Wizard: Starting from Escape from the Thorn Garden

The moment you step into the Shadow Corridor, the scorching heat and sulfurous aura of the Lava Heart are instantly wiped away by an invisible giant hand, replaced by a bone-chilling cold and deathly silence.

Chen Lin felt that the ground beneath his feet was no longer solid volcanic rock, but rather a strange sensation with a slight elasticity, as if he were stepping on the tough skin of some huge creature.

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.

The world before my eyes is a dark and surreal place that defies common sense.

The sky was pitch black, with occasional turbulent energy flows of dark purple, deep blue, and dark green, shifting and changing like the aurora borealis.

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

The air was filled with the aura of the dead and a field of mental interference.

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

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. It flows with a vast amount of spatial energy, which is what maintains the stability of the platform—this is one of the "safe zones" of the Shadow Corridor.

"Ugh... this godforsaken place..."

Rhodes cursed under his breath. The flame patterns on his body dimmed considerably in the cold environment. He subconsciously wrapped himself tighter in the iconic dark red combat suit of Molten Core.

Kyle's figure almost completely blended into the shadows at the edge of the platform, with only his cold eyes scanning his surroundings warily.

Serena stood quietly behind Evan, like a ghost without a physical form, her breath faint.

Evan took a deep breath, sensing the chaotic spatial fluctuations and faint necromantic aura in the air.

He said in a deep voice, "The Shadow Corridor has an extremely unstable spatial structure, and energy turbulence could form deadly fissures or traps at any time."

This is a paradise for shadow creatures and the undead, and also... a point where astral energy occasionally leaks out.

He opened his palm, and floating in his palm was a positioning crystal specially made by the Green Top Alliance, with faint starlight flowing inside.

The crystal's light pointed to an inconspicuous stone staircase entrance at the edge of the platform, leading down into the dark depths below.

"According to Elena's prophecy and the intelligence from the Barrier, there are approximately 50 days left before the window of opportunity for the purification of the outer defenses of the Temple is opened."

Evan's gaze swept over the crowd, carrying an undeniable determination. "We'll stay here for 15 to 20 days. We have two objectives:"

"First, find and utilize the faint leaks of astral energy to comprehend the rules of space."

This is crucial for us to deal with spatial traps, improve our mobility, and even master spatial magic in the future.

Especially Chen Lin, Kyle, and Serena, your stealth and mobility abilities, as well as your spatial awareness, will bring about a qualitative change.

Chen Lin nodded silently. The Bloodthirsty Vine patterns on his right arm seemed to be more active in the cold environment. He could feel the faint resonance of the Moon Shadow Essence with the surrounding chaotic spatial fluctuations.

Kyle and Serena's eyes brightened as well.

"second,"

Evan's voice turned serious.

"The Lava Behemoth in the Heart of Lava is incredibly powerful with the home advantage, and the 'Corrupted Ancient Tree Lord' in the third level of the Corrupted Garden will only be more terrifying."

We must master more powerful combined attack methods to have the ability to contend with or even severely damage a wizard-level threat!

A flash of light appeared in his hand, revealing a scroll made of some unknown animal hide that exuded an ancient aura.

The surface of the scroll was covered with an energy halo of interwoven blue, white and gray colors.

"This is a simplified version of the 'Thorn Storm' formation, a secret combination spell formation passed down in my Evan family."

Evan unrolled the scroll, revealing intricate runes and energy flow patterns to everyone.

"It requires the coordinated resonance of three forces: wind, earth and stone, and plants or life forms, to construct a complex field that combines binding, strangulation, and energy impact."

That means it requires me, Sophia, and Chen Lin to practice together.

Rhodes, your molten power can serve as a burst node;

Kyle and Serena, you are responsible for perimeter security and assassinations at key points;

Elena, your astral omens and purifying field are key to maintaining the stability of the array's core.

The energy flow path on the scroll is extremely intricate, requiring the three core forces to perfectly merge at specific frequencies and nodes to form energy resonance.

Any slight discord will at best greatly reduce its power, and at worst, it may trigger an energy backlash.

"This formation is extremely powerful, but it is very difficult to control and requires absolute understanding and trust."

Evan's gaze swept over Chen Lin and Sophia.

"In the days to come, we must dedicate at least three hours each day to drills and practice. Now, let's leave the platform and find a suitable temporary base."

Guided by Kyle and Serena's shadows, the group cautiously descended the stone steps and entered the true Shadow Corridor.

The corridor is not a corridor in the traditional sense; it is a complex space made of huge, twisted black rocks, resembling the intestines of a giant beast.

Above them was a "sky" filled with turbulent energy flows, and beneath their feet was a rugged ground covered with cold dust and unknown moss.

The air was thick with the smell of decay and dust, and necromantic energy seeped in like a cold mist.

The light was extremely dim, with only the occasional turbulent energy currents in the distance or the faint glow emitted by some luminous moss and minerals outlining the grotesque contours of the jagged rocks.

Silence is the dominant theme here, but beneath the silence lie countless subtle, eerie sounds—the groans of rocks due to internal stress, the rustling of unknown creatures crawling in the shadows, and faint, seemingly ancient howls.

"Watch out for the shadow on your left!" Kyle's cold voice rang out like an alarm bell in the silence.

Almost simultaneously, Serena's figure had already disappeared from the spot.

laugh!

A dim, cold light flashed!

A shadowy beetle, resembling a giant cockroach with a metallic sheen on its carapace, silently darted out from a crevice in the rocks, its skull precisely pierced by a jet-black dagger!

Green slime splattered out, and the corpse convulsed and collapsed.

[Defeat the Shadow Lurker (Level 3, early stage) to gain 1 point.]

Instant Analysis of Chen Lin's Seed of Origin:

[Shadow Stalker: Medium armor protection, mouthparts inflict paralyzing venom, adept at stealth and ambush.]

This is just the beginning.

As they went deeper into the area, the attacks became more frequent.

Hordes of fist-sized, putrid carrion beetles surged out of the rock crevices like a tide;

The shadow spider, lurking on the rock top with its sticky silk threads hanging down, suddenly pounced.

Even some translucent, howling ghosts formed from resentment rushed in, bringing with them a chilling aura and mental interference!

The team demonstrated highly efficient teamwork.

Rhodes roared, his fists bursting into flames, like human torches, his violent fiery battle aura sweeping across, burning large swarms of carnivorous beetles to charcoal!

The high temperature and sunlight temporarily dispelled some of the chill.

Sophia was like a mobile fortress, her entire body covered in gray-white rock armor. Ignoring the bites of small insects, she smashed the attacking shadow spiders into a pulp with her heavy punches!

Occasionally, wailing ghosts would rush close, but their forms would be partially shattered by the steady, heavy earth and stone energy emanating from her body.

Kyle and Serena, like the shadows of death, roamed outside the chaos and light created by Rhodes and Sophia.

Kyle's Shadow Silk cuts silently, precisely eliminating any stalking bugs or shadow spiders attempting to sneak up from blind spots;

Serena is like a ghost; every time her dagger flashes, a threatening target is inevitably killed. Her attacks have a strange anti-magic effect and also deal significant damage to howling ghosts.

Chen Lin became the core of the team's control.

His vines no longer sought to inflict fatal damage, but rather, like agile tentacles, precisely entangled, tripped, and delayed those who slipped through the net or tried to bypass the front-line enemies, creating opportunities for his teammates to deliver the decisive blow.

The neurotoxin appears to be more effective in cold, damp environments, as shadow creatures touched by the vines become noticeably stiff.

The blood-devouring vine patterns on his right arm throbbed slightly. Each time he successfully bound or interfered with something, a tiny, almost imperceptible trace of malevolent energy from the death of a shadow creature was quietly devoured, nourishing the Seed of Origin.

The Seed of Origin occasionally provides notifications: [Absorbing Malevolent Energy +50... +80... +100...]

The secret gains delighted Chen Lin. He could clearly feel the growth of the Seed of Origin, and its suppressive effect on the symbiote was becoming more and more obvious, showing that it still had power left.

Aiven provided support from the center, wielding his Wind Staff to either conjure wind blades to eliminate distant threats or release a wind barrier to block sudden energy flows or mental shocks.

Elena was enveloped in a faint starlight, her purifying field dispelling the pervasive necromancy and mental interference. At the same time, her silver eyes constantly scanned her surroundings, giving early warning of abnormal fluctuations in energy turbulence or even more powerful beings.

The battles are intense and efficient, and the score is steadily increasing.

After several hours of arduous trekking and continuous fighting, they finally found a suitable temporary base in a relatively sheltered depression formed by the angle of three huge black rocks.

The towering rocks blocked most of the energy turbulence from the "sky" from being seen directly, and the ground was relatively flat.

Kyle and Serena quickly surveyed the surroundings and eliminated several nests of lurking shadow scorpions.

"This is it." Evan made the decision. "Sophia, reinforce the perimeter; Rhodes, keep watch; the rest of you, get back to work quickly."

Half an hour later, the first drill of the "Thorn Storm" combined attack formation will begin!

Sofia gave a low shout, pressed her hands to the ground, and a gray-white light surged. The ground rose up, forming a low but sturdy stone wall that surrounded the stronghold, leaving only a narrow entrance.

Rod leaped onto a higher rock and warily scanned the dark corridor.

Chen Lin sat down cross-legged, took a dose of mental energy recovery potion, and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.

He felt a faint sense of satisfaction from the Bloodthirsty Vine on his right arm devouring evil thoughts, as well as the boost brought by the analysis of combat data from the Seed of Origin.

Although the environment of the Shadow Corridor is harsh, the malevolent energy released when the shadow creatures here die is purer than the fire spirit of the Lava Heart, which greatly enhances him.

Half an hour later, in the open space in the center of the stronghold.

Aiven, Sophia, and Chen Lin stood in a triangle.

Aiven held the unfolded "Thorn Storm" array scroll in his hand, his expression solemn.

"In the first rehearsal, we only aim for a similar appearance, not a perfect match in spirit."

Feel each other's energy characteristics and try to establish an initial connection.

Evan said in a deep voice,

"I am in charge, guiding the spirit of the wind."

Sofia, the power of the earth, forms the foundation.

Chen Lin, the thorns of life, endowed with form and the power to bind.

Slowly infuse energy, let's feel it together, follow my rhythm.

hum!

Aiven took the lead, and bluish-white wind magic surged from his body, flowing along the path indicated by the array diagram, outlining bluish-green wind runes in the air.

The air began to swirl, emitting a low, mournful sound.

Sophia followed closely behind, her gray-white earth and stone energy thick and steady, like the roots of the earth, injecting into the foundation of the array.

The ground trembled slightly, and a faint gray-white halo spread out, attempting to stabilize the wind's energy.

Chen Lin took a deep breath and focused his mind.

The Bloodthirsty Vine pattern on his right arm lit up, and dark golden life energy mixed with the vine's tenacious will surged forth.

He carefully guided this power, following the instructions of the array diagram, attempting to weave a vibrant phantom of thorny vines between the wind and the earth.

However, a sudden change occurred!

Aiven's wind spirit is light and swift, with a tearing quality; Sophia's earth power is heavy and stable, with a suppressive will; while Chen Lin's bloodthirsty vine power is ferocious and bloodthirsty, with a predatory instinct!

The moment the three forces came into contact, they did not resonate harmoniously as the array diagram suggested; instead, they generated intense repulsion and conflict!

scoff!

The cyan wind blades cut uncontrollably through the grayish-white earth and stone energy, producing a piercing friction sound!

The thorny vines that Chen Lin tried to weave were torn to shreds by the violent energy turbulence as soon as they touched the boundary between wind and earth!

The dark golden blood energy clashed violently with the bluish-white and grayish-white energy, bursting out chaotic energy sparks!

"Ugh!" Sophia groaned, the light on her rock armor dimmed, and tiny cracks appeared in the ground beneath her feet.

Evan frowned, struggling to control the restless wind magic.

Chen Lin felt a sharp pain in his right arm. Part of the power of the Bloodthirsty Vine had been forcibly dispersed, and the backlash caused his blood and qi to churn.

The first attempt failed! The energy backlash left all three of them somewhat unsteady on their feet.

"The energy attribute conflict is too great!" Evan's face was grim.

"My winds are too sharp, Sophia's soil is too hard, and Chen Lin, your vines... carry a dark, bloodthirsty aura, inconsistent with the gentle appearance of the life element! The array requires 'Life Thorns,' not 'Bloodthirsty Vine'!"

Chen Lin felt a chill run down his spine.

He had only considered the physical properties of the vines, but overlooked the ferocity inherent in their energy.

This "Thorn Storm" array requires extremely high purity and coordination of core energy.

"Again!" Evan gritted his teeth and said.

"Convergence! Evan, temper the power of wind, try to blend into the rhythm of spatial flow! Sophia, the power of earth should not be rigid, try to simulate the inclusiveness that bears all things! Chen Lin... suppress the bloodthirsty instinct in your vines, simulate the pure growth of life and the will to bind! Elena, use your stellar field to assist in the harmonization!"

Elena nodded, the nebula crystal in her hand glowing faintly, a soft silver-blue starlight field enveloping the three of them. The field carried a weak purifying and harmonizing effect, attempting to soothe the violent energy conflicts.