Urban Divine Doctor Descends the Mountain Chapter 2841 - 2840: Go Further

Upon hearing Tian Sha’s declaration, Lin Dong offered a subtle smile, not bothering with formalities.

"Since Brother Tian Sha is so inclined, I shall not hold back my hand. This water essence shall be mine."

With a gentle sweep of his sleeve, the water essence, brimming with supreme power, transformed into a streak of light and settled smoothly into his palm.

Though Lin Dong’s eyes gleamed with profound eagerness and anticipation for the water essence, his outward demeanor remained one of perfect composure.

He then offered a respectful clasp of his hands to Tian Sha, his voice resonating with sincerity and unwavering resolve:

"Brother Tian Sha, would you do me the honor of acting as my guardian? I am prepared to absorb this water essence now."

Before his words had even fully settled, the aura around Lin Dong began to subtly shift and surge, a clear indication that he was poised to commit fully.

Tian Sha, hearing this request, displayed a momentary surprise before a playful smirk danced upon his lips, a complex glimmer flashing within his eyes.

"Brother Lin, you place your trust in me now? Allowing me to safeguard you," he remarked, his tone laced with a teasing, probing quality, as if seeking to uncover deeper layers of Lin Dong's intentions.

However, Lin Dong’s inner thoughts were as clear as a polished mirror.

He harbored no complete trust in Tian Sha, this enigmatic figure who represented both a potential ally and a potential adversary.

Yet, the boldness with which Lin Dong extended this request for protection stemmed from calculations far deeper within his strategic mind.

"He will not act rashly against me before the forbidden array is activated," Lin Dong mused silently, weighing his options. "Even if genuine trust is absent, our shared interests necessitate that he will dutifully protect me."

This conviction was not born of blind faith, but rather from a profound understanding of the present circumstances and an accurate appraisal of Tian Sha’s inherent character.

Tian Sha, perceiving Lin Dong’s perspective, though still harboring certain reservations, maintained an unruffled exterior, betraying no unusual reactions.

He gave a slow nod, his form seeming to shimmer momentarily as a formidable aura erupted outwards, encompassing an area spanning several kilometers.

"Very well, Brother Lin. Proceed with your absorption without concern. With me standing guard, no intruder shall dare disturb you," he declared, his voice a deep, powerful rumble, like an unspoken pledge.

Lin Dong, hearing this assurance, let out a silent, internal sigh of relief.

He settled himself into a cross-legged posture, positioning the water essence before him. Gently placing his hands upon it, he closed his eyes, focusing his mind intently as he began the process of drawing the essence’s power into his body.

As the water essence integrated, Lin Dong’s physical form started to undergo subtle transformations. Potent waves of energy surged through him, seemingly propelling him toward an entirely new level of existence.

Tian Sha remained stationed nearby, his gaze sharp and penetrating, like a searing torch, vigilantly surveying the surrounding area to preempt any unforeseen developments.

The entire environment, save for the resonant hum of energy coursing within Lin Dong, was utterly silent.

Time seemed to hang suspended in that instant, with all existence awaiting the metamorphosis Lin Dong would undergo upon successfully absorbing the water essence.

Tian Sha continued to observe Lin Dong intently, a flicker in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Lin Dong, immersed in the process of absorption, found himself enveloped in a profound, cerulean abyss, as if the entire cosmos had dissolved into an intangible current of water, ceaselessly flowing into his being.

His skin emitted a faint, aqueous luminescence, and each respiration was accompanied by a palpable surge of energy, signifying the water essence’s assimilation and its transformation into his personal cultivation power.

Tian Sha stood by, his gaze locked, intently witnessing Lin Dong’s metamorphosis.

The occasional flash of an inscrutable light in his eyes hinted at thoughts unknown.

At this juncture, Lin Dong’s inner state was far from tranquil.

Despite possessing a ninety percent certainty that Tian Sha would refrain from immediate aggression,

as a cultivator seasoned by innumerable trials of life and death, he was acutely aware of the grave implications of the word "what if."

Consequently, he had covertly initiated a connection, linking his mental power with a meticulously crafted puppet.

This puppet possessed the formidable strength equivalent to that of a Third Heaven cultivator.

It had been specifically prepared for critical moments, imbued with a fragment of his consciousness and power, capable of instantaneous activation should Tian Sha make a move, thus granting him precious moments to react.

Furthermore, Lin Dong's Spiritual Power Domain, intricately woven into an undetectable net, though modest in scope, was sufficient to erect a defensive shield at a crucial instant, enabling a swift awakening and response to emergent dangers during his deep cultivation.

As minute after minute ticked by, Lin Dong’s internal energy surged with the force of raging torrents, his cultivation realm advancing at a breakneck pace through this process.

The water essence derived from the Water Evil Demon Ape was not only exceptionally pure but also immense in volume, providing a stalwart foundation for his impending breakthrough.

With the final trace of water energy integrating into his being, Lin Dong's cultivation realm ascended to the late stage of the Heavenly Realm Second Layer Heaven, now merely a single step from its zenith.

A surge of power coursed through him as Lin Dong's eyes snapped open, a radiant light glinting within their depths. His gaze fell upon Tian Sha, who remained in the same unmoving posture as before, making it seem as though no hostile intent had ever crossed his mind.

At this juncture, Lin Dong's heart was a tempest of swirling emotions.

"Could it be that Tian Sha is genuinely worthy of trust?" Lin Dong pondered internally.

"Thank you kindly, Brother Tian Sha, for your vigilance," Lin Dong stated, rising to his feet. His tone held a newfound sense of ease, as if halfway to placing his trust in Tian Sha at this very moment.

He recognized that regardless of Tian Sha's underlying motives, this timely aid was of paramount importance to his progress.

Tian Sha offered a slight nod, his eyes conveying a profound depth. "Congratulations, Brother Lin. By absorbing this water energy, you have successfully advanced to the late stage of the Heavenly Realm Second Layer Heaven, bringing you just one step shy of its peak!"

"Truly a cause for elation!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Dong's heart skipped a beat as he responded, "Purely fortunate circumstances. Moreover, the late stage of the Heavenly Realm Second Layer Heaven hardly presents a challenge before someone of Brother Tian Sha's caliber."

"Brother Tian Sha must surely be a martial artist at the Fourth Heaven Peak already, am I right? This time, if we can secure the Origin Power, perhaps with its assistance, I can shatter this bottleneck and directly ascend to the rank of Secondary Ancestor?"

"Haha..." Tian Sha let out a hearty laugh. "Ascending to the rank of Secondary Ancestor demands significant fortune. There remains a considerable distance to traverse."

"Brother Lin, let us proceed onward. We must breach that formidable forbidden array and then venture within to seek the Origin Power."

Lin Dong assented with a nod, and together with Tian Sha, the duo traversed the river that had previously been under the watchful guard of the Water Evil Demon Ape.

Their path now led toward the location of the fabled forbidden array.

Throughout their journey, Tian Sha noted Lin Dong's posture, which was almost entirely devoid of any defensive wariness towards him.

"It appears he places his trust in me now," Tian Sha mused to himself.

This realization brought a smile to his lips. Unable to contain himself, he continued, "Brother Lin, judging by the minimal absorption of water source power from the Water Evil Demon Ape, it is evident that the Water Origin must reside within.

"Furthermore, this Water Origin likely possesses immense defensive capabilities. The Water Evil Demon Ape, after absorbing even a fraction of its essence, was capable of conjuring that invulnerable Water Source Shield."

"If the entirety of the Water Origin were to be fully assimilated, the resultant benefits would be beyond comprehension."

Upon hearing this, Lin Dong also concurred with a deep nod, "What Brother Lin speaks is indeed correct."

"It seems we have reached our destination."

As these words were spoken, they found themselves standing at the very threshold of the forbidden array.

Before them, a protective shield shimmered, forming an impregnable prohibition.

To gain entry beyond this point, the breaching of this prohibition was an absolute necessity.