The pre-dawn Edge Leaf State was shrouded in a blue-violet glow. Orlen stood in the plaza before the Floating Brahma Tower, assembling with a ten-person squad. This team consisted of Ms. Adelle, Calmur, and seven carefully selected resisters—two scouts, two warriors, one healer, one energy manipulator, and one guide.
"The route has been determined," Talia stood before the team, saying, "You will proceed along the 'Vein Channel,' a little-known energy path connecting the edge to the Heart Axis. The Gu Tribe may not know of this route, but we cannot be certain."
She turned to Orlen, handing him a small glowing sphere: "This is the 'Guiding Light.' When you approach the Heart Axis, it will grow brighter. I cannot go personally, but my power is with you."
"Remember," Talia reminded them gravely, "The seed must be planted before sunset. The Spirit Branch Tree's energy cycle reaches its lowest point at sunset, the only moment when the life code and seed can be reconnected. If late, we must wait for the next cycle, and the Spirit Branch Tree may not last until then."
The team set out led by the two scouts, passing through a dense fern forest. The plants were tall and thick, providing good cover but also increasing the difficulty of their progress.
"The entrance to the Vein Channel is just ahead," the scout said softly, "An ancient tree hollow that looks like a dead branch."
They found the entrance—a black opening concealed by thick vines. The healer stepped forward, placed her hand on the vines, and murmured something. The vines parted, revealing a passage just wide enough for one person.
"The ancient guardians recognize us," the healer explained. "These vines are the Spirit Branch Tree's early sensors; they can identify visitors' intentions."
The team entered the channel, with the last warrior ensuring the vines closed again. The interior of the tunnel was spacious, its walls covered with glowing veins, like the blood vessels of the Spirit Branch Tree, flowing with golden energy.
"This is pure Spirit Branch Tree energy," the energy manipulator explained. "Direct from the core, without any filtering or transformation. Be careful not to touch it directly; ordinary beings cannot withstand its purity."
They proceeded along the winding channel, the air growing warmer, the glow of the energy veins stronger. Orlen felt the Guiding Light on his chest begin to pulse faintly.
After about an hour of travel, the channel began to slope upward, with the density of energy veins increasing.
"We're approaching the middle layer region," the guide said. "This is the most dangerous part. The middle layer has many Gu Tribe outposts; they may sense our presence."
A faint scraping sound suddenly came from the top of the channel. The team immediately stopped, extinguishing all light sources.
"Don't move," Ms. Adelle warned in a low voice. "Gu Tribe searchers are right above."
The scraping grew closer, and Orlen felt that some spot on the channel's ceiling was being excavated. He gripped the container on his chest, feeling the energy left by his mother.
Just as the Gu Tribe was about to break through, Orlen felt the amber pendant grow hot, and simultaneously, a strange thought flashed in his mind—a way to connect with the Spirit Branch Tree.
He placed his hand on the channel wall, closed his eyes, and focused his thoughts on a simple request: protect.
The channel wall immediately emitted a gentle pulse, changing the frequency of energy flow. The excavation noise above stopped, and a few seconds later, they heard the Gu Tribe leaving.
"They're gone," the scout confirmed, surprise in his voice. "It's as if... they suddenly lost interest in this area."
"What did you do?" Calmur asked curiously.
"I'm not sure..." Orlen shook his head, equally confused. "I just felt some connection, as if the Spirit Branch Tree was telling me how to ask for help."
"That's Serra's ability," Ms. Adelle said softly. "She could communicate with the Spirit Branch Tree in a unique way. It seems you've inherited not just her appearance, but her gift as well."
The team continued forward, with the channel beginning to fork, but Orlen could choose the correct path using the Guiding Light and his intuition.
By midday, they arrived at a huge cavity—a natural hall in the middle of the Spirit Branch Tree, where dozens of energy veins converged. In the center of the hall was a small lake, its surface shimmering with golden light.
"This is the 'Heart Lake,'" the guide explained. "One of the most important energy nodes in the Spirit Branch Tree's middle layer. We can rest briefly here and replenish our energy."
During the rest, the energy manipulator checked the map: "From here to the Heart Axis is about six more hours of travel. If all goes well, we should arrive before sunset."
"The Gu Tribe's activity is becoming more frequent," the scout reported. "There are obvious signs of Gu Tribe activity near the Heart Lake. They seem to be searching for something."
"They're also looking for the Heart Axis," Calmur said. "The Gu King must have realized our plan."
The team continued forward. After leaving the Heart Lake, the channel became narrower and more rugged, and the light from the energy veins became unstable.
"We're passing through the 'Transition Zone,'" the guide explained. "This is the boundary between the middle layer and the core region. The energy flow here is unstable due to Gu Tribe interference."
Orlen felt the three items on his chest—the pendant, the life code container, and the Guiding Light—begin to resonate, their energies intertwining.
"We're getting closer," he said. "I can feel the Heart Axis's attraction."
Suddenly, a tremor came from the channel ahead, followed by the crisp sound of breaking. The ground began to shake, and several pieces of ceiling fell down.
"The Gu Tribe's attack!" one warrior said alertly. "They're causing a collapse from above!"
"Forward!" Ms. Adelle commanded. "We must pass through before the channel completely collapses!"
The team accelerated, running through the collapsing channel. Several team members were struck by falling debris, but the healer quickly treated their injuries. When they reached a fork, a particularly violent tremor caused a large section of the channel to collapse, splitting the team in two.
Orlen, Ms. Adelle, and Calmur, along with one scout, were forced to take the right channel, while the remaining team members were blocked on the left.
"Continue forward!" the energy manipulator shouted through the pile of rubble. "We'll try other routes to meet you at the Heart Axis! Complete the mission!"
The group of four continued on, the channel becoming increasingly steep, eventually almost a vertical shaft downward. They carefully climbed down, relying on the energy veins on the wall for illumination and guidance.
"We're approaching the core region," the scout said, his voice slightly trembling with tension. "No Leaf Dweller or Darkened State Resident has been here... this is Gu Tribe territory."
As they descended deeper, they began to see changes in the walls—the originally smooth energy veins were twisted into strange patterns, with many areas covered in a black substance, like Gu Tribe secretions.
"They're attempting to redirect the energy flow," Calmur observed. "This is how they're interfering with the Withering Season process."
Finally, the channel opened up before them, leading to a vast space—the Heart Axis. It was a circular cavity about a hundred meters in diameter, surrounded by countless thick energy veins. In the center of the cavity was a massive pillar-like structure, extending from bottom to top, with innumerable fine energy lines converging from all directions.
But most shocking was that the Heart Axis had been occupied by the Gu Tribe. Dozens of Gu Tribe members were busy in the cavity, building complex structures that connected to the central pillar, seemingly redirecting energy flow. And at the bottom of the Heart Axis stood a tall figure—the Gu King.
The four hid at the channel entrance, observing the scene.
"We're too late," Ms. Adelle said softly. "They've already begun to modify the Heart Axis."
"But they haven't finished," Orlen noticed. "Their structures aren't fully connected to the main pillar. We still have a chance."
"But there are only four of us," the scout said. "Against so many Gu Tribe members, including the Gu King, we have almost no chance of success."
Orlen gazed at the scene before him, feeling a strange calmness. At this critical moment, he no longer felt fear, but a deep sense of responsibility and determination. He touched the three treasures on his chest, feeling their resonance, and the presence of his mother.
"I must approach the central pillar," he said firmly. "That's the only place to plant the seed."
The four quickly conferred, devising a risky strategy. Ms. Adelle and the scout would create a distraction to divert the Gu Tribe's attention, Calmur would protect Orlen's advance, and Orlen would need to approach the center of the Heart Axis during the chaos to complete the planting.
"We don't have much time," Ms. Adelle looked at the light outside. "Sunset is approaching. Ready?"
Orlen took out the seed container and the life code container from his garment, holding them in his hands. He felt the energy between them attracting each other, eager to recombine.
"Ready," he said, determination flashing in his eyes. "For my mother, for the Spirit Branch Tree, for all living beings."
The sun slowly set, orange-red light slanting through the opening at the top of the Heart Axis, illuminating the central pillar. The moment of final battle was approaching, and the fate of the Spirit Branch Tree rested in the hands of these four brave lives.