Chapter Summaries

Xiao Cheng chose light-cyan Qipaos for Ruyi Zhai’s staff and claimed his side-quest reward, bringing his shopkeeper experience close to the next level. Xiao Ning visited to buy Honeyed Shortbread, but Xiao Wu restrained him after he pointed at the guard, leaving Xiao Ning intimidated as he departed.

• Xiao Cheng asked Xiao Yi Xian and Yue'er about uniform colors, chose light-cyan Qipaos, and paid Xiao Dian to make two.
• Xiao Cheng claimed the completed side-quest reward and saw that his shopkeeper experience had reached 221/300 while his Honeyed Shortbread sales stood at 67/100.
• Xiao Ning arrived at Ruyi Zhai and was immediately pinned by Xiao Wu after pointing at him.
• Xiao Cheng ordered Xiao Wu to release Xiao Ning and explained that Xiao Wu was the shop's guard.
• Xiao Ning bought ten jin of Honeyed Shortbread from Xiao Yi Xian and left wary of Xiao Wu.

Xiao Yan continued cultivating while Old Yao told him he would need six more days before he could learn Eight Extremes Collapse. Xiao Cheng then agreed to cooperate with Ao Ba Pa, leaving Ruyi Zhai with a signed contract and a warning to watch Jia Lie Bi.

• Xiao Mei asked Xiao Ning why he looked unwell, and he blamed his bad mood while his arm still hurt from Xiao Wu's lesson.
• Xiao Yan reached One-Star Dou Zhe and asked Old Yao to teach him Eight Extremes Collapse, but Old Yao said he needed six more days of training first.
• Xiao Cheng considered getting a mascot for Ruyi Zhai, then decided his priority was building the shop's reputation and gauging the Misty Cloud Sect's response.
• Ao Ba Pa offered to send his family's younger members to buy pastries in exchange for advance notice of new releases, and Xiao Cheng accepted.
• Ao Ba Pa and Xiao Cheng signed matching contracts, and Xiao Cheng warned Ao Ba Pa to keep an eye on Jia Lie Bi.

Ao Ba Pa partnered with Ruyi Zhai, prompting the Xiao Clan to consider an alliance with him while Jia Lie Bi plotted to exploit the families’ rivalry. After Xiao Cheng was repeatedly beaten at Gomoku, Xiao Dian gave him a quest to teach Dou Dizhu and win, leaving him planning how to restore his reputation.

• Ao Ba Pa announced his partnership with Ruyi Zhai, delighting his family, while Jia Lie Bi learned of the deal and plotted to use it against the Xiao and Ao Ba Pa families.
• Xiao Zhan and the Three Elders discussed Ao Ba Pa’s partnership and decided to seek cooperation among the Xiao Clan, Ao Ba Pa, and Xiao Cheng to restrain Jia Lie Bi.
• Yue'er coaxed Xiao Cheng into playing Gomoku against Xiao Yi Xian, who beat him in five of their seven rounds.
• Xiao Dian offered Xiao Cheng a quest to teach his employees Dou Dizhu and prove his skill, with a pet card as the reward and a permanent losing-at-games buff as the failure penalty.
• Xiao Cheng learned that Xiao Dian would provide the cards and began considering how to use Dou Dizhu to regain his reputation.

Xiao Cheng introduced Dou Dizhu to Xiao Yi Xian and Yue'er, but Yue'er won their first round before Gu Ni arrived with an invitation from Mitel Tengshan. Xiao Cheng declined to visit the Mittel Family for now and checked that he had sold 80 of the 100 jin of Honeyed Shortbread required for his quest.

• Xiao Cheng struggled to beat Xiao Yi Xian at Gomoku until she suggested they try another game.
• Xiao Cheng taught Xiao Yi Xian and Yue'er the rules of Dou Dizhu, and Yue'er won their first round.
• Gu Ni arrived to buy pastries on Mitel Tengshan's orders and invited Xiao Cheng to the Mittel Family to discuss further cooperation.
• Xiao Cheng declined the invitation for now, and Gu Ni bought pastries before leaving the shop.
• Xiao Cheng checked his Personal Panel and saw that his Honeyed Shortbread quest had reached 80/100 jin.

Xiao Cheng managed a sudden rush of customers at Ruyi Zhai and completed his Main Quest, earning the recipe for God-tier Mung Bean Cakes. He bought peeled mung beans and went to the kitchen to make the cakes and restock the pastries.

• Ao Di visited Ruyi Zhai, bought pastries, and left before a large crowd poured into the shop.
• Xiao Cheng quieted the noisy crowd and had the customers line up while he, Xiao Yi Xian, and Yue'er served them.
• After the customers left, Xiao Cheng checked his quest progress and claimed the Main Quest reward, receiving the God-tier Mung Bean Cakes recipe.
• Xiao Cheng bought peeled mung beans from Xiao Dian and reviewed his Personal Panel, including his ongoing side quests and shopkeeper experience.
• Xiao Cheng instructed Xiao Yi Xian and headed to the back kitchen to prepare Mung Bean Cakes and replenish the pastries.

Xiao Cheng made Mung Bean Cakes that eased Xiao Yi Xian’s Calamity Poison Body and improved Yue’er’s health, then refused Ge Ye’s invitation to cooperate with the Misty Cloud Sect. He returned to Ruyi Zhai and considered how to strengthen his shop assistants.

• Xiao Cheng prepared Mung Bean Cakes and shared them with Xiao Yi Xian and Yue’er, who both noticed their bodies felt lighter after eating them.
• Xiao Cheng explained that Mung Bean Cakes could gradually remove toxins, and Xiao Yi Xian quietly seemed to make a decision.
• Ge Ye visited Ruyi Zhai on the Misty Cloud Sect leader’s orders and invited Xiao Cheng to discuss cooperation.
• Xiao Cheng tactfully refused Ge Ye’s invitation, privately thinking he would visit the Misty Cloud Sect only when Xiao Yan went there.
• After Ge Ye left, Xiao Cheng wondered how to improve his shop assistants’ strength and decided he might need to ask Xiao Dian for help.

Xiao Cheng played Dou Dizhu with Xiao Yi Xian and Yue'er, then claimed a Random Pet Card after completing a side quest. The next morning, he made Mung Bean Cakes and received a quest to sell one hundred of them within seven days.

• Xiao Dian told Xiao Cheng that reaching Shopkeeper Level Two would bring unexpected surprises, and Xiao Cheng decided to work toward leveling up.
• Xiao Cheng played several rounds of Dou Dizhu with Xiao Yi Xian and Yue'er, winning most of them before they closed the shop for the night.
• Xiao Cheng claimed the completed side quest's Random Pet Card and stored it in his inventory without inspecting it.
• Xiao Cheng prepared one hundred Mung Bean Cakes the next morning, and Xiao Dian set their price at 128 Gold Coins each.
• Xiao Dian gave Xiao Cheng a seven-day quest to sell one hundred Mung Bean Cakes, with a reward of two minor realms and a mung-bean-flavor punishment for failure.

Xiao Cheng sold Xiao Xun'er three Mung Bean Cakes, then used a Random Pet Card to obtain a kitten he named Bai Suzhen. After Old Yao discovered that Xiao Yan had been poisoned by a contaminated herb, Xiao Yan set off for Ruyi Zhai to ask Xiao Cheng for help.

• Xiao Xun'er hurried to Ruyi Zhai, bought three Mung Bean Cakes for their detoxifying effect, and left in a hurry.
• Xiao Cheng used a Random Pet Card and received an ordinary female kitten, whom he named Bai Suzhen.
• Bai Suzhen cuddled up to Xiao Cheng and rejected Yue'er when she tried to pet her.
• Old Yao discovered toxins in Xiao Yan that could slow his cultivation, and Xiao Yan traced them to magical beast venom in one of his herbs.
• Old Yao suggested that Xiao Yan ask Shop Owner Xiao for help, so Xiao Yan headed to Ruyi Zhai.

Xiao Cheng sold Mung Bean Cakes at Ruyi Zhai, and Xiao Yan bought some to clear toxins from his body. After Old Yao confirmed the cakes were working, he planned for Xiao Yan to train in the Monster Mountain Range and cultivate Eight Extremes Collapse.

• Xiao Yan hurried to Ruyi Zhai and asked Xiao Cheng for help clearing toxins from his body.
• Xiao Cheng offered Xiao Yan Mung Bean Cakes, and Xiao Yan reduced his order from five to two after learning each cost 128 Gold Coins.
• Xiao Yi Xian introduced the Mung Bean Cakes to customers, and Xiao Cheng's quest panel showed that nineteen had been sold.
• Xiao Yan ate a Mung Bean Cake at home, and Old Yao confirmed that it had removed most of the toxins from his body.
• Old Yao told Xiao Yan to buy enough pastries for three days and prepare to train in the Monster Mountain Range while learning Eight Extremes Collapse.
• Xiao Yan agreed to speak with his father before leaving and vowed to prove Nalan Yanran and the Misty Cloud Sect wrong.

Jia Lie Bi’s trade blockade pushed Ao Ba Pa to seek an alliance with the Xiao Clan, whose leaders agreed to discuss cooperation with Shop Owner Xiao. Meanwhile, Xiao Cheng received a timed quest to make mascot food for Little Zhen and began preparing fish cookies.

• Jia Lie Bi ordered every shop in his market to cut off business with Ao Ba Pa Market.
• Ao Ba Pa dismissed the blockade and contacted the Xiao Clan to arrange cooperation.
• Xiao Zhan consulted the Three Elders, and they agreed to discuss a three-party partnership with Shop Owner Xiao.
• Little Zhen clung to Xiao Cheng while Yue'er watched jealously.
• Xiao Cheng received a three-hour quest to make an exclusive ration for Bai Suzhen, with a Mascot House as the reward and becoming a cat person for three days as the penalty.
• Xiao Cheng decided to make fish-flavored cookies and carried Little Zhen to the back kitchen.

Xiao Cheng made Little Fish Biscuits for Little Zhen and claimed a quest reward that provided her with a luxurious cat house. Meanwhile, Ao Ba Pa negotiated with Xiao Zhan and the Xiao Family elders, then joined Xiao Zhan in going to Ruyi Zhai to discuss a three-way cooperation with Xiao Cheng.

• Xiao Cheng baked Little Fish Biscuits, and Little Zhen eagerly ate several once they had cooled.
• Xiao Cheng claimed the completed quest reward, receiving a fully equipped cat house for Little Zhen.
• Xiao Cheng showed Little Zhen her new home, and Xiao Yi Xian and Yue'er reacted to the cat house.
• Ao Ba Pa proposed that the Xiao Family, Ruyi Zhai, and he cooperate, offering Xiao Family merchants access and preferential treatment in his market.
• Xiao Zhan agreed to discuss the final arrangement with Xiao Cheng, and he and Ao Ba Pa headed to Ruyi Zhai.

Xiao Cheng agreed to a partnership between the Xiao and Ao Ba Pa clans, then met Gu He, who came to investigate Ruyi Zhai’s miraculous pastries. After tasting them, Gu He accepted Xiao Cheng’s invitation to stay at the shop and exchange alchemy insights.

• Ao Ba Pa proposed a three-way partnership with Xiao Cheng and the Xiao Clan to counter Jia Lie Bi’s pressure on his marketplace, and Xiao Cheng agreed to offer their disciples discounts.
• Xiao Zhan and Ao Ba Pa signed duplicate contracts with Xiao Cheng and left to announce the alliance.
• Gu He, an elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, visited Ruyi Zhai and asked Xiao Cheng to exchange alchemy insights.
• Yue'er greeted Gu He, and Xiao Cheng offered him pastries to sample; Gu He praised their effects and asked how ordinary mung beans could produce detoxifying Mung Bean Cakes.
• Xiao Cheng invited Gu He to stay at the shop, and Gu He accepted so they could discuss alchemy.

Gu He stayed at Ruyi Zhai, while Xiao Cheng assessed the shop’s quests and the growing interest in its pastries. At the Xiao family residence, Xiao Ning challenged Xiao Yan to a spar, and their fight ended when Xiao Xun'er arrived.

• Xiao Cheng reviewed his Personal Panel and noted that his pastry quests were progressing slowly as Gu He remained at Ruyi Zhai.
• Ao Ba Pa and Xiao Zhan told their families about their cooperation with Xiao Cheng, prompting family members to hurry to Ruyi Zhai for discounted pastries.
• Xiao Ning visited Xiao Yan and challenged him to spar, revealing that he had reached Two-star Dou Zhe while Xiao Yan had reached One-Star Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Ning exchanged fierce blows, with Xiao Yan holding his own but suffering a slight injury before Xiao Ning left.
• Xiao Xun'er arrived to see Xiao Yan, and Xiao Ning departed with his resentment toward Xiao Yan deepened.

Xiao Yan recovered from his spar with Xiao Ning, bought pastries from Ruyi Zhai, and set out for the Monster Mountain Range to train. Xiao Cheng continued running the shop and noticed business improving as Princess Yao Ye arrived outside Wutan City.

• Xiao Xun'er visited Xiao Yan, learned that Xiao Ning had challenged him, and asked to go buy pastries with him before he explained that he would be training the next day.
• Xiao Cheng regretted promising Gu He a look at the mung bean cake process, then gave him mung beans to study instead.
• Xiao Yan bought two mung bean cakes from Xiao Cheng as supplies for his trip and left for the Monster Mountain Range.
• Xiao Cheng noticed customers from several families coming to Ruyi Zhai and rejoiced that the shop's task progress was advancing.
• Princess Yao Ye, the eldest princess of the Jia Ma Imperial Family, arrived outside Wutan City.

Yao Ye visited Ruyi Zhai, reunited with Yue'er, and bought a large quantity of pastries, greatly boosting Xiao Cheng's shop progress. Xiao Cheng checked his panel and found he needed only twelve more experience points to reach Level Two Shopkeeper.

• Yao Ye arrived at Ruyi Zhai and explained that she had come on behalf of Jia Xing Tian and to see the shop, not to take Yue'er home.
• Yao Ye thanked Xiao Yi Xian for caring for Yue'er, then asked Xiao Cheng about the Mung Bean Cakes after hearing customers discuss their detoxifying effects.
• Yao Ye bought ten Mung Bean Cakes and a large assortment of other pastries, leaving the shop's customers astonished.
• Yao Ye noticed Gu He in the shop, and Xiao Cheng explained why the Sixth-grade Alchemist was there before Yao Ye left after speaking with Yue'er.
• Xiao Cheng checked his Personal Panel and saw that his shopkeeper experience had reached 288/300, while his candy and Mung Bean Cake quests had also advanced.

Gu He asked Xiao Cheng to teach him how to make pastries, and Xiao Cheng hired him as Ruyi Zhai’s kitchen helper. After tasting Xiao Cheng’s Sticky Rice Strips, Gu He achieved enlightenment about elixir refinement and hurried away to test his insights, while Xiao Cheng prepared to sell the strips.

• Gu He asked Xiao Cheng to teach him how to make Mung Bean Cakes, then offered to work in his shop.
• Xiao Cheng accepted Gu He as a kitchen helper and received the Sticky Rice Strips recipe from the system.
• Xiao Cheng taught Gu He how to prepare and fry Sticky Rice Strips, then coated them with sugar.
• Gu He tasted a Sticky Rice Strip and suddenly understood how to overcome obstacles in elixir refinement.
• Gu He rushed away to enter seclusion, and Xiao Cheng learned the Sticky Rice Strips would sell for 80 Gold Coins per jin.

Xiao Cheng sold new pastries at Ruyi Zhai and convinced Gu Ni that Sticky Rice Strips might help him gain an epiphany. After eating several, Gu Ni had one and rushed back to the auction house without paying, leaving Xiao Cheng to cover the bill.

• Xiao Mei bought Sticky Rice Strips, Mung Bean Cakes, and Sesame Candy from Xiao Cheng before leaving to cultivate.
• Little Zhen played with a ball of yarn while Xiao Cheng tended the shop.
• Gu Ni came to Ruyi Zhai hoping to seek guidance from Gu He, but Xiao Cheng told him Gu He had returned to seclusion after an epiphany.
• Xiao Cheng told Gu Ni that Sticky Rice Strips had helped Gu He have his epiphany, and persuaded him to buy two pounds.
• Gu Ni ate several Sticky Rice Strips, had an epiphany, and hurried away without paying; Xiao Cheng decided to cover the cost and collect it later.

Xiao Cheng used a fusion reward to combine Peach Pastry and Peanut Candy into a Peanut Nougat recipe, then received a quest to sell one hundred boxes. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan tested Eight Extremes Collapse and set out for the Monster Mountain Range to gain experience in battle.

• Xiao Cheng learned that his Upgrade Gift Pack contained a pastry fusion opportunity and asked Xiao Yi Xian and Yue'er which pastries sold poorly.
• Xiao Cheng paid three thousand Gold Coins to fuse Peach Pastry and Peanut Candy, creating the Peanut Nougat recipe.
• Xiao Cheng received a seven-day quest to sell one hundred boxes of Peanut Nougat for a random Dou Skill draw opportunity and reviewed his other quest progress.
• Xiao Yan used Eight Extremes Collapse to destroy a tree, and Old Yao credited Honeyed Shortbread with helping build his foundation.
• Xiao Yan agreed with Old Yao to seek life-and-death battles and headed toward the Monster Mountain Range.

Xiao Cheng made Peanut Nougat and added it to the shop's offerings while discontinuing Peach Pastry and Peanut Candy for the time being. After Xiao Lu bought several pastries and asked for benefits as a loyal customer, Xiao Cheng received a New Year's Gift Package notification with a countdown and decided to make dumplings for the shop assistants that evening.

• Xiao Cheng prepared Peanut Nougat, priced at 228 gold coins for a pack of twelve, and had Xiao Yi Xian and Yue'er mark Peach Pastry and Peanut Candy as temporarily discontinued.
• Xiao Cheng introduced Peanut Nougat to the shop, and Xiao Lu arrived after being busy with the Ao Ba Pa Family's work with the Xiao Clan.
• Xiao Lu questioned the discontinued pastries and the Peanut Nougat's price, then bought a Mung Bean Cake, a pound of Sticky Rice Strips, and a pack of Peanut Nougat.
• Xiao Lu asked Xiao Cheng to give old customers benefits later, and Xiao Cheng agreed while wondering when Xiao Dian would arrange a promotion.
• The system notified Xiao Cheng that he had obtained a New Year's Gift Package and that twelve hours and fifty-nine minutes remained until its countdown began.
• Xiao Cheng decided to make dumplings for the shop assistants that evening.

Xiao Yan traveled toward the Monster Mountain Range, where Old Yao planned to train him to master the hidden force of the Eight Extremes Collapse. Meanwhile, Xiao Cheng sold pastries to Jia Lie'ao and suspected the Jia Lie Family was preparing to act against him.

• Old Yao explained that Xiao Yan had only learned the visible force of the Eight Extremes Collapse and promised to teach him hidden force in the Monster Mountain Range.
• Xiao Yan reached Qingshan Town and heard mercenaries discuss Xiao Yi Xian's departure and the local young leader's interest in her.
• Xiao Cheng noticed Jia Lie'ao enter his shop and deflected his questions about who helped make the pastries.
• Jia Lie'ao bought several pastries and reserved a Cream Cake, while privately resolving to discuss Xiao Cheng's products with his father.
• After Jia Lie'ao left, Xiao Cheng suspected Jia Lie Bi was preparing to make a move and wondered how strong Xiao Wu was.