Just as when they had set foot on the first isle, three circular platforms materialized eerily before them, each shrouded in a curtain of light. Three inner cores lay quietly upon them.
Having been through this once already, the two of them needed no explanation — these were the rewards for reaching the second isle.
Qu Huashang was still comparing the three options, waffling over which inner core to pick, when Yang Kai casually reached toward the platform in the center.
There was nothing to compare, really — he couldn't tell which core was better, so he might as well trust to luck.
He broke through the light barrier with ease and plucked the inner core from the platform. A closer look revealed it was Fifth-Order, Wood Element.
He turned to glance at Qu Huashang and saw that she had also made her decision, drawing out a core of her own. Judging from the fluctuations of power radiating from it, hers was Fifth-Order as well — Fire Element.
The rewards on the first isle had been Third to Fifth-Order inner cores. Third and Fourth were common enough, but Fifth had been exceedingly rare.
Now, upon this second isle, both of them had obtained Fifth-Order cores — a clear step up in the tier of rewards.
By that logic, the rewards on the third isle would surely be Sixth-Order! And inside the palace at the heart of the lake, there would absolutely be Seventh-Order! Yang Kai's heart burned with excitement, and his resolve to reach that lake-center palace only grew firmer. The Blood Demon Sovereign's Blood Dao legacy — he could care less about that. But the palace very likely contained the Cultivation resources he needed, and he certainly wasn't about to let that opportunity slip.
Right behind them, others began arriving on the second isle in succession, claiming their own rewards. Yang Kai quietly observed and found that, unless someone was particularly unlucky and received a Fourth-Order core, most people had obtained Fifth-Order ones. He didn't see a single Sixth.
Having tasted the sweetness of success, the warriors who had reached the isle grew ever more energized. They each found a spot and sat down to comprehend the Blood Radiance Scripture inscribed on the stele.
The stele on the shore held the first chapter, the one on the first isle the second, so the one on this second isle should be the third.
Yang Kai and Qu Huashang each found their own spots and settled in, their minds sinking into the stele. It was indeed the third chapter, and they immediately set to quiet, focused contemplation.
Compared to the content of the previous two chapters, this third chapter was undoubtedly deeper and more refined. But those who had managed to reach this second isle were naturally no slouches in talent, so fathoming its mysteries posed no real problem. What was difficult was circulating the Blood Radiance Scripture itself.
During his earlier contemplation, Yang Kai hadn't felt much distinction, but now, upon this second isle, he suddenly realized that when it came to Cultivating the Blood Radiance Scripture, the richer one's blood essence, the greater the advantage. This was hardly surprising — the Blood Radiance Scripture was, after all, a technique tied to the Blood Dao, and naturally required exceptionally vigorous blood essence.
Upon discovering this, Yang Kai couldn't help but laugh at himself.
He had previously thought that the disciple of the Great Thousand Blood Ground had a foundation in the Blood Dao and would therefore hold an inherent advantage in comprehending the Blood Radiance Scripture. Now it seemed that the one who truly held the advantage was himself!
He carried the Dragon Race's origin power, dragon blood of extraordinary purity flowing through his veins. With the Dragon Transformation Art, he could manifest a half-dragon body over two hundred zhang tall.
When it came to the richness of blood essence, no warrior at the same level could hold a candle to him — not even the disciple of the Great Thousand Blood Ground, who would have to crane his neck to look up at him.
It suddenly clicked — back on the first isle, he and Qu Huashang had begun comprehending the Blood Radiance Scripture at the same time, yet he had grasped it fully long before she had.
Qu Huashang was a Core Disciple of the Yin-Yang Cave Heaven, her talent and comprehension ranking among the very pinnacle of the entire Three Thousand Worlds — otherwise she would never have achieved what she had today. Yet in the matter of comprehending the Blood Radiance Scripture, Yang Kai had still been faster.
He hadn't paid it much mind before, but now it was clear that it wasn't that his talent and comprehension were so much better than Qu Huashang's. Rather, the extraordinarily vigorous blood essence within his body gave him an innate edge in this particular pursuit.
It wasn't just Qu Huashang — Pei Wenxuan of the Myriad Demon Heaven was in much the same position. Pei Wenxuan's progress was roughly on par with Qu Huashang's, trailing only slightly, by no more than the time it took to finish a cup of tea.
They hadn't been long departed from the first isle when Pei Wenxuan had set off as well. After they arrived at this second isle, Pei Wenxuan had likewise shown up not long after.
Just as Yang Kai's thoughts drifted, an abnormal fluctuation of power suddenly rippled from nearby.
He snapped his eyes open and looked over to see a warrior not far away, steam billowing from his head like a bun fresh out of a steamer. The exposed skin across his body had turned a deep, angry red, veins bulging grotesquely along his neck — a horrifying sight.
That alone would have been bad enough, but the real issue was the thick blood mist pouring from the countless pores across his body. In the blink of an eye, he was engulfed in a crimson haze.
"Qi Deviation!" someone cried out in alarm, face pale with horror, scrambling to their feet and backing away from the man.
Yang Kai's expression turned grim. He knew the speaker was right — this fellow had succumbed to Qi Deviation while Cultivating the Blood Radiance Scripture. If someone didn't step in to set things right soon, he was as good as dead.
But at a time like this, who could spare a thought for someone else?
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, a mere three breaths later, a agonized scream suddenly erupted from within the thick blood mist. The mist detonated outward, revealing the wretched figure within.
"H-help me!" The man's face was gaunt and haggard, his body emaciated, one hand reaching out desperately for aid.