The morning light had not yet fully reached every corner of the Spirit Branch Tree, but the exploration team was already assembled on Bridge Union Academy's platform. Seven members stood in a circle, each checking their equipment: lighting devices, energy storage tanks, communication devices, and specialized observation tools. This exploration was expected to last several weeks, targeting the farthest edge regions of the Spirit Branch Tree, especially the newly grown areas.
Orlen stood at the front of the team, feeling the morning breeze. His attire was more practical than usual—a coat made from special tree fibers that could adapt to various environmental changes; an energy collector hanging at his waist that could provide additional energy in emergencies; and boots specially crafted by Root Layer artisans, suitable for long-distance trekking and climbing.
Ms. Adelle, Calmur, Talia, and Eliel had all come to see them off. All four had undisguisable concern on their faces, though they understood the necessity of this exploration.
"Remember, report back every three days," Ms. Adelle instructed. "If we don't receive a message for two consecutive reports, we'll send out a search party."
Calmur handed a small device to Orlen: "This is an energy fluctuation recorder we designed. It can capture subtle energy changes, which might help in finding traces of previous civilizations."
Eliel stepped forward, giving Orlen a small vial of glowing liquid: "The purest Root Honey, from the Primal Roots. Use it in critical moments."
Finally, Talia gave Orlen a special leaf: "This was collected from the new growth area of Eternal Light Island. It has unique energy properties and can serve as a locator marker. No matter how far you travel, it will always point toward home."
The farewell ceremony was brief yet emotional. A few minutes later, the exploration team boarded a flying platform specially made for this mission—an enhanced version of a large fern plant, controlled by the Forest Pendant navigation specialist Harri, capable of navigating flexibly between various regions of the Spirit Branch Tree.
The platform slowly rose, heading toward the outer regions. Standing at the edge of the platform, Orlen looked back at the gradually receding central region. From this height, he could clearly see the overall structure of the Spirit Branch Tree world: the golden light of the Heart Axis like a spine, with countless energy veins extending in all directions; Leaf States scattered like stars, varying in size; new growth regions forming an amber ring of light at the periphery, like the horizon at sunrise.
"It's magnificent," the Gu Tribe observer Zik marveled. "No Gu Tribe has ever seen the Spirit Branch Tree from this perspective."
"This is my first time too," Orlen admitted. "Although I've traveled through many regions, I've never had the opportunity to see such a panorama."
The platform moved at a steady speed, passing through one traditional Leaf State after another. As the distance increased, the density of the Leaf States began to decrease, with larger gaps between them. After about four hours of flight, they reached the last traditional Leaf State—Edge Outpost, marking the boundary of the past Spirit Branch Tree world.
The outpost appeared unmanned for a long time, but still maintained basic functionality. The team decided to rest briefly here, replenish energy, and make final preparations. This was the farthest point of the known region; beyond this, they would enter entirely new territory.
"According to our observations, the new growth regions have expanded nearly a hundred meters in the past two months," an upper layer researcher displayed data charts. "But our understanding of it remains very limited."
"That's the purpose of our journey," Orlen said, gazing at that distant area shimmering with amber light. "Not just to understand its current state, but to explore its past and future."
After resting, the exploration team set off again. As they crossed Edge Outpost and flew into the new growth region, everyone felt an obvious change in the energy field. The energy here was more active, more primitive, carrying an invigorating life force.
"Energy concentration is three times higher than the central region," a Root Layer guide checked the instrument readings. "But the vibration frequency is more stable, with almost no fluctuation."
Orlen sensed this energy, closing his eyes and letting it flow through his entire body. This sensation was both familiar and foreign, like the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree's energy, yet carrying some more ancient, more profound quality.
The flying platform lowered its altitude, hovering above a particularly wide new leaf. This area appeared quite stable, with various vegetation already growing on the leaf surface, forming a small ecosystem. The team decided to establish their first survey point here.
After landing, team members immediately began their respective tasks: upper layer researchers focused on energy measurements and sample collection; Root Layer guides explored the terrain and soil properties; the Gu Tribe observer analyzed the composition of the ecosystem; while the Forest Pendant navigation specialist planned subsequent routes.
Orlen chose a unique direction of work—searching for traces of past civilizations. He believed that if this truly was a cycle, then previous "Dual Core Symbiosis" stages should have left some record or relic in these regions.
He walked along the main vein of the leaf, occasionally stopping to examine unusual vegetation or energy fluctuations. Suddenly, an abnormal pattern caught his attention. These were a series of indentations on the leaf surface, appearing in regular geometric shapes, clearly not naturally formed.
"Found something?" the Gu Tribe observer Zik had somehow followed behind him.
"Possibly man-made traces," Orlen pointed to the patterns. "Look at these designs—too regular to be naturally formed."
Zik carefully observed for a moment: "Indeed. Moreover, this engraving method is very similar to the ancient memory rituals of the Gu Tribe. In the past, we would carve symbols in special places as anchors for collective memory."
The two called over other team members to study this discovery. After detailed testing, they confirmed these patterns were at least hundreds of years old, yet perfectly preserved, possibly due to the leaf's continuous regenerative properties.
"I think this confirms our hypothesis," Orlen said. "This isn't the first 'New Bud Blooming'; previous beings definitely came here and left records."
As the exploration deepened, they discovered more similar traces, some even forming complete patterns or symbols. The Root Layer guide recognized some of the symbols as similar to markings in ancient Root Layer murals. The upper layer researcher noticed that other symbols resembled ancient scripts recorded in upper layer classics.
Most surprising was that when all these symbols were placed together, they seemed to form a coherent information system, like a hybrid language integrating different races' expressions.
"This might be a universal language," Orlen speculated, "specifically created to span different cycles."
The Gu Tribe observer Zik suddenly emitted an excited buzz: "Look here! I recognize this symbol! In Gu Tribe ancient legends, it represents the 'Circle of Rebirth,' symbolizing the eternal cycle of life."
This discovery provided them with clues to decode other symbols. After hours of collaborative effort, they roughly translated a message:
"Seventh Awakening, dual trees coexist. Boundaries dissolve, all things renew. Beware separation, guard the balance. Next awakening will bring—"
The final word couldn't be determined; the symbol was partially worn away, unidentifiable.
"Seventh Awakening," Orlen contemplated. "This means that before us, there have been at least six similar cycles. And what we're experiencing now is the seventh."
"But what's that last word?" a team member asked. "Will bring what?"
No one could provide a definitive answer. This incomplete message was both exciting and unsettling. It confirmed the existence of cycles but also hinted at some unknown conclusion or transformation.
That evening, the exploration team established a temporary camp on the new leaf. As night fell and the Spirit Branch Tree's cold light mode activated, the entire world bathed in a silver-blue glow. The amber light of the new growth regions appeared more prominent at night, forming a spectacular luminous ring.
Orlen sat at the edge of the camp, quietly observing this scene. Complex emotions surged in his chest: excitement, because they had already found traces of past civilizations; concern, because that incomplete message hinted at some unknown challenge; and a feeling difficult to name, as if he stood at a crossroads of destiny.
Zik approached and sat beside him: "What are you thinking?"
"I'm wondering, if this truly is the seventh cycle, what happened in the previous six? How did they end? Why don't we have more memories of them?"
Zik's antennae gently swayed, a habit of the Gu Tribe when thinking: "Perhaps memories were deliberately preserved in specific places, like these symbols we discovered today. Or perhaps the time span between each cycle is so great that most knowledge simply vanished with time."
"Regardless," Orlen said, "we must find more clues. Tomorrow, we'll continue exploring outward to see if we can find that missing word and understand what the 'Seventh Awakening' will bring."
He looked up toward the distance, where the edge of the new growth region bordered endless darkness. Did more secrets lie hidden in that darkness? Were there more ancient traces waiting to be discovered? And what would that missing word reveal about the future?
With these questions, Orlen fell into contemplation. Starlight and the Spirit Branch Tree's cold light intertwined, illuminating this young explorer standing between past and future, known and unknown. Tomorrow, the new journey would continue, with more secrets awaiting revelation.