The incense burned slowly in the burner.
The white phantom lay lazily on the table, a look of intoxicated pleasure on its face.
This fragrance.
It's wonderful.
What should I do, what should I do.
If this continues, my soul will become dependent on it.
Oh well.
If I become dependent, then so be it.
The white phantom rolled over lazily, its face touching a stack of manuscript papers on the table.
What's this?
Papers filled with writing?
Weren't these papers not here on the table last night?
Did the person on the bed write these?
The white phantom curiously picked up the manuscript.
Let me take a look.
What exactly is he writing?
Hmm?
Immortal power, three stages?
What kind of concept is this?
The white phantom thought carefully.
She didn't remember any such classification in the immortal cultivation system?
Let's keep reading.
A fiancée coming to break off the engagement?
Interesting.
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river.
Don't look down on a poor youth.
Being able to say such things, this guy's quite ambitious.
There's actually an immortal's soul hidden in the ring.
Isn't that just like me?
Fascinating.
Otherworldly Fire?
Such an unheard-of spiritual item.
...
The white phantom became increasingly engrossed, flipping through the manuscript pages one after another, quickly reaching where Xia Zhi had stopped writing.
Eh?
Where's the rest?
Why is there no more?
Has he not written it yet?
Ahhhh!
This is so frustrating!
How could it end here!
The big plot development was just about to happen!
Damn it!
The white phantom gritted her teeth as she looked at Xia Zhi sleeping soundly on the bed. She really wanted to pounce over and shake him awake, stuff the quill in his hand, and make him write out the rest of the story right away!
Fortunately, another breath of the calming incense entered her form, immediately settling her emotions.
The white phantom let out a resigned sigh, reorganized the manuscript and put it back in its original place, then lay back down on the table, absent-mindedly inhaling the incense.
As dawn approached.
The white phantom glanced at the incense in the burner, surprisingly finding that there was still quite a bit left today.
Yesterday at this time it had already burned out completely!
The faint morning light shone through the window cracks, reminding her it was time to leave.
But!
It would be such a waste to leave without finishing the incense!
Even though she was already quite full!
But!
Who leaves food on their plate?!
The white phantom stared at the unburned incense in the burner with an extremely conflicted expression.
Finally, she took one last big inhale before reluctantly passing through the wall back to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
When daylight broke and Xia Zhi woke up, he felt as refreshed as he had yesterday morning.
The effects of the [Calming Incense] were evident.
Xia Zhi got out of bed and walked to the table, seeing that a small portion of the incense remained unburned in the burner.
This must be due to the hidden effect (30% increase in burning duration).
Letting it continue to burn in the room would be wasteful, why not take it downstairs and let Miss Zhu Zi benefit from its calming effects too?
After opening the window to air out the room and changing out of his sleepwear, Xia Zhi collected the manuscript papers from the table and casually picked up the incense burner.
Going downstairs, he found the shop door had already been opened.
Zhu Zi was sitting in the front hall reading one of the books bought yesterday. Hearing the sound, she looked up and smiled at him.
"Good morning, Boss."
"Good morning."
Xia Zhi nodded, placed the incense burner in the front hall, and went to the back to wash up.
Zhu Zi curiously looked at the incense burner. Faint wisps of smoke drifted out from it, dispersing into the air with a uniquely classical fragrance.
She took a light sniff, finding the scent pleasant, and mysteriously felt her mood become serene.
Zhu Zi couldn't help but take a few more sniffs, thinking this incense must be an expensive, high-quality item.
Moments later, Xia Zhi came out from the back hall and asked, "Zhu Zi, have you eaten breakfast?"
"Not yet."
"Then let's go eat together."
"Okay."
After locking up the shop, Xia Zhi and Zhu Zi crossed the wooden bridge to Chihu Rock.
"What do you like to eat for breakfast, Zhu Zi?"
"I like everything."
"How about Mountain Delicacy Noodles?"
"Sure!"
The "mountain delicacies" here actually referred to fresh mushrooms from the mountains, cut into small pieces and stewed with meat chunks into a tender sauce, poured over freshly cooked springy noodles. Eaten while hot, the noodles would absorb the sauce, allowing one to taste the full umami flavor in a single bite.
"Boss, these noodles are so delicious!"
"Mm."
With Xia Zhi's knowledge of spices, he could actually improve this recipe to enhance the umami flavor of the noodles further.
But there was no need.
"Boss, do you think if we added some Slime Condensate to these noodles, they would taste even better?"
"Uh..."
Xia Zhi gave Zhu Zi a strange look. Hadn't this girl been afraid to eat Xiangling's Three-Slime Stir-Fry just yesterday? How had she become so fond of it now?
"That's not an all-purpose seasoning, you can't add it to every dish."
"I suppose... but that sticky texture was so nice."
"From what I know about alchemy, Slime Condensate is actually good for girls' skin."
"Really?"
"Really."
Xia Zhi nodded. This was part of the alchemy knowledge he had just gained last night. Whether applied externally or consumed, Slime Condensate could effectively improve skin condition.
The effects were much better than pork trotters, though of course, it was also much more expensive.
Zhu Zi smacked her lips, suddenly craving it.
"Boss, are we going to Wanmin Restaurant for lunch again today?"
"...Sure."
"Yay!"
What a foodie!
--
After collecting herbs all night.
Qiqi came down from the mountains with her basket full of herbs, following the main road into Liyue Harbor.
She always liked to walk with her head down and chose less crowded paths.
Passing through Chihu Rock and crossing the wooden bridge over the stone crevice, she could see the entrance to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor straight ahead.
Due to her poor memory, Qiqi had mostly forgotten about how a certain funeral director had once tried to capture and bury her.
But now, seeing the Funeral Parlor, even though no one was at the entrance, she couldn't help but feel a hint of timidity in her heart.
This feeling was like seeing a natural predator, making her unconsciously quicken her pace.
After passing the Funeral Parlor, Qiqi inexplicably felt relieved. Just as she was about to continue towards Bubu Pharmacy, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.
A faint trace of incense lingered at the tip of her nose.
"Smells, good, very, good."
Qiqi tilted her head, her gaze filled with clear bewilderment, staring blankly at the shop next to the Funeral Parlor.
The shop still had no sign, and its door was locked, but wisps of incense still drifted through the door cracks, easily stirring up a certain desire in her heart.
Qiqi unconsciously walked closer.
The closer she got to the door, the stronger the incense scent became, but the desire in her heart wasn't relieved; instead, it grew increasingly intense.
Finally, Qiqi adorably pressed herself against the door, muttering to herself.
"Want, more, please."