Xiao Yan Buys Peach Pastry

As soon as Xiao Yan entered the auction house, the bright surroundings gradually dimmed. The clamor rose and fell around him, making the quiet-loving Xiao Yan somewhat displeased.

The auction house was not small; accommodating over a thousand people would be no difficulty. At that moment, a beautiful woman in a red robe stood on the auction stage, introducing the item in her hand in a seductive voice.

Under that alluring voice, the price of this not particularly rare item continued to rise.

Xiao Yan swept his gaze over the woman and could tell that she was no ordinary person. Merely with that seductive voice, she had driven the men in the auction house wild.

This woman was naturally Ya Fei, the chief auctioneer of the Mittel Auction House. In Wutan City, everyone knew of this great beauty, and many had come solely to catch a glimpse of her appearance.

As Xiao Yan looked around, he spotted a middle-aged man in the front rows and froze for a moment. It was actually his father.

His father's gaze remained fixed on the items on the stage from beginning to end, without sparing Ya Fei even the slightest glance.

According to the original plot, Xiao Yan should have slowly made his way over to Xiao Zhan, then ultimately won the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid.

However, due to Ruyi Zhai's appearance and Xiao Cheng, this uncertain factor, intervening, the original plot had deviated somewhat, though not by much.

He had to admit that with every smile and frown, every charming grin, this chief auctioneer could sell a cheap, unremarkable item for an exorbitant price.

At that moment, a maid carrying a tray walked onto the auction stage.

"Everyone, the auction house has just received an item. I believe you will all be interested in it."

After Ya Fei spoke, she waved her hand, and the maid hurriedly took out a white porcelain bottle and handed it to her.

"This item is called Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid. It is only effective for those below the Dou Zhe realm. By soaking in it, one can increase the speed of Dou Qi cultivation. If you want your descendants to become geniuses, do not let this opportunity slip away."

Ya Fei spoke in an alluring, seductive tone.

"Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid? Theoretically speaking, people below the Dou Zhe realm should not be able to withstand the effects of an elixir, should they?"

The more rational people raised doubts about the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid.

"Everyone need not worry. Master Gu Ni of our auction house has appraised it as a Second-grade Elixir. It can be used without concern."

Ya Fei said.

Upon hearing that Master Gu Ni had authenticated it, everyone felt reassured and began preparing to bid.

Xiao Yan also noticed that his father seemed interested in the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid and could not help but smile bitterly as he thought, Father, please do not waste money bidding on it.

"Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, starting bid: eight thousand Gold Coins. Bidding begins."

As Ya Fei's words fell—

"Eight thousand five hundred!"

A man shouted.

"Nine thousand!"

In less than a moment, the price had already climbed to thirteen thousand.

Xiao Zhan was in no rush to compete with these small fry. He closed his eyes and waited for the final contest.

At that moment, an old man not far from Xiao Zhan, seated parallel to him, called out.

"Twenty thousand!"

The auction house instantly fell silent. When the others who had intended to bid saw the expressionless old man, they dejectedly sat back down.

Then, a discordant voice rang out.

"Jia Lie Bi, hasn't your son already entered the Dou Zhe realm? Why are you still coveting the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid?"

"Ao Ba Pa, why do you care so much? Can't I buy it for my future grandson?"

Jia Lie Bi said irritably.

"Hmph, by then, perhaps you will not have the fortune to hold a grandson."

"Twenty-three thousand!"

Ao Ba Pa shouted loudly.

After that shout, everyone began bidding frantically. In just ten minutes, the price had already reached thirty-one thousand.

"Forty thousand." Xiao Zhan, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, opened them.

The moment his voice sounded, the venue fell into brief silence, and then everyone's gaze turned toward Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Yan heard that familiar voice as well and immediately had a bad feeling. When he looked over, he smiled bitterly and thought, Father, you still intend to buy it after all.

Jia Lie Bi, who was not far from Xiao Zhan, looked at him with a smile. "Clan Head Xiao seems very confident about winning the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid."

"Bid if you want it. In any case, I will not raise the price again."

Xiao Zhan said flatly.

Hearing Xiao Zhan's words, Jia Lie Bi fell into thought. Clearly, he did not believe Xiao Zhan, but he could not determine whether Xiao Zhan would bid again. In the end, he chickened out and did not continue calling out prices.

Just as Jia Lie Bi withdrew from the bidding, Ao Ba Pa saw that he had backed out and reluctantly gave up as well.

"Clan Head Xiao has bid forty thousand. Is there anyone else?"

Ya Fei asked loudly.

Seeing that no one else bid, Xiao Zhan claimed the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid for forty thousand Gold Coins.

When Xiao Yan saw that his father had actually spent forty thousand Gold Coins to buy his rather poor-quality Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, he felt utterly helpless.

He had actually scammed his own father. There was really no one else like him.

Now that he knew the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid had been bought by his father, the rest of the auction had nothing to do with him.

At worst, he could refine some better things for his father later. That would count as doing his part for the Xiao Clan.

After leaving the Mittel Auction House, Xiao Yan found a place to take off his Black Robe, then headed to Ruyi Zhai to buy Peach Pastry.

Meanwhile, Xiao Cheng had sold several pieces of Peach Pastry that afternoon. They appeared to have been bought by patrolling guards from the Xiao Family Market.

"Today will probably only amount to this much. I hope business is better tomorrow."

He opened his Personal Panel and checked it.

Host: Xiao Cheng
Identity: Shopkeeper of Ruyi Zhai in the Xiao Family Market
Shopkeeper Level: Novice Level
Realm: Seventh stage of Dou Qi
Martial Skill: None
Items: one set of Pastry Chef's Exclusive Outfit

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 you, me, and everyone.

Main Quest: The host must learn and proficiently make God-Tier Honeyed Shortbread, then sell one hundred portions (6/100)

Quest Reward: Recipe for God-Tier Honeyed Three-Knife Pastry
Quest Failure: The host sings "Conquer" in the street
Quest Time: Seven days

The quest progress had only advanced a little, and there were no other changes on the panel. However, Xiao Cheng was somewhat puzzled by the Pastry Chef's Exclusive Outfit.

"Xiao Dian, what is special about this Pastry Chef's Exclusive Outfit?"

Host, the Baker's Outfit can increase the host's pastry-making success rate by five percent, increase the deliciousness of pastries by five percent, and increase Dou Qi cultivation speed by five percent.

Hearing Xiao Dian's words, Xiao Cheng's eyes widened, and he nearly cried out in surprise.

He had not expected it to be rare-grade equipment. If this were an online game, he would definitely be an absurdly lucky player.

"I will wear it when I open the shop tomorrow. Forget it for today."

Just then, Xiao Yan arrived.

"Xiao Cheng, I came to buy Peach Pastry."

"Xiao Yan, you look like you were in quite a rush. Where did you go?"

Xiao Cheng asked.

"I just got back from the auction house."

Xiao Cheng suddenly understood. So Xiao Yan had gone to sell the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid for Gold Coins.

However, Xiao Cheng did not know that Xiao Yan had not been with Xiao Zhan, and the plot had deviated somewhat.

"How many pieces of Peach Pastry would you like?"

"I will buy three for now. If that is not enough, I will come back for more."

After thinking it over, Xiao Yan decided not to buy too many at once. He would eat three first and see.

"Alright."

Xiao Cheng took Xiao Yan's Gold Coins and wrapped up the Peach Pastry for him.

After saying goodbye to Xiao Cheng, Xiao Yan left Ruyi Zhai and returned to the Xiao Clan, intending to cultivate.

As the sky darkened, Xiao Cheng closed the shop and prepared to rest.