Wizard: Starting from Escape from the Thorn Garden

After carefully storing the crystal bottle, Kate continued her exploration. With the help of the Seed of Origin, she soon arrived at a portal of light that resembled ripples on water.

As Kate passed through the water-shimmering light gate, she felt as if she were being gently "pushed" into another world by a gentle yet overwhelming tide of life.

The suffocating "absolute cleanliness" and chilling murderous intent of the purification corridor vanished instantly, replaced by a completely different, warm, moist, and vibrant atmosphere.

He stood on the edge of a bright future.

Before me was no longer the cold corridor of geometry and crystal, but a boundless, indescribable, strange space—the Garden of Life.

The light here is no longer a monotonous silver glow, but a flowing, ever-changing, vibrant light of life.

It didn't come from the dome, but from the entire space itself: underfoot was a soft, velvety, emerald green tundra exuding the fresh scent of grass and trees, dotted with countless tiny, stardust-like, shimmering, breathing spores.

The air was as clear as water, yet it contained an intensely rich life energy. Every breath felt like drinking nectar, nourishing every cell in the body, and the fatigue and hidden wounds in the mind were soothed at an astonishing speed.

Huge, oddly shaped plants form the main feature of this courtyard.

Vines, shimmering with liquid light, cling like writhing dragons to the pillars and arches naturally interwoven with pure crystal and revitalized wood.

The giant tree, reaching tens of meters in height, has leaves as if carved from jade. Tiny sprites resembling light butterflies, with wings scattering stardust, inhabit its canopy and emit ethereal and melodious songs.

A strange flower with petals made of pure light energy, slowly rotating and changing, swaying gracefully in the breeze.

A crystal-clear stream meanders across the glowing tundra, its bottom adorned with clusters of fine, pure crystals radiating gentle energy. Transparent fish, seemingly composed of water and light, swim in the stream.

The air was filled with a wonderfully unique fragrance, a blend of the scents of a forest after the rain, the sweet dew of dawn, and the first blooms of flowers.

"Good...pure life force..." Kate couldn't help but take a deep breath, feeling that the ferocious instinct of the Bloodthirsty Vine on her right arm was insignificant in this vast ocean of life, easily suppressed by the Seed of Origin, and even faintly revealing a sense of comfort from being assimilated.

However, this vibrant paradise is not without rules and challenges.

Kate could clearly sense that the pervasive, rich life energy in the air was not entirely gentle and harmless.

It forms a flexible yet grand "life stance," gently rejecting all contradictory and unnaturally derived "heterogeneous" energies and ideas.

The Seed of Origin hints:

[Environment: The Garden of Life]

[Characteristics: High-concentration life energy field (activation, restoration, nourishment), natural affinity field (repelling unnatural energy/strong pollution/killing intent)]

[Rule: Trial of Life arena activated. Intruder detected, non-lethal expulsion mechanism ready.]

[WARNING: Excessive release of bloodlust, abyssal/undead contamination, or forced destruction of the environment will trigger Gentle Spatial Repulsion (teleportation out of the temple).]

Sure enough, there was no chilling killing intent here like in the purification corridor; failure wouldn't result in death, but rather being "invited" out. But that didn't mean it was easy.

Kate's gaze fell on the central area of ​​the courtyard.

Surrounded by countless luminous plants and flowing rivers of light, the courtyard features a large, naturally formed circular platform composed of warm white jade and emerald green vines.

At the center of the platform is a slightly sunken shallow pool, with two ancient trees on either side. According to the mentor's information, these should be the living ancient tree guards that can be activated at any time.

The pool is not filled with water, but with pure liquid life energy that exudes a rich life force. It flows and swirls slowly like liquid jade, radiating a breathtaking vitality.

In the center of the pool, a strange little sapling floats.

It is only one foot tall, and its entire body is made of translucent jade. Its branches are gnarled and powerful, and its veins are clearly visible, as if life is flowing within them.

The sapling has no leaves at the top, only a single flower bud about to bloom.

The flower buds are also made of energy, exhibiting a pure silvery-white color and emitting a faint yet incredibly pure aura of the essence of life.

Seed of Trial!

Kate instantly realized that this was the core of the trial her mentor had mentioned earlier—to water this "Trial Seed" and make it bloom, thereby obtaining the holy spring water from the pool.

If you fail to complete the trial, you will be blocked by the ancient trees standing on both sides and will not be allowed to obtain the holy spring water.

"The Seed of Origin, in-depth analysis of the target: the Seed of Trial and the Energy Pool."

The dark golden roots stretched out with all their might, and a stream of icy analysis surged into consciousness:

[Objective A: Seed of Trial (Manifestation of the Rules of the Garden of Life)]

[Characteristics: Highly sensitive, with stringent requirements regarding the properties, purity, and intensity of irrigation energy.]

[Requirement: To be guided and nurtured with the purest, most pristine, and vibrant life energy of nature. Rejecting any impurities (killing, pollution, plunder, unnatural catalysis, etc.).]

[Warning: Inconsistent energy attributes or uncontrolled intensity will cause the flower buds to wither or directly trigger rejection.]

[Target B: Life Energy Pool (Holy Spring Water)]

[Characteristics: Highly concentrated liquid life essence. Effects: Repairs fundamental physical wounds, nourishes the soul, and prolongs lifespan.]

[Capacity: Approximately 500 standard units (estimated).]

Just as Kate was about to try, the light and shadow in the courtyard suddenly fluctuated.

About a hundred meters away from him, a familiar figure appeared in the flowing river of light—it was Elena!

She also seemed to have just completed the test of purifying the corridor and was teleported here.

Her signature silver hair flowed with a dreamlike luster under the aura of life, nebula crystals floated in front of her, and her silver eyes warily scanned this vibrant yet subtly rule-bound space.

She also saw the Trial Seed on the central platform immediately, and a look of understanding and solemnity flashed in her eyes.

"Kate?" Elena's voice, tinged with surprise, came through the Emerald Top Communication Talisman, sounding somewhat weak under the unique force field of the Court of Life. "Are you... alright? Rhodes..."

"I'm fine," Kate replied quickly, her voice steady. "How's Rhodes?"

"Severely injured, incapacitated, and teleported out of the tower." Elena's voice was low. "No one else has been found yet. It seems the teleportation is random. Where am I..."

"Garden of Life, First Trial: Water the Seed of Trial and Obtain the Water of the Holy Spring."

Kate succinctly shared the information and conveyed the key points analyzed by the Seed of Origin—the stringent requirements for energy attributes and purity.

Elena received the information, her silver eyes sparkling as if she were rapidly deducing something.

She looked at the nebula crystal in her hand: "The power of the stars is pure, but it is still different from this pure source of life... Forcing it is quite risky. I need to observe."

At that moment, the rules of the Court of Life seemed to be fully activated.

"Buzz—!"

A grand, gentle yet undeniable thought swept across the entire space.

[Life's Trials Begin]

[Rules: Trial participants must nourish the seed of trial with pure life energy, guiding it to bloom. Time limit: one hourglass.]

[Guardians: The guardians of the Garden of Life will banish disruptors and cheaters.]

As the thought settled, the scenery around the platform changed.

Those vines flowing with liquid light, the emerald giant trees, the light butterfly sprites... seemed to have been endowed with a higher intelligence.

Several drooping, glowing vines, like awakened giant pythons, slowly rose, their ends coalescing into emerald spears of light, aimed at the platform.

On the trunks of several giant emerald trees, the bark cracked open, revealing "eyes" made of pure crystal, radiating a gentle yet powerful sense of surveillance.

Most strikingly, several fist-sized spirits, composed of pure light mist and with transparent butterfly wings on their backs, gracefully flew out from several enormous light energy flower buds—the Light Healing Spirits.

They have no facial features, and their bodies are like flowing light, radiating a warm and healing aura.

But Kate could clearly sense that they also contained great power; their warm light could heal, or it could instantly transform into a blinding or numbing light.

The Seed of Origin hints:

[Guardian Activation: Animated Vine Guardian (Physical/Energy Attack), Eye of the Ancient Tree (Surveillance/Mental Interference), Light Healing Sprite (Healing/Purification/Blinding/Paralysis).]

[Objective: Prevent non-participants from approaching the platform and interfering with the trial process; expel those who break the rules.]

The test has officially begun!

Not only must the demanding energy requirements be met to water the seeds, but the process must also be completed under the "monitoring" and "interference" of the guardians!

If the Guardian attempts to forcibly destroy or use forbidden power, it will immediately trigger spatial repulsion.

Without hesitation, Elena chose a spot relatively close to the platform, shaded by several giant luminous ferns, and sat down cross-legged. The Nebula Crystal floated above her head, emitting a soft starlight.

Instead of immediately watering it, she spread out her starlight field, forming a thin protective shield with a slight spatial refraction effect.

She was observing, waiting, and preparing for possible interference.

Clearly, she intended to experiment with simulating life energy using the power of stars, but she was very cautious.

Kate moved too.

Instead of heading directly to the platform, he went to a cluster of umbrella-shaped mushrooms growing on luminescent moss, emitting a faint blue-white halo, behind the platform.

The Seed of Origin hints:

[Target: Glowing Symbiotic Mushroom]

[Characteristics: Absorbs energy dissipated from the Garden of Life to grow, containing a mixture of pure light, water, and life energy. Its energy attributes are highly homologous to the Temple, and its activity is extremely high.]

[Value: High-quality energy source.]

This is exactly the "trigger" he needs!

Kate extended her right hand, and the symbiotic membrane at her fingertips, composed of "Silver Star Moss Starlight + Moon Shadow Space + Primal Harmony," glowed faintly once more.

Instead of picking it, he gently pressed his fingertip on the cap of the largest symbiotic mushroom.

The Seed of Origin is operating at full power!

The starlight on the membrane resonated with the blue and white halo of the symbiotic mushroom, and a pure, gentle, and vibrant energy was slowly guided out, flowing like a trickle into the membrane at Kate's fingertips.

[Energy guidance in progress... absorption of homologous energy...]

Kate carefully controlled the speed and amount of absorption, ensuring that he did not harm the mushroom itself, absorbing only the naturally dissipated and renewable energy. Soon, a small ball of soft blue-white light gathered within the membrane at his fingertip, like liquid starlight.

He needs this as an energy buffer and a "pure label".

Ready? Kate took a deep breath and strode toward the central platform.

His actions immediately caught the attention of the guardians.

A suspended vine of light slowly turned toward him, its tip glowing faintly and emitting a low warning hum.

A light-healing sprite flew closer, curiously circling around him, casting a soft halo of light.

Kate ignored him and stepped onto the white jade platform, standing at the edge of the life energy pool.

The liquid emerald-like holy spring water in the pool exuded an alluring aroma, but he knew that the pool water itself was not for irrigation; the purpose of irrigation was to irrigate the silvery-white buds at the top of the jade-like sapling in the center of the pool.

He slowly raised his right hand, and the blue-white symbiotic mushroom energy ball that condensed at his fingertips appeared exceptionally warm under the spiritual light of the Garden of Life.

The Seed of Origin operates to its fullest potential!

The essence of the moonlight flowed, ensuring a stable output of energy; the aura of the Bloodthirsty Vine was firmly suppressed deep within its core, and the spiritual filter constructed by the Seed of Origin isolated any possible negative thoughts from leaking out.

"In the name of life..." Kate murmured, a response to the temple's rules.

With a gentle flick of his finger, the blue-white sphere of light drew out a thin thread of light, like the gentlest spring rain, precisely and slowly dripping onto the silvery-white flower buds.

[Watering begins...]

The moment the flower bud came into contact with the same source of energy, it trembled slightly, and a silvery glow flowed across its surface. It seemed extremely comfortable, and its budding posture even relaxed a little.

Kate felt somewhat reassured and maintained a steady, uniform energy output. Blue and white light threads continued to merge into the flower bud.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly.

However, the trials of the Garden of Life are far from simple!

The swirling light spirit suddenly emitted a soft yet extremely penetrating buzz!

Om-!

An invisible mental wave spread out, not an attack, but a strong "inducement", attempting to arouse the killing intent and bloodlust hidden deep in Kate's consciousness!

Kate felt a slight heaviness in her brain, and a strong throbbing and desire came from the depths of the Bloodthirsty Vine pattern on her right arm!

It was as if countless voices were roaring in his ears, tempting him to unleash his power to devour and plunder the life essence of the entire courtyard!

"Hmph!" Kate grunted, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.

The golden roots of the Seed of Origin acted like the strongest dam, instantly locking down the sea of ​​consciousness and suppressing the surging, fierce thoughts!

At the same time, the energy output from the fingertips remained stable, and the blue and white light threads showed no signs of disorder.

Having experienced the spiritual pollution of the Corruption Garden and the soul-cleansing of the Purification Corridor, he was well-prepared for this level of temptation.

The Light Healing Sprite seemed somewhat surprised, stopped buzzing, and tilted its "head" curiously.

But the interference did not end.

Not far away, an activated vine guard seemed to think that Kate had been there for too long. The light spear at its end slightly adjusted its direction, and a beam of emerald green light did not attack Kate's body. Instead, it accurately shot the middle of the blue and white light thread extending from his fingertip!

This interferes with energy transmission!

"Watch out!" Elena's warning came through the communication talisman, but she was too far away and was also preparing to try herself to help.

Kate's eyes narrowed; she had a plan in mind!

He slightly raised his left arm, without even activating the Thorn Armor. With a thought, the Seed of Origin guided the essence of the moon shadow to instantly create an extremely tiny, distorted spatial refraction point at the location targeted by the light filament!

laugh!

The emerald beam of light shot out, but was deflected by the tiny spatial distortion, grazing the blue and white light threads and shooting into the life energy pool below, creating a small ripple before being assimilated and absorbed by the vast pool water.

The energy transmission threads remained completely undamaged! Kate's output didn't even pause for a second.

Elena saw this from a distance, a hint of surprise flashing in her silver eyes.

Kate's use of spatial power and her grasp of timing are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

After two failed attempts to interfere, the Guardians seemed to acknowledge Kate's current "compliance." The vine guards lowered their spears, and the light elves flew further away, but the surveillance continued.

Kate was fully focused and kept delivering consistent output.

Time slips away silently, the hourglass remains still.

Under the continuous nourishment of pure energy, the silvery-white buds, as if absorbing enough sunlight and rain, began to undergo visible changes.

The flower buds slowly swelled and unfolded.

Layer upon layer of petals made of pure light energy, like the most exquisite works of art, bloom in succession from the inside out!

The first petal is a soft, milky white.

The second petal is a clear, moon-white color.

The third petal is a warm, pearly white...

When the ninth petal, the innermost one, flowing with liquid silver light, fully blooms!

Om-!

An indescribable, pure, and boundless aura of life force erupted from the center of the blooming flower!

The entire Garden of Life resonated with it!

Countless luminous plants sway gracefully, while luminous butterflies dance and sing joyfully.

Even the vine guardians and the eyes of the ancient trees seemed to soften.

A holy, silvery-white light enveloped Kate, and he felt his mind being thoroughly cleansed, becoming clearer and more transparent. His physical body also seemed to have undergone a transformation, filled with unprecedented vitality.

Under the cleansing of such pure life essence, even the last trace of agitation in the Bloodthirsty Vine pattern on the right arm was soothed, and some stubborn abyssal residues at the core seemed to have been purified.

[The Seed of Trial has bloomed successfully!]

[Gained: Baptism of the Origin of Life (Mental Power Condensation +10%, Maximum Physical Vitality +5%, Increased Soul Resilience).]

[Received: Holy Spring Water (Highly Concentrated Essence of Life) x 100 Standard Units.]

At the top of that jade-like sapling, in the center of a fully bloomed flower, a drop of holy spring water, the size of a thumb, sparkling like liquid diamond and radiating a heart-stirring life force, slowly drifted down.

At the same time, in the life energy pool below the platform, a stream of equally pure but slightly less concentrated life energy automatically separated, transforming into a stream of emerald-colored water, which was precisely injected into the container made of holy radiance crystal that Kate had prepared beforehand, exactly 100 units.

Kate solemnly stored the most precious drop of essence and its container into her dimensional bag.

Holy spring water obtained!

The moment he finished collecting it, the blooming jade tree began to glow, and nine silver-white petals slowly drifted down.

Kate, on a sudden inspiration, reached out and caught one of the pieces.

The petals feel warm and smooth to the touch, like the finest jade, containing a pure life force and a unique mark of order.

[Item: Proof of Life (Petals)]

[Characteristic: Proof of completion of the first trial of the Garden of Life, containing a faint imprint of life rules.]

[Purpose: One of the tokens used to open the entrance to the second level, the "Source Crystal Cave".]

So that's how it is. Only by perfectly making the Trial Seed bloom with nine petals can one obtain the token to the Source Crystal Cave.

If the standards cannot be met, then going to the Source Crystal Cave will naturally be fraught with difficulties.

He looked up in Elena's direction.

Elena was enveloped in a soft energy field interwoven with starlight and pale green, clearly trying to communicate with the Seed of Trial in her own way. Her progress seemed to be going smoothly, but at a much slower pace than Kate's.

The moment Kate succeeded, the Guardians seemed to intensify their "attention" to her, with a Light Healer almost touching her face, its soft light carrying a scrutinizing gaze.

Kate didn't disturb her. He knew that with Elena's strength and control over the power of the stars, as long as she found the right frequency, passing the trial was only a matter of time. As for whether she could pass it perfectly, that depended on herself.

He needs to use this time to explore this Garden of Life. Now that he has the token of companionship, he's not in such a hurry.

He gathered the petals, his gaze sweeping across the vibrant courtyard. The shimmering vines, the colossal emerald trees, the dreamlike light-healing spirits… they were not merely guardians, but integral parts of this sacred space.

According to the mentor's speculation, there are other undiscovered secrets hidden here, or clues leading to deeper trials.

Kate carefully put away the petals of the Proof of Life in her hand, sensing the faint power of the rules contained within them, and turned her gaze to the areas deep in the courtyard shrouded in flowing light mist.