Wizard: Starting from Escape from the Thorn Garden

The teleportation beam, like the maw of a colossal beast tearing through space, swallowed Chen Lin along with the members of the Green Peak Alliance.

This is a violent experience where space is forcibly folded, stretched, and distorted.

Chen Lin felt as if his body had been thrown into a high-speed centrifuge, his internal organs were shifting, and his bones were groaning under the strain.

The Seed of Origin operates wildly, passively activating the essence of the moon's shadow, forming an extremely weak and constantly fluctuating spatial refraction layer on the body's surface, barely neutralizing some of the spatial tearing force.

A scorching pulse emanated from the Bloodthirsty Vine patterns on his right arm, and his ferocious instincts seemed to be agitated by the violent spatial turbulence.

I don't know how much time passed, maybe a moment, maybe eternity, but the suffocating sense of oppression suddenly disappeared.

The sensation of solid ground beneath my feet was strange, with a slight elasticity, as if I were stepping on the tough skin of some enormous creature.

Chen Lin suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils instantly contracting.

Void Corridor!

What came into view was not the cold, desolate universe of one's imagination, but a bizarre and surreal place that defied common sense.

They were on a huge, circular platform suspended in endless darkness.

The platform is made of some unknown jade that emits a warm white light. Its surface is engraved with a complex array of runes that are dazzling to the eye, and it flows with a vast amount of spatial energy. It is this energy that maintains the stability of the platform.

Beyond the platform lies true emptiness.

In the distance, turbulent energy currents flowed, shifting like the aurora borealis, in shades of dark purple, deep blue, and emerald green.

These turbulent currents intertwine and collide like living things, silently erupting with annihilating sparks, only to vanish into silence in an instant.

Huge, metallic fragments of stars, like toys crushed by an invisible giant hand, slowly tumbled and floated in the turbulent currents. On some fragments, one could even see the outlines of broken buildings or huge skeletons.

Further away, some twisted, indescribable, enormous shadows loomed in the depths of the turbulent energy currents, exuding a chilling ancient aura.

The air was so thin it was almost a vacuum, filled with a cold, strange smell that mixed with stardust and remnants of spatial energy.

The gravitational field also appears chaotic, sometimes heavy and sometimes light, making one feel as if they are in the weightless deep sea.

Hundreds of people had already gathered on the platform.

A bustling crowd, a constellation of stars!

This place seems to have become a showcase for the new generation of elite wizards in the Southern Region.

The wizard apprentices, dressed in different styles and exuding distinct auras, occupied different areas of the platform, their eyes meeting each other with scrutiny, vigilance, curiosity, and even undisguised hostility.

Chen Lin's faction was the most conspicuous.

Besides the seven members of the Green Peak Alliance, there were forty-three other elite apprentices selected from the stronghold. Most of them wore uniform dark green apprentice robes with silver trim, exuding a calm aura and carrying the gentleness and resilience unique to the Life System.

The apprentices of the Barrier spontaneously gathered around Evan and the others, forming a relatively close-knit group.

In a relatively secluded area of ​​the platform, where no one dared to approach, a group of apprentices gathered, exuding a cold and bloody aura.

They wore long robes in deep black or dark red, with twisted thorn patterns embroidered on the hems. Many of them bore obvious signs of modification—metal prosthetics, exposed sutures, or eerie patterns writhing under their skin.

The leader was a man of medium build and slightly thin, whose face was hidden in the shadow of his hood. He exuded an unsettling dark aura, as if he had merged with the shadows around him.

He turned his icy blue eyes, slowly scanning the entire area, finally lingering for a few seconds on the direction of Evergreen Barrier, especially on Chen Lin.

An invisible chill instantly enveloped the apprentices of the barrier.

Chen Lin felt a very faint tremor coming from the Bloodthirsty Vine pattern on his right arm, as if he had encountered a being of the same origin but even more dangerous.

Icethorn Wizard!

Alarm bells rang in Chen Lin's mind. He suppressed his turbulent emotions and maintained a calm demeanor.

On the other side of the platform, a group of apprentices, their breaths blazing and most of them burly, were particularly eye-catching.

They wore dark red or obsidian-colored metallic armor or combat suits, with flame and gear patterns branded on their exposed skin.

The leading apprentices radiated visible heat, their eyes burning like molten lava, filled with aggression.

These are the wizard apprentices of Molten Core.

Rhodes's gaze was immediately drawn to it, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

An area seemed shrouded in heavy shadows; there were few people, but their presence was extremely faint.

Apprentices from Shadowhold wear dark gray or pure black bodysuits that blend into the environment, and most of them wear masks or veils, revealing only pairs of cold, emotionless eyes.

They were like ghosts blending into the background, silent and unnoticed.

Kyle and Serena's gazes swept over there, carrying a hint of scrutiny from those who considered them kindred spirits.

Behind them were the apprentices of the Star Tower.

A group of apprentices dressed in dark blue robes adorned with star patterns had a relatively peaceful demeanor, but their eyes were deep, as if they contained an endless starry sky.

Most of them held staffs or crystal balls, and their bodies were surrounded by faint but pure star power.

Elena's gaze lingered on them for a moment, as if sensing something.

To the right of the apprentices at the Starry Sky Tower, a group of apprentices dressed in light blue scale armor or flowing robes with seaweed patterns exuded a moist and profound aura.

The leader held a staff inlaid with a huge pearl, and water ripples subtly flowed around him.

Their gaze swept across the platform, carrying with it the ocean's allure and unfathomable depths.

They were wizard apprentices from the Deep Sea Temple.

There were also some apprentices of different clothes, with powerful or strange auras scattered around the edge of the platform. They came from small forces or were lone strongmen, their eyes filled with the vigilance and ambition of lone wolves.

Chen Lin's Seed of Origin was operating at high speed, coldly recording the surrounding environmental information and energy fluctuations, while rapidly scanning those individuals emanating powerful auras and assessing potential threats.

The appearance of the Thorn Garden team was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, making the atmosphere on the entire platform more tense and oppressive.

Icethorn's icy gaze was like a leech, making Chen Lin feel like he was being pricked by thorns.

Behind him, Kane, exuding the aura of a peak level four cultivator, stared intently at Chen Lin and made a throat-slitting gesture.

Chen Lin ignored him and continued looking around.

The leader of Molten City was a red-haired, towering man over two meters tall, with bulging muscles on his bare arms wrapped in crimson flame patterns. His aura was violent, clearly reaching the peak of level four, and he was faintly touching the threshold of becoming a formal wizard.

His provocative gaze swept unabashedly toward Evan and the Thorn Garden.

The leader of Shadow Keep was a figure whose body was almost completely blended into the shadows, with only a pair of eyes burning with ghostly green soul flames visible. His aura was cold and elusive, making it difficult to grasp his exact strength, but he was extremely dangerous.

The leader of the Starry Sky Tower was an ethereal young woman with waist-length silver hair. She held a crystal staff that flowed with starlight, and her eyes seemed to see into the future. Her aura was pure and vast.

The leader of the Tide Temple was a handsome young man with light blue scales behind his ears. He held a pearl staff, and his body was surrounded by water vapor, exuding a deep and unfathomable aura.

In the center of the platform, a huge, complex magic array made of pure energy floats.

At the center of the magic circle stood three figures.

Their presence was as dazzling as a star, instantly overshadowing all the noise on the platform.

The powerful mental field, like a tangible tide, silently swept across the entire area, causing all the apprentices to feel a tremor deep within their souls.

All three great wizards are at the peak of the third ring!

The one on the left, clad in a deep blue robe adorned with countless stars, her face blurred as if shrouded in starlight, is none other than Aurora, the Star Speaker from the Star Tower.

The one on the right, shrouded in a swirling cloak of shadows, revealing only a pair of eyes burning with eerie green flames, exudes a suffocating aura of death; he is Shadowsong Morris of Shadowhold.

Standing in the center was an elderly man with white hair and beard, a kind face, and deep, unfathomable eyes.

He wore a simple white robe, held a wooden staff wrapped in ivy, and exuded a gentle yet vast life force. He was none other than the great wizard Horn of the Evergreen Barrier of the Hand of Life!

His gaze swept over the apprentices at the ramparts, lingering briefly on Chen Lin before sharply sweeping towards the Thorn Garden, a hint of seriousness in his eyes.

"quiet!"

The great wizard Horn's voice was not loud, but it seemed to resonate directly in the depths of everyone's soul, instantly suppressing all the noise.

"Welcome to the Void Corridor, future elites of the Southern Wizarding World."

His gaze swept across the entire room, filled with scrutiny and expectation.

"The Tower of Trials of All Things is a treasure left behind by the ancient wizarding civilization, and it is also the ultimate battlefield for tempering one's will and testing one's strength."

Today, you will step into this realm and begin a year-long trial of life and death!

He paused, his voice turning serious:

"The trial rules were jointly formulated by the Southern Region Wizarding Council and will be supervised and enforced by the three of us. They must not be violated!"

"First, a points system!" Archmage Horn raised his hand, and the energy array in the center of the platform shone brightly, with countless tiny streaks of light shooting precisely at each apprentice like shooting stars.

Chen Lin felt a chill on his wrist. Looking down, he saw a simple, antique-looking bracelet made of some kind of black metal and transparent crystal that appeared out of thin air and was tightly attached to his skin.

The surface of the bracelet is engraved with intricate runes, and at its center is a crystal the size of a grain of rice that emits a faint white light.

"This is the 'Omniscient Recorder'!" The voice of Archmage Horn rang out clearly.

"It will record all your effective kills and exploration contributions inside the tower!"

The kill rules are as follows:

• Level 4 Initial Threat Target: 1 point

• Level 4 Mid-Term Threat Target: 5 points

Level 4 late-stage threat target: 10 points

Level 4 Peak Threat Target: 20 points

• Targets possessing formal wizard-level combat power pose a threat: 100 points!

"Target determination is automatically assessed by the recorder based on energy fluctuations, mental pressure, and the killing process!"

Exploring unknown areas, discovering important resource points, and solving ancient mysteries may also earn you extra points, determined by the recorder and our wizarding team's combined assessment!

"Secondly, killing among wizard apprentices is forbidden!"

Archmage Horn's voice suddenly turned stern, and an invisible pressure enveloped the entire area.

"The Trial Tower is fraught with danger and fierce competition, but the bottom line must not be crossed!"

Any act of intentionally killing other apprentices, once confirmed by the recorder or discovered by us wizards, will immediately result in disqualification from the trial, the soul imprint will be marked, and the individual will be handed over to their respective organization for severe punishment!

Those whose actions are serious will be killed on the spot!

Competition is allowed!

Competition for resources is permitted!

But killing one's comrades is absolutely unacceptable!

Remember, you are the future of the Southern Region, not beasts slaughtering each other!

As he said this, his gaze seemed to sweep intentionally or unintentionally toward the direction of the thorn garden.

"Third, monitoring and observation!"

The Star Speaker, Aurora, spoke, her voice flowing like a river of stars, ethereal yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"Although the Tower of Trials of All Things is a self-contained space, its core area is connected to the magic array that we maintain."

Everything that happens inside the tower is within the scope of our mental perception.

Data from the recorder is transmitted back in real time, and energy fluctuations in key areas will be closely monitored.

Do not take chances or attempt to circumvent the rules or interfere with the recorder in any way; you will bear the consequences!

Shadowsong Morris's eerie green eyes swept across the entire arena, his voice like a chilling wind from the depths of hell:

"Death is part of the trial. But those who betray the rules will suffer a price far worse than death."

The chilling warning sent a shiver down the spines of many apprentices, and a few suppressed, disdainful snorts echoed from the Thorn Garden group.

Fourth, trial rewards!

The voice of Archmage Horn rang out again, carrying a hint of encouragement.

"Your points will determine your final ranking and rewards!"

"After the trial, the top 100 in points will receive the 'New Star Medal' jointly awarded by the Southern Wizarding Council."

Enjoy priority access to public resources in the Southern Region and opportunities for guidance from high-level wizards!

"Those ranked in the top fifty, in addition to their medals, can enter the outer area of ​​the 'Temple of Knowledge' and choose a high-level spell model or inherit knowledge!"

"The top twenty will be granted entry to the core area of ​​the 'Temple of Knowledge' to choose either a top-tier inheritance or a custom-made apprentice-level magical artifact!"

"The top ten will receive an 'Elemental Baptism' opportunity, which will greatly enhance their elemental affinity and spiritual purity!"

And you'll gain the opportunity to ask a question to a legendary wizard!

"Top three!"

The great wizard Horn's voice suddenly rose, carrying an irresistible allure.

"In addition to all the above rewards, you will have one opportunity to enter the 'Pool of Laws' for enlightenment!"

And there is a very high chance that he will be accepted as a personal disciple by a legendary wizard!

boom!

The announcement of the rewards was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake! The entire platform instantly erupted in excitement!

Elemental Baptism! Pool of Laws! Legendary Inheritance!

Each of these rewards is enough to drive any fourth-level wizard apprentice mad!

That is the shortcut to becoming a formal wizard, or even a higher level!

Chen Lin's heart pounded violently. The Pool of Laws!

That was the perfect opportunity for him to build his own wizard's heart and embark on the path of a true wizard!

The Seed of Origin was operating wildly, and even cold analysis could not completely suppress the desire in his heart.

Amazing light also shone in the eyes of Evan, Sophia, Rhodes, and others.

Even the calmest Kyle and Serena were breathing slightly rapidly.

On the Thorn Garden team's side, the shadow under the Icethorn hood seemed to tremble slightly, clearly indicating that the reward was enough to move him.

"Furthermore," Archmage Horn added.

"The Trial Tower contains countless ancient treasures, rare materials, and rare gems. Everything you obtain belongs to you!"

This is the greatest opportunity of all!

"Finally," Archmage Horn's gaze swept over the apprentices at the ramparts, a hint of deeper meaning in his eyes,

"This trial is also related to the allocation of public resource land in the Southern Region by each organization over the next ten years! You bear a heavy responsibility and must strive to be the best!"

The voice of Aurora, the Star Speaker, rang out.

"Now, open the Gate of All Things!"

The three high-ranking wizards raised their hands simultaneously, and a vast amount of magical power poured into the central magic circle!

Om-! ! !

The entire void corridor seemed to tremble!

The magic array at the center of the platform burst forth with an unprecedentedly dazzling light!

The light converged, forming a colossal pillar of light that stretched from the heavens to the earth!

Within the pillar of light, space violently twisted and folded, eventually forming a massive light gate hundreds of feet high, engraved with countless phantom images of stars, mountains, rivers, and living beings!

Inside the door was a swirling, deep vortex that swallowed all light!

It exudes an ancient, vast, and chillingly dangerous aura!

The Tower of Trials of All Things is now open!

"Trialists, enter the tower!" Shadowsong Morris's icy voice was like a final clarion call.

With a low shout, Aiven's blue and white robes fluttered without wind, and he transformed into a streak of blue light, rushing towards the huge gate of light without hesitation!

Kane, radiating an icy aura, shot out in quick succession. The Thorn Garden apprentices, like hounds on command, transformed into streaks of shadow, each carrying an aura of blood and darkness, hurtling toward the portal at incredible speed, even showing signs of surpassing the Barrier team!

"Let's go!" Sophia, Rod, Kyle, Serena, and Elena followed closely behind Evan!

Chen Lin took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, his wariness of the unknown, and his fear of the cold gaze from the Thorn Garden.

He took one last look at the All-Encompassing Recorder on his wrist, feeling the cool touch of the Shadow Thorn Ring and the faint connection between the twenty Thorn Shadows in his dimensional bag.

The Seed of Origin was operating at full power, and the essence of the moonlight flowed in the sea of ​​consciousness, forcibly suppressing the ferocity of the Blood-Devouring Vine.

He pushed off with his feet, his figure merging into the ranks of the Barrier Apprentices, like an arrow released from a bow, resolutely charging into the all-consuming, swirling nebula vortex!

In an instant, the world spun and space shifted!

The scene of the void corridor vanished instantly, replaced by a brand new, crimson world filled with the smell of sulfur and scorching heat!

The first level of the Tower of Trials of All Things – Heart of Lava!