Chapter 115: Incense and Perfume
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What is the meaning of the birth of life? In the past, Hexia Tilan would have spent a lot of time pondering this question, especially during unsatisfactory times in life.
However, now she seldom thought about this issue because there were many things in life she looked forward to doing. She didn't want to get entangled in a meaning that conformed to everyone's understanding and was widely accepted; she felt that as long as there were things she wanted to do, life was meaningful.
After coming into contact with and becoming aware of more and more things, she felt the burden of responsibility heavy on her shoulders, but there was also a desire to change and complete them, like the filled squares and achievements in a game; she really wanted to see what the world would look like after changing it.
[So, she no longer indulged in the past and began to compose her own first hue, which should represent vitality and nature: a verdant green…]
On a page of pale paper, a fresh leaf was pressed onto the surface, and the girl, holding a pen, began to trace the outline of the leaf. Then, she drew the vein patterns and textures in the middle of the leaf's contour: the simple strokes, clear lines, and the words beside them formed a remarkably lifelike diary.
"What are you writing, Tilan?" Not far away, Deloris came over leisurely, holding a small, exquisitely crafted copper incense burner in her hand.
"It's a diary, but I can't show it to Deloris yet." The girl closed her notebook, then got up.
"Ah, I can't believe Tilan is keeping secrets from me." Deloris couldn't help but smile, not minding things like this, but she did feel that Tilan had become a bit more lively than before.
"Lately, Tilan has been busy collecting seeds and information. How is it going?"
During their temporary residence in Withered Tree Garden, they visited its facilities, large and small, starting from the water sources and planting gardens, to the places where the tree artisans studied and practiced, then to the library in the Withered Wood Forest, and the vast seed vault underground, marveling at the heritage and accumulation of these guardians over the years.
"The seeds and such have been packaged by them, including the main types of plants on Emerald Skirt Planet from four hundred years ago, as well as centuries of improved transcendent crops. The data is also very complete, including how this planet was transformed at that time, the major and minor events it experienced, and the experience summed up by generations of tree artisans."
"This information will be very helpful in restoring the environment of the Emerald Skirt in the future. I plan to employ high-rank T2-level AIs within the academy to jointly analyze and then draw up a suitable plan."
"However, as that tree artisan said, the biggest problem with these matters is how to deal with the toxins in the rainwater."
"The tree artisans' idea is that if there is a plant able to adapt to this toxic rain environment, it will be able to grow on the land and gradually absorb and solidify the toxins from the air and rainwater."
"Although it seems like a good idea, the time it would take is probably going to be counted in centuries," Deloris said, being a well-rounded young lady herself, she easily perceived the problem.
"Yes, although it's a lengthy process, it's a cure that will gradually eliminate the influence completely."
"However, we also have a faster method, which is to imitate what the elves did when they transformed planets and seek help from the distant 'Wind Whale Courtyard.'" The girl flipped through the pages of her book, where one side illustrated a huge whale swimming through the sky.
"'Wind Whale Courtyard' is in the extremely distant Northern Star Domain; it might be difficult to ask them to come over." Deloris paused briefly, finally recalling this somewhat unfamiliar name.
"There will be a way," the girl said, blinking.
"It looks like you have a definite plan." Deloris didn't ask further but placed the incense burner on the table and sat down next to her.
"This is an incense burner I got today from the local tree artisans. They use 'Cassia Wood Scent,' which has quite good effects such as relieving fatigue and anxiety and has a mild calming effect."
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"If it were assessed in the outside world, it would probably be rated as Radiant Gold Level spice," Deloris, as the young mistress of the 'Incense Burner Workshop,' had an extensive knowledge of luxury goods, especially spices.
"I've noticed you've been researching in the library lately and often going to bed very late. Having this should be good for your body."
"Thank you, Deloris." The girl closed her eyes, took a light sniff, and a faint scent entered her mind, unwittingly dissipating some of her accumulated fatigue.
If she usually began to feel tired and sleepy after concentrating on reading for 6 hours, with the aid of such an incense burner, she likely wouldn't feel tired for about 7-8 hours.
"It seems to be quite effective," the girl opened her eyes, but then remembered something else.
"Why don't I usually see Deloris using it?"
The young mistress with similarly black hair chuckled softly, "How do you know I haven't been using it?"
Having said that, she lifted her sleeve embroidered with lace patterns and placed it near the girl's nose, after which a subtle floral scent entered her nostrils.
"I don't like smells that are too strong and heavy, so the perfume I use is mostly very subtle. Besides, while such spices are good, they also need to be used sparingly. I only use it when I sleep. Being constantly immersed in various scents over time can gradually dull the sense of smell, which is not a good thing."
"By the way, do you need me to recommend a few perfumes to you? I just realized after sleeping with you for a few nights that Tilan has never used perfume, which is quite rare."
"Perfume..." The girl hesitated, not out of dislike—her mother often used various floral perfumes, and her sister occasionally did as well—but she was simply not interested in such things.
For one, she found it bothersome, and secondly, she didn't like the smell of inferior perfumes, preferring naturalness, much like her personality, which favored being alone and quiet in a corner.
"Seeing that you seem hesitant, how about I take a few bottles out for you to smell and see if they meet your taste?" Deloris stood up and walked to the room upstairs, fetching a small case and taking out three tiny glass bottles.
"These three are the ones I usually use, all of which are on the lighter side," she said as she placed the perfumes in front of the girl.
"First is this bottle, with top notes of cold cedar, middle notes of softer March orchids and jasmine, and base notes of yuzu and white iris." She placed a bottle of clear, snow-like perfume in front of the girl.
"Then the one I use more often, with top notes of pear wood, middle notes of black rose and wind dew, and base notes of amber, incense." The transparent glass bottle had a pattern of black roses on it, which really suited Deloris's style.
"The last one I use less frequently, it's a new product from the workshop, with top notes of fragrant lemon and orange, middle notes of green orange blossom and raspberry, and base notes of lily fragrance and musk deer." The bottle featured a pattern of overlapping orange and light green leaves, giving off a fresh and lively appearance.
"This..." Looking at the three bottles of perfume, Tilan was somewhat bewildered, it being her first encounter with such intricacies.
"Deloris, you choose for me."
"Then the first bottle it is." Deloris picked up the perfume that best suited the temperament of the girl, gently dropped a bead, and then pressed it on Tilan's forehead. Watching the adorable girl blink her eyes, the faint scent spread, enhancing her temperament to appear even more serene and tranquil.