The two instructors who came to collect Xu Dian's body were Lian Kun of the School of Agriculture and Bu San of the School of War.
Both were burly men. Standing outside the Earth Punishment Formation, they looked like two fearsome guardian deities.
Lian Kun asked the people inside what had happened. His imposing presence made it hard to refuse him, but Wei Ren and Wan Qi didn't dare tell the truth. Wei Ren glanced at Wan Qi, signaling for him to think of something.
Wan Qi braced himself and explained to the two instructors, "It's just what you see. They're trapped in the Earth Punishment Formation and can't get out."
That was as good as saying nothing.
Wei Ren held back a laugh.
Zhang Pinghui pointed at the three people inside the Earth Punishment Formation and asked, "How long have they been unconscious?"
"About three or four shichen." Wan Qi pointed at Sheng Zui. "The one with the Life-saving Technique blessing should be waking up soon."
"How's Nangong Sui?" Zhang Pinghui mused. "I don't see any serious external injuries. Is she badly hurt?"
Wan Qi answered uncertainly, "Probably not. Maybe she's just exhausted."
"Exhausted?" Zhang Pinghui scratched his chin, then mischievously ordered Wei Ren, "Go tell Nangong Sui that Mei Chengyu is dying. Let's see if she wakes up."
Wei Ren thought he was crazy and shot back coldly, "Why should I be the one to tell her?"
"Oh, then I'll do it." Zhang Pinghui didn't mind. He sent his voice into the Earth Punishment Formation and shouted, "Terrible news! The worst news imaginable! Mei Chengyu was ambushed and hunted down! He's gravely wounded and about to die!"
Outside the formation, a storm raged. Inside, all was calm.
Zhang Pinghui shouted three times, but Yu Sui didn't stir in