Chapter 444: Chapter 369: Imprint Chapter 444: Chapter 369: Imprint “Follow me.” Yang Aoshan led Ruan Ruan to a small room in the corner of the third floor of the library.
For more than a year, Yang Aoshan had been coming to the library almost every day to read, so the academy specially cleared out a small storage room for old books for her use.
Now, this small room was managed by Yang Aoshan in an orderly fashion.
The windowsill was filled with small potted plants. It was now afternoon, and sunlight poured in through the window onto the old wooden table, mingling with the scent of books, peaceful and pleasant.
“Laura, what would you like to drink?” Yang Aoshan got up to grind coffee and asked casually.
Ruan Ruan thought of Su Yuan still waiting and naturally didn’t have time for coffee here. She said directly, “Teacher Yang, I’m here to take you back to Great Flame.”
Yang Aoshan’s hand trembled, and some coffee beans immediately spilled on the ground.
It wasn’t surprise but shock.
A few months ago, after secretly entrusting several mercenaries to convey her desire to return to Great Flame,
it wasn’t long before the Principal, who had somehow received the message, summoned her privately and, using various excuses, persuaded her not to leave.
Afterward, several people in special uniforms, obviously not ordinary, approached her to inquire about her intention to leave.
In the end, one of them placed a mark on her, claiming that due to the poor security in Andiles lately, they needed to keep track of her location at all times to protect a foreign talent like her.
In reality, it was a warning and threat not to leave the city freely.
At that moment, seeing Laura, who usually behaved normally, suddenly bring up this matter, Yang Aoshan wondered if someone had sent her to test her.
Suppressing her thoughts, Yang Aoshan turned to Laura with a frown.
“Laura, what do you mean by this? Did you get something wrong?”
“Laura” chuckled, raising her hand as a layer of black light spread across the room. Blue light flowed on her body, revealing Ruan Ruan’s true form.
“Who are you?!”
Seeing the blue-haired girl suddenly appear in front of her, Yang Aoshan was genuinely frightened.
Could it be that someone from Rhein Country sensed her strong desire to return and decided to kill her in secret?
If they couldn’t keep her, they would kill her!
“I’m here to take you back to Great Flame.” Ruan Ruan smiled, taking out a letter.
This letter was written by Yang Aoshan herself, expressing her desire to return but unable to do so, sent to her former teacher at Capitol Capital College.
Had the letter been intercepted? No wonder the academy and the security team sought her out!
Yang Aoshan’s face turned even paler, guessing part of the situation.
Mercenaries weren’t entirely reliable; there might be spies from Rhein Country in the Mercenary Association.
Hence, she spent a lot of Star Stones, hiring three groups of Shining Star-level mercenaries to send three letters, hoping one would reach Great Flame.
But it had been two or three months. Considering the round-trip speed of Shining Star level, it should have been more than enough time, yet there had been no response.
Yang Aoshan’s gaze fell on the letter in Ruan Ruan’s hand, quickly noticing some differences.
This letter had many seals.
Not only the official seal of Great Flame Country, Capitol Capital College, but even the Sky Patrol Department seal was there.
Although Yang Aoshan didn’t know much about the Sky Patrol Department, this letter undoubtedly reached Great Flame and Capitol Capital College.
Instantly, the heavy feeling in her heart was replaced with joy as she turned to Ruan Ruan, now believing her almost entirely.
“I also have this letter.” Ruan Ruan handed her another letter.
Yang Aoshan looked at it, her eyes filled with surprise and emotion.
This letter was from Xu Fengtian’s ring, written by Yang Aoshan’s teacher from Capitol Capital College.
It detailed the request for a Sky Patrol expert to escort her back to the country.
After reading it, Yang Aoshan had no further doubts, feeling both surprised and apologetic: “Sorry, this envoy, just now…”
Ruan Ruan smiled, “I’m not the envoy, my master is.”
“Master?”
Yang Aoshan was stunned. Although the blue-haired girl before her looked young, Yang Aoshan knew one couldn’t judge an Upper Three-level by appearance alone.
Besides, Ruan Ruan’s transmute skills were extraordinary, indicating she was indeed a formidable expert.
But to think she was merely a servant of the envoy, how strong must the envoy be!
No wonder the teacher’s letter mentioned the Sky Patrol Department’s envoys were all experts.
Thinking of this, Yang Aoshan felt invigorated and became curious about the envoy.
“Hehe, Master Yang, the master is waiting outside. Let’s go now?” Ruan Ruan suggested.
Yang Aoshan nodded, “Alright!”
Ruan Ruan retracted the barrier, transforming back into Laura. She followed Yang Aoshan out of the small room.
“Teacher Yang, are you leaving so soon?” Cape asked in confusion at the library entrance.
“Yes,” Yang Aoshan replied calmly, “A student’s barrier has some issues. I’m going to check it out.”
“Teacher Yang is indeed a responsible and good teacher. No wonder the students like you so much. It’s a pity you seem to want to leave…”
Yang Aoshan glanced at Cape, her eyes flickering. She smiled, “Teacher Cape, just kidding. I quite like everyone here. The academic and teacher-student atmosphere is excellent. I want to stay here longer.”
“Oh?” Cape beamed, “Great! If the dean and the principal knew this, they’d be delighted. They are very reluctant to let you go!”
Yang Aoshan nodded, exchanged a few polite words, then promptly took Ruan Ruan and left the academy.
On a street behind the academy, the transformed Ruan Ruan led Yang Aoshan into a café’s private room. Su Yuan, having estimated the time, had already ordered three cups of coffee and was waiting.
“Master, I brought her over!” Ruan Ruan sat beside Su Yuan, smiling.
“Well done.” Su Yuan patted Ruan Ruan’s head, smiling in satisfaction.
With an increasing array of skills and level upgrades, Ruan Ruan was growing stronger at a terrifying pace every day.
Not just in combat ability, Ruan Ruan’s functionality and versatility were also improving, becoming increasingly useful. In time, she could handle everything independently.
Yang Aoshan sat across from Su Yuan, noticing his northern appearance, quickly suspecting it might be a disguise.
Ruan Ruan’s thoughts moved, and a faint layer of devouring power enveloped the surroundings, creating a barrier.
“Are you Master Yang Aoshan?”
“Yes, it’s me.” Yang Aoshan scrutinized Su Yuan, asking, “An envoy from Great Flame?”
Su Yuan took out the Sky Patrol Black Card, “Great Flame Sky Patrol Department, Special Envoy Su Yuan, here to escort you back to the country.”
Although Yang Aoshan didn’t recognize the black card, the emblem clearly indicated it was an official credential from Great Flame, making her even more excited.
“That’s great. After all this time, I thought no messages got through!”
Su Yuan explained, “The tension between the North and South is escalating. I hope you understand.”
“It’s good that you came!” Yang Aoshan nodded repeatedly.
She appeared as a slightly intellectual, cool lady, but her eyes were slightly red at the corners at this moment.
Yang Aoshan sincerely said, “Thank you, Envoy Su!”
“Just following orders.” Su Yuan smiled, then continued, “What is your current situation? Please explain, Master Yang.”
“Um, it’s like this…”
Yang Aoshan narrated her situation to Su Yuan.
After listening, Su Yuan pondered deeply.
According to Yang Aoshan, there were two main issues.
First, someone had placed a mark on her.
Second, awaiting Great Flame personnel, Yang Aoshan hadn’t stopped her barrier research, and her recent barrier model had progressed. Dismantling it would take a few days.
Su Yuan’s eyes revealed deep thought. Waiting a few days wasn’t a problem.
But the mark was an issue…
“Let me see the mark,” Su Yuan requested.
“Alright.”
Su Yuan reached out to touch Yang Aoshan’s forehead.
Instinctively, Yang Aoshan wanted to retreat but held still.
Su Yuan’s hand touched Yang Aoshan’s forehead. Quickly, Star Power sensed the mark within her.
Sure enough, soon he sensed a peculiar mark within her.
After detailed sensing, Su Yuan found it somewhat tricky.
He withdrew his hand, frowning in thought.
“Is something wrong?” Seeing his frown, Yang Aoshan felt anxious and asked.
“Yes, it’s a bit troublesome.”
Su Yuan’s thoughtful eyes showed that the person who planted this mark was undoubtedly a Shining Star-level specialist.
The mark wasn’t complex but rather straightforward and crude, yet very effective here.
Once planted, the mark connected to the target’s Source of Star Power.
If removed by the target, it wasn’t difficult; at the same level, it could be erased in an hour.
However, though Yang Aoshan was a Fifth Level Barrier Master, she was only a Gold Level Star Card Master.
The opponent knew this well, knowing Yang Aoshan couldn’t remove the mark herself.
If an outsider attempted to help, it would repeatedly damage the host’s Source of Star Power.
Su Yuan didn’t specialize in seals and marks, so he had no special ways to help remove it.
Yang Aoshan furrowed her brow, “What should I do then?”
Su Yuan didn’t answer directly but asked instead, “How determined are you to return to Great Flame?”
Yang Aoshan pondered for a moment, then her eyes sharpened.
“I know the North-South situation is changing and war might break out.
Though I’m young, as a Barrier Master, I can still contribute to Great Flame.
I know missing this opportunity will make returning to Great Flame even harder, maybe impossible.
So, this time, I must return…
even if it costs my life!”
Saying this, Yang Aoshan looked directly at Su Yuan, her expression serious and determined, her desire to return to Great Flame beyond doubt.
Seeing this, Su Yuan smiled, “I understand. Leave the mark to me. Master Yang, please quickly pack the barrier model.”
In fact, even with the mark, Su Yuan was confident he could take Yang Aoshan away.
But it depended on her resolve.
Since she was so determined, Su Yuan felt reassured.
Simply rushing with the mark was the worst method. To proceed smoothly, it was best to find a way to break the seal…
Yang Aoshan smiled, “Alright, I’ll leave it to you, Envoy Su!”
Su Yuan handed her a Communication Talisman, “Use this to contact me at any time.”
“Alright!”
…