Zhunti opened his eyes wide and simply stared at Hongjun.
Hongjun met his gaze, his eyes utterly unruffled.
After a dozen breaths, Zhunti understood. He closed his eyes, drew a deep breath, and rose from the ground. Then he helped Jieyin up beside him and said to Hongjun, "Teacher, this disciple understands. Since you have already decided, there is no need to summon me again for matters like this that have nothing to do with heaven's will. After all, what I say means nothing to you, does it?"
With that, Zhunti bowed to Hongjun with his hands clasped, then turned to leave. "Senior brother, let's return to the Western Lands," he told Jieyin.
"Junior brother!" Jieyin was shocked. How could his junior brother dare speak to the Dao Ancestor like that? Wasn't he afraid the Dao Ancestor would punish him?
On the main seat, Hongjun's expression did not waver at Zhunti's words, nor did the punishment Jieyin feared come. Relieved, Jieyin hesitated for a moment before bowing to Hongjun with his hands clasped as well. "Teacher, this disciple will take his leave too."
After speaking, Jieyin looked at Houtu, the Three Pure Ones, and Nuwa, hoping they would leave with them rather than let the two brothers do this alone.
Gungun was the Western Religion's Deputy Cult Leader. Although Houtu disliked Jieyin and Zhunti's dispositions, their positions aligned, at least for now. She promptly rose again and turned straight toward the palace doors without even clasping her hands to Hongjun.
Seeing Houtu do this, Jieyin's tension eased, and he hurried to leave alongside her.
With Houtu and the Two Western Sages gone, Nuwa no longer wished to remain either. She stood and said coolly to Hongjun, "Teacher, this disciple is leaving."
With that, Nuwa flicked her sleeve and strode away.