Guo Wenmo was also a senior cleaner, his status and strength slightly below Wei Jingzhi's. But if Wei Jingzhi weren't present, Guo Wenmo would undoubtedly be the most qualified person here.
"This time, none of the participants in the Marriage Tournament have any connection with these two. I invited them for the sake of fairness—so no one can accuse me of favoritism," Jiang Sheng announced, looking around the crowd. "The competition will have three rounds. The first round is combat, and it's the most important one—worth 80 points. The second-place score will be 79, and so on down the line."
Several gifted experts below didn't react; they had already heard about this beforehand.
"In combat, there are no shortcuts. Win, and you win. After the fight, each contestant can challenge a higher-ranked one once, to avoid unlucky matchups against the strongest early on."
"The second round is traditional painting—worth ten points. I think everyone knows how much I love painting," Jiang Sheng said, glancing back at those seated on the high platform. "Surely there's nothing wrong with me wanting a grandson-in-law with artistic talent?"
"No, no problem at all," the people on the platform quickly waved their hands.
Almost all of them owned paintings gifted by Jiang Sheng. It was natural that his granddaughter's husband shared her grandfather's interests. If painting had held too much weight, they'd have complained—but only ten points wouldn't sway the overall results much.
"The last ten points will be based on your best skill outside of combat. Show us your strongest talent beyond fighting. The three of us will judge it," Jiang Sheng said with a grin. "This was my granddaughter's idea—she hopes her future husband will have more to show than just fighting skills."
Both the experts on stage and the spectators below understood exactly what Jiang Sheng meant: he was looking for true talent—people extraordinary in more than one way.
There were many people with powerful backgrounds but mediocre talent, whose strength came only from rare treasures and elixirs. This setup would weed them out.
"There's one more thing," Jiang Sheng said. "I will pass down our Jiang family's Heaven-Grade cultivation technique to my granddaughter's child."
Everyone stirred in astonishment.
In most sects, the most advanced cultivation manuals were only Earth-Grade. Only top-tier sects possessed Heaven-Grade techniques. Yet Jiang Sheng was willing to pass one on to an outsider's child—since Jiang Huihui's future children wouldn't carry the Jiang surname.
In other words, he was giving away a Heaven-Grade technique.
The crowd's excitement ignited instantly.
A Heaven-Grade technique and a stunning wife—what could be better? It was far safer and easier than risking one's life in ancient ruins hunting for treasures.
"I have to win this!" Zhao Gang thought to himself. His Heavenly Sword Sect only possessed three Earth-Grade techniques, and one had already been lost—the Fire Phoenix Sword. For those two remaining techniques, the elders had fought each other for decades.
Now, before him was a Heaven-Grade one. If he obtained it, he could rise straight to sect master.
Lü Pinlong's eyes also gleamed. His pursuit of Jiang Huihui had always been for that very technique. He'd even planned how to get it after marrying her—only for Jiang Sheng to offer it freely.
Xue Kaixuan had similar thoughts. To him, as long as he had power, women would never be in short supply. With a Heaven-Grade technique, he could easily attract women even more beautiful than Jiang Huihui.
Xu Mu observed the expressions around him. From their faces, he could tell they were all lost in fantasies about the glorious life awaiting them once they had the technique.
At that moment, a young woman in a long dress approached Xu Mu and Chen Xuan.
"You're Chen Xuan, right?" she asked.
Xu Mu looked up. The woman looked about twenty, with a slightly round, babyish face—very cute.
"You're… Fang Kui?"
Chen Xuan's expression changed immediately. Why is she here?
Xu Mu quickly activated the Divine Eye to check her information.
Name: Fang Kui
Identity: Disciple of Kunlun Mountain; heroine of The Expert Descends the Mountain: My Seven Stunning Senior Sisters
Favorability: 0
Fate Level: 7 (out of 10)
What the—another heroine? Xu Mu thought. And from Kunlun Mountain, no less.
"That's right! Chen Xuan, what are you doing here?" Fang Kui puffed out her cheeks angrily.
"Me? Of course, I'm here to join the Marriage Tournament," Chen Xuan replied calmly.
"What? You shameless man! My grandfather and your master already arranged our engagement—why are you trying to marry someone else?" she scolded furiously.
"Old Chen, what's going on?" Xu Mu asked from the side.
"Come with me first," Chen Xuan said, grabbing Xu Mu's arm and pulling him to a quiet spot away from the crowd. Fang Kui followed, though he gestured for her to wait.
"What's the deal?" Xu Mu asked curiously.
"This woman's from Kunlun Mountain. Her grandfather once visited my master with her, and we met a few times. There's no marriage contract, but they did discuss an engagement," Chen Xuan explained.
"Your master really looks out for you," Xu Mu said, giving him a thumbs-up.
"Mu, can you… maybe handle this one for me too?"
"No way. I refuse," Xu Mu shook his head. "I have principles. If it's a woman you've never met or have no bond with, I might help—but she clearly likes you. I'd never do something like that."
A brother's woman is off limits. Even if Fang Kui's feelings were one-sided, Xu Mu wouldn't cross that line.
Chen Xuan sighed. "Then what should I do? I don't like her."
"Then just play the villain. I'll teach you how," Xu Mu whispered a few quick lines in his ear.
"Brilliant! As expected of you, Mu," Chen Xuan said, nodding in admiration before walking back toward Fang Kui.
"Chen Xuan! What's the meaning of this?" Fang Kui demanded coldly.
"What's the meaning? Isn't it obvious? I'm here for the Marriage Tournament—I want my thirteenth wife," Chen Xuan said smoothly, glancing at her. "Would you like to be my fourteenth?"
"You… Chen Xuan! You've changed!"
"I haven't changed. I've always been shy. Especially when I see someone like you—it just makes me want to hide," he said with feigned innocence, sneaking a glance at Xu Mu.
Xu Mu smirked to himself. Not bad, Old Chen. You're learning fast.