The Eternal Farmer: I Trade My Harvest for Immortality

Chapter 267: Time-Space Annual Ring Tree

The Four Seasons Scripture was indeed a masterpiece of Earth-grade cultivation.

Its passive boosts to growth speed and Spirit Qi concentration rivaled even the max-level Green Lotus Art.

“If this is Earth-grade,” Jiang Chen mused, stroking his chin, “then the Green Lotus Art must be at least Earth-grade as well. Maybe even Heaven-grade. No wonder a mere fragment of it could rewrite my Spirit Root and generate a domain.”

He stood up from the roof tiles. Sleep was out of the question; his mind was racing with possibilities. He leaped down, landing silently in front of the Four Seasons Fruit Tree.

One of the Scripture’s hidden effects was the ability to trigger a mutation in this specific tree. Jiang Chen was eager to see which path it would take.

Known mutations included:

Four Spirits Qi Gathering Tree

Four Seasons Reincarnation Tree

Spirit Plant Treasure Tree

Seasonal Divine Tree

Cross-Season Wonder Tree

Each was powerful. Each was valuable.

Jiang Chen activated the Four Seasons Scripture. The Wood Spirit Qi in his dantian surged, answering the call of the technique. An aura of profound cyclical change radiated from him—Spring’s birth, Summer’s vigor, Autumn’s harvest, Winter’s rest.

The weeds around his feet lived and died in seconds, caught in the accelerated cycle.

Just as he was about to infuse the tree, a reckless thought struck him.

Why settle for one boost?

He raised his right hand, his index finger glowing with the emerald light of the Spirit Finger.

Success rate: 0.1%. But if it hits… double mutation.

“Let’s gamble.”

He pressed his finger against the bark while simultaneously channeling the Scripture.

Ding.

The world seemed to stutter.

The tree before him didn’t just grow; it shifted. The bark twisted into spiral patterns that resembled clockwork gears. The annual rings surfaced on the trunk, pulsing in a rhythmic sequence of Spring Green, Summer Red, Autumn Gold, and Winter Silver. It looked less like wood and more like crystallized time.

The leaves turned semi-transparent, shimmering like frozen moments. The fruit transformed into perfect, clear spheres containing swirling seasonal mists.

Jiang Chen’s eyes widened. “This… isn’t on the list.”

He checked the system panel.

[Time-Space Annual Ring Tree]

Effect 1 (Spring Fruit): Applies a specific state to the user for 3 days.

Effect 2 (Summer Fruit): Amplifies the intensity of the active state by 50%.

Effect 3 (Autumn Fruit): Minimizes negative side effects of the active state.

Effect 4 (Winter Fruit): Extends the duration of the active state by 7 days.

Special Effect: On the 1st, 15th, and Solar Term days, releases a massive burst of Temporal Qi, doubling the growth speed and yield of all nearby crops.

“Hiss.” Jiang Chen sucked in a cold breath.

Doubled growth speed? Combined with the Scripture and his Domain, he could harvest his five acres six times a year. The wealth generation potential was terrifying.

“I need more of these trees,” he whispered greedily. “Good thing I expanded the formation.”

But curiosity gnawed at him. What did “applies a specific state” mean?

He drained his entire reserve of Wood Spirit Qi to ripen a small batch of fruit: three Spring, two Summer, four Autumn, one Winter.

He held a Spring Fruit—a glowing green sphere—and took a bite.

It tasted like morning dew and liquid time. It dissolved on his tongue, a sweet, floral nectar that flooded his senses. But… nothing happened. No Qi boost, no enlightenment.

“Strange,” Jiang Chen muttered. “Maybe I need to be in a state first for it to lock on?”

His mind wandered. What state do I want to prolong?

Instantly, an image of Yu Caiqing flashed through his mind. The memory of their last encounter—skin against skin, the scent of herbs and sweat—became vividly, painfully clear.

A certain part of his anatomy reacted with explosive enthusiasm.

“Oh,” Jiang Chen realized. “That state.”

Initially, he dismissed it. A little extra vitality was fine; he could work it off. He felt incredible—energetic, tireless, focused. He spent the entire night farming without a hint of fatigue.

But when the sun rose, the “state” hadn’t faded. It had intensified.

Day One: He couldn’t leave the house. The tent in his robes was a structural hazard. Day Two: He hadn’t slept. He was vibrating with pent-up energy. The fruit’s effect wasn’t fading; it was a runaway reaction.

By the third day, Jiang Chen’s eyes were bloodshot, and his reasoning was hanging by a thread.

“I can’t take it anymore,” he groaned.

He summoned the Giant Leaf and shot toward the Pill Tower in the Earth Fire Zone. He flew at breakneck speed, praying he wouldn’t run into anyone he knew.

He landed at the tower entrance and power-walked inside.

“Excuse me,” a voice called out.

Jiang Chen froze. Blocking his path was Chu Xiu, the junior alchemist Wang Ze had introduced—the one notorious for ripping off friends.

Chu Xiu recognized him immediately. “Hey! You’re Jiang—”

“GET LOST!” Jiang Chen roared, his eyes wild. He shoved past the alchemist, nearly knocking him over.

Chu Xiu stood there, stunned. “Rude.”

Jiang Chen didn’t look back. He sprinted down to the ninth underground level, stopped in front of Alchemy Chamber #7, and slapped a Communication Talisman against the door.

Buzz.

The heavy stone door ground open, releasing a puff of hot, herbal steam.

Yu Caiqing stood there, wiping sweat from her brow, looking surprised. “Junior Brother Jiang? What are you—”

Jiang Chen lunged inside, slamming the door shut behind him. He grabbed her, his Face flushed a deep, desperate crimson.

“Don’t talk,” he gasped. “Just kiss me.”