Chapter Summaries

Xiao Cheng prepared foul prank tools for Luobu and learned from Xue Lan that Luobu might attack the next day. Meanwhile, Ao Ba Pa sought advice about inconsistencies in how the Xiao Clan and his family managed their shared marketplace, and went to discuss a unified profit-sharing rule with Xiao Zhan.

• Xiao Cheng made prank tools, accidentally released a Stinky Tofu Bomb, and packed the gadgets into his personal backpack.
• Xiao Cheng learned from Xue Lan that Luobu might attack the next day and planned to use his prepared tools against him that night.
• Ao Ba Pa visited Ruyi Zhai to find Xiao Cheng, but Xiao Yi Xian told him the shop owner was away for several days.
• Ao Ba Pa explained that differing management and profit-sharing rules had caused conflicts in the families' shared marketplace.
• Gu He suggested establishing a unified profit-sharing rule, so Ao Ba Pa went to discuss it with Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Cheng disrupted Luobu’s Sand Mercenary Group with Chili Bombs, Pepper Bombs, and stinky tofu, forcing them to relocate their camp overnight. He rode back toward Stone Desert City while Luobu and Mo Ran vowed to find the culprit.

• Xiao Cheng told Xiao Ding and Xiao Li he would visit Luobu that night and leave him a surprise.
• Xiao Cheng rode to the Sand Mercenary Group’s camp and threw Chili Bombs and Pepper Bombs, filling it with red and yellow smoke.
• Xiao Cheng threw jars of stinky tofu into the camp, overwhelming the mercenaries and leaving Luobu and Mo Ran surrounded by the stench.
• Luobu ordered the mercenaries to search for the attacker, but Xiao Cheng escaped on his bicycle.
• Luobu relocated the camp overnight, while Xiao Ding and Xiao Li realized Xiao Cheng had caused the chaos.
• Xiao Cheng rode leisurely back toward Stone Desert City as Luobu and Mo Ran grew furious.

Xiao Cheng planned to disrupt Luobu while nearing Level Three Shopkeeper, but Luobu prepared a full-scale attack on Stone Desert City. After Xue Lan warned the Mo Tie Mercenary Group, Xiao Cheng persuaded Haibodong to confront the attackers.

• Xiao Li told Xiao Cheng that Luobu and his men had been tormented overnight, and Xiao Cheng admitted he had caused it.
• Xiao Cheng learned that reaching Level Three Shopkeeper would unlock a Pastry Training Room costing ten thousand Gold Coins per hour, and he focused on completing his quest before time ran out.
• Mo Ran blamed the Mo Tie Mercenary Group for the previous night's prank, and Luobu gathered his men to attack Stone Desert City.
• Xue Lan spotted Luobu's forces mobilizing and hurried back to warn Xiao Cheng and the others.
• Xiao Cheng persuaded Haibodong to take on the attackers, and the Mo Tie Mercenary Group prepared for battle.

Xiao Cheng and the others prepared to defend Stone Desert City against Luobu's Sand Mercenary Group and the Mo Family. After Xiao Cheng used chili and pepper bombs to injure Mo Ran, a Mo Family fighter forced him to flee and call for Haibodong.

• Xiao Cheng checked the time limit, learned Luobu's group was nearing Stone Desert City, and gave Xiao Li instructions for using his remaining gadgets.
• Xiao Cheng asked Haibodong to help in the coming battle, and Haibodong mocked his lack of strength before returning to his tea.
• Luobu and Mo Ran arrived with their forces, and Xiao Li and Xiao Ding traded taunts with them before the attack began.
• Xiao Cheng's chili and pepper bombs sent the attackers into chaos, allowing him to strike Mo Ran from behind and severely injure him.
• A Three-star Dou Shi from the Mo Family interrupted Xiao Cheng as he moved to finish Mo Ran, so Xiao Cheng ran toward Stone Desert City and called for Haibodong's help.

Haibodong drove the Sand Mercenary Group and the Mo Family away from Stone Desert City after threatening Mo Ran, and Xiao Cheng’s quest rewards became available. Xiao Cheng then advanced to Level Three Shopkeeper, unlocked the Pastry Training Room, and received a gift pack as he prepared to return to his shop.

• Haibodong revealed himself as the Ice Emperor and warned Mo Ran that he would destroy the Mo Family if they attacked Stone Desert City again.
• Mo Ran and Luobu withdrew with the Sand Mercenary Group and the Mo Family, while Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and the others celebrated their departure.
• Xiao Cheng declined to learn the Mysterious Tier Body Refining Technique or advance his cultivation until he returned to the shop.
• Xiao Cheng returned to the hall with the group, then went to his room to study the technique while Haibodong played Gomoku with Xue Lan.
• The system announced that Xiao Cheng had become a Level Three Shopkeeper, unlocked the Pastry Training Room, and received a Level Three Shopkeeper Assistance Gift Pack.

Xiao Cheng warned Xiao Li that Mo Ran’s retreat might lead to trouble, then tried to teleport back to Ruyi Zhai with Haibodong but was sent near Qingshan Town by a system malfunction. As Xiao Cheng and Haibodong camped in the Monster Mountain Range, a pale-eyed figure began moving toward Xiao Cheng after tearing apart a magical beast.

• Xiao Cheng warned Xiao Li that Mo Ran’s retreat could foreshadow trouble from the Mo Family, and Xiao Li agreed to stay alert.
• Xiao Cheng found Haibodong cultivating and set off with him for Ruyi Zhai.
• The teleportation malfunctioned and sent Xiao Cheng and Haibodong near Qingshan Town; Xiao Cheng argued with the system, which offered him a little red flower as compensation and threatened to activate Hell Mode.
• Xiao Cheng and Haibodong decided to spend the night in the Monster Mountain Range, hunted and roasted a first-tier magical beast, and rested.
• A pale-eyed figure muttered Xiao Cheng’s name, tore apart a second-tier magical beast, and headed toward him.

Xiao Cheng and Haibodong encountered a Soul Hall puppet in the Monster Mountain Range after the system warned Xiao Cheng that it would come to kill him. Xiao Cheng tried to fight it alone, but its strength quickly forced him to call Haibodong for help.

• At Ruyi Zhai, Gu Ni asked Gu He about alchemy, then hurried out, while Xiao Xun'er bought pastries and Ao Ba Pa left after learning Xiao Cheng was still away.
• Xiao Cheng offered Haibodong free pastries in exchange for acting as a bodyguard when they returned to the shop, and Haibodong agreed.
• The system warned Xiao Cheng that a Three-star Great Dou Master puppet controlled by the Soul Hall would attack him, and explained that it had been made from a Wolf Head Mercenary Group member's corpse.
• The puppet appeared and charged Xiao Cheng, who struck it with a palm powered by the Thunderclap Art and knocked it back.
• Xiao Cheng realized he could not defeat the pain-proof puppet alone and called Haibodong over to help him.

Xiao Cheng defeated a berserk puppet with Haibodong’s help, then encountered the Sixth-tier Purple Crystal Winged Lion King and received a quest to establish a cooperative relationship with it. After explaining Ruyi Zhai’s products, he persuaded the beast to take him and Haibodong to its dwelling to discuss cooperation.

• Haibodong froze the puppet, but it revived in black mist and attacked Xiao Cheng with increased speed and strength.
• Xiao Cheng fought the puppet with the Thunderclap Art, endured its stronger cultivation, and finally struck its left chest, causing it to turn to ash.
• Xiao Cheng completed his side quest and received a scratch card as a Sixth-tier Magical Beast approached.
• The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King questioned Xiao Cheng and Haibodong, and Xiao Cheng received a special quest to form a cooperative relationship with it.
• Xiao Cheng introduced himself and Ruyi Zhai, described the store’s pastries, and proposed cooperation with the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.
• The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King lowered its guard and led Xiao Cheng and Haibodong toward its dwelling.

Mitel Tengshan and Nalan Jie discussed Xiao Cheng’s pastries and agreed to promote Ruyi Zhai by having their families buy them. At Ruyi Zhai, Ya Fei checked whether Xiao Cheng had returned and asked Xiao Yi Xian to send him to the Mittel Auction House when he came back.

• Mitel Tengshan learned from Nalan Jie that Xiao Cheng had cured his Scorching Poison with a Mung Bean Cake, and Nalan Jie revealed his cultivation might be advancing.
• Nalan Jie asked Mitel Tengshan to help persuade Xiao Cheng to cooperate with the Nalan Family on an Imperial Capital branch, but Tengshan explained Xiao Cheng would not partner with any faction.
• Mitel Tengshan showed Nalan Jie pastries from Ruyi Zhai and described their benefits, prompting Nalan Jie to decide that every Nalan Family member would buy them.
• Mitel Tengshan joked that the Mitel Family’s younger generation should buy pastries too, and he and Nalan Jie continued chatting.
• Ya Fei visited Ruyi Zhai and asked Xiao Yi Xian whether Xiao Cheng had returned, though she already knew he was away.
• Ya Fei asked Xiao Yi Xian to tell Xiao Cheng to visit the Mittel Auction House when he returned, leaving Gu He to wonder whether Ya Fei was interested in him.

Xiao Cheng persuaded the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King to cooperate with Ruyi Zhai by supplying pastries to the Magical Beasts in exchange for their help managing the shop and delivering orders. With the partnership agreed and the system mission completed, he and Haibodong headed back toward the shop.

• The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King questioned Xiao Cheng’s reason for entering the Monster Mountain Range, and Xiao Cheng explained that he wanted to make a deal and offered it Peanut Nougat to try.
• After feeling the pastries’ power, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King asked Xiao Cheng what he wanted, and Xiao Cheng proposed that Magical Beasts deliver pastries for Ruyi Zhai in return for regular supplies.
• The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King agreed to cooperate after asking for pastries as a deposit, and Xiao Cheng gave it the remaining pastries.
• Haibodong questioned Xiao Cheng’s plan, then recognized that the Magical Beasts could become a powerful source of support for Ruyi Zhai.
• Xiao Cheng hurried Haibodong out of the Monster Mountain Range after receiving a system notification that the mission was complete.

Xiao Cheng returned to Ruyi Zhai, heard about Ya Fei’s request and Ao Ba Pa’s proposal, and welcomed Haibodong as the shop’s new guard. After receiving system rewards and advancing to a One-star Great Dou Master, he left to speak with Ao Ba Pa.

• Xiao Cheng returned to Ruyi Zhai, where Gu He told him that Ya Fei wanted to meet him and Xiao Yi Xian relayed Ao Ba Pa’s message.
• Xiao Cheng introduced Haibodong as the shop’s new security guard, then used a scratch card and received freeze-dried fruit.
• Xiao Cheng opened his Level Three Shopkeeper gift pack and obtained three Pastry Training Room trial cards and a cultivation-boosting pudding.
• Xiao Cheng led the employees, including Haibodong, through morning exercises and prepared upgraded Mung Bean Cakes for sale.
• Xiao Cheng advanced to One-star Great Dou Master and, after checking his Personal Panel, left for Ao Ba Pa’s place.

Xiao Cheng helped Ao Ba Pa resolve a dispute over managing three marketplace districts, then used Freeze-dried Fruit and pudding to raise his cultivation to a Four-star Great Dou Master. He asked the system to stop assigning cultivation-boosting missions, and the chapter ended as Ya Fei arrived at Ruyi Zhai for another visit.

• Xiao Cheng suggested that Ao Ba Pa and the Xiao Clan combine their three marketplace districts into one collective and appoint separate managers, leaving profit arrangements for them to negotiate.
• Xiao Cheng ate Freeze-dried Fruit and broke through to become a Two-star Great Dou Master.
• Xiao Cheng ate mango pudding, rushed to the kitchen to refine its powerful energy, and advanced to a Four-star Great Dou Master.
• Xiao Cheng told Xiao Dian he would refuse future cultivation-boosting missions, and the system agreed to make appropriate changes.
• Xiao Cheng returned to the front of the shop, where Ya Fei arrived for another visit.

Xiao Cheng sold upgraded Mung Bean Cakes to Ya Fei and gave Xiao Yan extra pastries while Xiao Lu also visited his shop. Meanwhile, Yun Yun grew worried about Yun Shan’s strange behavior, and Protector Wu began plotting against Xiao Cheng after failing to kill him twice.

• Ya Fei bought twenty upgraded Mung Bean Cakes from Xiao Cheng for nearly twelve thousand Gold Coins.
• Xiao Yan told Xiao Cheng he had reached Four-star Dou Shi, and Xiao Cheng gave him several pastries despite his protests.
• Xiao Lu visited Ruyi Zhai and bought Sticky Rice Strips and Sesame Candy.
• Yun Yun suspected something was wrong with Yun Shan and sent a letter to Xiao Cheng asking for help.
• Yun Shan’s pill from Protector Wu had changed his temperament after raising him to One-star Dou Zong.
• Protector Wu became more determined to take Xiao Cheng’s shop and began plotting against him.

After the Mo Family decided to investigate the Mo Tie Mercenary Group and bring Mo Ran back, Xiao Cheng mediated a dispute between Gu He and Haibodong at Ruyi Zhai. Jia Xing Tian arrived to visit Yue'er and sample the shop's pastries, leaving Xiao Cheng in the company of several powerful guests.

• Mo Cheng gathered the Mo Family elders, ordered them to retrieve Mo Ran and investigate the Mo Tie Mercenary Group, and vowed revenge once they knew its background.
• Xiao Cheng stopped Gu He and Haibodong from arguing over a chess game and invited them to play Dou Dizhu instead.
• Jia Xing Tian arrived at Ruyi Zhai to check on Yue'er, try its pastries, and meet Xiao Cheng.
• Yue'er welcomed Jia Xing Tian and told him about her time at the shop, while he questioned Xiao Cheng about the pastries and probed his background.
• Xiao Cheng, Gu He, Haibodong, and Jia Xing Tian chatted together as Xiao Yi Xian remained busy serving customers.

Jia Xing Tian visited Xiao Cheng’s shop, where a piece of Peanut Nougat helped him break through to Dou Zong. As the guests took up Dou Dizhu, Xiao Cheng received an assessment quest to develop a fruit-based beverage, which blocked future quests until he completed it.

• Jia Xing Tian asked Xiao Cheng whether his pastries were miraculous, and Xiao Cheng gave him Peanut Nougat to try.
• Yue'er fed Jia Xing Tian the nougat, and he advanced from peak Nine-star Dou Huang to One-star Dou Zong.
• Yue'er taught Jia Xing Tian and the others to play Dou Dizhu, and Jia Xing Tian got hooked despite losing his first round.
• The system gave Xiao Cheng an assessment quest to independently develop a beverage using fruit from the Dou Qi Continent, with no reward or time limit but with future quests blocked until completion.
• Xiao Cheng learned that the beverage was meant to balance the richness of pastries, accepted the quest, and returned to work.

Xiao Cheng learned the Body Tempering Technique, enduring intense pain and a filthy cleanup before waking with a stronger, more flexible body. The next morning, a system notification stunned him with news that someone’s cultivation had risen rapidly.

• Xiao Cheng ended the card game and learned that Jia Xing Tian would stay in Wutan City for a few more days to enjoy the pastries.
• After reviewing his quest problem and personal panel, Xiao Cheng decided to learn the Body Tempering Technique in the back kitchen.
• The technique caused Xiao Cheng severe pain and covered him in foul-smelling grime, but it successfully strengthened his body.
• Xiao Cheng spent dozens of buckets of water washing himself and cleaned the back kitchen before going to bed.
• The next morning, Xiao Cheng noticed his improved physical condition and worried about figuring out beverages for his assessment quest.
• A system notification reported that someone’s cultivation had risen quickly, leaving Xiao Cheng astonished.

Xiao Cheng unlocked a recipe for Sour Plum Drink, bought an expensive machine to make and package it, and started selling the drink at Ruyi Zhai. A new system quest required him to find pastries that paired with it within a day, while Gu He and Haibodong sampled the drink.

• Xiao Cheng learned that Xiao Yan had completed his quest by reaching Five-star Dou Zhe and received the Sour Plum Drink recipe as his reward.
• Xiao Cheng paid 300,000 Gold Coins for a Sour Plum Drink machine, prepared the ingredients, and collected the automatically packaged drinks.
• Xiao Cheng received a quest to find pastries that paired with Sour Plum Drink within twenty-four hours, with no reward and a boulder-smashing penalty for failure.
• Xiao Cheng had Xiao Yi Xian advertise Sour Plum Drink for 420 Gold Coins per cup and told Gu He that it was meant to accompany pastries.
• Gu He bought and enjoyed a cup, and Haibodong bought one too after watching him.

Xiao Yan broke through to Five-star Dou Zhe and visited Ruyi Zhai with Xiao Xun'er, where Xiao Cheng gave him Sour Plum Drink in hopes of helping Old Yao recover. Xiao Cheng then learned that a neglected quest had failed, and the system upgraded his punishment to performing yoga in the street for three hours.

• Xiao Yan nearly died after consuming too many pastries, but Old Yao helped him break through to Five-star Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er went to Ruyi Zhai, where Xiao Cheng noticed Gu He praising Sour Plum Drink and wondered whether it could restore Old Yao's soul.
• Xiao Cheng told Xiao Yan that Sour Plum Drink might help Old Yao and gave him two cups, while Xiao Xun'er watched quietly.
• The system informed Xiao Cheng that his quest had failed after remaining without progress.
• Xiao Cheng asked for a lighter punishment, so the system raised it to Hell Mode and ordered him to do yoga in the street for three hours.

After failing a quest, Xiao Cheng was punished by the system and forced to perform difficult yoga poses on the street. Onlookers mistook his ordeal for body-tempering, while Jia Xing Tian, Haibodong, and Gu He misunderstood what was happening and left him to continue.

• The system told Xiao Cheng that his quest failure punishment would begin the next morning, and he reluctantly went to bed despite dreading the humiliation.
• Xiao Cheng joined the employees for morning exercises, then learned that his punishment was to complete every pose in the system's yoga diagram in the street.
• Xiao Cheng laid out a blanket outside Ruyi Zhai and struggled through the poses as passersby mistook his yoga for a body-tempering Cultivation Method.
• Jia Xing Tian arrived, saw Xiao Cheng contorted in a difficult pose, and asked whether he was mutilating himself.
• Haibodong and Gu He also misunderstood Xiao Cheng's predicament, then left to play Dou Dizhu while Xiao Cheng vowed inwardly to make the system pay.

Xiao Yan gave Old Yao Sour Plum Drink, which strengthened his soul, while Xiao Cheng recovered from an exhausting yoga session at Ruyi Zhai. Meanwhile, a powerful Mo Family elder arrived in Wutan City seeking Ge Ye.

• Xiao Yan gave Old Yao Sour Plum Drink, and Old Yao found that it stabilized and strengthened his soul.
• After three hours of yoga, Xiao Cheng was left in pain and Gu He and Haibodong mistakenly attributed his condition to pressure.
• Xiao Ning returned to Ruyi Zhai, teased Xiao Cheng, and left with pastries and Sour Plum Drink.
• Xiao Cheng rested upstairs and told Xiao Yi Xian to turn away visitors while Yue'er eyed the situation with curiosity.
• An elder of the Mo Family at the peak of the Nine-star Great Dou Master realm arrived in Wutan City seeking Ge Ye.