Wizard: Starting from Escape from the Thorn Garden

After several hours of arduous trekking, traversing several small spatial turbulence zones and dodging the mental harassment of several waves of Star Demise Wraiths, the team finally arrived at the third area marked on the map—the edge of the Shattered Star Vortex.

The scene before me was breathtaking.

This place feels like the edge of a massive spatial storm's eye.

In the distance, a slowly rotating "shattered star vortex," several kilometers in diameter and composed of countless fragments of shattered space and violent energy, emitted terrifying suction and destructive energy fluctuations.

At the edge of the vortex, the spatial structure is extremely distorted and broken.

Countless spatial fragments of varying sizes, like fallen leaves caught in a vortex, floated, collided, and annihilated in the raging energy flow.

The ground was covered with huge, bottomless cracks, from which liquid spatial energy flowed, emitting a ghostly blue or purplish-red light.

The air was filled with high-frequency spatial shockwaves and ear-piercing tearing sounds, and even the light of the star map amulet flickered erratically.

"This is it."

Victor's expression was grave, and the pointer of the star chart compass in his hand spun wildly.

"The spatial fluctuation readings are off the charts! The energy turbulence is ten times stronger than at the entrance! The star map can only provide a general direction; it's no longer suitable for precise navigation."

"The Void Vine can only grow at the intersection of the most fragile spatial structures and the most violent energy."

Elan looked at Kate, "Junior Kate, your spatial awareness is the sharpest here, and your puppets can penetrate into some dangerous areas. Next, we need you to take the lead in reconnaissance."

Kate did not refuse.

He took a deep breath, and the illusory image of the Lotus of Tranquility in his mental sea slowly rotated, activating the symbiotic properties of the moon and shadow.

hum!

A richer, pale silver halo, rippling with spatial energy, enveloped his entire body.

His vision changed instantly.

It is no longer a simple scene, but a series of interwoven, flowing, fragmented, and recombined spatial energy lines.

The turbulent energy flows, the trajectories of spatial fragments, and even the "growth" directions of spatial rifts have become relatively clear.

"Shadow of Thorns, Deep Dive Mode, Scanning for Energy Anomalies and Weak Points in Spatial Structure."

The twelve Thorn Shadows were operating at full power, their metallic carapaces emitting a faint "sizzling" sound amidst the spatial turbulence, scattering in different directions in Zone 3.

The cold, hard data stream flooded into my consciousness:

[Region scanning in progress...]

[Spatial turbulence intensity: Extremely high, accelerated wear and tear on the Thorn Shadow shell]

[Spatial fracture density: High, randomly generated and annihilated]

[Energy Anomaly Detection: Several high-space energy aggregation reactions were detected, suspected to be weak points or nodes in space, possibly containing meteorite minerals]

[Spatial Structure Weak Point Detection: Three relatively "stable" folded areas were discovered, which may be suitable for the Sky Vine to attach to]

[Warning: Energy signals from a Sky-Rending Beast Horde have been detected (mainly early level 4, with a few mid-level ones), roaming on the outer edge of the area.]

Kate shared information about three high-space energy aggregation reaction points that might contain meteorite minerals with Elan and his two companions, and marked the areas with the letters A, B, and C.

"The environment here is more dangerous, Kate. Here's the loot from the Skybreaker. We'll part ways here. We'll head to the three energy points in areas A and B."

Should they split up? Kate's mind raced.

This is exactly what he wanted.

Being with the people of the Starry Sky Tower makes it difficult to use many methods, especially the abilities of the Seed of Origin and the Blood-Devouring Vine.

Acting alone, while riskier, offers greater freedom.

"Understood. I will head to Sector C to find my target." Kate nodded, offering no objection.

"Be careful, Kate," Marina warned. "Sector C is near the edge of the vortex, where the spatial turbulence is strongest."

Kate said no more, chose a direction, activated the Thorn Speed ​​Mode, and her figure turned into a pale silver streak, speeding towards Area C, which was deep in Zone 3 and closest to the edge of the Shattered Star Vortex.

The closer you get to the shattered star vortex, the more violent the spatial turbulence becomes.

An invisible blade of space cut through the protective energy, producing a piercing friction sound.

High-frequency spatial shockwaves impacted the mental sea. If it weren't for the Void Tranquility Lotus stabilizing the mental sea and the spatial refraction layer of the moon shadow essence, Kate would have been unable to move an inch.

Following the information relayed by the Shadow of Thorns, he carefully avoided the conspicuous spatial rifts and energy turbulence beams as he traversed the shattered land.

First target: Weak points in the spatial structure of area C.

It was a "spring" located on the edge of a giant fissure, constantly spewing out purplish-red spatial energy.

The energy was extremely violent, and the surrounding space fluctuated violently like boiling water.

The shadow of thorns cannot be approached; it can only be scanned remotely.

[Target: Space Energy Nozzle]

[Characteristics: Highly unstable, unpredictable eruptions, energy intensity capable of instantly tearing through level four defenses]

[Scan results: No traces of attachment to the Vine of the Sky Realm were found]

Kate decisively gave up; no plant could possibly grow in such a place.

He turned to a nearby weak point in the spatial structure—a relatively "calm" area of ​​spatial folds, located within an angle formed by several massive fragments of stellar debris.

The space here is like a crumpled piece of paper, forming visible, slowly wriggling folds.

The shadow of thorns scans deep into the folds and crevices.

[Scanning...]

[Faint life signs detected within the spatial folds! Energy attribute: High spatial affinity.]

Kate's heart leaped!

Get closer immediately.

However, the moment he stepped into the edge of the folded area...

hum!

The space beneath his feet collapsed without warning.

A deep, dark opening instantly appeared, and a terrifying suction force emanated from it.

At the same time, the spatial folds on both sides suddenly closed inward as if they were alive.

Two enormous "walls" made of space fragments were formed to sandwich him and crush him.

A spatial trap, and a complex one at that!

"Moonlight Refraction - Overload!" Kate reacted with lightning speed.

In the instant of collapse and being caught in the crossfire, he fully activated the Moon Shadow property.

hum!

The pale silver halo covering his entire body instantly became dazzling.

His figure became blurred and distorted in the spatial turbulence, as if it had turned into several overlapping afterimages.

His powerful spatial affinity and talent came into play.

The creators of the collapsing space and the clamping "walls" instantly lost their target and were unable to accurately lock onto and determine Kate's location.

Kate's true form appeared outside the trap's range as if by teleporting, thanks to the tiny gaps created by the mirror offset and the directional correction.

Boom!

The spatial collapse and the converging forces collided, producing a dull, deafening roar, and the spatial structure of that area was instantly annihilated!

Kate appeared ten meters away, slightly out of breath, with sweat on her forehead.

so close!

If it weren't for the newly acquired understanding of Moon Shadow Refraction Overload, coupled with the enhancements gained in the Purification Temple, I would have been seriously injured even if I hadn't died!

The Shadow of Thorns returned the scan results:

[Trap Trigger Mechanism: Energy Disturbance Threshold. No Void Vines inside the weak point.]

This attempt failed.

Undeterred, and with no intention of finding the monster that attacked him, Kate immediately moved on to the next weak point.

The second weak point is located above a crack flowing with liquid spatial energy, supported by several huge, stalagmite-like spatial crystal pillars.

The scan of the Shadow of Thorns shows that its internal structure is relatively stable, with slight fluctuations in spatial energy.

Kate became more cautious and sent a Thorn Shadow closer first.

Just as the Shadow of Thorns was about to touch the crystal pillar!

call out!call out!call out!

Three beams of pale blue light shot out silently from the shadows beneath the rift, striking Thorn Shadow with pinpoint accuracy!

scoff!

The tough outer shell of the thorny shadow was instantly pierced and torn apart! The energy core was extinguished!

[The Shadow of Thorns is destroyed!]

[Three Skybreakers (Level 4, Early Stage) detected, lurking beneath the rift!]

Kate's eyes turned cold.

These beasts!

Instead of fighting head-on, he used his Moon Shadow Perception to guide the other Thorn Shadows to his side, while simultaneously releasing paralyzing poison mist and purifying bombs to interfere.

Meanwhile, he used spatial refraction to silently circle around to the other side of the crystal pillar and probed the weak point with his mental energy.

[Scan results: A small amount of spatially crystallized mineral veins were detected; no signs of life were found.]

They failed again and lost a Thorn Shadow.

Only one weak point remains, which is also the closest and most dangerous to the shattered star vortex—located on the edge of a "meteor shower" zone where space debris is constantly falling, at the entrance of a deep cave half-embedded in the star debris mountain.

The space at the cave entrance fluctuated violently, as if a storm was brewing inside.

Kate looked at the deep cave entrance.

A cold analysis of the Seed of Origin:

[Target Cave: Spatial Fluctuation Intensity: Extremely High (Spatial Storms May Exist Inside)]

Energy Attributes: Chaotic spatial energy, weak astral energy, unknown life fluctuations (weak)

Threat Assessment: High! Risks include space storms, unknown organisms, and structural collapse.

[Estimated Profit: Growth Probability of Sky Vine: 35% (Highest)]

"Fortune favors the bold..." A resolute glint flashed in Kate's eyes.

The first two attempts failed, so this last one has the highest probability of success and is also the most dangerous.

Without hesitation, he first released two Thorn Shadows to lurk in a safe spot on the outskirts, preventing Elan and the others from following him and catching him off guard.

He then checked his current equipment and props and applied Soul-Devouring Heart-Guarding Ointment.

Kate took a deep breath and activated the Thorn Armor, which covered her entire body with dark gray metallic thorns.

At the same time, the essence of the moonlight forms the strongest spatial refraction layer on the body surface.

Like a cheetah blending into the shadows, he silently slipped into the deep cave.

The interior of the cave was not as dark as one might imagine.

The cave walls are inlaid with countless spatial crystals that emit a ghostly blue or purplish-red light, making the cave appear bizarre and fantastical.

However, the spatial structure here is extremely unstable!

Countless tiny spatial fissures appeared and disappeared on the cave walls, making a crackling sound.

The turbulent spatial currents, like invisible blades, swept through the cave, crashing against the cave walls and sending up dazzling sparks of energy.

The air was filled with a high-frequency buzzing and a tearing sensation.

Kate moved with extreme caution, relying on her sense of the moon and the thorns to navigate through the gaps in the turbulent currents.

After venturing hundreds of meters deeper into the cave, even more intense energy fluctuations and spatial tremors came from ahead.

As she rounded a corner, the sight before her made Kate's pupils shrink.

At the end of the cave is a huge, dome-shaped space, as if it had been created by a meteorite impact.

At the center of the space, there is not a solid object, but a slowly rotating miniature spatial storm vortex with a diameter of about ten meters.

The vortex was composed of countless tiny fragments of space and violent energy flows, exuding a destructive aura.

At the edge of the whirlpool, near the cave wall, Kate saw it.

Several vines.

They are not rooted in the earth, but rather like living spatial rifts, with one end "growing" in the violently fluctuating spatial folds, and the other end like tentacles, slowly swaying and stretching at the edge of miniature storms.

The vines were a deep, dark purple that seemed to absorb light, and their surface was covered with fine, circuit board-like silver spatial patterns, within which flowed a ghostly blue stardust light.

They have no leaves, their form is somewhere between a plant and an energy body, and they pulsate slightly with the pulsation of the spatial storm, as if they are breathing.

A pure and powerful spatial fluctuation emanated from these vines!

[Target confirmed: Vine of the Sky Realm (mature stage)]

[Quantity: 1 plant]

[Characteristics: Spatial energy aggregate, non-physical plant.]

The vines can travel short distances through space (current state: dormant/growing).

Contains fragments of spatial coordinates. Extremely sensitive to approach by non-spatial compatible entities, which may trigger self-destruction of the vines or spatial collapse.

[Value: Extremely High!]

found it!

Finally found!

Of course, there's no need to get excited too early; such places are bound to be protected by powerful magical beasts.

Sky Vine grows on the edge of miniature spatial storms!

The raging turbulence acts as a natural barrier.

To make matters worse, in a corner of the cave, under the shadow of several huge fragments of star debris, lay three Skybreakers!

It was larger than the ones they had encountered before, and its crystal armor was thicker and deeper, clearly indicating that it was the leader or elite of this small group, exuding the aura of a peak level four!

They seem to have made this place their nest, and are vigilantly guarding that area.

[WARNING! High-threat targets: Skybeast Leader (Level 4 Peak) x1, Skybeast Elite (Level 4 Late Stage) x2]

Meanwhile, three more mid-level level 4 Skybreakers patrolling in three more directions further out have spotted Kate!

The three Skybreakers' azure cores lit up simultaneously, locking onto the intruder, Kate.

A low, threatening growl came from his throat.

The spatial storm roared, the Sky-Splitting Beasts lurked menacingly, and the Void Vine was both close at hand and impossibly far away.

Kate clenched her fists, her eyes sharp as knives.

"Seed of Origin, scan the area ahead, lock onto the location of the Sky-Splitter, and devise a kill plan."

Kate gave a silent shout to herself, pushing her speed to the limit as she weaved through the shattered star debris.

[Command received. Environment scan in progress...]

[Skybreaker Location Confirmed: Three Skybreakers (mid-level 4) are patrolling in a triangular formation on the outskirts of the target area, approximately 300 meters from the target fold zone.]

[Analysis of Skybreaker's Characteristics:]

1. Spatial Blink (Short Range): Cooldown time is about 8 seconds, maximum distance is 20 meters, and there is a slight spatial ripple before it is activated.

2. Space Tear Beam: Emitted from the head crystal core, with a range of about 100 meters, strong penetrating power, and a space-cutting effect.

3. High physical defense (space crystal armor), moderate energy resistance.

4. Perception depends on spatial fluctuations and energy disturbances.

[Threat Assessment: High. Aggressive, highly mobile, and lethal attacks.]

[Tactical simulation:]

Option A: Proactive elimination. Prioritize killing patrolling Skybreakers, use Thorn Shadows to divide the battlefield, eliminate threats, and then explore the target.

Risk: The commotion from the battle may attract more Skybreakers or unknown threats.

Success rate: 60% (based on the advantages of the host space capabilities).

Option B: Feint. Use the Shadow of Thorns to create chaos, lure away some of the Skybreakers, and quickly break into the target area.

Risk: The Shadow of Thorns may be destroyed, the number drawn away is uncertain, and there may still be defenders remaining in the target area.

Success rate: 55%.

[Recommended Option: A. The host has newly gained spatial anchoring and void refraction abilities, which are effective against the spatial blinking of the Sky-Piercing Beast. A quick victory is recommended, utilizing the environment to create opportunities for one-on-one kills.]

"Plan A! Prioritize breaking down the target and eliminating threats one by one!" Kate made the decision instantly.

Having three Sky-Splitters by your side is like having a sword hanging over your head when exploring for a target.

"Thorn Shadows, spread out! Numbers 1-3, disrupt the left flank; Numbers 4-6, stealthily move the right flank; the remaining 5, stand by in the rear, ready to be covered by paralyzing poison mist."

Eleven metallic centipede-like puppets silently dispersed, merging into the mist and the shadows of star debris.

A fierce battle is inevitable.