As the words fell.
All nineteen arenas activated simultaneously.
On Arena Three, where Heavenly Divination Palace was located, a black-clad referee leaped onto the center of the stage.
"Heavenly Divination Palace, first match, against Iron Sword Sect!"
"Prepare yourselves now!"
The Heavenly Divination Palace elder immediately rose to his feet, his gaze sharp as lightning as he looked at the five members of the first group.
"Zhou Yan, you five go first!"
"Remember, advance steadily and fight steadily!"
"A victorious opening is crucial!"
The five answered in unison, their voices ringing like metal.
"Yes!"
Then they leaped up one after another and mounted the designated Arena Three.
At the same time, Iron Sword Sect's five disciples had also taken the stage.
All five wore fitted gray outfits and carried identical broad heavy swords on their backs. Though the swords had yet to leave their sheaths, a grave, razor-sharp aura already bore down on them.
Their eyes swept across Heavenly Divination Palace's five, the fighting spirit on them utterly undisguised.
"The duel begins!"
Seeing both sides in position, the referee said no more. With a wave of his hand, he activated the arena's protective light barrier and announced loudly.
The battle erupted in an instant.
The five Iron Sword Sect disciples shifted their steps, forming a simple sword formation in the blink of an eye.
Five broad swords left their sheaths at once, sweeping up heavy black radiance as they pressed down upon Heavenly Divination Palace's five like five mountains.
Before the Sword Qi even arrived, that heavy, keen pressure had already made the light barrier around the arena's edge ripple faintly.
As the first team leader, Zhou Yan shouted.
"Form up! Meet the enemy!"
At his command, Heavenly Divination Palace's five moved at once.
Zhou Yan stood at the center.