The Escalating Sweet-and-Savory War

Xiao Zhan and his son were arguing over whether sweet or savory Small Fried Dough Twists tasted better. Though both were angry, they were father and son after all, so it was merely a verbal dispute.

"Yan, I already told you, savory fried dough twists are the best. They have the richest flavor. Huh! Wait—"

As Xiao Zhan argued about the taste of savory fried dough twists, he suddenly felt his somewhat weary mind grow much more refreshed. This surprised him greatly.

"These Small Fried Dough Twists can actually restore mental energy and increase spiritual power. This... this is unbelievable!"

Xiao Yan also felt that his spiritual power seemed to have increased slightly. Though it was not obvious, he could still sense it.

"These Small Fried Dough Twists really are quite remarkable."

As he spoke, Xiao Yan picked up another small sweet fried dough twist and tossed it into his mouth, chewing with a crunch.

Xiao Zhan, meanwhile, began considering what the Small Fried Dough Twists could do for the Xiao Clan.

First of all, when practicing martial skills or reading certain books, one would sometimes become mentally exhausted or suffer from headaches.

But with these Small Fried Dough Twists, they could reduce fatigue and practice martial skills better and with greater focus, without ending up completely worn out.

"Yan, how many Gold Coins do these Small Fried Dough Twists cost?"

Xiao Yan had just finished a small sweet fried dough twist when he answered.

"Sixty Gold Coins per jin. The price is acceptable, not too expensive."

"Indeed, it isn't expensive. It seems we should encourage the Xiao Family Disciples to buy Small Fried Dough Twists from Ruyi Zhai. They are, after all, a fine remedy for relieving fatigue."

Hearing his father's words, Xiao Yan seemed to have an epiphany and smiled.

"Could these Small Fried Dough Twists be eaten as medicine to relieve fatigue and improve spiritual power?"

"That is exactly the idea. And Ruyi Zhai's pastries have no side effects whatsoever and work very well, so I think we should promote them throughout the Xiao Clan."

Xiao Zhan smiled as he shared his thoughts with his son.

"Mhm, I support you, Father."

Then, Xiao Zhan checked the Dou Qi within Xiao Yan's body and could not help exclaiming.

"Seventh stage of Dou Qi!"

Seeing the shock on his father's face, Xiao Yan replied indifferently.

"I broke through to the seventh stage of Dou Qi this morning."

Though his words were calm, only Xiao Yan himself understood the hardships behind them.

While using pastries in cultivation had played a part, it was ultimately his own hard work that had given him his current strength.

"Yan, I believe you will definitely shine at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony one year from now. Hahaha!"

Xiao Zhan laughed and chatted with Xiao Yan for a while longer.

However, Xiao Yan still had to return to cultivation, so he took the sweet Small Fried Dough Twists and Honeyed Shortbread with him. He left the savory Small Fried Dough Twists for his father as snacks.

After Xiao Yan left, Xiao Zhan had people spread word throughout the Xiao Clan that Ruyi Zhai had released a new pastry capable of relieving fatigue and improving spiritual power.

The moment this news spread, the Xiao Family Disciples went wild.

This was something that could relieve fatigue.

They spent a great deal of time practicing martial skills every day, and after every practice session, their bodies felt as heavy as if they had been filled with lead.

But with these Small Fried Dough Twists, they could eat a little whenever they were tired and immediately feel relieved.

Thus, many Xiao Family Disciples began making their way to Ruyi Zhai one after another.

Xiao Cheng was still sitting leisurely in the chair behind the Glass Counter, unaware that a large wave of Xiao Family Disciples was about to arrive.

"The Cream Cake is finished, but Mittel Auction House still hasn't signed the agreement, so there's no rush to supply them with Cream Cake. The most important task right now is to promote the Small Fried Dough Twists."

Just as Xiao Cheng closed his eyes and prepared to take a short nap, he suddenly heard noisy voices outside the shop.

Xiao Cheng frowned, but out of courtesy as a shopkeeper, he still opened his eyes and looked outside.

That single glance startled him.

"Damn, there are so many people!"

At least eleven or twelve people filed into the shop. Judging by their clothing, they were all from the Xiao Clan.

"You're here to...?"

He asked uncertainly.

"Shopkeeper, we heard there were new pastries here, so we rushed over."

"Yeah, yeah, Shopkeeper, introduce the new pastries to us!"

"How much are the new pastries? I'll buy them right away!"

The dozen or so people chattered noisily and spoke over one another.

Xiao Cheng was getting irritated by the noise, so he shouted.

"Quiet! What are you making so much noise for? Speak one at a time."

Everyone instantly fell silent and did not dare make another sound.

"That's better. Speak one at a time. You were all chattering nonstop, so I couldn't understand what any of you were saying. Now, speak one by one."

After a while, Xiao Cheng finally learned why this group of Xiao Family Disciples had rushed over in such a frenzy.

It left him both amused and exasperated. They had come because of the claim Xiao Zhan had spread—that Small Fried Dough Twists could relieve fatigue and increase spiritual power.

He himself had not known that the Small Fried Dough Twists possessed such powerful effects.

Still, Xiao Zhan's actions had effectively given him a round of free promotion.

"Ahem. Let me introduce the new pastry, Small Fried Dough Twists. There are sweet ones and savory ones. Both are sixty Gold Coins per jin. First come, first served."

After he finished speaking, the Xiao Family Disciples began whispering among themselves as if discussing something.

"Small Fried Dough Twists? Sweet ones and savory ones? Which flavor should we choose?"

"I think the sweet ones should be good. They are a little expensive, but for the sake of improving my strength, I'll go all out."

"I think the savory ones taste best. Sixty Gold Coins per jin is very cheap."

"Shopkeeper, give me three jin of savory Small Fried Dough Twists."

"I want five jin of sweet Small Fried Dough Twists. Savory ones don't taste good at all!"

"Anyone who says sweet is good can go die! Savory is the true path! I want five jin of savory ones too!"

"Long live sweet Small Fried Dough Twists! Let's fight the savory faction to the death!"

Watching this group of Xiao Family Disciples who were nearly about to start fighting over savory and sweet Small Fried Dough Twists, Xiao Cheng covered his face. Then he took a deep breath and roared.

"Anyone who dares cause trouble in my shop will be placed directly on the Blacklist and never be sold pastries again!"

At that furious roar, everyone shut up.

Seeing that the shop had finally quieted down, Xiao Cheng helplessly rubbed his brow.

"Who wanted to buy Small Fried Dough Twists? One at a time. Line up. You, I'm talking to you—go line up at the back."

As the Xiao Family Disciples lined up and bought the pastries and Small Fried Dough Twists they needed before leaving Ruyi Zhai, some could still be seen exchanging glances, as though resisting for the sake of their beliefs.

More than half an hour later, Xiao Cheng finally sent this group of Xiao Family Disciples away.

By then, the sun was about to set, and he truly felt as though he had shot himself in the foot.

"I really want to curse. Even these damn Small Fried Dough Twists can spark a sweet-and-savory war. This is ridiculous."

He felt that he might need to guard against such a situation in the future. If another major conflict erupted over sweet and savory Small Fried Dough Twists, he would definitely go mad.

"Let's check the Personal Panel and see how the Small Fried Dough Twists are selling."

Host: Xiao Cheng Identity: Shopkeeper of Ruyi Zhai, Xiao Family Market Shopkeeper Level: Level One Shopkeeper (83/300)

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 moment. Develop carefully, for the happiness of you, me, and everyone.

Main Quest: Please sell one hundred jin of Honeyed Shortbread (15/100)

Quest Reward: One recipe for God-tier Mung Bean Cakes Quest Failure: You will wear the Baby Three-Piece Set for seven days Quest Time: Seven days Side Quest: Please sell one hundred jin of Small Fried Dough Twists, any flavor (51/100)

Quest Reward: One Mysterious Scratch Card (Note: There's a mysterious grand prize!)

Quest Failure: Host will become an adorable fried dough twist for seven days, dear Quest Time: Seven days

After checking the quest progress, Xiao Cheng was stunned. This wave had brought in a huge profit.

On average, each person had bought at least four or five jin of Small Fried Dough Twists.

"Xiao Yan, I really have to thank you. You helped me complete half of the quest progress in less than an hour."

He was now wondering whether he should give this fellow transmigrator some benefits.

At that moment, a girl in a pale white dress walked through the streets of Wutan City with luggage in hand. It was Xiao Yi Xian.