An Invitation on Rippling Mist Waves

For three days, the ripples of the Rippling Mist Root Network lingered over the Rainbow Meadow, and the shimmering light from the water droplets on the blades of grass spread to every corner of the Root Network Sea of Stars. The flames of the Flame Root Network learned to "sway with the ripples," and the warm balls they formed rolled on the ground, leaving "rhythmic tracks." The meltwater of the Glacier Root Network resonated with the ripples, weaving a "singing net" on the river's surface, with the water droplets between the meshes holding "the code of the mist." Even the shyest phantom cubs dared to play "hopscotch" with the dotted lines entwined around the ripples, each time they landed on a crest of a ripple, they would let out a "silver bell-like laugh."

"They're teaching us to 'greet each other gently.'" In Luoyu's sketchbook, ripples and dotted lines intertwine to form a "moving picture." In the picture, the ripples of the Rippling Mist Root Network are pushing a "glowing mist droplet," through the warm circle of flames, the cool river of the glacier, and the array of phantom dotted lines, rolling towards the direction of the mist—it's an "invitation" from the Rippling Mist Root Network to its companions, the mist droplet containing the light of the Rainbow Meadow, the leaves of the Tree of Symbiosis, and the "welcome message spoken together" by all the root networks.

The transparent tree of the seed cradled the mist droplets on its branches, and the images within the Memory Light Stone swayed along with them. It saw the existence of the Rippling Mist Root Network, using ripples to "package memories" into the mist droplets: a "warm ball embrace" where the Flame Root Network deliberately lowered the temperature, a "meltwater kiss" where the Glacier Root Network specially heated it, a "transparent embrace" where the Phantom Root Network made its first complete stay, and a "gentle wrapping" where the Chaos Root Network contained all the memories. "So the invitation wasn't 'Come quickly,' but 'We've prepared all this for you.'" In the rings of the transparent tree, the water-like imprints intertwined more tightly with the marks of other root networks, like a string of "mutually connected bracelets."

The Qingxian, melodious strains of the zither accompanied the mist droplets, adding "ripples of mist" to the melody. The music resonated with the mist droplets, transforming the welcoming message into a frequency "understood by all root networks": the Rippling Mist Root Network heard "familiar whispers of ripples," the unfamiliar root networks heard "warm, resonant tones," and even the most solitary "Lonely Root Network" (said to be hidden in the deepest part of the mist) could feel "undisturbed kindness" in the sound waves. "Music is the most intimate invitation." She watched as the mist droplets shone brighter in the music, like "stars containing all tenderness."

Yanche's code decryptor provided "safety protection" for the mist droplets, coating their surface with a "Symbiosis Code membrane." This membrane automatically recognizes the energy within the mist, softening when it encounters repulsion and becoming more transparent when it encounters acceptance, ensuring the mist droplets reach their destination "safely and politely." "It's like sending a gift to a distant friend; you have to protect your feelings without seeming too deliberate." He carved a "flower with a gap" on the membrane, with the Root Language beside it. "We're still learning how to love you better, so we're sending you half a flower first."

The moment the mist droplet rolled out of the Rainbow Meadow, the ripples of the Rippling Mist Root Network collectively "swayed three times toward the mist"—it was their farewell gift. The first ripple was "Don't worry," the second was "We're waiting for you," and the third was "Take care on your journey." The phantom messengers volunteered to escort it, their transparent figures circling the mist droplet like a group of "guards carrying lanterns."

Every day, the beings of the Root Network Sea of Stars wait for news at the entrance to the light belt. The flames of the Flame Root Network built a "warm ball tower" to warm the hands of new friends; the Glacier Root Network dug a "warm water channel" to wash away the fatigue of the journey for new friends; the Luoyu drew a "huge blank painting" next to the entrance, saying it would be filled in together with new friends; and the Transparent Tree of Seeds pointed the Memory Light Stone at the light belt, recording the "anticipation of each day".

On the morning of the seventh day, the ripples at the entrance of the light band suddenly "spread out in unprecedentedly large circles." The first to return were "echoes from the mist droplets," containing "intermittent expressions of gratitude": "We... we saw a flower... half a flower... that's good too..." Immediately afterwards, "ten times more blue mist than before" surged out of the light band. The ripples of this mist were more "shy" than the earlier ripples, undulating lightly and slowly, like a group of "timid children."

"They're 'family members of the Rippling Mist Root Network '!" the first Phantom Messenger to return shouted excitedly. "They said... they said there are still many 'beings that dare not come out' in the mist, and only after seeing half a flower in the mist droplet did they dare... dare to take the first step."

The newly arrived Rippling Mist Root Network cautiously approached the Rainbow Meadow, causing ripples to spread timidly. The flames of the Flame Root Network immediately "dismantled the warm ball towers," scattering the warm balls on the ground like a "not-too-hot carpet"; the meltwater of the Glacier Root Network "transformed the warm water channels into shallows," allowing the ripples to "slowly flow in"; the transparent tree of the seeds stretched out its softest branches, gently touching the mist at the forefront, and the mist immediately rippled with "tiny, happy ripples."

The Qingxian of the piano became "as light as a lullaby," the melody containing only "the most basic symbiotic tone"—no complex variations, only the simple message of "I am here, I will not harm you." The newly arrived mist gradually relaxed in the music, the ripples spreading wider and wider, some even daring to "gently touch the warm ball of flame," and then shyly "shrinking into small circles" after touching it.

Yanche's analyzer recorded the code of the newly formed fog, discovering that its ripples contained "many tiny gaps"—like countless "unspoken fears." He didn't try to "fill in the gaps," but simply wrote in the codebook, "The gaps are for courage. Take your time, we'll wait for you to fill them in."

As dusk fell, the newly arrived Rippling Mist Root Network finally dared to "swing out a complete circle" in the center of the meadow. This circle, together with the earlier mist, the warm sphere of flame, the shallows of the glacier, and the dotted lines of illusion, formed a "giant concentric circle." At the center, a transparent tree of seeds dropped a leaf "carrying the imprint of all the root networks," and the Symbiosis Code on the leaf surface lit up in the center of the circle, allowing every being to feel "the warmth of being firmly caught."

The blank canvas of the Luoyu finally gained color. The newly arrived Mist rippled across the canvas, creating a "blue river"; the Flame Root Network lit "orange lamps" with warm orbs; the Glacier Root Network drew a "transparent bridge" with meltwater; and the Phantom Root Network built an "invisible rainbow" across the river with dotted lines. Finally, all existences joined together to "leave their mark" on the edge of the canvas, forming a "big embrace."

In the Memory Light Stone of the seeds, a new story of "the Rippling Mist Root Network" has been added: they "warmed each other with ripples" in the mist, thinking the outside world was "as cold as the mist," until half a flower told them, "Imperfect gentleness is also gentleness." In the tree's annual rings, the water-like marks have increased again, this time with "small bumps"—like "buds of courage" sprouting from the gaps.

The Boundless Wind passed through the concentric circles, carrying ripples of newly cleared mist, blowing deeper into the fog. The wind held the story of half a flower, the courage within the gap, and the secret of all existence being "both imperfect and lovely."

The ripples at the entrance to the light belt continue to spread, the painting of the Rainbow Meadow is still being filled in, and the flowers of the Tree of Symbiosis are still blooming. The beings of the Root Network Sea of Stars know that there are still "many feet yet to be taken" deep within the mist, but it doesn't matter—

"Our half-flower will always be reserved for you."

Like the newly fallen leaves of a transparent tree, with words written on their surface:

The most touching invitation is not 'You have to be perfect,' but 'I accept your imperfections.'

In the evening breeze, the concentric circles of water still rippled gently, like an unfinished lullaby.