Jiang Huihui looked at the man, unable to understand where his confidence came from.
Xu Mu's medical skill was a truly powerful talent; in the ancient-martial world, people were always getting injured.
To them, someone like Xu Mu was hope itself.
Even now, Jiang Sheng and Wei Jingzhi were still carefully admiring the painting—in their eyes, it was a masterpiece.
"Shouldn't we start the final round and settle the outcome?"
Compared to those two, Guo Wenmo wasn't so obsessed with ink painting.
Jiang Sheng snapped back to the moment. "Alright, next we begin the last round: personal skills."
As he spoke, he couldn't help looking at Xu Mu. He truly hadn't expected Xu Mu to already be tied for first after the second event. From what Jiang Huihui had said, Xu Mu also possessed medical skill; barring surprises, the final winner should be him.
If he had known Xu Mu was this formidable, he wouldn't have worried for days.
"I'll withdraw. I don't have any special skill," Chen Xuan said suddenly, taking the initiative to step down.
With someone leading, several others also gave up. Their scores were too low—those still in the seventies would only be in the eighties even with a perfect ten. No need to embarrass themselves.
At this point, only four people chose to compete in round three:
Xu Mu, Cui Yu, Lü Pinlong, and Xue Kaixuan.
Wei Jingzhi looked over at the four. "The big screen will randomly select names. Whoever appears will demonstrate their skill."
Names flashed, then stopped on Xue Kaixuan.
Xue Kaixuan truly didn't have many other skills. He flipped his long hair. "I can play the xiao flute."
"That's right—I can vouch for that. My grandson's technique is excellent," Xue Dongsheng chimed in at once.
"Playing an instrument does count as a skill," Wei Jingzhi nodded. "We won't score yet—once everyone has displayed their skills, we'll judge together."
"No need to score. I'll be the winner this round—no one else needs to compete," Cui Yu said coolly to Wei Jingzhi.
"Arrogant brat! My grandson hasn't even performed and you've decided he's no good?" Lü Chuan glared.
"I'm five points ahead of him. As long as my skill earns more than five, even if he gets a perfect ten, he won't surpass me. And I'm not going to get merely five," Cui Yu replied, leaping from the platform to the ground.
He dropped to one knee, palm pressing against the earth.
While everyone was still wondering what he was doing, formation lines flared into view around him.
Shock rippled through the crowd.
"What? This kid knows formations?" Guo Wenmo's eyes widened.
Not just him—everyone was stunned. The experts on the platform all knew the value of a formation master.
Formation specialists were exceedingly rare; even a novice formation master would be fought over by major sects.
"No wonder he's so arrogant—he actually knows formations!" Xue Dongsheng clenched his fist. "I thought Jiang Huihui's fiancé this time would be Lü Pinlong, but out pops a dark horse."
Lü Pinlong's fists tightened too, killing intent flashing in his eyes. This bastard had stolen his Heavenly-Grade technique right out from under him!
Jiang Sheng exhaled deeply. There was nothing he could do now.
He'd already spoken; it was too late to go back on his word.
And this Cui Yu was a formation master—an absolute full-score skill.
Xu Mu's medical skill was impressive, but it couldn't compare to formations.
Jiang Huihui's eyes reddened. Xu Mu was outstanding—she'd thought he would surely win, but in the final round a formation master appeared.
"Alright! This is a Grade-1 formation: Thundercloud Array," Cui Yu announced as he stepped out of the pattern. "It's a trap array—normally invisible. But once something steps inside…"
He picked up a fallen twig and tossed it in.
Before it even landed, arcs of electricity crackled through the zone with a ka-cha, blasting the twig to pieces.
Seeing this, Jiang Huihui utterly despaired. He wasn't bluffing—he could truly deploy formations.
"Huihui," Zhou Shui called softly to her tear-rimmed daughter.
But Jiang Huihui ignored her mother, suddenly bolting toward Xu Mu. She seized his hand and dragged him toward the exit of the ruin.
"Girl! You're not going anywhere today!" Jiang Sheng flickered forward, blocking her path. He drew a long breath. "A promise must be kept. I, Jiang Sheng, am no man who breaks his word!"
"You promised it—you marry him!" Jiang Huihui shot back, tears spilling down.
"Hey, why are you crying? The contest isn't over yet." Xu Mu looked at her, puzzled.
"Are you stupid? You're tied with him, and now he's pulled out formations. How can you beat that?" she snapped.
"I can. It's just formations." Xu Mu gave her a reassuring look.
"Xu Mu, he's a formation master. Even if your medical skill is strong, you can't match his status," Jiang Sheng shook his head. "Give it up."
"I do know medicine—but that's not all I know. My skill needs some tools though. Give me a bit of time—I'll be right back."
With that, Xu Mu hopped down from the platform and ran toward the ruin's entrance.
In short order, he left the ruin.
"Hmph! Putting on a show. I'd say he's afraid of losing face and ran," Cui Yu folded his arms, watching Xu Mu's figure disappear.
Jiang Huihui thought the same and was about to chase him when Jiang Sheng caught her by the arm.
"Old man, let me go!"
"Since Xu Mu said he has a way, let's wait," Jiang Sheng said, holding her back.
Jiang Huihui huffed. She had plenty of chances to run; there was no rush.
Just as everyone was thinking Xu Mu had fled, he reappeared at the ruin's mouth, carrying a backpack.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Xu Mu said as he walked to the platform, set the pack down, and gathered some nearby twigs at his feet.
"Old Chen!" he called.
Chen Xuan came over with his woven sack, smiling. "What's up, Mu?"
"Got a light?"
"Yeah." Chen Xuan produced a lighter from the bag.
Xu Mu lit the kindling, then asked, "Got a bowl?"
"I do, but it's stainless steel. Porcelain breaks too easily." Chen Xuan pulled out a stainless-steel bowl.
Xu Mu nodded, then opened his backpack and took out a small pill furnace he'd made, along with several Grade-1 and Grade-2 heavenly materials and treasures.
On the platform, Wei Jingzhi's body trembled. He spoke in a quavering voice: "Is he… going to refine pills?"
At that, the entire audience blanched.