"Dawn City has the highest quota. Some other bases only have dozens of people. However, I've heard that the Jiangnan Base has a higher percentage of finalists than Dawn City this time, courtesy of a special grant from the association."

"Who would've thought? That once-backward base has now completely turned around, boasting the highest percentage of martial artists in the country."

"They began the nationwide martial arts training earlier, without discrimination by school or age. Anyone who's ambitious and qualified can advance. I've heard that their martial arts streaming platform has a daily active user rate of 80% of the total population."

"Once this competition is over, I plan to stay at the Jiangnan Base for a while. One can't learn martial arts in isolation. I might absorb their strengths there and perhaps advance myself this year."

"There's no need for all that. Insider information says that regions are looking to emulate Jiangnan Base, moving beginner-level martial arts to streaming platforms for public training."

"That's great news!"

"Marshal Shao initially proposed this project. He also helped establish the system for the Jiangnan Base. Now, as it's set to go nationwide, he's no longer with us."

Merely mentioning Marshal Shao dimmed the mood significantly. People often overlook someone's worth when they're alive, only to see their legacy shine brighter posthumously.

And after all, Marshal Shao was a national icon.

After stepping down from the stage, Zhou You was stopped by someone who handed him a pass, "Mr. Zhou, you won't need to compete in the next round."

Zhou You nodded, took the pass, and exited the arena, only to be immediately surrounded by several individuals.

"Hey, Mr. Zhou, just who do you think you are? If you've got the guts, face me in a fair fight."

Recognizing the speaker as the one he'd just defeated on stage, Zhou You smirked, "Didn't I just beat you fair and square?"

"Hmph! Who knows what kind of trickery you used? If we're going to fight, fight properly. Keep your weird tactics to yourself!"

With one hand behind his back and the other raised, Zhou You replied, "Your demand is rather presumptuous, like asking a mage not to use magic or a swordsman his sword. I'm a mental manipulator. Is using my mental powers against the rules?"

Hearing his admission, the challenger resigned but grew angrier, "Then why did you even join the preliminaries? Do you know that because of you, I didn't make it to the finals?"

Zhou You couldn't argue, admitting to himself the opponent was stronger than those he'd faced previously. However, he simply said, "That just means you're unlucky, and luck is part of one's strength."

Zhou You floated past him, truly hovering without touching the ground, leaving everyone in awe.

His friends all concurred, "You lost fair and square."

Noticing it was still early, Zhou You made a detour to a supermarket to buy groceries. Upon returning home and finding it empty, he felt a momentary panic and quickly called Xuan Yue.

Xuan Yue couldn't hear his phone ringing amidst the noisy arena, and for a split second, Zhou You's mind raced with terrible possibilities.

Fortunately, he remembered the surveillance cameras at home. Seeing the three of them walk out on their own, he was somewhat reassured.

Xuan Yue stared for a long time without spotting his master. He began to suspect Zhou You might have lied, perhaps he didn't compete at all.

"Are you daft? If Zhou You did compete, he wouldn't need to go through the preliminaries, right?" Shao Zhen realized belatedly.

The trio exchanged glances and exited the arena.

On the big screen, a replay showcased the match between competitor #10005 and #10006. A single move determined the winner, and spectators roared in excitement.

Shao Zhen commented in confusion, "That #10006 looks familiar to me. His moves too." She recalled Zhou You using a similar move when he had once saved her.

As Xuan Yue took a closer look from head to toe, when the camera zoomed in, he clapped in realization, exclaiming, "It's master!"

It turned out his master had indeed participated, but in disguise, registered under the name Zhou Shan.

Such an ordinary name, such an average face; it's no wonder no one recognized him as Zhou You.

"Ahem!" The elderly man tugged him away, pulling him from the crowd, then humming a tune as they headed home.

As Xuan Yue drove, they hit traffic. He grumbled, "There are so many people in Dawn City, even at this hour there's traffic."

He crawled forward at a snail's pace. Gradually, vehicles from all directions closed in on him. Startled, and being a recent driving license holder, Xuan Yue honked frantically, but their car was trapped.

It dawned on him that these weren’t ordinary commuters.

Following Zhou You's guidance, he rapidly pressed several buttons. The car, originally Shao Qi's private vehicle, was modified with weapons. Xuan Yue, using it for the first time, fumbled.

Mistake or not, spears protruded from the front, piercing cars on either side. From the rear, a flurry of spikes shot out, shattering windows of several vehicles.

Chaos ensued on the streets – cars crashing, people abandoning their vehicles, and screams filled the air.

Xuan Yue, sword in hand, leaped onto the car roof, shouting to the two inside, "Grandpa, put on the armor! It's under the seats."

A gang of thugs emerged from the surrounding cars, encircling him.

Seeing their numbers, Xuan Yue laughed bitterly, "Really rolling out the red carpet for me." Was such a grand show really necessary for a mere apprentice like him?

As the attackers closed in, Xuan Yue scanned the chaotic surroundings. City guards were approaching from a distance but were blocked by the traffic, unlikely to arrive anytime soon.

Brandishing his sword, he warned, "Think carefully. I have a flare here. Given my master's abilities, he might be here in seconds."

True to his word, he launched a loud firework into the sky. It exploded with a bang, though how it would serve as a signal remained a mystery.

The thugs hesitated for a split second, nervously scanning their surroundings. Seeing no immediate threat, they quickly regrouped.