A Pleasant Surprise

The Dou Skill Hall was divided into eastern and western sections. The east housed the clan's Dou Techniques, while the west was a fairly large training ground. At this moment, many people had gathered there, and cheers and applause rang out continuously.

However, Xiao Yan had little interest in the cheering. He merely swept his gaze across the training ground and discovered that the people being surrounded were none other than Xun'er and Xiao Ning.

He did not have much of an impression of Xiao Ning, nor did he particularly dislike him.

The two on the field circulated their Dou Qi as they exchanged blows, while those around them discussed the match.

"Judging by Xiao Ning's Dou Qi density, he must be at the Eighth Stage of Dou Qi, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, Xiao Ning is amazing!"

"Although Cousin Xiao Ning has Eighth Stage Dou Qi, Xun'er is already at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi. It won't be easy for him to win."

After a round of exchanges, the two separated. Xiao Ning had always harbored feelings of admiration for Xiao Xun'er, though he had never revealed them.

His heated gaze fixed on Xiao Xun'er as he smiled and said, "Cousin Xun'er, not bad."

Xiao Yan rubbed his chin and muttered, "Why is this girl fighting someone? Sigh."

He stopped on the eastern side of the hall, casually picked up a scroll, and opened it. Written inside were the words: Yellow Tier Dou Skill: Stone Crushing Palm.

He leaned casually against a bookshelf and began reading the Dou Skill, occasionally glancing toward the training ground to watch the battle between the two.

Speaking of which, Xiao Ning held quite a high position within the clan. He was the First Elder's grandson, and only Xiao Xun'er could keep him in check.

If one had to ask about Xiao Yan's impression of Xiao Ning, there really was not much to say. Ever since Xiao Yan had fallen in cultivation, the relationship between his father and the First Elder had grown rather strained. Furthermore, Xiao Xun'er often chatted and laughed with Xiao Yan. Over the past three years, Xiao Ning had harbored dissatisfaction toward this cousin of his.

Xiao Yan did not want to invite unnecessary trouble, so he simply focused on comprehending the Stone Crushing Palm in his hands.

At this moment, Xiao Xun'er lightly tapped the ground with the tip of her foot and slipped through Xiao Ning's attacks like a butterfly flitting among flowers. Her palm lightly struck Xiao Ning's chest, then she spun deftly in a circle, neutralizing the force in his palm before retreating several steps and coming to a stop.

Xiao Ning was forced back several steps by that palm strike and nearly stumbled out of the training ground.

The surrounding crowd repeatedly cheered at Xiao Xun'er's single strike victory over Xiao Ning. Many of the younger clan members gazed at her with infatuation.

Xiao Ning steadied himself and looked at Xiao Xun'er with slightly heated eyes. "Cousin Xun'er is truly strong. As expected of the outstanding talent among the Xiao Clan's younger generation. You actually advanced to One-Star Dou Zhe so quickly."

"You flatter me, Cousin Xiao Ning. I still have matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first."

Xiao Xun'er was disgusted by Xiao Ning's aggressive gaze, so she intended to leave the training ground.

However, Xiao Ning wanted to speak with Xiao Xun'er a little longer. But after Xiao Xun'er had walked some distance away, she spotted the young man leaning against the bookshelf.

Xiao Xun'er smiled sweetly, walked over, and called out, "Brother Xiao Yan, why are you here?"

Xiao Yan, who had been intently reading the Stone Crushing Palm, heard the familiar voice. He casually looked up, only to find Xun'er staring at him from close range with her big eyes wide open.

A faint, embarrassed flush appeared on Xiao Yan's face.

"Ahem, Sister Xun'er, you should keep a normal distance from me."

Seeing Xiao Yan in such an awkward state, Xiao Xun'er burst out laughing.

Her smile bloomed like a hundred flowers, leaving even Xiao Yan somewhat dazed.

Just then, an unpleasant voice drifted over from not far away.

"Well, if it isn't Cousin Xiao Yan. Want your cousin here to find you a few high-level Dou Techniques? Don't tell me you don't have enough authority."

Though Xiao Ning wore a smile, Xiao Yan could vaguely sense that this cousin of his did not have good intentions.

He returned the Stone Crushing Palm scroll in his hand to its original place on the bookshelf and looked calmly at Xiao Ning.

"There's no need to trouble yourself, Cousin. I don't need it."

"Oh, look at my memory. How could I forget that Cousin Xiao Yan doesn't even have the third stage of Dou Qi? How could you possibly learn high-level Dou Techniques?"

Xiao Ning's tone was filled with mockery, and his intention to target Xiao Yan was obvious.

Xiao Yan merely looked at Xiao Ning calmly and said somewhat helplessly, "You just want to get Xun'er's attention. Is there really any need to target me like this? It's boring and childish."

After being sarcastically mocked by Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning's expression grew increasingly gloomy.

He had not expected Xiao Yan to be so different from before. He actually dared to talk back to him.

"Cousin Xiao Yan, how about the two of us exchange a few moves? It seems you have quite a deep prejudice against this cousin of yours."

His tone was full of provocation.

At this point, Xiao Xun'er, who was standing nearby, could no longer stand it. She looked at Xiao Ning coldly.

"How about I exchange a few moves with you instead? What do you say, Cousin Xiao Ning?"

Seeing Xiao Xun'er actually stand up for Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning's expression became even uglier, and the anger in his heart reached its peak.

"Fine, very fine. You're nothing but trash who hides behind a woman."

Xiao Yan paid no attention to Xiao Ning's behavior and continued flipping through the Dou Technique Scroll in his own way.

Seeing that Xiao Yan was actually ignoring him, Xiao Ning did not dare make a move against him. Although Xiao Yan was now trash, his father was still the clan leader.

"Xiao Yan, at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony one year from now, you'll sooner or later be beaten into a cripple by the other clansmen. You're no longer the genius you were three years ago. You don't deserve Cousin Xun'er. Leave her, and perhaps I'll spare you some dignity. Otherwise, at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony one year from now, I'll personally cripple you."

Xiao Yan put down the scroll in his hand and silently walked out of the hall, though a strange smile curled across his lips.

Xiao Ning thought Xiao Yan was afraid and had compromised. But Xiao Yan stopped at the entrance of the hall and said calmly, "One year from now, I'll wait for you to cripple me."

After saying that, he returned directly to his room, sat cross-legged in the wooden tub, and began his endless cultivation once more with the Peach Pastry.

Xiao Cheng had just seen off a wave of customers and was somewhat tired. He sat in a chair and let out a long breath, then smiled as he looked at the one-third of the Peach Pastry remaining on the Iron Tray.

"I didn't expect those few Xiao Family Guards to really spread the name of Ruyi Zhai for me. Heh heh."

He opened the Personal Panel and smiled so widely that he could hardly close his mouth when he saw the quest progress.

Host: Xiao Cheng
Identity: Shopkeeper of Ruyi Zhai, Xiao Family Market
Shopkeeper Level: Novice Level
Realm: Seventh stage of Dou Qi
Martial Skill: None
Items: None
Evaluation: You are only a rookie who has just started out. You could be wiped out by an expert at any time. Develop carefully, for the happiness of everyone.

Main Quest: The host must learn and become proficient in making God-Tier Honeyed Shortbread, then sell one hundred portions (43/100)

Quest Reward: Method for making God-Tier Honeyed Three-Knife Pastry
Quest Failure: The host sings "Conquer" in the street
Quest Time: Seven days

In just a few short hours, the number had increased by twenty portions. It was truly terrifying.

Moreover, he believed there would definitely be returning customers. Those people would also introduce other friends to patronize Ruyi Zhai. At this rate, the quest would certainly be completed in the shortest possible time.

"Today, the common folk are so, so happy. Customers love Peach Pastry the most. Heh heh."

Originally, he had planned to bake another batch of Peach Pastry. But considering there was still some left on the Iron Tray and that night was quickly approaching, it was not worth making another batch.

He might as well wait until early tomorrow morning to make more Peach Pastry.

As the sky darkened, Xiao Cheng closed Ruyi Zhai's doors. But what pleasantly surprised him was that, an hour before closing, someone from the Mittel Auction House had come to inform him that Master Gu Ni of the Mittel Auction House would visit Ruyi Zhai tomorrow.

"Master Gu Ni seems like a pretty good person to promote the shop. Don't disappoint me."