Yunzhongzi threw back his head and laughed heartily.
Immortal Elder Nanji shook his head slightly and grinned. "Junior Brother Yunzhongzi, you are truly capable. This humble Taoist admits he is inferior!"
"You two certainly have refined tastes!"
Just then, Li Xiao spoke up.
Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi turned around and saw Li Xiao.
Both of them frowned slightly.
After all, although Chan Sect and Jie Sect had not yet come into open conflict, the two sects were hardly on good terms and found each other displeasing.
Li Xiao's sudden appearance on Zhongnan Mountain made them quite uncomfortable.
"Senior Brother Li Xiao, what brings you to my Zhongnan Mountain?"
Yunzhongzi looked at Li Xiao and asked.
Li Xiao looked at them and smiled. "This humble Taoist had nothing better to do, so I traveled through the Primordial World. Passing by this place, I saw you two fellow Daoists playing chess and discussing the Dao. Drawn here by the sound of the Dao, I came to take a look!"
Yunzhongzi and Immortal Elder Nanji exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable.
"Ah..."
Li Xiao shook his head with a slight sigh, turned, and prepared to leave.
"Senior Brother Li Xiao, why are you sighing?"
Yunzhongzi frowned and asked.
Li Xiao turned back to look at Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi. "You two fellow Daoists, I heard that the positions of the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chan Sect are soon to be bestowed. Yet instead of competing for those positions, you are here playing chess and wasting time. This... ah..."
Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi were both stunned.
Immortal Elder Nanji stroked his long beard and laughed loudly. "Junior Brother Li Xiao, there is no need for you to concern yourself with that!"
Li Xiao raised a brow and looked at the two of them. "Do you two fellow Daoists believe that the positions of the Twelve Golden Immortals are already yours for the taking?"
Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi exchanged another glance but said nothing.
However, the smiles on their faces showed just how confident they were.
The fish had taken the bait... Li Xiao looked at them and grinned. "Why don't we make a wager, you two fellow Daoists?"
"A wager? On what?"
Yunzhongzi asked instinctively.
Li Xiao grinned. "We'll wager on whether the two of you can obtain positions among the Twelve Golden Immortals!"
Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi looked at each other. Immortal Elder Nanji's face darkened as he said in a deep voice, "Hmph! And if we do obtain positions among the Twelve Golden Immortals?"
Li Xiao looked at the two of them and grinned. "If you two become Twelve Golden Immortals, this humble Taoist will offer up the Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts!"
"Is that true?"
Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi were both shocked and asked in unison.
They had heard that when Li Xiao discussed the Dao with Guangchengzi and the others on Longevity Mountain, he had actually explained the complete Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts.
One had to know that the Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts were Great God Pangu's cultivation method. Calling them the foremost cultivation method in the Primordial World would not be an exaggeration. Even the Three Pure Ones did not know this technique. If they learned it, their strength would certainly soar.
Moreover, they would definitely earn Primordial Heavenly Venerate's praise!
Of course, what would follow was a swift rise in their status within Chan Sect.
Immortal Elder Nanji especially cared about this. Though he was Chan Sect's First Senior Brother, Guangchengzi overshadowed him at every turn. Outsiders who did not know better even thought Guangchengzi was Chan Sect's First Senior Brother.
If he could obtain the Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts this time, Primordial Heavenly Venerate would surely view him differently. His position as Chan Sect's First Senior Brother would then truly be deserved!
Li Xiao looked at them with a smile. "Naturally, it is true. However... if neither of you obtains a position among the Twelve Golden Immortals, what then?"
"Senior Brother Li Xiao, are you saying that neither of us will become one of the Twelve Golden Immortals?"
Yunzhongzi raised a brow and asked.
"Of course!"
Li Xiao nodded with a smile.
Yunzhongzi and Immortal Elder Nanji trembled with rage. Immortal Elder Nanji snapped, "Hmph! If even one of us obtains a position among the Twelve Golden Immortals, it counts as your loss, and you must hand over the Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts. How about it?"
"Fine!"
Li Xiao declared with utter certainty.
Then he changed the subject and looked at them. "But if you lose, you must offer up Chan Sect's Jade Purity Artifact Refining Manual!"
"This..."
Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi frowned deeply, unable to decide.
After all, the Jade Purity Artifact Refining Manual was Chan Sect's secret art, never passed to outsiders. If they handed it over, Primordial Heavenly Venerate would skin them alive!
Thus, the two of them were somewhat apprehensive.
"What? Could it be that this humble Taoist's Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts are worth less than your Chan Sect's Jade Purity Artifact Refining Manual?"
Li Xiao sneered at them with a look of utter disdain. He turned to leave, curling his lips in a smile. "If you two do not dare to gamble, then admit it. You have made this humble Taoist waste his breath for nothing. What a waste of time, a waste of time..."
"Hmph! We'll gamble! Do you think we're afraid of you?"
Immortal Elder Nanji glanced at Yunzhongzi, stepped forward, glared at Li Xiao, and spoke through gritted teeth.
Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi had actually given Li Xiao's proposal considerable thought!
The reason they were not worried about the positions of the Twelve Golden Immortals was that Immortal Elder Nanji was Chan Sect's First Senior Brother, while Yunzhongzi was an Immortal of Blessed Virtue.
When Primordial Heavenly Venerate selected the Twelve Golden Immortals, the two of them should naturally have places among them!
Besides, even in the worst-case scenario, if one of them was not chosen, the other should still be able to obtain a position among the Twelve Golden Immortals!
As for both of them being passed over, the possibility was minuscule. After all, their strength and status were there for all to see!
Of course, Li Xiao had put up the Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts as the wager. How could they refuse to take even this small risk? If they won, they would obtain the legendary Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts, gaining countless benefits.
They had finally taken the bait... Li Xiao turned to the two of them and smiled. "Good. Since you two fellow Daoists have agreed to the wager, let us swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao. Do you dare?"
"Hmph! Why wouldn't we?"
Having been pushed this far, they had to continue even just to save face. Besides, both of them believed victory was certain.
Immortal Elder Nanji said angrily in a deep voice.
Yunzhongzi also stared at Li Xiao with a dark expression.
Li Xiao smiled at Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi. "Since that is the case, this humble Taoist shall go first!"
As he spoke, Li Xiao raised one hand, looked up at the heavens, and shouted, "I am Li Xiao, the fifth personal disciple under Sage Tongtian. Today, I make a wager with Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi. If either of them obtains a position among the Twelve Golden Immortals, I shall offer up the Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts. Should I violate this oath, may I suffer death and destruction in an instant!"
After speaking, Li Xiao lowered his hand and looked at Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi with a smile.
Though swearing an oath to the Heavenly Dao and having it bear witness would temporarily place one on the Heavenly Dao's blacklist, Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi were willing to risk it for the Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts.
As for Li Xiao, he had no need to fear the Heavenly Dao's backlash at all!
He had the Chaos Bead protecting him. Even the Heavenly Dao could do nothing to him!
Seeing that Li Xiao had truly sworn an oath to the Heavenly Dao, Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi no longer hesitated.
"I am Immortal Elder Nanji of Chan Sect. Today, I make a wager with Li Xiao. If Junior Brother Yunzhongzi and I both fail to obtain positions among the Twelve Golden Immortals, we shall immediately offer the Jade Purity Artifact Refining Manual to Li Xiao of Jie Sect. Should I violate this oath, may I be struck down by heaven and destroyed by earth!"
Immortal Elder Nanji stepped forward, pointed at the heavens, and shouted.
Yunzhongzi also stepped forward, pointed at the heavens, and shouted, "I am Yunzhongzi of Chan Sect. Today, I make this wager. If Senior Brother Immortal Elder Nanji and I both fail to obtain positions among the Twelve Golden Immortals, we shall offer the Jade Purity Artifact Refining Manual to Senior Brother Li Xiao. Should I violate this oath, heavenly lightning shall descend upon me at once!"
Rumble...
The three had made their oaths, and the Heavenly Dao had already sensed them!
In the Primordial World, the Heavenly Dao stood above all. Oaths were not something one could make lightly!
Especially oaths to the Heavenly Dao. Those who violated them would certainly suffer the Heavenly Dao's backlash, and the consequences would be extremely severe. When that time came, even Saints might not be able to save them.
Of course, Li Xiao concealed this matter to keep it secret, deliberately preventing the Saints of All Heavens from learning of it.
"Hmph, Senior Brother Li Xiao, don't regret this later!"
Yunzhongzi glared at Li Xiao and said in a deep voice.
Li Xiao smiled. "You two fellow Daoists are the ones who should regret it. When the positions of the Twelve Golden Immortals are bestowed in a few days, this humble Taoist will return!"
With that, Li Xiao leaped into the air, transformed into a streak of light, and headed toward Penglai Immortal Island.
Only Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi remained where they stood, fuming with anger.
"Two immortals, do not worry. With your strength, you will surely rank among the Twelve Golden Immortals!"
Great Immortal Huli stepped forward at just the right moment and bowed to the two of them.
"That's right. One of you is Chan Sect's First Senior Brother, while the other is an Immortal of Blessed Virtue. You will surely rank among the Twelve Golden Immortals, so do not worry. Once you obtain the Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts, your strength will definitely advance greatly!"
Great Immortal Luli also flattered them.
"Indeed. We two shall first offer our congratulations to you both!"
Great Immortal Yangli also clasped his hands and fawned over them.
Hearing the three demons' words, the two of them immediately felt much better. They no longer took the matter to heart, merely waiting for Primordial Heavenly Venerate to appoint the Twelve Golden Immortals before seeking out Li Xiao for the legendary Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts.
Time flowed on, and several tens of thousands of years passed in the blink of an eye.
"Come to Mount Kunlun at once!"
On this day, Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi were still discussing the Dao together when a streak of light suddenly shot toward them, revealing a jade slip.
The jade slip abruptly exploded, and Primordial Heavenly Venerate's majestic voice rang out from within.
Immortal Elder Nanji and Yunzhongzi hurriedly rose to their feet and bowed toward the jade slip.
When they straightened up, neither could conceal the excitement on his face.
Before you continue