Only the sixteen finalists would have their scores counted, so this round was held with sixteen tables, each neatly prepared with pigments, brushes, and high-quality rice paper.
Except for a few who were too badly injured to compete, everyone else took their place.
Anyone who'd ever sat for an exam knew—aside from questions with fixed answers, writing something almost always earned partial credit.
So, none of the contestants were willing to give up. Even a single point could mean moving up a rank.
"I know traditional Chinese painting usually takes time," Jiang Sheng announced from the platform. "But today, you'll have one hour. Paint whatever subject you're most skilled in."
As soon as his words fell, a timer appeared on the big screen behind him.
Everyone began painting.
Xu Mu inhaled deeply, glancing around through his perception—most contestants were simply dawdling, pretending to work.
For those who couldn't actually paint, an hour was far too long.
But then, Xu Mu's eyes narrowed. Behind him, Cui Yu was sketching a landscape—his brush strokes smooth, his hand steady and elegant.
It was clear from the flow of his lines that this man truly understood painting—his technique was exquisite.
Xu Mu was genuinely impressed. He actually knows Chinese ink painting at this level?
With only ten points total available for this round, even a high-scoring rival like that could narrow the gap fast.
If Cui Yu got seven points and Xu Mu ten, that was only a three-point difference—too close for comfort.
He picked up his brush. It seemed he'd have to take this round seriously.
The countdown ticked away.
Fifty minutes passed in a blink.
Lu Pinlong was already bored. "I'm done!" he shouted, raising his hand.
He had drawn a small black chicken pecking at worms, adding a few dots for bugs and a couple of crooked centipedes.
He bounded up to the judges' table and laid his "Chicken Eating Bugs" masterpiece on display.
The camera zoomed in and projected the painting onto the big screen for the audience.
A wave of laughter spread through the hall—it looked like something drawn by a child.
"I asked for traditional painting, not doodles," Jiang Sheng sighed. "I'll give you three points—just for the effort."
"I'll give three as well," said Wei Jingzhi. The three judges had agreed earlier—anyone who at least participated would get three points. No need to embarrass anyone; after all, most came from powerful sects.
"Three points here too," added Guo Wenmo with a smile. "Average score—three points."
The screen updated: Lu Pinlong, still in first place, +3 points.
Seeing him submit, others quickly followed, producing works even less recognizable. Most received the token three points.
Then Chen Xuan stepped forward.
He unrolled his painting—a tree beside a mountain outline, with a river and meadow nearby.
Basic, but compared to the rest, it was a masterpiece.
Wei Jingzhi nodded. "Not bad. Better than most, but not what I'm looking for. I'll give five."
"I agree—five points," said Guo Wenmo.
"I'll give six," Jiang Sheng added with a smile. "It's quite good."
"According to the rules, average and round—five points," Wei Jingzhi confirmed, calculator in hand.
Chen Xuan's total rose from 76 to 81, bumping him into second place, just under Lu Pinlong.
By the time the judges finished reviewing, only three or four minutes remained.
Then Cui Yu set down his brush, took his scroll, and leapt onto the platform.
When his landscape painting was displayed, a collective gasp swept through the crowd.
Even the experts on the viewing platform rose from their seats to look closer.
"Old Jiang," Wei Jingzhi said in surprise, "this landscape—it has your style!"
Jiang Sheng was equally stunned. The brushwork and composition were indeed very much like his own.
"The lines are fluid yet firm; the balance of strength and grace is impeccable. The rock textures on the mountains look almost alive," Guo Wenmo praised. "A fine piece! I give it nine points."
Up on the platform, Jiang Huihui froze, the gum she'd been chewing nearly falling from her lips.
She had been relaxed—Xu Mu's third-place rank combined with his painting skills would easily dominate this round. Then the final medical-arts test would clinch first place.
But now, things looked different.
Cui Yu, already in second place, just earned nine points. If that held, even a perfect ten from Xu Mu would only tie him—and there was still one more round to go.
Cui Yu lifted his chin slightly. To him, his master was perfection—in both combat and art. He had learned directly from Jiang Mingzhuo himself.
"I'll give eight," Jiang Sheng said thoughtfully. "It's very good, but from a professional standpoint, a bit immature."
He wanted to give nine—he truly did. The style even evoked a strange familiarity.
But deep down, he wanted Xu Mu to win. What grandfather didn't want his granddaughter to be happy?
"Old Jiang," Wei Jingzhi said, "I'll give nine. Sure, there are flaws—but this was done in only an hour."
"Then by the rules—average and rounded, nine points," Guo Wenmo announced.
Cui Yu's total now reached 88 points, five more than Lu Pinlong.
That meant Lu Pinlong would need to outscore Cui Yu by five in the final round to win.
For the rest of the contestants, the championship was now completely out of reach.
Even a perfect score couldn't close the gap.
Then, Xu Mu walked up the stage and laid his own painting on the table.
At first, everyone was still immersed in Cui Yu's landscape—but the moment Xu Mu's work appeared, jaws dropped.
"Holy crap—is that me?" Guo Wenmo blurted out.
Xu Mu's painting depicted the entire competition scene—the mountains, the platform, the trees, the crowd—and the people upon it.
Guo Wenmo's slightly hunched posture and expression were captured flawlessly, with just a few strokes.
The other experts were the same—each could immediately recognize themselves within the painting.
The likeness was uncanny.
"Excellent brush control, perfect composition, form and spirit united… even the mood feels alive," Wei Jingzhi breathed. "I knew he was talented, but this surpasses my expectations. Shame the maximum score is only ten."
"Indeed," Jiang Sheng agreed. He turned to Guo Wenmo. "Surely this deserves full marks?"
"Of course!" Guo Wenmo said at once.
The audience could only gape.
This "Rigged Brother" is unbelievable… He's a monster.
He wasn't just strong—he could paint.
And so, Xu Mu tied Cui Yu at 88 points, sharing first place.
Cui Yu didn't mind. He turned toward Jiang Huihui and declared confidently,
"Jiang Huihui, I'm going to marry you."
"Don't get cocky!" Jiang Huihui shot back, standing up. "There's still the third round—Xu Mu knows medicine!"
"Medicine?" Cui Yu sneered. "He's still no match for my technique."
Hearing that, Jiang Huihui's face went pale.