The scene shifted rapidly. After racing along the road, Indra soon returned to Ninshu's Main Hall.
His expression was calm and his steps unhurried, with not the slightest sign that he had turned to darkness. Standing before the Sage of Six Paths, he reported the results of his assessment mission, each word clear and steady.
The Sage of Six Paths listened quietly to the entire account. A gentle smile appeared on his face, and he seemed quite satisfied as he spoke in a warm voice.
"Indra, you did very well. Thank you for your hard work on the journey. Go and rest."
"Once Asura returns, I will consider how both of you conducted yourselves before making my final choice of Ninshu's successor."
Indra nodded slightly. He neither argued nor questioned him, made no attempt to probe his intentions, and showed not a trace of dissatisfaction.
He turned without hesitation and left in silence, his retreating figure cold and aloof, without a hint of lingering attachment.
Watching his eldest son's lonely figure recede into the distance, the gentle smile slowly faded from the Sage of Six Paths' face. He sighed softly, deep helplessness and regret hidden in his eyes.
He dimly sensed that something between him and the son he was proudest of could never be repaired.
Yet he stubbornly continued to believe that he had done nothing wrong.
He only wanted to balance strength with compassion. He only wanted his two sons to complement each other.
The view on the Sky Screen shifted again, turning entirely to the place where Asura was undergoing his trial.
Elsewhere, after traveling for several days, Asura finally reached the village assigned to him for his assessment mission.
The villagers had suffered from illness for years. They were frail and sickly, beyond the help of