The group spoke at the top of their lungs, making no effort to conceal their voices. Each voice was more exaggerated than the last.
The onlookers, who had just narrowly escaped the explosion and were still in a state of shock, were now aghast.
After hearing the arrogant words of these individuals, their fear turned into outright fury.
"Damn it, they nearly killed people and they don't show a shred of remorse? What scumbags!"
"Exactly, they won't even apologize. Such terrible manners!"
"And these people are *disappointed* that they didn't blow us all up? Are they trying to kill us all?"
"Beasts! They're all beasts! Isn't this attempted murder? Let's just call the police!"
"Yes, the extent of the damage to the shops alone is enough to warrant a case!"
"..."
The onlookers, spurning the group that had descended from the sky, began to frantically use their communication devices to contact law enforcement.
Meanwhile, among the group, the young man leading them, known as Chen Shao,’s eyes glinted with ferocity:
"Insolent peasants! Not only are your mouths foul, but you show no reverence towards this young master!"
"Don't even talk about you lower-class folk of Jiangu. Even in Chang Le City, the provincial capital of Weiyang Province, if I were to blow up a street, would anyone dare utter a single complaint?"
"You dare to call the police? Afu, apprehend them!"
A burly man with a fiery red beard and hair beside him immediately responded with a sinister grin:
"Leave it to me, Young Master Chen..."
As he spoke, he transformed into a swift black whirlwind, engulfing all hundred-plus people.
By the time the commoners could react, they found themselves inexplicably bound by ropes, tied up like zongzi and formed into a circle, their communication devices also fitted with signal jamming beacons.
Chen Shao laughed triumphantly:
"You dare to be arrogant, you mere commoners from a small town?"
"If I don't show you a bit of my power, you'll never know what reverence is!"
"Someone, kick their mouths until they're broken, no holding back!"
"With my status, even if I were to overturn all of Jiangu, who in all of Weiyang Province could dare to say a single word against it?"
Watching the remaining dozen or so awakened individuals rush towards them, the onlookers’ faces contorted in terror.
In their small town, ordinary people like them had never encountered such overbearing beings.
However, just as the dozen strong men raised their feet to strike, a pale blue light screen rapidly materialized, effectively blocking their legs.
At the same time, two figures emerged from the dust and smoke kicked up by the recent explosion.
Awakened ones?
Seeing these two leisurely figures, Chen Shao frowned:
"Who?"
"Which audacious bastard dares to ruin my plans?"
After dispersing the dust, Lin Ran did not reply. Instead, he glanced at the family crest on Chen Shao's chest, a smile slowly forming on his lips:
"Weiyang Lu family?"
"Then, your full name should be Lu Chen, right?"
Lu Chen's expression changed. He looked at Lin Ran's unfamiliar face with uncertainty:
"Who are you?"
Lin Ran did not answer. Instead, he continued to expand the range of his 'Room' domain, until it encompassed everyone in the entire area.
Weiyang Province, where Jiangu City was located, had three renowned powerful clans.
They were the Weiyang Lu family, the Weiyang Qi family, and the Weiyang Zhong family.
Among them, the Weiyang Lu family held the greatest and most extravagant influence.
In the relatively remote Weiyang Province, the Lu family exerted considerable control over the entire province, practically covering its entire domain.
In the past, Jiangu City, being too far east, was a border town at the easternmost edge of Weiyang Province, and it was poor. The Lu family disdained it and therefore did not establish a presence there, so its people did not feel their influence.
But in reality, even the governor of Weiyang Province, directly under the Supreme Council, often had to curry favor with them.
After all, governors were replaced frequently, while the Lu family had been entrenched in Weiyang for thousands of years.
As for the other two emerging powerful families, the Qi and Zhong families, they generally followed the lead of the Lu family.
As long as a new governor of Weiyang Province did not cooperate with them, they would incessantly stir up trouble in various sectors, creating chaos and destruction, and doing everything they could to torment the governor.
One wave after another, they would wear down governors, forcing them to either submit or leave.
This resulted in almost all governors facing one of two outcomes: submission or expulsion.
Consequently, the head of the Lu family became akin to the virtual emperor of Weiyang, wielding immense power.
It could be said that these relatively western provinces, compared to the eastern ones, had a much greater level of fear regarding powerful clans...
Just like the Su family in Xiangchu, although they had significant control over Xiangchu Province, it was ultimately not as outrageous as the Lu family.
No wonder they had pushed the Supreme Council to the brink, leading to plans to eradicate them completely.
After all, nearly 70% of these powerful clans behaved similarly, acting as true tumors on the great tree that was the Dragon Country.
Of course, many other countries besides the Dragon Country were in a similar predicament. Powerful clans had almost seized more than half of a country's power, and in some cases, even more, with some even having the capacity to become states within a state.
In comparison, the Dragon Country was actually doing relatively better.
These families, which had gradually grown and strengthened since the early days of the spiritual energy resurgence, had, after thousands of years of accumulation, become a global problem, each increasingly entrenched and difficult to dislodge...
Unfortunately, today, this arrogant Lu Chen had inexplicably provoked the one person he absolutely should not have provoked, Lin Ran.
From Matt's previous incident of suppressing Su Lie, Lin Ran had learned a valuable lesson.
That is, when one's personal combat power reaches a level that others cannot possibly attain, even the most powerful clans can do nothing against them.
After all, powerful clans had too many scruples, while Matt, when enraged, would disregard everything.
And Lin Ran was confident that he could reach Matt's level in the future, or even surpass him.
If that was the case, what else was there to worry about?
Not to mention, he had promised Tristram that he would help him and the Supreme Council to gradually eliminate these tumors...
Thinking of this, Lin Ran smiled:
"By the way, what is your relationship with Lu Yuan?"
Upon hearing Lin Ran's question, Lu Chen sensed that Lin Ran's identity was not simple. He cautiously eyed the pale blue light screen that enveloped them and called out loudly:
"Lu Yuan is my elder brother! What of it? Do you know him?"
Lin Ran's smile grew even brighter:
"Oh..."
"So Lu Yuan is your elder brother!"
"Him, I know him very well..."
Hearing this, Lu Chen chuckled.
He had already recognized Lin Ran's extraordinary abilities and had felt a bit of trouble brewing.
But now, it seemed they were on the same side!
However, before his smile could fully form, Lin Ran's hand suddenly flickered with brilliant electric light.
Simultaneously, a powerful oppressive aura emanated, almost crushing his shoulders. His legs involuntarily buckled, and he fell to his knees with a thud.
His heart pulsed erratically!
Conqueror's Haki!