooperation with Medusa, while the shop in Rakshasa City welcomed Hu Jia and Bai Shan. The chapter ended with them becoming absorbed in Dou Dizhu as the Earth Flame Sect elder who had stolen pastries searched near Rakshasa City.

• Hua She Er told Queen Medusa that Xiao Cheng’s Red Bean Cakes had increased her physical strength, and Medusa decided to deepen their cooperation.
• Xiao Cheng completed the Red Bean Cakes quest, gained 2,000 Shopkeeper Experience Points, and wondered how to level up faster before planning to sell other pastries.
• In Rakshasa City, Zi Yan played Train Game while Mo Ya prepared Egg Roll, and Hu Jia and Bai Shan arrived at the shop without Qin Zhen or Wu Hao.
• Hu Jia bought twenty bottles of fruit wine for her drinking-obsessed grandfather, then Zi Yan invited her and Bai Shan to play Dou Dizhu.
• Hu Jia, Bai Shan, and Zi Yan got hooked on Dou Dizhu while Mo Ya watched, and the Earth Flame Sect elder who had stolen pastries searched near Rakshasa City.

An Earth Flame Sect elder searched Rakshasa City for the pastries that had helped him advance, while Jia Xing Tian and Yao Ye visited Yue'er in Wutan City. Xiao Cheng received a main quest to hold an Otherworld Sports Meet for the Snake People Tribe and planned to discuss it with Queen Medusa.

• The Earth Flame Sect elder entered Rakshasa City to search for pastries, while Zi Yan frustrated Bai Shan and Hu Jia with her improvised card-game rules.
• Bai Shan escaped the games and told Mo Ya that Hu Jia would soon be driven crazy by Zi Yan.
• Jia Xing Tian and Yao Ye arrived at Ruyi Zhai, where Yue'er introduced them to the new pastries because Xiao Cheng was away.
• Xiao Cheng returned to his residence and received a main quest to organize an Otherworld Sports Meet for the Snake People Tribe, with the system providing the prizes.

An old man tried to steal the pastries at Ruyi Zhai’s Pastry Cart, but the system’s lightning defense drove him away. As Earth Flame Sect sent two elders to find him, he narrowly avoided a clash with Hao Han and went into hiding.

• Mo Ya sensed a powerful presence approaching the Pastry Cart, and the system’s upgraded defenses shielded the group from its pressure.
• The old man charged toward the cart to seize its pastries, but lightning struck when he came within fifty meters and forced him to flee.
• Hu Jia, Bai Shan, and Mo Ya reacted to the lightning defense, while Bai Shan and Hu Jia left after buying pastries.
• Yan learned that scouts had spotted the fugitive near Rakshasa City and sent two elders to kill him, recover his body, and check on Ruyi Zhai.
• The fleeing old man encountered Hao Han on the road but chose not to attack him and decided to hide instead.

Xiao Cheng arranged a Snake People Sports Meet with Queen Medusa, while Hao Han visited the Rakshasa Gate on behalf of the Blood Sect. The chapter left Su Mei surprised by the Blood Sect’s visit, unaware that Hao Han had come to seek cooperation.

• Xiao Cheng met Yue Mei at the Snake People Temple, then proposed a sports meet to Queen Medusa, who agreed to help.
• Xiao Cheng considered possible sports meet events after returning to his lodgings.
• Old Sun and Crazy Old Man searched for clues about a thief and decided to look around Rakshasa City.
• Hao Han bought pastries at Ruyi Zhai before heading to the Rakshasa Gate to discuss cooperation with Su Mei.
• Su Mei approved new plans to strengthen the Rakshasa Gate, including increased resources for talented disciples and competitions for outer disciples.
• Su Mei received word that Blood Sect Elder Hao Han had arrived and invited him inside, not knowing he had come to seek cooperation.

Xiao Cheng prepared Snake People City’s sports meet while the system made him buy equipment and assigned him a humiliating performance. The meet drew a large crowd of registrants, and Xiao Cheng ended the chapter facing a quest to perform a Yangge Dance at its opening.

• Ge Ye visited Ruyi Zhai to buy pastries and left after learning there was no Sour Plum Drink.
• Qing Mang and Wang Tianfen tried to buy Osmanthus Cake but discovered they lacked enough Gold Coins.
• Xiao Cheng notified Yue Mei and the other commanders about the sports meet as snake people began registering in large numbers.
• Xiao Cheng bought a Sports Meet Equipment Set from the system for 500,000 Gold Coins.
• The system gave Xiao Cheng a quest to perform a Yangge Dance at the sports meet’s opening, threatening him with a Dark Room if he failed.

Su Mei and Hao Han established a pastry-transport partnership between the Rakshasa Gate and the Blood Sect, while other factions considered alliances to keep up with the Black Corner Region’s growing strength. The chapter left the Mad Lion Gang preparing to approach both groups and the Black Emperor Sect and Eight Sects Gate struggling with the cost of their training.

• Hao Han proposed that the Blood Sect hire Rakshasa Gate experts to escort pastry shipments, and Su Mei agreed to accept pastries as payment and formalized the deal in a written agreement.
• Su Mei and Hao Han visited Ruyi Zhai, learned Xiao Cheng was away, and bought pastries before leaving.
• The shop workers said they had been feeling more relaxed, an effect of the Pastry Cart’s mind-stimulating plant.
• Wu Tie decided the Mad Lion Gang needed a partner and sent Wang Chu to negotiate with the Blood Sect and the Rakshasa Gate.
• The Black Emperor Sect and Eight Sects Gate trained elite disciples through cooperation but faced financial strain from the pastries their program consumed.

Jia Xing Tian used pastries from Ruyi Zhai to break through to the two-star Dou Zong realm. Meanwhile, Xiao Cheng prepared for the sports meet, Fan Ling drew Fan Lao into a game of Gomoku, and two Earth Flame Sect elders killed the pastry thief.

• Old Sun and Old Feng chased down and killed the old man who had stolen the Earth Flame Sect's pastries.
• Fan Lao learned Gomoku from Fan Ling, who used the game to seek a little advantage after his miserable experience with Zi Yan.
• Xiao Cheng practiced the Yangge Dance for the sports meet and considered replacing it with Broadcast Gymnastics.
• Jia Xing Tian used pastries from Ruyi Zhai to advance from a one-star to a two-star Dou Zong, then looked toward Wutan City thoughtfully.

Mo Ya served pastries to Earth Flame Sect elders and Su Mei, while Xiao Cheng explored Snake People City as its residents prepared for the sports meet. Black Robe returned near Stone Desert City and threatened to claim it, leaving the Xiao Ding brothers unaware that their city’s peace was about to end.

• Elder Sun and Elder Feng visited Ruyi Zhai, bought pastries, and left to report back to the Earth Flame Sect Sect Master.
• Su Mei bought a large order of pastries from Mo Ya, intending to use some for Rakshasa Gate and support its cooperation with the Blood Sect.
• Xiao Cheng admired the Snake People Tribe’s preparations for the sports meet and argued with Yue Mei when she demanded pastries.
• Black Robe appeared near Stone Desert City and vowed to claim it while allowing its people to live a little longer.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li discussed minor problems in Stone Desert City’s development without knowing Black Robe had returned.

Wu Ying ordered Black Skull Tomb to monitor Ruyi Zhai while sects in the Black Corner Region pursued new alliances. In Rakshasa City, Ruyi Zhai declined a cooperation offer from Kui Lang Gang, and Fan Lao proposed a pastry-based training partnership with Rakshasa Gate.

• The tomb master reported that Black Emperor Sect and Eight Sects Gate had allied and that Rakshasa Gate and the Blood Sect were cooperating, after which Wu Ying told him to watch Ruyi Zhai and report anything unusual.
• Zi Yan cheated while playing Train Game with Fan Qian until Xiao Yu mentioned breakfast, letting Fan Qian slip away before Zi Yan ate pastries brought by Mo Ya.
• Chen Mu of Kui Lang Gang asked Xiao Yu to cooperate with his gang, but she declined and he bought pastries instead.
• Hao Han showed Fan Lao the cooperation agreement with Rakshasa Gate, and Fan Lao proposed establishing a pastry-based training place for their disciples.
• Fan Lao instructed Hao Han to visit Rakshasa Gate again to discuss the training partnership, while Su Mei remained unaware that Fan Lao had the same idea.

Xiao Cheng confirmed the sports meet preparations were ready, while the Mo Family planned to capture Mo Feng and pursue cooperation with Ruyi Zhai. In Wutan City, Xiao Yi Xian signed agreements to supply pastries to three factions, whose leaders had grown stronger with their help.

• Xiao Cheng checked the sports meet preparations in Snake People City and reluctantly accepted that he would have to perform the Yangge Dance.
• Mo Cheng learned that Mo Feng had likely fled to the Tagor Desert with the hidden pastries and ordered Mo Ming and Mo Hei to capture him.
• Mo Cheng explained to the Mo Family elders that Ruyi Zhai's pastries had increased his cultivation and announced that he would visit Ruyi Zhai to seek cooperation.
• Xiao Yi Xian agreed to supply pastries twice a month to the Xiao Clan, Ao Ba Pa Family, and Mittel Auction House, and the three factions signed agreements.
• Xiao Zhan reached Two-star Dou Ling and Ao Ba Pa reached Three-star Dou Ling after benefiting from Ruyi Zhai's pastries.

Xiao Cheng launched the sports meet in Snake People City with a yangge dance, then left Hua She Er to oversee the events after claiming a reward of ordinary biscuits from the system. Meanwhile, Xiao Ding arranged for Xue Lan and Dan Zai to travel to Stone Desert City to negotiate a pastry partnership with Xiao Yi Xian.

• Xiao Cheng told Hua She Er that the sports meet was ready and prepared to perform at its opening ceremony.
• Xiao Cheng performed a yangge dance for the snake people, then began the scheduled sports events and left Hua She Er in charge.
• Xiao Cheng claimed the yangge quest reward, discovered the biscuits were ordinary, and stopped trying to bargain with the system.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li discussed buying pastries for the Mo Tie Mercenary Group and selling a portion to increase Stone Desert City's revenue.
• Xiao Ding sent Xue Lan and Dan Zai to Stone Desert City to negotiate partnership terms with Xiao Yi Xian, hoping their relationship would secure a discount.

While Xiao Cheng relaxed at the sports meet, the Xiao-Ao Alliance’s cargo shipment to Qingshan Town was attacked, and the Black Emperor Sect and Eight Sects Gate discussed drawing closer to Ruyi Zhai. The chapter ended with Su Mei unaware that two powerful factions were preparing to seek cooperation with her.

• Xiao Cheng defeated Yue Mei at Gomoku after spotting a diagonal opening, then offered her a handicap for their next game.
• Ao Tuo and Ao Ba Pa discussed minor adjustments to their family’s business cooperation, while the Mittel Auction House and Xiao Clan also made small changes.
• Xiao Lu arrived at Ruyi Zhai seeking pastries to treat injuries after attackers ambushed the Xiao-Ao Alliance’s cargo convoy on its way to Qingshan Town.
• Haibodong and Gu He suspected the attack targeted the Xiao-Ao Alliance, and Gu He suggested that people from Qingshan Town knew the route.
• Mo Tianxing proposed that the Black Emperor Sect and Eight Sects Gate cooperate with the Rakshasa Gate to build ties with Ruyi Zhai, and Yuan Yi agreed to let him handle it.

At Ruyi Zhai in Rakshasa City, Xiao Yu distracted Zi Yan so Mo Ya could rest while Yan chose to pursue an alliance with the Rakshasa Gate. At the sports meet, Hua She Er and Yue Mei punished Xiao Cheng for slacking off, as the system quietly issued him a notification.

• Xiao Yu lured Zi Yan's attention with the promise of new pastries, giving Mo Ya a chance to rest.
• Elder Old Sun and Elder Old Feng reported that they had killed the Earth Flame Sect traitor, and Yan inferred that the traitor had been beaten after targeting Ruyi Zhai.
• Old Sun recommended an alliance with the Rakshasa Gate, and Yan assigned him and Old Feng to arrange it.
• Xiao Cheng arrived at the sports meet near its end and admitted to Hua She Er that he had rested while she worked.
• Hua She Er and Yue Mei teamed up to beat Xiao Cheng, while he failed to notice a system notification.

Xiao Zhan learned that the Xiao Clan’s pastries had been stolen and suspected someone was targeting the clan, while Protector Tie manipulated Myriad Medicine Hall’s manager to hinder the Xiao Clan and Ruyi Zhai. In Snake People City, Xiao Cheng received his sports equipment reward and prepared to return to his shop in Wutan City.

• Xiao Zhan ordered Xiao Lu to pay Myriad Medicine Hall’s compensation and strengthen the transport convoy after hearing that only the pastries had been stolen.
• Protector Tie rewarded Myriad Medicine Hall’s manager with increased strength, secretly draining his life force and making him a pawn against Ruyi Zhai.
• Protector Tie collected the stolen pastries and vanished after expressing interest in how they were made.
• Xiao Cheng joked with Hua She Er and Yue Mei as the sports meet neared its end, then discovered the effects of his Three-piece Set of Sports Equipment reward.
• Xiao Cheng decided to return to his shop in Wutan City to update the pastries.

Xiao Cheng returned from Snake People City to Ruyi Zhai and learned that the Xiao Clan’s shipment of pastries had been robbed. The system gave him a seventy-two-hour quest to investigate the incident, leaving him to decide where to begin.

• Xiao Cheng told Hua She Er he was leaving Snake People City and teleported back to Wutan City.
• Xiao Cheng returned to Ruyi Zhai, where Gu He and Yue'er said business had picked up and the shop was running low on pastries.
• Xiao Yi Xian told Xiao Cheng that the Xiao Clan’s shipment of pastries bound for Qingshan Town had been robbed.
• The system assigned Xiao Cheng a quest to uncover the truth behind the robbery and suggested investigating the Xiao Clan, the robbery site, and Myriad Medicine Hall in Qingshan Town.
• Xiao Cheng suspected Myriad Medicine Hall might be connected to the robbery, while Yue'er approached him with flattery.

Xiao Cheng considered Ya Fei’s proposal to become an agent for his pastries, and the system activated Branch Agency Mode with costly conditions. The next morning, the system ordered him to conduct a Staff Assessment, leaving his unsuspecting staff facing an imminent evaluation.

• Ya Fei asked Xiao Cheng to let her distribute his pastries in the Imperial Capital, and he promised to give her an answer the next day.
• The system activated Branch Agency Mode and explained its revenue split, restocking rules, and renovation and protection fees to Xiao Cheng.
• A mass of Black Mist appeared near Qingshan Town, and its unseen speaker hoped Xiao Cheng would investigate while mentioning Wu Ying in the Black Corner Region.
• Xiao Cheng prepared pastries while Yue'er and Xiao Yi Xian discussed possible new products, and Gu He’s Rubik's Cube fell apart.
• The system told Xiao Cheng to conduct a Staff Assessment, while the staff remained unaware of what was coming.