[Tree of Life:
Archelon wants you to plant the Tree of Life on its back.
Reward: Farming exp]
I knew that the coconut was called the “tree of life” on Earth because every part of it was useful, from the fruit that provided water and sustenance, down to its very roots, which were used as a dye, mouthwash, toothbrush, and an ingredient in traditional folk medicine. This proved to be true in the world as well.
[Tree of Life:
The coconut tree is known as the "Tree of a Thousand Uses" and plays an important role in island life. The fruit yields coconut water and coconut meat that can be consumed as is or processed into various nutritious and filling foods and drinks. The wood is used for building shelter, the leaves are woven into crafts, and the fiber is twisted into strong rope. Even the roots are useful as a dye, mouthwash, toothbrush, and as an ingredient in traditional folk medicine.]
We sailed into a cove. My ship barely made a ripple, and below us, the water was so clear I could see the bottom where the colorful corals lay, with tropical fish darting among them. The beach was a crescent shape surrounded by a dense tropical jungle.
Dusk, a high-ranking islander, was waiting at the beach. She was a real beauty with warm brown skin, jet-black hair, and cherry-red lips. She was wearing a sleeveless crop top with a long wraparound skirt, both green but painted with a bright red hibiscus pattern.
Prince Baiyu flew me down to her, and I introduced them to each other as we waited for the others to disembark.
The sand here was very soft and fine, bone white with a slight pinkish cast. I took off my shoes and looked up at the clear blue sky, taking deep breaths of that fine sea air. There was nothing quite like it.
“What a fine day it is!” I said to Dusk.
“Every day is like this here. You could enjoy these fine days with us if you want.” She paused and gave my husband a sidelong glance from under her long dark lashes. “My handsome cousin Vasa is still available. You remember him, right?”
I laughed and took Prince Baiyu’s arm.
“No way, I’m married to this guy!”
Prince Baiyu refused to be baited and simply smiled.
When the others had all joined us, I put the [Traditional Chinese Ship] back into my System inventory for safekeeping. Being able to set foot on the island was considered lucky, which meant almost my entire staff had joined us, barring only Yinuo and her husbands, since a woman in her stage of pregnancy was advised not to travel unless it was necessary.
I introduced everyone to Dusk, who graciously welcomed everyone and paid special attention to Scholar Wu, who, as it turned out, was a descendant of an islander.
“How wonderful,” said Scholar Wu. “The island is as beautiful as I imagined.”
“This is actually a separate island,” said Dusk. “The great turtle sent a dream to our high priest, saying she would like to establish it as a sanctuary for some of her friends. She would like Lady Violet to plant these.”
She held out her hand, which held a small basket full of small white oblong seeds that glowed with a dark purple inner light.
I took it and examined it using the System.
[Tree of Life Seed (Special Archelon Version):
A coconut tree seed full of dense spiritual energy.]
Lari, Kharli, and Mo crowded around me to peer into the basket.
“Coconut?” Mo sounded surprised.
“The coconut seems to be called the Tree of Life here,” said Kharli.
“I thought the Tree of Life was the one that makes the Peaches of Immortality. Shouldn’t it be a [Peach Tree]?” asked Lari.
“Many different things are called the Tree of Life,” said Scholar Wu. “Coconut trees are one of them.”
“May I take a look?” asked Prince Baiyu.
I handed the basket to him and let him examine the seeds.
“They have a breath of heavenly qi, but it’s barely perceptible,” he said.
“Wow,” I said.
This time, I didn’t bother asking what this “heavenly qi” was since I was sure I wouldn't understand the technical information anyway. It was enough for me to know that it was some sort of rare spiritual energy.
“Please follow me, everyone,” said Dusk.
She walked away from the beach and into the jungle. Five meters away from the treeline was a large open field with freshly tilled soil. The islanders must have cleared it out.
I knelt and took a handful of soil. It was dark, crumbly, and moist. To my surprise, the System had information about it.
[Volcanic Soil (Archelon Special Variety):
A highly fertile soil made of volcanic ash and other organic materials. Rich in nutrients and providing good drainage, this material is highly valued in agriculture.
Note: This is a special Archelon Variety full of beneficial microorganisms.]
“Lady Violet, the turtle would like you to plant the seeds here since that would ensure their growth. The soil has been fertilized.” Dusk smiled sweetly at me. “The great turtle said you would get a reward from your bloodline inheritance.”
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“Oh my, she knows about my bloodline inheritance?"
“She also congratulates you on your condition.” She gestured at my midsection.
Archelon knew a lot for a sea turtle! I had never gotten a straight answer from the people I asked, but she was probably a god of some sort, even though the gods and their offspring were supposed to have left this world millennia ago.
I took the basket back from my husband while pretending not to notice Scholar Wu discreetly trying to get my attention. No doubt she wanted to examine the seeds, but I didn’t want to wait an hour while she used her devices. She could have her turn after we finished our work.
“I’d love to plant these. We’ll start. You meant me and my apprentices, right?”
Dusk nodded. “Yes, of course.”
Lari, Kharli, Mo, and I took our coats off and put our hats and gardening gloves on. Since we knew we were sailing from a land in autumn to a tropical island, we had put on layers of clothes, with lightweight cotton ones for the inner layer. I had a hunch we would have to work, and I was right.
I stepped out onto the open, uneven field. The sun was high, baking the soil, which felt dry and granular under the thick soles of my leather boots. The first seed should be manually planted. I dropped to one knee. The fine, warm soil yielded immediately, coating the fabric of my trousers. I used the wooden handle of my trowel to dig a hole. The tilled earth parted with minimal resistance, creating a small, clean pit. I reached into the basket, picked up a seed, and dropped it into the hole. I used the side of my hand to gently sweep the loose, black dirt back over the opening, completely covering the seed. Then, I pressed the surface firm and flat with the heel of my palm, stabilizing the earth.
Seed now planted, I took out my watering can to sprinkle the spot with water.
By this time, I knew that the water the System used was a very special type of liquid with a large amount of spiritual energy, as confirmed by Scholar Wu and other clan members.
I stood up. “Let’s divide the seeds up. I think I won't use the [Combine] this time.”
Kharli made a small, sharp sound of protest, somewhere between an intake of breath and a cough.“No, Teacher, you should use it. We don’t want you to get too tired.”
“It’s hot, you might overheat!” said Mo.
I looked up at the sun and touched the top of my head under the hat. “You might be right.”
We each took a share of the seeds, and I summoned my vehicle, which I then used to sow the seeds. Prince Baiyu flew up beside the [Combine] to accompany me as I worked. I steered the machine across the field, turning it very slowly at the ends of the rows. The whole thing vibrated in a fun way, and I used the System to add a train whistle to it that made “choo-choo” sounds whenever I pressed a button. The field wasn’t that big, so I finished planting the seeds in half an hour.
“Let me help you down.” Prince Baiyu offered me his hand as I stepped down from the vehicle.
“Thanks.”
My husband was always polite and solicitous, but now that I was pregnant, it was on a whole other level. I rather enjoyed being fussed over since he didn’t go overboard with it.
I put the [Combine] back in my inventory and went to chat with Dusk while we waited for my apprentices to finish, too.
“We’ve brought a lot of foodstuffs for a feast,” I said to her. “We are having a feast, right?”
She laughed melodiously. “Of course!”
The others were waiting under the shade of the palm trees, talking about the island.
“It’s hot even during fall.”
“The turtle wasn’t as terrifying as I expected.”
“I want to see the peach trees and eat the peaches.”
“They say each peach you eat adds a year of good health to your lifespan.”
“Do you think they really propose to visitors after they feed them?”
“Yes, but not to ugly people like you!”
I noticed Deming was standing very close to Fengying. He wasn’t scared the islanders were going to propose to her, was he? Fengying looked a lot younger these days after using my beauty potions, and Deming had likewise adjusted his appearance to match hers. They now looked like a couple in their early forties.
When Lari, Kharli, and Mo finished planting the seeds, I expected a System message to pop up, but nothing happened.
Dusk led us to the other side of the small island, where a dozen men were waiting with their double-hulled canoes. They were all barefoot and bare-chested, wearing only short wraparound skirts like a sarong. One of the maids wolf-whistled when she saw them, but she was quickly shushed by the others.
“They’ll sail us to the mainland where the elders are waiting for us.” Dusk pointed at a distant black speck on the horizon. “Don’t worry, everyone. It'll be fast since the great turtle will send us a favorable wind.”
I didn’t even know that the Peach Blossom Isle had more than one island. How did that work when it was supposed to be on the back of the great turtle? I guessed it was a whole dimension like my Mustard Tree farm.
Once again, Prince Baiyu offered me his hand, this time to help me board. The double-hulled canoe was essentially two long, narrow boats tied together by thick wooden beams, which formed a sturdy deck. The boat shifted just a little under my weight as I stepped on it, and he helped me regain my balance. We sat in the middle of the deck, which was covered in colorful woven mats.
When we were all ready, the sailors unfurled the triangular sails. A wind sprang up out of nowhere and filled the sails. The navigator gave directions to the person manning the steering oar, and we all cheered as the boats glided over the clear blue water, leaving barely a ripple behind them. It was quite magical.
I leaned on Prince Baiyu, who was sitting behind me, and he sighed in contentment before embracing me.
The bottom of the boat cut a clean path, with white foam trailing behind. Water droplets sprayed over the low wooden edge of the boat, and I tasted the salt on my arms and face. The wind plastered my shirt to my chest, and I took my wet boots off to feel the warmth of the sun on my feet as we zipped away from the curved shore of the island. The front of the boat bounced up and down with the easy, rolling waves, each drop making a soft slap against the water.
When we were in deep water, one of the men went up to the front of the boat and started dancing rhythmically while holding wooden rattles in each hand. In a low, beautiful voice, he sang a song of praise for the great turtle, punctuated by the rattling of the musical instruments.
Great Turtle, to Thee be All Praise!
Lady of Life-giving Waters,
Hail, Turtle, Who Self-was-created,
Mother of Man, O World Turtle!
The dance and song, combined with the sea air and rhythmic movements of the boat, were quite refreshing.
I turned back to whisper into Prince Baiyu’s ear. “How wonderful.”
“It’s all the better because you’re here with me,” he whispered back at me.
I smiled and kissed his chin, which made the others on the boat with us point and giggle. I turned back to watch the dance. When the dancer finished, we applauded, and he sat back down with the other men.
A few minutes later, I got the System message I was waiting for.
[Quest Update: Archelon has recognized your contribution]
[Tree of Life: Quest Complete
Reward: Farming Exp]
[Congratulations, you just advanced a Farming level!]
[Your Farming level is now 50.]
Level 50 was a milestone; therefore, I got a few special rewards. I perused the System goodies I had gotten as we continued to sail to the mainland. I got the usual increase in energy, one extra building slot, and my limit for farm animals grew from twelve to fourteen. The [Fortress] house building was also unlocked for me, though I didn’t really plan to build one.
I took Mr. Bear out of my pocket and put the five puppet upgrade gems into his chest.
[Puppet Name: Mr. Bear
A magical plushie unlike any other. This cute and cuddly bear is made of a special type of plush cloth and magical stuffing that gives it special powers. When its owner is in danger, this bear will come to life.
Though Mr. Bear is a wizard type, this puppet is also equipped with hidden metal claws and teeth.
Type: Magic
Base spell: Fireball
Upgrades: 29→34/99]
“Wow!” I exclaimed in surprise when I got a System message.
[Congratulations! Your puppet can learn a new skill.]
[Choose one:
Fire Rain
Haste
Regen]
*****
Author's Note:
- A sweet island interlude.
- I have never sailed on small sailboat, but this how I imagine it would be.
- The small boats I have been on have all been motorized.
- Advanced chapters on my Patreon!
- Thank you very much for reading.
- Please let me know if there are any errors.