A Private Deal with Xiao Yan

After leaving Ruyi Zhai, Jia Lie Te warily watched his surroundings for any Xiao Clan guards.

After scanning the area for several seconds and finding no Xiao Clan guards patrolling nearby, he quickly slipped out of the crowd.

After walking for more than ten minutes, he returned to the Jia Lie Family.

Inside the Jia Lie Family's main hall, Jia Lie Te respectfully spoke to Jia Lie Bi.

"Patriarch, I brought back the Peach Pastry from Ruyi Zhai, along with another item called Peanut Candy."

"Oh? There's something else too? Do you know what effects this Peanut Candy has?"

"This subordinate does not know. I only heard the shopkeeper say that it is a new pastry and probably has not gone on sale yet."

Jia Lie Te thought for a moment before speaking.

"Bring those things over."

Following Jia Lie Bi's instructions, Jia Lie Te handed the paper package to him.

He stood to one side, awaiting further orders.

Upon opening the package, Jia Lie Bi saw five pieces of Peach Pastry and five pieces of Peanut Candy neatly arranged inside. A faint fragrance of peanuts and sesame wafted from within.

As Jia Lie Bi inhaled the scent, he suddenly closed his eyes and felt the Dou Qi within his body seem to become a little more active.

"It truly is good stuff."

As he spoke, he picked up a piece of Peach Pastry and finished it in a few bites.

A few seconds later, he felt the Dou Qi in his body increase slightly, though only by a very small amount.

Though the increase was tiny, if it were given to clan disciples who had not yet reached the Dou Zhe realm, a batch of Dou Zhes would soon emerge.

He then turned his gaze toward the Peanut Candy beside it. Picking up a piece, he held it under his nose and took a sniff. A rich aroma of sesame and peanuts filled his nostrils.

Jia Lie Bi directly finished the piece of Peanut Candy in one or two bites.

The next instant, the Heaven and Earth Qi in the surrounding area surged wildly toward Jia Lie Bi.

At that moment, Jia Lie Bi felt the diamond-shaped crystalline Dou Qi within his body grow even stronger.

After a long while, the surroundings returned to normal. Jia Lie Bi opened his eyes and slowly exhaled a mouthful of stale air.

"I never expected such a tiny thing to increase my three-star Great Dou Master cultivation by so much. As long as I cultivate diligently for another month or two, I'll be able to reach four-star Great Dou Master."

Seeing how astonishing the effects of these items were, Jia Lie Bi began to set his sights on Ruyi Zhai. However, he still did not know whether Ruyi Zhai was an enterprise backed by the Xiao Clan.

He turned to Jia Lie Te and asked.

"Have you investigated this shop's origins?"

Jia Lie Te respectfully replied.

"After asking around, I learned that this shop is not an enterprise of the Xiao Clan. It was merely opened by someone surnamed Xiao."

"I see."

Now that he knew Ruyi Zhai was not an enterprise of the Xiao Clan, Jia Lie Bi no longer had to hold himself back so much. A shop with no background posed no threat, even if it stood on Xiao Clan territory.

Once the right opportunity came to wipe out the Xiao Clan and swallow their territory, he, Jia Lie Bi, would become the sole overlord of Wutan City.

However, besides the Xiao Clan, there was another family—the family led by Ao Ba Pa.

Jia Lie Bi was not particularly concerned about Ao Ba Pa. The two of them were tied to the same rope, and both harbored designs on the Xiao Clan.

"Looks like I need to find that fellow Ao Ba Pa as soon as possible and discuss how to deal with the Xiao Clan."

Once the Xiao Clan was destroyed, Ruyi Zhai would be his for the taking.

However, he could not yet be certain whether the Xiao Clan had gained Ruyi Zhai's support or formed a partnership with it. If they truly had reached a partnership, it would not be good news for either of their families.

"Jia Lie Te, hide near the Xiao Clan for now and investigate what they have been doing lately. The moment you get any news, report to me immediately."

"Yes, Patriarch."

Xiao Yan bought some medicinal ingredients for refining Spiritual Liquid at the Xiao Family Market, though he did not buy much. After all, the effects of Ruyi Zhai's Peach Pastry were excellent, so there was no need to spend too many Gold Coins on Spiritual Liquid.

He entered Ruyi Zhai and greeted Xiao Cheng.

"Shop Owner Xiao, has business been good lately?"

Xiao Cheng had not expected Xiao Yan to come to Ruyi Zhai alone to find him, so he was rather surprised.

"Brother Xiao Yan, what brings you here? Is something the matter?"

"Yes, there's something."

Seeing that Xiao Yan openly admitted it without any pretense, Xiao Cheng smiled.

"Your father must have sent you to discuss a partnership between me and your Xiao Clan, right?"

Xiao Yan stared at Xiao Cheng with wide eyes, his face full of astonishment.

"How did you know that's what I wanted to discuss?!"

"Don't be so surprised. Last time, your father personally came to discuss a partnership, but I refused because I wanted to talk to you alone."

Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Cheng in silence for a while before finally speaking.

"What is there for you to talk to me about?"

"There's plenty to talk about. For example, that place."

That place naturally referred to Earth.

Since Xiao Cheng knew Old Yao was also present, he did not make his words too explicit, lest Old Yao grow suspicious of Xiao Yan.

When Xiao Yan heard the words "that place," a hopeful light flickered in his eyes as he asked.

"Can I return to Earth?"

"No, no. You can't go back, and neither can I. But don't be sad. Once you become a Dou Di, perhaps tearing through space might give you a sliver of hope of returning to that place."

Xiao Yan was rather disappointed upon hearing Xiao Cheng's first words, but after hearing the latter half, a desire to grow stronger arose in his heart. From that moment on, a seed of strength was planted within him.

"Alright, let's end this topic here. Didn't you come to discuss a partnership? I agree."

"Shop Owner Xiao, you agree to cooperate with the Xiao Clan?"

Xiao Yan still looked incredulous. He had not expected Xiao Cheng to agree to cooperate with the Xiao Clan so decisively.

"Don't celebrate too soon. I can't provide these pastries for free. At most, I can give you a discounted price. For example, Peach Pastry costs eighty-eight Gold Coins each, but I'll sell them to the Xiao Clan for only eighty Gold Coins. That's all."

"And if my shop introduces any new pastries, I'll notify the Xiao Clan first and supply them to you."

After hearing Xiao Cheng's terms, Xiao Yan fell into thought.

After a long while, Xiao Yan asked bluntly.

"What does our Xiao Clan need to do?"

"Well, consider it my investment in you. Just consider that you owe me a favor. Remember, this is a private deal between us."

His gaze seemingly unintentionally swept over the ring on Xiao Yan's finger before quickly withdrawing.

"Alright, I agree. I'll help you accomplish one thing within my capabilities."

Xiao Yan was equally decisive and agreed to Xiao Cheng's request.

"Alright, is there anything else you want to buy? For the partnership, just have your father send someone over to draw up an agreement. And don't tell your father about our deal."

Xiao Cheng said with a smile.

"I understand. I'll tell my father about the partnership."

The partnership was settled just like that. Only then did Xiao Yan look toward the Glass Cover and notice that there was a new pastry. He asked.

"This is Peanut Candy, right? Did Xiao Mei buy some from you?"

"Yes, Xiao Mei came here."

"Then give me five pieces of Peach Pastry and five pieces of Peanut Candy."

In the end, Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and bought five of each.

Xiao Cheng wrapped up the pastries and handed them to Xiao Yan.

After paying, Xiao Yan bid farewell to Xiao Cheng. He needed to return to the Xiao Clan and tell his father the good news that the partnership had been secured.

Watching Xiao Yan's departing figure, Xiao Cheng smiled and shook his head.

"A favor from the future Flame Emperor truly carries considerable weight."

He then opened his Personal Panel again to check the mission progress.

Host: Xiao Cheng
Identity: Shopkeeper of Ruyi Zhai at the Xiao Family Market
Shopkeeper Level: Novice Level
Realm: Ninth Stage of Dou Qi
Martial Skill: None
Items: None
Evaluation: You are merely a rookie who has just started out. You could be taken out by a big shot at any time. Develop carefully, for the happiness of you, me, and everyone.

Main Quest: The host must learn and become proficient in making God-Tier Honeyed Shortbread, then sell one hundred portions (71/100)

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

Side Quest: The host must sell one hundred portions of Peanut Candy (26/100)

Quest Reward: One random pastry recipe
Quest Failure: The host wears women's clothing for seven days and may not take it off
Quest Time: Seven days

"Not bad. The Peanut Candy quest has already reached one-fifth progress so quickly."

Xiao Cheng had not expected that twenty portions of Peanut Candy would be sold in less than half a day.

All that remained was to wait for the partnership with the Xiao Clan to begin. By then, both the Main Quest and the Side Quest could be completed as quickly as possible.