Recaps

Xiao Cheng visited the Xiao Clan to check on its growth and discuss finding people with cultivation problems, while Nalan Su traveled to Ruyi Zhai for help with Nalan Jie's worsening Scorching Poison. Yun Yun suspected her master was preparing to move against Ruyi Zhai and secretly warned Xiao Cheng; meanwhile, Protector Wu's puppet encountered a Sixth-tier Magical Beast in the Monster Mountain Range.

• Xiao Cheng left Ruyi Zhai with pastries and went to the Xiao Clan to check on its development and see Xiao Yan.
• Nalan Su prepared gifts and hurried to Wutan City as the Mung Bean Cakes could no longer reliably suppress Nalan Jie's Scorching Poison.
• Yun Yun suspected her master planned to attack Ruyi Zhai and sent Xiao Cheng a secret warning through a messenger.
• Xiao Zhan told Xiao Cheng that the Xiao Clan had grown stronger through its pastries and cooperation with the Ao Ba Pa Family, and agreed to watch for people with cultivation problems.
• Xiao Cheng learned that Xiao Yan was cultivating at home and went to visit him.
• Protector Wu's puppet killed a third-tier Magical Beast in the Monster Mountain Range, then faced the approaching pressure of a Sixth-tier Magical Beast.

Xiao Cheng visited Xiao Yan with pastries, then received a letter warning that Yun Shan intended to take over Ruyi Zhai. As he fretted over how to respond, another problem arrived outside the shop.

• Xiao Cheng brought Xiao Yan another large batch of pastries and learned that Xiao Yan had only recently advanced to Three-star Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Cheng revealed that he was probably an Eight-star Dou Zhe, impressing Xiao Yan, while Xiao Xun'er arrived and invited Xiao Yan to the marketplace.
• Xiao Cheng left the Xiao Clan and returned to Ruyi Zhai, where Gu He gave him a letter from the Sect Master.
• Xiao Cheng read that Yun Shan wanted to take over Ruyi Zhai and worried that he lacked help to defend the shop.
• Xiao Cheng's system told him that making pastries was his only way out, and another trouble arrived outside the shop door.

Nalan Su asked Xiao Cheng to travel to the Imperial Capital and cure Nalan Jie’s worsening Scorching Poison, and Xiao Cheng agreed after receiving a quest that offered upgraded Mung Bean Cakes. As Xiao Cheng departed, the puppet continued hunting Magical Beasts, while a mass of Black Mist appeared near Ruyi Zhai.

• Nalan Su hurried to Ruyi Zhai and asked Xiao Cheng to save Nalan Jie from his worsening Scorching Poison.
• Xiao Cheng accepted a system quest and learned that an Upgraded Mung Bean Cake had ten times the detoxifying effect of an ordinary one.
• Xiao Cheng gave instructions to Xiao Yi Xian, Yue'er, and Gu He, then left for the Imperial Capital with Nalan Su.
• The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King encountered the puppet in the Monster Mountain Range, sensed something strange about it, and left without attacking.
• The puppet resumed slaughtering low-tier Magical Beasts, while a mass of Black Mist appeared near Ruyi Zhai amid eerie laughter.

Protector Wu attacked Gu He at Ruyi Zhai, but the shop’s automatic defenses drove him off and left him wary of its hidden strength. Xiao Cheng then treated Nalan Jie with an upgraded Mung Bean Cake, curing his Scorching Poison, and stayed for a banquet with the Nalan Family.

• Protector Wu attacked Gu He at Ruyi Zhai, but a bolt of lightning struck him and forced him to retreat.
• Protector Wu concluded that Ruyi Zhai concealed a powerful Dou Zong and left to recover from his injuries.
• Xiao Cheng learned that Protector Wu had attacked the shop and traveled with Nalan Su to see Nalan Jie.
• Xiao Cheng gave Nalan Jie an upgraded Mung Bean Cake, which expelled the Scorching Poison and improved his condition.
• Nalan Su arranged a banquet to thank Xiao Cheng, who decided to stay before seeking Haibodong.

Luobu returned to Stone Desert City with Mo Family backing to attack the Mo Tie Mercenary Group, but Xiao Ding and Xiao Li mobilized reinforcements to meet him. Xiao Cheng received a quest to help the brothers and decided to leave the Imperial Capital for Stone Desert City with Haibodong.

• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li built the Mo Tie Mercenary Group into a force with five Da Dou Shi, while Xue Lan led a squad into the desert.
• Xue Lan spotted Luobu approaching with more than a dozen riders and sent Dan Zai to warn the group leaders and request reinforcements.
• Luobu had gained Mo Ran and the Mo Family's support after agreeing that the Sand Mercenary Group would serve the family.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li received Dan Zai's warning, suspected Luobu had powerful backing, and set out with fighters to join Xue Lan.
• Xiao Cheng received a two-day quest to help the Xiao Ding brothers and decided to take Haibodong to Stone Desert City.

Xiao Cheng collected Haibodong from the Mitel Family to accompany him to the Tagor Desert. They arrived as Xue Lan and her companions faced Luobu’s forces, with Commander Xiao’s arrival giving them hope.

• At Nalan Su’s banquet, Xiao Cheng accepted his apology for Yanran’s past trouble and said he was heading to the Mitel Family.
• Mitel Tengshan welcomed Xiao Cheng, who explained that he had come to take Haibodong as his promised bodyguard for a year.
• Haibodong remembered his promise and agreed to accompany Xiao Cheng to the Tagor Desert after learning Xiao Wu had returned home.
• Xiao Cheng used the system to teleport himself and Haibodong to the Tagor Desert, where Xue Lan and the others were surrounded by Luobu’s men.
• Xue Lan heard hoofbeats approaching and felt relieved, believing Commander Xiao and the others had arrived.

Luobu threatened the Mo Tie Mercenary Group and demanded that Xiao Ding withdraw from Stone Desert City, while Xiao Cheng and Haibodong arrived and offered the brothers crucial support. The chapter ended with the group’s spirits lifted as Luobu’s mercenaries secretly plotted nearby.

• Luobu gave Xiao Ding three days to leave Stone Desert City, but Xiao Ding and Xiao Li refused and challenged the Sand Mercenary Group.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li returned to Stone Desert City and gathered their allies to discuss Luobu’s strength and possible support.
• Xiao Cheng and Haibodong arrived after Xiao Cheng’s late-onset teleportation sickness triggered an involuntary dance as punishment from the system.
• Xiao Cheng pointed out that Haibodong, a Dou Huang, could face Luobu’s hidden helper, and Haibodong agreed to help.
• Xiao Ding dragged Xiao Cheng off to drink while Haibodong advised the mercenary group’s experts, as Luobu’s forces plotted nearby.

Luobu agreed to make the Sand Mercenary Group an affiliate of the Mo Family, surrendering most of its profits as he prepared to attack the Mo Tie Mercenary Group. In Stone Desert City, Xiao Ding gathered intelligence and strengthened defenses while the others spent the morning playing Gomoku and doing Broadcast Gymnastics.

• Mo Ran claimed the Mo Family could easily destroy the Mo Tie Mercenary Group and demanded eighty percent of the Sand Mercenary Group's yearly profits and its obedience; Luobu reluctantly agreed.
• Mo Ran boasted that the Mo Family Head was a Dou Ling and that the Misty Cloud Sect backed the family.
• Haibodong and Xiao Li played Gomoku, repeatedly blocking each other's attempts to win until Haibodong cleared the board to start again.
• Xue Lan told Xiao Ding that Luobu's group was camped near Stone Desert City, and Xiao Ding sent her and Dan Zai to investigate Luobu's support and circumstances.
• At Ruyi Zhai, Gu He told Gu Ni that Xiao Cheng's Broadcast Gymnastics was a supreme Cultivation Method, and Gu Ni joined the morning exercise.

Xiao Cheng learned that Luobu had joined the Mo Family and arranged for Haibodong to face its strongest fighter. As Xiao Cheng and the others turned to card games, Luobu began planning his next move and a crisis drew near.

• The Mitel Family steward bought several kinds of pastries from Ruyi Zhai, where Xiao Yi Xian and Gu He were struggling to keep up with growing business.
• Xiao Cheng woke with a hangover, bought a hangover pill from the system, and found Haibodong, Xiao Li, and Xiao Ding playing Gomoku.
• Xiao Ding told Xiao Cheng that Luobu had joined the Mo Family, which was backed by the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Xiao Cheng asked Haibodong to help the Xiao brothers, and Haibodong agreed to fight only their strongest opponent.
• Xiao Cheng and the others switched from Gomoku to Dou Dizhu while Luobu planned his next move.

After Xiao Cheng cured Nalan Jie, the Nalan Family discussed thanking him and repairing ties with the Xiao Clan, while Nalan Yanran resented their respect for the shop owner. In Stone Desert City, Xiao Cheng began preparing a series of pranks for Luobu and his men, who remained unaware of what was coming.

• Nalan Su and Nalan Jie planned to thank Xiao Cheng with rare spiritual herbs and considered offering the Nalan Family’s younger members discounted pastries from Ruyi Zhai.
• Nalan Yanran questioned why her family should cooperate with a shop owner, and Nalan Su and Nalan Jie scolded her for disrespecting Xiao Cheng.
• Nalan Jie advised Nalan Su to visit the Xiao Clan and ease tensions between their families, and Nalan Su agreed.
• At Ruyi Zhai, Gu He and Payne played Gomoku while Xiao Lu and Yue'er competed with increasingly ruthless blocking moves.
• In Stone Desert City, Xiao Cheng proposed pranking Luobu and his men with powder bombs, Stinky Tofu, and other tricks, and Xiao Li agreed to help.
• Xiao Cheng prepared the prank items and imagined giving Luobu electric chewing gum, while Luobu shuddered at the Sand Mercenary Group’s base without knowing what awaited him.

Xiao Cheng prepared foul prank tools for Luobu and learned from Xue Lan that Luobu might attack the next day. Meanwhile, Ao Ba Pa sought advice about inconsistencies in how the Xiao Clan and his family managed their shared marketplace, and went to discuss a unified profit-sharing rule with Xiao Zhan.

• Xiao Cheng made prank tools, accidentally released a Stinky Tofu Bomb, and packed the gadgets into his personal backpack.
• Xiao Cheng learned from Xue Lan that Luobu might attack the next day and planned to use his prepared tools against him that night.
• Ao Ba Pa visited Ruyi Zhai to find Xiao Cheng, but Xiao Yi Xian told him the shop owner was away for several days.
• Ao Ba Pa explained that differing management and profit-sharing rules had caused conflicts in the families' shared marketplace.
• Gu He suggested establishing a unified profit-sharing rule, so Ao Ba Pa went to discuss it with Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Cheng disrupted Luobu’s Sand Mercenary Group with Chili Bombs, Pepper Bombs, and stinky tofu, forcing them to relocate their camp overnight. He rode back toward Stone Desert City while Luobu and Mo Ran vowed to find the culprit.

• Xiao Cheng told Xiao Ding and Xiao Li he would visit Luobu that night and leave him a surprise.
• Xiao Cheng rode to the Sand Mercenary Group’s camp and threw Chili Bombs and Pepper Bombs, filling it with red and yellow smoke.
• Xiao Cheng threw jars of stinky tofu into the camp, overwhelming the mercenaries and leaving Luobu and Mo Ran surrounded by the stench.
• Luobu ordered the mercenaries to search for the attacker, but Xiao Cheng escaped on his bicycle.
• Luobu relocated the camp overnight, while Xiao Ding and Xiao Li realized Xiao Cheng had caused the chaos.
• Xiao Cheng rode leisurely back toward Stone Desert City as Luobu and Mo Ran grew furious.

Xiao Cheng planned to disrupt Luobu while nearing Level Three Shopkeeper, but Luobu prepared a full-scale attack on Stone Desert City. After Xue Lan warned the Mo Tie Mercenary Group, Xiao Cheng persuaded Haibodong to confront the attackers.

• Xiao Li told Xiao Cheng that Luobu and his men had been tormented overnight, and Xiao Cheng admitted he had caused it.
• Xiao Cheng learned that reaching Level Three Shopkeeper would unlock a Pastry Training Room costing ten thousand Gold Coins per hour, and he focused on completing his quest before time ran out.
• Mo Ran blamed the Mo Tie Mercenary Group for the previous night's prank, and Luobu gathered his men to attack Stone Desert City.
• Xue Lan spotted Luobu's forces mobilizing and hurried back to warn Xiao Cheng and the others.
• Xiao Cheng persuaded Haibodong to take on the attackers, and the Mo Tie Mercenary Group prepared for battle.

Xiao Cheng and the others prepared to defend Stone Desert City against Luobu's Sand Mercenary Group and the Mo Family. After Xiao Cheng used chili and pepper bombs to injure Mo Ran, a Mo Family fighter forced him to flee and call for Haibodong.

• Xiao Cheng checked the time limit, learned Luobu's group was nearing Stone Desert City, and gave Xiao Li instructions for using his remaining gadgets.
• Xiao Cheng asked Haibodong to help in the coming battle, and Haibodong mocked his lack of strength before returning to his tea.
• Luobu and Mo Ran arrived with their forces, and Xiao Li and Xiao Ding traded taunts with them before the attack began.
• Xiao Cheng's chili and pepper bombs sent the attackers into chaos, allowing him to strike Mo Ran from behind and severely injure him.
• A Three-star Dou Shi from the Mo Family interrupted Xiao Cheng as he moved to finish Mo Ran, so Xiao Cheng ran toward Stone Desert City and called for Haibodong's help.

Haibodong drove the Sand Mercenary Group and the Mo Family away from Stone Desert City after threatening Mo Ran, and Xiao Cheng’s quest rewards became available. Xiao Cheng then advanced to Level Three Shopkeeper, unlocked the Pastry Training Room, and received a gift pack as he prepared to return to his shop.

• Haibodong revealed himself as the Ice Emperor and warned Mo Ran that he would destroy the Mo Family if they attacked Stone Desert City again.
• Mo Ran and Luobu withdrew with the Sand Mercenary Group and the Mo Family, while Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and the others celebrated their departure.
• Xiao Cheng declined to learn the Mysterious Tier Body Refining Technique or advance his cultivation until he returned to the shop.
• Xiao Cheng returned to the hall with the group, then went to his room to study the technique while Haibodong played Gomoku with Xue Lan.
• The system announced that Xiao Cheng had become a Level Three Shopkeeper, unlocked the Pastry Training Room, and received a Level Three Shopkeeper Assistance Gift Pack.

Xiao Cheng warned Xiao Li that Mo Ran’s retreat might lead to trouble, then tried to teleport back to Ruyi Zhai with Haibodong but was sent near Qingshan Town by a system malfunction. As Xiao Cheng and Haibodong camped in the Monster Mountain Range, a pale-eyed figure began moving toward Xiao Cheng after tearing apart a magical beast.

• Xiao Cheng warned Xiao Li that Mo Ran’s retreat could foreshadow trouble from the Mo Family, and Xiao Li agreed to stay alert.
• Xiao Cheng found Haibodong cultivating and set off with him for Ruyi Zhai.
• The teleportation malfunctioned and sent Xiao Cheng and Haibodong near Qingshan Town; Xiao Cheng argued with the system, which offered him a little red flower as compensation and threatened to activate Hell Mode.
• Xiao Cheng and Haibodong decided to spend the night in the Monster Mountain Range, hunted and roasted a first-tier magical beast, and rested.
• A pale-eyed figure muttered Xiao Cheng’s name, tore apart a second-tier magical beast, and headed toward him.

Xiao Cheng and Haibodong encountered a Soul Hall puppet in the Monster Mountain Range after the system warned Xiao Cheng that it would come to kill him. Xiao Cheng tried to fight it alone, but its strength quickly forced him to call Haibodong for help.

• At Ruyi Zhai, Gu Ni asked Gu He about alchemy, then hurried out, while Xiao Xun'er bought pastries and Ao Ba Pa left after learning Xiao Cheng was still away.
• Xiao Cheng offered Haibodong free pastries in exchange for acting as a bodyguard when they returned to the shop, and Haibodong agreed.
• The system warned Xiao Cheng that a Three-star Great Dou Master puppet controlled by the Soul Hall would attack him, and explained that it had been made from a Wolf Head Mercenary Group member's corpse.
• The puppet appeared and charged Xiao Cheng, who struck it with a palm powered by the Thunderclap Art and knocked it back.
• Xiao Cheng realized he could not defeat the pain-proof puppet alone and called Haibodong over to help him.

Xiao Cheng defeated a berserk puppet with Haibodong’s help, then encountered the Sixth-tier Purple Crystal Winged Lion King and received a quest to establish a cooperative relationship with it. After explaining Ruyi Zhai’s products, he persuaded the beast to take him and Haibodong to its dwelling to discuss cooperation.

• Haibodong froze the puppet, but it revived in black mist and attacked Xiao Cheng with increased speed and strength.
• Xiao Cheng fought the puppet with the Thunderclap Art, endured its stronger cultivation, and finally struck its left chest, causing it to turn to ash.
• Xiao Cheng completed his side quest and received a scratch card as a Sixth-tier Magical Beast approached.
• The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King questioned Xiao Cheng and Haibodong, and Xiao Cheng received a special quest to form a cooperative relationship with it.
• Xiao Cheng introduced himself and Ruyi Zhai, described the store’s pastries, and proposed cooperation with the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.
• The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King lowered its guard and led Xiao Cheng and Haibodong toward its dwelling.

Mitel Tengshan and Nalan Jie discussed Xiao Cheng’s pastries and agreed to promote Ruyi Zhai by having their families buy them. At Ruyi Zhai, Ya Fei checked whether Xiao Cheng had returned and asked Xiao Yi Xian to send him to the Mittel Auction House when he came back.

• Mitel Tengshan learned from Nalan Jie that Xiao Cheng had cured his Scorching Poison with a Mung Bean Cake, and Nalan Jie revealed his cultivation might be advancing.
• Nalan Jie asked Mitel Tengshan to help persuade Xiao Cheng to cooperate with the Nalan Family on an Imperial Capital branch, but Tengshan explained Xiao Cheng would not partner with any faction.
• Mitel Tengshan showed Nalan Jie pastries from Ruyi Zhai and described their benefits, prompting Nalan Jie to decide that every Nalan Family member would buy them.
• Mitel Tengshan joked that the Mitel Family’s younger generation should buy pastries too, and he and Nalan Jie continued chatting.
• Ya Fei visited Ruyi Zhai and asked Xiao Yi Xian whether Xiao Cheng had returned, though she already knew he was away.
• Ya Fei asked Xiao Yi Xian to tell Xiao Cheng to visit the Mittel Auction House when he returned, leaving Gu He to wonder whether Ya Fei was interested in him.

Xiao Cheng persuaded the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King to cooperate with Ruyi Zhai by supplying pastries to the Magical Beasts in exchange for their help managing the shop and delivering orders. With the partnership agreed and the system mission completed, he and Haibodong headed back toward the shop.

• The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King questioned Xiao Cheng’s reason for entering the Monster Mountain Range, and Xiao Cheng explained that he wanted to make a deal and offered it Peanut Nougat to try.
• After feeling the pastries’ power, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King asked Xiao Cheng what he wanted, and Xiao Cheng proposed that Magical Beasts deliver pastries for Ruyi Zhai in return for regular supplies.
• The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King agreed to cooperate after asking for pastries as a deposit, and Xiao Cheng gave it the remaining pastries.
• Haibodong questioned Xiao Cheng’s plan, then recognized that the Magical Beasts could become a powerful source of support for Ruyi Zhai.
• Xiao Cheng hurried Haibodong out of the Monster Mountain Range after receiving a system notification that the mission was complete.

Xiao Cheng returned to Ruyi Zhai, heard about Ya Fei’s request and Ao Ba Pa’s proposal, and welcomed Haibodong as the shop’s new guard. After receiving system rewards and advancing to a One-star Great Dou Master, he left to speak with Ao Ba Pa.

• Xiao Cheng returned to Ruyi Zhai, where Gu He told him that Ya Fei wanted to meet him and Xiao Yi Xian relayed Ao Ba Pa’s message.
• Xiao Cheng introduced Haibodong as the shop’s new security guard, then used a scratch card and received freeze-dried fruit.
• Xiao Cheng opened his Level Three Shopkeeper gift pack and obtained three Pastry Training Room trial cards and a cultivation-boosting pudding.
• Xiao Cheng led the employees, including Haibodong, through morning exercises and prepared upgraded Mung Bean Cakes for sale.
• Xiao Cheng advanced to One-star Great Dou Master and, after checking his Personal Panel, left for Ao Ba Pa’s place.

Xiao Cheng helped Ao Ba Pa resolve a dispute over managing three marketplace districts, then used Freeze-dried Fruit and pudding to raise his cultivation to a Four-star Great Dou Master. He asked the system to stop assigning cultivation-boosting missions, and the chapter ended as Ya Fei arrived at Ruyi Zhai for another visit.

• Xiao Cheng suggested that Ao Ba Pa and the Xiao Clan combine their three marketplace districts into one collective and appoint separate managers, leaving profit arrangements for them to negotiate.
• Xiao Cheng ate Freeze-dried Fruit and broke through to become a Two-star Great Dou Master.
• Xiao Cheng ate mango pudding, rushed to the kitchen to refine its powerful energy, and advanced to a Four-star Great Dou Master.
• Xiao Cheng told Xiao Dian he would refuse future cultivation-boosting missions, and the system agreed to make appropriate changes.
• Xiao Cheng returned to the front of the shop, where Ya Fei arrived for another visit.

Xiao Cheng sold upgraded Mung Bean Cakes to Ya Fei and gave Xiao Yan extra pastries while Xiao Lu also visited his shop. Meanwhile, Yun Yun grew worried about Yun Shan’s strange behavior, and Protector Wu began plotting against Xiao Cheng after failing to kill him twice.

• Ya Fei bought twenty upgraded Mung Bean Cakes from Xiao Cheng for nearly twelve thousand Gold Coins.
• Xiao Yan told Xiao Cheng he had reached Four-star Dou Shi, and Xiao Cheng gave him several pastries despite his protests.
• Xiao Lu visited Ruyi Zhai and bought Sticky Rice Strips and Sesame Candy.
• Yun Yun suspected something was wrong with Yun Shan and sent a letter to Xiao Cheng asking for help.
• Yun Shan’s pill from Protector Wu had changed his temperament after raising him to One-star Dou Zong.
• Protector Wu became more determined to take Xiao Cheng’s shop and began plotting against him.

After the Mo Family decided to investigate the Mo Tie Mercenary Group and bring Mo Ran back, Xiao Cheng mediated a dispute between Gu He and Haibodong at Ruyi Zhai. Jia Xing Tian arrived to visit Yue'er and sample the shop's pastries, leaving Xiao Cheng in the company of several powerful guests.

• Mo Cheng gathered the Mo Family elders, ordered them to retrieve Mo Ran and investigate the Mo Tie Mercenary Group, and vowed revenge once they knew its background.
• Xiao Cheng stopped Gu He and Haibodong from arguing over a chess game and invited them to play Dou Dizhu instead.
• Jia Xing Tian arrived at Ruyi Zhai to check on Yue'er, try its pastries, and meet Xiao Cheng.
• Yue'er welcomed Jia Xing Tian and told him about her time at the shop, while he questioned Xiao Cheng about the pastries and probed his background.
• Xiao Cheng, Gu He, Haibodong, and Jia Xing Tian chatted together as Xiao Yi Xian remained busy serving customers.

Jia Xing Tian visited Xiao Cheng’s shop, where a piece of Peanut Nougat helped him break through to Dou Zong. As the guests took up Dou Dizhu, Xiao Cheng received an assessment quest to develop a fruit-based beverage, which blocked future quests until he completed it.

• Jia Xing Tian asked Xiao Cheng whether his pastries were miraculous, and Xiao Cheng gave him Peanut Nougat to try.
• Yue'er fed Jia Xing Tian the nougat, and he advanced from peak Nine-star Dou Huang to One-star Dou Zong.
• Yue'er taught Jia Xing Tian and the others to play Dou Dizhu, and Jia Xing Tian got hooked despite losing his first round.
• The system gave Xiao Cheng an assessment quest to independently develop a beverage using fruit from the Dou Qi Continent, with no reward or time limit but with future quests blocked until completion.
• Xiao Cheng learned that the beverage was meant to balance the richness of pastries, accepted the quest, and returned to work.