He could not die by day or by night!
He could not die on land or in the sea!
He could not die by dry weapons or wet weapons!
Indra listened to Namuchi's words, his gaze narrowing as the massive figure charging toward him reflected in his eyes.
This boon...
It was surprisingly easy to break!
If Namuchi could not die by dry or wet weapons, then Indra only needed to use his fists and body.
If Namuchi could not die on land or in the sea, then the Heavenly Realm was neither land nor sea.
That left only day and night as the troublesome part.
If Surya returned, this would be much easier!
As Indra's thoughts raced, Namuchi's body had already swelled to a size comparable to his own. Like a towering wave, he charged forward with mountain-crushing momentum, his fist roaring through the air.
Boom!
Indra put away his divine bow. Divine power gathered in his arms as his golden skin shone with holy light, like divine bronze forged in flames. His muscles and bones coiled like the king of underground Naga serpents, erupting with terrifying strength in an instant.
With a punch that shattered the void, Namuchi was sent crashing down, sprawled atop the endless sea of clouds.
"You can't kill me!"
The next moment, Namuchi raised his head, split his mouth into a wide grin, and sneered.
Bang!
He pushed off with both hands and lunged forward, reaching for Indra.
Durgama also flew out at that moment. He did not reveal his true form, instead keeping himself shrunk down and hiding behind Namuchi, waiting for an opportunity. Now was the time to strike.
Whoosh!
Durgama leaped into the air, raising his divine blade with both hands. The weapon flashed coldly as it chopped straight toward Indra's knee.
"I'll cut off your knee!"
Durgama shouted.
He jumped up and slashed at Indra's knee!
The next instant, the Golden Armor on Indra's body flashed, and the light of Halahala Poison shimmered. Durgama immediately felt excruciating pain throughout his body. Then a huge foot thundered toward him, whipping up violent winds and filling his terrified vision.
Boom!
Durgama flew backward, tracing a smooth arc through the Heavenly Realm as he sailed into the distance like a rainbow.
Namuchi, before Indra, also cried out in pain and collapsed to the ground.
Indra smiled.
The first layer of his Golden Solar God Armor contained Halahala Poison. Merely flashing its light could cause agony, while touching it would inflict poison.
Those two had not even touched the armor. Just being illuminated by it had left them writhing on the ground in pain. Their pain tolerance was nowhere near as strong as Golden-Eyed's.
Indra bent down and grabbed Namuchi by the lower leg with one hand.
His body began to grow larger once more.
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, Indra and Namuchi were like a giant mountain and a dirt mound, an elephant and a lion, a fierce tiger and a wild dog.
Indra swung his arm wildly from side to side, battering Namuchi back and forth like a flailing cloak. He slammed him heavily against the black clouds, producing terrifying rumbles.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"This Asura could probably be used as a weapon and a shield. He really does feel good in the hand!"
Indra swung his arm, feeling himself becoming more and more proficient with it.
He was practically a warhammer!
Ocean of Milk.
The Sun Chariot pulled by seven horses crossed the raging waves. Hooves thundered as scorching sunlight spilled across the abyss-black Ocean of Milk, reflecting a blazing sun. A straight path of sea mist stretched across the surface beneath that radiance.
Surya held onto the chariot frame and looked back in panic.
"Faster!"
Surya cried anxiously.
Aruna, the God of Dawn, drove the divine chariot faster and faster until they finally saw an unexpected yet familiar figure.
"Narada!"
Surya exclaimed.
He quickly waved, signaling Aruna to stop beside Narada.
"Ah? My Lord!"
"It's them!"
Narada hugged his Veena and turned awkwardly around, immediately spotting Surya.
"Wonderful, Narada! I didn't expect you to escape capture."
"Come on, get in! We're going to find the Lord!"
Surya beamed and pulled Narada onto the chariot in one motion.
"Praise Vishnu~"
"I was lucky enough to escape from the Asura army."
Narada gave an awkward smile and glanced at the Sun Chariot.
Back when the army of gods had first entered the Netherworld, he had slipped away amid the chaos while everyone was distracted. Who would have thought that he would run into Surya here in the Ocean of Milk?
He had run so fast!
Could he really not outrun Surya's Sun Chariot?
What rotten luck!
"Come on, let's find the Lord first, then rescue the Heavenly Realm!"
Surya said excitedly, gripping Narada's arm.
Narada discreetly tugged at his wrist, but Surya's grip was too tight, and he could not pull free.
"Of course!"
"The Lord will surely have a way."
Narada forced a smile onto his chubby face.
The three flew onward in the divine chariot.
A resplendent golden divine palace appeared above the Ocean of Milk, shining brilliantly as though it contained countless beautiful things.
Whoosh!
A tiny black speck flew out from the distant divine palace, beating its wings as it drew nearer and nearer.
"Garuda!"
Aruna's sharp eyes immediately recognized the newcomer, and he cried out in delight.
"Big Brother!"
Garuda also looked at Aruna, the God of Dawn, in surprise and joy.
They were full brothers, born from two eggs to the same father and mother!
Aruna was the elder brother, while Garuda was the younger!
"Garuda!"
"This is wonderful. Golden Bed is far too powerful. We need the Lord's strength—please ask the Lord to defeat Golden Bed!"
Surya pressed his palms together, his eyes glistening as he tilted his head and pleaded humbly.
Hearing this, Garuda shook his head.
"The Lord is in Vaikuntha behind me, but he said he would not intervene. Golden Bed has not yet violated Dharma. Please return!"
Garuda shook his head.
"Is it really impossible?"
Aruna raised a hand, grasped Garuda's arm, and continued asking.
"Garuda, will the Lord truly not show himself?"
Aruna asked.
Garuda looked at his elder brother with pity and helplessly shook his head. "The Lord said... the time has not yet come!"
Aruna sighed.
Surya also looked utterly dejected.
Narada's eyes, however, lit up. Filled with curiosity, he stood on tiptoe and peered toward Vaikuntha behind them.
"Praise Vishnu~"
"Is this the Lord's new palace, Vaikuntha?"
"I've never been inside!"
Narada looked astonished. He lifted a foot, about to jump down from the Sun Chariot, but a massive golden wing immediately blocked him, cutting off both his view and his path forward.
"Oh, right. The Lord said that Narada should remain in the Heavenly Realm and continue helping the gods."
"When the time comes, you may visit Vaikuntha!"
Garuda curled his lips into a smile as he stopped Narada.
He was extremely glad that the Lord had not sent him to the Heavenly Realm this time. He had no desire to see Indra again. Narada was much better, and he absolutely could not let Narada enter Vaikuntha again.
"Huh?!"
Narada froze.
"We can only return!"
"We must quickly tell the Emperor of Heaven the news!"
Surya shook his head in disappointment. It seemed they had made this trip for nothing today, but the Lord must have his own reasons for doing this.
"Let's go, Aruna!"
Surya said.
Aruna answered, then bid Garuda farewell and drove the Sun Chariot toward the Heavenly Realm.
Garuda waved goodbye to his elder brother. He watched Narada gaze longingly at Vaikuntha, even as it drifted farther and farther away.
"Phew~ That's great!"
Garuda felt utterly delighted. He beat his wings, which shone with dazzling golden light.
Narada would go to the Heavenly Realm to help the gods, while he could remain in Vaikuntha and accompany the Lord.
Wonderful!
Whoosh!
Surya stood atop the divine chariot, gazing into the distance.
The seven steeds soared through the air. Carrying endless radiance, the Sun Chariot passed through layer after layer of space and crossed the darkness, charging straight toward the Heavenly Realm like the first ray of dawn.
"The army has been defeated!"
"The Heavenly Realm can't be defended. We have to flee quickly. The Emperor of Heaven hasn't already run to the Brahma Realm, has he?!"
Surya's heart was in turmoil.
Before you continue