Ling Mountain, after Zulong left the Primordial World, he learned that Jieyin and Zhunti's dojo was on Ling Mountain, so he immediately headed towards it!
Upon sensing Zulong's aura, Zhunti's expression changed. He wondered if he had sensed it incorrectly. He had just heard about Yuanfeng and Zulong escaping the Undying Volcano and the North Sea Abyss, and yet, not long after, he felt Zulong's presence on Ling Mountain!
After confirming it was indeed Zulong, Zhunti frowned, not understanding why Zulong would come to him instead of staying with the Dragon tribes of the Four Seas.
Despite his confusion, Zhunti arrived at the foot of Ling Mountain. Zulong was startled to see the one-armed Zhunti, wondering who could have severed Zhunti's arm!
Zhunti, his brow furrowed upon seeing Zulong, immediately asked, "Zulong, why are you here on my Ling Mountain instead of in the Primordial World?"
Hearing this, Zulong respectfully replied, "Saint Zhunti, I have come to seek refuge."
"Seek refuge?" Zhunti looked at Zulong as if he were an idiot. Was he uncomfortable living among the Four Seas of the Primordial World that he had to come to this desolate mountain? If it weren't for the fact that the Sanqing couldn't tolerate them, who would want to come here!
Zhunti looked at Zulong, puzzled, and asked, "Zulong, you just escaped the North Sea Abyss. Why aren't you staying in the Primordial World and instead come to seek refuge on my Ling Mountain!"
Upon hearing this, Zulong's face turned extremely grim, and he immediately cried out, "Saint Zhunti, you are unaware of the situation. The Sanqing are truly excessive. Yuanfeng had just escaped when Tongtian hunted her down!"
Zhunti was speechless. He didn't know what had happened to Yuanfeng, who had suddenly perished at Kunlun and then suddenly resurrected. Zulong should have already left the Primordial World when Yuanfeng resurrected, but due to his low cultivation, he was unaware of her revival.
Zhunti couldn't be bothered to explain to Zulong. After all, Zulong wasn't weak, and his joining Ling Mountain would strengthen the Western religion. Why not?
As Zhunti thought this and was about to invite Zulong to join the Western religion, he suddenly recalled that Zulong and the Sanqing had offended Luohu together during the ancient conflict between Hongjun and Luohu. Although he wasn't sure why Luohu and Hongjun had reconciled, if Zulong had offended Luohu, it would truly be a losing deal.
Thinking this, Zhunti immediately said, "Zulong, Senior Luohu currently resides on Ling Mountain. Have you thought this through?"
Upon hearing this, Zulong's face darkened. He had left the Primordial World to escape the Sanqing. If Luohu was on this very Ling Mountain, wouldn't he be jumping from the frying pan into the fire?
Zulong's face was so grim it seemed about to drip. Back then, Luohu had been defeated because they helped Hongjun. If Luohu knew he was here, wouldn't he flay him alive?
Just as Zulong was about to leave, he turned around and saw Hongjun and Luohu standing not far away, watching them!
Zulong's gaze met Luohu's, and he froze on the spot!
Luohu looked at Zhunti and said with a half-smile, "Zhunti, you intend to guide him into your Western religion?"
Zhunti was startled and immediately replied, "Senior, please don't misunderstand. Zhunti has no such intention!"
Hearing this, Zulong was shocked. He had initially thought Zhunti would plead on his behalf, but before he could even speak, Zhunti had already distanced himself.
Zulong's face turned pale. He never imagined that after a lifetime of brilliance, he would meet his end on Ling Mountain!
When Luohu heard Zhunti's words, he smiled slightly and was about to act when Hongjun suddenly stopped him!
"Luohu, now is a time when we need capable individuals. Why not spare his life?"
Luohu gave Hongjun a deep look and suddenly said, "Very well. Since you have spoken, I shall spare his life!"
With that, Luohu turned and headed towards Ling Mountain without looking back. Hongjun glanced at Zulong and said meaningfully, "Zulong, you're on your own."
After saying this, Hongjun followed Luohu without a backward glance.
Seeing this, Zhunti immediately said, "Zulong, since Senior Luohu does not hold a grudge, you may stay on Ling Mountain!"
Zhunti had previously been unwilling to offend Luohu for the sake of a useless Zulong. Now that Luohu had forgiven Zulong, Zulong was, after all, a powerful figure, not completely without merit.
Zulong sneered inwardly. He didn't expect Zhunti to be so pragmatic. As soon as Luohu spoke, Zhunti agreed to let him stay on Ling Mountain. If he had any other options, he wouldn't stay on Ling Mountain for anyone.
Although Zulong bowed his head, Zhunti knew what he was thinking. However, Zhunti didn't care. While Zulong was a powerful figure, the Western religion didn't absolutely need this old dragon.
Now that he knew the world was heading towards sainthood, if Zulong were to become a saint, Zhunti might lower his stance. As for Zulong, he wasn't qualified yet.
Zulong understood this principle. Therefore, despite his myriad dissatisfactions, he could only suppress them. In the end, it all came down to his inferior strength.
Zulong sighed helplessly and weakly said, "Thank you for taking me in, Saint Zhunti."
Zhunti nodded with satisfaction and said, "Zulong, my Western religion has a special position that is uniquely suited for your Dragon race. Today, I shall appoint you as the head of my sect's Eight Steps Heavenly Dragons, and all internal affairs of the Eight Steps Heavenly Dragons will be handled by you."
Upon hearing this, Zulong immediately asked, "May I know how many people are currently in the Eight Steps Heavenly Dragons you mentioned?"
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Zhunti's face, but he quickly concealed it.
"Currently, you are the only one in the Eight Steps Heavenly Dragons. However, you must believe that many are destined to be connected with the West, and there are quite a few among your Dragon race. I shall now entrust you with the Eight Steps Heavenly Dragons of my sect, and you shall be responsible for bringing people into this department!"
Zulong understood that Zhunti intended for him to work for the Western religion for free. Although Zulong knew Zhunti's intentions, he dared not show it outwardly. Despite his extreme reluctance, he had to agree.
After speaking, Zhunti followed Luohu and Hongjun away, leaving Zulong in a state of bewildered disarray.
Zulong watched Zhunti's receding back and felt an urge to turn and leave Ling Mountain immediately. However, he recalled that the Sanqing could even sever Zhunti's arm and make it unrecoverable, let alone his own dragon head.
Thinking this, Zulong could only swallow his anger and work diligently for Zhunti.
Zulong pondered the matter and decided that the Eight Steps Heavenly Dragons could only be recruited from his own Dragon race. After all, the name itself suggested a connection to his clan.
Furthermore, as the ancestor of all Dragon races, who among them would dare disobey his command?
With this thought, Zulong felt that recruiting members for the Eight Steps Heavenly Dragons wouldn't be too difficult. Moreover, after his Dragon race joined the Western religion, he would still be Zulong, and it seemed to have no significant impact on him.