Chapter 57: Secret behind aura materialization

Shi Jia's final move left Dan, Akila and Kira stunned since they couldn't understand what happened since they lacked Zero's supernatural sensory skills. All they could tell was that at the final moment before they both collided, Shi Jia's oppressive aura shifted from his body and moved towards Zero. What happened after that was not something they could explain.

"This! Is he really stronger than us all?" Kira was tempted to jump in and protect the defeated Zero just like the other two but he knew it would only make matters worse.

Zero had publicly declared he would kill Shi Jia in this battle and even worse, he threw so many life-threatening blows at Shi Jia. The world was watching, even if they couldn't agree with this fight, the least the expected was a decent and fair deathmatch. If anyone of the three should jump in now, not only will the Oscuro name be dragged in the mud but they will also lose their credibility. But even then, the situation wasn't any better, if Zero lost here. That would confirm the rumors that Shi Jia was truly stronger and more talented than them and their reputation as the hope of the liberation union will be destroyed as well.

"What do we do?" Akila whispered. At this point, he was barely able to restrain himself from diving in headfirst and letting out his anger on Shi Jia.

"We can only believe in Zero… I refuse to believe he jumped into a fight without thinking it through" Dan sighed ruefully, silently praying that Zero would get on his feet.

..........................................

[so that's what aura materialization looks like? That damned thing is overpowered] Zero was lost in his thoughts and once again he found himself in a dark space with no source of light whatsoever, yet he could see perfectly.

He remembered seeing Shi Jia perform the technique and he watched the aura construct which looked exactly like Shi Jia form. Many may have thought the ability traveled towards him and he couldn't dodge because he was already airborne but the truth was that didn't happen.

The humanoid-shaped aura expanded in size until it was over three times the size of an average human. When it attacked it only mimicked Shi Jia's actions, pushing its massive hands down at Zero from above. In response, Zero could only attack the massive palm with all the spirit energy amassed in his hand but even then he was knocked away like it was nothing.

"How am I supposed to defeat something so overpowered. How can such an ability exist in the first place? Doesn't that make martial arts way better than special abilities?" Zero muttered to himself, expecting the voice in his head to reply and it did.

"Don't be a fool… Martial arts may be powerful even that can only take you so far… only with a strong special ability can push one to the very top… As for your enemy issues… Your supernatural senses allowed you to see the attack and this is a great advantage which normal people do not possess…" the dusk demon appeared from the darkness and spoke.

"What? Do you mean others can't see it? Isn't it just spirit energy released and used to form a humanoid construct" Zero was slightly confused.

"Of course others cant see it… why do you think it is called aura materialization… Spirit energy can be seen but things like aura and killing intent can't be seen…. That's what makes the move so special…. Since their foes can't see it, they end up having a hard time defending against it… that's what makes it unique… that's why numerous powerful guardians have lost to martial arts masters in the past!" the dusk demon explained, leaving Zero even more stunned.

As much as he would love to refute the dusk demons words, he couldn't deny the fact that Shi Jia wore a shocked expression on his face when he punched at the hand. At first, he thought, Shi Jia was just stunned because of his undying fighting spirit even in the face of a stronger power but now he realized it was something else entirely. If the dusk demon was right, it meant Shi Jia wasn't expecting Zero to react to the attack at all!

"So that's how it is…." Zero muttered, deep in thought.