Internal Strife, The Mentor's Curse

"Wait!"

The Asura Mentor, Shukracharyaa, suddenly interjected.

His white ceremonial robes were immaculate. He took a step forward, his Serpent Cane planted firmly beside him. Then, he clasped his hands together and bowed to the Yashoda Goddess before him.

"Goddess!"

"Please remain here for now. This is a critical moment, and we cannot afford to be without you!"

Shukracharyaa's gaze was deep as he spoke slowly.

He had indeed sensed that this Yashoda Goddess was closely connected to the Goddess Lakshmi, like sisters bound together, but something felt off.

His wisdom was issuing a warning.

Sending this Yashoda Goddess back to the underworld now might lead to unforeseen complications.

It would be better to keep her with the Asura army for the time being. He could then meditate, drawing upon the power of the Vedas to explore his inner self and the external world, thereby discovering the Yashoda Goddess's true identity.

Upon hearing this, the Golden-Eyed Asura paid no heed.

"Mentor!"

"With me here, the gods will not be a match for the Asuras. Furthermore, my brother is nearing the completion of his Tapasya. By then, even the Trimurti will be unable to deal with us."

The Golden-Eyed Asura thumped his chest with his right fist.

A booming sound, like thunder, emanated from his chest, as if the earth itself was shaking, containing boundless and infinite power.

Having said this, the Golden-Eyed Asura no longer paid attention to Shukracharyaa and waved to the Asura, Holika.

"Go!"

"Upon returning to the underworld, establish a temple for the Goddess, light the sacrificial fire, offer tribute, and worship her well!"

"I swear by the name of the Asura King, from this day forward, the underworld will be your eternal home, Goddess!" The Golden-Eyed Asura turned his head, uttering a string of pleasantries. He spread his arms in a welcoming gesture, smiling as he greeted the Yashoda Goddess.

Rumble!

The underworld trembled slightly at this moment, as if acknowledging the Golden-Eyed Asura's oath, serving as a witness to both parties.

Hearing this, the Yashoda Goddess's unsightly face flushed slightly, and various expressions of emotion appeared.

Her goldfish eyes blinked, and a surge of gratitude welled up. She nodded heavily.

"From now on, I will stay in the underworld!"

The Yashoda Goddess said gratefully.

"Hahaha, excellent!" The Golden-Eyed Asura grinned proudly. "Our underworld needs goddesses like you!"

Shukracharyaa's face stiffened, like a stone in a latrine. He stopped speaking and turned to leave.

Insolent youth!

Unfit for important matters!

The Golden-Eyed Asura acted as if he hadn't seen Shukracharyaa, turning his head away directly.

This old man was always meddling. He had successfully welcomed a goddess, and after churning the Ocean of Milk, they would soon defeat the gods. Yet, this old fellow kept babbling incessantly, going against him.

It was quieter now that he was gone!

The Asura Vajra Body saw Shukracharyaa walk away and took a step forward, intending to follow him.

However, after taking that first step, he didn't take a second.

His body faltered, and he looked hesitantly at his elder brother, the Golden-Eyed Asura.

As sons of Diti, he shouldn't oppose his elder brother and disregard the command of the Asura King, the Golden-Eyed Asura.

"Alas!"

"Perhaps only the Golden Bed can persuade the Golden-Eyed Asura?"

The Vajra Body sighed and retracted his step.

The Golden Bed was the Golden-Eyed Asura's twin brother. He was currently in the underworld, engaged in a protracted period of Tapasya towards the creator god Brahma, and had not yet arrived at this Ocean of Milk.

"Mentor!"

The Asura, Prahlad, felt anxious. Glancing around a few times, he quietly moved and flew out.

Swish!

Above the Ocean of Milk, Shukracharyaa flew out with a grim expression, preparing to return to the underworld.

"Mentor! Mentor!"

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind Shukracharyaa.

Could it be that the Golden-Eyed Asura had a change of heart?!

Shukracharyaa's body halted, and as he slowly turned around, he saw Prahlad behind him. A flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes.

"Mentor!"

Prahlad clasped his hands together and bowed respectfully to Shukracharyaa.

"What is it!"

Shukracharyaa's face was stony as he spoke in a deep voice.

Prahlad looked at Shukracharyaa with a smile, saying respectfully, "Mentor, Golden-Eyed is arrogant. I've come to apologize for his rudeness!"

Shukracharyaa couldn't be bothered with pleasantries.

Did Prahlad really come to him for this reason?

What a joke!

"Stop with the nonsense. What do you actually want to say? If you don't say it soon, I'm leaving."

Shukracharyaa scoffed coldly.

Hearing this, Prahlad's expression tensed. He took a deep breath and said, "I wish to invite you, Mentor, to our Danava clan's palace to guide us in defeating the Devas."

Upon hearing this, Shukracharyaa scanned Prahlad from head to toe.

"I know you, Prahlad!"

"You are the son of Danu, the King of the Danavas, and you seem quite wise now."

Shukracharyaa said in a deep voice.

The Asuras are basically divided into two major branches.

One branch is the children of Diti, called the Daitiya!

The other branch is the children of Danu, called the Danava!

Prahlad's heart leaped with joy. He quickly clasped his hands together and said with surprise, "Thank..."

Before the word "thank" could even leave his lips, Shukracharyaa's tone shifted, and he said with a cold sneer.

"Heh~ Unfortunately, you are too weak!"

"Never mind Golden-Eyed and Golden Bed, can you even defeat the Vajra Body?"

"You can't!"

Shukracharyaa stated, staring at Prahlad, speaking each word slowly.

Prahlad's excited expression turned cold.

"The current Lord of the Heavenly Realm, Indra, is incredibly powerful!"

"Even if you become the Lord of the Earth Realm and gain its blessings, you still wouldn't be able to defeat Indra. He would kill you. What's more, Indra is even more powerful and wiser than before!"

Shukracharyaa continued.

Prahlad's face turned ashen.

"You are tens of thousands of years away from defeating Indra!"

Shukracharyaa's voice was calm, striking Prahlad's heart. "With such ambitions, you might as well focus on Tapasya!"

Prahlad's face turned from pale to dark, his lips trembling, his expression utterly grim.

"Golden-Eyed might be arrogant, but his strength is genuine, and he cultivates with utmost seriousness. Golden Bed may be stubborn, but that's also why his power from Tapasya surpasses Golden-Eyed's."

"Almost all the Daitiya of your generation are stronger than you. You'd be better off going back and having more children; perhaps then you'll have a chance in the future."

"I'm happy you came to me, but I'm furious that you came for this. You are Danu's adopted son by Diti, and Golden-Eyed is your elder brother. Do you really want to rebel against Golden-Eyed like this?"

"Even if you succeed, you still won't be able to defeat Indra!"

"I advise you to be careful!"

As soon as Shukracharyaa finished speaking.

"Enough!"

Prahlad roared in anger.

His eyes turned crimson, his hair and beard flying wildly, clearly enraged to the extreme. A large scimitar suddenly appeared in his hand.

He had completely lost his composure. It was one thing to know these things himself, but it was another entirely to have them said aloud.

"Indra, that mere Indra! Golden-Eyed can defeat him, and so can I! I can also seize the Heavenly Realm!"

"I will definitely be able to defeat Indra!"

"Shut up!"

Prahlad roared, and the large scimitar in his hand flashed with golden light as he swung it towards Shukracharyaa.

Swish!

Shukracharyaa's eyes widened in fury, and a terrifying aura surged forth instantly.

"Insolent!"

Insolent! Insolent! Insolent!

With Shukracharyaa's roar, Prahlad's body froze. His chest heaved up and down, and his rage seemed to be significantly suppressed.

"Prahlad, you dare lay a hand on me!"

"I curse you!"

Shukracharyaa's white hair flew wildly as he furiously cursed, the sound waves echoing endlessly.

"Prahlad, what you cherish will also be taken by Indra!"

"You will also die by Indra's hand!"

Upon hearing this, Prahlad froze, his eyes losing focus, and he stood stunned in place.

What I cherish?

"My wealth? My throne, or... my daughter?"

"Shachi?"