Chapter Seventeen: The Adorable Twin Lolis

Alchemy is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine, akin in artistry to decoctions and ointments. Yet the very term "alchemy" carries a veil of mystery; when mentioned, it conjures images of immortals and eternal youth.

Since ancient times, countless emperors have sought the path to immortality, yearning for elixirs that grant eternal life. In the classic tale Journey to the West, Sun Wukong gained his fiery golden eyes by stealing the elixir of the Supreme Lord Laozi from his alchemical furnace; likewise, Chen Xiang's power surged after secretly consuming the same celestial pill, setting the stage for his ensuing adventures.

But Lin Chen was not after some immortal pill; he sought to refine ordinary medicinal pills, a category of medicine in itself. Still, even these so-called ordinary pills, if discovered by outsiders, could incite frenzy—especially those capable of preserving youthful beauty or enhancing one's figure, which would surely drive women across the world into a frenzy.

Lin Chen had considered concocting beauty-enhancing pills to sell for some extra money, but such products inevitably entangle one in terrifying webs of greed and attract unwanted attention. Innocent men are blamed for possessing treasures; though Lin Chen did not fear trouble, he preferred to avoid it.

Moreover, while he needed some money now, it was not a desperate shortage; the over 100,000 yuan he had previously acquired had eased his immediate worries. If he were short billions, perhaps then he would consider making money through alchemy.

Using the medicinal herbs purchased with help from Leng Hanyan, Lin Chen labored through much of the night before finally producing the Tianbao Pills.

Alchemy demands precise control of the flame. In ancient times, even if the alchemist was absent, a youth would vigilantly watch the furnace to maintain the proper fire. Legend has it that the Supreme Lord Laozi himself had two such youths guarding his alchemical furnace at all times.

In Lin Chen’s modest room, only a small gas stove was available, which proved incapable of maintaining the necessary fire control. Thus, he had to venture into the wilderness late at night, build a fire, and refine his pills there. The tools were simple—an ordinary medicinal pot sufficed.

He placed the seven newly crafted Tianbao Pills into a small ceramic bottle, then slipped it into his pocket.

Muttering to himself, he said, “These seven Tianbao Pills only last seven days, and I don’t know how much longer it will take to master the first level of the ‘Sacred Demon Carefree Technique’ to its peak. Looks like I’ll need more money. If I had a million, I could sustain myself longer.”

Alchemy was exhausting work, demanding constant focus and precise timing. Each ingredient must be added in exact proportions at precise moments; even a slight error could reduce the pill’s efficacy or render it poisonous.

By the time Lin Chen returned to his rented room, it was already 4 a.m. He lay down and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

At eight in the morning, Lin Chen rose promptly.

At the street corner, a man in his sixties called out happily, “Xiao Chen, you’re up! Soy milk and fried dough sticks with two meat buns?”

Lin Chen smiled. “Yes, Grandpa Zhang.”

Since moving here, Lin Chen had bought his breakfast from this spot almost every day. The elderly man made the soy milk, fried dough sticks, and buns himself—generous portions, tasty food, reasonable prices, and above all, a kind soul.

After accepting the breakfast, Lin Chen checked his wallet but found no small change. He took out a hundred-yuan note and said, “Grandpa Zhang, I don’t have change, please keep the change.”

The old man shook his head with a smile. “Don’t worry about it. Give it to me next time.”

Lin Chen nodded, familiar with such exchanges, and moved on.

After only a few steps, several heavy motorcycles roared past him, stirring clouds of dust. A group of youths, no older than twenty, cheered wildly.

One boy with dyed white hair, about eighteen or nineteen, turned back deliberately, whistled provocatively at Lin Chen, then vanished into the distance.

Grandpa Zhang grumbled, “These young people have no manners! Motorcycles are banned in Moonsea City, yet they still race here, causing trouble. And none of them wear helmets—truly reckless!”

Lin Chen observed clearly that the leader was a tall girl clad in tight black clothing, her face a flawless oval of beauty, though her purple hair and blue contact lenses gave her a rebellious air.

Despite her beauty, Lin Chen felt nothing but aversion toward her.

This group was obviously a pack of spoiled rich kids with nothing better to do, arrogant and unruly. Even if an ordinary person were hit, nothing would come of it.

He echoed Grandpa Zhang’s complaints with a smile before leaving.

Seeking solitude, Lin Chen found a secluded spot beneath a large tree. After swallowing a Tianbao Pill, he began practicing the “Limitless Golden Body Fist” from the body cultivation section of the “Sacred Demon Carefree Technique,” pushing and tempering his body.

His skin flushed—a sign of the pill’s potent energy spreading through his body. His task was to rapidly absorb this energy, forging his physique into something stronger.

The process involved relentlessly exerting his muscles through the fist form, then letting the pill’s energy replenish his body, creating a continuous cycle.

His punches were broad and forceful; his body twisted into strange shapes; muffled cracking sounds echoed from within. Sweat drenched his clothes, yet he gritted his teeth and persevered.

After about an hour and a half, he finally stopped, panting heavily.

Though exhausted, the full absorption of the pill’s power left him feeling a pleasant relief, as if a dry sponge were greedily soaking up water.

“Enough for today. The medicine’s fully absorbed, and my body needs rest. Not bad,” Lin Chen said, clenching his fist to feel the strength in his palm with satisfaction.

Suddenly, he noticed two little girls staring at him, their large eyes shining with the awe of children seeing a superhero.

“Little ones, do you need something?” he asked curiously.

They were about five or six years old, identical twins with chubby cheeks and pudgy limbs, each clad in pure white princess dresses, utterly adorable.

Hearing his voice, one seemed frightened and hid behind the other, like a timid rabbit, glancing at Lin Chen with a mix of shyness and curiosity.

The other smiled brightly and asked, “Big brother, are you practicing martial arts? Like on TV?”

The shy twin stared wide-eyed, eagerly awaiting his answer.

“Something like that,” Lin Chen replied honestly, not thinking much of it.

“That’s great!” the cheerful one exclaimed, grabbing his hand with hopeful eyes. “Big brother, will you teach me martial arts?”

The shy one stepped forward too, hesitating to hold his hand, timidly adding, “Mengmeng wants to learn too.”

Lin Chen smiled faintly. The girls must have found his practice fascinating and wanted to learn, but their wishes were childlike and not to be taken seriously.

Chuckling softly, he asked, “Coco and Mengmeng, why do you want to learn martial arts?”

Coco clenched her small fists and said earnestly, “I want to protect Mom and sister from being bullied. I want to be a heroine like on TV and defeat all the bad guys!”

“Oh? Are there bad people bullying your mom and sister?” Lin Chen asked, surprised.

Coco nodded vigorously, anger flashing in her eyes. “Yes! Bad people keep bothering Mom, and I want to chase them all away!”

Though perplexed by the girls’ words, Lin Chen shook his head. “Coco, big brother can’t teach you martial arts. You should find someone else.”

Teaching martial arts is a long, energy-draining undertaking, and Lin Chen had no such plans.

Coco looked disappointed but persisted, shaking his hand and pleading, “Big brother, please teach me. There really are bad people bothering Mom and sister.”

The shy Mengmeng looked at Lin Chen expectantly. When he remained unmoved, she pulled out a box of Wangzai milk from her clothes and shyly offered it to him, saying, “Big brother, please teach us. Mengmeng wants to protect sister and Mom too. Mengmeng gives you her favorite milk.”

This gesture left Lin Chen both amused and touched. He feared no enemy in battle, yet faced with these pleading little girls, he was momentarily at a loss.

Just then, a woman dressed in professional attire approached, her voice tinged with irritation. “Coco, why are you running around with your sister again? Don’t cause trouble. Come here, or I’ll really get angry.”

Lin Chen’s eyes brightened at the sight of the woman.

Her skin was fair, her features gentle and refined—not strikingly beautiful at first glance, but increasingly captivating, impossible to look away from.

Her demeanor was dignified and elegant, like a ripe peach, every movement imbued with subtle allure.

The two little girls brightened upon seeing her.

Lively Coco exclaimed, “Mom, this big brother knows martial arts! If I learn from him, I can protect you and sister.”

Hearing this, the woman furrowed her graceful brows and cast Lin Chen a wary glance, as though he were a suspicious stranger telling lies to abduct children.

This young man appeared entirely ordinary, the kind one would never notice on a busy street, and martial arts were nothing but fantasy from television for kids.

Her eyes now filled with suspicion, she silently judged Lin Chen to be no good.