The exploration team's journey back to Bridge Union Academy was longer than expected. They deliberately slowed their pace, partly to record the changes along the way in detail, and partly to digest those astonishing discoveries. Everyone was immersed in their own thoughts, trying to understand the meaning of "fusion" and its implications for the Spirit Branch Tree world.
On the flying platform, Orlen stood at the front, gazing at the distant Heart Axis. The amber light of the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree was particularly bright there, as if responding to their discoveries. Since witnessing those prophecies, he had begun to view everything with new eyes—every trembling leaf, every flow of energy, could be part of a greater plan.
"At our current speed, we'll reach Bridge Union Academy by sunset tomorrow," Harri reported, skillfully controlling the flying platform, navigating between various air currents.
"How should we explain our discoveries to them?" Lia asked, having organized a wealth of data and images, yet still concerned that they couldn't fully convey the impact of being there in person.
"We'll tell the truth," Orlen answered. "Share what we've seen and heard, but also admit the limits of our understanding. This isn't an ordinary scientific discovery, but a prophecy concerning the fate of the entire world."
As night fell, the flying platform docked on a relatively large new leaf to rest. The nighttime Spirit Branch Tree was cloaked in a special tranquility; under cold light mode, all outlines became soft and mysterious. Team members gathered around a small light source at the center of the temporary camp, sharing their thoughts.
"If fusion truly occurs, every corner of the Spirit Branch Tree world will be affected," Veil contemplated. "What will happen to the Dark Spring Layer? The Cloud Top Layer?"
"According to the prophecy, fusion will eliminate all boundaries," Zik responded. "Perhaps meaning differences between these regions will no longer matter."
"But what about the physiological needs of different races?" Otto raised a question. "Not all living beings can adapt to the same environment."
The discussion continued into the night, full of speculation and concerns. Orlen remained silent most of the time, listening to different perspectives. Finally, when the conversation gradually subsided and others went to rest, he walked alone to the edge of the leaf, gazing into the endless darkness.
Under the starlight, he took out the special leaf Talia had given him—that navigation tool that could point the way home. The leaf trembled gently in his palm, one end pointing toward the distant Heart Axis. But strangely, the other end pointed in the completely opposite direction, toward the ring structure they had just left.
"Two homes," Orlen whispered to himself. "Two cores."
This detail seemed to further confirm the prophecy: the Spirit Branch Tree world was developing two equal centers, preparing for the ultimate fusion.
In the morning light, the exploration team continued forward. As they gradually approached the central area, vegetation and energy characteristics began transitioning to traditional forms. The amber light of the new growth regions gradually merged with the emerald green of the original Spirit Branch Tree, creating a harmonious gradient effect.
On the way, they passed several recently formed settlements. These communities had already attracted various residents—forward-thinking upper layer Leaf Dwellers, Root Layer residents seeking new opportunities, and even a small number of Gu Tribe members. Although these settlements were still in early stages, they already displayed a new social structure—more equal, more diverse.
In these communities, Orlen noticed some unexpected changes. The skin of Leaf Dweller tribe members was beginning to develop subtle darker tones, while Darkened State Residents displayed more green luminescence. The Gu Tribe's forms were also adapting to the new environment, their carapaces becoming lighter and more transparent. Most striking was that the young offspring of these different races played together, completely indifferent to their differences.
"Boundary dissolution isn't just physical," Zik observed. "It's also physiological and social."
"The speed of these changes is surprising," Lia added. "According to normal evolutionary speed, such adaptive changes should take thousands of years."
"Because this isn't ordinary evolution," Orlen responded. "It's a purposeful transformation, preparing for fusion."
When they were about half a day's journey from Bridge Union Academy, the communication device suddenly sounded. It was Calmur's urgent call.
"Orlen, you need to return quickly," his voice carried obvious urgency. "The juvenile Spirit Branch Tree has shown new changes, and we're receiving reports of abnormal energy fluctuations from various locations."
"What specific changes?" Orlen asked, a sense of unease rising in his heart.
"It's beginning to produce some kind of pulsation," Calmur explained. "Like a heartbeat, releasing energy waves at a fixed rhythm. More strangely, these waves seem to be searching for something, like calling for a response."
Orlen immediately thought of the twin trees in the ring structure. "We'll return as soon as possible. Tell the observation team to record all data, but don't interfere with this process."
The flying platform accelerated toward the Heart Axis, the exploration team's tension almost palpable. When they finally saw the outline of Bridge Union Academy, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but were then shocked by the scene before them.
The entire central area was enveloped in a gently flickering golden light, with visible energy waves from the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree spreading in all directions like ripples on water. Around the academy gathered a large number of residents of various races—some were researchers, others just curious onlookers attracted by the spectacle.
On the landing platform, Ms. Adelle, Calmur, Talia, and Eliel waited, their expressions serious and complex.
"This change began three days ago," Calmur reported the moment Orlen stepped off the platform. "Initially just weak fluctuations, but the intensity has gradually increased. According to observations, the energy waves have specific frequencies and patterns, definitely not a random phenomenon."
"Not just that," Talia added. "We've confirmed that these energy waves are affecting the entire Spirit Branch Tree world. Leaf States have begun to move slightly, drawing closer to the central area; energy flow directions have changed, converging more toward the Heart Axis; even floating spores have begun to arrange themselves in specific patterns."
"Like it's reorganizing everything," Eliel said softly. "Preparing for some kind of transformation."
Orlen looked around, feeling the energy pulsations in the air. He sensed this was related to the prophecy they had seen in the ring structure. "We need to convene a joint committee meeting immediately. We have important discoveries to share."
An hour later, the joint committee members gathered, including representatives from various regions and races. Orlen and the exploration team members took turns describing their discoveries—the ring structure, ancient symbols, the prophecy of the seventh awakening, the twin trees' vision, and the coming "fusion."
The meeting hall fell into a shocked silence, then erupted into intense discussion. Some were fearful, some excited, some skeptical, some expectant. The core of the debate wasn't whether fusion would occur—increasing evidence suggested it was inevitable—but how to respond to this great change.
"We need more research," the upper layer representative insisted. "Understanding every detail of this process, developing response strategies."
"Research is important, but what's more needed is acceptance and adaptation," the Root Layer representative countered. "This is a natural process, not a controllable experiment."
"The ancient wisdom of the Gu Tribe tells us," the Gu Tribe representative said slowly and solemnly. "When great change comes, the wisest approach is not resistance, but following the flow, finding a new position."
The discussion continued for hours. Finally, Orlen stood up, speaking calmly yet firmly:
"According to our findings, fusion is not an immediate event, but a gradual process. It began with the birth of the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree and will continue for years, perhaps decades. We have time to prepare, time to adapt. But most importantly, we need to face this together."
He looked around the hall, meeting the eyes of each member:
"I believe fusion is not an end, but a beginning. Not a threat, but an opportunity. It will create a new world, a world beyond our imagination. Our responsibility is not to fear or control it, but to guide our society through a smooth transition, ensuring all life can find its place in the new world."
His words seemed to touch everyone present. Even the most skeptical representatives began to consider the possibility of cooperation.
After the meeting, Orlen went alone to the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree. The energy wave pulsations had become more distinct; he could almost feel the information they contained—a call, an expectation.
He placed his palm against the trunk, closed his eyes, and tried to establish a deeper connection with the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree. Instantly, a series of images flooded his mind: the twin trees in the ring structure responding to the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree's call, emitting energy waves of the same frequency; the entire Spirit Branch Tree world's energy beginning to rearrange, forming new flow patterns; the new growth regions continuing to expand, but in a more orderly direction, as if following some grand design.
Most striking was an image: between the center and edge of the Spirit Branch Tree world, a huge ring-shaped energy field was forming, as if enveloping the entire world in a protective cocoon. This seemed to be the first stage of fusion—energy reorganization and balance.
When he opened his eyes, he found Ms. Adelle standing not far away, quietly observing him.
"What did you see?" she asked softly.
"The beginning," Orlen answered briefly. "The first stage of fusion has already begun. We need to prepare to welcome an entirely new world."
As night fell, the light from the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree grew brighter in the darkness. The energy wave pulsations continued, transmitting ancient messages and future omens. The Spirit Branch Tree world stood on the edge of great change, and Orlen and his companions would be witnesses and guides to this great transformation.
Under the starlight, Orlen thought of his mother's face, the faith she left behind, every choice made along the way. Perhaps it was all for this moment—when past and future converge, when two worlds become one.
Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face the challenge, just as that child of the withering once embarked on an unknown journey, with hope and determination, facing that brand new dawn.