Urban Divine Doctor Descends the Mountain Chapter 2674 - 2673: Another Reward!
Meanwhile, on the opposite side.
Confronting Lin Dong.
A subtle metallic glint hung in the atmosphere as the second statue puppet loomed motionless. Its build was bulkier than the initial one, enveloped in the distinctive aura of a Third-Layer Heavenly Boundary Martial Artist, resembling an authentic War God protecting the Earth Dragon Treasure Vault.
Lin Dong drew in a profound breath, his gaze brimming with thrill and delight.
He surmised that triumphing in this second confrontation could yield another prize.
Hesitation absent, the dragon blood inside him heated up, bloodline might rushed forth, promptly triggering the Reverse Scale Transformation of the Dragon Blood Holy Body.
Across Lin Dong’s skin, vague patterns of thick dragon scales emerged, every scale loaded with immense strength and vitality.
His frame burst outward, sinews resembling steel, like he had become a genuine dragon ready to shatter its shell.
Accompanied by a booming dragon’s bellow, Lin Dong lunged aggressively at the statue puppet, causing the space between them to blaze as if set aflame, exploding with thunderous noise.
The statue puppet remained undeterred, devoid of spirit or consciousness, but driven by its intricate gears and potent energy nucleus, it advanced swiftly and robustly, clashing in an intense hand-to-hand fight with Lin Dong.
Every impact caused the surroundings to quiver, generating ear-shattering echoes.
To Lin Dong’s astonishment, the puppet’s bodily might matched his enhanced form from the Reverse Scale Transformation of the Dragon Blood Holy Body; they stood on equal footing, victory elusive for either.
Yet Lin Dong didn’t depend only on raw power.
He swiftly composed himself, his eyes squinting a bit, and immediately invoked the Eye of Insight.
Through this enhanced sight piercing the world, the statue puppet’s inner workings and energy currents became visible. Upon thorough scrutiny, Lin Dong spotted the minor weakness concealed under its guard.
A trace of unsteadiness in the puppet’s central energy.
With his plan set, Lin Dong pulled back abruptly, creating separation from the puppet, as his inner spiritual energy flared chaotically, focusing on the sword he gripped.
He understood that overcoming this formidable puppet required an exact hit on the vulnerable point.
"Sword one, break!" Lin Dong whispered lowly. The essences of wind, fire, and thunder abruptly gathered on the sword, not merely stacked but seamlessly blended into a novel potency via the skillful manipulation of Infinite Force.
This potency possessed the agility and velocity of wind, the scorching burst of fire, and the savage piercing of thunder, their union amplifying the overall might.
Lin Dong’s form blurred, manifesting as a specter right at the puppet’s vulnerability, blade slashing forth, freezing the whole area in that instant.
The blade, integrated with wind, fire, and thunder, bore a cataclysmic force, striking the puppet’s nucleus dead on.
While Lin Dong’s shape shimmered, the earth spirit guardian beast statue radiating Third-Layer Heavenly Boundary Martial Artist presence toppled with a thud, sending dust skyward and unveiling his resolute outline.
Nearby, Yun Ruoxian, Tang Yun, Aidan, Tian Kong, and the Crescent Wolf Emperor watched, their stares blending incredulity and tangled feelings.
They regarded Lin Dong with awe at his incredible prowess, alongside a pang of resentment and reluctance over failing to pass even the initial barrier.
"This... how could this be?" Yun Ruoxian blurted out involuntarily, her striking eyes sparkling with wonder. She hadn’t conquered the first puppet herself. But Lin Dong had already cleared two hurdles, toppling the second one.
Aidan gripped his fists hard, nails digging into his skin. He was acutely aware of the divide between him and Lin Dong, a truth stirring both irritation and a spark of competitive drive.
Tang Yun displayed a contemplative look, her wise gaze delving into the mystery behind Lin Dong’s achievement, seeking insights for her own growth.
Tian Kong exhaled deeply. He had been the team’s top fighter, but now felt somewhat helpless, though admiration for Lin Dong dominated.
The Crescent Wolf Emperor, this formidable Werewolf Clan warrior, post-transformation, had his feral eyes gleaming oddly, as if reassessing Lin Dong’s capabilities.
While the group sank into their individual reflections, Lin Dong focused on the unfolding sight ahead.
The vanquished puppet statue gradually faded, dissolving into light particles that formed a radiant ray, soaring upward.
Shortly after, the glow vanished, and a fresh earth spirit guardian beast statue materialized for all to see, yet distinct from prior, this one radiated a subtler presence.
Its power fell short of the earlier Third-Layer statue, holding Second-Layer might instead!
Still, it outshone the prize from the initial victory.
"As anticipated, defeating each puppet yields an enhanced reward." Lin Dong curved his mouth into a subtle grin, his eyes gleaming with assurance and eagerness.
He advanced a couple of paces, softly caressing the new statue, sensing the vast energy inside, an unparalleled majesty rising within him.
A mental bond had formed between him and the puppet, allowing command via a hidden technique.
"Now I possess two statue puppets. One at First-Layer, the other at Second-Layer. Can I push the trials further?" Lin Dong yearned to advance more in the tests.
Should he exceed three levels and overcome a Fourth-Layer puppet statue, might he earn a third guardian beast statue?
In that case, wouldn’t Lin Dong command three Heavenly Realm Martial Artist-strength statues?
Then, he’d essentially carry a mobile Hidden Clan Family army!
While Lin Dong overpowered the second statue puppet with matchless might, claiming lavish prizes, elsewhere on the field, Aidan confronted a dire trial.
Positioned on a terrain of dense yellowish dirt, across from him stood a daunting earth spirit guardian beast puppet, emanating Third-Layer Heavenly Boundary Martial Artist aura.
Aidan recognized the chasm between him and Lin Dong yet refused to cease probing his boundaries.
He balled his fists, gaze alight with defiant resolve, choosing to unleash everything in an effort to transcend his level.
The fight erupted, Aidan’s movements nimble, akin to a shadow darting across the ochre ground, persistently hunting the earth spirit guardian beast puppet’s openings.
Still, bridging the Third-Layer power disparity proved tough. The earth spirit guardian beast puppet’s strikes landed with crushing force and solidity, infused with terrestrial mass and toughness, rendering Aidan’s dodges highly taxing.
With passing time, Aidan’s stamina and spiritual reserves waned steadily, while the earth spirit guardian beast puppet appeared inexhaustible, its assaults intensifying.
At last, during a fierce exchange, Aidan’s guard crumbled utterly. An overwhelming blow hurled him airborne, slamming him down hard.
In the swirling dirt, Aidan rose shakily, eyeing the upright earth spirit guardian beast puppet, his mind flooded with defeat. He grasped that his present power made contesting such a superior foe overly arduous.
A burst of light whisked Aidan from the trial area, returning him to the Earth Dragon Treasure Vault’s second layer gateway.
He glanced at his bare palms, a torrent of feelings churning inside.
"Again, no treasure this round. Damn it!" Aidan muttered angrily.
Intense frustration welled up in him.
He had witnessed Lin Dong acing two extra stages, gaining two puppets. But he couldn’t breach even one.
"Is our difference this vast? Damn it, he’s still inside. Planning a third extra challenge?" Aidan pondered, his face darkening further.