Three months later, the once-neglected middle transition zone was brimming with new vitality. "Bridge Union Academy"—the education and research center envisioned by Orlen—was officially completed. This unique structure was not a traditional artificial construct, but gradually shaped from a special branch extended by the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree. It coiled and grew, forming a series of interconnected spaces, each with a specific function, yet seamlessly integrated.
At the opening ceremony, representatives from every corner of the Spirit Branch Tree world gathered. Floating Brahmas from the upper layers wore elegant robes, Darkened State Residents from the Root Layer wore brown ceremonial attire, Gu Tribe emissaries had their carapaces polished to a shine, and even several Forest Pendant tribe elders unfurled their festive rainbow wings. This was an unprecedented celebration, symbolizing the dawn of a new era.
Orlen stood on the central platform, surveying the surroundings. Three months of diligent work had left traces of fatigue on his face, but his amber eyes still sparkled with vitality. Beside him stood Ms. Adelle, Calmur, Talia, and Elder Eliel—this team composed of different races had become the core force of change.
"Today, we're not merely celebrating the completion of a building," Orlen began his address, his voice firm yet gentle. "We're celebrating the birth of an entirely new concept. Bridge Union Academy will be a hall of knowledge, an experimental ground for symbiosis, a symbol of equality. Here, there is no distinction between upper and Root Layers, no boundary between Leaf Dwellers and Gu Tribe, only a common pursuit of a better future for the Spirit Branch Tree world."
He gestured for everyone to observe the different areas of the academy: "The academy houses five major centers: the Light Energy Research Center, exploring new energy forms brought by the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree; the Ecological Balance Center, studying symbiotic relationships between different regions; the Historical Memory Hall, preserving the past of the Spirit Branch Tree to prevent repeating mistakes; the Youth Education Zone, nurturing the next generation of cross-boundary thinkers; and the Reconciliation Exchange Hall, providing a platform for dialogue between different groups."
Ms. Adelle stepped forward, spreading her wings that shimmered with rainbow-like radiance: "As the academy's Chief Education Officer, I pledge to provide guidance to all minds thirsting for knowledge, regardless of their origin."
Calmur followed: "As Guardian of the Historical Memory Hall, I will ensure we remember the lessons of the past and cherish our hard-won peace."
Elder Eliel spoke on behalf of the Root Layer: "The Root Layer will send its most talented scholars to share our unique knowledge and perspectives. Wisdom from darkness is wisdom still."
To everyone's surprise, a Gu Tribe representative also came forward. Not the Gu King, but a special Gu Tribe member known as a "Thinker," focused on collecting knowledge and memories.
"The Gu Tribe has long been misunderstood as destroyers," he said in fluent though slightly buzzing language. "But we too yearn to learn and grow. In this new era, the Gu Tribe will contribute our unique understanding of material transformation and energy cycles."
Orlen felt a sense of gratification. His initial vision was becoming reality; different groups were beginning to recognize each other's value, seeking complementarity rather than opposition in their differences.
After the ceremony, the first batch of students and researchers moved into the academy. They were carefully selected representatives from various regions, including young Leaf Dwellers, Root Layer scholars, Gu Tribe observers, and Forest Pendant tribe mentors. Every corner of the academy quickly filled with vitality, discussions, laughter, and the soft sounds of experiments intermingling.
Orlen did not assign himself a fixed position, choosing instead to move freely between various centers, listening, learning, guiding. He still spent several hours each day maintaining connection with the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree, closely monitoring its growth and changes. The juvenile Spirit Branch Tree no longer expanded in physical dimensions, but its "neural network" continued to extend, permeating every corner of the Spirit Branch Tree world.
This day, Orlen was observing an experiment at the Light Energy Research Center. Researchers were attempting to combine the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree's energy with traditional Spirit-Drawing Tower technology to create a more efficient, more equitable energy distribution system.
"Theoretically, this combination should be feasible," an upper layer researcher explained. "But we're still searching for the right balance point."
"Perhaps the issue isn't at the technical level," a Root Layer scholar suggested. "But in our thinking patterns. We're still using old frameworks to understand new energy."
Just as the discussion heated up, the academy's communication system suddenly sounded. It was an urgent call from the Gu Tribe Thinker.
"Orlen, please come immediately to the Historical Memory Hall. We've discovered something you should see."
Upon arriving at the Historical Memory Hall, Orlen saw Calmur, the Gu Tribe Thinker, and several researchers gathered around a projection device. The device was displaying an ancient bark record covered with complex symbols.
"What is this?" Orlen asked.
"We found this while organizing old archives from the Root Layer," Calmur explained. "Initially we couldn't decipher it, but the Gu Tribe Thinker recognized some symbols related to ancient memory rituals of the Gu Tribe."
The Gu Tribe Thinker nodded: "This is a prophecy, or more accurately, a record. It describes a special stage in the Spirit Branch Tree's life cycle—'Dual Core Symbiosis.'"
"Dual Core Symbiosis?" Orlen repeated, the term triggering some intuition within him.
"According to this record," the Gu Tribe Thinker continued, "the Spirit Branch Tree doesn't always exist in a singular form. At certain stages in its long life, a second growth center appears, forming a special balance. Two cores complement and check each other, jointly maintaining the stability of the entire ecosystem."
"This suggests the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree's appearance wasn't coincidental," Calmur said excitedly. "But a natural stage in the Spirit Branch Tree's life cycle!"
Orlen pondered the implications: "So, my mother may have only discovered this natural process, and the interference from the Gu Tribe and upper layers actually delayed its occurrence?"
"Precisely," the Gu Tribe Thinker confirmed. "And according to the record, the 'Dual Core Symbiosis' stage will bring a special phenomenon—'Boundary Dissolution.' Boundaries between different regions and different organisms will blur, promoting deeper levels of exchange and integration."
This perfectly explained the changes they'd been observing: Darkened State Residents developing photosynthetic abilities, Gu Tribe becoming more cooperative, and energy distribution becoming more balanced. It wasn't the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree changing the Spirit Branch Tree world, but the Spirit Branch Tree itself entering a new natural phase.
"There's more," a researcher pointed to another part of the record. "This mentions that after 'Boundary Dissolution' will be 'New Bud Blooming.' At that time, the Spirit Branch Tree will form new growth points on its periphery, expanding living space."
Orlen remembered the seed produced by the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree, now stored in the guardian chamber at the academy's center. Perhaps this was the beginning of "New Bud Blooming"?
As they discussed the significance of this discovery, another communication request came through to the academy. This time from Talia at Edge Leaf State.
"Orlen, you need to come immediately to Edge Leaf State," her voice filled with amazement. "There's something you must see with your own eyes."
Upon reaching Edge Leaf State, Talia led Orlen directly to the edge of the Leaf State. He witnessed a shocking sight: the edge of the Leaf State was growing, expanding outward at a visible rate. The new leaves were more resilient than ordinary ones, their edges flickering with amber light.
"This began three days ago," Talia explained. "Initially we thought it was just normal growth, but both the speed and pattern are extraordinary. More importantly, the energy characteristics of the new growth are very similar to the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree."
Orlen carefully touched the new leaves, immediately feeling a familiar energy response. This was almost identical to what he sensed from the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree, but with subtle differences, like a more mature, more stable version.
"New Bud Blooming," he said softly. "It's happening."
Subsequent investigation revealed similar phenomena occurring simultaneously in multiple peripheral regions of the Spirit Branch Tree world. The Spirit Branch Tree was growing in an entirely new way, creating more living space. And these new growth areas no longer followed the old energy distribution pattern, instead adopting a more equitable structure.
Orlen immediately convened an emergency meeting of the joint committee to share this major discovery. At the meeting, representatives from various regions expressed both surprise and cautious optimism.
"According to ancient records, 'New Bud Blooming' will continue for years, even decades," the Gu Tribe Thinker explained. "During this period, the Spirit Branch Tree's energy will prioritize construction of new regions."
"What does this mean?" the upper layer representative asked, concern in his voice. "Will our energy supply decrease?"
"Not decrease, but change," Orlen explained. "We need to adapt to new energy types and distribution methods. This is why the research at Bridge Union Academy is so important."
After the meeting, Orlen went alone to the Heart Axis space for a deep connection with the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree. He sensed an unprecedented vitality and purposefulness, as if the entire Spirit Branch Tree world was moving toward some grand goal.
Standing beneath the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree, he took out his mother's amber pendant. Since the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree's stable growth, the energy within the pendant had become very weak, almost imperceptible. But today, when he brought the pendant close to the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree, it suddenly emitted a bright light, then quieted down.
Orlen understood this signal. His mother's task was complete; a new chapter had begun. He carefully hung the pendant on a branch of the juvenile Spirit Branch Tree, watching it gradually merge into the trunk, becoming part of the life cycle.
"Thank you, Mom," he said softly. "I will continue to guard the path you started."
Walking out of the Heart Axis space, Orlen looked up at the vast foliage of the Spirit Branch Tree. In the distance, the amber light of the new growth areas was clearly visible, like dawn's first light. The Spirit Branch Tree world stood at the beginning of a new era, and he, as the bridge connecting past and future, would continue to guide this peaceful revolution, witnessing the miracle of new buds unfolding.