If he is eager to leave, it indicates high alertness;
If he accepts the escort, it suggests a lapse in his vigilance towards her.
"Thank you for your concern, but I’d prefer to pilot the Sandstorm Wing back alone."
Ron politely declined the offer:
"Yesterday’s flying experience sparked my interest in this vehicle. I hope to improve my piloting skills through practice."
Sheena felt slightly disappointed but maintained a warm smile:
"If that’s the case, I won’t insist. But please be careful, the weather in the Quicksand Lands is unpredictable."
She accompanied Ron to the vehicle’s docking platform, watching as the Sandstorm Wing prepared for departure.
The mechanical wings began to flap powerfully, the engine let out a low roar, and the Dragon Scale armor glistened with a metallic sheen in the sunlight.
"Thank you again for your warm hospitality, Elder Sheena."
Ron waved from the cockpit:
"This exchange has been very beneficial for me. I hope we will have more opportunities to collaborate in the future."
"I look forward to it too, Lecturer Ralph."
Sheena’s voice came through the Communication Crystal, as warm as a spring breeze:
"The path of knowledge requires fellow travelers. I believe our friendship will deepen through academic exploration."
The Sandstorm Wing soared into the sky, drawing a graceful arc in the morning light.
Sheena stood on the platform, watching the vehicle vanish over the horizon, her warm smile slowly turning into the calm of a strategist.
"Now, just wait for the fish to bite."
She gently touched the leaf-shaped brooch on her chest, feeling feedback from the plant network:
"The Communication Crystal has established contact, the book is delivered, the bait is set..."
"Based on past experience, he will contact me within a week."
Sheena turned and walked towards her research lab, her steps carrying the composure and confidence of a hunter:
"By then, the true collaboration will begin."
......
In the cockpit, Ron was focused on navigating the Sandstorm Wing through the complex elemental storm zone.
But his attention wasn’t solely on flying; much of his mind was occupied with reviewing and analyzing the recent exchange.
Sheena’s every change in expression, the tone of each word, replayed repeatedly in his mind.
"Her true purpose is clearly not simple academic exchange."
While adjusting the engine output, Ron organized the clues in his mind:
"The ’Illustrated Pathology of Ancient Plants’ is certainly not an ordinary botany book."
"Diphase knowledge seal... This technique is typically used to protect dangerous or confidential knowledge."
"Moreover, her ’kind’ reminder of the unlocking method clearly aims to encourage me to trigger the hidden content."
He recalled Sheena’s slightly eager gaze at farewell and the subtle expectation in her words:
"She’s waiting for me to contact her, waiting for me to be drawn to the book’s content..."
Under his skilled control, the Sandstorm Wing soared through the elemental turbulence like an agile bird.
While outwardly focused on piloting, Ron’s mind was efficiently analyzing various possibilities.
On the horizon, the silhouette of the Leviathan from the Sand Sea School began to appear.
On the back of the ancient giant beast, familiar buildings glistened warmly in the sun.
This familiar sight allowed Ron’s tense nerves to relax a bit.
"Returning temporarily to a relatively safe environment..."
He began planning his next strategic move:
"First, consult Hayek and the others to learn more about the Life Tree School, then decide how to handle the book."
"If it indeed contains valuable knowledge, there’s no rush."
"Caution is always more valuable than impulsiveness, especially when facing such a shrewd opponent."
The vehicle smoothly landed on the Sand Sea School’s platform, mechanical wings folded gently, engine roar gradually silenced.
Ron stepped out of the cockpit, inhaling deeply the familiar scent of sandy air.
......
The Watchtower Sentinels at the Sand Sea School had already sensed a familiar magic power wave when the Sandstorm Wing appeared on the horizon.
The Dragon Scales embedded in the vehicle’s wings emitted a distinctive Fire Element aura, as conspicuous as a beacon in the night sky.
"Dean, Lecturer Ralph has returned."
Vice Dean Orlando immediately reported via the internal communication network:
"The vehicle is in normal condition, magic power is stable."
"Understood."
Salamanda’s heavy voice came from the other end of the communication:
"Initiate ’Purification Protocol,’ everyone be prepared."
As the Sandstorm Wing gently descended onto the platform, Ron was greeted not with the expected warm welcome, but with a group of wizards poised as if confronting a severe threat.
Dean Salamanda stood in the center of the crowd, his eyes burning with vigilant flames like molten gold.
Hayek, Yuni, Magnus, and others spread out in a fan shape, each holding magic power that shimmered slightly.
The entire scene appeared as though guarding against an extremely dangerous pollution source.
"This is..."
Ron had just stepped out of the vehicle cabin when he felt this unusual hostility:
"Has something happened?"
"Don’t move!"
Salamanda roughly halted his advance:
"You cannot go anywhere until safety is confirmed!"
As he spoke, the Dean began releasing his detection magic.
A swirl of golden-red flames erupted from his palm, rapidly expanding into a complex detective array.
The flame’s temperature was high enough to distort the air, yet contained no malice—this was pure purification fire.