As Lynch ventured deeper into the Corrupted Forest, he gradually sensed the pervasive threats lurking within.
First came the cunningly concealed swamps.
These swamps were scattered throughout the region, and they weren't merely ordinary bogs. Infused with Elemental Energy, they had evolved into Extraordinary Swamps with a disturbing vitality.
Hidden silently beneath layers of decaying leaves, they appeared indistinguishable from ordinary ground. But the moment they sensed a prey stepping onto them, they quickly transformed into soft quagmires, dragging the victim downward and tightly entangling them.
Even more terrifying was the swamp's potent corrosive power. Once trapped within, it wouldn't be long before the swamp's corrosive force consumed the victim entirely, leaving no chance for companions to intervene or rescue them.
And the swamp was merely the appetizer of the dangers in this perilous forest. The greater threats lay in the ubiquitous greenery.
The vegetation that thrived in the Corrupted Forest was far from ordinary. After years of nurturing by Elemental Energy, they had become terrifying monsters with extraordinary vitality.
The massive vines dangling from trees moved like living serpents, twisting and coiling in search of targets to entrap the moment anyone ventured too close. Covered in sharp barbs, they could tear through flesh on contact and inject powerful paralytic toxins—capable of incapacitating even an elephant within seconds.
Seemingly tranquil shrubs concealed countless traps. Their razor-sharp leaf edges were capable of shredding anyone who brushed past them, leaving their bodies flayed as if tortured.
There were also gigantic flowers resembling shells, towering as high as a person, with fragrant aromas that lured victims close—only to swallow them whole in one bite.
Fruit trees let out ear-piercing screams that could stun people, then used thorns to pierce their skin and quickly drain their blood...
Dangers of this sort were countless.
This was not an ordinary forest but a voracious beast, eagerly devouring any lifeform that stepped within its bounds.
"Squeak... squeak..."
Boots crushed against thick, soft, decaying leaves, creating muffled sounds. Lynch leaned on his Magic Wand, cautiously advancing step by step through the forest.
Each time he moved forward, he would first tap the ground ahead lightly with his Magic Wand.
A faint blue glow shone at the wand's tip, and when it made contact with the ground, tiny ripples would spread outward quickly.
This was evidently a basic technique for Wizards in utilizing spiritual power: Perception.
By releasing and diffusing spiritual power, it penetrated the thick decaying leaves to directly detect the ground beneath.
Terrifying swamps, invisible to ordinary vision, were laid bare under the scrutiny of spiritual power, clearly distinguishing solid ground from treacherous bogs.
However, this seemingly simple action wasn't something every apprentice could perform. Mastery of the Perception Skill required meditating at least one Will Rune.
"This must be the first exam question for the trial…"
Apprentices who hadn't grasped the Perception Ability would find themselves unable to proceed further. Evidently, this was the first test for the Tower's trial, assessing the apprentice's raw strength—the minimum qualification required being at least one meditated Will Rune.
Such was the threshold test. Failing to manifest even one Will Rune naturally disqualified one from advancing to become an Inner Ring Apprentice.
[Spirit Perception Skill Level +1]
Lynch had only recently mastered Spirit Perception after producing his first Will Rune less than a month ago. He was approaching the threshold of Level 0.
[Spirit Perception Level 0: 482/500]
Though his Perception Level wasn't high, this trial didn't require deeply advanced Perception—simply sensing the ground below was more than enough to pass.
"Rustle…"
After roughly half an hour, faint rustling sounds emerged from up ahead, accompanied by a tempting fragrance wafting through the air. Lynch glimpsed a golden fruit hanging from a fruit tree in the distance. The alluring aroma seemed to originate from the fruit.
Had it been an ordinary person, they might already be driven by curiosity or desire, following the enticing scent to investigate further.
But Lynch's first reaction was to take out cotton and plug his nose. Then, with a thought, he transformed his Magic Wand into a Longbow, took pre-prepared arrows from his Space Pocket, strung the bow, and aimed an arrow directly at the fruit.
"Swish!"
The first arrow missed its mark, landing in the dirt nearby. Lynch quickly shot a second and third arrow until the third hit the fruit, knocking it off the tree.
The originally brilliant, golden fruit that appeared as though it were a Heavenly Material suddenly shriveled and withered upon hitting the ground. Its surface bulged with sticky, pustular blisters, resembling a tumor riddled with festering sores.
The once delightful fragrance immediately ceased, replaced by a nauseating stench.
This was the fruit's true nature.
Its name was Bait Corruption Fruit, a Magic Plant belonging to the Spiritual System. It disguised itself as a Heavenly treasure to lure greedy travelers into eating it.
The Bait Corruption Fruit had powerful spiritual attacks. Any creature consuming it would instantly fall into a hallucination and have their soul eternally trapped within, while their physical body gradually rotted away over time—becoming nourishment for the fruit tree itself.
Identifying the dangerous plants scattered throughout the forest was the Tower's second trial for apprentices: the fundamental ability of Wizcraft—knowledge.
While the operation appeared straightforward, replacing Lynch with any other apprentice might not yield the same decisive response. After all, the Wizard World abounded with rare Heavenly treasures, and this scene might genuinely seem like an opportunity too precious to pass up.
For Wizard Apprentices who dreamed of grand adventures upon entering the Wizard World, such temptations were colossal. Overcoming this required not just unwavering resolve but thorough knowledge.
Just like Lynch here—a single glance had revealed the fruit's identity, eliminating any hesitation whatsoever.
Basic Magic Plants Atlas max.
Over a year ago, Lynch had elevated his grasp of Magic Plant and Demon knowledge to the max stage available to him, mastering countless records.
In this Corrupted Forest alone, there wasn't a single Wizard-level Magic Plant that he couldn't identify across the entire Dark Forest.
Paralysis Magic Vine, Blade Thorns, giant man-eating flowers, Screaming Fruit Trees...
With his immense foundation of knowledge, Lynch identified each danger within the forest and skillfully avoided them, soon arriving at the depths of the Corrupted Forest.
It was here that Lynch finally laid eyes on his goal.
Soul Spark.
Lynch discovered the Soul Spark beneath a magnificent oak tree. Its petals were blue, their edges curled slightly, emanating an unusual blue energy that enveloped the entire plant, resembling a blue flame burning brightly.
Lynch observed the extraordinary flower curiously. It was categorized as an Elementary Magic Plant, described in books as being nurtured by decayed souls and classified as soul material.
"Ssssshh…"
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the oak tree above. A strange and terrifying creature climbed down from its branches.
It was roughly palm-sized, humanoid in shape, and resembled a Fairy, with a form blending human and tree traits. Its skin was mottled gray-green, marked by fine cracks and patches of moss that seemed to mimic decayed wood bark.
Its deep, dark eyes were like Black Holes, while its slender limbs appeared powerful, its fingertips sprouting small twigs and leaves, and its legs covered in roots.
As it climbed down steadily, it fixed its black-hole-like eyes intently on Lynch. Its gaping, hollow mouth—like a cavity on a withered old tree—opened and closed as it croaked in a raspy, strange tone:
"The treasure... You'll never take our treasure..."
This was the Tower's final exam for this apprentice trial—the most critical test of all—
The Corrupted Tree Demon!