Chapter 8: Chapter 8
The original Golden Solar Armor had a thousand layers, each requiring a millennium of penance to break, and each layer shattering would instantly kill the enemy.
Though his current armor is not as powerful as the original, it can be customized according to his desires. It can evolve and grow with his penance.
"Not bad!" Indra felt slightly reassured. Although it wasn't the complete Solar Armor, it suited Indra's needs better.
Currently, there weren't many penitent Asuras. Only the brothers, Golden Eye and Golden Bed, relied on Brahma's blessings to wreak havoc across the three realms. After defeating the gods in numerous battles, most Asuras recognized the power of penance and began seeking blessings from Brahma through penance.
"Praise Surya!" Indra said.
"Praise Indra!" Surya replied with a smile, his hands folded in return.
At this moment, the high priest, feeling moved, relaxed his furrowed brow and looked at Indra with a satisfied expression, as if seeing a child grow up.
Indra had matured! His guidance was finally bearing fruit.
...
In Brahma's realm, Brahma's four heads tilted slightly, his eyes flashing as he observed the events in the heavens below.
"It's not easy for Indra to have such insight!" Brahma was slightly surprised.
Hearing this, the goddess Sarasvati nodded, saying, "He used to be unscrupulous for the throne of the king of gods!"
"The throne of the king of gods is naturally like that!"
"The position of king of gods represents the highest status among all deities, the greatest luxury, and the most infinite blessings!"
"This also breeds endless arrogance. Even the humblest devotee, upon ascending this throne, would develop arrogance and fear of losing the position."
Brahma commented, thinking Indra was doing quite well now. The only issue was cursing Vishnu's mount, Garuda. However, the king of gods had angered the Trimurti several times before, especially Shiva, who had indeed threatened to kill the king of gods, but always forgave him after his repentance. The benefits of the throne of the king of gods were such that as long as one was willing to repent, all was forgiven.
Indra, even after repentance, dared to do it again! Vishnu must be used to it by now. Besides, this time Garuda was at fault first, so a small punishment wasn't an issue.
...
Above the Ocean of Milk, Vishnu lay reclining on the thousand-headed serpent king Shesha, with the Sudarshana Chakra spinning on his finger, his face showing a worried expression.
Golden light scattered from the sky, swirling around and entering Vishnu's body. This was the power Vishnu had left in Garuda. In Hindu mythology, devotees offer themselves as temples for the deity, and with their devotion, they can receive infinite blessings from the deity.
But now, this power left in Garuda was returning!
"My poor devotee, suffering this disaster because of me. Garuda's arrogance probably requires me to send an avatar to guide him. The immediate priority is to churn the Ocean of Milk, so Garuda will have to wait!"
Vishnu sighed. Among the Trimurti, he was the busiest! Shiva spent his days in meditation; Brahma dozed in his realm; only Vishnu was constantly busy, maintaining the world and cleaning up after the gods.
So tiring!
Vishnu shook his head, sensing Garuda approaching. The Sudarshana Chakra on his fingertip shone brightly.
In an instant, Vishnu and Shesha vanished.
...
Elsewhere, Garuda was searching for the Supreme Lord. He soared with his golden wings like the dawn, casting a faint golden glow across the sky, quickly passing through the mortal realm and the netherworld, heading towards the Ocean of Milk.
His golden wings sliced through the vast Ocean of Milk, stirring waves. Garuda flapped his wings furiously, rushing towards Vishnu's direction.
"Supreme Lord!" Garuda's golden eyes scanned the surroundings but saw no sign of Vishnu. He flapped his wings again, searching the Ocean of Milk, but found no trace of the Supreme Lord's presence.
"The curse has taken effect!" Garuda's heart sank.
He folded his wings, transforming into a divine figure with wings on his back, descending onto the Ocean of Milk, his expression lonely and desolate. Only his solitary figure stood on the sea.
"Do I have to bow to Indra?" Garuda gritted his teeth and frowned. He shook his head immediately.
How could he submit to Indra? No way! Absolutely not!
"I must also perform penance to seek the Supreme Lord's blessings!" Garuda resolved.
If Indra could perform penance to curse him, he could also perform penance to break the curse! Garuda closed his eyes, standing on one leg with his big toe anchored on the Ocean of Milk, his hands clasped high above his head, entering a state of meditation in this unique yoga pose.
"Praise the Supreme Lord Vishnu!"
"Praise the Supreme Lord Vishnu!"
...
The words echoed from Garuda's mouth, reverberating over the Ocean of Milk. The waves surged, and the sea wind blew, brushing against Garuda.
A hollow emptiness surged within him, as if his heart had lost its anchor.
"No!"
Garuda's eyes snapped open, showing a confused look.
Whenever he closed his eyes, he couldn't help but think of the Supreme Lord's face. No matter how much he praised, he couldn't receive any response from the Supreme Lord or feel his presence. He couldn't enter the meditative state required for penance!
"Sigh!" Garuda clenched his fist and struck his chest.
"The Supreme Lord's heart embraces the world, my heart embraces the Supreme Lord. The Supreme Lord can sacrifice himself for the world; I can sacrifice myself for the Supreme Lord. Bowing to Indra is a minor grievance!"
"For the Supreme Lord, I can endure this humiliation!"
Garuda consoled himself. He repeated this to himself, but couldn't overcome his inner turmoil.
"Indra is more arrogant than I am, and more disrespectful to the Supreme Lord. Why should I apologize to him?!"
"Why?!"
Garuda's face was full of sorrow as he walked on the Ocean of Milk, pacing back and forth.
Suddenly, a sharp white light streaked across the sky above the Ocean of Milk.
Garuda looked at the light, narrowing his eyes.
"That's... Shukra!"
"Shukracharya!"
Garuda muttered to himself, frowning. Shukra was not only the representative of Venus but also the Asura's preceptor and the teacher of the Asura King. Shukra's presence on the Ocean of Milk meant only one thing: he was seeking the Supreme Lord's help to restore the Asuras' power.
"If Shukra finds the Supreme Lord and the Asuras regain their power first, the gods will be in trouble!"
"The Supreme Lord doesn't favor the Asuras; he favors the gods!"
"To ensure the Supreme Lord's peace, I must go to the gods and prevent the Asuras' schemes!"
"I'm doing this for the gods' welfare, not because of the curse that forces me to find Indra!"
Garuda's eyes lit up, finding a reason to seek Indra.
The next moment, Garuda took to the sky.
Chapter end.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone