Wizard: Starting from Escape from the Thorn Garden

Chapter 168 Choice

Kate did not answer immediately.

He lowered his eyelids slightly, as if to draw all his attention inward and focus it on the slowly rotating, four-colored halo of the Heart of Reincarnation in his own spiritual sea.

Elune's words, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirred ripples in his heart.

The pros and cons of the three paths were analyzed with crystal clarity, and this choice would determine the trajectory of his wizarding career for the next decades or even centuries.

His consciousness first sank into the deduction of the first path: to remain in the core area of ​​the Eternal Song Tree, immersing himself in the "Temple of the Origin of Life" and the "Library of Natural Rhythms".

Instantly, a vast sea of ​​ancient texts, exquisite records of ancient experiments, and a massive knowledge system about the essence of the rules of life, accumulated by countless generations of sages of the Ring of Life, came to mind.

This is undoubtedly fatally attractive.

He can systematically fill in the gaps in basic theory that might result from rapid advancement in the Eternal Night Canyon and the Tranquil Forest, and polish his understanding of the "Seed of Life" to perfection.

Safe, stable, and resource-rich—these words sound so reassuring.

With the merits he brought this time and the favor of his mentor, it's almost a certainty that he will obtain enough resources to advance to the third ring step by step.

However, as the mentor said, without a personal understanding of the rules of "death" and the impact of extreme environments, his "core of death" may gradually lag behind, leading to an imbalance in the cycle of reincarnation.

His core belief in reincarnation lies in "cycle" and "balance".

Life and death are two opposing yet unified poles, like gears that need to mesh tightly.

In a peaceful and harmonious research environment, the rules of life can naturally be continuously refined, and even more mysterious applications can be derived from the rules of "dreams".

However, what about the rules of death? They originate from extinction, annihilation, and end. To perceive death in a greenhouse is like watching a fire from across the river; one can never touch the scorching heat and nothingness that consumes everything.

If this continues, the Wheel of Life will become increasingly dazzling, while the Scythe of Death will gradually dim. The operation of the entire cycle of reincarnation will inevitably become sluggish, and it may even lead to an unpredictable collapse during a crucial breakthrough due to the repeated weakening of the rules of death.

This is by no means an exaggeration, but rather an inevitability determined by the very nature of his path.

Ash's growth also requires a wider space and more challenges.

Through the soul connection, he could sense Aisha's adaptation to the new environment and her desire for more spatial mysteries.

While the space inside the Eternal Song Tree is indeed stable and exquisite, it feels more like a refined cage to Aisha, who is already a second-ring space-type magical plant.

She needs more complex and dangerous spatial environments to hone her "Starlight Imprisonment Field," and she needs to face real spatial turbulence and folding traps to improve her "Spatial Weaving" skills.

A comfortable environment can also limit the potential of this symbiotic partner.

Then, his thoughts turned to the second path: participating in the challenging missions and exploration of secret realms within.

Images of the intense competition with elites of the same rank in the "Forest Crown Trial" flashed through my mind, as I solved puzzles and fought against powerful guardian creatures in a meticulously designed ancient secret realm.

This can indeed hone combat skills, test the application of rules, and offer generous rewards.

This is like an elite path, allowing one to quickly improve practical skills, accumulate reputation, and integrate into the core circle of the Ring of Life under relatively controllable risks.

But it is indeed like a confrontation in a greenhouse, lacking the extreme pressure of a real battlefield where things change in an instant and life and death are on the line, making it difficult to force out the deepest potential.

No matter how dangerous these trials and missions are, they are always under the watchful eye of high-ranking wizards, and governed by established rules and bottom lines.

They are more like "exams" or "drills" than a life-or-death war.

In such an environment, it is difficult to experience the ultimate feeling of squeezing every last drop of potential from one's soul in order to survive, and of glimpsing the most essential aspects of the rules in dire circumstances.

His reincarnation heart only grew and broke through rapidly when the army of the undead was pressing in on the Eternal Night Canyon and when he faced the erosion of nightmares in the Tranquil Forest.

That feeling of walking on the edge of a knife, dancing with death, is a catalyst that no simulation training can replace.

The risks of frontline garrisoning and interdimensional warfare are undeniable.

Thinking of this, Kate's heart involuntarily quickened slightly, and her already nascent crystallized heart transmitted a throbbing sensation mixed with vigilance and—excitement.

But he clearly remembers his experiences in the Eternal Night Canyon and the Tranquil Forest. It was under those extreme dangers and pressures that his Reincarnation Heart was able to grow and break through rapidly.

Fragments of memory surged: the suffocating pressure of the Undead Lord's incarnation, the endless onslaught of the Withering Legion, the eerie and unpredictable mental erosion of the Seed of Nightmare —

Each time, it was as if he was thrown into a furnace, where his flesh, soul, and understanding of the rules were frantically forged and tempered.

The pain was extreme, yet I could also clearly feel my own transformation.

That feeling of walking on the edge of life and death, searching for a way out of despair, was dangerous, but it made the rules of life and death within him unusually active and resonate more deeply.

At that moment, life and death were no longer opposing concepts from books, but rather transformed into the two most fundamental forces that sustained his survival.

The power of life shines most brilliantly in dire straits, while the power of death becomes the most ruthless weapon to annihilate powerful enemies.

The dynamic equilibrium formed between the two under extreme pressure is the most perfect interpretation of the heart of reincarnation.

This profound experience, which can never be obtained in a tranquil environment, is more precious to him than any treasure trove of knowledge.

More importantly, those bizarre sub-dimensions held a fatal attraction for him.

His mentor Elune's words awakened him.

The Ring of Life rules over a vast territory, bordering multiple hostile forces, with countless spatial rifts and newly discovered sub-dimensions existing along its borders.

These planes are often irregular or distorted, full of unpredictable dangers, but they also harbor resources that are rare or even unique to the material world.

His rules of death require a more refined environment of death essence to temper them, such as a destructive plane that has just been corrupted by the power of the "Abyss of Decay" and whose death energy is so concentrated that it cannot be dissolved.

The rules of dreams also need more bizarre and illusory places to be verified and improved, such as strange dimensions where the flow of time is abnormal and the boundary between reality and dreams is blurred.

These are things that are hard to find in the relatively stable main world. Only by going deep into the front lines can one have the opportunity to come into contact with, or even enter, these planes and seek opportunities that can bring about a qualitative change in one's own rules.

Thoughts surged like a tide, eventually converging into a clear understanding:

Stability can solidify the foundation, but it can also cause a loss of vigor.

Prolonged comfort might erode the tenacity and keen intuition he developed from rising from humble beginnings and fighting for his life.

His path was forged amidst turmoil and crisis.

Danger may lead to utter ruin, but it also holds extraordinary opportunities.

High risk and high reward coexist.

For him, who yearned for rapid growth, the ultimate exploration of rules, and the possibility of going further on the path of reincarnation, the allure of this opportunity was irresistible.

His path was one of walking on the edge of life and death, seeking balance and transcendence. How could one glimpse the true meaning of reincarnation if one feared risk?

This is not just a choice of career path, but also a questioning and practice of his own beliefs about the path.

If one chooses comfort out of fear, his cycle of reincarnation will likely end there, with no possibility of ever seeing a higher realm.

A moment later, Kate looked up, the hesitation in her eyes gone, replaced by a resolute and sharp look that came from careful consideration.

That sharpness is not about flaunting one's abilities, but rather about containing the wisdom to understand oneself and the future.

He looked at Elune's avatar, his voice steady and clear: "Mentor, I choose the third path. To go to the front lines, to defend or participate in the planar struggle."

The radiance surrounding Elune's avatar seemed to freeze for a moment before returning to normal, and a barely perceptible expression of relief and worry appeared on her blurred face.

She saw the determination in her disciple's eyes, and she also saw the bloodshed that lay ahead on this path.

As a mentor, she was gratified by her disciple's determination to challenge himself and pursue the great path, but she couldn't help but worry about the thorny road ahead.

"Are you sure? You should know that this is not a training ground; every mission could be the last."

Her voice remained gentle, but her tone became more forceful, delivering a final confirmation and warning.

"Disciple understands." Kate's gaze was firm and unwavering. "Only by placing myself in a true crucible of life and death, and experiencing death and rebirth under extreme pressure, can I truly temper my heart of reincarnation and find the opportunity for balance and breakthrough more quickly."

He paused, his tone carrying an undeniable certainty, "Those planes with their unique rules are irreplaceable treasures for me. A comfortable environment might actually slow me down."

He frankly expressed his core considerations, both to clarify his thoughts to his mentor and to reaffirm his beliefs.

"Alright." Elune's avatar nodded slowly. She did not try to dissuade them any further. At their level, once they made a major decision concerning their own path, too much interference from outsiders would be detrimental.

"Since you have made up your mind, I will comply. The Ring of Life respects each member's choice of their own path."

As she finished speaking, a beam of emerald light separated from the phantom of the World Tree, transforming into an ancient-looking badge that appeared to be made of intertwined leaves and vines, which floated in front of Kate.

The badge has a warm, smooth feel and contains a pure life force. The front features the World Tree emblem with the Ring of Life, while the back has a small crossed sword and staff and root pattern representing "frontline deployment".

This is not only a certificate of identity, but also a symbol of honor and responsibility.

"This is your new identity badge; your permissions have been updated."

With it, you can go to the Expeditionary Hall on the seventh floor of the Eternal Song Tree to accept frontline missions that suit you and check basic information about relevant war zones and planes.

There will also be dedicated supply exchange points and a merit record system there.

Elune explained the subsequent procedures in detail.

Then, her tone became more serious: "As your mentor, I grant you an additional privilege: you can use this badge to send me an urgent message or request for help of no more than one hundred words directly to my avatar once a month."

This is undoubtedly a precious life-saving charm, meaning that if he really encounters an insurmountable life-or-death crisis, he will still have one chance to ask his mentor for help.

This care and attention warmed Kate's heart.

"Thank you, mentor!" Kate solemnly accepted the badge, and could feel a special energy fluctuation and her mentor's mark contained within it.

He carefully wore the badge on his chest, alongside the "Heart of Life" medal.

"Go ahead, Kate."

Elune's avatar's voice was gentle yet cautionary, "The front lines are not like the rear. Be cautious in everything you do. Trust your teammates, but rely even more on your own strength and wisdom."

Her gaze seemed to pierce through space, glimpsing the distant future. "I hope that when I see you next time, your heart of reincarnation will shine even brighter."

This is a blessing, and also an expectation.

"I will heed your teachings! This disciple takes his leave!"

Kate bowed deeply, conveying all her gratitude and determination in her prayer.

He gripped the badge on his chest, turned, and walked resolutely away from the tranquil and sacred treehouse, which seemed to isolate him from all the disturbances of the outside world.

Stepping outside, the guide, Ella Lyon, was still waiting by his side.

The elf guide maintained elegant manners and patience throughout.

"Your Excellency Kate, it seems you have made your choice."

When Ella Lyon saw the newly appeared badge on Kate's chest, with its sword, staff, and root patterns, a look of understanding and respect flashed in his eyes. Wizards who choose to go directly to the front lines, for whatever reason, deserve respect.

"Please come with me, I will take you to the Expeditionary Force Hall."

Led by Ellarion, Kate followed the intricate yet orderly passageways inside the Eversong Tree, heading towards higher levels.

The higher you go, the more the atmosphere around you changes.

The tranquil, peaceful, and academic atmosphere that the area once had has gradually faded away.

The soft glow now carries a hint of coldness; the lighting is no longer just the gentle light of moss, but occasionally reveals the cold, hard metallic reflections embedded in the walls.

The elves and wizards who came and went walked more hurriedly, their faces showing less leisure and more training and a sense of urgency.

They mostly wore more practical leather armor or light armor, which often bore the faint smell of blood and gunpowder that had not been carefully wiped clean.

Their eyes were sharper, like ever-vigilant falcons, and their expressions were more resolute, a composure tempered by the trials of war.

They spoke in hushed tones, their conversations mostly revolving around missions, combat readiness, and regional intelligence.

The atmosphere here is completely different from the research and living areas on the lower floors; it is filled with a sense of compact power.

Kate could even faintly hear the rumbling sounds coming from higher up, like the opening and closing of a huge metal gate, and the hum of some kind of large vehicle's energy core operating.

Finally, they arrived at a large door made of thick black ironwood and reinforced metal, engraved with numerous protective runes.

This door was much taller and heavier than any portal I had ever seen before. The runes on the door not only shimmered with a defensive glow, but also faintly showed traces of spatial fluctuations, clearly indicating that it also had a teleportation function.

Two deep-set guards, their bodies clad in dark green runic armor, stood by the door. Their gazes swept over Kate and Ella Lyon with an almost tangible intensity, finally settling on the new badge on Kate's chest. They nodded slightly and made way for her.