Becoming a Dou Zhe

After seeing Xiao Yi Xian off, Xiao Cheng did not stay out front any longer. Looking at the sky, he saw that it was almost closing time.

It was time to check whether the cake base in the oven was ready. The time should be about right.

After checking the cake base in the oven, he was relieved that his first attempt had not resulted in the cake cracking.

"It'll be ready in another seven or eight minutes. I'll cut up the fruit for the cake first."

All of this fruit had been bought from Xiao Dian. It was fresh and of excellent quality, as though it had just been picked from an orchard.

After preparing the fruit needed for the cake, the oven gave a ding, indicating that the cake base was done.

Wearing heat-resistant gloves, Xiao Cheng carried out the cake mold and carefully placed it on an Iron Tray, mainly to keep it from scorching the kitchen counter and leaving marks.

Once it had cooled slightly, Xiao Cheng put on plastic gloves, removed the cake base, and set it aside on a plastic stand.

The remaining work was simple. The next step was whipping the cream.

Nowadays, many people did not like cream that was too rich, so light cream would do. He added a little sugar, then used the mixer at high speed to whip it.

However, it took longer to whip than egg whites, so it required some patience.

Xiao Cheng held the mixer and whipped the cream at high speed. Once it gradually turned into something resembling white frosting, he could stop.

Since Xiao Cheng had made only one cake base rather than two layers, he could only use a knife to cut it evenly in half from the side.

Then he spread cream over the bottom layer of cake.

Using a knife, he spread the cream over it bit by bit.

After spreading a layer over the surface, he placed the other cake layer on top and began spreading cream over it in the same way.

After completing this step, he began decorating the cake. Xiao Cheng held something like a bag, with a small iron tip shaped like waves at the top.

He used a knife to put cream into it, squeezed it down to the bottom, and then used it to draw around the cake.

As the cream in the bag rapidly diminished, wave-like patterns appeared around the cake, looking very beautiful.

Finally, Xiao Cheng used another bag with a different tip to pipe layers of lines across the cake's surface.

Next, Xiao Cheng decorated the waves around the edge with halved strawberries. He placed plenty of fruit on top, then added a ring of pearl-like decorations around the cake's edge, making it especially attractive.

"Phew... I didn't expect making a Cream Cake to be this troublesome, but it really does give me a sense of accomplishment."

As Xiao Cheng finished his Cream Cake, Xiao Dian's task completion notification sounded.

The host has completed the Side Quest. Would you like to claim the Side Quest Reward?

"It's almost closing time anyway. I'll leave the reward for tomorrow. I'm exhausted."

After simply tidying up the tools and ingredients in the kitchen, Xiao Cheng closed the shop and went back to rest.

Early the next morning, Xiao Cheng got up full of energy and went to the kitchen to make the Peach Pastry and Peanut Candy that would be sold that day.

Honeyed Shortbread was also sold, but only a few people bought it, so there was no need to make more yet.

Peach Pastry and Peanut Candy, on the other hand, had been selling quickly recently. The Xiao Family Disciples in particular bought them ten pieces at a time without even batting an eye.

This made Xiao Cheng feel that the effects of Peach Pastry and Peanut Candy were truly heaven-defying. These people had clearly gotten a taste of the benefits.

"It seems I still haven't claimed the reward for yesterday's Side Quest involving the special pastry. Xiao Dian, claim the Quest Reward."

As soon as Xiao Cheng finished speaking, an inexplicable force entered his body. The Dou Qi within him began spinning wildly, while the surrounding Heaven and Earth Qi poured into his body like mad.

Suddenly, the Dou Qi inside Xiao Cheng gradually formed a Qi Cyclone, and only then did everything calm down.

Xiao Cheng had officially advanced from the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi to a Dou Zhe.

"So this is the mark of a Dou Zhe: inner vision, and Dou Qi forming a Qi Cyclone. Not bad."

With his strength improved, his mood became even better. He planned to have Payne notify the Mittel Auction House later so that they could discuss cooperation.

After all, they had helped him out and stepped forward to resolve his predicament. He could not just leave that kindness unanswered.

As the saying went, one should repay even a drop of kindness with a gushing spring. This was a fine tradition of Huaxia and could not be discarded.

"I imagine that old bastard Jia Lie Bi must be feeling pretty stifled. Even if he comes looking for trouble again, it won't matter. I have other ways to deal with him anyway."

At that moment, Xiao Cheng saw Xiao Yan approaching and asked in surprise.

"Xiao Yan, why are you here so early?"

"Good morning, Shop Owner Xiao. I came to buy some Honeyed Shortbread."

Ever since receiving Honeyed Shortbread from Xiao Xun'er, he had kept eating it. When he noticed that his physical condition was improving, he had been quite surprised.

After telling his teacher about it, his teacher instructed him to buy more Honeyed Shortbread to strengthen his body. That would make it easier to learn the Dou Techniques his teacher would teach him later and reduce the risk of injuring himself.

Thus, Xiao Yan had rushed to Ruyi Zhai early that morning after finishing his cultivation.

"You're here to buy Honeyed Shortbread? How much do you want?"

After glancing at the price of the Honeyed Shortbread on the wooden board, Xiao Yan thought for a moment and decided to buy three jin of it.

"Three jin of Honeyed Shortbread, and give me ten pieces of Peanut Candy as well."

"Alright, no problem. Please wait a moment."

After wrapping up the Peanut Candy and weighing out the Honeyed Shortbread, Xiao Cheng handed them over with a beaming smile.

Seeing Xiao Cheng's smile, Xiao Yan felt inexplicably uneasy and could not help asking.

"Shop Owner Xiao, why are you looking at me like that?"

"N-No reason. Hehe."

Xiao Cheng chuckled foolishly, but inwardly he was overjoyed. At last, a big customer had come to buy Honeyed Shortbread.

The Son of the Plane really was impressive, spending so generously. As expected of the Flame Emperor.

After Xiao Yan left, Xiao Cheng became bored again. He sat in his chair and idly fiddled with his Pastry Hat, not knowing what else to do.

"Sigh, it seems Ruyi Zhai's reputation has already reached Qingshan Town. It's just that not many people know about it yet, otherwise Xiao Yi Xian wouldn't have been the only one rushing over."

He considered whether to ask Mittel Ya Fei to spread the details of his shop to the Imperial Capital.

If word reached the Mite'er Family in the Imperial Capital, it would inevitably make the Imperial Capital's two major families have other ideas about his pastries.

He was torn. If he did not promote it, it would be difficult to increase Ruyi Zhai's customer traffic. But bringing Ruyi Zhai before the great families of the Imperial Capital was still somewhat premature.

"Forget it, I'll let nature take its course. If it really comes down to it, I'll promote it. What am I afraid of? I have a system."

Having made up his mind, he could always borrow a tiger's might to raise a banner when the time came. At present, only Xiao Yan knew his true background. Everyone else mistakenly believed that he had a powerful force behind him, so he might as well play along.

Even if they discovered something was wrong, by then I would have already grown stronger.

"Let's check the Personal Panel and see how the tasks are progressing. Sigh."

Host: Xiao Cheng
Identity: Shopkeeper of Ruyi Zhai in Xiao Family Market
Shopkeeper Level: Level One Shopkeeper (43/300)

Realm: One-Star Dou Zhe
Martial Skill: None
Items: None
Evaluation: You are merely a rookie who has just started out. You could be wiped out by the big shots at any time. Develop carefully for the happiness of everyone.

Main Quest: The host must sell one hundred jin of Honeyed Shortbread (11/100)

Quest Reward: One God-tier Mung Bean Cakes recipe
Quest Failure: Must wear the Baby Three-Piece Set for seven days
Quest Time: Seven days

Side Quest: The host must sell one hundred portions of Peanut Candy (76/100)

Quest Reward: One random pastry recipe
Quest Failure: The host must dress as a woman for seven days and may not take it off
Quest Time: Seven days

The task progress was not bad, but he still had to find a way to sell more Honeyed Shortbread.

There were still not many customers at Ruyi Zhai at this time, so Xiao Cheng returned to the kitchen and packaged the Cream Cake he had made yesterday. When someone from the Mittel Auction House came over, he could simply show it to them.

The Cream Cake made by this shopkeeper was absolutely delicious. He refused to believe Mittel Ya Fei would not cooperate.