Chapter 17

"Is this what Indra is really like?"

The Wind God, Vayu, felt a surge of emotion and couldn't help but speak out. As the vanguard and a leading general among the gods, he had a close and deep understanding of Indra, the God of War. However, he was surprised to see Indra's current enthusiasm for battle.

"I'm coming too!"

With that, Vayu joined in. The Sun God, Surya, exchanged a helpless glance with the Fire God, Agni, and with a sigh and a shake of their heads, they followed suit. The Water God, Varuna, hesitated. Although he wanted to go to the serpent's head, he didn't feel comfortable going against the flow since the gods were all heading to the tail. He glanced at the distant Asura army, swallowed nervously, and hurried to join the others at the tail.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

"Let's go to the serpent's head!"

Kalmashapada waved his hand, giving the order eagerly. He couldn't wait to seize the treasures churned up from the Milky Ocean.

"Wait!"

Suddenly, Asura General Proman stepped forward. He appeared middle-aged, his golden armor shining like the dawn and resonating like shattering glass.

"They chose too quickly, heading straight to the tail. I suspect a trap. I suggest we switch places with the gods, letting them take the head while we take the tail," Proman analyzed, squinting at the distant gods.

Hearing this, the Asura teacher, Shukra, frowned, a trace of speculation flashing in his calm eyes.

"Exactly! With Shesha coiled around Mount Mandara, as we pull, Shesha will undoubtedly feel pain and spew fire, burning our troops. We must switch positions with the gods," Shukra concluded.

Hearing Shukra's analysis, the Asuras suddenly understood. Kalmashapada, however, laughed dismissively, waving his hand carelessly.

"A little snake venom and fire? What of it? Are you Asura warriors afraid?!"

His gaze swept around. Proman fell silent, not daring to respond. Shukra's face grew darker with anger. Asura General Viparajiti hesitated but finally stepped forward cautiously.

"My son, Rahu, is skilled in illusion. Perhaps he could disguise himself as a god to gather intelligence."

"No need!"

Kalmashapada's eyes widened, his beard bristled, and he waved his hand, rejecting Viparajiti's suggestion.

"As long as I am here, these gods cannot win! I am the Asura King! Even Vishnu cannot kill me. I am victory! I am glory! Just follow my orders!"

"Move out!"

Kalmashapada commanded, leading the Asura army toward Shesha's head.

"Stop this madness, Kalmashapada! Your arrogance will be your downfall!" Shukra scolded.

"Teacher, I respect you, but that does not give you the right to interfere with my orders. I am the Asura King!" Kalmashapada retorted, stepping onto the Milky Ocean, causing waves to crash loudly as he walked away.

Shukra remained silent, his face stern and filled with frustration.

...

"What?!" Indra rubbed his eyes and placed his hand above his brow, peering into the distance. He saw the Asura army, moving like countless slanted raindrops, heading toward the serpent's head.

This isn't right! According to the legend, shouldn't these Asuras be insisting on switching places? Why are they so compliant now?

"Look! They're heading to the serpent's head!" Surya exclaimed excitedly.

"Indeed, this is good! Very good!" Vayu nodded, feeling relieved.

Agni and Varuna couldn't help but smile with joy. This meant that the Asuras at the serpent's head would have to endure Shesha's venom and flames.

Indra looked disappointed. It seemed he couldn't speed up his ascetic practice. In the three realms, performing ascetic practices could enhance spiritual power, with harsher practices yielding greater results.

Never mind, I'll accumulate it slowly.

Indra shook his head and joined the other gods, looking at the massive, undulating scales of Shesha. He transformed into his divine form, a giant with limbs intact, his entire body golden and immensely powerful, his eyes shining like the sun.

In front of him, Agni also transformed, clad in black, with four arms, three heads, and seven tongues, surrounded by swirling smoke.

"Still, I look better," Indra mused, nodding in approval.

The other gods also transformed into their divine forms. The Asuras likewise took on their true forms, becoming giants, sea monsters, and three-headed serpents.

Indra looked down, seeing the once vast scales now appearing much smaller. He grabbed the serpent's tail, wrapping it around his waist. At that moment, tens of thousands of gods and Asuras began pulling Shesha's body, starting the churning.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Shesha's body coiled around Mount Mandara, moving continuously. The huge mountain, resting on the back of a divine turtle, began to turn slowly, starting the intense churning of the Milky Ocean.

Splash!

The waves roared and surged, the entire ocean seeming to respond. Indra, known as the "son of great strength," found it relatively easy to pull the enormous serpent's tail. However, churning the ocean was a lengthy process, expected to last for hundreds of years, gradually depleting his strength.

Sensing his ascetic power, Indra felt a surge of energy within him, growing stronger.

"Ascetic power is increasing!" Indra's eyes lit up. With renewed determination, he pulled harder, driven by the prospect of greater power. Each moment of endurance added to his ascetic strength, proving that effort truly paid off.

Indra's fervor inspired the surrounding gods, who redoubled their efforts. The entire Mount Mandara began to move toward the gods.

Kalmashapada saw this and his eyes widened with anger. Turning to the Asuras, he roared, "Pull harder! Don't let the gods outdo you!"

The Asuras, terrified, pulled with all their might. Kalmashapada grabbed a serpent's head and pulled fiercely.

Hiss! Roar!

The serpent's head twisted in agony, spewing fiery venom directly at Kalmashapada's face.

What!!! 

(End of the chapter)

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