Author note; another late chapter, but it wasn't me sick this time it was a coworker :( Should have a regular release on Friday though. In case you missed the previous post just a heads up; I'm not going to be writing explicit love scenes as I'm at work. Once we're out of the mountains Xiaobo will discuss the major plans for what needs to be done as well as some minor details. Until then enjoy the relaxing time in the mountains while you can!

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As the sun began to rise up over the city a small boy watched over a store from across the street.

"What's taking her so long?" he said aloud to no one in particular.

Placing his fingers together in front of him he began to tap them in succession from the pink to the thumb giving him the appearance of deep concentration.

In a few breaths time he impatiently spoke up again to no one in particular.

"I should have gone in with her. No I can't risk being seen buying it, but she's taking forever. It...it won't hurt to go investigate."

Carefully looking both ways before crossing the street the young boy arrives at the store and stealthily enters. The store belonged to his mother's clan and along the walls human size puppets hung with an assortment of weapons attached to them. The boy showed no interest in these combat puppets and instead snuck towards the back of the shop.

After checking the rest of the store and not finding his sister the boy approached an old man that sat behind the counter. In the display various small toy puppets and figurines of famous heroes and heroines were shown.

"Ahh Third Prince what brings you here? Looking for your sister? She was here a moment ago looking for one of the specialty figurines."

"Yes, umm mother sent me to find her. Where did she go?"

"Well she had been waiting in line for the figurines but tripped over one of our display puppets. By the time she made it to the counter we had already sold out. I tried-"

Sun Jun, the third prince, quickly began to panic and couldn't' prevent himself from yelling out.

"SOLD OUT? Y-y-y-you sold out!?! And she...she didn't get one?"

"Well yes, but-"

"AHHHHHHH! THAT LITTLE- ARGH! I'm going to kill her. Where did she go?"

Looking around he noticed a door that went out the side. Without waiting for a reply he burst out the door and looked around.

The old man behind the counter gave a light chuckle.

"The two of them are so similar and so impatient. If they had only listened they'd know I would be more than happy to make them one. How could I resist spoiling my nieces kids? Oh well it will make a good present in the future."

In the back alley Sun Jun turned to find his sister Sun Qi with a panicked look on her face. She was surrounded by four dangerous looking men. That's not why she was panicking though as those men had already been beaten unconscious moments ago. She was panicking because she saw her brother.

"B-b-brother it wasn't my fault!"

"You little-! HEY! GET BACK HERE."

When Sun Qi heard the "you little" she had already started running. She wondered what came after the little, but not enough to stick around and find out. Sun Jun also wondered what came after the little as he had only heard that first part before his mother killed the man who said it. It was definitely a very bad insult though as the man had used his last words to say it.

~~Meanwhile in the mountains~~

Sun Jiao woke up around nine in the morning; even after last night's activities involving a massive python he wouldn't need much sleep as a cultivator.

Xu Rong, feeling him awaken, also began to stir. She too had been exhausted by last night's activities involving a massive python; though her battle hadn't been as deadly.

She moved closer to Sun Jiao who welcomed her with open arms.

They held each other for a while before Xu Rong began to blush; it seems the fight with the serpent wasn't over.

Time passed and eventually the two bodies separated.

They stayed in bed together for a while longer talking again about Sun Jiao's previous life.

After warming each other up significantly the night before they had stayed awake until early morning talking. Sun Jiao explained everything that happened to him, only leaving out Xiaobo, the goddess, and his mission. He enjoyed describing the technology of earth and the different cultures. Xu Rong hadn't seen much of this world so hearing about another world she hadn't even known existed was captivating. She was so fascinated it never occurred to her to ask about how he learned to cultivate after coming here.

The only one that wasn't enjoying it was Xiaobo who was only allowed to join in on the talking parts.

Sun Jiao applied a little of his Will to increase the speed of thought-speak.

Suddenly a sharp high pitch sound transmitted across the thought-speak connection causing Sun Jiao to flinch in pain.

Xu Rong instantly began to worry.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

The pain quickly faded and Sun Jiao shook his head.

"I'm fine. Just a bit of a headache it's gone now."

Xiaobo quickly spoke up.

Another painful sound rang out causing him to flinch again.

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Xiaobo smiled to himself. His plan was working as he knew it would. It actually took a significant amount of effort to cause the pain and would require him to build up and shape Will power for a long time. He had already used up a significant amount just to cause those two attacks and wouldn't be able to cause it again for quite some time.

Rather than reveal that weakness by holding onto them he had decided to use them right away in order to trick Sun Jiao into believing it was easy for him to cause the pain. He also couldn't have broken through the block last night, but the painful attack had caused Sun Jiao to overlook that lie.

Sun Jiao quickly calmed Xu Rong again.

"It came back for just a second, but it's gone. It's time to get up though and do some hunting. We only have two more days before the carriage returns."

"Yes master! You'll need to figure out your strength." With a giggle she continued, "We wouldn't want you destroying the cave on accident!"

With mock indignation Sun Jiao replied "You dare!" and began tickling her beautiful slender waist as she screamed between laughter "No! Don't you evil beast! Forgive me! Forgive me!"

Seeing her lovely smile and laughter caused Sun Jiao to desire staying in bed longer, but remembering Xiaobo's impatience he quickly suppressed the urge with a sigh.

"Get dressed we have a long day ahead of us."

"Yes master! Should I make us breakfast? I saw some food while I was cleaning up."

"That sounds good," Xiaobo interrupted with an causing Sun Jiao to quickly add, "but something quick."

"En!"

She stood up and using the space ring instantly dressed herself and disappeared to make breakfast.

Sun Jiao stood as well and put on the currently blood free outfit he wore yesterday. Thankfully last night Xiaobo had told him on the way to the valley that you could clean yourself simply by storing the blood into your space ring. Not just blood, but dirt as well. It seemed as though bathing was only for pleasure if you owned a space ring.

Heading to the front of the cave he met up with Xu Rong who had prepared some bread, meat and cheese for them to eat on the go.

With that the two headed into the mountains ready to face the magical beasts together.

~~Meanwhile in the city~~

A beautiful women, her hair in a bun with golden pins holding them up, sat in a chair with a long pipe in her hand.

"Lady Yu, it seems as though Third Prince has disappeared. We couldn't find him or Third Princess in her room."

"Hmmm. Have you checked with the guards?"

"Yes. None of them report seeing anything suspicious last night."

The guard that had seen them sneaking out knew better than to get involved with the situation. If he had stopped them he'd be in trouble and if he reported them he'd be in trouble. He wisely made the decision to lie.

With a sigh the women inhaled the smoke from her pipe and exhaled as she thought.

"Send some men to the city gates and see which one they passed through. They often sneak out for trivial matters, but they won't be able to leave without passing through the a gate to the inner district."

"Already done my queen. They should be returning any moment."

With a brief nod that caused her hair pins to jingle she turned her attention to her pipe and continued to enjoy the pleasant taste of smoke.

After the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn had passed there was a knock on the door.

Meng Fai, the eunuch bodyguard, rose and exited the room. After a few breaths he returned and knelt before Sun Yu.

"It appears the two left through the northern gate and headed towards the family shop owned by Uncle Wu. Our men sent a messenger back and have pressed on towards the shop. We'll know more soon."

"Good."

Time continued to pass and another knock came causing Meng Fai to leave and then return.

"They arrived at the shop, but left in a hurry. It appears they were there to buy the annual figurine, but left as the store had sold out. There was a disturbance in the nearby alley where four men were found unconscious. They awoke, but claim they know nothing. Our men have spread out and-"

Another knock on the door interrupted Meng Fai who left the room and returned after a nod from Sun Yu.

"They've been spotted on the east side of the city. It appears Sun Jun is chasing Sun Qi for some reason. They've caused quite the dist-"

Another knock, another nod, another trip by Meng Fai.

"The two destroyed several stalls in the south district and headed towards the slums. We have men canvassing the area."

Sun Yu shook her head and replied with patience only a mother could have.

"No, don't bother. Those two won't stop running around until lunch time. Hmmm. Send some men to watch the cave, but don't do anything until little Jun returns. He needs experience leading some men and this would be good practice. Once he returns continue with the plan."

"Yes my queen."

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Side story:

Jia Cho stood on a flower looking down on the collapsing ant hill and final resting place of his lovely ladybug assassins. With a shake of his head he turned to his new found friend; a flame spirit given birth from the depths of hell.

The flame flickered around him, but didn't burn. It seemed attracted to his manly aura and fiery spirit. They couldn't speak, but these men only needed to exchange a look to understand each other.

He had fought an enemy, but that wasn't his real foe. The ant queen had said inner city rat gang, but which one? It seems as though he would have to go undercover.

As BK left the garden he swore to never return. Nothing was left of his beetle empire, but flames and ash. The flame spirit flickered next to him planning on joining him. He might not return, but perhaps with his new friend he would always have a part of the garden with him.

With that pleasant thought the two left and began a journey. Unknown to the two they're journey would shake the world, nay, the entire universe!