The Ins and Outs

Chu Qingzhi took a stroll around the ore pile, noting that almost every piece bore fresh scratches, a clear sign they had been recently dumped here.

Her gaze flitted to the Golden Feathered Phoenix, wondering, was Jinghong buried beneath this heap of ore?

Stepping back, she prepared to clear the stones and rescue Tang Jinghong when footsteps echoed from the mine's entrance.

Turning, she spotted a boy of six or seven years old.

Upon seeing Chu Qingzhi, the boy shivered, quickly hiding behind a large rock nearby, too scared to move or even breathe.

Chu Qingzhi, however, had no time to spare for the child. After a brief glance, she focused back on the task, her hands forming seals, ready to dismantle the ore pile.

But just as her hand seal was about to take shape, a group flew in.

Wen Shaoyuan bowed in surprise. "Miss Chu."

With no choice, Chu Qingzhi halted her hand seal, "What brings you here?"