Wizard: Starting from Escape from the Thorn Garden

Master Liria's status as a disciple is like an invisible badge, opening up more resources and conveniences for Chen Lin within the Evergreen Barrier.

Despite his complex emotions, Tamir meticulously carried out his mentor's orders, helping Chen Lin obtain an identity badge marked with entwined silver vines and granting him access to the first-level area of ​​the Barrier Library.

The heavy 5000 magic stones and a small box of "Stardust" core materials shimmering with light were delivered to the Green Vine Workshop as scheduled.

Chen Lin was not overwhelmed by this sudden act of kindness from his teacher.

Liria's investment is like a carefully concocted potion; the stronger the effect, the greater the potential cost.

The status of a registered disciple is both a protective shield and a constraint.

Therefore, Chen Lin decided to use the Stardust-related materials only for study and research, and would not attempt to optimize them for the time being.

He must use this time to elevate his strength to a new level before the start of the single round-robin tournament, so that he can gain a foothold in the brutal trial selection and ultimately seize the hope of saving Ella in the Southern Trial.

The second round of the selection tournament features a highly intense daily battle, while the matches after the top 50 become a single round-robin tournament.

Thanks to the enhanced mental perception provided by the Lunar Eclipse Dew and the stable soul barrier provided by the Soul-Devouring Heart-Guarding Ointment, Chen Lin encountered different types of opponents in the initial battles.

For example, there was a fire-type apprentice skilled in elemental bombardment, a mental disruptor proficient in illusion, and a powerful melee brute force type. However, they all managed to win without much trouble thanks to the precise analysis of the Seed of Origin, the ferocious entanglement of the Blood-Eating Vine, and the nerve paralysis toxin after the fusion of the Snake Vine.

The Seed of Origin is like the most composed battlefield commander, conducting a cold post-battle analysis after every engagement:

[Battle Mode Optimization:]

Against elemental opponents: Prioritize using vines to construct multiple barriers, deplete the opponent's mana, use the enhanced perception from the Lunar Dew to predict spell trajectories, and seize opportunities to disrupt the casting rhythm with nerve paralysis to finish them off at close range.

Against mental interference/illusion types: Relying on the significant soul barrier effect of Soul Eater's Heart Balm, combined with the weak spatial refraction properties of Moon Shadow Essence, it can effectively resist and disrupt mental attacks.

Then, they used vines to exert large-scale physical pressure, forcing the opponent to reveal their true form.

Against melee brute force types: Use the flexibility of the vines and the venom of the snake vine to slow down and weaken them, and combine this with the life-stealing properties of the blood-devouring vine to deplete their stamina.

Avoid direct confrontations, focusing on hit-and-run tactics and precise strikes, ultimately relying on the accumulation of toxins to achieve a qualitative change, and finally defeating opponents who are physically exhausted.

[Exposing weaknesses:]

Insufficient defense: When faced with high-intensity elemental bursts, such as a barrage of level 4 fireballs, or highly penetrating energy attacks, such as wind blade cuts, the vine barrier, though tough, consumes a huge amount of energy.

Moreover, the body lacks an effective physical or energy shield, and has faced many dangerous situations. It relies on the soul-stabilizing effect of the Soul-Devouring Heart-Guarding Ointment to withstand the aftershocks of the impact, which puts a considerable burden on the body.

Limited mobility: Although the vine manipulation is exquisite, the user's movement speed is only average among fourth-level wizard apprentices, and there is limited room for dodging when facing high-speed dashes or area-of-effect attacks.

Energy consumption: The high-intensity manipulation of vines, release of toxins, and full-power analysis of the Seed of Origin consume a great deal of mental energy and symbiotic energy.

Even with the effect of replenishing qi and blood after continuous combat, fatigue is likely to appear in the later stages.

"Defense... is the most obvious weakness right now." Chen Lin was adjusting his breathing in the workshop's secret room, feeling the soreness in his body after yesterday's fierce battle and the slight fatigue transmitted from the Blood-Eating Vine in his right arm.

He glanced at the magic stones that Liria had newly invested in the dimensional bag and calculated the stable income of the workshop.

"We must make amends as soon as possible! Integrating a powerful defensive magical plant is urgent!"

After the Seed of Origin sifted through the materials in the market and the library,

His target was two defensive magical plants with distinct characteristics: Thick-skinned Vine and Golden Thorn.

The cold analytical data of the primordial seed unfolded in my consciousness:

[Target A: Thick-skinned Vine (Optimization Breeding)]

Characteristics: The vine's outer layer is extremely tough and thick, rich in lignin and a special cuticle, providing extremely strong physical defense and outstanding resistance to blunt force and cutting.

It has moderate energy resistance, but is slightly weaker against fire and corrosion.

Energy attribute: Earth affinity, heavy, stable, inert.

Symbiotic adaptability analysis:

Advantages: It can greatly enhance the host's physical defense, forming a natural armor.

The energy attribute, derived from the wood attribute, is compatible with the Bloodthirsty Vine's blood and qi replenishment characteristic, thus increasing vitality. High-quality seeds are easily obtained in barrier environments.

Disadvantages: The excessive thickness of the vines may reduce flexibility. The inertia trait may conflict with the Bloodvine's bloodthirsty and predatory nature, requiring strong suppression or reconciliation.

It offers limited improvement in defense against energy attacks.

Assessment: Integration risk is medium; energy conflicts may reduce vine activity or diminish defensive effectiveness.

Expected new talent: Lesser Vine Armor, a physical defense-enhanced version capable of withstanding physical attacks from a level 4 peak Wizard Apprentice.

[Target B: Golden Thorn (Rare Variant)]

Characteristics: The vines are relatively slender but exceptionally tough, with a surface covered with fine, sharp, metallic spikes.

Spikes possess the properties of "energy absorption and deflection," and are especially effective against metal and earth-type energies. They can absorb and store or deflect some of the attack energy, and give the vines stronger physical piercing power.

It has a unique defensive effect against energy attacks, especially elemental impacts, and can reflect attacks to a limited extent, causing some damage to the caster.

Energy properties: weak affinity with metals, sharp, tough, and possesses energy conduction and conversion properties.

Symbiotic adaptability analysis:

Advantages: Provides a unique "energy absorption and deflection" defense mechanism to make up for current shortcomings.

Spikes enhance aggression and can combine with snake vine toxin to form a "defense penetration + paralysis" combination.

The sharpness of the metal element resonates with the bloodthirsty plunder of the Bloodthirsty Vine, creating the effects of "tearing" and "penetrating".

There are a few scattered areas in the outer mining area of ​​the barrier, and I have previously optimized Golden Thorn seeds and seedlings.

Disadvantages: The metallization process may increase the weight of the vines and slightly affect their flexibility. The energy absorption and conversion mechanisms need to be precisely controlled, otherwise energy overload may backfire.

The metal element is slightly incompatible with the wood/dark element of the Bloodthirsty Vine core, requiring the Seed of Origin to suppress and harmonize it.

Assessment: Integration risk is medium to high. Several energy repulsion mechanisms may cause instability in the vine structure, posing a risk of uncontrolled energy absorption.

Expected new talents: Lesser Thorn Armor, Energy Absorption and Deflection properties, Spike Piercing, Passive trait.

Chen Lin fell into deep thought.

Thick-skinned vines offer a straightforward and direct boost to physical defense, with low risk, but lack effective countermeasures against energy attacks and may sacrifice flexibility.

Golden Thorns offers a rarer "energy absorption and deflection" mechanism that better addresses his current weakness—energy defense—while also enhancing his offensive capabilities. It has great potential, but also carries higher risks and suffers from attribute incompatibility.

"The Seed of Origin, combined with the characteristics of the Moon Shadow Essence and the current state of the symbiote, is used for in-depth deduction." Chen Lin focused his mind on it.

Dark golden roots spread through the sea of ​​consciousness, simulating the energy interaction between the two magical plants and the existing Bloodthirsty Vine.

[Thick-barked vine fusion deduction:]

Physical defense is significantly improved, with an estimated increase of over 40%, while energy defense is improved only to a limited extent, with an estimated increase of around 10%.

The vines' flexibility decreased by about 15%, and their movement speed was slightly affected.

The Bloodthirsty Vine's bloodlust clashes with the Thick-skinned Vine's inertia, requiring additional mental energy to suppress and reconcile, which may affect the vine's activity in the long run.

The spatial refraction properties of Moon Shadow Essence do not directly enhance physical defense.

Assessment: Steady but mediocre, with limited potential.

[Golden Thorns Fusion Deduction:]

Energy defense, especially against elemental impacts, is significantly improved, with an estimated increase of 30%. The absorption and deflection effects depend on the attack attribute.

Physical defense is moderately improved, expected to increase by 20%, mainly relying on spikes to destroy the attack structure, thereby playing a defensive role.

The vines' flexibility has decreased slightly, but the weight increase is manageable.

The sharpness of the metal element resonates deeply with the predatory nature of the Bloodthirsty Vine, creating both physical and mental tearing and penetrating effects, and can be channeled to enhance aggression.

Snake vine toxin can adhere to the thorns, creating an armor-piercing and paralyzing effect.

Key point: The spatial refraction properties of Moon Shadow Essence can be optimized! Its weak spatial fluctuations can synergize with the energy deflection field of Golden Thorns, improving deflection efficiency (estimated to increase by 15%) and reducing the risk of energy overload.

Energy repulsion issue: The inertia and spatial properties of Moon Shadow Essence can be used as a buffer layer and energy channel to reduce the risk of direct conflict between the metal element and the wood/dark attributes.

The success rate is now estimated to be 65%.

Assessment: High risk, high reward; unique defensive mechanism; enhanced offensive capabilities; synergistic potential with existing talents and Moonshadow.

"Golden Thorns!" Chen Lin's eyes flashed with a sharp light!

The deduction of the Seed of Origin clearly points in the right direction.

Thick-skinned vines are merely an accumulation of quantity, while the energy absorption and deflection mechanism brought by golden thorns is a qualitative improvement, and can produce a synergistic effect with moon shadow essence!

Although the risks are higher, how can one be afraid of risks on the path of a wizard?

He immediately began selecting the golden thorn seedlings he had previously cultivated, choosing three of the best ones for later use.

The fusion experiment was conducted in a sealed chamber deep within the workshop, protected by multiple layers of barriers.

Chen Lin adjusted himself to his peak condition, and the effects of the Moon-Eating Spirit Dew made his senses as sharp as an eagle's.

"Step 1: Characteristic Guidance and Harmony." Chen Lin did not rush to graft symbiosis, but instead first induced characteristics.

He placed the Golden Thorn seedling in a specially made magic circle that simulated the energy field of a mineral vein, while simultaneously introducing trace amounts of his own essence and the life force of the Blood-Eating Vine.

The Seed of Origin was operating at full power, analyzing the energy core and metallic structure of the thorn seedling's spikes.

He guided the essence of the moonlight to form an extremely faint, inert energy field with spatial fluctuations, which slowly enveloped the thorn seedling.

The inertia of the moon's shadow tempers the sharpness and restlessness of the metal element, while its spatial characteristics simulate the trajectory of energy deflection.

At the same time, Chen Lin very carefully dripped a wisp of the nerve-paralyzing toxin essence of the snake-patterned vine onto the tips of several sharp thorns and observed their reaction.

The thorn seedlings trembled slightly under multiple stimuli, the metallic luster of the thorns shifting, as if they were slowly adapting.

"Step Two: Symbiotic Grafting." Three days later, when the Seed of Origin indicated that the energy fluctuations of the thorn seedlings were initially in harmony with the Moon Shadow Field and that there was no rejection reaction to trace amounts of toxins, Chen Lin began the crucial step.

He slashed his right arm, drawing upon the power of the Bloodthirsty Vine. Several illusory vines, their dark gold tinged with jade and pale blue patterns, emerged, like gentle tentacles, slowly wrapping around the trunk of the Golden Thorn.

This time, there was no fierce confrontation.

With the buffer and initial guidance of the Moon Shadow Essence, the Golden Thorn's golden sharpness did not clash fiercely with the Bloodthirsty Vine's bloodthirsty instinct. Instead, guided by the Moon Shadow Field, it seemed to have found an outlet and began to try to communicate with the Bloodthirsty Vine's tearing and penetrating will!

A deep, resonant sound echoed in the secret chamber.

At the point where the dark golden blood-devouring vines and the dark gray golden thorns met, light flowed.

Extremely fine, dark gold veins, like blood vessels, began to spread from the base of the golden thorns!

At the same time, a cold metallic luster appeared on the surface of the Bloodthirsty Vine!

"Step Three: Constructing the Energy Pathway!" Chen Lin guided the essence of the moon shadow, like the most precise carving knife, to outline subtle spatial runes at the core where the two vine energies merged!

These runes are not physical entities, but rather energy imprints that will become the core channel for the synergistic effect of energy absorption, deflection, and spatial refraction in the future!

The excruciating pain returned!

Unlike the piercing sensation of thousands of needles when fusing with snake vines, this time it felt like the weight and tearing sensation of metal being forcibly injected into bones!

Chen Lin gritted his teeth and did his best to maintain the stability of the Moon Shadow Field and guide its energy.

He could sense that the Golden Thorn's unique metallic structure and energy affinity were being greedily devoured, fused, and transformed by the Bloodthirsty Vine!

At the same time, the vitality of the Blood-Eating Vine also nourishes the Thorns, making its metallic structure more active and resilient!

The fusion process lasted all night.

As the light gradually subsided, the vine patterns on Chen Lin's right arm changed once again!

The complex totem, originally with a dark gold base, emerald entanglements, and flowing silver-blue halos, is now covered with an extremely fine yet exceptionally clear dark gray metallic mesh pattern!

The pattern is dotted with countless tiny, black diamond-like spikes!

The lines on his entire arm exude a restrained resilience and sharpness, like refined gold refined through a hundredfold process!

[Fusion Complete: Golden Thorns]

[Symbiotic Status Update: Bloodvine (Fused with Golden Thorn Ability - Stable)]

New Talent Unlocked: Thorn Armor (Passive/Active):

Passive: Increases the physical defense of the vines and the skin covering them by 25% and energy resistance by 20%. Metallized thorns grow on the surface of the vines.

Active Activation: Consumes mental energy to instantly construct a layer of armor woven from activated metal thorns on the body surface or vines.

Physical defense: Extremely strong, with the best effect against piercing and cutting.

Energy Defense: Unique energy absorption and deflection field.

It can absorb about 30% of the energy from incoming elemental and energy shocks, store it in the thorns, and release it or use it to enhance its own attacks for a short period of time.

The remaining energy can be deflected.

Its defense against mental attacks is generally ineffective.

Counterattack: Melee targets attacking armor will suffer counterattack damage from the metal spikes and a small amount of nerve paralysis toxin.

Enhanced Spike Piercing: When attacked by vines or reflected damage from Thorn Armor, the spikes gain increased physical piercing effect and automatically become coated with neurotoxin.

[Notes:]

Actively activating "Thorn Armor" consumes a lot of energy; pay attention to mental energy management during continuous combat.

There is a limit to energy absorption; excessive energy surges may cause armor overload and collapse or backfire on the host.

The metallized structure increases the weight of the vines and slightly affects their flexibility.

Feeling the power flowing through his right arm, like being covered with an invisible layer of metallic thorns, a sharp glint flashed in Chen Lin's eyes.