CRASH—
A sudden, loud noise.
Debris rained down from the wall, and people scrambled back, momentarily stunned and unsure how to react.
At the same time, the little bird that had been huddled in the young woman's arms suddenly poked its head out. It immediately spotted an ice-blue crystal among the swirling dust and debris.
Before anyone could react, it struggled free from her embrace, flapping its wings as it shot straight up into the air.
To everyone's astonishment, it snatched the shard in its beak, then flew back down and landed steadily on Wen Qian's shoulder.
"Well done," Wen Qian praised in a low voice, her face alight with joy.
The little bird immediately puffed out its chest, looking proud and capable.
The men who had been lurking in the shadows, itching to make a move, froze. They hadn't expected Wen Qian to be hiding a bird in her arms.
