Wizard: Starting from Escape from the Thorn Garden

The commotion in the central training ground had not completely subsided; the aftershocks of the energy collision and the apprentices' excited discussions still lingered in the air.

Chen Lin followed the apprentice, who was wearing a robe with the insignia of the Liria Laboratory, through the winding corridors of the upper level of the barrier, and once again stepped into the potion temple filled with the strange fragrance of herbs.

Master Liria was not focused on the cauldron and potion mixing as she had been before. Instead, she stood in front of the huge crystal workbench, her fingertips toying with a pendant made from the seed of some unknown plant that emitted a faint starlight.

Her silver hair shimmered with a cold luster under the soft light of the laboratory, and her silver-gray eyes locked onto Chen Lin the moment he stepped in.

"Apprentice Chen Lin," Liria's voice remained calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, "your first battle in the selection competition was clean and decisive. Hank's underhanded tricks were child's play in front of you."

She put down the seed pendant in her hand, her sharp gaze sweeping over Chen Lin. "It seems Glenn's assessment of you was not unfounded. The strength of a fourth-level wizard apprentice, the terrifying resistance to poison, and that... exquisite vine manipulation technique."

Chen Lin bowed slightly: "Master, you flatter me. It was just a fluke; Hank's apprentice's tactics were exactly what I was meant to counter."

"Restraint?" A faint smile played on Liria's lips, tinged with amusement.

"Simply restraining oneself wouldn't have been enough to emerge unscathed from that situation, let alone precisely control the vines to release paralyzing toxins without killing them. Your symbiote... seems to be more docile and efficient than Glenn reported."

Chen Lin's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm: "Nourished by the rich life energy of the barrier, it has indeed become much more stable. As for controlling it, it's just a matter of practice makes perfect."

Liria didn't delve into the matter further, changing the subject: "Your performance has piqued my interest. The selection process is fiercely competitive, and the real test is yet to come. To more accurately assess your potential, and..."

She paused, her gaze drifting towards the side door of the laboratory. "To verify the actual effects of a mental resistance enhancer that Tamir recently improved, I need you to engage in a more valuable exchange."

The side door slid open silently, and a figure walked in.

The newcomer was tall and imposing, dressed in a deep purple robe with silver trim, consistent with the style of Liria's laboratory, but made of more exquisite material, with intricate silver runes embroidered on the cuffs and collar, signifying his status as a high-ranking apprentice.

He was handsome, with a high nose and sharp, eagle-like eyes, exuding the confidence and sharpness unique to elites from prestigious families who had undergone extensive training.

A powerful surge of spiritual energy emanated from his body, clearly indicating that he was at the peak of a fourth-level wizard apprentice!

His gaze toward Chen Lin was scrutinizing, as if he were examining a tool to be evaluated, implying a subtle sense of superiority.

"Tamir, my fifth personal disciple," Liria introduced, her voice revealing no bias.

"Level 4 Peak, specializing in energy manipulation and drug-assisted combat."

He just took my newly concocted Spark Resistance Potion Type III, which greatly enhances his resistance to mental interference, energy erosion, and plant-based binding.

Chen Lin, give it your all and have a friendly spar with him.

"Let me see how effective your vines and poisons are against true elites."

Tamir nodded slightly as a greeting, his eyes carrying a hint of condescending scrutiny: "Master Chen Lin? I've heard a lot about you... I've heard your vines are quite special. I hope they won't disappoint me."

His voice was steady, yet it carried an invisible pressure.

Chen Lin instantly understood Liria's intention.

This is far more than just assessing potential or validating a drug!

Tamir is her personal disciple, possessing great strength, and is consuming her latest research findings.

This sparring session served two purposes: firstly, to further test Chen Lin's combat potential and the true capabilities of the symbiote;

Secondly, it serves to test the practical effectiveness of her new drug.

Thirdly, she probably wanted to use this opportunity to both intimidate and win over others, while also showcasing the strength and resources of her laboratory!

"Senior Tamir, please enlighten me," Chen Lin replied calmly, his eyes sharpening as well.

Facing a level four peak elite, he dared not be careless in the slightest, but a fighting spirit also ignited in his heart.

This is the perfect opportunity to test the power he has gained—the perception amplification from the Moon-Eating Spirit Dew, the soul defense from the Soul-Devouring Heart-Guarding Ointment, and the power of the toxins after fusing with the Snake Vine!

Liria waved her hand, and the ground in the center of the laboratory silently slid open, revealing a circular battle platform with a diameter of about twenty meters, and a light blue energy shield rising from its edge.

"The rules are simple: stop when you've made your move. The game ends when one side concedes, loses their fighting ability, or their shield is deemed to have taken a fatal hit. Let's begin."

Tamir stepped onto the platform first, his movements composed.

He did not attack immediately, but instead formed a hand seal and chanted incantations.

A scorching heat instantly spread out!

Fine, crimson lines, like cracks in lava, appeared on his skin, and the surrounding air distorted slightly, radiating high temperatures—the Spark Resistance Potion activated!

At the same time, several crystal bottles hanging from his waist glowed slightly, clearly containing auxiliary potions that could be activated at any time.

Chen Lin followed closely behind, standing at the other end of the platform.

He took a deep breath; the effects of the Moon-Eating Spirit Dew in his mental sea had not completely worn off, and his perception remained sharp.

He could clearly sense the powerful fire resistance and energy defense contained in the crimson patterns on Tamir's body, as well as the pure magic power surging within him that far surpassed Hank's.

The Seed of Origin coldly alerts: [Target Energy Level: Peak Level 4! Significant affinity with Fire and Light energies! Stable Mental Barrier! Multiple potion buffs detected!]

"Watch out!" Tamir shouted, launching the first attack! Unlike Hank, he didn't use a projectile, but instead pushed forward with both hands!

"Spark Impact!"

Several solid, crimson-white pillars of fire, radiating dazzling light and terrifying heat, tore through the air like roaring fire dragons and instantly slammed into Chen Lin!

Its speed far surpassed that of the previous blowguns! Even more terrifying was that the flames didn't travel in a straight line, but rather intertwined in the air to form a net, blocking all of Chen Lin's escape routes!

Chen Lin's pupils contracted slightly!

Tamir's attacks, in terms of speed, power, and control, are far superior to Hank's!

He dared not take the blow head-on, so he pushed off with his feet and slid to the side and back like a ghost, while simultaneously flicking his right arm!

"Bloodthirsty Poison Ivy Entangling!"

Several vines with interwoven dark gold and jade patterns and tips shrouded in a pale purple halo tore through the ground. They did not attack Tamir, but instead instantly formed a thick vine shield wall in front of Chen Lin!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The blazing pillar of fire slammed into the vine shield! A blinding light and a scorching shockwave erupted!

The vines sizzled and burned under the terrifying heat, their surfaces quickly turning black!

But the instantaneous collapse of the vine shield that Tamir had anticipated did not happen!

Those vines were exceptionally resilient, and with the support of the Bloodthirsty Vine's powerful vitality and Chen Lin's pure spiritual power, they stubbornly resisted the scorching flames!

The pale purple halo on the surface of the vines flickered slightly, attempting to erode the flame energy, but it was easily resisted by the crimson patterns on Tamir's body and the effects of the potion.

"Oh? That's interesting!" A hint of surprise flashed in Tamir's eyes, but he didn't stop moving.

He clasped his hands together and changed the incantation he was chanting!

"Focus on the Blazing Sun!"

The remaining flames in the air did not dissipate; instead, they instantly condensed into a fist-sized, reddish-white fireball radiating blinding light and destructive energy!

As if controlled by an invisible hand, the fireball locked onto Chen Lin, leaving a terrifying trail of intense heat, and shot down once again!

This time, the energy is more concentrated and the temperature is higher!

Chen Lin's eyes narrowed! He couldn't just stick to defense!

His mind raced, and just as the fireball was about to hit the vine shield, he deliberately withdrew some of his mental energy!

Boom!

The fireball blasted a huge hole in the vine shield! Hot fragments flew everywhere!

But Chen Lin's figure, taking advantage of the shockwave and smoke from the explosion, emerged from the hole like a fish, his speed increasing dramatically as he rushed straight towards Tamir!

On his right arm, the dark golden light of the Bloodthirsty Vine pattern surged!

"Trying to get close? Naïve!" Tamir sneered, seemingly having expected this.

He did not retreat, but instead swiftly pulled a crystal bottle from his waist with his left hand. The bottle contained a viscous liquid that resembled molten gold.

He flicked the cork off the bottle with his thumb and splashed the liquid onto the ground in front of him!

"Golden Flames Flowing!"

Sizzle—!

The moment the liquid touched the ground, it transformed into a thick, golden sea of ​​fire radiating terrifying heat, instantly engulfing a large area in front of Tamir!

The air was distorted by the scorching heat, and the ground groaned under the weight!

This sea of ​​fire is not only extremely hot, but also has a strong adhesive and energy-eroding effect, making it the nemesis of vine-type spells!

Chen Linchong was already poised to charge into the sea of ​​fire!

A barely audible hum came from Liria in the audience.

At this critical moment! A cold glint flashed in Chen Lin's eyes!

Instead of slowing down, he increased his speed!

He leaped up from the edge of the sea of ​​fire, and at the same time, a small piece of dark green ointment appeared in his left hand—the Soul-Devouring Heart-Guarding Ointment!

He slapped the ointment hard against his chest!

hum!

A heavy, solid, rock-solid soul power instantly enveloped his entire body!

The energy fluctuations within Tamir's inferno, which attempted to erode the spirit and incite panic, vanished instantly upon hitting this barrier, like a mud ox sinking into the sea!

Chen Lin felt that his soul core was as stable as Mount Tai. Although the high temperature and energy impact from the outside world were still strong, they could not shake his will!

"What?!" Tamir's expression changed slightly!

His Golden Flame Dew not only has strong physical destructive power, but can also cause a burning sensation in the mind and interfere with the opponent!

Chen Lin was completely unaffected?!

With the help of the Soul-Devouring Heart-Guarding Ointment, which stabilized his soul and temporarily increased his mental resistance, Chen Lin managed to break through the outermost golden wave of fire!

The special protective runes on the soles of his boots shimmered, counteracting the high temperature, but his trouser legs were still scorched!

The vines on his right arm shot out like venomous snakes, no longer for defense, but to pierce Tamir's face!

At the tip of the vine, the pale purple halo suddenly became clear—a highly concentrated neurotoxin!

Tamir reacted incredibly fast! He raised his right hand, and a diamond-shaped shield made of pure light energy instantly materialized in front of him!

"Prism Barrier!"

puff!puff!puff!

The vines pierced the light shield hard, making a dull impact sound!

The light shield fluctuated violently, yet it remained unpierced! Tamir's mastery of light-based defensive magic was extremely high!

However, the pale purple mist bursting from the tips of the vines ignored the physical defenses and spread along the light shield like a living thing, trying to penetrate Tamir!

Tamir's crimson markings shone brightly as the Starfire Resistance Potion activated at full power!

The pale purple poisonous mist made a "sizzling" sound when it came into contact with the crimson light, as if it were being evaporated by the high temperature, and most of it was neutralized and dispersed!

But an extremely tiny thread still managed to penetrate the potion and defenses, and enter Tamir's nasal cavity!

Tamir's body stiffened abruptly!

Although it was only for a brief moment, the intense dizziness and numbness in his limbs were forcibly dispelled by his powerful mental strength and the effects of the drug. However, this momentary delay was enough to be fatal in a duel between experts!

Chen Lin had been waiting for this opportunity!

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and the instant the vines on his right arm retracted, his left hand completed a concealed hand gesture that had been prepared beforehand!

Several thinner, almost transparent vines silently sprang up from the shadows beneath Tamir's feet! These vines were not meant to attack, but rather to instantly wrap around Tamir's ankles!

At the same time, Chen Lin's mental energy was highly concentrated, and under the guidance of the Seed of Origin, a trace of moon shadow essence contained in the Blood-Devouring Vine pattern on his right arm was activated!

"Moonlight reflection!"

Tamir had just dispelled the poison and was about to fight back when Chen Lin's figure suddenly became blurry and distorted!

It was as if several phantom images were moving at the same time!

There was an extremely subtle distortion in spatial perception!

This is an application of the Moon Shadow Essence's weak spatial refraction properties, interfering with the opponent's locking and judgment!

"Damn it! An illusion?" Tamir, with his rich experience, immediately realized something was wrong and unleashed a powerful mental attack to try and dispel the interference!

But in that moment of distraction!

Chen Lin's true form appeared to his left as if by teleportation! No longer a vine, but a fist wrapped in dark golden blood-devouring vine energy, it slammed into Tamir's ribs with a fierce whooshing sound!

Dark gold and light blue light intertwined on his fist, and his power and speed had reached their current peak!