Gardener of Eden

Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Apple Tree

Rowan stirred as the warm, amber light of Floor 5’s perpetual sky filtered through the gap in the curtains. His eyes opened with total clarity, his body feeling remarkably light and energized. The bone-deep exhaustion from completely draining his core mana pool yesterday had vanished overnight, replaced by a surging, fully restored reservoir of vitality. Sitting up on the edge of the cotton bed, he stretched his arms, feeling the gentle, rhythmic hum of his newly upgraded Breath of Eden resting comfortably within his core.

Before heading back out to inspect the agricultural terraces, Rowan had a specific objective to take care of.

Moving quietly across the room, he slid the heavy iron deadbolt across the wooden door, locking it firmly in place. He then drew the thick curtains tightly over the windows, shutting out the bustling morning noise of the Crossroads Citadel and blocking any potential scrying magic or watchful eyes from the street. In a border city teeming with high-tier adventurers, stealth and absolute privacy were essential before unveiling high-grade class abilities.

Standing in the center of the dimmed room, Rowan closed his eyes and centered his mind, reaching deep into the latent authority of his Gardener of Eden trait. He channeled a thread of pure vitality mana through his pulse, calling upon his personal spatial sub-dimension: Domain of Eden.

[Domain: The Virgin Soil]

Space tore open in front of him with a low hum, giving birth to a shimmering vortex of rippling mana. Rowan stepped through the whirling blue portal and entered his domain skill.

The dusty smell of the city vanished instantly, replaced by an intoxicating, hyper-pure aroma of ancient earth, blooming celestial flora, and crisp mountain ozone. When the spatial shimmer settled, he found himself standing beneath an open, glowing sky inside a hidden, pristine sanctuary. Rolling green hills stretched toward the horizon, intersected by a crystal-clear stream of condensed, flowing mana. The divine soil beneath his boots vibrated with an incredible, untainted vitality—a pocket realm tied directly to his soul, completely isolated from the Tower’s harsh rules.

Rowan tipped the brim of his Enchanted Straw Hat, a quiet, satisfied smile touching his lips as he stepped onto the divine earth of his domain. Reaching into his system inventory, he produced the glittering, ruby-red Purified Apple of Eden, ready to plant the legendary seed within his own private paradise.

The moment the crisp skin broke beneath his teeth, an explosion of hyper-concentrated nectar washed over his palate. It wasn’t merely sweet—it was the pure, unfiltered essence of life itself, completely unburdened by the bitter aftertaste of atmospheric mana or environmental corruption. The flesh was impeccably crunchy, radiating a comforting, soothing warmth that surged straight down his throat and flared into his core.

With every chew, a gentle wave of golden-green light radiated outward through Rowan’s veins. The sheer potency of the primordial fruit washed over his soul, instantly purging every lingering trace of latent muscle fatigue, mental burnout, and microscopic trauma left behind by the recent high-tier battles.

A shimmering blue system window flared into existence before his eyes:

[Item Consumed: Purified Apple of Eden]

[Effect Activated: Primordial Cleansing]

[Permanently cleansed all physical, mental, and spiritual impurities.]

[Permanently increased All Attributes by 10.]

[Passive Acquired: Eden’s Purity – Complete immunity to lower and mid-tier poisons, blights, and status afflictions.]

Rowan let out a long, deeply satisfying breath as the balanced surge of raw, untainted energy settled harmoniously into his core. He could feel the change immediately—his physical strength, agility, vitality, and deep mental focus had all elevated in perfect unison. His senses felt sharper, his chest felt lighter, and his natural affinity with the surrounding domain hummed with unprecedented clarity.

Looking down at his palm, he held four glowing, golden-tinged seeds left behind from the crunchy fruit.

A relaxed smirk touched Rowan’s lips. ”Eat the fruit, keep the seeds. Best of both worlds.”

Rowan walked across the lush grass toward the two Peach Trees standing peacefully in his domain. Measuring out a distance of about seven meters from their spreading canopy, he knelt in the sacred earth, ensuring the new addition would have ample space to stretch and grow together alongside them without competing for subterranean mana.

Using his bare fingers, he hollowed out a small, moisture-rich bed in the dirt. He carefully arranged the four apple seeds inside the depression, covering them back over with rich, mahogany loam.

Tipping the brim of his Enchanted Straw Hat, Rowan rested his palm on the mound and channeled a soft, focused pulse of Breath of Eden (Level 3) into the soil.

The earth responded instantly. A brilliant emerald sprout burst through the dirt with a gentle rustle, rapidly expanding into a sturdy, ancient-looking apple sapling that took deep root right alongside the peach trees. Satisfied with his work, Rowan stood up and adjusted his trusty hoe over his shoulder.

With a casual flick of his wrist, space tore open into a whirling blue portal. Rowan stepped cleanly through the shimmering vortex, exiting his domain sub-dimension and returning to his locked, quiet room at the inn, ready to head back out to the Citadel’s agricultural terraces for the day’s harvest.

Unlocking his door, Rowan stepped out into the quiet hallway and made his way down the creaking wooden stairs into the inn’s cozy, warm dining area. Sunlight from the perpetual sunset sky streamed through the wide glass windows, casting an amber glow over the rustic wooden tables.

Finding a quiet booth near the back, he placed a quick order with a passing inn worker. Minutes later, a steaming plate was set before him: a simple, hearty breakfast of savory baked beans piled high over thick-cut toasted sourdough, accompanied by two thick slabs of pan-seared smoked ham and a pair of sunny-side-up eggs with perfectly golden yolks.

After the intense primordial purification from the Apple of Eden, his appetite was surprisingly sharp. The straightforward, rustic meal hit the spot perfectly—the savory yolk mixing with the rich beans and crisp toast. To his newly elevated senses, even simple inn food carried a fresh, deeply comforting flavor.

Rowan finished off the plate and washed it down with a hot cup of dark roasted tea, feeling the balanced surge of his upgraded stats humming beneath his skin. He felt entirely refreshed, physically primed, and mentally sharp.

Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Rowan tossed a gold coin onto the table to cover the meal. Tipping the brim of his Enchanted Straw Hat, he hoisted his trusty hoe over his shoulder and stepped out into the crisp morning air of the Crossroads Citadel, making his way back toward the agricultural terraces to inspect the four crop quadrants.