Urban Divine Doctor Descends the Mountain Chapter 2686 - 2685: Lin Dong’s Trial

Right then, the mood felt quite tense, broken only when the Crescent Wolf Emperor spoke up: "When we got teleported out before, it looked like Lin Dong called forth the puppet from the Third Heaven, or did our eyes deceive us?"

His words hit like a rock dropped into still waters, creating waves of disturbance.

Yun Ruoxian and Tang Yun shook their heads as they heard it, determination shining in their gazes.

"It wasn’t a trick of the light; it happened for real." Yun Ruoxian’s tone was soft but landed on everyone’s minds with the force of a mighty blow.

"Wow!" The confirmation made Tian Kong, Aidan, and the Crescent Wolf Emperor stare in astonishment, their expressions full of doubt.

Aidan sucked in a sharp breath, blurting out: "Damn it, so Lin Dong straight-up took down the Fourth Heaven puppet inside the second Earth Dragon Treasure Vault?" His words shook slightly, showing how utterly stunned he was by the news.

The Crescent Wolf Emperor wrinkled his forehead, commenting with a sour note: "Looks like we’ve seriously misjudged Lin Dong. A Martial artist stuck at First Heaven power managing to overcome a Fourth Heaven puppet—it’s just... "

His statement brimmed with tangled feelings he couldn’t quite express, mixing awe at Lin Dong’s prowess with a profound sense of defeat.

"Taking out a puppet at Fourth Heaven level—that’s way too insane!" Tian Kong jumped in without thinking, his voice blending shock with a touch of envy, "With just First Heaven power, he skipped right over three levels, and that’s in the Heavenly Realm for Martial Artists—totally insane!"

"Maybe he really will clear the Third Stage and claim the Earth Dragon Treasure Technique." Tang Yun whispered softly.

These words caused the group of five to quiet down once more.

After what felt like ages, Aidan broke the hush: "If he grabs the Earth Dragon Treasure Technique, doesn’t that put him beyond the reach of even Junior Patriarch Level experts trying to end him?"

"He might not stand against Junior Patriarch Level yet, but armed with the Earth Dragon Treasure Technique, fleeing would be simple for him."

"Of course, I’m genuinely curious about what challenges await Lin Dong in the Third Stage." Yun Ruoxian whispered.

...

Meanwhile, in the Third Stage area, Lin Dong stood alone for now.

Within the Third Stage, Lin Dong felt cast away at the edge of existence, encircled by boundless emptiness, every footfall stepping into mystery and doubt.

He pressed on by himself, time fading into irrelevance in this place, joined solely by the thump of his heart and the sound of his steps, hunting through this never-ending quest for hints about the trial’s essence, the way to succeed, but those hints appeared elusive, like fading visions.

Right as the solitude threatened to engulf him, a soft, known voice cut through the quiet, emerging gently from behind:

"Dong’er."

In that instant, Lin Dong’s heart jolted, seized by some unseen grip, his blood freezing solid right away.

That sound belonged to the summons that lingered in his soul, called forth in dreams over and over, coming from his mother.

Amid this realm of uncertainty and trials, it acted like a soothing beam of sunlight, breaking through the chill and shadows.

Lin Dong’s actions slowed to a crawl, as though he feared this was merely a dream, that haste might shatter this precious comfort, reducing it to nothing.

He turned gradually, each motion spanning what seemed like endless ages, until the well-known face, radiating boundless affection and kindness, fully appeared before him.

"Mom..." Lin Dong’s voice caught in his throat, rough and shaky, tears welling up in his eyes without him noticing.

The mother standing there matched his recollections perfectly, untouched by the passage of years on her face, her warm smile as captivating as ever, capable of thawing any frost in existence.

"Dong’er, my dear child." His mother advanced a couple of paces, opening her arms wide, her eyes glistening with tears but brimming with reassurance and support, "Wherever life takes you, no matter the obstacles, keep in mind that mom’s always by your side, backing you, cherishing you."

Lin Dong lost hold of his feelings, tears flowing freely as he rushed ahead to wrap his arms around his mother tightly, pouring all the accumulated yearning and hardships of the years into that embrace.

Right then, every ordeal, every isolation and dread, faded into triviality, for with mother present, home existed—the ultimate source of strength.

"Mom, I’ve missed you terribly, so terribly..." Lin Dong murmured close to her ear, his tone revealing a childlike vulnerability and need.

His mother stroked his back softly, offering gentle solace: "Dong’er, stay strong; whatever comes your way, trust in yourself."

Her guidance flowed like a mild spring breeze across the face, tender yet infused with unyielding power:

"Dong’er, why not come back home with mom?"

This offer pulled at Lin Dong’s heart like a summons across eras.

Though logic warned him this version of his mother could be a trial element, a fabrication in the illusory domain, the deep-seated desire felt more vivid than reality, evoking the innocence of youth.

Lin Dong paused briefly, but that pause soon got overwhelmed by his craving for a mother’s care.

"Even if it’s not real, I’ll cherish every extra second with mom." He resolved inwardly, a choice that immediately eased his inner weight, bringing a sense of liberation.

His mother reached out her hand, and Lin Dong grasped it promptly, feeling its comforting warmth and familiarity, powerful enough to banish all chill and solitude.

Side by side they went, their path weaving through old recollections blended with the present, until a well-remembered entrance loomed ahead—the house of his early years.

The entrance swung open smoothly, a nostalgic home scent rushing forth, every detail so recognizable, so cherished.

Lin Dong felt as if he traversed a corridor of time, slipping back into those joyful, giggle-packed days of childhood.

Guided by his mother inside, each item of decor and layout stirred his emotions, reviving buried reminiscences.

His mother whipped up his beloved rice-based meals, then sat watching him devour them eagerly, her gaze overflowing with parental warmth and satisfaction.

Lin Dong relished this coziness, every bite bursting with homely flavors, allowing him to set aside all worries and challenges.

Together they talked and chuckled, time appearing to halt, with only the bond of mother and son radiating joy and serenity.

Lin Dong sank into this bliss, bit by bit forgetting the trial’s nature, his whereabouts, and his initial goal.

All he desired was for it to last, staying with mom in this uncommon tranquility and delight.

He remained unaware that the deeper his wish to linger with mom grew, the fainter his quest’s aim became in his thoughts.

Furthermore, the settings around him, his senses, and every feeling sharpened into greater authenticity.

Should this persist, Lin Dong would stay trapped eternally in this fabricated realm.