Above the Milk Sea.
Vishnu also sensed the approaching Asura mentor, he looked up and saw Sukhacara's imposing aura, with a powerful Asura by his side who possessed golden eyes.
"Ill-intentioned visitors, indeed!"
"The curse from years past has come to pass!"
Vishnu's expression was one of worry as he glanced at the empty space beside him and sighed.
In some sense, he was the murderer who had killed Sukhacara Sage's mother.
Years ago, a war had erupted between the Devas and the Asura, and the Devas sought Vishnu's assistance. To protect the many Devas, Vishnu had used the Mysterious Wheel of Sight.
Once the Mysterious Wheel was set in motion, it did not stop until its mission was completed!
The Asuras had fled to the doorstep of Sukhacara's father, the immortal Pavarig.
Pavarig's wife sheltered these Asura refugees and swore, "Whatever this may be, I'm willing to sacrifice my life before the refugees under my protection are killed!"
Pavarig's wife was killed on the spot.
In a furious rage, the immortal Pavarig cursed Vishnu with future suffering from the loss of his wife.
Today's fruits are the causes from other days!
Such is the law of karma!
Now that Sukhacara has come here, it is unlikely to bode well!
At this moment, with white hair and a long beard, Sukhacara donned a stark and cold demeanor, dressed in a white robe with bracelets on his wrist, holding a snake staff, his spirit soaring as he gazed at the Milk Sea.
"Jinmu!"
"You have completed your ascetic practices and obtained infinite strength to lift the entire earth. Go and churn the Milk Sea!"
"Bring Goddess Lakshmi out from the Milk Sea, take her away from Vishnu's side, bring her to Earth, worship her at your side, then the power of the cursed Asuras can be restored, and endless wealth and glory will be yours."
"The wealth, power, and honor of the Three Realms will all be yours!"
Sukhacara Sage said in a powerful voice, spreading his arms wide.
Upon hearing this, a shining light radiated from Jinmu's glittering eyes.
He, clad in golden armor with a robust physique, his bronze-colored body like that of a demigod, contained power enough to destroy heaven and earth. His muscles, bulging under his skin, seemed like countless Naga serpent kings threading through him.
King Jinmu Asura casually brushed his jet-black stubble.
He clenched his fists slightly, and boundless power erupted in his hands!
"I understand!"
"Goddess Lakshmi will be mine from now on, hahaha!"
King Jinmu Asura grinned, his beard trembling slightly, and then immediately jumped into the sea.
As he descended into the sea, Jinmu Asura's body grew larger and taller, expanding immensely into a giant that blotted out the sun and moon, plunging into the sea.
Boom, boom, boom!
The Milk Sea shook with a tumult, quivering violently at this moment, starting to churn instantaneously.
"Vishnu, don't you dare think the Devas can take Goddess Lakshmi away. I will take her from your side and let you feel the pain of losing a beloved," thought Sukhacara Sage with a stern face.
...
Vishnu tilted his head, his face filled with melancholy.
This was the consequence of cleaning up after the Devas, after all!
Though his wife, Goddess Lakshmi, didn't occupy as crucial a place in his heart as Mahadeva or the world, she still held an extremely important position.
And the Devas?
Vishnu involuntarily looked toward the Heavenly Realm.
If not necessary, he did not wish to directly intervene and disturb the world!
...
In the Heavenly Realm.
"We should hurry to the Supreme Lord!" said the Ritual Master Immortal promptly.
Hearing this, Indra nodded in agreement.
If Vishnu himself had summoned them, it would be too disrespectful not to go.
"Our divine powers are insufficient!"
"Rather than that, let's first raise the Fire Sacrifice, let the Gandharvas sing praises, worship the gods to restore a bit of divine power before going to see the Supreme Lord."
"Besides, with Goddess Lakshmi gone, perhaps this is a test from the Supreme Lord. Furthermore, the world is at peace, and the Supreme Lord has not shown himself, which indicates that there isn't any problem," Indra said.
At his words, the gods exchanged glances, each able to see the embarrassment in the others' eyes.
It would be truly shameful to meet the Supreme Lord in such a state!
It would be better to first regain some divine power!
"Indeed, that is what we should do!"
The Sun God Surya nodded.
"Presenting ourselves before the Supreme Lord in this manner is disrespectful!" the Fire God Agni declared.
"Indeed, that's exactly right!"
the Water God Varuna stated.
Seeing that all the gods had spoken up, the Wind God Vayu quickly added, "Yes, yes, yes! I feel the same way!"
The Ritual Master Immortal slightly furrowed his brows, pondering for a moment.
It seemed there was truth to what they were saying!
Goddess Lakshmi had already vanished, and churning the Milk Sea wasn't something that could be done in a short time; waiting a bit longer wouldn't be an issue.
"Alright then!"
said the Ritual Master Immortal, nodding.
Soon, numerous Gandharvas began singing praises from the Vedas Scripture.
They gathered together, forming a large circle with the hard-won petals at their side, and at the center of the circle was a bonfire, blazing with fierce flames.
With each line they sang, they scattered lotus petals from their hands, mimicking the Apsaras' celestial flower-scattering.
"Mighty indeed is the chief god whose very birth protects the gods, with limitless power~"
"Before his breath, due to his courage and might, both worlds tremble~"
...
Indra watched the sacrifice, listening to the praises sung by the Gandharvas.
Feeling bored for a moment, he picked up a cleanly gnawed shoulder bone plate lying nearby and happened to touch a small stick. Like petals falling, he rhythmically tapped the bone plate with the stick to the tune of the song, creating a 'dong dong' sound.
The gods watched in awe.
The many Gandharvas too were captivated by Indra's actions and, following along with this lively rhythm, continued their singing of the praises.
"Oh, people~"
"He is Indra~"
Upon hearing this, Indra abruptly stopped his movement, the stick in his hand coming to a halt, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily began to twitch.
Was this praise meant for him?
He felt embarrassed as the Gandharvas sang of his great deeds.
When the song of praise ended, the other gods turned their heads to look.
"What's this?"
Fire God Agni asked curiously, leaning forward.
"Some sort of accompaniment, I guess!"
Indra responded nonchalantly.
What he was tapping was indeed a Lotus Falling!
In his former life, blind people or beggars often used a stick and a bone plate to tap a rhythm while they sang; it was an art form.
Given how beggarly everyone currently appeared, the atmosphere was just right, so he couldn't help tapping along.
"Now it's my turn, please tap along for me as well!"
Fire God Agni said, bringing his hands together in prayer.
"Of course, I can!"
Indra couldn't help laughing.
"Tap along for me too!"
"Me as well!"
...
Quickly, the Gandharvas began another round of singing praises from the Vedas Scripture for Agni.
"Through Agni~"
"Men obtain wealth and daily fortune~"
"With the glory of heroes~"
...
In Brahmaloka.
Brahma frowned slightly, shaking his head and couldn't help but speak out.
He had already seen what was happening in the Milk Sea and also the gods of the Heavenly Realm.
"At this time, the gods should not continue to wait!"
"The world is about to be thrown into chaos again!"
As Brahma said this, he paused expecting a response, but he heard none.
When he turned his head, he saw the Salabhamvid Goddess with slightly narrowed eyes and a pleasant smile on her face, radiating a joyful aura, she transformed into a beam of golden light and disappeared within Brahmaloka.
"Reason itself, charmed!"