Chapter 12

"Indra! Beneath the Kshira Sagara lies the solution to your current curse and the prosperity of Svaraga has been lost. It can be regained with the blessing of Devi Lakshmi. Plus with the help of the Amrita of Immortaliy, with it, the Devas will gain the strength to prevail over the Asuras and protect the cosmic balance. Together, the blessings of Lakshmi and the gift of Amrita will not only end your curse but also secure the prosperity and immortality of the Svarga for ages to come.," Vishnu said slowly.

He had issued an S-level mission: Churning the Kshira Sagara!

Mission rewards: Restoration of divine power and Svarga, and the Amrita of Immortality.

"But…"

"The Asura King Hiranyaksha is now moving Mount Mandara. Under the guidance of Rishi Shukracharya, he intends to use it alone to churn the Kshira Sagara."

Hearing this, Indra nodded, suddenly enlightened. "Hiranyaksha aims to create a powerful churning rod to stir the Kshira Sagara and extract its essence. Realizing that his strength wasn't enough, he chose Mount Mandara as his mighty tool, determined to churn the Kshira Sagara until he had extracted every last drop of its hidden treasures!"

Vishnu tilted his head in surprise at Indra's insight but acknowledged its truth. "Yes, exactly," he replied with a serious nod. "Hiranyaksha has been granted boons: near-invincibility, immense strength, and resistance to all weapons. His power has grown beyond your own; facing him head-on would be futile."

Softening his voice, Vishnu offered a gentle smile as he revealed the true extent of the challenge they faced.

At this point, the Devas panicked, confusion and unease spreading among them.

Agni Deva's mouth fell open in shock, his fiery resolve dimming. Suryadev's expression turned dark and inscrutable, his usual warmth replaced by a heavy, brooding silence. Varunadev furrowed his brow, confusion shadowing his face as he struggled to comprehend the enormity of Hiranyaksha's power. Vayudev staggered slightly as if even his boundless energy had been knocked off balance by the revelation.

Boom!

Boom!

Massive waves erupted in the pristine Kshira Sagara as the colossal form of Hiranyaksha suddenly emerged. He embraced the enormous Mount Mandara, the axis of the universe, which slowly descended into the Kshira Sagara. The mighty Mount Mandara, supporting both Bhuloka and Svarga, was cradled in Hiranyaksha's grasp.

His massive waist relaxed, arching forward as he moved, reminiscent of an ancient bear rubbing against a tree, churning the waters with every shift. The mighty Kshira Sagara surged with colossal waves, vast and endless. White crests of water stretched into the horizon, appearing to extend for eternity—boundless and immeasurable.

Amid these towering waves of the Kshira Sagara, the Devas were gripped by panic, feeling dwarfed and powerless against the immense force unfolding before them.

"We can't defeat Hiranyaksha at all!" Vayudeva exclaimed, dread filling his voice.

"Please, Lord Vishnu, save us!" Suryadeva cried, his face a mask of fear.

"Lord Vishnu, take action quickly!" Agnideva urged desperation lacing his tone.

In response, Vishnu smiled but said nothing. He looked at Indra and spoke slowly, "Indra, what do you think?"

"The Kshira Sagara is infinitely vast, boundless in depth and expanse. Hiranyaksha can remain atop its surface due to his divine power, but if he attempts to lift Mount Mandara, the axis of the world, he may very well plunge into its depths," Indra analyzed thoughtfully.

The Devas and Asuras weren't the only ones who were needed to churn the Kshira Sagara. After moving to Mount Mandara, they still needed Vishnu to transform into a turtle to serve as a winch, preventing the mountain from sinking into the waters.

Even though Hiranyaksha possesses boundless divine power, he cannot match the countless grains of sand in the Ganges River. When his divine energy is exhausted, if Hiranyaksha does not release Mount Mandara, he will be dragged into the Kshira Sagara.

"Samudra Manthan isn't something anyone can accomplish alone, especially while wielding the weight of Mount Mandara! I doubt he possesses inexhaustible stamina!" Indra mused as he turned his gaze toward Garuda.

"Garuda!"

Indra turned his head and commanded, "Go to Svarga and bring all the legions of Svarga, along with as many Gandharvas as you can find. They will be indispensable, even if the Kshira Sagara is churned!"

Garuda's mouth twitched in annoyance. He was not a subordinate of the King of Svarga and had no intention of obeying Indra's orders.

"While I respect you, that doesn't give you the right to order me around!" Garuda retorted sharply.

Vishnu smiled softly. "You're right, Indra. Hiranyaksha won't last long! Garuda, Indra is correct. Go!"

Garuda fell silent, his frustration evident. The Lord has been swayed by Indra!

Yet, under Lord Vishnu's decree, he had no choice but to comply. With a heavy heart, Garuda spread his wings and flew toward Svarga.

At that moment, Vishnu tilted his head. The magnificent wheel of vision in his hand continued to turn, and his eyes, like the wind, swept over Indra's form, revealing a hint of surprise.

If this had been the previous Indra, he would have belittled Hiranyaksha, angrily complaining that the Asura was overestimating his abilities and coveting his throne as King of Svarga—a crime worthy of death.

Vishnu's gaze shifted to Hiranyaksha on the other side. The demon's footsteps grew heavier as the Kshira Sagara rose, already submerging his ankles and creeping toward his knees.

Boom!

Boom!

Hiranyaksha held Mount Mandara in his arms, using it as a pillar to churn the boundless Kshira Sagara, empowered by divine energy.

"Teacher, I can't hold it any longer!" Hiranyaksha gasped, his bright eyes bloodshot and his entire body starting to lean toward the Kshira Sagara.

"Not good!"

Rishi Shukracharya sensed trouble as he observed Hiranyaksha's struggle. The demon had intended to use Mount Mandara to churn the Kshira Sagara, but if the axis of the worlds truly fell into the depths, the Trimurti would undoubtedly intervene, putting Hiranyaksha in grave danger.

With a grave expression, Rishi Shukracharya shouted, "Hold on! I will go to Patala Loka immediately to summon other Asuras who still possess their strength. We must not let the Devas interfere!"

Without hesitation, he set off for Patala Loka, determined to gather Asura generals and legions to help stabilize Mount Mandara.

Hiranyaksha's eyes widened as he stood firm in the Kshira Sagara, his massive body wrapped around the colossal mountain. With red arms brimming with dragon-elephant power, he radiated a force that terrified the Devas.

At that moment, Mount Mandara remained stable!

"Lord Vishnu, why don't you just take Mount Mandara back from him?" Suryadeva asked, joining his palms in a respectful pranam.

"He is currently embracing Mount Mandara, and he hasn't sunk into the Kshira Sagara. He hasn't disrupted the worldly order, nor has he violated Dharma. The Trimurti will only intervene when it is necessary," Vishnu murmured.

'You have to follow the rules, right?' Indra pondered.

"In that case, let's go tickle him!" Indra exclaimed, waving his hand as he rallied the Devas and soared forward.

A wave of fear washed over the Devas, yet their trust in King Indra and the Lord compelled them to follow.

Indra flew up to face Hiranyaksha's sun-like eyes, his heart racing as he hovered before the massive figure. As he gazed upon the asura's towering form, completely shrouded in the swirling chaos of the Kshira Sagara, Indra felt a mix of awe and surprise.

He's enormous! The size difference was so great that Hiranyaksha wouldn't even be able to see him.

"Blind his eyes first!" Indra commanded.

Gathering his hands at his waist, he activated his divine power and conjured a ball of violent lightning. With a sudden thrust, he released a powerful turtle-style Qigong, hurling it directly into Hiranyaksha's eyes.

Boom!

Thunder and lightning erupted as dazzling bolts pierced the sky, shaking the endless expanse and illuminating the area before Hiranyaksha.

"Huh? Ah!!!"

A loud noise erupted, resembling the roar of a stormy wave or an earthquake. Hiranyaksha felt a stinging sensation in his eyes, and in confusion, he quickly shut them tight. When he opened them again, realization dawned: he had been the target of a sneak attack. He squinted against the brightness and followed the trail of lightning.

The figures of the Devas stood beside him.

"Indra!" Hiranyaksha's voice thundered, reverberating across the Kshira Sagara, causing Indra's ears to ring.

Indra pointed with one hand and declared, "Hiranyaksha, I'm here to negotiate terms!"

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