Wizard: Starting from Escape from the Thorn Garden

Kate's heart was pounding wildly in her chest, almost shattering her ribs!

At the edge of that deep, dark vortex, a faint yet pure emerald green light, like the first ray of life at the dawn of the universe, instantly seized his entire soul!

Life Source Crystal!

Aura's hope for awakening! The most precious treasure for purifying the temple, as prophesied by Master Liria!

It's right in front of you!

However, before the wave of ecstasy could fully rise, it was shattered by the cold alarm of the Seed of Origin.

[WARNING! High-energy spatial collapse point ahead, forming a spatial singularity barrier!]

[High-intensity complex magical array detected. Energy attributes: Life Imprisonment, Spatial Anchoring, Mental Stripping, Rule Annihilation.]

[Estimated Strength: Formal Wizard Level. Core Node: Outer periphery of the Life Source Crystal.]

[Analysis: This magic array uses Life Source Crystals as its core energy source, combined with the violent spatial energy of the Secret Cave, and possesses the ability to automatically identify, counterattack, and annihilate unauthorized approachers.]

[Forced breakthrough risk: 99.99%! The spatial singularity will instantly devour physical attacks, and the energy backlash from the magic array will directly annihilate the spiritual core!]

The analysis of the Seed of Origin was like a bucket of ice water poured over her head, instantly extinguishing the fervor that was about to burst forth in Kate's eyes.

The seemingly within-reach life crystal was actually encased in a death trap even more terrifying than the Crystal Source Cave itself.

Any reckless approach is tantamount to suicide!

At the peak of this intertwining despair and longing, the petal of the "Proof of Life" from the Garden of Life, which Kate kept close to her chest, suddenly became intensely hot without warning!

A gentle, pure wave of life energy, carrying a faint imprint of rules, pierced through the jade box and clearly reached Kate's heart, like a reawakening pulse!

[Activation of a shared rule imprint detected!]

[Target: Petals of the Proof of Life (Complete Nine-Petal Form)]

[The frequency of energy fluctuations closely matches the frequency of the spatial singularity barrier and the core frequency of the outer magic array!]

[Analysis: The Proof of Life is the key to access the core area of ​​the Purification Temple (Crystal Source Cave)!]

Those who possess a complete nine-petaled petal are considered to have passed the initial test and are qualified to approach the Life Source Crystal!

[Speculation: Possessing the Proof of Life allows one to safely pass through the spatial singularity barrier and enter the core area inside the magic array!]

"A key, it really is a key!" Kate's eyes gleamed with an unprecedented light!

The hints from mentor Liria and the prophecy from Elena have all been confirmed at this moment!

Without this certificate for perfectly passing the Court of Life, you don't even have the right to approach the Life Source Crystal!

Without hesitation, he took out the jade box and carefully took out the life-proof petal, which was as warm and smooth as jade and had nine silver-white lines flowing through it.

The petals were warm to the touch, as if they possessed life. The rules and markings on them resonated subtly with the terrifying spatial singularity barrier in front of them, and an invisible "passage" seemed to be established between the two.

Kate took a deep breath, focused all her energy, and pushed the Seed of Origin to its limit. The essence of moonlight flowed through her body, the Thorn Armor was passively activated, and the Bloodthirsty Vine was firmly suppressed deep within her core.

Holding the flower petals as if they were a pass to a divine kingdom, he stepped into the deep, spinning, and destructive singularity of space!

Om-!

The moment he stepped into the singularity's range, the anticipated spatial tear did not occur!

The petals of the Proof of Life burst forth with a soft, nine-colored halo, instantly enveloping Kate's entire body!

That terrifying spatial singularity, capable of devouring everything, melted away like ice and snow upon contact with this halo, silently creating a stable passage just wide enough for one person to pass through!

Kate's figure was instantly swallowed up by the passage!

The dizzying sensation returned, but this time it wasn't a violent tearing, but a gentle teleportation and replacement.

The scene before my eyes changed in an instant!

He appeared in a... indescribable, strange space!

This is no longer the world of shattered crystals and violent energy in the Crystal Source Cave, but a pure realm composed of soft light.

Beneath my feet is a smooth, mirror-like platform that emits a warm, white light, with a liquid river of light flowing along its edge.

There was no dome overhead, only a slowly rotating nebula vortex composed of countless pure points of light, exuding a tranquil and vast aura.

At the heart of the entire space is a... emerald green crystal, suspended about three meters above the ground in the very center of the platform!

It is only the size of a fist, crystal clear, with liquid jade flowing and swirling inside, exuding an indescribable aura of the primordial life force!

Just being near it made Kate feel like every cell in her body was cheering, and her mental sea was clearer and more stable than ever before, as if all her fatigue, hidden injuries and impurities had been instantly purified and soothed!

Life Source Crystal!

It's right in front of me! Within easy reach!

However, Kate did not move.

The cold reminder from the Seed of Origin is like a constant alarm bell:

[WARNING! Entering the final test area!]

[Target: Life Source Crystal (Core of the Purification Temple)]

[The Final Test: Understanding and Applying the Power of Purification!]

[Rules: Attempting to touch the Life Crystal will trigger a purification trial. The trial's content, intensity, and consequences of failure are unknown (speculated: spiritual annihilation or permanent expulsion).]

[Suggestion: Adjust your mindset and understand the true meaning of "purification".]

Kate shifted her gaze from the Life Crystal and looked around.

He saw it.

Beneath the Life Source Crystal, on the smooth surface of the platform, is engraved a huge and complex magic array!

The magic circle is composed of countless flowing lines that radiate different lights: pure white represents the light of life, deep blue represents the water of purification, fiery gold represents the fire of judgment, heavy brown represents the earth of support, and mysterious silver represents the anchor of space...

Nine different energy attributes are intertwined in an extremely exquisite and harmonious way, jointly protecting the central life source crystal!

Even more chilling is that at each of the nine key nodes of the magic circle, there floats a different-shaped... Demonic Plant Flower, radiating powerful energy fluctuations!

[Analysis of the Magic Array: Nine Source Purification Array]

[Core: Life Source Crystal]

[Attribute Nodes: Light, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Space, Life, Spirit, Order]

[Guardian Node: Nine Purifying Magical Plant Flowers]

[Function: Non-contact testing area. Any attempt to touch the Life Crystal will activate the corresponding magical plant flower, releasing a purification test. The test must be resolved or resonated with using the corresponding purification power to proceed.]

[The test of essence: the understanding and control over the power of purification at different dimensions and levels.]

Kate's gaze swept over the nine flowers one by one:

Node of Light: A golden flower that shines like a miniature sun (Flower of Holy Light Judgment).

Water Node: A flower shaped like a water droplet, flowing with liquid blue light (Flower of Purifying the Sea and Cleansing the Soul).

Fire Node: A rhombus-shaped flower burning with pure white flames (Flower of Purifying Flame of Incineration).

Earth Node: A stone flower radiating a warm yellow light and covered with mysterious patterns (a flower that wards off evil spirits from the earth's veins).

Wind Node: A light, spinning flower that emits a pale blue glow (the ethereal, cleansing flower).

Spatial Node: A translucent silver flower with what appears to be a swirling nebula inside (Void Anchored Flower).

Life node: A vibrant, lush flower full of life (the flower of life's revival).

Spiritual Node: A flower that emits a soft purple light, like a crystal sculpture (Flower of the Mirror of the Heart Lake).

Order Node: A flower that is constantly changing shape and composed of countless tiny golden runes (Flower of Lawful Order).

Each flower contains an ultimate purifying power, representing a different aspect of the path to purification!

These nine trials are the final and most rigorous selection process by which the Purification Temple filters out those who covet its core treasures!

Kate took a deep breath, suppressing the shock and excitement in her heart.

He understood that simply getting close or using brute force was pointless.

Only by truly understanding and mastering the essence of "purification" can one pass these nine trials and reach the ultimate life crystal!

He sat cross-legged on the edge of the platform, about ten meters away from the Life Source Crystal.

He did not rush to try, but instead immersed himself in the sea of ​​his mind.

"The Seed of Origin: Deeply explore the concept of 'purification,' paying attention to combining it with my own ability system."

Dark golden roots spread through the sea of ​​consciousness, intertwining the cold flow of data with Kate's own insights:

[Purification Concept Deduction:]

Basic definition: Clear away impurities, filth, chaos, and heterogeneous energy/matter/spirit to return to a pure, orderly, and original state.

Common forms: energy cleansing (holy light, pure water), burning (purifying fire), decomposition (spatial annihilation), spiritual cleansing, life assimilation, and order restoration.

Host ability association:

1. Silver Moss Starlight: Pure light purifies and dispels darkness and mental pollution. Corresponds to the Light Node.

2. Condensing Algae: A fusion of water and light purifies the abyss, neutralizing pollution and nourishing life. Corresponds to water and life nodes.

3. Thorn Armor/Golden Thorns: Energy absorption, deflection, physical defense, passive "purify" impact. Corresponds to Earth and Order nodes.

4. Moon Shadow Essence: Spatial refraction and inertial harmonization can "purify" spatial disorder and indirectly "purify" energy conflicts. Corresponds to spatial nodes.

5. Seed of the Spiritual Pivot: Can "purify" mental locks and chaotic thoughts caused by mental shocks, interference, and illusions. Corresponds to a mental node.

6. Bloodthirsty Vine (under the suppression of the Seed of Origin): Life plundering, devouring and transforming; can be seen as an extreme way to "purify" alien energy. Corresponds to fire and life nodes.

7. Petals of the Proof of Life: Containing the imprint of the rules of life, they are the key to unlocking trials and the proof of purification of the same origin.

The core contradiction is that the host symbiotic system contains some "darkness," "plunder," and "heterogeneous" characteristics (the origin of the Blood-Eating Vine and fragments of the Abyss), which are in fundamental conflict with the concept of absolute purity and purification.

The key to the test is not to require the host to become a "pure body," but to understand that the essence of "purification" is transformation and reshaping, and to find a way to resonate with, guide, and control the nine purifying forces within one's own complex energy system.

"Transformation and reshaping..." A knowing glint flashed in Kate's eyes.

Purification is not simply about elimination, but about transforming "impurity" into "order" and "chaos" into "harmony".

Just like how he used the Seed of Origin to suppress and transform the ferocity of the Blood-Eating Vine!

He stood up, his gaze fixed firmly on the nearest node—the Water Node!

The "Purifying Flower of the Sea and Cleansing Soul," flowing with liquid blue light, floated silently.

Kate walked slowly forward and stopped about three meters away from the node array.

With a thought, he took out a small crystal bottle containing condensing algae from his dimensional bag.

Instead of directly attacking or touching the magic circle, he carefully opened the bottle cap and guided out a drop of luminous algae liquid.

A pure liquid, with a watery sheen and a faint starlight, floated on his fingertips.

"Use water as a guide to cleanse away filth; use light as a promise to restore purity."

Kate chanted softly, infusing the power of the Seed of Origin into the liquid of the Glowing Algae at her fingertips, simulating a purifying wave that was of the same origin as the "Flower of Purifying the Soul of the Sea" but gentler.

hum!

The magic circle lines of the water node lit up instantly.

The "Flower of Purifying the Sea and Cleansing the Soul" trembled slightly, and its surface emitted a bright blue light!

A blue water arrow, condensed to the point of being tangible and radiating a powerful cleansing and purifying will, shot silently toward Kate.

Wherever the water arrow passed, the air seemed to be purified and become clearer.

The test begins!

Kate's eyes narrowed, but she didn't flinch.

With a flick of his finger, the drop of luminescent algae liquid met the blue water arrow!

No collision, no explosion!

The moment the condensing algae liquid came into contact with the blue water jet, it was assimilated and absorbed instantly, just like water droplets merging into the ocean.

The blue water arrow's light paused slightly, its violent purifying will seemingly neutralized and softened by the gentle, nourishing life-purifying properties of the condensing algae.

Kate seized the moment of hesitation, and activated the Seed of Origin at full power, guiding the essence of the moonlight to form a tiny spatial refraction point in front of her!

laugh!

The neutralized and softened blue water arrow, its trajectory slightly deflected by spatial refraction, grazed Kate's shoulder and shot into the river of light behind her, creating an even larger ripple before disappearing.

[First Trial (Water): Passed. Method: Guidance from the same source, neutralization of will, and spatial refraction for avoidance.]

Kate was slightly out of breath. Although it was only the first level, the purifying will contained in the water arrow was extremely powerful. If it weren't for the fact that the Condensing Algae were of the same origin and the Seed of Origin was not controlled so skillfully, the consequences would have been unpredictable.

Without pausing, he moved toward the next node—the Node of Light.

The "Flower of Holy Light Judgment," resembling a miniature sun, radiated a majestic light.

Kate retrieved the petals of the Proof of Life and simultaneously unleashed the starlight power of the Silver Star Moss within her body.

A layer of pure, silvery-white starlight, with a slight spatial stability, covered his entire body.

"The light shines upon all things, the judgment is unjust; my heart is clear, I fear no judgment."

Kate whispered, pressing the petals of the Life Sign to her chest, the rule markings on them resonating with her own starlight.

The Light Node Magic Array blazed brightly!

A golden beam of light, condensed to its utmost perfection and seemingly capable of piercing through all illusions and judging all evil, shot towards Kate with a destructive purifying intent.

Kate didn't use any defensive spells!

He devoted all his energy to the resonance between his own starlight and the proof of his life.

boom!

The golden beam of light slammed into the silvery starlight on Kate's body.

A blinding burst of light erupted!

Kate felt as if she had been thrown into a furnace, with a terrifying purifying will frantically washing over her mind, trying to find any trace of "impurity"!

The Seed of Origin was operating wildly, desperately suppressing the aura of the Blood-Devouring Vine and the Abyss Fragments!

The petals of the Proof of Life emitted a gentle, rhythmic energy, like the strongest shield, resisting the core impact of the will to judge!

The starlight of the silver moss fluctuated violently and flickered erratically under the pillar of judgment, as if it might collapse at any moment!

But Kate gritted her teeth and did her best to hold on.

He believes that his "light" is also pure!

It has been approved by the temple.

The stalemate lasted for several seconds.

Finally, the pillar of light seemed to confirm the "purity" of Kate's starlight and the "legitimacy" of the proof of life, and the light suddenly subsided and disappeared into nothingness.

[Second Test (Light): Passed! Method: Withstanding the judgment with one's own pure starlight and proof of life, proving one's qualification as "Light".]

Kate staggered, her face pale, her mind reeling.

Enduring the light of judgment takes a huge toll!