However, Lin Ran showed no outward reaction, not even glancing at Wang Zhen.
His sole focus remained on the bearded man beside Wang Zhen.
Wang Zhen, noticing Lin Ran's gaze fixed on his companion, chuckled heartily.
"It seems, hero Lin, you're quite interested in the one beside me!"
"Since that's the case, allow me to introduce him..."
"My maternal uncle, Wang Zifu, wielder of the S-rank talent, Illusionary Demise!"
"He is also a tenth-tier Awakener..."
"We brought him here mainly because my uncle greatly admires your heroic deeds and insisted on meeting you."
"Hoping... you two will have a pleasant exchange?"
Lin Ran's lips curved into a smile.
"What a coincidence. I also have an uncle I'd like to introduce to you, Master Wang..."
Wang Zhen snorted dismissively.
"Oh? Is that so? And your uncle..."
Before Wang Zhen could finish, a shadowy figure suddenly materialized, launching a lightning-fast flying kick that landed precisely on Wang Zifu's face.
Wang Zhen initially remained unconcerned, even amused.
After all, that was a tenth-tier Awakener!
With Wang Zifu in their ranks, the Wang family had always held a decisive advantage against families of comparable strength.
Even many families with significantly greater overall power often had to yield and avoid direct confrontation.
This was the strategic value a top-tier expert brought!
It was also Wang Zhen's greatest leverage in his attempt to dissuade Lin Ran.
His previous string of successes had instilled in him immense confidence, leading to an almost superstitious belief in Wang Zifu's invincibility.
However...
Due to the close proximity, Wang Zhen clearly heard a bone-jarring sound emanating from Wang Zifu's left arm.
Despite Wang Zifu's swift reaction and activation of his energy shield the moment the shadow attacked, he was utterly defeated, sent flying dozens of meters away.
An attack without any special skills from the shadowy figure could breach his defenses. Did this mean the attacker was at least on par with him?
Wang Zifu was horrified.
How was this possible?!
For a fleeting moment, Wang Zifu suspected Matt had arrived...
However, in matters so deeply involving personal grudges and conflicts of interest, Matt would likely not interfere directly.
So, whose subordinate was this?
Before he could ponder this, the shadowy figure struck again.
A left hook, a right hook, a diagonal kick...
No flashy skills or special effects were employed; only the satisfying impact of fist against flesh.
Wang Zifu was completely stunned by the ferocity of his opponent, having never encountered such a formidable individual. He could only do his best to defend with his fists and feet, and, dishonorably, began unleashing his skills.
Yet, the shadowy figure relentlessly pursued him, shrugging off his dazzling array of skills and leaving him no room to escape.
Who was this person?
When did Lin Ran's ranks acquire a tenth-tier expert?!
Wang Zifu felt as though his face was being contorted.
As for Wang Zhen, he witnessed a scene that would forever be etched in his memory...
The Wang family's greatest asset, the previously invincible tenth-tier Awakener Wang Zifu, was being relentlessly pursued and beaten down by a mysterious shadowy figure.
He couldn't recall the last time Wang Zifu had been so utterly embarrassed since reaching the tenth tier.
What struck him with even greater dread was how remarkably similar the shadowy figure's appearance was to Lin Ran's!
Aside from being slightly darker and exuding an aura of fierce darkness, he was an enlarged version of Lin Ran.
No matter how he looked at it, this person seemed to have some sort of blood relation to Lin Ran!
Furthermore, if he could so thoroughly suppress Wang Zifu, didn't that prove this shadowy figure was likely also a tenth-tier expert?!
Wang Zhen swallowed hard, a terrible premonition dawning in his mind.
He slowly realized that events were spiraling beyond his control.
Lin Ran, meanwhile, was smiling gleefully.
The shadowy figure was, of course, the tenth-tier Black Dragon Body.
Through remote control, Lin Ran could direct it in combat without swapping bodies.
Even without the aid of the Rinnegan or Eternal Mangekyo, the Black Dragon Body's effectiveness was considerable.
As a peak-level dragon, it inherently possessed advantages over humans.
Easily defeating an ordinary tenth-tier Awakener was child's play!
The only drawback was the immense strain on Lin Ran's own body when controlling the Black Dragon Body in this manner.
His heart could only withstand it for less than five minutes.
Still, subduing a mere Wang Zifu was hardly a challenge!
Submerged Dragon's Roar!
Under Lin Ran's command, the Black Dragon Body, locked in combat with Wang Zifu, suddenly turned sharply and vanished from sight.
Wang Zifu was not foolish enough to believe he was safe just because the enemy had disappeared.
His hairs standing on end from intense danger, he instinctively unleashed a shimmering, purple, circular energy shield to protect himself and flush out the Black Dragon Body.
Alas, the Black Dragon Body moved like an elusive phantom, its dragon claw extending before Wang Zifu's eyes as if passing through solid matter.
Roar Shakes the Nine Heavens!
A powerful sonic wave accompanied by an overwhelming shockwave erupted, causing Wang Zifu's mind to ring.
Under the Black Dragon Body's masterful manipulation, this shockwave did not disperse as an area-of-effect attack. Instead, it struck Wang Zifu alone before reversing its course, inflicting a second impact.
This wasn't the end!
The wave of impact continued to spread outwards!
Just as before, it was confined to Wang Zifu alone before returning.
As for Wang Zifu...
Despite his desperate efforts to unleash the corrosive, illusionary skills granted by his talent, the Black Dragon Body, relying on its tough hide, completely disregarded them, engaging in a reckless life-for-life exchange.
Observing Wang Zhen sweating profusely and Wang Zifu in evident pain, Lin Ran chuckled.
"Tsk, he's no match for you, your uncle..."
"He's completely outmatched by my uncle!"