Netherworld, Asura Temple.
The temple was dim, with massive pillars standing in rows. Marks left by blades and axes displayed the pillars' ancient architectural style. Flames burned around the temple, casting light upon faces that flickered between brightness and shadow.
Numerous Asura generals had gathered here. Some were tall, some short, some fat, some thin, but all of them radiated a fierce and baleful aura.
"Report! General Vajra Body has already begun his arduous cultivation and cannot come!"
An Asura soldier suddenly came forward to report.
Upon hearing this, Prahlad remained calm and secretly glanced toward the depths of the temple.
A high platform stood in the dark temple. It was empty except for a pitch-black throne, yet in Prahlad's eyes, that throne seemed to shine.
That had once been Golden-Eyed's seat.
"Since Vajra Body is cultivating, there is no need for us to wait for him. Let us discuss what should happen next in the Netherworld."
"A nation cannot go a day without a ruler. The Netherworld cannot lose its master, and the Asuras need a king as well."
"It is time to discuss who should become king!"
Prahlad raised a finger, his gaze sweeping across the many Asura generals present.
Vipralambha, Simhika, Durgama, Namuchi, and many other Asura generals stood within the Asura Temple, their expressions grave.
As Golden-Eyed's generals, they were somewhat lost now that Golden-Eyed was dead.
"Where is the Mentor?"
Simhika suddenly asked.
Sukra was the Asura Mentor. For such a major matter as choosing a new Asura King, Sukra had to be present no matter what.
Hearing this, Prahlad put on a sorrowful expression and sighed.
"Alas!"
"After the Mentor was angered away by Golden-Eyed, no one knows where he went. I have not found him yet. But the position of Asura King cannot remain vacant, so the few of us can only choose one ourselves."
Prahlad said.
The people before him were all Asura generals currently in power. They were formidable and had many followers.
But Prahlad felt that defeating them would not be difficult.
He simply could not defeat Golden-Eyed, Golden Bed, or Vajra Body. But with Maya power, he could still contend with these generals.
As for Golden-Eyed's sons...
Golden-Eyed's second son, Garunimi, was ordinary. His martial strength was mediocre and not worth mentioning.
As for Golden-Eyed's eldest son, it was downright laughable. He had been an infant Golden-Eyed picked up in the wilderness. The child had only been lucky enough to be adopted by Golden-Eyed and was called Andhaka.
Even more laughable was that this adopted son, Andhaka, was blind!
What could a blind man do?
No matter whose turn it was to take the position of Asura King, it would never be a blind man's turn!
"The Mentor is absent, while Golden Bed and Vajra Body are cultivating. Why not wait a little longer?"
Vipralambha suggested.
He knew how formidable the brothers Golden-Eyed and Golden Bed were. Golden Bed was still in arduous cultivation, and once it ended, no one knew what terrifying power he might gain.
"There is no time!"
"The gods have obtained Amrita. If they become dissatisfied with our battle at the Ocean of Milk and lead the Heavenly Realm's army here, it will be too late to choose then!"
Prahlad continued.
Durgama's eyes glowed blue, and the golden pattern on his forehead flickered.
He waved his hand and snorted coldly. "In that case, the Netherworld's rule is that the strong are respected. Only the strongest may become Asura King. Whoever wins will be Asura King."
"I agree!"
Namuchi spoke.
"Good!"
"It is three against two now. Then it is settled!"
Prahlad smiled, strode forward, and gestured as he prepared to leave.
Boom!
Rumble!
The entire Netherworld suddenly shook. The earth seemed to flip over, producing terrifying tremors. At the edges of the Netherworld, tectonic plates split apart, crimson lava burst forth, and scorching heat and the stench of sulfur spread in every direction.
Endless sand and stones also fell from within the temple, smashing against the ground and shattering into countless fragments.
Everyone in the temple swayed from side to side, unable to steady themselves at all.
"Power of Arduous Cultivation!"
"This Power of Arduous Cultivation soaring into the heavens... someone has completed their arduous cultivation!"
Vipralambha swayed as he looked outside the temple. An invisible force was erupting outward, destroying everything it struck.
"!!!"
Prahlad's face twitched.
His eyes widened, turning scarlet. Hatred, rage, and unwillingness filled his expression in a complex tangle. He clenched his fists fiercely, sharp nails piercing his palms as two hoarse words squeezed from his throat.
"Golden Bed!!!"
Brahma Realm.
Pale blue-white holy light filled the air, and the fragrance of lotus flowers drifted through it. Goddess Saraswati sat cross-legged upon a lotus, smiling as she gently played beautiful heavenly music upon her Veena.
Today was another wonderful day!
There was just one person here who was rather unpleasant to look at.
Brahma sat upon a lotus, his snowy brows slightly raised and his gaze lowered toward a chubby, smiling sage below.
This sage was round and plump like Maitreya, draped in a bright orange-red robe. A fragrant flower garland hung around his neck, and he held a Veena in his arms as well. His plump face always bore a kind, cheerful smile, happy and carefree.
The Sage of Temptation!
The wandering sage—Narada!
"Praise Vishnu~"
Narada uttered his usual catchphrase, first offering praise to Supreme Lord Vishnu, whom he revered. Then, holding his Veena, he spread his hands with a smile. "Father, the gods of the Heavenly Realm have all returned, and Golden-Eyed's disaster has been resolved. May I leave now?"
Brahma's expression did not change.
"I know that you may come and go as you please in the Brahma Realm. This place cannot stop you."
"But you previously told Sukra about Amrita, causing Sukra to bring Golden-Eyed to the Ocean of Milk. That was far too reckless. I hope you can stay quiet for a while. If necessary, I will keep watching you."
Brahma said.
Narada had once tempted Prajapati Daksha's thousand sons into becoming ascetics and living lives of renunciation, leaving Daksha with only a group of daughters.
Prajapati Daksha had been furious over this and cursed Narada to forever have no fixed abode.
Narada had accepted it with a smile and was delighted by it.
He had always loved freedom. This curse allowed him to travel almost anywhere, making him even happier and allowing him to stir up trouble more conveniently. He could roam freely through the Three Realms.
"That was all because of Sukra. I never told him to reveal the matter to the Asuras."
Narada tilted his head, chuckled softly, and spread his hands.
Hmph~
Brahma could not help rolling his eyes.
At that moment, voices of praise echoed throughout the Brahma Realm. Sacred energy reverberated through the Brahma Realm, stirring waves in the azure heavens.
"Praise Brahma~"
"Praise Brahma~"
"A believer has completed his arduous cultivation!"
Amid the waves of praise, Brahma's expression gradually softened, and joy rose within him. Smiling, golden light radiated from his body as he vanished from the Brahma Realm.
Whoosh!
Seeing this, Narada's eyes lit up. He pressed his palms together and said in delight.
"Praise Vishnu~"
Then he turned, preparing to slip away quietly.
"Narada~"
"My husband told you to remain here."
Goddess Saraswati's pleasant voice rang out behind Narada.
"I am only going out for a walk!"
Narada turned around, spread his hands, shrugged, and smiled awkwardly.
Goddess Saraswati smiled without speaking.
She did not believe him!
Narada pressed his palms together, forcing a smile onto his face as he looked pleadingly at Goddess Saraswati.
"Mother, please! You are my own dear younger sister!"
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