The Emperor Wants To Marry The Doctor Chapter 2585 Side Story 89: Like

Rong Xiu rose to fame after just one epic battle.

The prestigious Ling Xiao Academy has endured for ages, drawing in prodigies and talents from every corner of the realm. But never before had anyone like Rong Xiu appeared—breaking through to true godhood on his second day there and seizing the number one spot on the warrior Qing Yun Ranking.

He was genuinely the pioneer.

…

Atop a certain mountain, a lone figure rested in the pavilion.

It was Shangguan Yue.

A chess set lay before her, with black and white pieces clashing fiercely.

Playing against herself felt quite solitary, yet this had been her longstanding custom.

Her genius as a Xuan Master shone brightly, particularly in chess.

Back in Tianling, not even the royal elders could best her among her peers. Soon enough, she found self-play more engaging.

Today, though, her mind wandered—she felt immense pressure since the academy's first evaluation loomed, and she still hadn't reached demigod stage.

She trailed Rong Xiu by more than a single realm!

With her present abilities, defeating Rong Xiu seemed impossible…

"Sigh."

She let out a sigh while gazing at the board, idly toying with a piece she couldn't place.

All of a sudden, a slender pale hand extended from behind, snatching the piece between her fingers.

Their fingers brushed, sharing a spark of warmth.

Unnoticed by her, the piece slipped into the intruder's grasp.

Stunned, she whipped around.

Rong Xiu had silently approached from behind.

The black piece contrasted sharply against his jade-smooth skin as he pinched it. Dressed in somber attire that day, he exuded a chilling, lethal aura.

"Rong Xiu?"

Rong Xiu studied the chessboard intently for a moment. At her call, he leaned down without replying right away.

They were already quite near; his movement brought their breaths mingling.

Shangguan Yue sensed his body heat distinctly, laced with a subtle icy scent enveloping her.

Her frame tensed a bit, breath catching instinctively.

Rong Xiu made his move.

Piak!

The piece dropped.

Then, he angled his head and glanced her way.

With a subtle arch of his brow, he nodded toward the board. "See, why not place it here?"

His proximity amplified the allure of his deep, captivating voice.

Her dense lashes fluttered lightly.

His stunning visage so close proved overwhelmingly striking.

For an instant, she recalled his words by the Qing Yun Ranking that day.

Rong family member…

A wave of warmth surged toward her abruptly.

"Hm?" Rong Xiu prompted before she could respond.

Shangguan Yue snapped back, quelling her feelings as she eyed the board.

The deadlock shattered.

A smile tugged at her lips. "As expected. You're a Xuan Master too."

Prior to this, Rong Xiu had shown no prowess in this field. Yet somehow, she sensed he transcended mere warrior status.

And she was right.

Rong Xiu chuckled, unperturbed by her deduction.

She lifted her gaze with a radiant grin, eyes gleaming slyly. "Care for a match?"

She refused to believe she'd lose to him as a Xuan Master when she couldn't as a warrior.

Rong Xiu met her smile, a flutter stirring in his chest.

His eyes lingered briefly on her full lips, throat bobbing. "OK."

Then he shifted his stare, rose straight, and took the seat across from her.

…

Facing Rong Xiu, Shangguan Yue dared not underestimate him.

Soon, her suspicion confirmed—his skill here was formidable!

She poured all her concentration into it.

Against him, she stayed composed, placing pieces with swift precision.

The match dragged on till dusk.

Piak!

Rong Xiu set down a piece. "You lost."

Shangguan Yue silently, wordlessly fixed on the board.

She hadn't fallen to a contemporary in years—not after the grueling trials of the Red Moon Desert, where intricate Xuan formations crowded her mind.

How did I lose?

She shot Rong Xiu a complex look. "…I admire you."

Rong Xiu's lips hooked upward. "I barely won this round. How about a rematch post-assessment?"

How could Shangguan Yue turn him down? She'd glimpsed his chess style now and was certain of victory next time!

"It's a deal!"

Sounds drifted up from the mountain base.

She rose. "Okay, it's getting late. Time to head back—"

Abruptly, her words halted as she peered ahead.

"What's wrong?" Rong Xiu traced her gaze.

This peak overlooked a sheer cliff.

Across lay a lake nestled amid rolling peaks.

The water gleamed, and a delicate pinkish-white bloom unfurled in silence.

Shangguan Yue murmured softly, "This is… a Dancing Lotus?"

She'd only known it by reputation, never dreaming to spot one here.

And… it was breathtakingly lovely.

Rong Xiu cast her a sidelong glance. "You like it?"

Shangguan Yue beamed. "Yeah! This Dancing Lotus needs a century to sprout, another to mature, and three hundred more to flower. One glimpse demands a five-century wait. Utterly rare."

She admired it closely before sighing ruefully. "Shame it's on the verge of withering."

She turned away. "Let's go."

…

Ling Xiao Academy held monthly evaluations routinely, but this one stood out.

The freshmen duo shattered expectations once more.

Post-warrior ranking, Shangguan Yue stormed into both the Xuan Master and heavenly doctor rankings.

Rumors swirled of her being a versatile genius like the director, but folks figured her warrior prowess dominated. Who imagined her other standings far outshone it?

And Rong Xiu? He climbed the Armory Refinement Master ranking.

The crowd: "…"

Now they grasped the terrifying caliber of these two.

Thus began their era of relentless domination on the leaderboards.

…

Evaluation over, gazes toward the pair shifted dramatically.

Even had Shangguan Yue fallen in that duel, everyone knew this girl rivaled Rong Xiu closely!

Yet Shangguan Yue battled with a grudge.

I never foresaw Rong Xiu as an Armory Refinement Master too! I'll reclaim my win!

So right after, she dragged him mountainside for a decisive chess bout.

Shangguan Yue attacked fiercely, intent razor-sharp. Then… defeat struck again.

Rong Xiu eked out another narrow victory.

"You… didn't go all out, did you?" She gritted out.

Rong Xiu smiled. "No. You've advanced tremendously, but… I haven't eased up."

Shangguan Yue huffed. "You think I don't notice? Lately, you're out dawn to dusk. Hardly spot you. Didn't sneak off for extra cultivation, huh?"

Rong Xiu honed in. "You really want to see me?"

Shangguan Yue went quiet.

"Lately, I've vexed you often, haven't I? So I readied an apology gift."

Shangguan Yue blinked. "You don't have—"

"Look behind."

Shangguan Yue pivoted puzzledly. Dusk had fallen once more from their game.

Suddenly, her eyes sharpened.

Black-gold waves clashed with sunset orange, painting vast rainbow swaths. Nearly half the heavens glowed dreamlike.

Distant peaks cradled a shimmering, rippling lake.

Countless Dancing Lotuses bloomed serenely atop it.

Pinkish-white translucent petals danced in the breeze. Blending with twilight shades, they formed a vivid, passionate watercolor vista.

Rong Xiu stepped beside her. "Do you like it?"

Shangguan Yue's heart raced fiercely.

She faced him squarely, starry eyes locking on. Moments later, her lips curved faintly as she held his gaze. "I like it."