Xiao Zhan's Assignment

In the Xiao Clan's main hall, Xiao Zhan discussed the matter of cooperating with Ruyi Zhai with the Three Elders.

Last time, he had personally gone to discuss cooperation with Xiao Cheng, only to be ambiguously turned down.

Although the refusal had not been obvious, Xiao Zhan could still pick up some other meaning from Xiao Cheng's tone.

The First Elder was deeply dissatisfied that Xiao Zhan had gone to Ruyi Zhai alone without discussing it with them.

"Xiao Zhan, you actually went to Ruyi Zhai by yourself without consulting us. What use are the three of us elders then?"

The Third Elder's temper flared again.

"Although you are the clan leader, you should still consider the Xiao Clan more carefully."

Yet Xiao Zhan remained seated, his expression unchanged.

After the Three Elders had finished speaking, Xiao Zhan swept his gaze across them and roared.

"I am the Xiao Clan's leader. You are not qualified to interfere with my decisions."

"You... you..."

The First Elder pointed at Xiao Zhan, too furious to say a word.

The atmosphere in the hall fell into brief silence.

After a short while, Xiao Zhan finally spoke.

"I want Xiao Yan to discuss cooperation with Shop Owner Xiao."

Hearing that Xiao Zhan intended to send that good-for-nothing Xiao Yan to Ruyi Zhai to negotiate cooperation, the Three Elders immediately exploded.

"Xiao Zhan, although you are the clan leader, you cannot do this. You know Xiao Yan is no longer the genius he once was."

The Second Elder spoke coldly.

"Xiao Yan is unsuitable. It would be better to send Xiao Xun'er or Xiao Mei to discuss cooperation. Both are outstanding among the Xiao Clan's younger generation."

The First Elder suggested.

"Yes, yes, the First Elder is right."

The Third Elder echoed him.

"Enough. It's decided. Xiao Yan will negotiate the cooperation."

Xiao Zhan waved his hand, cutting off their argument. He resolutely made the decision to have Xiao Yan discuss cooperation with Shop Owner Xiao Cheng.

Just as the matter was being settled in the main hall, Xiao Yan woke from his cultivation.

His Fifth Stage of Dou Qi cultivation had already stabilized, and had even improved considerably.

"As long as I continue taking Peach Pastry and Spiritual Liquid, I will definitely break through to the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi."

After climbing out of the wooden barrel and getting dressed, he planned to take a walk. Constant cultivation was not good either; tempering one's state of mind was equally important.

Possessing great power without a state of mind to match would only turn one into a puppet of power.

Walking along a small path, Xiao Yan arrived not far from the Xiao Clan's gate and saw Xiao Mei returning from the Xiao Family Market.

Seeing Xiao Mei for the second time, Xiao Yan felt no great stir in his heart. He merely regarded her as an ordinary relative.

Xiao Mei had not expected to encounter her cousin Xiao Yan.

Three years ago, Xiao Yan had been at the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi. He was the clan's genius and the center of attention. Everyone in the Xiao Clan admired him, and she too had developed feelings for this cousin of hers.

But ever since Xiao Yan's strength had declined, the clan's younger members had all kept their distance from him and even insulted him. From being the center of attention to being ignored by all, he had become a good-for-nothing.

"Cousin Xiao Yan."

"Cousin Xiao Mei, do you need something?"

Xiao Yan's tone was calm, and not the slightest change could be seen on his face.

Looking at the indifferent expression on Xiao Yan's face, Xiao Mei felt a complicated emotion in her heart. They simply no longer belonged to the same world.

She looked at the Peanut Candy in her hand, bit her lip, and handed Xiao Yan a piece.

"Cousin Xiao Yan, this is Peanut Candy I bought from Ruyi Zhai. It's a new product. I hope it can help you."

After saying that, she stuffed the Peanut Candy into Xiao Yan's hand and brushed past him.

When Xiao Yan accepted Xiao Mei's Peanut Candy, something in his heart was stirred, though only slightly.

He turned to look at Xiao Mei's gradually receding figure and shook his head with a bitter smile.

Looking at the Peanut Candy in his hand, he muttered softly.

"Since when did I need a woman's pity? How laughable."

But after lamenting, Xiao Yan suddenly realized that Xiao Mei had said it was a new product from Ruyi Zhai.

If that was the case, this Peanut Candy might have effects no weaker than Peach Pastry.

"I can't test the effects of this Peanut Candy right now. I'll deal with it when I return."

At that moment, Old Yao's voice came from the ring.

"That little girl just now actually has Eighth Stage of Dou Qi cultivation. Her talent is quite good."

"What? Eighth Stage of Dou Qi?"

Old Yao's words surprised even Xiao Yan. That cousin he had only met a few times actually possessed the strength of the Eighth Stage of Dou Qi. It was truly unbelievable.

"I should go take a look at Ruyi Zhai first."

He put the Peanut Candy into his clothes and was about to leave the Xiao Clan's gate when a familiar voice called out from behind him.

"Yan, wait a moment. Your father has something to discuss with you."

Xiao Yan turned around and saw his father hurrying toward him.

"Father, what is it?"

"This is not the place to talk. Come to my study."

Seeing the serious expression on his father's face, Xiao Yan also began to take the matter seriously and followed him to the study.

After Xiao Yan sat down, Xiao Zhan told him about the decision he had reached with the Three Elders: Xiao Yan would go discuss cooperation between the Xiao Clan and Shop Owner Xiao Cheng.

"You want me to discuss cooperation between the Xiao Clan and Shop Owner Xiao Cheng?"

Xiao Yan's face was filled with disbelief.

Xiao Zhan nodded.

"You have a fairly good relationship with Shop Owner Xiao Cheng, and he seems to think well of you too. You are the most suitable person for the task."

How could Xiao Cheng not think well of me? We're both from the same place.

Of course, this was only Xiao Yan's private complaint. He would never say it aloud.

"Alright, I'll listen to Father."

Xiao Zhan suddenly grabbed Xiao Yan's hand, and an astonished expression appeared on his face.

"Yan, you... your cultivation has reached the Fifth Stage of Dou Qi?"

"Yes, I only broke through recently."

"Wonderful! My son, Xiao Zhan's son, is indeed a genius! Hahaha!"

Xiao Zhan laughed heartily, and much of his earlier displeasure with the Three Elders dissipated.

Xiao Yan then left Xiao Zhan's study and went to find Xiao Cheng with the task his father had given him.

Xiao Cheng was in the shop, thinking about how Xiao Zhan had personally come to discuss cooperation with him last time. He had not agreed, so the Xiao Clan would probably send someone else to negotiate. However, he could not cooperate with the Xiao Clan regarding Peach Pastry.

"Xiao Dian, let me ask you something. Can I give the Xiao Clan a discount?"

Yes, but the price can only be lowered to 80 Gold Coins. That is Xiao Dian's bottom line.

"A discount to 80 Gold Coins... alright."

A discount of eight Gold Coins was still quite good.

At that moment, a middle-aged man entered the shop. He had a slight beard, and his aura was somewhat stronger than Xiao Cheng's.

This middle-aged man was Jia Lie Te, whom Jia Lie Bi had sent to test Xiao Cheng. His strength had already reached the One-Star Dou Zhe level.

After entering Ruyi Zhai, Jia Lie Te first examined the decorations around him. They were indeed different from those of other shops.

Xiao Cheng studied the middle-aged man and searched his memories of the original plot. It seemed there had been no such person.

Still, adhering to the principle that customers came first, he politely asked.

"Hello. How should I address you? Would you like to buy some pastries?"

Jia Lie Te looked at Xiao Cheng, his expression unchanged, and said calmly.

"Jia Lie Te. I heard there are things here that can increase Dou Qi. Is that true?"

"Jia Lie Te."

The name made Xiao Cheng uneasy.

Jia Lie Bi. Someone from the Jia Lie Family. I didn't expect that old fellow to notice this place so quickly and secretly send someone over. He's probably here to test me.

Outwardly, Xiao Cheng remained calm as he said.

"It is true. This Peach Pastry is one of them."

Jia Lie Te looked at the Peach Pastry on the Iron Tray and the Iron Tray holding the Peanut Candy. Pointing at the tray of Peanut Candy, he asked.

"What is that?"

"This is our shop's new Peanut Candy. It costs 66 Gold Coins per piece. Peach Pastry costs 88 Gold Coins."

Xiao Cheng introduced the products.

"Five Peach Pastries and five Peanut Candies."

Without another word, Jia Lie Te directly took out the money and handed it to Xiao Cheng.

Xiao Cheng also wrapped up the Peanut Candy and Peach Pastry before handing them to Jia Lie Te.

Watching Jia Lie Te leave in a hurry, Xiao Cheng's lips curved into a faint smile.

"I hope you, Jia Lie Bi, don't come provoking me. Otherwise..."

A glint of coldness flashed through Xiao Cheng's eyes.