Seeing that all eyes were fixed outside, Mentor Zhang realized that the mood for continuing weapon-smithing had been lost. He announced, "That's it for today. Those of you who wish to leave may disperse."
The apprentices swiftly gathered their tools and materials, not bothering to pack them properly. They hurriedly stored them in their inner worlds and joined the throngs heading outside to witness the commotion in the Cultivation Hall.
Coughing and sputtering, Mentor Ma vigorously dispersed the hazy dust in front of him. It took him a couple of consecutive blinks before he could clearly discern the scene before him.
The Viscount of the Cultivation Hall's courtyard now featured a colossal crater, more than ten meters deep. Su Xihua had evidently plummeted into that pit, as no one could spot him for quite a while.