Seven days after the "Dance of Resonance" ended, an unprecedented energy wave swept across the entire Spirit Branch Tree world. This wasn't a gradual change, but a sudden shock, like thunder breaking through a quiet night sky. Every region, near and far, felt this tremor—trunks shook, leaves swayed, energy flows fluctuated violently, then returned to calm, but left behind subtle yet unmistakable changes.
Orlen was hosting a discussion about adaptation strategies for the new regions at the Bridge Academy when the tremor occurred. He immediately sensed the unusual energy quality. This wasn't the energy of the small Spirit Tree, nor of the original Spirit Branch Tree, but a new energy pattern—both familiar and strange, as if two energies had begun to merge but hadn't yet fully harmonized.
"What happened?" the participants asked anxiously, some even standing up, preparing to leave.
"Stay calm," Orlen raised his hands, gesturing. "This might be a natural phenomenon in the merging process. Let's gather more information first."
The Bridge Academy's monitoring system immediately issued alerts, showing that the energy network across the entire Spirit Branch Tree world was undergoing reorganization. The data flow was so massive that the processors could barely keep up. Orlen and the core team quickly headed to the monitoring center, trying to understand this sudden event.
"Look at this," Liya pointed to the main display, "the energy flow pattern has fundamentally changed. It no longer flows from top to bottom or from inside out, but flows in both directions simultaneously, forming a cycle."
"And," Karlm added, "energy types that were once distinctly different—the upper layer's light energy and root system's dark energy—have begun to intertwine, creating a hybrid energy."
What was truly concerning was that this sudden change had led to energy instability in certain regions. Especially in places with poor adaptability or inadequate preparation for change, there were instances of energy overload or shortage. Reports already showed that several remote leaf islands were experiencing energy disruptions, causing local environmental anomalies and resident discomfort.
"We need to act immediately," Orlen decided. "Dispatch emergency teams to affected areas to help stabilize energy flow. Meanwhile, strengthen monitoring to predict locations that might experience problems."
Just as the team was preparing to act, a communications officer hurriedly entered, bringing more shocking news: "The Ring Structure has begun moving! The entire structure is slowly approaching the axis!"
This news was like a bomb, causing an uproar. The Ring Structure had always been considered a mysterious existence fixed at the edge of the Spirit Branch Tree; no one had anticipated it would move, especially toward the axis.
"This must be related to the energy tremor," Orlen contemplated. "Perhaps it's a continuation of the 'Dance of Resonance'—the two cores are moving closer."
"But it's not just energy that's moving," the communications officer added, "it's the entire physical structure—mini-leaf islands, the Twin Tree, everything is moving."
They needed to immediately learn more. Orlen decided to personally go to the Ring Structure, while dispatching other teams to handle energy instability issues. He selected Zik, Harry, and two energy specialists to form a small team, departing on the fastest flying platform.
On their way to the Ring Structure, they witnessed the amazing changes in the Spirit Branch Tree world firsthand. Visible ripples of energy flow formed complex patterns in the air; new growth points appeared on the trunk, releasing unprecedented vitality; boundaries between different regions became more blurred, creating transition zones. Most striking were the energy clouds forming in the sky—amber and emerald energies intertwined, like a cosmic-scale painting.
As they approached the Ring Structure, the sight before them made everyone hold their breath. The entire Ring Structure had left its original position and was moving slowly through the air. It was no longer a simple ring but had transformed into a complex spiral shape, with mini-leaf islands moving along precise trajectories, like a giant cosmic model. At the center of the spiral, the Twin Tree flashed with intense light, projecting wave-like energy fields.
"It really is moving toward the axis," Zik marveled, "but very slowly. At this rate, it might take months to arrive."
"This isn't just physical movement," observed one energy specialist. "As it moves, it's guiding and reshaping the entire energy network of the Spirit Branch Tree. Look at those energy lines—they're rearranging themselves, forming new flow paths."
Orlen attempted to establish telepathic contact with the Twin Tree, just as he communicated with the small Spirit Tree. Surprisingly, he received a response—not language or images, but a deep sense of understanding. He understood the significance of this movement: the Ring Structure was heading to its final destination, preparing for the physical merging with the axis.
"We must return to inform everyone," Orlen said. "This isn't just an energy merger, but a reorganization of the entire physical structure. We need to prepare all residents for more dramatic changes."
On their way back to the Bridge Academy, they received more unsettling news. As the Ring Structure moved, the energy network's reorganization became more apparent, triggering a series of chain reactions. Some ancient leaf islands began to detach from their original positions; certain areas developed new growth points, forming mini-leaf states; parts of the root layer began growing upward, penetrating the middle layer.
Most worrying was that not all these changes were smooth and orderly. Reports showed that some areas were experiencing energy disruptions, leading to environmental instability and even local collapses. Particularly, those regions that had been isolated for long periods or were highly specialized had weaker ability to adapt to these changes and faced greater risks.
Back at the Bridge Academy, Orlen immediately convened an emergency meeting of the Joint Committee to share their findings and observations. The atmosphere in the meeting hall was tense, with representatives' faces revealing worry and anxiety.
"We are at a turning point," Orlen said directly. "The movement of the Ring Structure marks a new phase in the merging. This will bring more dramatic changes, not just at the energy level, but in physical structure as well."
"Are we ready?" worried an upper layer representative. "Such enormous changes—can we bear them?"
"This isn't a question we can choose," Orlen responded. "The merging has begun and cannot be reversed. Our only choice is how to respond—whether to passively accept or actively guide."
After intense discussion, the committee unanimously agreed to take three emergency measures: first, establish crisis response teams to address energy disruptions and environmental instabilities; second, strengthen communication between all regions of the Spirit Branch Tree to ensure timely information sharing; finally, launch an "Adaptive Reorganization Plan" to help residents adjust their lifestyles to the new environment.
After the meeting, Orlen went alone to the small Spirit Tree. Over these days, the small Spirit Tree had also changed—its trunk had become more robust, its leaves more lush, its energy more rich. Most notably, it had begun to bear fruit—small amber beads containing highly concentrated energy.
"I need your guidance," Orlen whispered, placing his hand on the trunk.
Energy immediately flowed into his body, but this experience was different from before. He wasn't just receiving information, but was led into a deep meditative state. In this state, he saw the complete picture of the Spirit Branch Tree world—past, present, and future intertwined, forming a grand whole.
He saw the Ring Structure continue moving, eventually meeting the axis; he saw the two cores—the small Spirit Tree and the Twin Tree—intertwining, their energies completely merging; he saw the entire Spirit Branch Tree world reorganizing, forming a completely new structure, both retaining its original basic form and displaying entirely new characteristics.
Most striking was seeing all life forms changing during this process, not passively adapting, but actively participating, becoming part of the merging. Each individual maintained their uniqueness while also deeply connecting with the whole, forming a harmonious network of life.
When he returned from the meditative state, Orlen felt an unprecedented clarity and determination. He knew what needed to be done next—not trying to control the merging process, but helping all life forms transition smoothly, finding their place in the new world.
In the days that followed, Orlen led his team, working tirelessly. They went to the most severely affected areas, helping stabilize energy flows; they met with leaders of various races, sharing information, coordinating actions; they developed and distributed adaptive tools, helping residents cope with environmental changes.
Most importantly, they spread messages of understanding and acceptance, helping people see that merging was not a threat, but an inevitable stage of evolution. This wasn't a simple task, especially when facing those who feared change or refused to give up privileges. But whenever he encountered resistance, Orlen shared the vision he had gained from the small Spirit Tree, showing how beautiful and harmonious the post-merger world would be.
Gradually, fear and resistance began to weaken. More and more people started actively participating in the change, contributing their strength. Cooperation between different races reached unprecedented levels, creating amazing adaptive solutions.
A month later, the Ring Structure had moved a considerable distance, approaching the middle layer region. The energy reorganization triggered by its movement continued, but due to the active participation and regulation of many lives, this process became more smooth and orderly.
Standing on the top platform of the Bridge Academy, looking at the moving Ring Structure in the distance and the growing small Spirit Tree nearby, Orlen felt a deep calm. Although challenges still lay ahead, though the final merging might bring more unknowns, he believed the Spirit Branch Tree world was ready.
This was a turning point—not just for the physical world, but for consciousness and understanding. At this critical moment, all life stood at the crossroads of evolution, ready to step toward a more harmonious, more complete future.
And he, once the child of the Withering Season, now the guide on the path to merging, would continue to fulfill his mission, until the final moment, until the two worlds truly became one.