Wizard: Starting from Escape from the Thorn Garden

Tamir's pupils constricted sharply! Chen Lin's speed and timing were beyond imagination!

He didn't have time to cast a powerful spell, so he could only hastily condense a small light shield to protect his ribs while trying his best to dodge to the side!

boom!

A dull thud resounded! The light shield shattered instantly!

Tamir groaned, his body staggering back several steps from the force of the blow, a sharp pain shooting through his ribs!

Although most of the force was neutralized by the light shield and protective robe, the ferocious impact and slight mental shock contained in the power of the Bloodthirsty Vine still made his blood surge and left him in a sorry state!

Chen Lin did not pursue. After landing a successful attack, he immediately retreated, creating distance again. The vines danced in front of him, and his eyes were as calm as ice.

He demonstrated his strength while also leaving room for maneuver, suggesting that Tamir still has many tricks up his sleeve.

After all, the other party was Liria's personal disciple.

Tamir steadied himself, his face alternating between pale and flushed. The pain in his ribs paled in comparison to the shock and humiliation he felt!

He was actually forced back and hit by a wizard apprentice who had just advanced to level four and had no background?! Although he wasn't seriously injured, the scene was embarrassing enough!

His eyes blazed with fury, and his magical power surged once more, clearly preparing to unleash even more powerful methods!

That's enough.

Liria's cold voice rang out, like ice water extinguishing the flames of war that were about to erupt.

She had somehow reached the edge of the platform, her silver-gray eyes sweeping over the two of them, lingering particularly on Chen Lin for a moment, her eyes flashing with a complex light—surprise, admiration, and a deeper desire to explore.

"Tamir, the defense effect of Starfire Resistance Type III against toxins and mental interference has a delay window of about 0.3 seconds under the peak impact of neuroparalyzing toxins, which needs to be optimized. In addition, your on-the-spot judgment was half a beat slow when facing unconventional spatial interference."

She first commented on her own disciple, her tone calm but making Tamir lower his head in shame.

Then, she looked at Chen Lin, her voice carrying an indescribable meaning: "Chen Lin, your performance... far exceeded expectations. At the early stage of Level 4, you were able to force back Tamir, a peak Level 4 fighter, and even gain a slight advantage. Your vine manipulation, poison application, and combat intuition are all top-notch. Even more remarkable is..."

Her gaze fell on Chen Lin's chest, where a faint energy fluctuation of the Soul-Devouring Heart-Guarding Ointment still lingered. "The soul protection method you used is exceptionally effective, a skill that ordinary apprentices cannot master. It seems your skills are not only evident in the cultivation of magical plants but also in the field of potions."

Chen Lin's heart tightened, knowing that the aura of the Soul-Devouring Heart-Guarding Ointment had been detected by this potion master.

He said respectfully, "Master, you flatter me. It's just a little trump card to save my life, nothing to brag about. Senior Tamir is very strong. If you hadn't stopped me, I would have been the one to lose."

Liria waved her hand, clearly not accepting such modesty: "A victory is a victory, even if it's just a momentary advantage. I've already seen your value. And the potential of Green Vine Workshop is far greater than I imagined."

She walked up to Chen Lin, her gaze becoming deep and serious: "Chen Lin, as I said before, high risk often means high return. Now it seems that investing in you might yield a higher return than I imagined. I've decided to increase my investment in Qing Teng Workshop."

She traced a line in the air with her fingertips, and a new purple contract document appeared: "First, regarding the workshop's magic stone investment, I can directly provide you with another 5000 standard magic stones to expand production and introduce more advanced cultivation equipment. This is not a loan, and it will not increase my share of profits. Consider it my personal investment in your future."

Second, my private library, excluding the core inheritance area, will grant you partial access. You can consult non-core texts on high-level magical plant cultivation, spiritual potionology, and some soul-related texts. Third,

She paused, her voice carrying an unprecedented seriousness, "I will provide a fragment of the 'Stardust' recipe and some key materials. This is the core ingredient for creating a rare catalyst that can significantly enhance the purity of spiritual power; it's priceless on the market. I hope you can use your talent to try to optimize its production process, or... find an alternative. In return, you will receive 40% of the profits from the successfully optimized recipe."

These three conditions are all incredibly surprising!

Especially the third point: Liria was actually willing to share recipe fragments and materials for such a rare item as Stardust!

This is more than just an investment; it's an invitation to share technology and conduct joint research and development to some extent!

Tamir's expression changed slightly as he listened from the side, and his eyes were filled with shock and a hint of undisguised jealousy as he looked at Chen Lin!

Stardust is one of the key research projects our mentor has been focusing on in recent years!

Chen Lin's heart started pounding! Liria's move was too extravagant!

This is practically grooming him as an important partner, or even... a potential successor!

He suppressed his excitement and carefully read the contract terms. Magic stones and the library were tangible resources, while the "Stardust" project carried both risks and opportunities.

But the existence of the Seed of Origin gives him absolute confidence in the analysis and optimization!

"Thank you for your trust and kindness, Master!" Chen Lin said solemnly. "Chen Lin will do his best to live up to your expectations!" He imprinted his soul mark, and the new contract turned into purple light and entered the space between their brows.

Liria nodded in satisfaction, then her gaze deepened, even taking on a scrutinizing quality:

"Chen Lin, with your talent, temperament, and demonstrated potential, it would be a waste for you to remain at the apprentice level and slowly accumulate experience in a workshop. Within the Barrier, and even within the entire Hand of Life, there are not many people who can teach you and fully unleash your potential."

She looked directly into Chen Lin's eyes, her voice clear and powerful: "I, Liria Silvershine, the chief potions master of Evergreen Fortress, formally ask you if you would be willing to become my disciple? Not just a nominal one, but a direct apprenticeship."

Upon hearing this, the entire laboratory seemed to fall silent!

Tamir looked up abruptly, staring incredulously at his mentor!

A direct disciple! This means the most core lineage, the highest level of resource allocation, and the protection of Master Liria's entire network and influence!

How many years has it been since the mentor took on a personal disciple? This Chen Lin… what merit does he possess?!

A tremendous temptation surged forth like a tidal wave! Becoming Liria's personal disciple meant instant ascension to the top!

Within the Hand of Life, one will gain an extremely high status and a voice, and resources, knowledge, and protection will be readily available!

This is undoubtedly the best shortcut to get rid of the current "workshop owner" identity and enter the core level of the barrier!

However, Chen Lin's initial elation quickly turned to calm. There's no such thing as a free lunch!

Being a direct disciple also means deeper binding, stricter monitoring, and more direct ownership.

What Liria valued was not just him as a person, but also the talent behind him and the value of the workshop.

Once he becomes an apprentice, his greatest secret—the Seed of Origin, and the dangerous Blood-Eating Vine symbiote within his body—will be constantly exposed to the scrutiny of a potion master!

More importantly, the potential danger of Vivian's seed within him might be exposed, and there is a risk that he could be completely consumed.

After all, as a researcher, I have seen many cases on Earth where research results were stolen by supervisors, people were forced to work like slaves for years but still couldn't pass their graduation thesis, and some didn't even have the right to be named as authors on their research results.

Even in a society governed by law, there are dark sides that are not exposed to the light of day; how much more so in this wizarding world where extraordinary powers exist.

Without the protection of a powerful force, one can only rely on oneself.

His experience in the Thorn Garden taught him that in the wizarding world, excessive dependence means a fatal weakness.

Liria's protection is powerful, but it could also become a new prison.

What he needs is cooperation and resources, not a complete surrender of himself.

In a flash, Chen Lin made a decision.

His face showed an expression of flattery and deep gratitude, and he bowed deeply: "Master's kindness is deeply appreciated by Chen Lin! It is a great honor for Chen Lin to receive your favor! However..."

He raised his head, his eyes showing just the right amount of sincerity and a hint of difficulty. "Chen Lin knows that his foundation is not solid, and as an outsider, there are still many hidden dangers. The symbiote in his body is not completely stable either. I'm afraid it will be difficult to meet your expectations, Master. If something goes wrong, it will tarnish your reputation."

Moreover, Qing Teng Workshop has only just begun to show promise, and its affairs are numerous and complex. Its collaborative project with the master has only just started, and Chen Lin is worried that he will be overwhelmed and unable to concentrate on learning from the master and delving into the true essence of wizardry.

Chen Lin glanced up at Liria and, finding her silver-gray eyes still unmoved, continued, "Chen Lin is participating in the Bulwark's internal selection competition and is confident he can achieve some results to prove his strength and dispel some rumors within the Bulwark..."

He paused, his tone becoming even more earnest: "How about... Master, you temporarily accept Chen Lin as a nominal disciple? Once the workshop is on track, the symbiotic threat is eliminated, and Chen Lin's strength has improved further, making a name for himself, then he can truly share Master's burdens and formally become your disciple? During this period, Chen Lin will certainly serve Master with the utmost respect, doing his best to complete the tasks entrusted to him, and will not dare to slacken in the slightest!"

These words expressed gratitude and longing, while politely declining the offer to become a disciple immediately. At the same time, they offered a compromise of being a nominal disciple and a promise of future official status. The reasons were also quite plausible: his own foundation was shallow, his symbiote was unstable, he was busy with workshop affairs, and he was afraid of affecting Liria's reputation, thus giving Liria plenty of face.

Liria stared intently at Chen Lin, her silver-gray eyes gleaming as if she wanted to see right through him.

Chen Lin met his gaze calmly, his eyes clear and firm.

The silence that lasted a few seconds felt like an eternity.

Tamir held his breath.

Finally, Liria's lips curled into that faint, meaningful smile once more: "Meticulous and composed. Very good. Then, as you said, become my disciple under my name. Remember your words today, Chen Lin. I look forward to the day when you can truly share my burdens. As for Horn's confinement order against you, I personally guarantee that it will not affect your subsequent journey to the Trial Tower."

Chen Lin felt a surge of emotion; Master Liria was indeed very kind to him, even to the point of spoiling him.

Before he even secured a spot in the ten-year wizard apprenticeship trial, they had already taken care of his worries, demonstrating their high expectations for him.

She waved her hand: "Tamir, take your junior brother to get his disciple's identification badge and grant him Level 1 access to the library area. Chen Lin, get the workshop matters done quickly; the new magic stones and stardust materials will be delivered to you tomorrow."

"Yes, Master Liria!" Tamir suppressed his complex emotions and replied respectfully.

"Still calling me a master?" Master Liria said in a slightly low voice, with a hint of a smile.

"Thank you, Master... no, thank you, Mentor!" Chen Lin bowed again, his posture extremely respectful.

Leaving Liria's laboratory, Tamir led the way, and a somewhat awkward silence filled the air.

Chen Lin could sense the faint aloofness and scrutiny emanating from this senior brother.

But he didn't care. He had too many things to do and no time to deal with these petty squabbles.

He stroked the new contract in his arms and the vast resources he was about to acquire, thinking of the intangible benefits that came with being Liria's disciple, and felt a little touched by her appreciation.

However, when he thought about what he had seen and heard at Evergreen Fortress over the past few months, Chen Lin still felt a little awkward and uncomfortable.

As the excitement of being accepted as a disciple by the master gradually subsided, Chen Lin calmed down, and some details he hadn't noticed before slowly surfaced in his mind.

Nothing is free in this world.

Recalling his first conversation with Master Liria, it seemed that Master Liria's high regard for him was not because of the magical plants and potions he had developed or his persuasion.

What she cared more about was Vivian's attitude towards him. Chen Lin's massive investment after demonstrating a talent for cultivating magical plants far surpassing that of Tongji University seemed more like a prelude to taking him as his apprentice.

For example, in Master Liria's apprenticeship plan, even before the first round of the preliminary rounds had been completed, Master Liria couldn't wait to send someone to discuss the matter of accepting apprentices with Chen Lin.

Tamir, as Master Liria's personal disciple and a peak fourth-level wizard apprentice, lost to himself so easily, simply by using a precious item.

Liria certainly has expectations for herself, but it is by no means the kind of expectations an elder has for a talented junior!

Putting yourself in her shoes, if Chen Lin were Master Liria, why would he place such high hopes on a wizard apprentice with a questionable background, and make such a heavy investment in an apprentice who has been at the barrier for less than a year?

Thinking of this, Chen Lin felt a chill in his heart.

Lyria's last words, "I hope you can truly share my burdens," now take on a different meaning, like a sword hanging over my head.

He knew that this potions master's investment demanded a high return.

What he had to do was to use this golden staircase to climb upwards while simultaneously eating the sugar coating and throwing the cannonballs back.

We must never let this seemingly warm "teacher's kindness" melt away the sharp thorn of vigilance in our hearts.

The blood-devouring vine patterns on his right arm throbbed slightly beneath his sleeve, as if silently echoing his emotions.

Beneath the bright surface of the Evergreen Barrier, undercurrents surged. Chen Lin clenched his fists, his eyes as sharp as ever.

He needs to move faster and more steadily on the road ahead.