Gardener of Eden

Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Improving

Over the following days of rest, Rowan established a peaceful, rhythmic routine between the rolling pastures of Sunny Vale and the sovereign expanse of [Domain: The Virgin Soil]. On the surface, he tended to the farmstead’s spirit crops, guiding their growth alongside his parents. Subterraneously, he poured steady streams of vitality mana into the earth through his core cultivation technique.

After days of uninterrupted, high-intensity usage—pouring concentrated life force through both surface soil and primordial domain earth—his core vitality surged.

[Ding!]

[Skill Level Up: Breath of Eden (Lv. 2 > Lv. 3 > Lv. 4 > Lv. 5)]

The leap of three full levels sent an intense, soothing wave of emerald energy cascading through Rowan’s mana channels.

The range and purity of Breath of Eden expanded drastically; with a simple breath or a light press of his palm, rich emerald waves of life force now swept across entire acres in seconds, instantly invigorating tired topsoil and coaxing seeds to burst through the earth with incredible vitality.

To maximize his yield and refine his growth, Rowan entered The Virgin Soil precisely three times a day—at dawn, midday, and dusk. During each visit, he moved down the pristine plots with the Hoe of the World-Tiller, harvesting abundant batches of A to D grade spirit produce before resowing fresh rows of high-tier seeds.

Between harvest cycles, Rowan walked to the colossal World Tree at the absolute center of his domain. Descending the winding root-staircase into the subterranean sanctuary basement beneath its base, he knelt beside the luminescent pool of Primordial Spring Water. Dipping his hands into the glowing, golden-tinted liquid, he drank deeply. ℴℴ𝘮

The hyper-concentrated essence washed over his system, instantly purging every drop of physical fatigue, soothing his mana pathways, and permanently refining his physical foundation. Combined with his newly elevated Breath of Eden, Rowan’s domain and surface fields thrived like never before, leaving him thoroughly refreshed and spiritually fortified for whatever lay ahead.

***

Rowan unlatched the heavy, velvet-lined transport crates stamped with the emerald seal of Eden International, systematically loading the pristine yields harvested during his domain cycles.

Working closely with Arthur in the farmstead’s staging bay, they divided the massive harvest into three major allocations: to the flagship store, to Seraphina’s estate, and to Caelen and Mirei’s family estate.

As the courier vehicles flared golden and locked in the long-distance deliveries, Arthur tapped his trade tablet, reviewing the incoming confirmation logs with a broad, satisfied grin. ”All three stores are officially stocked to the brim with peak-purity produce. The franchise requirements your mother emailed over have secured our supply rights while giving your teammates an incredible trade foundation.”

Right on cue, Rowan’s phone chimed with rapid notifications from Squad 07’s group chat.

Seraphina: ”The spatial vehicles arrived with zero mana decay. Our vault sensors are recording unprecedented purity readings, and the line outside our family’s estate plaza is already three blocks long.”

Mirei: ”Rowan! The Ignis-Bloom Peppers and Solar Squash just landed! Caelen is literally standing guard at the back bay with his blade drawn because local scouts are trying to buy crates off the truck before we even open!”

Rowan smirked softly, adjusting his Enchanted Straw Hat as he stepped out into the morning sunlight. With three branches fully supplied and guarded by elite tower climbers, Eden International was no longer just a local store—it was rapidly blossoming into an unbreakable trade network across the kingdom.

***

While Martha was relaxing on the porch at Sunny Vale, sipping a warm cup of tea in the soft afternoon breeze, her phone chimed with an incoming call. The screen displayed the name Master Corin—the renowned executive chef who used to drive two hours before dawn every single morning just to secure a basket of Eden International’s produce.

”Martha! Good afternoon!” Corin’s voice boomed through the speaker, practically overflowing with excitement and sheer relief. ”I just had to call you directly. I just picked up my first dedicated allocation from the new franchise branch that opened in our region!”

Martha smiled warmly, resting a hand over her gently showing baby bump. ”Good afternoon, Corin. I’m so glad to hear the shipment reached you smoothly.”

”Smoothly? Martha, it’s a complete game-changer!” Corin laughed heartily over the line. ”Not having to make that grueling trip across cities before sunrise just to race rival kitchens for a few crates of Aether-Thread Wheat and Ignis-Bloom Sweet Peppers has given me my mornings back. The purity of the crops from this new shipment is beyond incredible!”

He paused, his voice softening into deep, earnest respect. ”I know how much care your family puts into these crops, and expanding a store near my restaurant has saved my kitchen. So please, hear me out: whenever the Vance family has a free evening, and you’re feeling up for a visit, you are all coming to my restaurant as my honored guests. I want to personally cook a full, multi-course feast for your family, entirely on the house.”

Martha chuckled softly, deeply touched by the veteran chef’s gratitude. ”That is so generous of you, Corin. Once our schedule opens up a bit and I get a little extra rest, we will gladly take you up on that offer.”

”Take all the time you need, Martha,” Corin replied warmly. ”My kitchen doors are always open for the family that brought divine flavor back to my dishes.”

As she hung up the phone, Rowan stepped out onto the porch carrying a chilled glass of Primordial Spring Water for his mother.

”Master Corin?” Rowan asked with a relaxed smirk, adjusting the brim of his Enchanted Straw Hat.

”The very same,” Martha smiled, accepting the glass. ”He wanted to thank us for the new store—and promised to personally cook us a grand feast whenever we’re free to visit.”

***

Sitting together in the cozy living room of the Sunny Vale homestead after wrapping up the day’s logistics, Rowan set down a fresh cup of warm herbal tea for his mother. Looking at her gently showing bump, he spoke up with a firm, caring tone.

”Mom, I want you to stay home for the next few months until the baby is born,” Rowan said gently, holding her hand. ”You’ve worked tirelessly to build Eden International, but right now, getting ample rest and staying healthy for my little sister is your absolute priority.”

Martha smiled softly, touched by her son’s fierce protectiveness, though she looked toward Arthur with a slight touch of worry. ”Rowan, I want to rest, but running the flagship store alone is too much weight for your father to carry every day.”

Rowan turned to Arthur with a warm, confident smirk, tipping the brim of his Enchanted Straw Hat. ”That’s why Dad isn’t going to run it alone either. Dad, I want you to hire some trusted help around the store—experienced clerks and shop hands to handle the daily counter work and inventory. That way, you can step back, oversee operations from home, and be right here at Sunny Vale to take care of Mom.”

Arthur looked at his son, a profound sense of relief and pride swelling in his chest. Months ago, stepping away from the counter would have meant financial ruin, but with Eden International’s record revenue, imperial security vetting, and established franchise network, they were more than capable of bringing on full-time staff.

”You’re right, son,” Arthur said softly, wrapping an arm around Martha and squeezing her shoulder. ”The store is on solid ground, and nothing is more important than taking care of your mother and your little sister. I’ll draft up job listings tomorrow and let the imperial guards vet the applicants before we bring anyone on.”

Martha leaned against Arthur with a quiet tear of gratitude in her eye, feeling the incredible peace and security her son had brought to their lives as they prepared for the sweet arrival ahead.