The Two Families' Plot

Both the Ao Ba Pa Family and the Jia Lie Family had come to test his reaction, which showed that he had caught the attention of both families. They simply would not openly fall out with the Xiao Clan yet.

As long as there was an opportunity, a suitable excuse, they would make a move against the Xiao Clan.

Xiao Cheng neither drew close to nor paid any attention to the two families. He would just let things take their course. If they dared provoke him, he would have the system deal with them in minutes.

"Although more pastries have been selling lately, I still feel it is not enough. The task progress is still a little slow. Maybe I should cooperate with the Mittel Auction House. But these pastries aren't suitable for working with an auction house. I need to find a way to create some new pastries."

The few pastries he currently made were rather commonplace and unsuitable for an auction house, so he had to create new ones.

However, creating new pastries was somewhat difficult now. He would probably have to spend his own money to buy ingredients from Xiao Dian, which made Xiao Cheng even more displeased.

"Forget it. I'll talk about it when the time comes. Better to take it slowly."

He scratched his head and stopped thinking about it. The boat would naturally straighten itself when it reached the bridge.

Inside Xiao Yan's room in the Xiao Clan, he was still cultivating. The Dou Qi in his body grew bit by bit, while the color of the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid in the wooden tub slowly faded.

After Xiao Yan formed a strange hand seal, he woke up. Feeling the density of the Dou Qi within his body, he realized he was not far from the seventh stage of Dou Qi.

This made him very happy.

"Teacher, I never expected this Peanut Candy to be so effective. It has increased my cultivation speed by more than twofold. At this rate, I should reach the seventh stage of Dou Qi within four or five days."

Old Yao's figure floated out of the ring, and he said in a somewhat surprised tone.

"This Peanut Candy truly is a miraculous medicine for cultivation. Hehe."

Xiao Yan looked at the paper packet on the table, which held only one piece of Peach Pastry and two pieces of Peanut Candy, and could not help closing his eyes as he sank into memories.

Before coming to this Dou Qi Continent, he had been an ordinary person on Earth. He would go to work and get off work from nine to five every day, marry, have children, and live a peaceful, happy life.

But in this world where the strong were revered, such a life was too difficult. It was a luxurious fantasy.

A tear unconsciously rolled from the corner of Xiao Yan's eye.

Old Yao seemed to notice the change in Xiao Yan's mood and asked with concern.

"Disciple, what's wrong?"

Xiao Yan opened his eyes and smiled at his teacher.

"Nothing. I just thought of those hard days in the past. Hehe."

"Don't worry. Under my guidance, you will become a strong man."

"Mm, I believe in you, Teacher."

At that moment, Xiao Xun'er's familiar voice rang out from beyond the door, still as pleasant as ever.

"Disciple, that little girl has come to see you again. Hehe."

Old Yao said somewhat improperly.

"Teacher, you're being improper again."

Xiao Yan rose helplessly and called toward the door.

"Wait a moment. Let me tidy up the room."

"Alright, Brother Xiao Yan."

Old Yao returned to the ring. Xiao Yan briefly tidied up the room before walking to the door and opening it. There, he saw a pretty, lovely girl standing before him with a paper packet in her hands.

He could not help staring blankly at her.

Xiao Xun'er waved her hand in front of him.

"Brother Xiao Yan, Brother Xiao Yan, what's wrong?"

"N-Nothing. Come in, Sister Xun'er."

No matter how thick-skinned Xiao Yan was, his face still reddened slightly.

Seeing Xiao Yan like this, Xiao Xun'er covered her mouth and laughed softly.

Once inside Xiao Yan's room, she carefully looked around and found nothing unusual. She placed the paper packet on the table, then noticed the one piece of Peach Pastry and two pieces of Peanut Candy there.

"Brother Xiao Yan, you're also eating pastries from Ruyi Zhai to cultivate?"

Hearing Xiao Xun'er's question, Xiao Yan nodded.

"Mm. I've been cultivating like this these past few days. I feel that my cultivation speed has become very fast."

"Oh, Brother Xiao Yan, you should be close to the seventh stage of Dou Qi, right?"

Xiao Yan smiled bitterly.

"Not that fast. Even with the pastries' help, I won't reach the seventh stage of Dou Qi so quickly. I still need five or six days."

"Brother Xiao Yan, this is some Honeyed Shortbread I bought. I brought you some since I can't finish it all by myself. Take it."

Looking at the paper packet Xiao Xun'er offered him with a cheerful smile, Xiao Yan felt somewhat moved. He knew she had not brought it because she could not finish it, but because she was protecting his pride.

"Sister Xun'er, thank you. I'll accept it."

Xiao Yan gave Xun'er a sincere smile, looking especially sunny.

"Brother Xiao Yan, then I'll be going. You're still that genius. Keep it up!"

Xiao Xun'er walked to the door, turned around, and spoke to Xiao Yan before skipping away from his little courtyard.

Watching Xiao Xun'er's departing figure, he firmly told himself, I will make everyone in the clan take back the word "trash" they once used on me. I am still that genius.

After Ao Di failed to win over Xiao Cheng, Ao Ba Pa sat down with Jia Lie Bi to discuss how to deal with the Xiao Clan.

At this moment, Ao Ba Pa and Jia Lie Bi were discussing Ruyi Zhai in a room at a small tavern.

"Jia Lie Bi, you should have tested Ruyi Zhai already, right?" Ao Ba Pa said.

"I sent people to test that shop and bought some of its pastries. They can indeed increase Dou Qi, and the effects are quite good."

"Oh, I also had my son buy some and try them. They truly are unique. But how much money can a tiny shop like that make? It would be better if I, Ao Ba Pa, ran it."

Those words were rather arrogant, but Jia Lie Bi seemed not to hear them. He merely smiled disdainfully.

"That shopkeeper is not easy to deal with. I always feel that a major force is backing him. Otherwise, why would he be so fearless toward us?"

"I don't believe that shop has any great background. Still, it is always good to be cautious, which is why I have not made any further moves."

Ao Ba Pa also understood Jia Lie Bi's reasoning, so he had not used force against Ruyi Zhai.

Moreover, the shop was located in Xiao Family Market, and he could not cause trouble there.

If he truly did so, it would be equivalent to declaring war on the Xiao Clan. That was not something he wanted to see, though it was precisely the result Jia Lie Bi wanted.

"Let's discuss how to deal with the Xiao Clan instead."

"Dealing with the Xiao Clan requires careful consideration. Now is not the time."

After thinking it over, Ao Ba Pa still rejected Jia Lie Bi's eagerness to move against the Xiao Clan.

"I know. But aren't you interested in the Xiao Clan's territory? Don't you covet their businesses?"

Jia Lie Bi's words tempted Ao Ba Pa somewhat, but in his position, he had to consider how much benefit it would bring to the family. Thus, he said rationally.

"Although I am tempted, I will wait for a suitable opportunity to make my move."

"I'll tell you another piece of bad news. According to information from the people I sent to Xiao Family Market, the Xiao Clan and Ruyi Zhai have already begun cooperating. If I'm not mistaken, the Xiao Clan's strength will increase considerably soon. That will be very unfavorable for both our families."

Clearly, this news from Jia Lie Bi made Ao Ba Pa frown, but he had no good way to stop the cooperation between the Xiao Clan and Ruyi Zhai.

Jia Lie Bi smiled at Ao Ba Pa.

"Don't worry. I already have a way to deal with Ruyi Zhai. The plan is this..."

Jia Lie Bi leaned close to Ao Ba Pa's ear and muttered softly for a while.

Ao Ba Pa burst into laughter after hearing it.

"Brother, you truly are resourceful. We'll do as you say. As soon as I return, I'll instruct my people to carry it out."

"Then it's settled."

"It's settled. Happy cooperation."

The two shook hands, understanding each other without words. "Happy cooperation."

But in truth, both harbored their own schemes and simply did not expose them.

After Ao Ba Pa left the room, Jia Lie Bi looked out the window and sneered.

"Ruyi Zhai will be mine sooner or later."