Author note: Stayed after work over an hour to get this out, so no side story, but the bit at the end could count imo. It plays a bit of a role in the story though so it's not technically "side" enough for a side story.

~~

The moon light and glow from the lilies illuminated the beast before Sun Jiao.

It was a large python so thick that a grown man wouldn't be able to place his arms around it. It's scales were a brilliant emerald green with purple colored markings scattered across it's body. Two rows of spines about a hand apart ran down it's back. The spines appeared to be made of a dark purple crystal and between them purple scales ran down the center.

Where the crystal spin met the head a small mane of crystals formed. Whether it was a reflection of the lilies or something innate of the crystal they shone with a soft brilliance that caused Sun Jiao to slightly lose focus.

Both the beast and Sun Jiao had frozen; content to simply inspect the other.

Xiaobo already recognized the beast and warned Sun Jiao of it's danger.

Sun Jiao was preparing to leave, but couldn't help asking.

As if sensing the intent to flee the Amethyst Emperor Python opened it's mouth with a volatile hiss revealing fangs dripping with a purple venom. Like hackles on a dog the amethyst mane rose up making it appear as though the python had a crystal crown.

Using some Will with the thought connection would cause the conversation speed to dramatically increase. Not wanting to waste time Xiaobo used a bit of Will before continuing the conversation

The Amethyst Emperor Python snapped forward at an incredible speed. Sun Jiao had already activated his two strengthening paths and the speed was barely what he was capable of handling.

Narrowly avoiding the first life or death attack caused Sun Jiao's heart to race.

When faced with danger fight or flight is a natural biological response. On earth, with no natural predators, most people's natural reaction would have been to flee. Sun Jiao's body however was Set royalty and royal blood would never respond to danger with an impulse to flee. So, while a bit a fear was still there, mostly the body responded with excitement and eagerness.

Sun Jiao caught up in his bodies natural response had a grin on his face and adrenaline in his veins. Unfortunately eagerness doesn't protect you from a stronger-than-steel tail unexpectedly coming at you from your blind side.

The tail whipped at Sun Jiao's right easily breaking his arm and several ribs. The force of the blow sent him flying a few meters away where he then tumbled even further.

The Amethyst Emperor Python didn't wait for Sun Jiao to recover before launching its next attack. With another hiss it lunged at the fallen Sun Jiao already anticipating the satisfying feeling of plunging its fangs into the fleshy creature made of  delish smelling meat. As it's attack landed a shocked look appeared in the python's eyes.

Sun Jiao dodging the fang strike had caused the Amethyst Emperor Python to crash into the ground where it was left with a bad taste in it's mouth.

The taste of dirt.

He had been able to dodge because the first thing Sun Jiao learned during his training was to prepare for the next attack immediately since Doll Po would ruthlessly attack until winning.

The python may not have been able to stop its attack and crashed into the ground, but it had been prepared to launch another one. It's tail whipped out again, but how could an attack that relied on surprise work twice in a row?

Sun Jiao jumped away from the tail and distanced himself from the snake.

"How's that dirt taste worm?"

Under Xiaobo's prompting Sun Jiao yelled out an insult to the python.

The python was a magical beast that would eventually take human form. All magical beasts that would take human form were born with genetic memories making them capable of understanding human speech from birth. Thus the Amethyst Emperor Python could understand the insult and grew enraged at being compared to a worm.

It once again lunged but this time with power and speed greater than before.

Yet, speed and power isn't all there is to an attack. The previous attacks may have been slower, but they had an element of unpredictability to them. This attack, thrown out in fury, was a simple passionate attack making it easy to predict.

Just before the attack landed Sun Jiao jumped up and twisted his body so that it was horizontal above the attacking python. Using the twisting motion he swung his left arm in a hook and slammed it into the top of the python's head.

Sun Jiao's simple fist had been enough to destroy a cliff side so one can only imagine the power contained in this torque enhanced counterpunch.

The python however didn't need to imagine; it felt.

It felt the weight of an entire mountain come crashing down on it's head. The blow created cracks in the scales and forced the entire python to slam into the ground.

"FUCK THAT HURT."

The attack with all his strength had not only broken the scales, but also broke Sun Jiao's fist. Without Xiaobo however it would have been much worse. How could Sun Jiao have come up with a brilliant counter attack on his own?

Xiaobo, enjoying Sun Jiao's pain and praise, spoke up with a cheerful voice.

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Rolling his eyes Sun Jiao sat down and began his healing path; since reaching the Second Layer he could use twice as much ki making it twice as effective.

With surprise and morbid curiosity Sun Jiao had to ask.

After the time it takes to knit a scarf divided by the time it takes to tie your shoes Sun Jiao had fully healed up and the python still hadn't woken.

Approaching the python Sun Jiao gave it a little kick to make sure it was out and then asked Xiaobo what to do.

Before Sun Jiao could put his hand on it's head the plants around him began to rustle.

Four heads rose up and stared down at Sun Jiao. If he wasn't so close to their sister these Amethyst Emperor Pythons would have attacked right away. After the fight one of the pythons had investigated where it's sister was and stumbled upon Sun Jiao healing and it's sister. That python was weaker than the sister and chose not to attack. Instead it ran around the valley collecting it's siblings including the strongest sister that had reached the Second Layer.

It was not surprising that the strongest of the group were the two females as even on Earth the females of almost all species of snakes are larger than the males.

Using his Will Xiaobo increased the speed of thought-speak.

Sun Jiao was getting used to Xiaobo and started to realize it was his way of encouraging him. He was however mistaken. Xiaobo was serious and thought he was a pansy-ass bitch. If he had known this Sun Jiao might have been a little bit more upset.

Sun Jiao had been able to detect Doll Po when he first discovered ki-sense not because it was easy to discover hidden opponents, but because Doll Po hadn't been trying to hid his presence.

The Second Layer python was the wisest and most talented of the siblings. She had told her brothers to approach and draw the human's attention while it would circle around and attack from behind.

Unable to sense the python that was hiding itself Sun Jiao was completely unaware of the danger. When the Second Layer Amethyst Emperor Python attacked Sun Jiao wasn’t prepared.

~~Meanwhile in the city~~

Two shadows were climbing over a wall. The first landed with grace while the second fell on her butt with a thud.

The first shadow was was a young boy with slicked back black hair and a stylish outfit with sky blue trim. The second was a tall cute-faced tomboy dressed in casual atire that would suit a boy more than a girl.

Standing up the girl patted the dirt off her butt without any complaint as if falling was perfectly normal. Looking back and forth she turned to the first shadow and spoke up.

"Brother! Brother! Should we-"

The first shadow interrupted her.

"Silence fool! We must keep our voices down or we'll get caught."

Despite criticising he did nothing to control the volume of his voice.

Leaning closer to the first shadow, with a whisper close to silence, the second shadow repeated what she was going to say.

"Brother. Brother. Should we-"

Switching to a whisper the first shadow interrupted her again.

"I'm the only one here must you call me brother twice?"

"mmmm. Yes?"

"If you must."

"Brother. Brother. Should we really be sneaking out? Can we not just go in the morning?"

Raising his voice again.

"Impossible! If we go in the morning the line will be too long. We must go now or we wont be able to get the figurine. It was carved by Master Wu and he only makes ten a year! You know if mother knew we were going she'd forbid it so we must hide our identities. With our status why else would we need to wait in line? I know how important that figurine is to you so we definitely must get it."

With a curious look on her face she looked towards her brother. Forgetting to whisper she spoke up again.

"For me? Thank you brother!"

"O-of course for you! We'll have to keep it in my room with the others though or it will get lonely right?"

"Right! Can I play with it later?"

"P-p-p-play with it? You can't play with them they're priceless! What if you broke it? You're much to clumsy. No.No.No. I'll keep it safe for you. I know how important it is!"

"Yes very important to me!"

"Hmm? Oh right. Yes important to you! Looks like the coast is clear. Let's go!"

The guard on top of the wall looked down at the Third prince and princess with a curious look.

"Wonder where they are off to this late? Oh well."

The guard began to whistle as he continued his patrol. How could a lowly guard possibly stop them from doing as they wish?