The Spirit Branch Tree world after the merger was like rebirth. No longer was there separation between upper and root layers, no longer boundaries between races, no longer uneven distribution of resources—the entire world seemed rewoven, forming a more harmonious, more balanced whole. A new light filled every corner, containing the emerald of the original Spirit Branch Tree, the amber of the small Spirit Tree, and the gold of the Twin Tree, interwoven into an unprecedented spectrum—warm yet bright, profound yet lively.
Orlen stood beneath the Merger Tree, gazing at this miracle. This new life formed from three trees becoming one possessed an incredibly complex structure and beautiful form. Its trunk resembled a spiral galaxy, branches extended like nebulae, root systems like cosmic veins, reaching every corner of the world. Most striking was its energy—no longer flowing in a single direction, but forming a perfect cycle, from crown to roots, from center to edge, from individual to whole, never ceasing.
"Truly amazing," Taliya whispered, standing beside Orlen. "I've seen many wonders, but none compare to this."
"Not just visual change," Karlm pointed out, having just completed an inspection of the seven energy channels. "The entire world's energy structure has fundamentally changed. Energy no longer flows according to old rules, but naturally distributes according to need. Each region, each life receives precisely the energy it needs, no more, no less."
Adele returned from the peripheral regions, the light spots on her wings more vivid than ever. "Reports from the outer regions are very optimistic," she said. "Previous problem areas have self-repaired. Most astonishing is that residents who chose to evacuate have found they no longer need special protection—the new environment is friendly to all life."
The first task after merger was a comprehensive assessment of changes. Teams quickly organized, dispatching to every corner of the Spirit Branch Tree world, collecting data, recording changes, evaluating impacts. Orlen chose to personally visit the most representative regions to experience and understand this new world.
First, he visited the former Cloud Top Layer—traditional home of the upper nobility. This had once been the center of power and resources, enjoying the highest quality energy and most beautiful environment. Now, it remained beautiful, but the nature of its beauty had changed. No longer exclusive luxury, but an open magnificence. The most significant change was in the spirit-drawing towers—they were no longer just energy collectors, but had transformed into energy exchange stations, receiving and distributing energy, becoming part of the entire cycle.
"We were terrified at first," a former upper layer administrator told Orlen. "Worried about losing privileges, losing identity. But now I understand, we haven't lost anything, but gained more—a deeper connection, a more authentic existence."
Next, Orlen went to the former Dark Spring Layer—home of the darkened leaf dwellers. The changes here were more dramatic. Darkness and moisture still existed, but were no longer oppressive, instead full of vitality. Amber light penetrated every corner, perfectly merging with the original dark energy, creating a unique ecosystem. Darkened leaf dwellers no longer hid in shadows, but confidently displayed their dual abilities—both absorbing light energy and utilizing dark energy.
"This is true balance," Ilayle said, looking much younger, his eyes flashing with new vitality. "Not light conquering darkness, nor darkness swallowing light, but coexistence, mutual nourishment."
Finally, Orlen came to the edge regions, where the Ring Structure had once been. This had completely transformed, forming a massive circular platform connecting countless new leaf states. These states no longer followed old forms, but exhibited various unique shapes and characteristics, providing ideal living environments for mixed communities of different races.
"This is our new home," an insect tribe builder proudly showed Orlen their community. "Designed and built jointly by insect tribes, leaf dwellers, and forest float tribes. Each race contributed their expertise, creating a truly symbiotic space."
In this new community, Orlen saw the most exciting sight—children of different races playing together, without fear or prejudice; mixed families living together, each member maintaining their uniqueness while forming a harmonious whole; new architecture combining the styles and needs of various races, both beautiful and practical.
But what moved Orlen most were the new lives he saw—unprecedented hybrid beings, possessing leaf dwellers' photosynthetic abilities, darkened leaf dwellers' dark energy absorption, insect tribes' adaptability, and forest float tribes' flexibility. These children were naturally equipped with multiple abilities, capable of surviving and thriving in any environment.
"This is the true meaning of merger," Orlen told his accompanying team members. "Not eliminating differences, but celebrating them; not forced unity, but natural harmony; not one way of life conquering others, but creating new ways encompassing all possibilities."
The investigation continued for weeks, data and stories constantly converging at the Bridge Academy—now renamed "Merger Academy," becoming the center of knowledge and exchange for the new world. Analysis results were exhilarating: the merger had not only changed physical and energy levels, but profoundly influenced social structures, cultural patterns, and individual consciousness.
The old class system had naturally dissolved, replaced by fluid role allocation based on ability and contribution. Resources were no longer objects of competition, but shared wealth. Most importantly, each individual maintained their uniqueness while experiencing a deep connection with the whole.
"This isn't utopia," Orlen wrote in his summary report. "The new world still has challenges, still has problems to solve. But now we face these challenges in a completely different way—no longer opposing each other, but creating together; no longer a zero-sum game, but a path where all can win."
One month after the merger, the new world held its first general assembly, celebrating this transformative moment. Representatives no longer grouped by region or race, but freely mixed, forming new circles of exchange. Orlen, as the merger guide, was invited to speak.
"When I first planted the small Spirit Tree," he stood beneath the Merger Tree, looking around at the gathered crowd, "I only hoped to solve an urgent crisis—the early arrival of the Withering Season. I never imagined this simple action would trigger such profound change."
"But looking back on the entire journey now, I understand it was all inevitable. Not because of fate or prophecy, but because this is life's natural direction—from separation to integration, from opposition to cooperation, from incompleteness to completeness."
"Each of us is part of this process, every choice, every action, every moment of acceptance or resistance has shaped this new world where we stand today. And this world is not the endpoint, but another beginning."
After the speech, a special ceremony began. All participants formed concentric circles around the Merger Tree, then closed their eyes, entering a collective meditation state. In this state, they could directly experience the world's wholeness, feel the existence of every life, understand the relationship of each part to the whole. This wasn't forced unified consciousness, but a deep resonance and connection, while maintaining each individual's unique perspective.
When the ceremony ended and night fell, the Merger Tree began emitting a special light that illuminated the entire world. This light contained all possible colors, yet remained harmoniously consistent, symbolizing the spirit of the new world—unity in diversity, harmony without uniformity.
Orlen stood on the top platform of the academy, overlooking this renewed world. Once the child of the Withering Season, once a confused youth, now grown into the guide of merger, witness to the new world. His journey began in loneliness, experienced countless challenges and discoveries, finally comprehending the deepest truth—we are all unique individuals, yet also parts of a greater whole.
As he was immersed in these thoughts, a gentle breeze passed by, bringing a familiar scent. He turned, seemingly glimpsing his mother Sera's figure, smiling before disappearing into the wind. Not a sad farewell, but a satisfied blessing. Her vision had been realized, even exceeding her initial imagination.
"Thank you, mother," Orlen said softly, his heart full of gratitude and peace.
He turned back, again facing this shining new world. The future still held many unknowns, many challenges, many possibilities to explore and create. But whatever lay ahead, they would face it together, as a complete and harmonious whole, both independent individuals and interconnected network.
Merger was not the end, but the starting point of a new journey. And this journey was just beginning.