The forbidden drugs of the Killing Path, used to enhance strength, were divided into Bronze, Silver, and Gold grades.
Bronze No. 1, upon consumption, could elevate one by a minor realm. If an individual was at the initial stage of the Yellow Realm, taking it would allow them to break through to the middle stage of the Yellow Realm.
Silver No. 1, after consumption, could elevate one by two minor realms, directly breaking through from the initial stage of the Golden Realm to the peak of the Yellow Realm.
As for Gold No. 1, upon consumption, it could elevate one by three minor realms, directly breaking through from the initial stage of the Yellow Realm to the initial stage of the Profound Realm.
Tian Yangsheng's martial arts cultivation was originally at the initial stage of the Heavenly Realm. This was because he had previously consumed a vial of Gold No. 1. However, now, in order to break through to the peak of the Heavenly Realm, Tian Yangsheng drank a second vial of Gold No. 1.
Back then, Tang Jiutian had also relied on Gold No. 1 to advance from the initial stage of the Heavenly Realm to the peak of the Heavenly Realm, but he had encountered Tang Wudi and was ultimately killed.
As he consumed Gold No. 1, Tian Yangsheng's strength rapidly surged. His martial arts cultivation ascended like a stock price, rising with great speed. In less than thirty seconds, he had already broken through to the peak of the Heavenly Realm.
Facing the fierce blade energy of Can Dao, Tian Yangsheng unleashed a heavy punch. The terrifying fist force collided with the blade energy, completely neutralizing all of it.
"Can Dao, I admit your ferocity is beyond my imagination, but you didn't expect this, did you? I've also broken through to the peak of the Heavenly Realm."
Tian Yangsheng's eyes turned bloodshot as he looked at Can Dao in anger and declared, "You will die here today."
It was true that Gold No. 1 could enhance a martial artist's cultivation, but forced growth, how could it be without side effects? Tian Yangsheng had already sensed that his body was experiencing significant problems, which was why he wanted to kill Can Dao to vent his inner rage.
"Forced advancement?"
Can Dao watched as Tian Yangsheng's martial arts cultivation rose to the peak of the Heavenly Realm, allowing him to contend with him equally. This sparked a hint of curiosity in Can Dao regarding the golden liquid Tian Yangsheng had just consumed. He remarked, "I've long heard that the Killing Path has researched many forbidden drugs over the years, among which are substances that can significantly boost one's strength. Seeing it today, I have truly witnessed it."
"No wonder so many strong individuals have been willing to join the Killing Path over the years and have been willing to serve them like beasts of burden. It turns out their objective was to obtain these forbidden drugs that enhance strength."
"However, though forced growth may yield results in a short period, it is ultimately not a sustainable path. Walking an evil path leads to only one outcome: self-destruction."
"Can Dao, why are you pretending to be so noble? If your strength improved so rapidly, didn't you also take forbidden drugs?"
Tian Yangsheng glared at Can Dao and furiously asked, "Although I don't know what forbidden drug you took, I know it's one no less potent than the Killing Path's Gold No. 1. You must be feeling unwell right now, aren't you?"
"I'm sorry, but I must tell you, I truly haven't taken any forbidden drugs, nor do I need to rely on such unorthodox methods."
Can Dao looked at Tian Yangsheng and smiled, saying, "The reason my strength has surged so rapidly is because I held the Minghong Blade, remembered some past events, and suddenly became enlightened. Of course, to put it more professionally, it's called enlightenment."
"For the past twenty years, I've been suppressing myself. With this sudden enlightenment, the blockages in my heart have opened, and the suppressed realm has naturally risen."
"Of course, you won't understand what I'm saying, but it doesn't matter. You don't need to understand, because you will soon be dead men."
With that, Can Dao slowly raised the Minghong Blade and spoke to Tian Yangsheng and Tian Yangyi, "I was very surprised that you two survived that last strike. But, can you survive the next one?"
When it came to swordsmanship, no one in this world could compare to Dugu Jian.
However, when it came to using a blade, Can Dao was confident that no one in this world could match him.
With the blade in hand, he already felt invincible. Moreover, he now possessed the "Number One Divine Edge of All Ages" - the Minghong Blade.
"Arrogant—"
As Can Dao finished speaking, Tian Yangsheng let out a roar, and with his right hand, he shot a crossbow bolt towards Can Dao.
Seeing this, Can Dao quickly swung his blade, and the bolt was instantly cut in half.
However, at that very moment, Tian Yangsheng had already blinked to his front. He was now holding a black Nepalese dagger, and he swiftly slashed towards Can Dao's carotid artery.
Both of them were peak Heavenly Realm experts. Their speed and strength were comparable, and at this point, it was a battle of speed.
Tian Yangsheng's speed was fast, but Can Dao's was even faster. Just as the dagger's edge neared Can Dao's neck, Can Dao quickly grabbed Tian Yangsheng's wrist and forcefully flung him away, sending him flying seven or eight meters.
"Whoosh—"
Just as Tian Yangsheng was about to land, Can Dao left a blur in his original spot, his true form already closing in on Tian Yangsheng. The Minghong Blade in his hand began to emit a dark glow.
However, just as Can Dao was about to bring down the Minghong Blade to sever Tian Yangsheng's head, Tian Yangsheng, who had been watching from the side, quickly drew his bow and nocked an arrow, instantly shooting it towards Can Dao.
"What?"
Can Dao had overlooked Tian Yangsheng, the most unpredictable factor. Faced with this sudden arrow, a hint of panic flashed across his face. He was forced to abandon his decapitating strike and instead swung his blade to sever the golden arrow, causing it to fall to the ground.
But the moment the golden arrow hit the ground, the near-decapitated Tian Yangsheng quickly found an opportunity to counterattack. He spun his body and delivered a heavy palm strike to Can Dao's chest, instantly pushing Can Dao back seven or eight steps. A trace of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth, indicating he was not lightly injured.
"Can Dao, you are the most terrifying opponent I have ever encountered. Your blade made me feel death, closer than ever before."
Tian Yangsheng wiped the large beads of sweat from his forehead and spoke to Can Dao, "Someone like you shouldn't be alive in this world. Let me end you."
With that, Tian Yangsheng quickly closed in on Can Dao, his dagger plunging directly towards Can Dao's heart.
"Trying to kill me? With you?"
Can Dao, though injured, still exuded an undiminished aura with the Minghong Blade in hand. He snorted dismissively at Tian Yangsheng and said.
However, as he finished speaking, Can Dao felt a sharp pain in his chest, and all his strength became unusable.
"Can Dao, the palm strike I just delivered was the Five Poisons Divine Palm from Miao territory. The potent poison has already permeated your vital organs. It's too late now, for you are now a lamb awaiting slaughter."
Tian Yangsheng stared coldly at Can Dao, but the dagger in his hand accelerated towards Can Dao's heart.
Can Dao was now a lamb to the slaughter, unable to evade. However, this person was too terrifying, so Tian Yangsheng had to kill him quickly.
But just as the dagger touched Can Dao's chest, and Tian Yangsheng was about to gather his strength to pierce Can Dao's heart, a terrifying aura, vast and overwhelming, suddenly emanated from behind Can Dao, preventing Tian Yangsheng's blade from advancing any further.