Chapter 312: Chapter 288: The Sacrifice Failed, You’re Actually Cultivating Here! (Extra for monthly votes! Vote for us!)
Shachi blinked her beautiful eyes, which flickered with light.
Some time ago, to prevent others from disturbing Indra’s ascetic practices, she had moved this stone bed into the midst of the lotus flowers on this lake.
These lotuses were enormous, like houses, and could accommodate several people.
The surrounding environment became even more tranquil!
It was very suitable for ascetic practices, and also more convenient for her to take care of him.
As for the Devas.
If the Devas were not dealing with important matters, she did not want others to disturb Indra’s ascetic practices.
"The Supreme Lord’s asceticism is a bit more important, after all!"
Shachi murmured softly to herself.
She gazed at the shimmering Divine Armor, witnessing how it slowly absorbed the powers of the Wind God and the Water God.
Then she slightly tilted her lips into a contented smile, extended her slender arms, and with her snow-white hands holding a brocade cloth, gently wiped Indra’s face.
...
Elsewhere, in front of the wish-fulfilling Divine Tree.
"I wonder if the mentor will come over!"
"Recently, the mentor has been with Gandharva, and who knows what they’re doing?"
Sun God Surya slightly lifted his head, his twinkling eyes looking into the distance with some concern.
The Ritual Master Immortal had returned!
But it seemed the mentor still maintained some distance from the Devas, spending these days with Gandharva.
Step!
Wind God Vayu stepped forward with brisk steps and took his stand.
He crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head.
"The mentor has been quite good to us!"
"These days the mentor seems to be imparting some knowledge to Gandharva. I saw them practicing military formations that seemed very similar to those used by Popiwen’s Asura legions."
Wind God Vayu said.
Upon hearing this, Surya blinked, taken aback.
Indeed, Popiwen’s Asura used to form formations similar to star discs that significantly enhanced their strength.
Whoosh!
A bright fiery light approached from the distant sky like a burning meteor, rising in flames and transfiguring into the form of Fire God Agni.
Fire God Agni, in his magnificent red armor, descended upon this place.
He strode forward, coming to stand before Surya.
"The mentor is studying a Thunder Mace Formation!"
"He won’t be able to leave for a short time, so let me preside over this sacrifice!"
Fire God Agni said.
As the controller of the Fire Sacrifice, Agni was incredibly proficient in sacrificial rituals, able to conduct offerings that others found impossible.
So, taking the place of the Ritual Master Immortal to conduct the sacrifice posed no problem at all.
"Thunder Mace Formation?"
Surya and Vayu looked surprised, muttering the name to themselves.
Fire God Agni smiled and shook his head lightly.
"The mentor mentioned it to me!"
"The Thunder Mace Formation, also known as the Immovable Formation, is like a whirlwind raised in battle that makes it hard for the enemy to withstand."
"With this formation, our army’s strength will surely be greatly enhanced!"
Fire God Agni said.
At his words, a look of joy crossed Surya’s face.
Whoosh!
Faint golden light burst forth from his body, illuminating all around, reflecting his joyful heart.
He wasn’t just happy about the Thunder Mace Formation but was more delighted that the mentor seemed not to have grown distant from the Devas.
"Good!"
"Then let’s worship the wish-fulfilling Divine Tree first!"
Sun God Surya blinked, clenched his fist, tapped it in his hand, and chuckled.
Fire God Agni and Wind God Vayu exchanged looks and moved in unison.
Rustle!
The wish-fulfilling Divine Tree gently swayed, scattering jewels’ brilliance, glittering and sparkling, floating like twinkling waves, akin to stars falling to the earth, a continuous splendor.
Under the radiance of this wish-fulfilling Divine Tree.
A sacrificial altar rose majestically.
Fire God Agni sat cross-legged above, surrounded by golden vessels filled with clear water, heaps of bright red flower powder, sunset-hued marigold dust, and various other offerings like milk.
Sun God Surya, other Devas, and mountains such as Mayu Mountain also sat gravely beneath the altar.
They wore solemn faces, hands pressed together in prayer.
"Praise the wish-fulfilling Divine Tree!"
"Praise the wish-fulfilling Divine Tree!"
...
With the faint voice of praise, the Fire God Agni reached for the ladle, dipped it into the pot, scooped up a spoonful of clear water, and sprinkled it onto the fire sacrifice.
Whoosh!
At that moment, the fire sacrifice rose higher.
Agni immediately urged the fire sacrifice, transferring the power of the offering more swiftly towards the Divine Tree.
He was flame!
The fire sacrifice was a part of him, and manipulating it was effortless for him. The fire sacrifice, moreover, was a necessary pathway for transmitting the power of the offering.
Agni could almost instantly pass the prayers of the Devas onto the Divine Tree without limitation.
One might say it was an express delivery for the ritual!
Agni’s eyes sparkled as he lifted his hand to pour another spoonful of water, and then he prayed.
In an instant, he sensed the Divine Tree.
The fire sacrifice connected!
At that time, within Agni’s perception, hazy shadows emerged as the Divine Tree shimmered with faint golden brilliance, sacred and beautiful.
However...
Within the light cast by the fire sacrifice, the surroundings of the Divine Tree appeared somewhat dim, with only a faint halo rippling vaguely as if something nearby was affecting it.
But Agni had not noticed this, utterly exhilarated.
A glint flashed in his eyes as he smiled and said,
"Divine Tree!"
"Symbol of auspiciousness!"
"Honor the Divine Tree, and respond to us!"
The Fire God Agni’s face beamed with joy, and suddenly he reached out, grabbing a handful of red flower powder and casting it into the flames.
Rustle!
The Divine Tree gently swayed, its branches flickering with golden light, and gemstones hanging from the twigs. Leaves fluttered down, falling upon the small mound of withered brown leaves below.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The Devas and the Mountains alike raised their heads, watching the scene with delight.
Has the offering been completed so quickly?
"Worthy of Agni indeed!" exclaimed the Sun God Surya in surprise.
"Yes!" Wind God Vayu shook his head in agreement, clearly thrilled. "The offering is effortless for him."
"Exactly!"
Water God Varuna’s eyes glistened with a focused light, revealing a faint smile in support.
The people of Mayu Mountain widened their eyes, slowly stood up, pressed their palms together, and murmured,
"Divine Tree!"
"Please tell us where Heavenly Emperor Indra is?"
The words of Mayu Mountain had barely finished.
In an instant, the glow of the Divine Tree quietly faded, returning to calmness as if nothing had happened.
"Huh?"
Mayu Mountain stared at the Divine Tree, puzzled.
The Mountains, such as Fragrant Intoxication Mountain, also stood up one after another, their faces showing disbelief.
Swish!
They all turned their heads to look at the Fire God Agni.
The Devas were equally confused and looked at Agni with perplexity.
"Impossible!"
"My offering cannot be wrong; it must be something outside the fire sacrifice that was affected!" Agni declared emphatically, waving his arms.
Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances.
Could there be an issue with the Divine Tree?
Swish!
At last, everyone’s gaze settled on the Divine Tree, then shifted slightly to the pile of fallen leaves below it.
"Could it be..."
Wind God Vayu’s face showed a look of astonishment.
He stared intently ahead, cautiously pushing both hands forward, releasing swirls of tornados from his palms which headed straight for the pile of leaves.
The fierce tornadoes approached the leaves.
In an instant, the storm abated, as if crossing vast distances, losing its strength and turning into a gentle breeze that wafted by.
A few withered leaves fluttered down.
A vaguely discernible face appeared.
Highly distinctive!
"It’s her!"
Vayu exclaimed, stepping back in alarm and uttering in shock.
