Regardless of what others might think, Yang Kai would never abandon his efforts halfway. He had been lured in by the promise of the inner core reward, but he possessed vigorous blood energy — a natural advantage. If even he couldn't pass, then everyone here was as good as dead.
He turned his head and glanced at Qu Huashang. Determination shone in her eyes as well.
It could be said that the vast majority of martial artists would not retreat easily. Those like the man from before, who wanted to backtrack, were in the minority. After all, anyone who had achieved what they had today was someone of ironclad willpower. How many of them hadn't cheated death time and again? If a mere setback could send them fleeing in terror, they would never have cultivated to the peak of the Emperor realm.
Yang Kai closed his eyes once more and continued to comprehend the third chapter of the Blood Radiance Scripture.
People kept moving out, heading toward the third isle. But compared to before, the casualty rate had clearly increased. Many martial artists who had easily reached the first and second isles perished along the way to the third.
A long while later, Yang Kai finally opened his eyes. Having fused the essence of the Blood Radiance Scripture from all three steles, he activated the technique, and a cloud of golden blood mist immediately erupted around his body.
He gave a slight nod, feeling that in his current state, crossing the Blood Lake and setting foot on the third isle should pose no problem.
He turned his head to look. Qu Huashang was still deep in comprehension.
Just as Yang Kai was considering whether to wait for her, Qu Huashang suddenly opened her eyes on her own: "Junior Brother, you're done?"
Yang Kai nodded.
Qu Huashang said: "Then go ahead, Junior Brother. I'll be along shortly. Don't wait for me."
Yang Kai looked up toward the direction of the third isle and slowly shook his head: "No need. Let's go together."
Qu Huashang clearly hadn't expected this answer. She blinked, her face filled with emotion: "Junior Brother, you're so good to me!"
Yang Kai broke into a slight sweat: "I just think Blood Demon Divine Lord's legacy isn't so simple. Let the others test the waters first."
Qu Huashang sidled closer to Yang Kai, tilting her head upward with a coquettish voice: "Senior Sister can't help but offer herself to you. Whatever shall we do?"
Yang Kai pretended not to hear: "Senior Sister, stop flirting. You'd be better off focusing on comprehension."
"Yes, yes, yes." Qu Huashang nodded repeatedly, looking the picture of an obedient girl. "I'll listen to whatever you say!" True to her word, she closed her eyes and continued studying the Blood Radiance Scripture.
With nothing to do, Yang Kai observed his surroundings. Even now, people were still making their way from the shore in this direction. The first isle was still crowded, and the second isle had gathered at least three to four hundred people. But on that third isle, there were only a mere five or six.
The disciple of Great Thousand Blood Ground was among them. Yang Kai couldn't help but sigh — having a foundation in Blood Arts truly made a difference. Among the martial artists here, there were clearly more than just Qu Huashang and Pei Wenxuan who hailed from Cave Heaven Paradise. Others must be present as well.
Yet that disciple of Great Thousand Blood Ground still managed to lead the way at every turn, showcasing his formidable heritage. Perhaps he really could be the first to set foot on the palace in the center of the lake and explore what lay within.
Yang Kai wasn't worried about him seizing the initiative and claiming the Blood Demon Divine Lord's Blood Art inheritance. Setting aside whether the lake-centre palace even contained such an inheritance, if it did, the trial would absolutely not be so simple.
Just as he had said, being first didn't necessarily mean an advantage. Though one might gain a head start in time, they could well end up paving the way for those who followed.
After waiting roughly two hours, Qu Huashang finally opened her eyes. Tenderness flowed like water through her beautiful gaze, and she spoke in a soft, honeyed voice: "Junior Brother, you must have been waiting anxiously?"
"It's fine." Yang Kai refused to look at her and stood up, calling out: "Let's go."
Together they made their way to the shore. Yang Kai activated the Blood Radiance Scripture and placed a foot upon the Blood Lake.
"Junior Brother, be careful. I don't want to be a young widow." Qu Huashang reminded him from the side.
Yang Kai stumbled, nearly throwing his technique into disarray. He shot Qu Huashang a fierce glare, which only set her off in a fit of giggling laughter. Her body swayed like a flower-laden branch, her seductive charm practically dripping like water.
A martial artist nearby — from who knew which faction — was so stunned watching that he plunged headfirst into the Blood Lake with a splash and never resurfaced.
Qu Huashang reined in her laughter, the very picture of innocence.
Yang Kai sighed: "Let's go."
Qu Huashang nodded and stepped onto the Blood Lake ahead of him. Ripples spread beneath her feet as she landed steadily on the water's surface. She turned back and said to Yang Kai with a playful smile: "You'd better keep up, Junior Brother."
Yang Kai couldn't help but snort with laughter as he followed behind her, heading toward the third isle.
But before long, Yang Kai's laughter died — he didn't even dare look straight ahead. The problem was that this madwoman Qu Huashang, whether intentionally or not, was swaying and twisting as she walked in front of him. Her graceful curves were devastatingly alluring, stirring the imagination to endless flights of fancy.