Surya's chariot sped forward.
The wheels rumbled as they turned, carrying the Sun's endless radiance as they crushed through layer after layer of empty space toward the Heavenly Realm.
Whoosh!
Surya watched as the Heavenly Realm drew ever closer.
The Sun Chariot suddenly jolted violently. The divine steeds whinnied, the wheels spun wildly, and Aruna hurriedly pulled hard on the reins, bringing the seven inexplicably frenzied steeds under control.
Surya and Narada swayed and quickly grabbed hold of the chariot.
"What happened?"
Surya looked ahead in panic and saw a group of Asuras in this stretch of empty space as well, heading toward the Heavenly Realm.
The leader of those Asuras was none other than Golden Bed!
"Golden! Golden Bed!"
"Faster! Faster! Faster!"
Surya's voice trembled as he waved frantically, urging Aruna on.
Aruna hurriedly drove the chariot as well. He yanked the reins, and the divine steeds turned. With a flash, the chariot burst with light and shot straight toward the Heavenly Realm.
Golden Bed's gaze sharpened. He instantly spotted the distant Sun Chariot and Surya in his Golden Armor, then raised his hand and roared.
"The Sun God Surya is on the chariot ahead!"
"After him!"
At that roar, the vast Asura army immediately followed behind Surya, pursuing him without relent.
"Faster, faster, faster!"
Surya looked back at the ever-closer Asura army and cried out in terror.
Narada's eyes shifted as he hugged his Veena and said, "Praise Vishnu. The other gods are all in Golden Bed's hands. Sun God, why don't you go save them?"
"Huh?"
"No, no, no!"
Surya immediately shook his head so hard it whirled like a rattle drum.
"They've all drunk Amrita. Golden Bed can't do anything to them. Let's hurry and find the King of Gods. Only by working together can we save the gods!"
"Aruna, let's go!"
Surya said.
At his words, Aruna lashed the reins. With a crack, the seven divine steeds reared up and neighed, their manes streaming as they became icy white streaks of light and accelerated once more like heavenly fire.
Narada looked deeply disappointed.
This guy was way too cowardly!
Whoosh!
The distance between the two sides gradually widened.
"Whew~"
"They can't run faster than my divine steeds!"
Having escaped death, Surya gripped the chariot frame, patted his chest, and let out a long breath in delight.
Whoosh!
The Sun Chariot finally reached the edge of the Heavenly Realm.
As the Sun Chariot gradually approached the Heavenly Realm, brilliant sunlight shone forth. A pale dawn reflected across the skies above the Heavenly Realm, piercing the endless black clouds and scattering clear, bright radiance.
Hmm?!
Within the Heavenly Realm, Indra cast a sidelong glance toward its distant edge and noticed the heavenly light slowly appearing there.
A sharp gleam flashed through his eyes.
This foretold that the blazing sun was about to emerge!
Surya had returned!
Indra flung Namuchi violently to the ground with one hand.
The sea of clouds churned as Namuchi braced himself with both hands. His blood-red eyes emitted a terrifying aura as he rose to his feet once more.
"You can't hurt me!"
Namuchi's furious roar erupted like a massive earthquake, setting the boundless sea of clouds rolling and surging.
With that, his enormous body swelled once more. His hair spread in ravines like stars, and he charged forward amid a rolling Cosmic Storm.
Indra strode forward, lowering himself into a fighting stance.
His fists slowly drew back to his waist. Beneath his golden skin, his muscles bulged in unison, as though Thousand-headed Serpent King Shesha were roaring and howling, producing the sound of clouds, rain, thunder, and lightning. Then his fists blasted out.
Boom! Boom!
His lightning-wreathed fists smashed into Namuchi's chest.
Namuchi's massive body shook violently. His flesh ruptured, bursting with blinding light. Unbelievable agony twisted his face, contorting his features together and baring his savage, sharp fangs.
Roar! Roar! Roar!
Namuchi staggered, staring at the scene in disbelief.
It hurt!
He was actually injured!
"This isn't the earth, nor is it the seashore. It isn't daytime, and it's certainly not nighttime!"
"My fists are neither dry weapons nor wet weapons!"
"Now tell me, do you have what it takes to fight me in the Heavenly Realm?"
Indra's gaze was icy, his voice deep.
His second punch flew out at that moment!
He took a step forward, twisted his waist and hips, drew his right fist behind him, and suddenly struck.
Boom!
The punch landed on Namuchi's shoulder like a divine hammer shattering the void. Namuchi's left shoulder exploded.
Namuchi was sent flying backward.
The third punch followed close behind, a gigantic golden fist instantly filling Namuchi's dazed vision.
Boom!
Namuchi's head burst open. Like a meteor, he fell toward the distant sky and crashed into the Heavenly Realm in a shocking blaze of light.
"Looks like your austerities aren't enough!"
Indra slowly turned around without even looking at the explosion behind him. He merely shook his head and sighed.
KO!!!
Clang!
The Sun Chariot's wheels landed heavily, crashing onto the black clouds. The heavenly light blazed forth, bringing boundless illumination. The black clouds gradually dispersed, and the Heavenly Realm regained its former clear radiance.
Unfortunately...
"King of Gods, this is bad!"
"Golden Bed has captured the Wind God and the Fire God!"
Surya's shout rang out at that moment.
Indra turned and saw Surya leap down from the Sun Chariot like a fish breaking from water, hurrying through the air to reach him.
He blinked, frowned slightly, then patted Surya on the shoulder.
"I've seen them too!"
At that moment, his gaze shifted behind him. Looking past Surya toward the distant Heavenly Realm, he saw vast ripples appearing in the distance.
The Asura army appeared in mighty ranks like an enormous tide.
Golden Bed's gaze was fierce as he stepped into the Heavenly Realm.
Wherever the golden light in his eyes reached, he took in the entire Heavenly Realm at a glance.
In an instant, Golden Bed's pupils contracted as he saw Namuchi and Durgama, the two Asura generals, lying sprawled on the ground.
He slowly raised his head and looked toward the distant King of Gods.
"King of Gods, you actually killed two of my generals!"
"No wonder you were able to kill my elder brother!"
Golden Bed murmured in surprise.
Whoosh!
At that moment, Durgama, who had been lying face-down on the ground, abruptly sprang upright like a reanimated corpse. Like a startled bird or a rabbit fleeing a post, he shot toward Golden Bed.
"King!"
Having escaped death, Durgama cried out in delight.
He was now immensely grateful that he had been kicked away rather than beaten to death by punches like Namuchi.
Golden Bed tilted his head, raised a brow, and stroked his black beard. He looked at Durgama with an odd expression.
This guy had actually played dead!
He waved a hand in disgust, signaling for Durgama to retreat.
Golden Bed's gaze shifted, slanting toward the distance before falling upon Namuchi's other heap of flesh.
That mound of flesh was completely still! There was still no movement!
It seemed he really was dead!
"It's fine. I'll handle him!"
Golden Bed stepped forward, passing Durgama, who had narrowly escaped death. Step by step, he crossed through space and walked straight toward Indra.
"You are strong!"
"No wonder you were able to kill my elder brother and Namuchi!"
"But you are absolutely no match for me, because... my austerities surpass yours!"
Before you continue