Wizard: Starting from Escape from the Thorn Garden

Having resolved his own career advancement plan, Chen Lin turned his attention to Qing Teng Workshop.

The pleasant medicinal scent that filled the air now carried a sense of heaviness.

The trial will last for a year. Without his fundamental analysis, optimization, and core formula support, the workshop's production efficiency and product quality will inevitably decline significantly.

This not only concerns Liria's return on investment, but may also affect her standing in her mentor's eyes and future resource support.

"Ninety percent of the workshop's profits over the next two years will go to the mentors..." Chen Lin tapped his fingertips on the table.

"We must hand over some core technologies, but what should we hand over? How should we hand them over? How can we ensure the workshop's operation without making our mentor feel that we're giving away everything, or even harboring any covetous thoughts?"

He outlined the workshop's core competitiveness and wrote down a basic outline:

Original Optimized Formula: The precise formula of core agents such as inferior awakening agents and moonshine moss repair matrix must retain the most critical micro-adjustment ratios or special treatment steps.

High-efficiency cultivation techniques: Basic versions of specific parameters and procedures for radiation breeding, grafting cultivation, and tissue culture are provided, along with the "inspiration" from hidden Earth knowledge and some extreme parameters.

Secrets to operating precision instruments: The ultra-efficient extraction parameters of the high-speed magic centrifuge are available in a standard operating manual, revealing the "feel" of dynamic fine-tuning of the hidden source seed and special energy injection techniques.

Exclusive products such as Secondary Life Essence: The complete formula and process can be submitted directly, but the key catalytic steps rely on the characteristics of the original seed or symbiotic, and cannot be replicated.

"Hand over the formula and basic technical processes, but retain the essence."

Chen Lin set a strategy,

"The analysis and optimization process of the Seed of Origin cannot be replicated, and the symbiotic characteristics are unique."

Providing standardized formulas and cultivation manuals is sufficient to support the workshop's operation at its current level. Although efficiency may decrease and quality may be slightly inferior, it will be enough to sustain it.

The core "optimization points" and "secrets" are attributed to personal talent and unique symbiotic relationships.

He immediately began organizing the formula jade slips, cultivation manuals, and instrument operation guidelines, revising and improving them according to the previous outline.

It also includes a "frank" explanation, emphasizing that the delicate balance of some formulas depends on its own unique talent and symbiont, which is difficult for others to perfectly replicate, and may result in slight fluctuations in yield or quality.

After finishing, Chen Lin took a deep breath and activated the communication mark given to him by Liria.

Soon, Tamir's voice came through: "Junior Brother Chen Lin? Our mentor is in the lab."

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Liria's laboratory.

Liria was observing a strange, luminous fungus, her silver-gray eyes focused and deep.

Chen Lin bowed respectfully and presented the prepared jade slips and manuals.

"Master, your disciple is about to enter the Trial Tower. Whether I will be able to return is unknown."

To ensure the normal operation of the workshop and to live up to the mentor's expectations, the workshop's existing core reagent formulas, cultivation techniques, and instrument operation guidelines have been compiled and submitted.

This is a small token of my appreciation; I hope the workshop can continue to generate adequate revenue for the barrier and the mentor during my absence.

Liria took the jade slip, instantly scanning it with her spiritual power, a hint of surprise and amusement flashing in her eyes.

"Oh? You've even handed over the formula for the Lesser Life Essence? You're quite generous."

She put down the culture dish and her gaze fell squarely on Chen Lin's face.

"Aren't you afraid that once I get the formula, I'll find someone else to replace you?"

Chen Lin met his gaze calmly, his tone sincere and confident:

"I believe that the formula is easy to obtain, but the optimization methods and cultivation ideas are difficult for non-disciples to fully utilize their talents and symbiotic characteristics."

The workshop belongs to the mentor, and the disciple only hopes it will continue to shine under the mentor's guidance. Moreover,

He paused.

"If the disciple is able to bring back what he needs from the Trial Tower alive, he will still need the mentor's continued guidance in the future."

"If the disciple cannot return, the workshop's profit share will still be enough to repay the mentor for his care and guidance during this time."

Liria stared at Chen Lin for a moment, a meaningful smile curving her lips.

"You've put your mind to this; you're very meticulous. Don't worry, I'll have someone keep a close eye on your workshop. These documents..."

She waved the jade slip in her hand.

"I will entrust the management to Berima, the store manager of Qingmiao Flower Language Magic Plant Shop, to ensure uninterrupted production."

As for whether they can reach your level... hehe, consider it a test for them.

She put away the jade slip, her tone turning indifferent.

"You should focus on preparing for the trial and come back alive; that's the most important thing. I have information about the purification of the temple; come find me again before you set off."

"Thank you, Professor!"

Chen Lin was overjoyed. Liria had asked him to find her before he set off, and now it seemed that she wanted to give him information about the Purification Temple!

Sure enough, professing loyalty worked; the mentor stopped keeping him in suspense.

The technology entrustment was completed, the binding of interests was strengthened, and a clear commitment of follow-up support from the mentor was obtained.

-----------------

In the remaining time, he needs to get into peak condition and complete the final testing and tactical integration of the Thorn Shadow.

More importantly, by utilizing the resources of the barrier, a crucial step is taken for promotion—physical enhancement!

He went straight to the advanced training area of ​​the Barrier, with a clear objective: the Lava Tempering Chamber.

This is a top-tier body-tempering facility built by the Barrier to mimic the environment of the Heart of Lava. It uses earth fire and magic arrays to simulate high temperature, high pressure and weak ley line radiation, which has a remarkable effect on strengthening the physical body, improving fire element resistance and life resilience.

This aligns perfectly with his physical development after fusing the Bloodthirsty Vine and the Golden Thorn, and also prepares him for the physical trials of the Lava Heart Trial Tower and future advancement.

After paying a considerable amount of magic stones, Chen Lin stepped into the scorching tempering chamber.

The terrifying heat instantly enveloped my entire body, the air distorted, and the pungent smell of sulfur filled the air.

He immediately activated the passive defense of the Golden Thorns, his skin glowing with a metallic sheen, while simultaneously guiding the life force of the Bloodthirsty Vine to circulate throughout his body, resisting the corrosive effects of the high temperature.

"Not enough!" Chen Lin gritted his teeth and deliberately reduced the passive coverage intensity of the Golden Thorns, allowing more high temperature to directly burn his body.

A sharp pain shot through him, and his skin instantly turned bright red.

The Blood-Devouring Vine operates frantically, its blood and energy replenishing and repairing the burns. The newly formed skin becomes even more resilient under the high temperature.

"The Seed of Origin guides the essence of the moon's shadow, enhancing spatial perception under high-temperature environments and predicting energy flows!"

He needs to hone his precise control over the symbiote and his own abilities under extreme conditions.

As the essence of the moonlight flowed, amidst the distorted heatwave, he seemed to "see" the weak point in the energy flow, and his body instinctively made a slight dodge to reduce the damage.

At the same time, the energy absorption field of the Thorn Armor is passively activated, devouring the dissipated fire elemental energy and nourishing itself.

Every day, Chen Lin is like a piece of stubborn iron, repeatedly hammered and tempered in the furnace.

Physical strength, fire resistance, adaptability to high-temperature environments, and control over the power of the symbiote are all rapidly improving.

Under extreme pressure, the mental sea becomes more condensed, and the speed of mental energy recovery accelerates.

During a break in the refining process, he returned to the workshop's secret chamber to conduct final tactical simulations and collaborative tests on the Shadow of Thorns.

With each test, Chen Lin's mental connection with the puppet group became closer and smoother, and their tactical coordination became increasingly sophisticated.

The twenty thorn shadows, like extensions of his limbs and tentacles of his will, greatly compensated for the limits of his perception and control in complex environments.

.............

Three days before the trial begins.

Chen Lin finished his final lava tempering, his skin taking on a healthy bronze hue, his muscles flowing smoothly and exuding explosive power, and his fire element resistance significantly increased.

With the continuous repair from the ultimate tempering and the Seed of Origin, the mental strength has been stabilized at 62 points.

The tactical arsenal of the Shadow of Thorns is complete, and twenty puppets are poised to strike in the dimensional bag.

He returned to Liria's Potions Sanctuary.

This time, Liria led him deeper into a secret chamber filled with isolation magic arrays.

Without exchanging pleasantries, she went straight to the point, her fingertips sketching a projection of the complex interior structure of the temple in the air that was far more detailed than what was known to the outside world.

"The core area of ​​the Purification Temple is divided into three levels: the outer purification corridor, the inner life garden, and the core source crystal cave. The specific dangers and possible treasures are marked on the projection. Please read and memorize them carefully and do not disclose them to others."

Ten minutes later, Liria's projection disappeared, and she stared sharply at Chen Lin:

"The water of the sacred spring is already fraught with difficulties, and the life-giving crystal... is almost a legend."

Your talent may be the only variable.

Remember, suppress the darkness and utilize spatial abilities and mental power.

The temple rejects all filth and forced plunder; the resonance of wisdom and pure life is the only key, therefore finding the purifying moss is a prerequisite.

As for the Life Crystal…

She paused.

"If you ever have the chance to get close, it's up to you whether you're willing to risk your life for it. The treasure is valuable, but only by staying alive can you have a future. Take care of yourself."

A huge amount of information!

Chen Lin was deeply moved and bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, mentor!"

Leaving the secret room, his heart was heavy, but his goal had never been so clear:

Subdue the Blood-Devouring Vines, seek out the Purifying Moss, strip away the source to simulate pure life energy or seize the core of the Light Healing Spirit, obtain the Holy Spring Water, challenge the Trial of the Garden of Life, and explore the Secret Cave of the Source Crystal!

A glimmer of hope is already faintly visible.

On the day the Trial Tower opened, Chen Lin stood on the magnificent teleportation plaza, the Shadow Thorn Ring pressed tightly against his fingertips, his dimensional bag containing all the magical plant seeds, thorn shadows, and potion reserves.

The Seed of Origin slowly rotates within the Sea of ​​Spirit, exploring countless possibilities.

Members of the Green-Crowned Alliance gathered around him, their eyes meeting, their fighting spirit high.

As the vast magical energy of Archmage Horn activated the teleportation array, a beam of light pierced through space and descended, engulfing everyone's figures.