Three Weeks later
Three weeks had passed since Jianyu and Lian had unlocked their auras and the trio had continued meeting in secret to train while doing the occasional odd job around the village in order to save up enough chi shards so they could help Akaji try to unlock his aura again.
But despite him not having a aura the twins were surprised that he could briefly keep up with them during their sparring matches even landing hit's on them and today was one such day.
Akaji, Jianyu, and Lian faced off in the clearing, their eyes locked in a fierce stare. The air was electric with tension as they prepared to spar.
"You're going down, Akaji!" Jianyu exclaimed, cracking his knuckles his while aura wrapping around him like a shroud.
"Oh yeah?" Akaji shot back, a grin spreading across his face. "I've been practicing for our rematch, and I'm not going to hold back!"
Lian chuckled, shaking her head. "You two boys are something else. Let's just get started already because I'm going to beat the both of you!".
With a fierce cry, the three friends charged at each other, their movements a blur as they clashed in a flurry of punches and kicks.
Akaji dodged and weaved, his eyes darting back and forth as he tried to keep up with Jianyu and Lian's rapid attacks. But despite their superior strength and speed, Akaji refused to back down.
With a swift kick, he sent Jianyu flying backward, but Lian was quick to counter, landing a series of swift jabs that sent Akaji stumbling.
Jianyu recovered quickly, his aura surging as he unleashed a powerful blast of energy that sent Akaji flying across the clearing.
Akaji struggled to get back to his feet, his chest heaving with exhaustion. But he refused to give up, his determination and spirit driving him forward.
With a fierce cry, he launched himself at Jianyu and Lian, determined to take them down...
Akaji's determination paid off, and with a series of swift and precise and powerful movement s, he managed to take down both Jianyu and Lian.
The two friends lay on the ground, panting and wiping the blood from the corners of their mouths.
"Damn, Akaji," Jianyu exclaimed, wincing in pain. "You're a monster!"
Lian nodded in agreement, her eyes wide with surprise. "I know, right? I've never seen him move like that before."
Akaji stood over them, his chest heaving with exhaustion, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.
"I told you I've been practicing," he said, his eyes sparkling with pride.
Jianyu and Lian slowly got to their feet, brushing themselves off and eyeing Akaji with newfound respect.
"You're getting scary strong, Akaji," Jianyu said, his voice laced with admiration. Lian nodded in agreement. "We're going to have to step up our game if we want to keep up with you."
Both her and her brother then began cleaning up since it was almost time to return home before it started to get dark. " Hey Akaji" Jianyu turned to look at Akaji only to see him staring into his hands with a concerned expression.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Jianyu asked, walking over to Akaji and began looking at his hands in concern.Lian soon followed suit, her brow furrowed with worry. "Yeah, you look like you've seen a ghost."
Akaji looked up, his eyes unfocused. "It's strange," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Despite me not unlocking my aura, I feel...different. like I'm no longer the same."
Jianyu and Lian exchanged a confused glance. "What do you mean?" Jianyu asked, taking a step closer to Akaji.
Akaji didn't respond. Instead, he walked over to a nearby boulder, his eyes fixed intently on it. He took a deep breath and then in a swift and sudden motion, he punched the boulder with all his might.
The sound of cracking stone filled the air as a series of deep fissures spread through the boulder, sending shards of rock flying in all directions. Jianyu and Lian stumbled backward, their eyes wide with shock.
"Akaji, what the... fuck?" Jianyu trailed off, staring at the destroyed boulder in awe.
Lian's eyes were fixed on Akaji, her expression a mix of amazement and concern. "Akaji, how did you do that?" she asked.
Akaji turned to face them, his chest heaving with exertion, a look of excitement on his face as he smiled. "I...I don't know I just felt as if I could," he admitted, his eyes wide with excitement.
" Well dam you've been holding out on us are you sure your not monster or something" Lian joked. Soon both her and Akaji began laughing but they soon stopped as they all sensed it incoming aura pressures.
Jianyu's gaze suddenly shifted upwards, his eyes scanning the sky. "Wait, someone's coming," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of caution.
Lian and Akaji followed his gaze, their eyes squinting against the fading sunlight.
Before long, seven figures descended from the sky, their movements swift and agile. They landed softly in the clearing, their eyes scanning the area as they took in their surroundings.
The seven students were dressed in the distinctive combat gi of the Thunderfall sect, the emblem of the sect emblazoned proudly on their chests. Their auras were subdued, but it was clear that they were all skilled practitioners.
Jianyu's eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the group. "What are they doing here?" he muttered, his hand instinctively clenching into fists.
Lian's eyes flicked to Akaji, concern etched on her face. "This doesn't look good," she whispered. Akaji's expression was neutral, but his eyes were watchful, his senses on high alert as he waited to see what the Thunderfall sect students wanted.
Soon A tall, handsome boy about their age with piercing emerald eyes and jet-black hair stepped forward from the group. His chiseled features and sharp jawline gave him a regal, aristocratic look. He wore his hair styled in a sleek, messy fashion, with a few stray strands framing his face.
"Well, well, well," he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "It seems Sakura was right when she told me that two peasant trash had actually unlocked their auras."
His eyes lingered on Jianyu and Lian, a hint of surprise flickering in their depths. "I must admit, I didn't believe her at first. But I suppose even the lowest-born scum can get lucky sometimes."
Ryujin's gaze shifted to Akaji, and his expression turned puzzled. "But you...you're different. You don't have an aura, yet you seem...stronger than you should be."
Akaji's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. "And who are you?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.
Ryujin smiled, his emerald eyes glinting with amusement. "I am Ryujin, son of Master Lui Wong, Sect Master of the Thunderfall sect. And you, peasants are nothing compared to me.".
Their eyes widened as they heated his name anyone with a brain would know who this was he was the first born and heir to master Lui Wong and unprecedented genies and one of the most powerful martial artists of their generation who was said to become even more powerful than his father and now they had now crossed his path.
Seeing there shock and unease Ryujin's grin grew wider as he began to circle around the frightened Jianyu, Lian, and Akaji. "You three are quite the sensation, aren't you?" he sneered. "Unlocking your auras with chi shards. It's...amusing, really."
Jianyu's eyes then narrowed. "What's wrong with that?" he challenged. Ryujin's smile faltered for a moment before he regained his composure. "My father, doesn't allow chi shard absorption to unlock auras. It's...unseemly. Most disciples in the Thunderfall sect have to cycle chi to unlock their auras. It's the proper way."
Lian frowned. "So, what's the problem? We unlocked our auras. What business is it of yours?"
Ryujin's eyes flashed with anger. "The problem is you ignorant bitch is that if word gets out that three peasants managed to unlock their auras before some of our own disciples, it could embarrass our sect. Give other peasants the wrong idea."
Jianyu snorted. "The wrong idea? That anyone can unlock their aura with hard work and determination?". Ryujin sneered. "Trash is trash, Jianyu. You're peasants, and you should stay peasants. You shouldn't be allowed to advance to come even close to us nobles."
Akaji's eyes narrowed, his fists clenched. "And who are you to decide that?"
Ryujin's smile grew cold. "I'm Ryujin Wong, son of Master Lui Wong. And I'm telling you to stop. Swear to not try to advance anymore. If you don't...there will be consequences."
Jianyu, Lian, and Akaji exchanged a look, their faces set in determination. They knew they couldn't back down now.
Jianyu's eyes locked onto Ryujin, his jaw clenched in defiance. "What happens if we don't stop?" he asked. Ryujin's smile grew vicious, his emerald eyes glinting with malice. "Then we'll have to teach you a lesson," he said yawning.
Lian's eyes narrowed, her aura flaring with anger. "We're not afraid of you," she growled.
Akaji's fists clenched, his eyes burning with determination. "And we stop so we're not backing down."
Ryujin's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with excitement. "I was hoping you say that," he said, turning to the other martial artists. "Cripple them but leave the sister intact enough for me to have some fun."
With that, Ryujin turned to leave, his back to the group. The other martial artists grinned, their eyes gleaming with excitement. Some unlocked their auras, while others pulled out weapons.
Jianyu, Lian, and Akaji stood back to back, surrounded by their enemies. They spoke briefly, their voices low and urgent.
"We need to work together," Jianyu whispered."Watch each other's backs," Lian added. Akaji nodded, his eyes scanning the surrounding martial artists. "Let's do this."
With a fierce cry, the three friends charged forward, their movements a blur as they clashed with their enemies. The sound of punches, kicks, and clashing steel filled the air, echoing through the clearing.
The battle raged on, the sound of clashing steel and pounding fists echoing through the clearing. Jianyu and Lian fought in perfect sync, their movements a blur as they took on the martial artists with auras.
Jianyu's stolen sword flashed in the moonlight, slicing through the air with deadly precision. He clashed with a tall, muscular martial artist, their auras locked in a fierce struggle. Jianyu's opponent was strong, but Jianyu's skill and agility developed from their training allowed him to dodge and weave around the attacks.
Lian, meanwhile, fought with a ferocity that belied her delicate appearance. Her fists flew in rapid succession, striking her opponent with precision and force. Her opponent, a lithe and agile martial artist, tried to use hee speed to evade Lian's attacks, but Lian's aura-enhanced senses allowed her to anticipate and counter every move.
Akaji, meanwhile, fought the regular martial artists, his fists and feet flying in a whirlwind of motion. Despite being aura-less, Akaji's intense training and natural talent allowed him to hold his own against his opponents. He dodged and weaved around their attacks, striking back with precision and force.
As the battle raged on, it became clear that Jianyu, Lian, and Akaji were gaining the upper hand. Soon their opponents were beginning to tire, their movements slowing as they struggled to keep up with the trio's relentless pace.
Jianyu's opponent stumbled backward, his aura faltering as Jianyu landed a series of swift and precise strikes. Lian's opponent crashed to the ground, defeated, as Lian stood over him, her chest heaving with exertion.
As the last of their opponents fell to the ground, Jianyu, Lian, and Akaji stood panting, their chests heaving with exertion. They exchanged triumphant grins, proud of their hard-won victory.
But their celebration was short-lived, as the sound of clapping echoed through the clearing. They turned to see Ryujin standing before them, a mocking smile spreading across his face.
"Congratulations, congratulations," Ryujin said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You've managed to defeat a group of aspirants. How impressive."
Ryujin's gaze swept over the group, his eyes lingering on each of their faces before he looked down at the defeated aspirants. His expression turned to one of disgust.
"I should have brought true disciples," Ryujin muttered before shaking his head. "Not just aspirants I guess this weaklings won't be accepted into the sect after all since they couldn't beat three fucking weaklings."
Jianyu, Lian, and Akaji exchanged surprised glances. They had assumed that the martial artists they had fought were students from the Thunderfall sect.
Seeing their suprise Ryujin laughed, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Do you honestly think you could have beaten a true disciple of the Thunderfall sect? Even a lower disciple would have ended you all in a second."
Ryujin stretched, his movements languid and cat-like. He yawned, his eyes gleaming with boredom.
"I guess if you want something done, you'll have to do it yourself," Ryujin said, his voice dripping with condescension.
As he spoke, Ryujin's aura began to stir, a raging, fiery red energy that seemed to pulse with an inner power. The air around him became heavier, as if the very fabric of reality was bending to accommodate his aura.
Jianyu, Lian, and Akaji took a step back, their eyes widening in awe. They had never seen an aura like Ryujin's before. It was raw, powerful, and utterly intimidating like a true martial artist.
Looking at the group with his now fiery red aura he grinned and looked at them.
" So which one of you peasants wishes to die first?'.