Chapter 165: Change

Chapter 165: Chapter 165: Change

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast at Sunny Vale, Squad 07 packed their gear and bid farewell to Rowan’s family. Barney, Seraphina, Caelen, and Mirei departed for their respective family estates and dormitories to digest their gains and rest after their harrowing 10th-floor expedition.

With the farm perimeter firmly secured under the combined power of the Imperial Grand Array and Rowan’s Earthen Ward, Rowan helped his parents load fresh, high-density domain produce harvested from [Domain: The Virgin Soil] into their refrigerated transport van. Together, the Vance family made the short drive down into Sol-Aethel to open the doors of Eden International for another high-volume day of sales.

The moment their vehicle pulled up outside the storefront, they were greeted by an astounding sight: a massive, orderly queue stretched across three full blocks. Commoners, local guild representatives, and high-tier culinary buyers were already waiting eagerly, buzzing with excitement over news of Rowan’s recent triumphs at Keystone Citadel and the Imperial Academy.

Rowan adjusted his Enchanted Straw Hat and carried heavy crates of radiant Starlight Sun-Tomatoes, Azure Dew Berries, and crisp vitality greens through the front entrance, immediately setting up the display shelves.

Behind the main wooden counter, Arthur took full command of the business, smoothing down his apron and opening the trade ledger to manage bulk merchant inquiries and negotiate contract terms with local buyers.

Beside him, Martha arranged the glowing produce into custom display crates, her face beaming with quiet pride as regular customers called out cheerful congratulations.

Rowan stepped out onto the sales floor to work side-by-side with his parents, personally greeting every customer in line. He handed out high-purity spirit produce to local townspeople and adventurers alike, knowing that the uncorrupted vitality mana in every leaf and fruit would actively cleanse spiritual fatigue, restore damaged pathways, and nourish the community.

By mid-afternoon, as registers chimed continuously and bulk orders piled high, the Vance family celebrated another wildly successful day at Eden International.

***

During a brief lull in the morning rush, Rowan stepped out onto the polished wooden porch of the flagship store to wipe down the outdoor display stands. Looking up and down the bustling cobblestone avenue, his sharp eyes caught several stark changes along the commercial district.

Across the street, an old pawn shop and a dark-windowed tea house that had operated for years were completely shuttered, their doors sealed with official imperial wax crests. Further down the block, two other neighboring storefronts—formerly run by shady local merchants—were undergoing rapid renovations under the quiet supervision of well-dressed, straight-laced shopkeepers.

Arthur stepped out beside his son, holding a wooden trade ledger, and followed Rowan’s gaze down the avenue.

"Noticed the new scenery, son?" Arthur asked, a subtle smirk playing on his lips. "The Imperial Guard hasn’t just been standing watch outside Sunny Vale. Yesterday afternoon, an imperial intelligence detail swept through every single business within a three-block radius of our flagship store."

"A mandatory background screening," Rowan mused, adjusting the brim of his Enchanted Straw Hat.

"Strict doesn’t even begin to cover it," Arthur explained, nodding toward a newly arrived grocer carefully arranging polished display crates across the street. "High Command issued a blanket security mandate. To protect Eden International from cult infiltration, sabotage, or covert tracking, every business owner, clerk, and delivery driver operating near our store must have a completely pristine record. Anyone with a criminal history, unregistered syndicate ties, or suspicious financial backing was forced to sell their lease or shut down immediately."

"It turns our entire commercial block into a heavily vetted safe zone," Rowan noted, sensing the faint, harmonious hum of imperial detection wards anchored quietly along the perimeter rooftops.

"Precisely," Arthur smiled, leaning comfortably against the doorframe. "Between your high-purity produce, the Imperial Grand Array, and the crown treating our storefront like a top-tier state asset, this street just became the safest district in the entire city. The local merchants who passed the check are ecstatic—foot traffic is through the roof, and nobody has to worry about cult zealots causing trouble on our doorstep."

Rowan smiled calmly, looking over the bustling, ultra-secure avenue. The Crown’s thoroughness was impressive; by turning the surrounding neighborhood into an unassailable sanctuary, they weren’t just protecting his family’s business—they were ensuring that every citizen who lined up for domain crops could do so in absolute peace.

***

As the final afternoon rush wound down and the last crates of high-purity domain produce were cleared from the shelves, Arthur locked up the front entrance of Eden International. Exhausted but thoroughly satisfied after another record-breaking day of sales, the family decided to celebrate the evening together with a quiet, comfortable meal.

Leaving the bustling commercial district behind, they strolled a few blocks down to a cozy, dimly lit noodle shop tucked away in a quiet alley—a local favorite where they had been cherished regulars long before Rowan ever unlocked his domain. The shopkeeper welcomed the Vance family with broad, familiar smiles, immediately ushering them to their favorite wooden booth near the corner.

Within minutes, three piping-hot bowls of authentic Japanese cha-shu ramen were set down before them. The rich, velvety tonkotsu broth simmered with deep savory depth, topped with melt-in-your-mouth slow-braised pork belly, perfectly soft-boiled soy eggs, fresh bamboo shoots, and crisp green onions.

Rowan, Arthur, and Martha savored every bite, enjoying the rare, unhurried peace of a quiet family dinner away from shop trade ledgers, court politics, and tower expeditions.

As they finished up their meal, Arthur wrapped a supportive arm around Martha as she gently rested a hand over her lower belly. Beneath her soft sweater, her gentle baby bump was now clearly beginning to show—a sweet, visible reminder of the little sister Rowan would be welcoming in seven months.

Noticing his mother shifting slightly to find a comfortable angle, Rowan insisted they wrap up the evening early. "Time to head back, Mom," Rowan said with a warm, caring smile, tipping his Enchanted Straw Hat. "You need ample rest, and we can’t have you staying out late on your feet."

Martha laughed softly, her heart full as her husband and son carefully helped her up. Driving back through the quiet streets, they passed seamlessly through the shimmering, protective threshold of the Imperial Grand Array and settled back into the peaceful warmth of Sunny Vale.

Back inside the homestead, Rowan made sure his mother drank a fresh glass of Primordial Spring Water to soothe her body before heading off to her room for an early, restful night’s sleep