Ge Ye's Shock

Early in the morning, Xiao Yi Xian got up bright and early. After opening the shop doors, she sat on a chair behind the Glass Cover, holding a piece of Peach Pastry as she ate breakfast.

Xiao Cheng woke up a little late this time. After coming downstairs, he yawned and greeted Xiao Yi Xian.

"Xiao Yi Xian, good morning. You got up really early."

"Good morning, Shop Owner. Hehe."

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's smile, Xiao Cheng felt his morning grogginess instantly melt away.

He walked over to the Glass Cover and saw that barely any of the pastries had been sold, so there was no need to make more in the kitchen.

He could just restock when the time came.

Today was also the day of Mittel Auction House's mysterious auction. He wondered when it would begin.

Just as Xiao Cheng sat down in his chair to collect himself before thinking about other matters, Xiao Ning unexpectedly showed up so early in the morning.

Xiao Cheng found Xiao Ning's hurried, bustling manner rather amusing.

"Shop Owner, I'm here! Guess what realm I'm at now?"

Seeing Xiao Ning looking so smug, Xiao Cheng shook his head helplessly.

This guy really forgot the pain as soon as his wounds healed.

"Have you become a Dou Zhe already?"

"Still wrong, Shop Owner. Keep guessing."

Xiao Ning smiled mysteriously at Xiao Cheng.

"Two-star Dou Zhe?"

"Damn, Shop Owner, how did you know I'm already a two-star Dou Zhe? Let me tell you, that Cream Cake of yours is unbelievably powerful. It let me break straight through from the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi to Dou Zhe, and then even break through another minor realm!"

Xiao Cheng said, "That Cream Cake might have such a powerful effect the first time, but if I'm right, its effect will be halved the second time. By the third time, it'll only have a tiny, negligible effect. After that, it'll only satisfy your appetite."

When he heard Xiao Ning describe the Cream Cake's powerful cultivation-boosting effect, he had thought of this. Its effects definitely diminished with each use, so each person could eat at most three Cream Cakes in their lifetime before they became ineffective.

"Ah, everyone can only eat three?"

Xiao Ning was somewhat disappointed, but not overly dejected. After all, he was already a two-star Dou Zhe. If he worked harder from here on, he could already try to reach the Dou Master realm.

"Sigh, I was thinking too beautifully. My plan to raise my cultivation by eating Cream Cakes has gone down the drain."

He sighed helplessly.

Xiao Cheng's mouth twitched as he thought, Was this idiot dreaming too beautifully? Raising cultivation by stuffing himself with Cream Cakes? Keep dreaming.

Though he was mercilessly mocking Xiao Ning in his heart, he asked calmly, "You didn't come to my shop this early just to show off your realm, did you?"

Only then did Xiao Ning remember the real reason he had come. Grinning, he asked, "Shop Owner, are you going to this Mittel Auction House auction?"

"No. It's not interesting. Besides, I just want to sell pastries peacefully in my shop. All right, if you're buying pastries, hurry up and buy them."

Xiao Cheng waved his hand impatiently, signaling for Xiao Ning to stop bothering him.

What's with Shop Owner Xiao? Forget it, I'll buy some pastries for snacks.

Only then did Xiao Ning notice the beautiful Xiao Yi Xian, and he could not help staring in a daze.

Although Xiao Yi Xian was not breathtakingly beautiful, she exuded an unruffled temperament, and her warm smile was intoxicating. That was why he lost his composure like this.

"Ahem. Watch yourself. Don't even think about flirting with my employee, or I'll treat you to lightning."

Hearing Xiao Cheng's warning, Xiao Ning seemed to recall being blasted out by lightning the first time. He shuddered all over and quickly said, "Shop Owner, I absolutely have no designs on this employee. Um, how should I address her?"

"You can just call me Xiao Yi Xian."

"Xiao Yi Xian, what a nice name. Um, do you have any new products?"

"Yes. These are the recently introduced Melon Seed Candy and Sesame Candy. The Small Fried Dough Twists are also quite good; they're very suitable as snacks."

Xiao Yi Xian began promoting the goods to Xiao Ning in all sorts of ways.

When Xiao Yi Xian had first arrived, she had not been very familiar with selling pastries. But after adapting for a day, she had learned how to sell them, making Xiao Cheng like this girl even more.

Of course, it was only the appreciation one had for talent.

He had no intention of stepping into the grave of marriage yet.

"Melon Seed Candy and Sesame Candy—are they the same price as Peanut Candy?"

"Yes, they're all 66 Gold Coins per jin. Since you're from the Xiao Clan, it's 60 Gold Coins."

Xiao Yi Xian smiled.

"Oh, then give me one jin of sweet Small Fried Dough Twists, five pieces of Sesame Candy, and five pieces of Melon Seed Candy."

"Certainly. Please wait a moment."

Xiao Yi Xian skillfully wrapped up the pastries for Xiao Ning and handed them to him.

After paying the Gold Coins, Xiao Ning did not forget to say goodbye to Xiao Cheng before leaving, only to be ignored by him. Xiao Ning could not help pursing his lips.

After Xiao Ning left, Xiao Cheng looked at the crowds coming and going on the street outside and sighed.

"Today's going to be lively."

"Check the Personal Panel."

He called out to Xiao Dian in his mind.

Host: Xiao Cheng
Identity: Shopkeeper of Ruyi Zhai in Xiao Family Market
Shopkeeper Level: Level One Shopkeeper (122/300)

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 taken out by the big shots at any time. Develop carefully, for the happiness of you, me, and everyone.

Main Quest: Please sell one hundred jin of Honeyed Shortbread (26/100)

Quest Reward: One recipe for God-tier Mung Bean Cakes
Quest Failure: 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 (71/100)

Quest Reward: One Mysterious Scratch Card (Note: There's a mysterious grand prize!)
Quest Failure: The host will turn into an adorable fried dough twist for seven days, dear
Quest Time: Seven days

Seeing the progress of the two quests, Xiao Cheng sighed helplessly.

At least three days had already passed on the Honeyed Shortbread quest, yet it had not even reached halfway. As for the Small Fried Dough Twists, although seventy jin had already been sold, there simply were not enough buyers.

If he could encounter people like Princess Yue'er from yesterday afternoon every day, the quests would probably be completed very soon.

But reality was cruel. He should not make his dreams too beautiful, or it would be easy to break down.

"Sigh, I wonder whether the Misty Cloud Sect will make any moves against me after learning about the strange properties of my pastries. It would be nice if I could get a bodyguard or something."

At that moment, Xiao Dian suddenly chimed in.

Mysterious Gift Packs can contain guards for the pastry shop. Please work hard, host.

"That Mysterious Gift Pack is the reward for the Small Fried Dough Twist quest, isn't it? Damn it, no, I have to find a way to get that Mysterious Gift Pack. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease."

Last night, Ge Ye of the Misty Cloud Sect took the pastries back to the guest room he had rented. After opening the paper package, he first picked up a piece of Peach Pastry and examined it carefully. Finding nothing wrong, he took a bite.

The fragrance of crushed walnuts and Sesame made Ge Ye think it tasted quite good, but the next moment, he was no longer feeling so good. He felt that his Dou Qi had actually increased.

He was extremely shocked at the time and could not help widening his eyes at the Peach Pastry in his hand.

"It can actually increase Dou Qi?"

He then sampled each of the pastries he had bought. Aside from the Small Fried Dough Twists, which restored mental energy, all the rest could actually increase Dou Qi. Peanut Candy, in particular, could even double cultivation speed.

"I must report this to the Sect Master."

That was Ge Ye's first thought. This Ruyi Zhai was far too mysterious; it actually had items that could increase Dou Qi.

Thus, early this morning, Ge Ye hurried over to Ruyi Zhai again, intending to buy the remaining pastries he had not sampled and test them out.