Sesame Candy, Melon Seed Candy

While the Mittel Auction House was preparing that afternoon, a very different scene was unfolding in the Jia Lie Family's main hall.

Jia Lie'ao stood beside Jia Lie Bi, while Jia Lie Te, who had returned from gathering information about the mysterious item, stood below them.

"You're saying you found no information whatsoever about this mysterious item?"

Jia Lie Bi asked in a deep voice.

"Yes, Patriarch. I carefully investigated the area around the Xiao Clan, Ruyi Zhai, and other places, but found no information about the mysterious item. I couldn't even enter the Mittel Auction House to investigate. They've deployed additional personnel and strengthened their guards."

Jia Lie Bi sank into thought. Jia Lie'ao, standing nearby, cautiously asked,

"Father, is that mysterious item really so important to our Jia Lie Family?"

"According to rumors from the Mittel Auction House, it can raise one's realm without any side effects. Raising one's realm isn't particularly unusual, but having no side effects at all is terrifying."

As the saying went, every medicine had its poison. That saying applied equally well on the Dou Qi Continent.

It wasn't as though all medicinal pills on the Dou Qi Continent had no side effects. Their side effects were merely very slight. Some pills also contained trace impurities, naturally depending on the strength of an alchemist's Spiritual Power.

That was why this mysterious item, capable of raising one's realm without side effects, had caused such a huge uproar and drawn numerous families and experts here.

"No one should know what this mysterious item is yet. Our Jia Lie Family must win it. That way, my strength as a Three-star Great Dou Master will advance even further, and we'll have greater confidence when dealing with the Xiao Clan."

Jia Lie Bi said with a smile.

Jia Lie'ao frowned in thought before speaking.

"Father, Ruyi Zhai seems to have been getting rather close to the Xiao Clan lately. I think they may have joined forces."

"Hmph, it's only a mere shop. Once the Xiao Clan is destroyed, we can obtain it without any effort. It isn't worth mentioning."

Jia Lie Bi clearly did not think much of Ruyi Zhai, treating it like a soft persimmon he could crush at will.

The last plan against Ruyi Zhai had been interrupted. The Mittel Auction House had stepped in on Ruyi Zhai's behalf and resolved its predicament, leading Jia Lie Bi to believe that it was the Mittel Auction House's intervention rather than Ruyi Zhai's own strength that had solved its troubles.

But he did not know that the answer he refused to believe was precisely the real reason the Mittel Auction House had helped Ruyi Zhai.

"Then, Father, we must win that mysterious item at tomorrow's auction. Even if we can't have it, we can't let either of the other two families get it—especially the Xiao Clan."

Jia Lie'ao said darkly.

"We can't let the Xiao Clan get it. Absolutely not."

Jia Lie Bi slapped the armrest.

"Jia Lie Te, continue gathering information. Find out who will be coming and report to me at all times."

"Yes, Patriarch."

The same scene was playing out on Ao Ba Pa's side as well. They were all trying to gather information about the mysterious item.

Ao Ba Pa had even personally sent his son, Ao Di, to the Mittel Auction House to ask around, but he had not obtained a single useful piece of information.

As for the Xiao Clan, Xiao Zhan was naturally not worried about the mysterious item. From the moment Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er had told him about the Cream Cake, he had basically guessed that the item being auctioned this time was most likely the Cream Cake.

It was almost certainly the case.

Thus, Xiao Zhan was not the least bit anxious in his study. He had taken no measures in response to the outside world or the movements of the other two families. When the time came, he only needed to have Shop Owner Xiao reserve several Cream Cakes for him.

If Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa knew that Xiao Zhan already knew what the mysterious item was, their expressions would surely be quite spectacular.

Xiao Cheng was still sitting in his chair, staring out at the street. He was truly bored.

"Xiao Yi Xian, are the pastries I made tasty?"

"Mhm, they're delicious. They can also raise Dou Qi, and my strength has improved quite a bit."

"Which pastry do you like best?"

"I like them all, but I think Peanut Candy is especially tasty."

Xiao Cheng smiled. This girl was a sweets lover too.

Thinking of Peanut Candy, Xiao Cheng suddenly recalled that there seemed to be Melon Seed Candy and Sesame Candy as well. Their methods and steps were the same as making Peanut Candy; he only needed to replace the peanuts with melon seeds or sesame.

With that thought, Xiao Cheng's mind became active. He smiled and said to Xiao Yi Xian,

"Wait a moment. I'll make two new kinds of pastries for you."

"New pastries?"

Xiao Cheng smiled at her, then quickly headed toward the kitchen. At that very moment, the system prompt sounded.

Congratulations, host. You have triggered a Side Quest. Would you like to view it?

He was instantly speechless. This could trigger a quest too? That was really something else.

"View the quest. A quest can actually appear from this?"

Side Quest: Please make Sesame Candy and Melon Seed Candy, host. I believe in you!

Quest Reward: Raise the host's strength from One-Star Dou Zhe to Two-star Dou Zhe Quest Failure: No one will purchase Peanut Candy within seven days (crafty expression)

Quest Time: Today

After reading the quest description, Xiao Cheng had the urge to beat up Xiao Dian. What was with that crafty expression? No one buying Peanut Candy within seven days—wasn't that punishment no different from forbidding him from selling Peanut Candy?

"This quest is really something. Sigh."

Arriving at the kitchen, he bought melon seed kernels and sesame from Xiao Dian.

The melon seed kernels had already been shelled, while the sesame was premium white sesame. However, it was raw and needed to be stir-fried until fragrant.

The melon seed kernels did not need to be fried. He only needed to boil the Syrup and mix them together.

He first poured the sesame into the wok and continuously stir-fried it until its fragrance emerged.

To keep the sesame from burning, he watched it very carefully.

About fifteen minutes later, the sesame was nearly done. He poured it into a container and set it aside to be mixed with Syrup later.

The next step was boiling the Syrup. To prevent anything from going wrong, he did not boil too much at once and instead planned to make it in two batches.

It was more troublesome this way, but at least the sugar would not burn and develop an odd smell.

More than half an hour later, both batches of Syrup were ready. While they were still hot, he poured the sesame and melon seed kernels into the two woks separately, quickly stir-frying and mixing them until evenly combined. Then he promptly poured them into Iron Trays and pressed them flat.

After waiting a few minutes for the Sesame Candy and Melon Seed Candy to cool slightly, he removed them and cut them just as he had cut the Peanut Candy.

More than twenty minutes passed. The two Iron Trays were filled with neatly arranged Melon Seed Candy and Sesame Candy, looking especially appealing.

Xiao Cheng let out a breath.

"Finally, they're done. By the way, Xiao Dian, how much do these two kinds of candy cost?"

Sesame Candy and Melon Seed Candy cost the same as Peanut Candy: 66 Gold Coins per piece.

"So that's how it is. This price works too. At least people won't think I'm a crooked merchant."

But if Xiao Dian were human, it would definitely mock Xiao Cheng. Crooked merchant? Weren't you one already?

Then the quest prompt sounded.

"Would you like to raise your strength now?"

"Raise it now."

Then Xiao Cheng felt an indescribable energy surge into his body and enter his Dou Qi Cyclone. His realm began to rise.

Suddenly, Xiao Cheng reached Two-star Dou Zhe, and that energy was exhausted at just the right moment.

Feeling out the strength of a Two-star Dou Zhe, Xiao Cheng smiled.

"Open the Personal Panel and let me take a look."

Host: Xiao Cheng Identity: Shopkeeper of Ruyi Zhai, Xiao Family Market

Shopkeeper Level: Level One Shopkeeper (101/300)

Realm: Two-star Dou Zhe Martial Skill: None Items: One Festival Quest Card

Evaluation: You are merely a rookie who has just started out. You could be wiped out by a big shot at any time. Develop carefully for the happiness of you, me, and everyone.

Main Quest: Please sell one hundred jin of Honeyed Shortbread (20/100)

Quest Reward: One God-tier Mung Bean Cakes recipe Quest Failure: Wear a 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 (64/100)

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

Quest Failure: The host will turn into a cute fried dough twist for seven days, dear Quest Time: Seven days

His realm had risen from One-Star Dou Zhe to Two-star Dou Zhe, and Xiao Cheng was very happy.

He directly carried the Sesame Candy and Melon Seed Candy to the Glass Cover, then said to Xiao Yi Xian,

"These are new pastries, Melon Seed Candy and Sesame Candy. They're both 66 Gold Coins each, just like Peanut Candy. Remember to write them on the wooden board."

"Mhm, I understand."

Xiao Cheng went back to sit and rest. After he walked away, Xiao Yi Xian stretched out her little hand, took a piece of Sesame Candy, and began eating it.

Xiao Cheng naturally noticed, but he merely smiled. He sighed at the power of foodies and did not mind it too much.