After the three had rested, they sorted out their equipment and continued climbing.
This time, they no longer agonized over whether they should stop to observe the height of the branches. Following Ang's suggestion, they stopped to inspect every thick branch they encountered.
After passing three branches, Ang and Linya had found almost nothing unusual.
Although these branches looked strong and vigorous, they concealed no special spaces or anything else surprising.
The only thing that pleased Ang was that he had gathered more World Tree leaves, which might prove useful in his magical research.
"Ang, could we have guessed wrong?" Linya's voice carried a hint of worry. She was beginning to doubt whether the World Tree was as extraordinary as they had expected.
Ang smiled faintly, patted Linya on the shoulder, and said softly, "We still have a long way to go before reaching the top of the World Tree. As long as we stop and explore each branch carefully, we'll find something sooner or later. Don't rush. Just keep moving forward."
His words eased Linya's mind somewhat. She no longer worried that Ang would abandon the exploration just because they had found nothing these past few times.
Thus, the three continued climbing, and the atmosphere gradually settled down.
But after they climbed some distance, Dana suddenly pointed at a branch above and said, "Ang, is that branch up there withered?"
Ang and Linya immediately turned their gazes in the direction he pointed.
That branch was completely different from the ones they had encountered before.
Not only did it have no leaves at all, but not even vines climbed upon it.
The surface of the branch was an ancient, dry brown, as though it had shown no signs of life for a very long time.
Ang narrowed his eyes slightly.