Chapter 9

Upon the Ocean of Milk.

Vishnu sensed the approaching Asura sage and looked up, seeing the fierce Sukracharya, accompanied by a powerful Asura with golden eyes.

"This visitor brings trouble!"

"The curse from long ago has come true!"

With a worried expression, Vishnu glanced at the empty space beside him and sighed.

In a certain sense, he was the enemy who had caused Sukracharya's mother's death.

In ancient times, a war had erupted between the gods and the Asuras. The gods sought Vishnu's help, and to protect them, Vishnu used the Sudarshana Chakra.

Once unleashed, the Sudarshana Chakra would not stop until its task was completed!

The Asuras fled to the doorstep of Sukracharya's father, Sage Bhrigu.

Bhrigu's wife sheltered the Asura refugees and vowed, "No matter what this is, I am willing to sacrifice my life before the refugees I protect are killed!"

Bhrigu's wife was killed on the spot.

Enraged, Sage Bhrigu cursed Vishnu, declaring that Vishnu would one day endure the pain of losing his wife.

Today's result is the cause from the past!

This is karma!

Now that Sukracharya had arrived, it was surely not for a good reason!

At this moment, Sukracharya, with long white hair and beard, a stern expression, dressed in white robes, wearing bracelets, and holding a snake staff, stood proudly, gazing at the Ocean of Milk.

"Golden Eyes!"

"You have completed your arduous penance and gained the immense strength to lift the entire earth. Now, churn the Ocean of Milk!"

"Extract the goddess Lakshmi from the ocean, take her from Vishnu's side, bring her to the earthly realm, and worship her. Then, the cursed Asuras will regain their strength, and boundless wealth and glory will be yours."

"The wealth, power, and honor of the three realms will belong to you!"

Sukracharya spread his arms wide and spoke in a deep voice.

Hearing this, a gleam appeared in the radiant eyes of the Asura with golden eyes.

Clad in golden armor, with a robust and bronze figure exuding the power to destroy the heavens and earth, his muscles rippling under his skin as if countless Naga kings were coursing through them, the Golden-Eyed Asura King ran a hand over his black stubble.

With clenched fists, immense power surged within him!

"I understand!"

"The goddess Lakshmi will be mine, hahahaha!"

The Golden-Eyed Asura King grinned, his beard quivering, and then immediately leaped into the ocean.

As he plunged into the ocean, his form grew larger and larger, becoming a giant that obscured the sky and sank into the sea.

Boom!

The Ocean of Milk began to churn violently, shaking intensely.

"Vishnu, you won't be able to keep Lakshmi. I will take her from you and make you feel the pain of losing your beloved."

Sukracharya's face was stern as he thought to himself.

...

Vishnu tilted his head, looking melancholic.

This was the consequence of cleaning up the gods' mess back then!

Although Lakshmi held an important place in his heart, she was not above the heavens and the world.

What about the gods?

Vishnu looked towards the heavenly realm.

Unless necessary, he did not want to intervene directly and disrupt the world!

...

In the heavenly realm.

"We should go to the Supreme Lord as soon as possible!"

The chief priest urged.

Hearing this, Indra nodded.

Since Vishnu had summoned them, it would be disrespectful not to go.

"Our divine power is insufficient!"

"Why not first light the sacrificial fire and have the Gandharvas sing hymns, praising the gods to restore some divine power before meeting the Supreme Lord."

"And with the disappearance of Lakshmi, perhaps this is a test from the Supreme Lord. Moreover, the world is stable now, and the Supreme Lord hasn't appeared, which means there isn't a significant problem."

Indra said.

Hearing this, the gods exchanged glances, seeing each other's embarrassment.

Going to the Supreme Lord in their current state would be too disgraceful!

Better to restore some divine power first!

"Indeed, we should!"

The sun god Surya nodded.

"Going like this would be disrespectful to the Supreme Lord!" Agni, the fire god, said.

"Yes, exactly!" Varuna, the water god, agreed.

Seeing the gods speaking, Vayu, the wind god, quickly added, "Yes, yes, I think so too!"

The chief priest frowned slightly, contemplating.

It seemed reasonable!

Lakshmi had already disappeared, and churning the Ocean of Milk wouldn't be done quickly, so waiting a bit longer shouldn't be an issue.

"Alright then!"

The chief priest nodded.

Soon, the Gandharvas began singing Vedic hymns.

They gathered in a large circle, with petals painstakingly collected at their sides, and in the center was a bonfire, burning brightly.

With each hymn, they threw lotus petals, creating a celestial shower of flowers.

"The mighty god, born to protect all gods, his power infinite~"

"In his breath, the two worlds tremble~"

...

Indra, watching the ritual and listening to the Gandharvas' hymns, picked up a clean scapula bone and a small stick, tapping the bone in rhythm with the song, creating a thudding sound.

The gods couldn't help but look.

The Gandharvas were also attracted, continuing their hymns in sync with the rhythm.

"Everyone~"

"He is Indra~"

Hearing this, Indra's movements stopped abruptly, his mouth twitching.

Was this hymn about him?

The Gandharvas sang of his greatness, making him embarrassed.

When the hymn ended, the gods turned to look.

"What is that?"

Agni curiously asked.

"A type of accompaniment!"

Indra said nonchalantly.

What he was playing was a form of percussion instrument!

In a previous life, blind people or beggars often used a stick and a bone plate, singing and tapping, as a form of art.

Given their beggarly state now, the atmosphere was too fitting, and he couldn't resist tapping.

"Next is my turn, please accompany me!"

Agni said with hands together.

"Of course!"

Indra couldn't help but smile.

"Play for me too!"

"I want it as well!"

...

Soon, the Gandharvas started singing Vedic hymns praising Agni.

"Through Agni~"

"People gain wealth, daily blessings~"

"With heroic glory~"

...

In Brahma's realm.

Brahma frowned, shaking his head, and couldn't help but speak.

He had seen what was happening in the Ocean of Milk and the heavenly realm.

"At this time, the gods should not be waiting!"

"The world is about to be thrown into chaos!"

As Brahma spoke, he expected a response, but heard none.

Turning his head, he saw Saraswati's eyes narrowing, smiling with joy, and she disappeared into a beam of golden light.

"Saraswati has been pleased!"