Baker's Outfit

Xiao Yan, who had returned to the Xiao Clan last night, went back to his room and put the three Peach Pastries he had bought from Ruyi Zhai into a cabinet.

There were still some medicinal ingredients in the cabinet needed to refine Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, though there was far less than the eight months' worth from the original storyline.

Looking at the medicinal ingredients and Peach Pastries in the cabinet, Xiao Yan chuckled and lay down on his bed to sleep.

Early the next morning, someone knocked on Xiao Yan's door.

Xiao Yan got out of bed and opened the door. To his surprise, it was his father.

"Father, why are you here?"

"You brat, can't I come see you if there's nothing wrong?"

Xiao Zhan pretended to be angry, but the concern in his eyes could not be concealed.

Seeing his father's warm smile, Xiao Yan felt somewhat moved. His nose stung, and after sniffing a few times, he did not know what to say.

"Yan'er, are you still troubled over the Misty Cloud Sect matter? Hehe, don't blame yourself. My son is a dragon among men. Sooner or later, you'll make her regret it. She thinks she's too good for my son? I don't think she's good enough for him either!" Xiao Zhan said boldly.

"Don't worry, Father. Three years from now, I'll definitely go to the Misty Cloud Sect and prove myself. I'll prove that I'm still the Xiao Clan's genius."

Xiao Yan looked at his father with firm eyes.

"Good. Yesterday, I bid on a bottle of Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid for you at the auction house. It should be useful to you. Take it."

Xiao Zhan took a white porcelain bottle from his robes and handed it to Xiao Yan.

Looking at the white porcelain bottle in his hand, Xiao Yan did not know whether to feel touched or laugh. He had made money off his own father. Sigh.

Still, it was his father's goodwill.

"Father, thank you."

Xiao Yan said emotionally.

"You're my son. There's no need for such politeness between father and son."

Xiao Zhan smiled, but then asked with some concern.

"Yan'er, must you go to the Misty Cloud Sect? It's not that I doubt your strength, but the Misty Cloud Sect's influence..."

Xiao Yan knew what his father meant, but he did not regret what he had done. Even if he had another chance, he would still make the same choice.

"Trust me. I'll definitely make the Misty Cloud Sect regret it, make Nalan Yanran regret it. After all, I'm your son."

Xiao Yan said with incomparable confidence.

"If your two brothers knew you were thinking this way, they would probably be very happy too."

"Mm."

"Alright, Yan'er. Cultivate well. I'll be going back first."

Watching his father's departing back, Xiao Yan's gaze became even more determined, and his desire to grow stronger intensified.

After closing the door, he took out three Peach Pastries from the cabinet, quickly ate them, then immersed himself in the Spiritual Liquid and began cultivating.

Xiao Cheng got up early today and made another batch of Peach Pastries. Although yesterday's Peach Pastries had not sold out yet, it did not affect their taste or effects.

The Glass Cover modified by Xiao Dian could preserve warmth and ensure quality.

"I wonder how many Peach Pastries I can sell today. Come to think of it, should I write a few rules on a wooden board?"

With that thought, he stopped wasting words, found a wooden board, and began writing.

First, no causing trouble in the shop. Violators will be thrown out and placed on the Blacklist. Second, while purchase quantities are not limited, wasting food is prohibited. Violators will be placed on the Blacklist and never served again.

Third, anyone who attacks the shop owner or harms the staff will also be placed on the Blacklist.

Fourth, the shop owner has the final say in all matters of interpretation.

Looking at the four rules on the board, Xiao Cheng nodded in satisfaction.

"These four will do for now. I'll add more whenever I think of them."

As he spoke, he walked outside and hung the wooden board beside the entrance.

At that moment, a Xiao Clan guard entered. Xiao Cheng looked at the guard and carefully sensed his cultivation. He was actually at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi, two minor realms higher than Xiao Cheng.

"Hello, shop owner. My name is Xiao Lu. What do you sell here?"

Xiao Lu asked Xiao Cheng curiously.

"Hello, I'm Xiao Cheng. Just call me Shop Owner Xiao. This is a pastry shop. I sell pastries."

Xiao Cheng explained.

"Pastries?"

Xiao Lu looked at Xiao Cheng in surprise, not knowing what pastries were.

Seemingly noticing Xiao Lu's confusion, Xiao Cheng briefly explained what pastries were.

A minute later, Xiao Cheng pointed to the neat rows of Peach Pastries arranged on the Iron Tray beneath the Glass Cover.

"This is our shop's new pastry, Peach Pastry. It tastes great, and it has a very miraculous effect."

There was a hint of temptation in Xiao Cheng's tone when he said the last sentence.

Xiao Lu thought for a moment and decided to ask about the price first.

"Shop Owner Xiao, how much are these Peach Pastries?"

"Not expensive. Eighty-eight Gold Coins each."

"What? Eight... eighty-eight Gold Coins?"

Although guards who patrolled this market had a few hundred Gold Coins in savings, they did not dare spend eighty-eight Gold Coins all at once.

Besides, Xiao Lu was not sure whether these Peach Pastries truly had the miraculous effect Xiao Cheng claimed.

Seeing Xiao Lu hesitate, Xiao Cheng knew what he was thinking and said with a smile.

"You can buy one and try it first. If it doesn't work, you can simply stop coming to my shop."

After hearing Xiao Cheng's words, Xiao Lu gritted his teeth.

"Fine. I'll buy one Peach Pastry."

After paying the Gold Coins, Xiao Lu felt his heart bleeding.

Xiao Cheng handed Xiao Lu the wrapped Peach Pastry.

Xiao Lu took it and carefully examined the round pastry. It was decorated with crushed walnuts and black Sesame seeds, and when he brought it close to his nose, he could smell its fragrance.

He took a bite. With a crisp crack, he could hear it snap beneath his teeth. The flaky Peach Pastry slowly melted in his mouth, releasing a sweet fragrance.

The aroma of the Peach Pastry filled his mouth. Xiao Lu closed his eyes, immersing himself in a flavor called happiness.

Not long after, Xiao Lu finished the Peach Pastry and opened his eyes. He suddenly felt that the Dou Qi within his body had increased considerably. With only a few more months of cultivation, he would be able to become a Dou Zhe. This thrilled him beyond measure.

"Shop owner, this Peach Pastry actually... actually increases Dou Qi! I need to buy a few more."

Xiao Lu looked at Xiao Cheng excitedly.

"No problem."

With a broad wave of his hand, Xiao Cheng handed Xiao Lu three more Peach Pastries.

After paying the Gold Coins, Xiao Lu reached the entrance, turned back, and said to Xiao Cheng.

"Shop owner, I'll help spread the word. Goodbye."

"Thank you."

Xiao Cheng was also quite happy. Xiao Lu appeared to be one of the market's patrolling guards, which meant his shop would soon become lively.

He believed that through word of mouth, Ruyi Zhai's reputation would soon spread.

"Open the Personal Panel and check the quest progress."

Host: Xiao Cheng
Identity: Shop Owner of Ruyi Zhai in 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 experts at any time. Develop carefully, for the happiness of you, me, and everyone.

Main Quest: Have the host learn and master the production of God-Tier Honeyed Shortbread, then sell one hundred portions (10/100)

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

The quest was already one-tenth complete. He suddenly noticed the Baker's Outfit in the Item Backpack and remembered that he was supposed to put it on today.

Without further nonsense, he directly took out the Baker's Outfit and put it on.

A White Chef Hat, a white chef's uniform, and a red apron underneath.

Looking at this outfit, Xiao Cheng was somewhat speechless. Wasn't this just a chef's uniform?

Still, he did not care. It had a buff that could speed up Dou Qi cultivation, after all.