The newborn juvenile Spirit Branch Tree radiated a soft golden light in the center of the Heart Axis, its continuously extending branches integrating into the original Spirit Branch Tree structure like a neural network. Orlen stood beside the tree, experiencing an unprecedented sense of peace and fulfillment, as if completing a long-destined mission. The other members of the team gradually gathered around, gazing at this miracle.
The Gu King still maintained a vigilant posture, but his intent to attack had receded. His compound eyes reflected the light of the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree, revealing complex emotions.
"You don't understand what you've done," the Gu King finally spoke, his voice no longer filled with hostility, but with a strange awe. "This isn't just planting a second Spirit Branch Tree; you've changed the entire structure of the world."
"That's exactly what we hoped for," Orlen calmly responded. "A more balanced world where all life can fairly share the Spirit Branch Tree's bounty."
The Gu King moved slowly, circling the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree, carefully observing its growth pattern and energy flow.
"Your mother Serra was right," the Gu King finally admitted. "The Spirit Branch Tree indeed needed renewal, but not through control and destruction, rather through supplementation and balance. Our method was wrong, despite having similar goals."
"So what now?" Calmur asked, still vigilantly standing by Orlen's side. "Will you stop the invasion of the Leaf States?"
"The situation has changed. We need to reassess our position and actions. The existence of the second Spirit Branch Tree brings new possibilities."
Just then, the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree suddenly emitted an intense light, illuminating the entire Heart Axis space. When the light dimmed, a projection-like figure appeared beside the tree—a beautiful Darkened State Resident woman with the same amber-colored eyes as Orlen.
"Mother?" Orlen called out softly in surprise.
The projection smiled and nodded. Though unable to speak, her presence itself was a form of communication. She raised her hand, pointing to the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree, then to various directions of the Heart Axis, as if demonstrating some connection.
"What is she saying?" Ms. Adelle asked, awe in her voice.
Orlen quietly sensed, understanding rising in his mind: "She's telling us that the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree isn't just a new tree; it's a bridge connecting all regions. It will help rebuild the balance between the upper layers and the Root Layer, and all life, including the Gu Tribe, will find their place."
Serra's projection nodded again, looking at her son with approval. Her image began to become more transparent, but before completely disappearing, she placed her hand on her heart, then pointed to Orlen, her eyes full of pride and love.
"I understand, Mother," Orlen said softly, feeling moisture in his eyes. "I will continue to guard it, guard the balance of all life."
"What now?" the scout asked, breaking the brief silence. "We need to bring this news back to Edge Leaf State, tell Talia we've succeeded."
"Not only that," Ms. Adelle said. "All Leaf States, all regions need to know what has happened. This isn't just a rescue, but the beginning of a new era."
"The Spirit Branch Tree has already begun to change," the energy manipulator pointed out, gesturing for everyone to observe the energy veins around the Heart Axis. "Look, the energy flow patterns have changed. They're more... harmonious, more balanced."
Indeed, the energy paths previously distorted by the Gu Tribe were recovering, but not just returning to their original state; they were forming a new pattern—both retaining the characteristics of the original Spirit Branch Tree and incorporating new elements brought by the juvenile tree. Energy no longer flowed only from top to bottom; now it formed cycles, ensuring each region received the resources it needed.
"We need to leave here," Calmur suggested. "Spread this news to the outside world. Let's return to Edge Leaf State, then formulate further plans."
Orlen, however, felt a hesitation. He looked at the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree, feeling an unbreakable connection between himself and it. "I'm not sure I can leave it."
"You don't have to leave, at least not now," the Gu King suddenly said. "Serra's son, you are the bridge connecting the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree and the world. Before it fully stabilizes, your presence is important to it."
"I'll stay," he decided. "But others should go back to spread the news. Ms. Adelle, can you lead them back to Edge Leaf State?"
Ms. Adelle looked at him with concern: "Are you sure you want to stay here alone? Although the Gu King seems to have changed his attitude now, we can't be completely certain..."
"Don't worry," Orlen smiled. "I'm not alone. I have her," he pointed to the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree. "Part of my mother is still here. And, I think the Gu Tribe also has many questions to answer, about the future of the Spirit Branch Tree, about how all life can coexist."
After discussion, it was finally decided that Ms. Adelle would lead the team back to Edge Leaf State, while the Gu King would dispatch messengers to various Gu Tribe-controlled areas to stop attack operations. Calmur decided to stay with Orlen, providing support and protection.
Before the team left, Orlen gave Ms. Adelle a warm embrace: "Thank you, foster mother. Without you, I couldn't have come this far. You not only protected me but guided me to find my own path."
Ms. Adelle's wings trembled slightly, tears glistening in her eyes: "I only fulfilled my promise to Serra. Watching you grow, becoming the bridge connecting two worlds, is my greatest pride."
After the team departed, the Heart Axis space quieted down. The Gu Tribe retreated to the edge areas, leaving enough space for Orlen and Calmur. The juvenile Spirit Branch Tree continued to grow, though at a slower pace, but every inch of new branches was full of vitality and hope.
Orlen sat beside the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree, his palm lightly touching the trunk, feeling the energy flowing within. This feeling was both familiar and novel, as if he had finally found where he truly belonged.
"It's beautiful," Calmur said nearby, gazing at the light of the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree. "Serra would be proud of you."
"You and she were close, weren't you?" Orlen asked, finally having the opportunity to learn more about his mother.
Calmur's expression softened: "Yes, we were once very intimate. She was the bravest, most visionary person I've ever met. She believed there shouldn't be boundaries between the upper layers and the Root Layer, that all life is equal. This was a very radical idea at the time."
"That's why she was so excited after discovering the sprout," Orlen understood. "She saw the possibility for change."
"Exactly. She believed the second Spirit Branch Tree could break the old order, creating a more fair world." Calmur paused. "But she also knew this would provoke strong resistance, not only from the Gu Tribe but also from the upper layer aristocrats and Floating Brahmas. They rely on the existing unequal structure to maintain their privileges."
Orlen pondered this information: "So, even though we've successfully planted the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree, the challenges have just begun."
"That's right," Calmur nodded. "But what's different now is that we have powerful allies. The energy of the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree has already begun to affect the entire Spirit Branch Tree world; people will feel the change."
Just then, a branch of the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree suddenly emitted a bright light, then grew a small flower bud. This would normally be impossible—the Spirit Branch Tree needs hundreds of years to flower. However, this flower bud rapidly bloomed before them, emitting amber-colored light.
Orlen reached out to gently touch the flower and immediately felt a powerful energy flow into his body, followed by a series of images—Leaf Dwellers on various Leaf States looking up at the sky, surprised to find the light becoming more even; Darkened State Residents in the Root Layer feeling new energy flowing in, their environment becoming more habitable; even the Gu Tribe territories were affected, their environments no longer so extreme.
"I see... the entire world," Orlen described his experience. "The juvenile Spirit Branch Tree has already begun to balance energy distribution. All regions are benefiting, not just the upper layers."
The flower slowly closed, becoming a seed, then falling into Orlen's palm. This seed was different from the original one, combining characteristics of both the original Spirit Branch Tree and the newborn juvenile tree, forming a completely new life form.
"This is a signal," Orlen understood. "The juvenile Spirit Branch Tree isn't the end, but the beginning. It's teaching us how to create more balance and harmony. This seed is a gift for the future."
Calmur gazed at the seed, his eyes full of awe: "So Serra's vision was more far-reaching than we imagined. She wanted not only to change the present but to pave the way for the future."
Orlen carefully saved the seed, knowing its significance would gradually reveal itself in the future. Now, his task was to guard the growth of the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree, helping it establish a stable symbiotic relationship with the original Spirit Branch Tree.
In the Heart Axis space, the light of the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree steadily illuminated the darkness. In this light, Orlen saw hope—not just personal hope, but hope for the entire Spirit Branch Tree world. The seed had been sown, new life had begun, and now was the time to nurture its growth.