Chapter Summaries

After Jia Lie Market began selling Spring Return Powder, Xiao Yan asked Old Yao to assess it and help the Xiao Clan compete. Old Yao offered the superior Blood Coagulating Powder and revealed that Xiao Yan could become an alchemist, while Xiao Zhan and the elders considered seeking help from Ruyi Zhai.

• Payne told Xiao Zhan that Jia Lie Market had hired a First-grade Alchemist to make Spring Return Powder, drawing customers away from the Xiao Family Market.
• Xiao Yan obtained samples of both clans' healing medicines, and Old Yao dismissed Spring Return Powder as a crude medicinal paste.
• Old Yao offered Xiao Yan the Blood Coagulating Powder formula and explained that he could train Xiao Yan to become an alchemist.
• Xiao Yan agreed to gather the ingredients and disguise himself as an expert to help his clan.
• Xiao Zhan and the Three Elders discussed the threat and decided to ask Xiao Yi Xian at Ruyi Zhai for help while planning how to reduce their market losses.

Xiao Cheng moved his pastry stall to Snake People City’s main street, where Queen Medusa summoned him after realizing the pastries could strengthen her people. He declined her offer to open a shop and instead agreed to sell from an officially approved stall, with Hua She Er handling the arrangements.

• Yue Mei bought pastries from Xiao Cheng and suggested that he promote them on the main street, prompting him to pack up his stall.
• Yan Ci found Xiao Cheng, bought several pastries, and left to spar with Mo Ba Si.
• Queen Medusa reflected on her stable breakthrough to Dou Zong and summoned Hua She Er to bring Xiao Cheng to the temple.
• After a customer balked at the prices on the main street, Hua She Er brought Xiao Cheng to meet Medusa.
• Medusa offered Xiao Cheng a shop so he could sell pastries throughout Snake People City, but he declined and asked for a place to set up a stall.
• Medusa approved Xiao Cheng’s request and assigned Hua She Er to arrange his stall.

Xiao Zhan asked Gu He to help the Xiao Clan counter the healing medicine competing with their shops, only for Gu He to learn his disciple Liu Xi was behind it and head to the Jia Lie Family to discipline him. Meanwhile, Xiao Cheng’s pastry stall in Snake People City drew a crowd after a customer broke through in cultivation by eating Peanut Nougat, leaving Xiao Cheng hopeful that he would complete his mission soon.

• Xiao Zhan told Gu He that the Xiao Clan’s medicine shops were losing business and asked him to refine a better healing medicine.
• Xiao Zhan revealed that Liu Xi, Gu He’s disciple, was the alchemist working for the opposing side, and Gu He promised to bring him back and discipline him.
• Gu He left Ruyi Zhai for the Jia Lie Family, angry that Liu Xi had involved himself in a clan dispute.
• Xiao Cheng set up a pastry stall in Snake People City, where passersby mocked his high prices and claims that his pastries could raise cultivation.
• A plump snake person bought Peanut Nougat, ate it, and broke through in cultivation, prompting the surrounding snake people to line up and buy Xiao Cheng’s pastries.

Xiao Cheng sold out his pastries in Snake People City, struck a supply deal with Medusa, and named her Cai Lin before leaving with Xiao Wu for Stone Desert City. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure in Black Mist began plotting to steal Ruyi Zhai’s formula.

• Xiao Cheng sold all his pastries, completed his promotion quest, and decided to claim its reward after leaving Snake People City.
• Hua She Er brought Xiao Cheng to Medusa, who agreed to buy pastries from him at seventy percent of the original price.
• Xiao Cheng named Medusa Cai Lin, and she promised to send someone to Wutan City to discuss the pastry supply.
• Xiao Cheng left Snake People City with Xiao Wu and headed for Stone Desert City to find Haibodong, while Cai Lin watched him depart and returned to cultivating.
• A figure in Black Mist watched Ruyi Zhai and planned to steal its formula to increase its strength and status.

Gu He expelled Liu Xi from his tutelage after finding him indulging himself at the Jia Lie Family, prompting Jia Lie Bi to end the family’s suppression of the Xiao Clan. After Xiao Zhan learned the crisis was resolved, Protector Wu possessed Liu Xi and sent him to attack Ruyi Zhai.

• Gu He arrived at the Jia Lie Family, where Jia Lie'ao recognized him and led him to Liu Xi.
• Gu He found Liu Xi with two women, expelled him from his tutelage, and left the Jia Lie Family.
• Jia Lie Bi ordered Jia Lie'ao to stop the suppression of the Xiao Clan and arrange an apology to Gu He.
• Gu He told Xiao Zhan that the Xiao Clan’s crisis was over, and Xiao Zhan left Ruyi Zhai.
• Protector Wu possessed the abandoned Liu Xi and ordered him to attack Ruyi Zhai.

After the Jia Lie Family's scheme collapsed, Xiao Yan prepared Blood Coagulating Powder for the Xiao Clan while Xiao Xun'er grew suspicious about the alchemist who helped him. In the Tagor Desert, Xiao Cheng returned to Stone Desert City and learned that the Mo Tie Mercenary Group had taken control after Haibodong crushed Sha Luo's men.

• Xiao Zhan and the Three Elders discussed Gu He's identity, planned to thank Shop Owner Xiao, and made preparations to guard against Jia Lie Bi.
• Old Yao refined Blood Coagulating Powder, and Xiao Yan planned to give it to his father despite learning that the Xiao Clan's crisis had already been resolved.
• Xiao Xun'er questioned Xiao Yan about the medicine, suspected Shop Owner Xiao might be the alchemist, and ordered Elder Ling to investigate.
• Xiao Cheng rode a mountain bike with Xiao Wu to Stone Desert City and found far fewer mercenaries at its gates.
• Xue Lan told Xiao Cheng that Haibodong had frozen Sha Luo's men and that the Mo Tie Mercenary Group had since taken control of Stone Desert City.
• Xiao Cheng followed Xue Lan to the Mo Tie Mercenary Group's headquarters, unaware that the Sand Mercenary Group had become involved with the Mo Family.

Xiao Cheng gave Xiao Ding his durable bicycle and visited Haibodong to bring him back to Wutan City for treatment of his Serpent Seal Curse. He also decided Haibodong’s ice-attributed Dou Qi could make him a useful “mobile refrigerator” for the shop.

• Xue Lan stopped mercenaries from crowding around Xiao Cheng’s bicycle, while Xiao Cheng and Xiao Ding discussed the Sand Mercenary Group’s departure and the danger that Luobu might return.
• Xiao Cheng explained the bicycle’s strength to Xiao Ding and insisted that his friend accept it as a gift.
• Xiao Ding told Xiao Cheng where Haibodong was staying, and Xiao Cheng approached the secluded house through the biting cold.
• Haibodong was surprised that Xiao Cheng had returned safely from Medusa and agreed to go to Wutan City so Xiao Cheng could cure his Serpent Seal Curse.
• Xiao Cheng privately decided to recruit Haibodong as both a bodyguard and a source of cold for preserving food.

Xiao Cheng prepared to leave Stone Desert City after learning that the Soul Hall had attacked Ruyi Zhai, only for the shop’s system defenses to destroy the intruder. He returned to Wutan City with Haibodong by teleportation and headed to the shop to introduce him to his employees.

• Xiao Cheng left Haibodong to rest, then joined Xiao Li and Xiao Ding for a meal, where one cup of liquor knocked him unconscious.
• Liu Xi, controlled by Protector Wu, attacked Ruyi Zhai, but the system’s lightning protection struck him to powder as Protector Wu watched and withdrew.
• The next morning, Xiao Cheng viewed the system’s recording of the attack and suspected the Soul Hall had targeted Ruyi Zhai, prompting him to leave Stone Desert City early.
• Xiao Cheng, Xiao Wu, and Haibodong said farewell to Xiao Li and Xiao Ding, and Xiao Cheng left his bicycle with Xiao Ding.
• Xiao Cheng used Xiao Dian to teleport the group from the Tagor Desert to a secluded corner near Ruyi Zhai, shocking Haibodong before they entered the shop.

Xiao Cheng returned to Ruyi Zhai with Haibodong, learned about the Jia Lie Family’s moves against the Xiao Clan, and visited Xiao Zhan. He stayed for a meal and went to explore the clan with Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er, while still having no plan for dealing with the Soul Hall.

• Xiao Cheng introduced Haibodong to Gu He and arranged a room for him at Ruyi Zhai so he could restore his cultivation.
• Xiao Yi Xian told Xiao Cheng that Xiao Zhan had come looking for him, and Gu He explained how he had expelled Liu Xi from his apprenticeship after the Jia Lie Family’s dispute with the Xiao Clan.
• Xiao Cheng went with Xiao Wu to the Xiao Clan and was welcomed by Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan, whose cultivation had advanced to Two-star Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Cheng told the Xiao Clan members about his trip to the Tagor Desert, then asked Xiao Zhan about the Jia Lie Family’s latest actions against the clan.
• Xiao Zhan invited Xiao Cheng to stay for a meal, then sent Xiao Yan to show him and Xiao Xun'er around the clan.

Xiao Cheng gathered the materials for the shop’s second renovation, restocked its pastries, and introduced Horseshoe Pastry, which could resolve cultivation problems. The system then assigned him a quest to use it to heal ten people or magical beasts within half a month.

• Xiao Cheng collected soil and logs from Xiao Zhan and retrieved the Beast Bones he had left with Ao Ba Pa.
• Back at the shop, Xiao Cheng found Elder Hai, Gu He, and Yue'er playing Dou Dizhu while Xiao Yi Xian managed the remaining pastries.
• Xiao Cheng restocked the pastries and made Horseshoe Pastry, which the system priced at 900 Gold Coins each because it could resolve cultivation problems.
• Xiao Cheng told Xiao Yi Xian the new pastry’s name and price, then sat down to rest.
• The system gave Xiao Cheng a half-month quest to heal ten people or magical beasts with cultivation problems using Horseshoe Pastry, with a minor realm increase as the reward.

Xiao Cheng told Haibodong that the new Horseshoe Pastries could restore his sealed cultivation, and Haibodong hurried to buy some. Meanwhile, Yun Shan questioned Yun Yun about Ruyi Zhai and ordered her to build a relationship with the shop and monitor it, secretly preparing to make a move against it.

• Xiao Lu and Payne visited Ruyi Zhai, where Xiao Lu complained about the Horseshoe Pastries' price and Payne revealed he was a Six-star Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Cheng told Haibodong that Horseshoe Pastries could treat the seal on his cultivation and suggested he try three, so Haibodong went to buy them.
• Yun Shan asked Yun Yun about Ruyi Zhai and learned that its pastries had miraculous effects.
• Yun Shan ordered Yun Yun to build a good relationship with Ruyi Zhai and keep it under close watch, then returned to seclusion.
• Yun Yun worried that Yun Shan might act irrationally, unaware that he was preparing to move against Ruyi Zhai.

Xiao Cheng’s Horseshoe Pastry broke Haibodong’s seal but caused him to unleash a terrible stench, prompting Xiao Wu to throw him out of the shop. Haibodong regained his strength and crashed into the Mitel Family, where he reunited with Mitel Tengshan.

• Haibodong ate three Horseshoe Pastries, which weakened Medusa’s seal on him, while the system warned Xiao Cheng that the pastries could cause side effects.
• Haibodong’s cultivation surged, but he farted; Xiao Cheng ordered Xiao Wu to throw him far away, and the smell drove most customers out of the shop.
• Xiao Cheng cleared the air with the shop’s system and air freshener, then resumed business as Gu He asked about the jasmine scent and described his leisurely new life.
• While hurtling through the sky, Haibodong advanced from Dou Ling to a six-star Dou Huang but could not stop his flight.
• Haibodong crashed through the roof of the Mitel Family in the Imperial Capital and reunited with Mitel Tengshan, who arranged for him to change clothes before they talked.

Haibodong told Mitel Tengshan how Xiao Cheng helped remove his seal and restore his cultivation, and the two agreed to visit Xiao Cheng with gifts. Ge Ye then announced he planned to stay near Ruyi Zhai, leaving Xiao Cheng suspecting that the Misty Cloud Sect had sent him to monitor the shop.

• Haibodong recounted to Mitel Tengshan how he offended Queen Medusa, spent decades in the Tagor Desert, and met Xiao Cheng, who cured his seal with pastries.
• Haibodong explained that Xiao Wu threw him into the sky after he ate the pastries, and Mitel Tengshan teased him before persuading him to thank Xiao Cheng.
• Mitel Tengshan invited Haibodong to travel with him to Wutan City and visit Xiao Cheng with gifts, and Haibodong agreed.
• Xiao Cheng checked with Xiao Wu that he had used only thirty percent of his strength when throwing Haibodong, then worried about where Haibodong had landed.
• Ge Ye told Xiao Cheng he planned to stay near Ruyi Zhai for a while, and Xiao Cheng suspected the Misty Cloud Sect had sent him to spy on the shop.

Xiao Cheng received a quest to help Xiao Yan reach Five-star Dou Zhe and travel to the Tagor Desert, then gave him pastries to support him. After closing Ruyi Zhai, Xiao Cheng began its second renovation, which would finish by morning.

• Xiao Cheng received a quest to help Xiao Yan advance and head to the Tagor Desert for training, and he decided to support Xiao Yan with pastries.
• Yue'er asked Xiao Cheng to make beef dumplings for her, and he promised to find time to prepare them.
• Xiao Yan asked Xiao Cheng for soul-nourishing pastries for an injured friend, and Xiao Cheng gave him three Shredded Pork Floss Pastries and a pack of Peanut Nougat.
• Xiao Cheng told the shop's employees to rest and promised them a surprise the next day.
• Xiao Cheng asked Xiao Dian to begin Ruyi Zhai's second renovation, and the system began a six-hour renovation that isolated the shop from the outside world.

Xiao Cheng surveyed Ruyi Zhai after its renovation and considered how to help Xiao Yan reach Five-star Dou Zhe. Meanwhile, Nalan Su planned to approach Xiao Cheng through the Mitel Family, while Yun Shan agreed under pressure from Protector Wu to capture Xiao Cheng for the Soul Hall.

• Xiao Cheng discovered that the system had renovated Ruyi Zhai with more space, tables, and seats, surprising Yue'er, Xiao Yi Xian, Ao Ba Pa, and the customers.
• Xiao Cheng decided to visit the Xiao Clan more often to help Xiao Yan break through to Five-star Dou Zhe.
• Nalan Jie told Nalan Su to preserve the Nalan Family's relationship with Xiao Cheng and suggested asking Mitel Tengshan about him first.
• Protector Wu warned Yun Shan that a mysterious expert guarded Ruyi Zhai, so Yun Shan proposed targeting Xiao Cheng instead.
• Protector Wu threatened Yun Shan into agreeing to capture Xiao Cheng, and Yun Shan vowed to obtain the pastries and break through to Dou Zong.

Xiao Cheng dealt with Gu He's interest in learning pastry-making, received news from the Mittel Family, and heard about Xiao Ning's breakthrough. The system assigned him a fifteen-day exercise quest, and he decided to make the shop assistants join him.

• Gu He abandoned his plan to create an Elixir Formula and asked Xiao Cheng to teach him how to make Horseshoe Pastry.
• A messenger from the Mittel Auction House delivered Xiao Cheng a letter from the Mittel Family in the Imperial Capital, which mentioned Elder Hai.
• Xiao Ning told Xiao Cheng he had become a Three-star Dou Zhe and planned to keep cultivating after buying pastries and medicinal herbs.
• The system ordered Xiao Cheng to perform the system-improved Eighth Set of Radio Gymnastics for an hour daily for fifteen days, or face a public ballet performance as punishment.
• Xiao Cheng found a cassette tape and recorder in his backpack and decided the three shop assistants should exercise alongside him.

Haibodong and Mitel Tengshan received Nalan Su, who asked them to approach Xiao Cheng about curing his father’s Scorching Poison. At Ruyi Zhai, Xiao Cheng checked his progress toward Level Three Shopkeeper, while Xiao Yan shared pastries with Xiao Zhan before returning to cultivate.

• Haibodong decided to stay with the Mitel Family briefly, and he and Mitel Tengshan discussed maintaining a good relationship with Xiao Cheng despite his refusal to cooperate.
• Nalan Su asked Mitel Tengshan to put in a good word with Xiao Cheng about curing his father’s Scorching Poison, and Tengshan agreed to mention it on a future visit.
• After Nalan Su left, Haibodong criticized his lack of manners, and he and Mitel Tengshan went to play chess in the garden.
• Xiao Cheng checked his Personal Panel and saw that he had 763 experience toward Level Three Shopkeeper, then decided not to visit the Xiao Clan and went to help Xiao Yi Xian.
• Xiao Yan gave Xiao Zhan two Shredded Pork Floss Pastries, kept the Peanut Nougat, and hurried back to cultivate; Xiao Zhan watched him leave and sighed.

Xiao Cheng agreed to consider cooperation with the Mu Family after its steward, Mu Xi, visited Ruyi Zhai. As Ya Fei and Mitel Tengshan learned of the visit and the Misty Cloud Sect’s presence near the shop, concern grew over the competing families’ plans.

• Xiao Cheng let Gu He leave with Gu Ni to discuss alchemy and took over serving customers at Ruyi Zhai.
• Steward Mu Xi visited Ruyi Zhai to propose cooperation, and Xiao Cheng promised to visit the Mu Family in the Imperial Capital in a few days.
• Xiao Cheng gave Mu Xi a bag of Peanut Nougat as a meeting gift, and Mu Xi returned to the Imperial Capital.
• Ya Fei learned that the Mu Family had approached Ruyi Zhai and that people from the Misty Cloud Sect were staying nearby, so she ordered her subordinate to monitor both.
• Mitel Tengshan learned of the Mu Family’s visit and suspected Nalan Su had disclosed Ruyi Zhai’s existence to make the Mu Family test Xiao Cheng’s attitude.

Xiao Cheng bought machines for Ruyi Zhai’s planned membership system, while Gu He took Gu Ni as a nominal disciple. Before Xiao Cheng could begin designing the cards, Ao Ba Pa reported a deadly robbery, and Xiao Cheng set out to investigate near Qingshan Town.

• Xiao Cheng paid one million Gold Coins for membership card processing and manufacturing machines, then placed them beside Ruyi Zhai’s counter.
• Gu He accepted Gu Ni as his nominal disciple after teaching him alchemy, though Gu Ni’s talent limited how far Gu He could advance him.
• Xiao Cheng decided to work on the membership card design first, since he still had more than ten days to complete his other task.
• Ao Ba Pa told Xiao Cheng that masked bandits had robbed his shipment near Qingshan Town and killed all the guards escorting it.
• Xiao Cheng told Ao Ba Pa not to act rashly and said he and Xiao Wu would investigate and recover the goods if they found them.

Xiao Cheng left Wutan City with Xiao Wu to investigate the ambush on Ao Ba Pa’s goods, unaware that Jia Lie Bi and Mu She had joined forces to target him. As they neared Qingshan Town, Xiao Cheng noticed the road was unusually quiet and sensed that something was wrong.

• Xiao Cheng left Gu He, Xiao Yi Xian, and the others in charge of the shop before heading out with Xiao Wu to learn Ao Ba Pa’s cargo route and travel to Qingshan Town.
• Jia Lie Te reported Xiao Cheng’s departure to Jia Lie Bi and revealed that Xiao Wu was accompanying him; Jia Lie Bi ordered continued surveillance and worried about Mu She’s plans.
• Mu She assigned Mu Li to lead men against Xiao Cheng, while the Wolf Head Mercenary Group’s leaders discussed demanding a share of Ruyi Zhai in exchange for their help.
• Xiao Cheng and Xiao Wu continued toward Qingshan Town, and Xiao Cheng wondered why the road was so quiet as trouble appeared ahead.