Wizard: Starting from Escape from the Thorn Garden

As the barrier fell into slumber, moonlight streamed through the cracks into the workshop, and Chen Lin began his most demanding daily task—searching for target magical plants that could compensate for his shortcomings in speed and ranged attacks within the barrier's vast magical plant library (including the public library, a portion of Glenn's laboratory, and a limited area of ​​Liria's private library) and the external encyclopedia obtained through Carlos's channels.

The Seed of Origin acts like the most efficient search engine, rapidly scanning, analyzing, and comparing information from a vast sea of ​​data.

Chen Lin's mental energy was highly concentrated, and his consciousness was filled with countless images, descriptions of characteristics, and energy diagrams of the magical plants.

However, they encountered difficulties in finding a speed-type fusion magical plant.

His goal was clear: to find a magical plant that could coexist and fuse with the Bloodthirsty Vine, significantly enhancing the host's movement speed, agility, or short-range burst sprint ability. However, the results were disappointing.

"Wind Grass": Its leaves contain a trace of wind element, which can be used to make lightness potions, but the effect is weak, and its structure is fragile and cannot withstand the energy impact of symbiotic fusion. Seed of Origin Assessment: [Fusion failure rate 99.9%, no improvement value].

"Shadow Leap Vine": Legend says it originates from the Shadow Dimension and can perform short-distance shadow leaps. However, the Barrier's inventory only contains dried specimens, completely devoid of activity. Carlos's sources indicate that this item is priceless and has not appeared in the Southern Region for nearly ten years. Seed of Origin: [No active sample, cannot be analyzed, extremely low probability of obtaining].

"Lightning Fern": Contains violent lightning elements, which can stimulate nerve reaction speed, but its energy attribute clashes violently with the dark/life attribute of the Blood-Eating Vine, making forced fusion extremely risky. Seed of Origin: [Energy conflict risk >90%, may lead to symbiote collapse or permanent damage to the host's nerves].

"Bouncing Mushroom": The cap is elastic, which can aid in jumping. However... aside from slightly increasing jump height (and you still have to step on it first), this thing offers no help to overall movement speed, and its energy level is too low. Seed of Origin: [...Target energy level too low, symbiotic fusion is meaningless.]

For several days, the search made no progress.

Magical plants suitable for increasing speed either have weak effects, conflicting attributes, or have long since disappeared.

Chen Lin frowned, his anxiety growing like vines in his heart.

Without a speed advantage, he would be like a clumsy target in the complex and ever-changing environment of the Trial Tower.

Compared to the desperate situation of speed-type magical plants, the search for ranged attack-type magical plants has seen a glimmer of hope.

Chen Lin identified two promising candidates:

Ice Pea (Basic Variation):

Source: Samples collected from the edge of the "Frosty Tundra" in the northern part of the Barrier, provided by Carlos Channel.

Morphology: The plant is short, with thick, bluish-white leaves, and a fist-sized pod covered with frost at the top.

Special Feature: Mature pods can fire pea bullets containing icy energy, with a range of about 50 meters. Upon hitting a target, they cause freezing damage and a slowing effect.

The pods can regenerate, but the regeneration rate is slow.

Analysis of the Seed of Origin: Energy Attribute: Ice Affinity, Pure, Condensed, and Explosive.

Attack mechanism: The special internal structure of the pod allows it to highly compress and shape the icy energy absorbed by the plant, which is then ejected through the pod cavity.

Symbiotic adaptability analysis:

Advantages: Direct attack method, high energy conversion efficiency, ice damage with a slowing effect, which can form a "slow + paralysis" dual control chain with the paralyzing toxin of the Serpent Vine. Ice energy does not directly conflict with the Bloodthirsty Vine, and the inert nature of the Moon Shadow Essence can temper its explosiveness.

Disadvantages: Limited range, 50 meters is too short for wizard combat, slow rate of fire, requires energy storage, pod regeneration depends on the plant's own energy supply, and has weak continuous combat capability.

Ice-type energy is much less effective in high-temperature or fire-type environments.

Fusion directions: Enhance energy compression efficiency to increase range and power; optimize pod structure to increase rate of fire; attempt to incorporate neurotoxins into ice bullets.

Assessment: Fusion risk, medium. The energy compression process may cause instability in the pod structure; long-term coexistence of Ice and Dark attributes requires observation.

[Floating Flower (Psionic Variant):]

Source: Private collection of Master Liria. Chen Lin saw the description by chance while consulting materials and was granted permission to observe a dormant sample upon request.

Form: Rootless, resembling a transparent jellyfish, suspended in the low air. The main body is a translucent flower emitting a soft seven-colored light, with several rice-grain-sized psionic seeds constantly rotating at the stamen.

Features: It can release psionic seeds from the flower's stamen. These seeds can be guided by mental energy to fly at high speed through the air with a long range. After reaching the limit of mental energy, they can glide in the air for more than 100 meters. Upon hitting a target or reaching a designated location, the seeds can detonate, releasing a mental shockwave or a preset psionic effect.

Seeds can regenerate slowly.

Energy attributes: Affinity for psionic and spiritual energy; pure, dynamic, and malleable.

Attack Mechanism: The flower stamen is like a psionic factory, condensing spiritual power and free energy to create psionic seeds.

The seed itself has an intricate structure, containing miniature psionic runes that can be activated in response to the host's mental commands.

Symbiotic adaptability analysis:

Advantages: Long range, flexible and varied attack methods, can be guided and can be detonated in an area, mental attribute attacks can ignore some physical defenses, and there is a potential synergy with the soul defense of the Soul-Devouring Heart-Guarding Ointment.

There is a possibility of a deep resonance between the psionic attribute and the analytical properties of the Seed of Origin.

Disadvantages: Psionic seeds are slow to produce and lack burst damage; mental attacks have limited effect on those with high magic resistance or strong mental defense; there is a subtle incompatibility between psionic attributes and the bloodthirsty plundering instinct of the Bloodvine, psionic energy needs to be pure, and the bloodthirsty instinct tends to be chaotic.

Integration directions: Increase the generation speed and power of Psionic Seeds; expand the effects of Psionic Seeds, such as adding elemental damage and enhancing mental impact; attempt to establish mental links to achieve more precise targeting.

Assessment: Integration risk: Medium to high. Integration requires extremely high mental control precision.

Psychic energy and bloodlust are incompatible and require strong reconciliation; it is highly dependent on the host's mental strength, and overuse can easily lead to mental fatigue; if the psychic seed is interfered with or countered, it may backfire.

Chen Lin stood in front of the worktable in the secret room. The projections of two demonic plants floated in the air under the power of the Seed of Origin, with cold analytical data displayed next to them.

On the left are blue bean pods covered in frost, and on the right are transparent flowers radiating a rainbow of light.

"Ice Pea... simple and direct, with strong burst damage, and its control effect is compatible with existing toxins, but its range and sustainability are major weaknesses."

Chen Lin's fingertips traced the shadow of the icy pea, and ice shards fell in a soft rustling sound.

"Floating Flower... has enormous potential, unpredictable and varied attack methods, and a clear advantage in range, but it has a long growth cycle, demands a lot of mental strength, and conflicts with the instincts of the Bloodthirsty Vine..."

He fell into deep thought.

Ice Pea is like a heavy crossbow, powerful but cumbersome; Floating Flower is like a set of precise flying needles, flexible and versatile but requiring extremely high skill and patience.

The Seed of Origin provides a detailed analysis of the pros and cons, but the final decision requires him to make a comprehensive judgment based on his own combat style, existing resources, and the possible environment of the Trial Tower.

"Seed of Origin, simulate and deduce the actual combat effects after the fusion of the two magical plants," Chen Lin issued the order.

Dark golden roots spread through the sea of ​​consciousness, constructing a virtual battle scene.

[Scene: Dark Jungle]

[Target: High-speed Shadow Panther, Level 4 Monster]

[Fused Ice Peashooter: A Peashooter symbiote is generated on Chen Lin's right shoulder.]

Charge for 1.5 seconds and launch a Frost Pea with a range of 50 meters. If it hits the Shadow Panther's hind leg, it will cause freezing damage and slow the Shadow Panther by 30% for 2 seconds.

Chen Lin seized the opportunity to close the distance, using vines to entangle and finish off the enemy. Success rate: 65%.

If the first attack misses or the target has high resistance, Chen Lin will be on the defensive.

[Fusion of floating flowers: Chen Lin's head is covered by a floating flower symbiosis.]

Release 3 psionic seeds and use your mental energy to track the Shadow Leopard.

The seeds travel at a relatively high speed, with a range of 300 meters.

One seed was dodged by the Shadow Leopard, while two others hit a nearby tree trunk and exploded, releasing a psychic shockwave that disrupted the Shadow Leopard's movements, causing it to freeze briefly for 0.5 seconds.

Chen Lin did not close the distance, but instead directed the vines to bind the target from a distance. Success rate: 60%.

If the target has high mental resistance or the seed is intercepted beforehand, the effect will be poor.

[Scene: Lava River Bank]

[Target: Fire Elemental Guardian, immune to physical attacks, high fire resistance]

[Fused Ice Pea Shooter: The Frost Pea hits the Fire Elemental Guardian, causing a violent clash of ice and fire energies. Due to elemental advantage, it deals moderate damage, but the Guardian's counterattack fireball is partially absorbed and deflected by the Thorn Armor. Chen Lin continues to attack from a distance, with significant results.]

[Fused Floating Blossom: The psychic impact of the psionic seed has a weak effect on intangible fire elemental defenses. Chen Lin is in a difficult situation.]

[Scene: Ancient ruins, containing a magic-blocking field]

[Fused Ice Pea Shooter: Energy Drive Limited, Ice Peas Cannot Work.]

[Fused Floating Flower: The psionic seed relies on mental energy for guidance and is less affected by the anti-magic field, still able to exert some interference effect.]

The conclusion is clear and brutal: there is no perfect choice.

Ice Pea is extremely effective in specific environments, such as when it counters an attribute or is within a close to mid-range range, but its weaknesses are obvious.

Floating flowers have wider applicability and greater potential, but they have a high barrier to entry and are not very effective against certain enemies.

Chen Lin's gaze shifted back and forth between the projections of the two magical plants.

Time was of the essence, and he had to make a choice as soon as possible and begin the integration and cultivation process in order to form combat power before the trial.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door of the secret room, and a respectful voice from a hired apprentice came through:

"Master, Master Liria has sent word that you must go to her laboratory immediately; she has important matters to discuss."

Chen Lin's heart skipped a beat.

Could Liria's sudden summons be related to his predicament?

He waved away the projection, took a deep breath, and suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his mind.

In any case, let's first see what new investments or challenges this mentor has in store.

He straightened his robes, memorized the information about the two magical plants, and then turned and walked out of the secret chamber.