Urban Divine Doctor Descends the Mountain

Chapter 2680: Chapter 2679: Stay Low-Key!

After the challenge failed, Lin Dong was naturally transmitted out as well.

Lin Dong’s figure gradually solidified amidst the flickering light, and when he opened his eyes again, he found himself at the exit of the second Earth Dragon Treasure Vault.

At this moment, Yun Ruoxian, Tang Yun, Tian Kong, the Crescent Wolf Emperor, and Aidan were sitting not far away, their faces filled with anticipation and concern, as if they were waiting for a miracle to return.

When Lin Dong’s figure was completely revealed, the five of them stood up almost simultaneously, their eyes shining with disbelief.

The Crescent Wolf Emperor couldn’t suppress his inner excitement and spoke first: "Lin Dong, you actually held on for so long against that puppet with Fourth Heaven strength! We all thought..."

His voice trembled slightly with excitement, but the latter half of his sentence got stuck in his throat, unspoken.

Lin Dong heard this and couldn’t help but feel a bitter smile rise in his heart.

He wasn’t holding on under the puppet of the Fourth Heaven; it was clearly a Fifth Heaven existence!

But thinking it over, he decided it was better to keep a low profile.

He had defeated the Fourth Heaven puppet, and had held his ground in front of a Fifth Heaven-strength puppet for hundreds of rounds. Was there any need to tell them this?

Really, there was no need!

This misunderstanding could perhaps spare him from a lot of explaining, so he chose silence and did not immediately correct them.

At this moment, the other four also gathered around, their eyes filled with shock and admiration.

Yun Ruoxian’s eyes shimmered with gentleness and pride, as she softly said, "Lin Dong, you have truly made us all see you in a new light."

Tang Yun patted Lin Dong’s shoulder and said laughingly, "Although you failed, don’t be disheartened. Why the long face? It was a Fourth Heaven puppet, and even if you lost, it was an honor to lose!"

Tian Kong’s expression was serious; he deeply understood how arduous the challenge Lin Dong faced was, making his praise even more profound: "To hold out so long under such a puppet is testament to your willpower and strength, both beyond ordinary."

"We, with Second Heaven strength, could only withstand such a puppet for three moves."

Aidan’s face turned extremely grim, knowing that without a stroke of luck, he wouldn’t surpass Lin Dong in this lifetime.

The other was truly against the heavens. A Fourth Heaven puppet, yet he could fight against it, holding out for so long!

Faced with the shock and praise of the five, Lin Dong merely smiled slightly, humbly shaking his head: "Actually, it was nothing, merely luck."

However, despite Lin Dong’s humble words, the five could feel the resilience and confidence subtly embedded in his speech.

They knew Lin Dong could hold out so long against that Fifth Heaven puppet not just because of his strength, but also his talent and numerous trump cards.

This talent completely justified his title as a mythical figure of ten thousand years, and his trump cards discouraged anyone from treating him as just an ordinary First Heaven Realm warrior!

At this moment, Lin Dong didn’t want the attention of everyone’s gaze lingering on him too much.

So, he began to change the topic.

"Next, it’s the third stage. It’s said that passing the third stage allows entry into the Earth Dragon Treasure Vault holding the Earth Dragon Treasure Technique. I just don’t know how difficult the third stage will be."

Lin Dong’s words, like a gentle breeze, softly dispersed the lingering tension and praise in the air, guiding everyone’s thoughts to the unknown distances.

As Lin Dong’s words fell, the focus that had been on him started to gradually disperse, instead shifting to the unknown and dangerous third stage.

Yun Ruoxian, Tang Yun, Tian Kong, and the Crescent Wolf Emperor each had expressions filled with gravity and contemplation, deeply aware that each step forward meant greater risks and trials.

"The second stage was so hard, almost making us fall. This third stage is bound to be harder," Aidan’s voice broke the silence, tinged with a slight but discernible tremor, clearly indicating that the thrilling experiences of the second stage still left him somewhat shaken.

His gaze wandered among them, seemingly seeking some form of support or resonance.

The Crescent Wolf Emperor, hearing this, cast his sharp gaze at Aidan, his voice carrying undeniable resolve: "If you’re afraid, you don’t have to go! If you don’t go, no one will look down on you. After all, life is more important!"

Though those words were direct and harsh, they were also out of concern for his companion’s safety. He knew all too well that on the path of adventure, courage and reason were equally important.

Aidan’s face shifted unpredictably under the Crescent Wolf Emperor’s words, as if stirred by a tempest.

Recalling the many difficulties and hardships of the second stage, particularly those moments that nearly cost him his life, and the humiliation of being treated like a ’cow’ by natives after losing his Inner Qi, a strong feeling of fear surged within him.

He knew that continuing forward might mean greater danger and sacrifice, while retreating would mean giving up the treasure that could change his fate.

Amidst this tangled web of emotions, Aidan finally made a decision.

He took a deep breath, a flash of resolve in his eyes: "Forget it, I won’t go for the third stage, my life is more important."

As he said these words, his voice was light yet exceptionally firm.

He knew this decision might cost him some opportunities, but at least he was preserving his life.

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent for a moment.

They understood and respected Aidan’s choice.

In this world filled with the unknown and danger, everyone has the right to choose their own path.

"Aidan chose to quit, how about you guys?" Lin Dong, as the team’s leader, looked at the remaining four one by one.

Yun Ruoxian hesitated for a moment, then said, "I want to give it a try! After all the hardships to get here, how can I shrink back before even entering the third stage?"

Tang Yun nodded and said, "That’s right, to yield without a fight is not my style!"

The Crescent Wolf Emperor said, "Realm Martial Artists, what are we afraid of? Martial artists contend with the heavens for that chance at life. As long as there’s a shred of hope, we must strive for it. Otherwise, that’s it for this life. Forget becoming a thousand-year myth; even becoming a hundred-year myth would be impossible!"

Tian Kong, though silent, indicated through his actions that he too, did not wish to give up.

Seeing this, Lin Dong nodded and said, "Alright, then from here on, the five of us shall continue forward, to challenge that third stage."

Speaking up to this point, he looked at Aidan again and continued, "As for Aidan, you can wait for us here."

Afterward, Lin Dong, Yun Ruoxian, Tang Yun, Tian Kong, and the Crescent Wolf Emperor continued onward to face the challenge of the unknown third stage.