Chapter Summaries

Xiao Cheng failed to persuade Mo Ya to test his improved cultivation method, while Wu Tie and Fan Lao discovered the powerful effects of Xiao Cheng’s new pastries. Fan Lao sent Fan Ling back to Ruyi Zhai to seek cooperation, leaving the Blood Sect intent on gaining access to the pastries.

• Xiao Cheng tried to recruit Mo Ya to test his improved cultivation method, but Mo Ya left without agreeing.
• Wu Tie ate Nut Mixed Candy and found that it more than doubled his cultivation speed for one hour while easing mental fatigue.
• Wu Tie ate Peanut Stuffed Date Cake and felt his strength and battle qi increase, while Wang Chu suggested it could help restore battle qi during combat.
• Wang Chu told Wu Tie that Fan Ling of the Blood Sect had also bought the new pastries, prompting Wu Tie to consider the Blood Sect’s interest.
• Fan Ling brought the pastries to Fan Lao, who sent him back to Ruyi Zhai to ask Shop Owner Xiao to cooperate with the Blood Sect.

Xiao Cheng learned that Black Emperor Sect disciples had been disappearing and prepared to leave Ruyi Zhai for Wutan City after Mu Jie bought pastries. He teleported away just as Bai Ya planned to meet Xiao Yi Xian, unaware that Xiao Cheng was returning.

• Mo Tianxing recalled Che Cheng to investigate the missing Black Emperor Sect disciples, and Che Cheng suspected the Black Skull Tomb might be involved.
• Che Cheng told Mo Tianxing that Mo Ya was doing well at Ruyi Zhai and reported which sects had bought Xiao Cheng's new pastries.
• Xiao Cheng sent the sleepy Zi Yan to work, teased Mu Jie with the phrase "brain watt," and sold him Nut Mixed Candy and Peanut Stuffed Date Cake.
• Xiao Cheng told Xiao Yu and Mo Ya that he would be away for a few days, then used the system to teleport to Wutan City.
• Bai Ya planned to discuss cooperation with Xiao Yi Xian, not knowing Xiao Cheng was returning.

Xiao Cheng returned to Wutan City, where he learned that Xiao Yi Xian had secured partnerships with Misty Cloud Sect and Heavenly Snake Mansion. After the system recognized her as acting manager and unlocked a future branch-shop opportunity, Xue Lan arrived to discuss another partnership and described Stone Desert City's rapid growth.

• Xiao Cheng teleported back to Wutan City and found Bai Ya discussing a bulk pastry partnership with Xiao Yi Xian.
• Xiao Cheng reunited with the shop staff, met Bai Ya of Heavenly Snake Mansion, and said he had brought new pastries to sell.
• Xiao Yi Xian told Xiao Cheng that Yun Shan had signed an agreement with the shop, and Xiao Cheng praised her work as acting manager.
• The system recognized Xiao Yi Xian as acting manager of the main shop and announced that Xiao Cheng could open a branch when he reached the next region.
• Xue Lan arrived to discuss a partnership and told Xiao Yi Xian that Stone Desert City had become a major trading market, while Xiao Cheng received a system mission related to the Tagor Desert.

Xiao Cheng learned that abnormal Yellow Sand Scorpions were attacking Stone Desert City and accepted a timed quest to help the Xiao Clan brothers. After hearing Xue Lan’s account, he agreed to return to the Tagor Desert with her once he had handled matters at the shop.

• A Black Emperor Sect disciple and people sent by Su Mei bought pastries from Xiao Yu, while Mo Ya worried that his father might summon him back.
• At Black Skull Tomb, Wu Ying told the Tomb Master that Xiao Cheng had returned to Wutan City and advised him to keep his forces concealed.
• The system gave Xiao Cheng three days to travel to Stone Desert City and help the Xiao Clan brothers, threatening a penalty if he failed.
• Xue Lan told Xiao Cheng that violent Yellow Sand Scorpions with black markings and altered eyes had begun ambushing people and attacking Stone Desert City.
• Xiao Cheng agreed to return to the Tagor Desert with Xue Lan after finishing his work at the shop.

Xiao Cheng introduced new pastries at Ruyi Zhai, repaired Gu He's Rubik's Cube plans, and turned down Ya Fei's offer to open a branch with the Mittel Family. He suspected the Yellow Sand Scorpion riot targeted Xiao Li and Xiao Ding, while the brothers prepared to defend Stone Desert City and waited for him to arrive.

• Xiao Cheng put three new pastries on sale, and a Mitel Auction House employee hurried to tell Ya Fei about them.
• Gu He begged Xiao Cheng to fix his Rubik's Cube, which he had taken apart; Xiao Cheng promised to give him a new one later.
• Ya Fei visited Xiao Cheng, cautioned him about the Heavenly Snake Mansion, and proposed a Mittel Family sales outlet in the Imperial Capital, but Xiao Cheng declined for now.
• Xiao Cheng suspected the Yellow Sand Scorpion riot was a conspiracy aimed at Xiao Li and Xiao Ding and their Mo Tie Mercenary Group.
• Xiao Li and Xiao Ding discussed preparing Stone Desert City for the approaching scorpions and waited for Xue Lan to find Xiao Cheng.

Xiao Cheng arranged to leave for Stone Desert City and considered making the Mitel Family an agent for Ruyi Zhai’s pastries. After hearing of Ruyi Zhai’s new pastries and partnerships, Nalan Jie decided to visit the shop in person, while Xiao Cheng remained unaware of his plans.

• Xiao Cheng learned that the system allowed factions to sell Ruyi Zhai’s pastries as agents and chose the Mitel Family as his likely partner.
• Xiao Cheng told Xiao Yi Xian he was leaving for the Tagor Desert to handle a small matter.
• Mitel Tengshan learned about Ruyi Zhai’s new pastries and its partnerships with the Misty Cloud Sect and Heavenly Snake Mansion, then ordered gifts and pastries sent to the shop.
• Nalan Su reported the partnerships and new pastries to Nalan Jie, who decided to visit Ruyi Zhai in person.
• Nalan Su arranged for two guards to accompany Nalan Jie, while Xiao Cheng remained unaware of the visit.

Xiao Cheng traveled with Xue Lan toward Stone Desert City after the Yellow Sand Scorpions began rampaging, while Xiao Li and Xiao Ding prepared the city’s defenses and suspected the attack was a conspiracy. In Snake People City, Cai Lin considered whether to send aid and decided to wait, but would help for Xiao Cheng’s sake if Stone Desert City could not hold out.

• Xiao Cheng asked Xue Lan whether anything unusual had happened before the Yellow Sand Scorpions went berserk, but she recalled nothing suspicious, so they hurried toward Stone Desert City.
• Xiao Li sealed Stone Desert City’s gates and learned from Dan Zai that the defenses were ready as the Yellow Sand Scorpions advanced beneath the sand.
• Xiao Li told Xiao Ding that the rampage seemed aimed at Stone Desert City, and Xiao Ding agreed they needed to hold out until Xue Lan returned with Xiao Cheng.
• Yue Mei reported the rampage to Cai Lin and asked whether the Snake People Tribe should send reinforcements.
• Cai Lin chose to watch the situation and said she would help Stone Desert City for Xiao Cheng’s sake if it could not hold out.

After Xiao Cheng left Rakshasa City, Zi Yan tormented Mo Ya while Xiao Yu and Xue Ni ran the shop. Fan Ling bought pastries from Ruyi Zhai, but Wu Ying disguised as a Black Skull Tomb disciple stole them, then vanished with the pastries to study them.

• Zi Yan repeatedly cheated while playing games with Mo Ya until he hid in the storage room, while Xiao Yu and Xue Ni served customers at Ruyi Zhai.
• Fan Ling hurried to the shop and bought twenty Peanut Stuffed Date Cakes and twenty Nut Mixed Candies.
• A Black Skull Tomb disciple attacked Fan Ling on his way back, then disappeared after stealing his pastries.
• Fan Ling returned to Ruyi Zhai and bought the same pastries again, determined to catch the thief.
• Wu Ying revealed himself as the Black Mist behind the disguise and carried the stolen pastries away to study them.

Ruyi Zhai’s new pastries drew heavy business while Xiao Cheng traveled toward the Tagor Desert and discovered that the new pastry missions were nearly complete. In the Black Corner Region, Fan Lao questioned the suspicious attack on Fan Ling, and Yuan Yi arranged to meet Mo Tianxing about cooperating to establish an outpost near Rakshasa City.

• Ruyi Zhai attracted bulk orders from clans and factions, while Ao Tuo and the Xiao Clan steward bought pastries and a Misty Cloud Sect disciple also visited.
• Wang Tianfen left Qing Mang to find a way to earn gold coins so they could keep buying pastries to aid their cultivation.
• Xiao Cheng and Xue Lan encountered the Mittel Family’s steward in the Imperial Capital, and Xiao Cheng saw that the missions for the two new pastries were nearly complete.
• Fan Ling told Fan Lao that an attacker dressed like someone from the Black Skull Tomb had stolen his pastries, and Fan Lao suspected the ambush had been planned.
• Mu Jie told Mo Tianxing that Yuan Yi wanted to cooperate with the Black Emperor Sect, and the two sect leaders agreed to discuss the plan tomorrow at noon.

Xiao Cheng and Xue Lan camped in the Tagor Desert before hurrying toward Stone Desert City, while Wu Ying pressed the Black Skull Tomb Master to advance the Soul Hall’s plan and obtain pastries from Ruyi Zhai. The chapter ended with a black-robed figure behind a marked Yellow Sand Scorpion horde approaching Stone Desert City, where the Xiao Clan brothers watched from the gate.

• Xiao Cheng and Xue Lan rested in the desert, shared pastries, and played Train Game, which Xue Lan quickly learned and won.
• Xiao Yu closed the shop in Wutan City as a hidden watcher stared after her group and laughed eerily.
• Wu Ying visited the Black Skull Tomb Master, urged him to continue preparations, promised to help him advance to Dou Zong, and ordered him to obtain pastries from Ruyi Zhai.
• The Black Skull Tomb Master agreed to act secretly despite worrying that opposing Ruyi Zhai could provoke other sects.
• Xiao Cheng and Xue Lan hurried toward Stone Desert City as more than a hundred Yellow Sand Scorpions with strange black markings advanced behind a concealed black-robed figure.
• The Xiao Clan brothers stood atop Stone Desert City's gate and watched the approaching threat.

Xiao Cheng and Xue Lan reached Stone Desert City, where Xiao Cheng wiped out a group of Yellow Sand Scorpions threatening the city and reunited with Xiao Li and Xiao Ding. Meanwhile, Nalan Jie arrived at Ruyi Zhai in Wutan City, where Xiao Yi Xian had not yet noticed him.

• Xiao Cheng claimed his quest reward, ate breakfast with Xue Lan, and set off with her toward Stone Desert City.
• Xiao Cheng detected Yellow Sand Scorpions near Stone Desert City and warned Xue Lan that the city was in danger.
• Xiao Cheng rushed ahead and killed more than a dozen Yellow Sand Scorpions with his lightning-powered attacks.
• Xiao Li, Xiao Ding, and Dan Zai greeted Xiao Cheng and brought him into Stone Desert City, where he remarked on its growth.
• Nalan Jie arrived at Ruyi Zhai in Wutan City while Xiao Yi Xian remained busy inside the shop.

Xiao Cheng caught Xiao Ding and Xiao Li up on the Xiao Clan’s rise and learned more about Stone Desert City’s troubles, though he still did not know who caused the Yellow Sand Scorpion riot. In Wutan City, Nalan Jie visited Ruyi Zhai, discovered its new pastries, and decided the Nalan Family should tie itself to the shop.

• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li told Xiao Cheng they had not noticed anything unusual before the Yellow Sand Scorpion riot because Stone Desert City had grown too quickly.
• Xiao Cheng explained that the Xiao Clan and the Ao Ba Pa Family had formed the Xiao-Ao Alliance after Jia Lie Bi was eliminated, leaving Xiao Ding and Xiao Li surprised by their clan’s progress.
• Xiao Cheng heard about Stone Desert City’s recent problems but could not identify who was behind the riot.
• Nalan Jie arrived at Ruyi Zhai, recognized Yue'er, and learned that the shop had introduced new pastries.
• Nalan Jie decided the Nalan Family needed to tie itself to Ruyi Zhai to keep growing stronger.

Xiao Yu and the others opened Ruyi Zhai in Rakshasa City, while Mo Tianxing and Yuan Yi agreed to cooperate by establishing an outpost near the city. In Wutan City, Nalan Jie visited Ruyi Zhai and asked about Xiao Cheng before leaving after buying pastries.

• Zi Yan chased Mo Ya after he teased her about her dark circles, caught him, and beat him until Xiao Yu sent him to change and tend to his injuries.
• Mo Tianxing told Yuan Yi that a scout had seen Fan Ling’s pastries stolen and proposed that their sects build an outpost near Rakshasa City to gather information about Ruyi Zhai and buy pastries more easily.
• Yuan Yi agreed to cooperate with Mo Tianxing, and the two accepted an invitation to share a banquet.
• Nalan Jie visited Ruyi Zhai in Wutan City and asked Yue'er about Xiao Cheng and whether he had made the pastries himself.
• Nalan Jie bought pastries and left after looking back at the shop signboard, while Gu He remarked that Nalan Jie’s cultivation had caught up with his own.

Xiao Cheng bought expensive Insecticide Spray from the system to deal with the Yellow Sand Scorpions attacking Stone Desert City. As he rushed to test it against the swarm, a hidden black-robed man revealed that he was trying to take the city so he could seize his family’s leadership.

• Xiao Cheng told Xiao Li and Xiao Ding to prepare defenses while he sought a way to handle the Yellow Sand Scorpions.
• Xiao Cheng bought several bottles of Insecticide Spray from the system for fifty thousand Gold Coins each.
• Xue Lan visited Xiao Cheng to ask for more pastries after discovering they had improved her cultivation, and he gave her a package.
• Xiao Li informed Xiao Cheng that more than a hundred Yellow Sand Scorpions were charging toward Stone Desert City.
• Xiao Cheng leaped from the city gate and raced toward the scorpions using the Thunder Spirit Art, intending to test the spray.
• A hidden black-robed man watched Xiao Cheng and said he planned to obtain Stone Desert City to take the position of family head.

Mo Ya lured Fan Ling into playing Gomoku with Zi Yan, while Mittel Tengshan ordered his family to cultivate promising disciples with Ruyi Zhai pastries. In Stone Desert City, Xiao Cheng defeated the Yellow Sand Scorpion swarm but began to suspect a conspiracy.

• Fan Ling visited Ruyi Zhai, and Mo Ya secretly enlisted Zi Yan to make him play Gomoku.
• Zi Yan trapped Fan Ling in a prolonged Gomoku match, leaving him frustrated and blaming Mo Ya.
• Mittel Tengshan ordered his steward to distribute Ruyi Zhai pastries among talented Mittel Family disciples to help cultivate them.
• Xiao Cheng used insecticide spray and his Dragon Pattern Rolling Pin to defeat the Yellow Sand Scorpions after the spray ran out.
• Xiao Cheng sensed that the scorpion crisis was part of a conspiracy and grew increasingly grave.

Xiao Cheng dealt with the Yellow Sand Scorpions in Stone Desert City, but Yue Mei arrived and took him to meet Queen Medusa despite his plans to return to Wutan City. Back in Wutan City, Wang Tianfen and Qing Mang recovered from an accident involving too many pastries, while Xiao Lu appeared briefly at Ruyi Zhai; an unexplained change occurred in the Black Skull Tomb’s tomb master’s room.

• Xiao Cheng used insecticide spray to subdue the Yellow Sand Scorpions, and Xiao Li arranged for them to be carried away.
• Xiao Cheng declined Xiao Ding’s invitation to stay in Stone Desert City, but Yue Mei told him Queen Medusa wanted to see him and persuaded him to go to Snake People City.
• Wang Tianfen ate too many pastries, nearly causing his Dou Qi to make him explode, and Qing Mang absorbed some of it; both were injured.
• Wang Tianfen agreed to buy Qing Mang pastries, candy, and fruit wine as compensation.
• Xiao Lu briefly appeared at Ruyi Zhai, then left before Gu He could ask what was wrong.
• An unexplained change occurred in the tomb master’s room at the Black Skull Tomb’s headquarters.

Xiao Cheng received a quest to sell Red Bean Cakes in Snake People City while Yue Mei escorted him to meet the Queen. Elsewhere, the Black Skull Tomb Master headed to Ruyi Zhai for help, Fan Ling escaped Zi Yan’s cheating chess game, and Bai Ya established a contribution-point system to distribute pastries at Heavenly Snake Mansion.

• Xiao Cheng accepted that Yue Mei would take him to Snake People City and received a quest to sell one hundred servings of Red Bean Cakes before leaving the Tagor Desert.
• The Black Skull Tomb Master realized Soul Hall’s pills had weakened his vitality, decided to seek help from Ruyi Zhai, and left for Rakshasa City.
• Fan Ling became miserable while playing chess with Zi Yan, then made an excuse to leave as Mo Ya worked in the storeroom.
• Bai Ya and the Heavenly Snake Mansion elders agreed to distribute Ruyi Zhai’s pastries through a contribution-point exchange system.

Xiao Cheng traveled with Yue Mei toward Snake People City while Fan Ling persuaded Fan Lao to pursue cooperation with Rakshasa Gate. The chapter ended with Xiao Cheng, Yue Mei, and Mo Ba Si continuing together after Mo Ba Si revealed he had become a one-star Dou Emperor.

• Xiao Cheng asked Yue Mei about the Snake People Tribe, and she said it had been developing well and benefited from its regular pastry deliveries.
• Fan Ling proposed that the Blood Sect cooperate with Rakshasa Gate, and Fan Lao approved his plan to negotiate with them.
• Xiao Yi Xian reprimanded Gu He for forgetting to restock the pastries because he had been playing with a Rubik's Cube, and she ordered him to write a self-criticism.
• Xiao Cheng and Yue Mei set off for Snake People City and met Mo Ba Si, who had come after hearing that Yue Mei was bringing a human.
• Xiao Cheng discovered that Mo Ba Si had advanced to a one-star Dou Emperor, and Mo Ba Si credited the pastries before the three continued toward the city.

Xiao Cheng visited Medusa in Snake People City and proposed an intense physical training regimen to help weak Snake People improve their combat ability. Back in Rakshasa City, Xiao Yu and Xue Ni sold pastries to visitors from three factions.

• Xiao Yu and Xue Ni opened the shop while Zi Yan slept, and Fan Qian promised to gather wild fruits for their pastries.
• Elder Qi Shan and Mu Jie arrived to buy pastries, and Wang Chu ordered fifty bottles of fruit wine for the Mad Lion Gang.
• Xiao Cheng gave pastries to Mo Ba Si and Yue Mei as gifts while they traveled to Snake People City.
• Medusa asked Xiao Cheng how to help Snake People with poor aptitude and weak cultivation.
• Xiao Cheng suggested daily push-ups, sit-ups, and long-distance running alongside body-strengthening pastries.

Nalan Jie and Mitel Tengshan took an interest in Ruyi Zhai’s new pastries, while Xiao Cheng dealt with Medusa’s training plan and received a quest to train ten snake people. He went to Snake People City to sell Red Bean Cakes, as Mo Ya got Wang Chu, Qi Shan, and Mu Jie playing Dou Dizhu in Rakshasa City.

• Nalan Jie told Nalan Su that the Nalan Family should take Ruyi Zhai seriously and gave him the shop’s new pastries to store.
• Mitel Tengshan learned that Ruyi Zhai had released new pastries and sent someone to buy them and bring Xiao Cheng a gift.
• Xiao Cheng persuaded Medusa to let Hua She Er share his proposed training method with capable snake people, then gave Yue Mei some pastries.
• The system gave Xiao Cheng a quest to lead ten snake people in practicing the improved Bald Monk's Cultivation Method, with a cultivation increase as the reward and punishing daily exercises as the failure penalty.
• Xiao Cheng headed to Snake People City to sell Red Bean Cakes, while Wang Chu, Qi Shan, and Mu Jie began playing Dou Dizhu with cards brought out by Mo Ya.