Linhai City.

A makeshift arena stood in the square in front of the government office.

On the arena, a burly man wielding a short knife and a wandering swordsman wielding a long sword were locked in fierce combat, their weapons clashing incessantly.

Besides the constables maintaining order, the square was also crowded with people who came to watch the battle.

Watching the fight between the two on the stage, Sima Yi, who was in charge of hosting the arena, secretly shook his head.

Although their martial arts skills were not bad, they did not meet the standards of their plan.

In the crowd, Zhou Cang also stared intently at the two people on the stage. After watching only two rounds, a contemptuous smile appeared on his lips.

In his eyes, he could defeat the two people on the stage with just one move.

After another ten rounds, the man wielding the longsword knocked his opponent's short sword away with a single strike, thus securing victory.

However, the man did not show any joy on his face.

According to the rules, participants in the tournament need to defeat five opponents to qualify for the final, and any defeat during the tournament will result in elimination.

After receiving a token, the man with the long sword walked to an open space behind Sima Yi to recover his strength and prepare for the next challenge.

The competition continued, with adventurers of considerable skill stepping onto the stage, either defeating their opponents or being defeated themselves.

During this time, Zhou Cang stood below the stage, observing the martial artists' fight, but did not rush to make a move.

Soon, after observing more than a dozen rounds of combat and getting a basic understanding of the average level of the adventurers, Zhou Cang registered and stepped onto the arena.

On the arena, opposite Zhou Cang was a lean man wielding a long spear.

"Prepare!!"

Upon hearing the host's call, Zhou Cang drew his long sword from his waist, gripped the hilt with both hands, assumed a stance, and stared intently at his opponent.

The burly man wielding the spear also performed a spear flourish and then assumed an offensive stance.

"start!!"

As soon as the host finished speaking, Zhou Cang took a step forward and rushed straight towards his opponent.

Seeing that the other party had taken the initiative, the lean man also flicked his wrist and thrust out his spear, aiming straight at Zhou Cang's left shoulder.

Faced with the thrusting spear, Zhou Cang not only did not dodge or flinch, but continued to charge forward, thrusting his long sword into the opponent's chest.

Seeing Zhou Cang's desperate stance, the lean man was startled, and a hint of panic appeared on his face. He knew that if he didn't take action, even if he managed to wound his opponent, he would die by his own blade.

"That madman!!"

Cursing under his breath, the lean man quickly put away his gun and dodged to the side.

"Now!"

Seeing that his opponent was scared, Zhou Cang smiled smugly, then accelerated and rushed to the side of the lean man. He then kicked him off the stage.

"good!!"

Seeing that Zhou Cang had defeated his opponent in a single round, the audience below the stage couldn't help but cheer loudly.

"Hmm, this is good, both brave and resourceful!"

Sima Yi, standing behind, looked at Zhou Cang on the stage and couldn't help but nod.

Then, the arena host approached Zhou Cang with a token, saying, "Brave warrior, take this token and rest for a while. Once you've collected five, you can participate in the final duel!"

Looking at the token before him, Zhou Cang shook his head and said solemnly, "I still have the strength to fight again. I hope you will grant my request!"

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, the host's face darkened, and he turned to look at Sima Yi behind him.

Sima Yi nodded slightly, agreeing to Zhou Cang's request.

"Alright, good luck!"

Then, the host stepped back to the edge of the ring and waved to the people waiting to fight below the stage.

Immediately afterwards, a man also wielding a long knife came onto the arena.

Having witnessed Zhou Cang's desperate stance before, this man adopted a defensive posture after the host shouted "start," seemingly afraid that Zhou Cang would use a move that would lead to mutual destruction again.

Seeing the other party's appearance, Zhou Cang couldn't help but smile smugly, and then charged forward with his sword.

Because the man was focused on guarding against Zhou Cang's possible killing moves, he appeared somewhat hesitant and timid when facing Zhou Cang's attack.

After five rounds of fighting, Zhou Cang seized an opening and kicked him off the stage.

"good!!"

At the same time, another round of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the audience.

After receiving the second token from the host, Zhou Cang still chose to continue defending his title.

Just then, Sima Yi, standing behind him, instructed his subordinates, "Go and tell him that what we need is a true warrior, and he should stop playing those petty tricks!"

"Here you go!"

The subordinate agreed and then ran up to the stage to relay Sima Yi's words to Zhou Cang.

Upon receiving the warning, Zhou Cang turned his head and saw Sima Yi's sharp, hawk-like gaze. Zhou Cang was startled and immediately put aside any other thoughts.

Subsequently, when facing his new opponent, Zhou Cang unleashed all his skills.

After a fierce battle, Zhou Cang finally defeated the three challengers who came up one after another, becoming the first warrior to win five consecutive victories.

The spectators below the stage also generously offered their cheers.

"Go and tell him to wait for me in front of His Highness's palace tonight!"

After saying this, Sima Yi handed over the martial arts competition to his subordinates and then got up and walked towards the Crown Prince's palace.

Upon arriving at the Crown Prince's palace, Sima Yi also told Liu Cheng about today's martial arts competition.

"Oh? I never expected there to be such a fierce warrior among these adventurers!"

Upon learning that Zhou Cang first intimidated the enemy with his fearless spirit and gained the upper hand, and then defeated three people in succession with his own bravery, Liu Cheng couldn't help but become interested.

"Your Highness, our Great Han is a great nation, and we never lack capable people, no matter when or where. What we lack is only the ability to recognize talent. It is precisely because Your Majesty has done this that, with the assistance of a group of loyal ministers, you have created the prosperous era we enjoy today!"

"Yes, there are so many things we can learn from Father, and valuing talent is the most important one!"

Upon hearing Sima Yi's words, Liu Cheng nodded in agreement.

Then, Liu Cheng smiled and looked at Sima Yi: "Zhongda, since you think Zhou Cang is a useful person, then bring him over tomorrow so I can meet him in person!"

"Your Highness, I have made arrangements. Zhou Cang will be waiting for me in front of the palace tonight. Some things are better discussed at night..."