The Heavenly Emperor, Garuda Bows His Head!

The original Golden Solar God Armor had a thousand layers. Each layer could only be broken with a thousand years of the Power of Arduous Cultivation, and when a layer of divine armor shattered, it would instantly kill the enemy.

But his current armor, though not as powerful as the original, could be customized according to his own wishes.

It could grow and evolve on its own according to the Power of Arduous Cultivation.

"Not bad!"

Indra's heart settled somewhat.

Though this was not a complete Sun God Armor, it suited Indra's wishes better.

Nowadays, there were not many Asuras who practiced arduous cultivation!

Only after the brothers Golden-Eyed and Golden Bed relied on Brahma's blessings to endanger the Three Realms and crush the gods did most Asuras see the power of arduous cultivation and begin cultivating before Brahma to seek blessings.

"Praise Surya!"

Indra said.

"Praise Indra!"

Surya replied with a smile, pressing his palms together in return.

At this moment, Priest Sage was also deeply moved. His tightly furrowed brows relaxed, revealing the gratified expression of one who had watched a child grow up.

Indra had grown!

His guidance had finally borne fruit!

Brahma Realm.

Brahma's four heads tilted slightly as his eyes flickered, gazing down at the situation in the Heavenly Realm below.

"It is not easy for Indra to have such insight!"

Brahma was slightly surprised.

Hearing this, Goddess Saraswati nodded. "He used to stop at nothing for the position of Heavenly Emperor!"

"That is simply how the Heavenly Emperor is!"

"The position of Heavenly Emperor represents being the foremost among all the gods of the world—the highest status, the most enduring luxury, and boundless blessings!"

"It also breeds endless arrogance. Even the humblest devotee who ascends this throne will develop an arrogant heart, along with the fear of losing the position of Heavenly Emperor!"

Brahma said.

He felt that Indra was doing quite well now!

The only problem was that he had cursed Vishnu's mount, Garuda!

But the Heavenly Emperor had angered the Trimurti more than once or twice before, and every time it had been Shiva he provoked. Shiva truly would kill the Heavenly Emperor, yet in the end, he had always forgiven him after the Heavenly Emperor repented.

Such were the blessings of the Heavenly Emperor's position. As long as one was willing to repent, everything could be discussed.

Indra, however, would repent this time and dare to do it again the next!

Vishnu was probably used to it by now!

Besides, Garuda had been at fault first this time. A small punishment was no problem.

Above the Ocean of Milk.

Vishnu reclined atop Thousand-headed Serpent King Shesha. Chakravyuha spun upon his fingertip as he tilted his head, his face filled with melancholy.

Streams of golden light drifted in from the horizon and, amid their circling, entered Vishnu's body.

This was the power Vishnu had left within Garuda.

In Indian Mythology, devotees offered themselves as the Supreme Lord's temple and worshipped the Supreme Lord with their thoughts, thereby receiving the Supreme Lord's boundless favor.

But now...

The power left within Garuda's body had returned!

My poor devotee has suffered this calamity because of me. Garuda is so proud that I may need to send an incarnation to guide him. But the most urgent matter now is churning the Ocean of Milk. Garuda will have to wait!

Vishnu felt melancholy.

Of the Trimurti, he was the busiest!

Mahadeva Shiva spent every day meditating and practicing arduous cultivation; Brahma sat in the Brahma Realm sleeping soundly. Only he was busy every day, maintaining the world and cleaning up after the gods.

So tiring!

Vishnu shook his head. Sensing Garuda gradually approaching, Chakravyuha at his fingertip gleamed.

Whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, Vishnu and Shesha vanished without a trace.

Elsewhere.

Garuda was on his way to find the Supreme Lord.

He spread his wings and soared. His golden wings descended like dawn, scattering a faint golden radiance across the sky as he instantly crossed the Human Realm, flew over the Netherworld, and rushed toward the Ocean of Milk.

Whoosh!

Golden feathers swept past, stirring layer upon layer of waves across the vast Ocean of Milk.

Garuda beat his wings fiercely and charged in Vishnu's direction.

"Supreme Lord!"

His golden eagle eyes swept across the area, yet he could not see Supreme Lord Vishnu.

He flapped his wings again and searched through the Ocean of Milk, but he could not see the slightest trace of the Supreme Lord, nor could he sense even a hint of his aura.

"The curse has already taken effect!"

Garuda's heart sank.

He folded his wings and transformed into a divine man with wings on his back. His body slowly descended, landing upon the Ocean of Milk with a lonely, desolate expression.

There was only his solitary figure upon the sea.

"Must I bow my head to Indra?"

Garuda gritted his teeth and frowned.

As soon as he said this, he immediately shook his head.

How could he bow his head to Indra?

No!

Absolutely not!

"I will also practice arduous cultivation before the Supreme Lord and seek his blessing!"

Garuda gritted his teeth and spoke at once.

If Indra could practice arduous cultivation to curse others, then he too could practice arduous cultivation to resolve this curse!

Garuda slowly closed his eyes, stood on one foot, and balanced upon his big toe atop the Ocean of Milk. With his palms pressed together and raised above his head, he entered arduous cultivation in this unique yoga posture.

"Praise Supreme Lord Vishnu!"

"Praise Supreme Lord Vishnu!"

Voice after voice came from Garuda's mouth, echoing across the Ocean of Milk.

Splash!

The waves of the Ocean of Milk boiled as the sea wind howled, blowing against Garuda's body.

Garuda's brows drew tightly together.

A hollow sense of emptiness surged from his heart, as if the pillar within him had vanished.

"No!"

Garuda abruptly opened his eyes, revealing a confused expression.

Whenever he closed his eyes, he could not help recalling the Supreme Lord's every word and smile. Yet no matter how he praised him, he received no response from the Supreme Lord and could not even sense his existence.

He simply could not enter the meditative state of arduous cultivation!

"Sigh!"

Garuda clenched his fist and slammed it hard against his chest.

"The Supreme Lord holds the world in his heart, while I hold the Supreme Lord in mine. The Supreme Lord can devote himself to the world, and I can devote myself to the Supreme Lord. It is merely apologizing to Indra!"

"For the Supreme Lord, I can accept this little humiliation!"

Garuda consoled himself.

Though he said this to himself, he still could not get past the hurdle in his heart.

"Indra is clearly more arrogant than I am, and he shows even less respect for the Supreme Lord. Why am I the one who has to apologize to him?"

"Why?!"

Garuda's face was troubled. With his hands on his hips, he paced back and forth atop the Ocean of Milk.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a sharp streak of white light shot straight across the Ocean of Milk.

Garuda looked at that white light, narrowing his eyes.

"This is... Venus Immortal!"

"Shukracharyaa!"

Garuda frowned and muttered to himself.

Shukracharyaa was not merely Venus Immortal, who represented Venus. He was also the Asura Mentor and the Asura King's teacher.

Now that Shukracharyaa had appeared above the Ocean of Milk, the only possibility was that he had come to find Supreme Lord Vishnu and beg him to help the Asuras recover their strength.

"If Shukracharyaa finds the Supreme Lord and lets the Asuras regain their strength first, things will go badly for the gods!"

"The Supreme Lord does not like the Asuras at all. He prefers the gods!"

"To put the Supreme Lord at ease, I must go find the gods and bring them here as well, to stop the Asuras' plot!"

"I am returning for the blessings of the gods!"

"It is not because I am trapped by the curse and have no choice but to seek Indra!"

Garuda's eyes lit up. He had found himself a reason to go look for Indra.

Whoosh!

In the next moment, Garuda soared into the sky.