Orlen stood at the edge of the cliff, staring at the scene below. Unlike the legends, the Root Layer was not a place filled with despair and suffering. Though dim and damp, there was a strange order and harmony here. The Darkened State Residents worked methodically, with no signs of pain or desperation on their faces.
"Why don't they look so miserable?" Orlen asked, confused.
Ms. Adelle sighed: "The stories circulated in the upper layers are always distorted. Darkened State Residents are viewed as sinners, but in reality, they play a vital role in the life cycle of the Spirit Branch Tree."
They descended along a staircase woven from vines. Orlen noticed the distinctive features of the Darkened State Residents: though their skin was dark, it shimmered with a metallic luster; their eyes were larger, adapted to the dim light environment; their fingers were longer, with luminous barbs at the fingertips, seemingly evolved for handling special plants.
Several Darkened State Residents noticed them and immediately became alert. One of them—apparently a leader—approached them.
"Forest Pendant," the person said in a hoarse voice, "what are you doing here with a child from the upper layers?"
Ms. Adelle spread her wings in a peaceful gesture. "Calmur, it's me, Adelle. I've brought back the child you've been looking for."
Calmur narrowed his eyes, examining Orlen carefully. "Remove your iris light filter, let me see your true face."
Orlen removed his mask, and the expected photosynthetic rejection reaction did not occur. Calmur's expression shifted from wariness to surprise.
"Amber-colored pupils," Calmur said softly, "Serra's child."
Calmur made a gesture, and the tense atmosphere immediately eased. "Follow me, this is not a place for conversation."
He led them through the root maze to a secluded space—a room encircled by massive roots, with luminous fungi growing on the walls. Calmur invited them to sit and poured three cups of glowing amber liquid.
"Root Honey," he explained, "more concentrated and purer than Light Honey from the upper layers. It comes from the oldest roots of the Spirit Branch Tree."
Orlen carefully sipped, feeling warm energy flowing throughout his body. This sensation was deeper and more lasting than Light Honey.
"Fifteen Withering Seasons," Calmur said to Ms. Adelle, "I almost thought you wouldn't return."
"The situation was more complex than expected," Ms. Adelle replied, "Gu Tribe activity exceeded predictions, and the corruption in the upper layers was worse than imagined."
Calmur nodded, his expression grave. "The Withering Season has come early, something that hasn't happened for hundreds of years. The rhythm of the Spirit Branch Tree has been disrupted, and it all began with the incident at Eternal Light Island."
"We saw Leaf-Gu hybrids created by the Gu Tribe in the upper layers," Ms. Adelle said.
Calmur's expression became serious. "The situation is worse. The Gu Tribe is not only creating hybrids but also trying to control the metabolic process of the Withering Season. They want to block the generation of new Leaf States, forcing the Spirit Branch Tree into a permanent withered state."
Orlen asked in surprise: "But isn't the Spirit Branch Tree immortal?"
"In theory, yes," Calmur explained, "the Withering Season of the Spirit Branch Tree is a self-renewal mechanism. But this process requires precise energy circulation—withered Leaf States decompose, energy returns to the Spirit Branch Tree's core, then is used to generate new Leaf States."
"The Gu Tribe is trying to break this cycle," Ms. Adelle added, "The hybrids they created can absorb the life energy of Leaf Dwellers, preventing the energy from returning to the Spirit Branch Tree's core."
"But why?" Orlen asked, "Don't the Gu Tribe also depend on the Spirit Branch Tree for survival?"
Calmur said: "The Gu Tribe believes that by controlling the withering, they can become the new masters of the Spirit Branch Tree. They believe the potential of the Spirit Branch Tree is limited by the immortal cycle, and only by experiencing true death can it be reborn as a more powerful existence."
"That's just gambling!" Ms. Adelle exclaimed, "There's no evidence suggesting the Spirit Branch Tree can revive from complete death!"
"Even if it could revive, there's no guarantee that the newborn Spirit Branch Tree would retain existing characteristics," Calmur said, "All races dependent on the Spirit Branch Tree for survival would face the risk of extinction."
After a moment of silence, Orlen spoke: "Ms. Adelle said my mother was called Serra. I want to know the truth."
Calmur's gaze softened: "Serra was the most outstanding among us, able to move freely between the Root Layer and Leaf States without any protective devices. She could directly absorb and transform the original energy of the Spirit Branch Tree."
Calmur walked to a corner of the room and lightly touched a node. The root wall parted, revealing a niche. He took out a wooden box, which when opened revealed a thumb-sized piece of amber with a peculiar leaf sealed inside—a miniature version of the Spirit Branch Tree's leaf, but with a more complex structure.
"This is a memento left by Serra," Calmur said, "This leaf comes from a juvenile Spirit Branch Tree she discovered."
"Juvenile Spirit Branch Tree?" Orlen asked in surprise, "I thought there was only one Spirit Branch Tree."
Calmur explained: "Serra discovered an amazing secret—the Spirit Branch Tree reproduces in a special way. Every few thousand Withering Seasons, the Spirit Branch Tree forms a small replica in the depths of its root system, a sprout containing complete genetic information."
"This sprout would normally merge with the mother tree after growing to a certain stage. But the sprout Serra found showed independence, seemingly wanting to grow into a separate Spirit Branch Tree."
Ms. Adelle added: "Serra believed this discovery might be the key to resolving the conflict between upper and lower layers. If a second Spirit Branch Tree could be cultivated, it would provide more living space and resources for all races."
"The Gu Tribe learned of this secret," Calmur continued, "They believe that if they could control the growth of the sprout, they could create a new Spirit Branch Tree dominated by them."
"What about my mother?" Orlen asked, "Where is she now?"
Calmur and Ms. Adelle exchanged sad glances.
"Fifteen Withering Seasons ago," Calmur said slowly, "when the Gu Tribe's conspiracy was just beginning, Serra had already foreseen the crisis. She tried to protect the sprout, moving it to a safe location. But in the process, she was ambushed by the Gu Tribe."
"To protect the sprout and you, she made the ultimate sacrifice—dividing her life energy into two parts, one part infused into the sprout, putting it into dormancy; the other part infused into you, her newborn child."
Orlen felt his throat tighten, an emotion he had never experienced before welling up.
"Serra believed that only someone with her bloodline could find and awaken the dormant sprout," Calmur continued, "So, she asked Ms. Adelle to take you away until you were strong enough to undertake this mission."
"Where is the sprout now?" Orlen asked, his voice slightly trembling.
"No one knows the exact location," Calmur answered, "Serra took that secret to her eternal sleep. But she left clues, hidden in the heirlooms left for you."
Calmur took out a small amber pendant from the wooden box. "This is your mother's 'Heart Core Fragment,' containing parts of her memories and abilities. When you are ready, it will guide you to find the location of the sprout."
Orlen accepted the pendant. When his fingers touched the amber surface, a warm energy instantly flowed from his fingertips throughout his body. The amber inside the pendant became brighter, flickering with pulsating light.
"It recognizes you," Calmur said in surprise, "This is much faster than expected."
Orlen gazed at the pendant, feeling a connection both familiar and strange. "If this sprout is so important, why not let more people know? Why wait fifteen years?"
"Secrecy is power," Ms. Adelle explained, "If the news spread, not only would the Gu Tribe search for the sprout with all their might, but the aristocrats and Floating Brahmas from the upper layers would also intervene. They might try to control or destroy the sprout to maintain the existing order and privileges."
"As for waiting," Calmur added, "it's because the power of the Heart Core Fragment needs a host mature enough to be activated. Serra predicted that around the age of fifteen, you would have the ability to carry this power."
"And now, the Gu Tribe's actions are more aggressive than expected," Ms. Adelle said, "The early arrival of the Withering Season, the occupation of Eternal Light Island, the appearance of Leaf-Gu hybrids... all this indicates that we may not have much time left."
Calmur's expression was determined: "Starting tomorrow, you will receive training from the Root Layer. We will teach you how to understand the language of the Spirit Branch Tree, how to use the root system as a passage, how to distinguish the nature of different energies. These skills will help you protect yourself on the journey to find the sprout."
Orlen felt an unprecedented sense of responsibility weighing on his shoulders. In just one day, he had transformed from an ordinary child into a key figure with a special mission.
"Now, you need to rest," Ms. Adelle said gently, "There's been too much information today."
Calmur led them to a quiet area where there were several small dwellings woven from roots. Orlen entered the small cabin assigned to him alone, sat on the edge of the bed, and took out the amber pendant again.
In the dim light, there seemed to be subtle movement inside the pendant. Orlen stared at it intently, gradually feeling a pure emotional connection—warmth, firmness, encouragement... and endless love, like a small stream, crossing the barriers of time, flowing from his mother's heart to his own.
Tears unconsciously flowed down his cheeks. Orlen had never thought he would cry for someone he had never met, but at this moment, he felt a connection that transcended physical and temporal limitations. This connection contained deep expectations and trust, as if his mother was saying: I believe you can complete the mission, my child.
Lying on the bed, the pendant pressed close to his chest, Orlen's thoughts raced. Tomorrow would be the beginning of a new life; he would learn the knowledge of the Root Layer, preparing for his future mission. Fear still existed, but a firm determination had taken root in his heart.
No matter how many unknowns and dangers lay ahead, he would forge bravely ahead. Not only to fulfill the promise to a mother he had never met, but also for all beings dependent on the Spirit Branch Tree for survival. In the coming turbulence, he might become a bridge connecting different factions, repairing the broken cycle, and rebuilding harmony in the Spirit Branch Tree world.
With such thoughts, Orlen entered the realm of dreams. In his dream, he saw a beautiful woman with amber-colored eyes, standing beside a small, glowing tree, smiling at him. That smile contained hope, like a beacon in the darkness, pointing the way forward.