Wizard: Starting from Escape from the Thorn Garden

Chapter 175 Analysis

After successfully destroying the "Seed of Desecration," severely injuring the Corrupted Priest, and safely retreating to Zerus Outpost with Malcolm and Liana, two powerful members of the Third Ring, Kate's name began to circulate among the elite frontline members of the Ring of Life for the first time.

It wasn't because his direct combat strength was particularly impressive; his cultivation at the early stage of the second ring was still insignificant on a true third ring battlefield.

His incredible infiltration skills, precise intelligence gathering, and calm tactical mind in critical moments.

More importantly, he brought back earth-shattering information about the "offspring of the evil god" and successfully assisted in the "withered bud" cleansing operation, averting a potential disaster that could have swept the border.

The expeditionary force headquarters highly praised Kate's achievements and awarded her a generous reward.

A large sum of merit points, several rare magical materials that are highly beneficial for stabilizing and enhancing the second environment, and an opportunity to enter the "Life Source Pool" branch energy node for deep meditation were all quickly distributed.

However, for Kate, the biggest reward from this mission was not these material prizes.

In the quiet room, Kate slowly opened her eyes. Deep within her pupils, countless tiny lights seemed to appear and disappear, a sign that the Heart of Reincarnation was operating at high speed, digesting and absorbing the enormous gains from this mission.

In his mind, Malcolm's "Solar Explosion" that incinerated everything and Liana's "Life-Blossom Arrow" that purified everything kept replaying.

[Seed of Origin Overload Analysis Log: Quest "Withered Bud"]

[Objective 1: Analysis of the combat style of the third-ring battlemage Malcolm.]

[Data Record: Peak efficiency of energy conversion to complete elemental form is 97.8%;]

The rules apply the concept of "blazing sun," encompassing multiple derived rules such as "purification," "destruction," and "creation."

It exhibits an extraordinary restraining effect on the materialized form of the "decaying" rule, with an estimated restraint coefficient of 3.5 to 4.2 times.

[Optimization suggestion: Try to compress and collide the annihilation aura of the "Core of Death" with the highly condensed flame of life (originating from the Seed of Life) to the extreme to simulate a miniature "purification and annihilation" effect. This requires extremely high control, carries extremely high risk, and has extremely high potential power.]

[Target Two: Analysis of Liana (Life/Nature) Battle Mode, the Third Ring Nature Guardian.]

[Data Record: The large-scale environmental-level domain skill "Natural Silence" works by stimulating the pure life flow deep within the earth's veins to temporarily cover and neutralize the activity of local death/decay rules, forming a rule "vacuum" or "inert" zone.]

The "Arrow of Life's Bloom" is essentially a highly condensed source of life's rules, possessing a complex effect of "neutralizing," "transforming," and "nourishing" negative energy.

[Optimization suggestions: We can deepen the resonance between the "Seed of Life" and the environment, and try to guide the positive energy flow of the earth veins on a small scale to assist in the application of the domain;]

Research could explore implanting life energy as "seeds" into hostile energy structures to trigger "purification" or "structural collapse" from within.

[Overall Insight: The three environmental worlds are marked by "complete elementalization/energyization", which is not only a change in form, but also a qualitative change in the level of life and the affinity with rules.]

Its understanding and application of rules have moved from "driving" to the edge of "embodiment" and "definition".

The next phase of optimization for the Heart of Reincarnation should focus on the deep integration of the fundamental rules and the exploration of their application at the "conceptual" level.

Kate took a deep breath, suppressing her surging emotions.

This mission was like opening a brand new window for him, allowing him to glimpse the vast world above the Third Ring Road.

Many previously unclear points about the application of the rules became clear after observing the actual combat of two top-tier players.

He realized that frequently taking on high-difficulty missions, especially those that required cooperation with third-ring wizards of different classes and styles, was a more efficient way for him to grow than burying himself in hard training!

Every collaboration is an excellent opportunity to closely observe and analyze the application of higher-level rules.

With the Seed of Origin's extraordinary analytical abilities, he can extract far more nourishment from it than any ordinary second-circle wizard could imagine.

"Merit and resources are important, but this understanding of the essence of the rules is priceless."

A sharp glint flashed in Kate's eyes as a clear plan took shape in her mind: "Next, I will take the initiative to accept those missions that are higher-rated, more dangerous, but usually require a three-ring leader and allow me to access missions with different rule emphases."

Kate brought up the mission list in the Expeditionary Force Hall, and her gaze was no longer limited to simple reconnaissance or mopping-up operations, but instead turned to those missions marked with purple high risk or even the occasional orange strategic missions.

[Purple Mission: Assist in the defense of the "Ironthorn" outpost and resist the periodic attacks of the "Crimson Predators" large tribe.]

Team Leader: Three-Ring Guardian Druid "Stoneskin" Barton.

Requirements: A wizard skilled in defense, group healing, or large-scale crowd control.

Master Barton is renowned for his Earth Guardian and Thorn spells, possessing extremely high defensive capabilities and excelling in positional warfare.

[Purple Quest: Explore the newly discovered sub-plane "Wailing Canyon" (tentative name). This plane has an extremely high concentration of death energy and is suspected to be the ruins of an ancient battlefield. It contains a large number of high-level undead and unknown curses.]

Team Leader: Third Ring Necromancer (Ring of Life Ally) "Deathspeaker" Marla.

Requirements: Proficient in necromancy, possessing strong soul resistance or purification abilities.

Lady Marla is an expert in the rules of death and souls, and acts in a mysterious manner, but remains friendly to the Ring of Life.

Orange Mission (Regional Campaign): Participate in the counterattack against "Lava Core" at the "Scorching Throat" fortress and destroy its forward "Molten Core Fusion Tower".

Team Leader: Third Ring Elemental Master "Flamewing" Phoenix. Requirements: A large number of high-level combat wizards, with preference given to those proficient in fire resistance and burst spells.

(Note: This mission is extremely dangerous, but the rewards for merit and the distribution of spoils are extremely generous.)

Kate carefully read the detailed descriptions of each task and the team leader's information, her mind racing as she selected tasks based on her own characteristics.

"Stonebarton - Guardian of the earth and thorns, emphasizing defense and endurance."

"Can the rules of my life learn the secrets of resonating with the earth? Perhaps the rules of death can reveal the transformation between 'annihilation' and 'solidity'?"

"Marra the Deathspeaker—the master of death and souls. This is precisely the direction my core of death urgently needs to deepen!"

Traveling with this master might help me overcome many of the bottlenecks I face regarding the rules of death, and even greatly enhance my ability to resonate with the soul.

Although the mission location is dangerous, the rewards may be the greatest!

"Flamewing Phoenix - The ultimate flame destruction."

Having already experienced Malcolm, exploring other characters of the same type but with a more ferocious style might deepen my understanding of the concept of "destruction" and help refine my attack methods.

However, campaign-level missions are too unpredictable and could easily escalate into uncontrollable chaos, so they are not currently the first choice.

After careful consideration, Kate set her sights on the "Explore Wailing Canyon" quest.

The rules of death are his weakness, but also the key to balancing the Heart of Reincarnation.

Having a third-ring ally who specializes in the rules of death as a team leader is an opportunity that comes along only once in a lifetime.

Although the mission description was extremely dangerous, Kate was confident in her survival and learning abilities.

"Accept the quest: [Explore Wailing Canyon]".

1

The meeting with "The Deathspeaker" Marra took place in a hidden spire built of obsidian and pale bone fragments, located in the shadow of the Eversong Tree.

Mara was a high elf woman with a melancholy temperament and a pale complexion like paper. Her eyes were a rare silver-white, as if they could see through the boundary between life and death.

She didn't say much, only nodding slightly at Kate's arrival before getting straight to the point.

"Kate the Wizard, I've seen your file. A unique Heart of Reincarnation, possessing both life and death—very interesting."

"For this exploration, I need your life purification ability as insurance, and I also need your eyes that can see the balance between life and death to help me observe some—anomalies—in the canyon."

Her voice was cold and clear, with a hollow echo.

"Stay close to me, and don't touch anything you don't understand, especially those that appear to be alive but are actually dead."

The team entered Wailing Canyon through an unstable, temporary dimensional rift.

The sky here is always a gloomy, leaden gray; the earth is cracked; and the air is filled with a dense, almost tangible death energy and the spiritual pollution left behind by the wailing of countless fragments of souls.

Twisted ghosts, powerful liches, and even terrifying monsters formed from pure resentment roam the canyon.

Marla was perfectly at home here.

She walked through the energy of death as if strolling in a backyard.

When she casts her spells, there is no earth-shattering display, only a breathtaking precision and efficiency.

She could see the core weakness of the undead at a glance. A simple syllable or a gesture could silently annihilate a powerful vengeful spirit, or directly pull the lich's life box from the void and crush it.

She can even communicate cryptically with the ancient spirits remaining in the canyon to obtain information.

Kate followed closely behind, unleashing her full power of the Seed of Origin, like the most greedy sponge, absorbing the secrets of the rules of death revealed in every spell Mara cast.

[Record: Marla casts "Soul Stripping" on a third-order vengeful spirit aggregate.]

Technique: Trigger the conflicts and painful memories between the fragments of its soul, causing it to self-destruct.

Rule Application: Deeply understand the vulnerabilities of the "soul" structure, utilizing "pain" and "chaos" as catalysts.

[Record: Mara analyzes the ancient curse of the dead.]

Method: Adjust a wisp of your own soul frequency to match the frequency of the curse, and perform "resonance analysis" instead of brute force.

Application of rules: Ultimate control over soul fluctuations, and reverse derivation of rules such as "contracts" and "bindings".

[Record: Marla collected "Withered Dragon Crystal" (high concentration of death crystal).]

Method: Enveloped in pure death energy, simulating the original environment of the dragon crystal, and peeled off smoothly.

Rule Application: Ensuring energy resonates at the same frequency, avoiding energy outbursts caused by attribute conflicts.

Each observation deepened Kate's understanding of the rules of death.

He saw death not only as destruction and end, but also as another form of "existence," with its own order, structure, and energy flow.

He began to try to imitate Marra's techniques, dealing with the dead in a more subtle way, rather than simply confronting them head-on with his life energy.

Along the way, they encountered an ancient tomb colossus that had been mutated by the death energy of the canyon.

Marla didn't engage in a direct confrontation. Instead, she instructed Kate: "Use your life energy to stimulate the core stone in its chest that isn't completely corrupted yet," for that was its last remaining lifeline and its greatest weakness. A life-or-death struggle would disintegrate it from within.

Kate did as instructed, precisely channeling a highly concentrated burst of life energy into the colossus's chest.

Sure enough, the balance of life and death within the colossus was broken, resulting in a violent energy conflict, and its movements instantly froze.

Marla seized the opportunity to strike, a gray-white light flashed, directly drawing away the core soul fire that supported the colossus's movements, and its massive body collapsed with a crash.

"Life and death are mutually destructive and mutually generative. The extreme of destruction can also give birth to deformed life. Your path is very interesting."

Marla made a rare comment.

Upon completion of the mission, Kate not only received substantial merit and a precious "Withered Dragon Crystal," but more importantly, his Death Core became more solid and profound, significantly enhancing his perception and control over the soul.

They have even made initial contact with the threshold of death rules such as "curse" and "contract".

Before parting, Marla even gave him a basic notebook on "soul frequency and resonance," which was a way of acknowledging his potential.

After resting and processing for a few days, Kate accepted the mission to defend the Ironthorn Outpost.

"Stoneskin" Barton is a dwarven druid as sturdy as a mountain, with skin that gleams like rock and a beard like a tenacious vine.

His fighting style is completely different from Marla's, full of power and endurance.

Amidst the relentless onslaught of the "Crimson Predators," Barton transformed into a colossal rock giant, standing at the forefront of the defensive line.

Beneath his feet, the power of the earth surged, forming a solid barrier; his roar could inspire the morale of the defenders and weaken the enemy's ferocity; with a wave of his hand, countless thorny brambles burst forth from the ground, entangled and pierced the charging predators.

Kate's role is to assist in defense and healing.

He cast life spells to quickly heal the wounded soldiers, while simultaneously attempting to infuse life energy into the thorns summoned by Barton.

To his surprise, the thorns nourished by his life energy became more resilient and active, and could even actively entangle and absorb the life force of the enemy.

Patton noticed this and laughed loudly during a lull in the fighting:

'

Little one, your life force is so pure! Excellent! The earth sustains all things, and life originates from the earth.

Your strength resonates with my path! Try to feel the pulse of the earth beneath your feet, connect with it, and don't just let your life force act upon it as an individual!

Under Barton's guidance, Kate began to try to establish a deeper connection with the ground beneath her feet.

He no longer simply releases his life energy, but guides it to permeate the earth's veins, resonating with Barton's earth power.