How did a bastard like him become an immortal?

Under duress from Chang Er Xian and Chang Xi, the old monk reluctantly accepted their master and signed an unequal slave contract.

The old monk harbored ill intentions towards Li Muyun—he died.

The old monk's relics were destroyed—he died.

Li Muyun died, and the old monk also died.

With a thought, Li Muyun killed the old monk instantly.

In short, the old monk died.

"Amitabha Buddha, this old monk is suffering greatly," the old monk pitifully chanted.

Chang Erxian and Chang Xi had returned to their respective positions, leaving only Li Muyun and the old monk looking at each other. Li Muyun said, "You yourself wanted to possess me, which is why you ended up like this. Who can you blame?"

The old monk glanced warily in the direction the three immortals had gone, let out a long sigh, and said, "Young benefactor, you are very fortunate to have three immortals protecting you. I was careless."

After saying that, he waved his hand, and a golden light screen enveloped the surroundings. The old monk actually laughed, a sinister and terrifying laugh that sent chills down everyone's spine.

Li Muyun was suddenly startled and began to call out to Chang Er Xian and Chang Xi, but unexpectedly, the golden light curtain blocked his calls and completely isolated him from it.

"I am a great master who has transcended tribulation, the foremost Buddhist cultivator in the world. Dealing with a little brat like you is a piece of cake. You think you can control me just because you have the protection of an immortal? What a joke! Boy, I see that you have exceptional talent and a bright future in the Dao. I can give you a chance to live."

The old monk's face was full of arrogance, his body shimmering with golden light. He had completely changed his previous pitiful demeanor and was now threatening Li Muyun from a superior position.

"You're giving me a chance? Aren't you afraid I'll use the contract we just signed to kill you?"

Li Muyun sneered repeatedly. It seemed that the old monk who had managed to hide for a thousand years and survive until now was indeed quite capable.

The old monk laughed triumphantly, "What I swore just now was the Great Dao, not my own soul. This is my relic, and the golden light of merit has already cut off the Great Dao, so the contract I made just now is naturally invalid."

The old monk's narrowed eyes suddenly snapped open, revealing a chilling killing intent. His tone was sharp and icy, "Boy, I just told you I'd give you a chance. From now on, you'll provide me with treasures imbued with spiritual energy, and I'll help you cultivate your merit. Otherwise, I'll destroy your soul right now, possess your body, and annihilate your spirit!"

"Heh, no wonder I didn't see that timid old monk from before. Turns out he was putting on an act!"

Li Muyun sneered repeatedly. The old monk spoke nicely about fair trade, but Li Muyun knew as soon as he heard it that the old bald man was all bark and no bite. Just now, when the three immortals were not around, he kept saying that he wanted to seize their bodies, but now he actually wanted to make a trade.

Given the old monk's nature, there's only one possibility: he's currently unable to possess Li Muyun's body.

"Boy, don't speak so rudely. If it weren't for Heaven's benevolence and your talent for cultivating immortality, I would have already annihilated your soul and spirit. If you continue to be so reckless, I wouldn't mind destroying you." The old monk shouted coldly.

"Then come on, let me see the strength of a Tribulation Transcending expert!"

A smile played on Li Muyun's lips, but his eyes were icy cold. He was increasingly convinced that the old bald man was just putting on an act and using someone else's power to intimidate him.

Seeing that even this couldn't intimidate Li Muyun, the old monk's eyes darted around, and he suddenly clasped his hands together. Brilliant Buddhist light burst forth from his body, and a phantom image of a giant Buddha appeared behind him. A powerful pressure swept out, and he said in a stern voice, "Boy, I'm giving you one last chance. Death or cooperation?"

A dark vortex flashed in Li Muyun's hand, and the Devouring Heaven Creation Sword appeared in his hand. The Devouring Heaven Creation Sword was his natal divine sword, and he could summon it at will, no matter when or where.

The moment the Devouring Creation Sword appeared, a figure in a starry dress also appeared.

"???" The old monk's face turned pale with fright. "Immortal, listen to me—"

"Snapped--!"

"You old bald man, you're asking for it!"

Chang Xi took a step forward and slapped out with her jade palm, which landed directly on the old monk's face, which was full of Buddhist light. With just one slap, all the Buddhist light of the old monk was shattered, and the illusory Buddha behind him was turned into golden dust. The old monk spun 360 degrees in the air and then crashed heavily to the ground.

Chang Xi grabbed the old monk by the neck and slapped his mouth repeatedly with both hands.

"A powerful being who has transcended tribulation, is that it?"

Snapped!

"The leader of Buddhism, is that right?"

Snapped!

"You don't have any hair, right?"

An old monk?

Snapped!

The old monk was so badly beaten that he was dizzy and out of his mind. He could only beg for mercy: "I was wrong, I really know I was wrong. I was just joking with you, young benefactor. We have already signed a great contract, and we are bound by life and death. If you die, I will not live either."

Looking at the old monk who had been beaten into a pulp, Li Muyun couldn't help but chuckle. "Mother, let him off the hook for now."

Chang Xi tossed the old monk to the ground like trash, then shook her fair hand. "He's got quite the thick skin, Yun'er. If he dares to play any more tricks, I'll devour his Buddha light, steal his fortune, and annihilate him."

After saying that, Chang Xi transformed into a streak of black light and returned to the Devouring Creation Sword.

Li Muyun walked over to the old monk who had been beaten beyond recognition and couldn't help but laugh, "Great power? Leader? I still prefer your unruly self. Can you revert to your former self?"

The old monk struggled to his feet, still managing to maintain his composure, and said, "Young benefactor, your character and destiny are truly those of a chosen one. If a genius like you were to perish prematurely, it would be a loss to the world."

"Rest assured, this old monk will certainly assist you diligently from now on, guiding you to the pinnacle of human existence and to attain immortality."

They've all been beaten to a pulp, and they're still putting on an act. They really do have a bit of an air of otherworldly wisdom, the demeanor of a high-ranking monk.

Li Muyun couldn't help but admire him, giving him a thumbs up. "Good! But I want to ask, how did you lead me to the pinnacle of personnel management? Was it because you were beaten up like this? Or because of your half-dead, remnant soul?"

The old monk was enraged. "I am a powerful being who almost transcended tribulation and became an immortal, a leader of Buddhism and Taoism. If it weren't for the Heavenly Dao's interference, I would surely have become an immortal. I possess the merit to cultivate the Dharma, and as long as... cough cough, I will definitely attain the Dao and become an immortal!"

In his excitement, the old monk even blurted out "I" (老子), and almost accidentally revealed all his secrets. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and stopped himself in time.

A look of surprise flashed in Li Muyun's eyes. It seemed that this old monk had some secrets. However, he had the old monk under his control now. With his mother around, the old man couldn't cause any trouble. He said calmly, "Enough with the nonsense. Don't try to play tricks on me. I don't want my mother to threaten you with force. How about a real cooperation?"

The old monk immediately became excited, "Is this true? How can we cooperate?"

Li Muyun calmly and slowly said, "Sign the contract again, and swear it with your life soul!"