Three System Missions

At the sight, unease immediately stirred in Xiao Yan's heart. He recalled Xiao Zhan hurrying past them earlier that day.

Something serious had clearly happened in the clan. Most likely, there was a problem with business in the market.

They had barely reached the shop when the shopkeeper immediately came out to greet them.

"Are you here to buy pills?"

Xiao Yan shook his head.

"We're just looking."

The shopkeeper's smile froze on his face. He sighed softly and silently retreated behind the counter.

"Business is bad, and getting by grows harder by the day. More than half the other shops have already closed. Only a few of us are still barely hanging on."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan immediately slipped the shopkeeper a little money.

"What do you mean? Would you mind telling us more?"

At the sight of the money in his hand, the shopkeeper's eyes immediately lit up, and he nodded firmly.

"Of course. No problem."

With that, he briefly explained the situation.

Xiao Mo already knew what had happened. This was also why he had urged Yao Lao to teach Xiao Yan as soon as possible.

Only by refining pills quickly and partnering with the Xiao Clan at a low price could they weather this blow.

But lately, he had been so absorbed in cultivation that he had forgotten this crucial plot point. Otherwise, he could have reacted sooner.

After learning what had happened, all three felt exceptionally heavyhearted. More than half the shops had closed, and those remaining were teetering on the brink.

If they continued allowing the Jia Lie Family's market to sell cheap pills unchecked, their shops would collapse completely.

Just as Xiao Mo was considering how to help them through this crisis, a system notification suddenly rang in his ears.

[Ding! Main mission activated. Host, immediately help Xiao Yan restore his clan's reputation and revive the Xiao Clan's shops. Reward: 20,000 Shop Points, 5 good buddy affection points.]

[Ding! Side mission activated. Host, help Xiao Yan practice pill refinement and help him refine 100 pills of rejuvenation powder. Reward: 10,000 Shop Points, 1 good buddy affection point.]

[Ding! Side mission activated. Host, lead Xiao Yan to the Jia Lie Family's market and complete ten face-slapping acts to receive a reward of 2,000 × 10 Shop Points. Current mission progress: 0/0.]

Three missions had activated simultaneously, and the chimes ringing in his ears left him dazed. Most of the time, missions progressed along a single track.

Main and side missions were rarely issued together, much less three at once.

It seemed this truly was a crucial turning point. He had to succeed, and besides...

He counted carefully on his fingers. It seemed that once these missions were completed, their rewards, combined with his existing points, would be just enough to redeem a wood-element spirit root pill.

"I have exactly thirty thousand points right now. If I finish all these missions, I'll have exactly seventy thousand. Wouldn't that settle the matter of redeeming the pill?"

Without hesitation, he spun around and grabbed Xiao Yan, slinging an arm over his shoulder and leading him away.

"Buddy, let's go take a look around the Jia Lie Family's market!"

Behind them, Xiao Xun'er stamped her foot.

"Xiao Mo, get lost! Give Brother Xiao Yan back to me!"

The three arrived at the Jia Lie Family's market amid playful bickering, their mood thoroughly harmonious. The place buzzed with voices, presenting a completely different scene from the Xiao Family Market.

Many people were hawking their wares. The three approached a small shop and immediately spotted the rejuvenation powder displayed on its counter.

"How much is this?"

Xiao Mo asked the shopkeeper directly.

After learning the price, all three fell silent.

It really was cheap. Although the rejuvenation powder sold here was slightly lacking in purity as a restorative medicine, it was only a little inferior to the Xiao Clan's.

That made its half-price cost entirely reasonable. In fact, it offered incredible value.

After all, for the same price, they could buy two vials of rejuvenation powder here, providing twice as much bodily restoration.

No wonder so many people lingered here. Some had even spent a hefty sum, nearly clearing the tables in front of the shops.

Panic surged in Xiao Yan's heart.

If this continued, the Xiao Clan's business would keep suffering. Closing down would be the inevitable outcome.

Looking at the dazzling array of medicines before him, Xiao Mo actually had a solution in mind. Yao Lao possessed plenty of formulas, some of which could replace rejuvenation powder entirely.

They could also sell them at a low price, but their effects would be far stronger.

As long as they could produce the medicine, they could bring the Xiao Clan back from the dead.

He just did not know when Xiao Yan would be able to make it.

He glanced back at Xiao Yan and was about to speak when a shout suddenly came from the distance.

"Get out! What are you doing here?"

The words immediately drew many people's attention.

Xiao Mo also looked toward the voice and saw several inner disciples wearing Xiao Clan attire being shoved backward out of a shop, tumbling onto the ground.

"What are you doing?"

Indignation flared in Xiao Yan's heart. He hurried forward and helped them up.

Seeing his reaction, the shopkeeper wore an arrogant expression.

"Doesn't your Xiao Clan have its own rejuvenation powder? Why aren't you buying your own products? What are you doing here?"

The shopkeeper grew smugger as he spoke.

"I knew it! Your stuff is no good at all. Did you realize ours offered better value, so you came here to buy rejuvenation powder?"

Xiao Mo's heart immediately sank. It seemed this was going to turn into a major incident.

But the next instant, his eyes lit up. He stared at the shopkeeper nearby like a hungry wolf locking onto its prey.

Damn, isn't this someone handing me a pillow just as I'm getting sleepy? I'm counting on you to finish my side mission.

He immediately took a few steps forward and moved behind Xiao Yan.

By now, however, the shopkeeper's taunts had left Xiao Yan red in the face and neck. His mouth hung open, but he could not get a single word out.

He did not know how to answer the shopkeeper's accusations. After all, he truly did not know how to explain the actions of these disciples.

The Xiao Clan disciples sprawled on the ground were flushed crimson, their blushes spreading all the way down their necks.

They looked up at Xiao Yan, Xiao Mo, and the others behind them with deeply apologetic expressions.

After all, the two had made quite a splash recently, and the clan's disciples all recognized them, especially Xiao Yan, who had once been known as a genius.

One of them approached Xiao Yan apologetically, his eyes reddening as he began to apologize.

"Xiao Yan, we're sorry. We didn't mean to do this. We just have limited money, so we can only afford cheaper products. We thought they would help us cultivate as quickly as possible..."