Afterward, Gungun followed Zhunti to many places across the Primordial World, seeing firsthand how he recruited disciples in the east.
Destined affinity...
That excuse had never changed, though calling it coercion would not have been fair.
After all, taking a master was different from offering up treasures. Giving one's treasures to someone else would certainly provoke resentment, even if that person was a Saint. But if a Saint did not seize one's treasures and instead claimed a destined affinity, offering to take one as a disciple, then unless one was a favored genius with plenty of options, certain that the other Saints would also accept them, most Loose Immortals would be overcome with excitement at such an invitation. Their faces would bloom with joy, and they would hastily kowtow to the Saint, crying, "This disciple pays respects to Master!"
Every Loose Immortal Gungun saw receive Zhunti's "invitation of destined affinity" along the way behaved like that. Not a single one was an exception.
Perhaps that was the allure of a Saint.
Half a month later, beside Taihu Lake.
"Gungun, I shall return to the Western Lands now. The truce between the Witch Race and Demon Race decreed by the Dao Ancestor is nearing its end. You must act as circumstances dictate, and never behave recklessly."
Zhunti sat cross-legged on a golden cloud, with the many disciples he had accepted along the way behind him. To put it bluntly, these creatures were all trash in Gungun's eyes. It was just as well that they were going to the Western Lands, leaving the east some peace and quiet. Gungun could not understand why Zhunti had taken a liking to them, but had no interest in the matter either. Upon hearing his words, Gungun bowed solemnly and replied, "Yes, Cult Leader."
"Mm."