No master of ceremonies had been specially arranged for this grand gathering.
The leaders of Blue Star's major powers had drawn up every procedure together.
After those leaders had finished their deliberations,
the eagerly awaited Supreme Mountain Showdown was officially declared open—
A blond Martial Emperor from the Western Holy See shot into the air above the square and poured out a wave of Martial Emperor Will before the crowd.
It became ten brilliant beams of blue light that struck the ground. Amid rolling booms, ten arenas, each a hundred feet long and wide and cast from ancient ice, slowly rose from the earth.
The ice platforms were incredibly hard, with stabilizing Seals engraved across their surfaces. Even Martial Emperor Level fighters going all out would struggle to damage them.
The ten arenas stood in neat formation, several yards apart. They would not interfere with one another, yet everyone present could clearly see each match. Their imposing formation instantly filled the showdown with a solemn air.
The blond Martial Emperor swept his gaze across the crowd, drew breath deep into his dantian, and sent his booming voice through his Martial Emperor Will to every corner as he proclaimed the rules:
"The Blue Star Supreme Mountain Showdown begins now!"
"Ten Frost Arenas stand for this showdown. The rules are set, and everyone shall abide by them!"
"First, in each arena's opening round, two Martial Artists may volunteer to take the stage and fight. The winner becomes its initial champion."
"Second, later challengers may choose any arena. A successful challenger replaces its champion. Each person has only three chances to challenge; once they are used up, that person may not enter an arena again."
"Third, deaths and injuries may occur in a match, but challengers bear all consequences themselves. Anyone afraid of