Chapter 266: Four Seasons Scripture Max Level
The full moon hung high in the sky like a polished silver plate, draping a gauzy veil of light over the spirit farm.
Below, the fields were alive with the subtle rustling of leaves swaying in the breeze. The pond was a mirror, reflecting the tapestry of stars above. A meteor streaked across the firmament, its reflection cutting through the water just as a ripple disturbed the surface, creating the illusion that the star had fallen directly into the pond.
Frogs croaked a rhythmic bassline to the high-pitched chorus of insects. Countless fireflies drifted through the humid air, their yellow lights pulsing like tiny, floating lanterns.
It was a quintessential summer night—a nostalgic echo of a childhood Jiang Chen could never return to.
A cool breeze swept past, tossing his hair. He walked to the edge of the pond, Da Huang trotting happily at his heels with a goofy grin.
Jiang Chen retrieved two items from his Jade Green Gourd: a Spirit Beast Storage Bag and the Hydro Orb.
He checked the Storage Bag first. Suspended in a bubble of water was a palm-sized turtle emitting a faint, lazy white glow. Beneath it swam 20 fry with distinctive red tails.
Despite being in the same container, the hierarchy was clear: the turtle floated like a king, while the fish kept a respectful distance.
Jiang Chen shook the Storage Bag, dumping its contents into the pond.
Splash.
For the Light Spirit Turtle and the Crimson-Tailed Carp, the pond was a vast, new ocean. The turtle immediately sensed the formation and paddled toward the center, its shell pulsing as it began to absorb the enriched Spirit Qi. The carp scattered, exploring the shallows in a nervous Sect.
“Now for the heavy hitters,” Jiang Chen murmured, turning his gaze to the Hydro Orb.
Inside, five Dragon Carp—bodies red as blood, scales shimmering with gold—swam in bored circles. They had been cooped up for too long.
With a thought, he released them.
Splash. Splash. Splash.
As the Dragon Carp hit the water, the pond went silent. The Crimson-Tailed Carp froze in terror. Even the Light Spirit Turtle retracted its head into its shell, sinking to the mud like a stone.
The hierarchy had been violently restructured. The turtle was demoted from boss to bystander, and the crimson carp were now the bottom feeders.
The Dragon Carp, however, didn’t seem impressed. Jiang Chen could practically feel their disdain radiating from the water. Compared to the boundless depths of the Black Dragon Pool, this man-made puddle was a cramped bathtub.
“Don’t give me that look,” Jiang Chen scolded, amused. “Be grateful you’re out of the orb. If you’re too picky, I can put you back in storage.”
The threat worked. With a collective flick of their tails, the five Dragon Carp resigned themselves to their fate and swam toward the deep end.
Da Huang watched the fish with intense, predatory interest. He leaned over the bank, tongue lolling, staring at the swimming snacks with green, hungry eyes. He took a tentative step forward, lowering his snout toward the water—
THWACK.
A sharp rap on the head sent him yelping backward. He scrambled away, nearly biting his own tongue, and looked back with wide, betrayed eyes to see his master holding a switch.
“Don’t even think about it,” Jiang Chen warned, his voice stern. “Those aren’t snacks. They’re assets. If you eat one, you’re sleeping in the coop with the pearl chickens.”
Da Huang’s tail drooped.
“And,” Jiang Chen added ruthlessly, “I’ll cancel the breeding program. You can stay a single dog forever.”
Panic flashed in Da Huang’s eyes. He immediately abandoned his hunger, rushing over to nuzzle Jiang Chen’s leg with desperate, fawning affection.
“Smart dog,” Jiang Chen muttered, scratching behind his ears. “You only learn when the stakes are high.”
Once the aquatic ecosystem settled, Jiang Chen retreated to the stone house. Instead of going inside, he leaped onto the roof, lying back on the warm tiles with his hands behind his head.
The night sky was a canvas of infinite depth. In the summer, he preferred sleeping up here, letting his mind drift with the clouds.
A whine from below interrupted his peace. Da Huang was pacing on the second-floor balcony, looking up at the roof with anxious eyes. He wanted to join but lacked the vertical leap.
Jiang Chen smiled. He channeled a thread of Wood Spirit Qi, forming a gentle tether that lifted the dog into the air and deposited him on the tiles.
Da Huang curled up beside him, resting his heavy head on Jiang Chen’s stomach. Within minutes, the dog was snoring.
Jiang Chen didn’t sleep. He closed his eyes and focused on the Four Seasons Scripture.
As a cultivator, mastering this Earth-grade technique was mandatory. It was far superior to the Evergreen Art or the Spirit Growth Art, offering a level of control over plant life that bordered on the divine.
Hours passed. The fireflies winked out one by one. The frogs fell silent.
Suddenly, a notification chime echoed in his mind.
[Four Seasons Scripture: Level 1]
Effect: Increases germination speed of seeds by 30% when infused with Wood Spirit Qi.
[Consume 4 years of lifespan to raise to Level 2?]
Jiang Chen didn’t hesitate. “No. I’m going all in.”
[Consume 40 years of lifespan to raise to Level 4 (Max)?]
Forty years. It was a steep price, even for him. But the potential returns were massive.
“Confirm.”
BOOM.
His consciousness was pulled into a deep, timeless void. He saw the seasons cycle rapidly—spring sprouts bursting from the soil, summer heat expanding the canopy, autumn winds ripening the fruit, winter snows preserving the roots. He lived a thousand years as a tree, feeling the rhythm of the earth, the pulse of the sun, the bite of the frost.
When he opened his eyes, the world looked different. He could sense the heartbeat of every plant in his field.
[Four Seasons Scripture: Max Level]
Effect 1: Increases seed germination speed by 30%.
Effect 2: Increases stem and leaf growth speed by 30%.
Effect 3: Increases Spirit Qi concentration in fruits by 30%.
Effect 4: Plants can pause growth during adverse conditions while retaining 30% vitality.
Special Effect 1: Consume Spirit Power to instantly mature a spirit plant.
Special Effect 2: Effects are boosted to 100% on the days of Beginning of Spring, Beginning of Summer, Beginning of Autumn, and Beginning of Winter.
Special Effect 3: The Scripture harmonizes with the Four Seasons Fruit Tree, enabling controlled mutations.
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