Knock, knock, knock.
The laughter and chatter in the lounge fell silent.
Tai Long asked, puzzled,
"Who'd be knocking now? Don't tell me those guys from the Imperial Fighting Team couldn't accept losing and came looking for another fight?"
"Oh, stop making things up."
Ning Rongrong was closest to the door, so she pulled it open.
The moment she saw who stood outside, she froze and blurted out,
"Dad? Grandpa Bone! And... Your Highness? Why are you all here?"
Ning Rongrong hurriedly stepped aside to clear the doorway.
Her words changed the mood in the room completely.
Flender and Liu Erlong, who had been sitting at ease, sprang to their feet.
Lin Xuan, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and the four substitutes, including Tai Long, all stood at once and turned toward the door.
Three people stood outside.
Ning Fengzhi wore a moon-white robe and held a jeweled staff, a gentle smile on his face.
Gu Rong had his hands tucked into his wide sleeves. Tall and gaunt, he stood quietly half a step behind Ning Fengzhi.
At the center stood a young man in his early twenties.
He wore a jade crown and a white-and-gold robe. Handsome and composed, he carried an effortless air of nobility. He was Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Flender and Liu Erlong hurried forward and bowed.
"Flender and Liu Erlong of Blue Tyrant Academy greet Sect Master Ning, Your Excellency Bone Douluo, and Your Highness."
Lin Xuan, Tang San, and the others cupped their hands in greeting.
"Greetings, Sect Master Ning, Your Excellency Bone Douluo, and Your Highness."
Dugu Bo alone remained leaning back on the bench.
He merely gave a slight nod in greeting.
After all, he was close to Prince Xue Xing, who backed Prince Xue Beng.