The Ambition and Schemes of the God of the Sky:
On the lotus throne, Brahma wore an expression of enjoyment, the anger in his eyes gradually fading, occasionally expressing praise to Sarosvapadi, his consort.
Yoga was the greatest movement in the universe.
Its diversity encompassed all things.
It was the origin of all living beings.
Praise to Brahma.
Praise to the Supreme Karma.
"Wonderful! You are the blessing of the Supreme Karma. Praise to the insightful Sarosvapadi."
Brahma lavished praise on his wife without reservation.
He had never imagined that the diversity of yoga could bring him such joy.
"Praise to the great Brahma. It is you who created this happiness."
Fane would have been stunned if he knew that Brahma was praising him in such a matter.
But at this moment, it was Brahma who was bewildered.
He saw a figure enter the palace: Fikros, the God of Clouds, under Daius, the God of the Sky.
A high-ranking god, like an ant in comparison.
Though an ant, he had walked in on Brahma and his wife's yoga practice. The situation was embarrassing, and Brahma was somewhat displeased.
"You lowly ant! If you do not provide a reasonable explanation, you shall cease to exist forever."
Brahma's face grew stern.
Sarosvapadi also sensed Fikros' presence.
To her, yoga was sacred, praised by the Supreme Karma.
Being observed was slightly awkward, but stopping midway would be a profanation of the great Creator Brahma and a disrespect to her husband.
Thus, while Brahma scolded Fikros, Sarosvapadi continued her practice without pause.
"Ah!"
Fikros froze. He had never expected to witness such a scene.
The gods had just departed, and yet the great Brahma and Sarosvapadi had already begun.
Under Brahma's reprimand, Fikros quickly recovered, bowing sincerely:"Praise to the great Brahma and Sarosvapadi. You have broadened this humble god's horizons and increased his wisdom. Please accept my most sincere admiration."
"Very well, I accept your praise. But why did you turn back suddenly?"
Brahma, still in enjoyment, felt no trace of anger. The praise from the God of Clouds brought him additional delight.
"I returned to inform the great Brahma that the Consciousness God Fane, who resides beside the Grand Land Sovereign, is the first being born in the Primordial Brahma. He is merely a high god, unworthy of such supreme honor."
"What!"
Brahma's body trembled. A complex expression appeared on his face—radiant as the full moon, scorching as the midday sun, impossible to gaze upon directly.
The mix of emotions was indescribable—neither purely pleasure nor purely anger.
Sarosvapadi, though a little embarrassed, looked happy. In her heart, this was the greatest acknowledgment and praise from her husband.
Praise to the all-encompassing Brahma.
Praise to the great Supreme Karma.
"Consciousness God Fane!"
With Fikros' reminder, Brahma only needed to meditate briefly to know Fane's true identity.
Indeed, this lowly ant had been born before him, the first being of Primordial Brahma.
This was intolerable to the proud Brahma.
"Who else knows of this?" Brahma asked Fikros sternly.
"Reporting to Brahma, I have told no one," Fikros replied truthfully.
"Good."
Brahma nodded in satisfaction. From his Life Divine Vessel, a golden light shot forth, enveloping Fikros and absorbing him inside.
The Life Divine Vessel, one of the twelve innate artifacts, was created by the cosmic craftsman Desa, possessing supreme power.
The moment Fikros entered, his life was stripped, and his power scattered across the Three Thousand Realms.
In the future, a new God of Clouds would be born.
"You sought to provoke the great Brahma, hoping to eliminate your rival through him, Sky God Daius. You shall perish in the Primordial Calamity."
As one of the Trimurti and embodiment of supreme law and order, Brahma could discern the truth of everything through meditation.
Only five beings could know Fane's secret: the Trimurti and two Primordial Elemental Gods. The Earth Goddess Ximi would obviously not reveal Fane's identity.
Thus, it was clear that Fikros had been sent by Daius.
"Will you take action against the Consciousness God, my love?"
Sarosvapadi, now dressed in a splendid sari, looked gently at Brahma.
"No. I am the supreme Creator God; how could I act against an ant?" Brahma shook his head.
Though proud, after losing his most arrogant head, Brahma no longer acted recklessly.
With the Earth Goddess Ximi protecting him, he could strike, but it would harm Ximi, giving Vishnu reason to intervene.
"All cause and effect shall wait until the Primordial Calamity begins. Now, let us do our part for the birth of all living beings. Do you agree, my dear?"
Brahma lifted Sarosvapadi into the inner hall.
…
In the Heavens, atop Mount Sumeru, in Shanjian City, the abode of Sky God Daius.
(Mount Sumeru spans the Three Realms: its base in the Underworld, midsection in the Human Realm, and peak in the Heavens. Many great gods have their abodes there.)
"Fikros' power has returned to the universe. Brahma now knows the secret of the Consciousness God. Next, Brahma will seek to balance the Earth Goddess."
"I can now safely establish the Heavenly Court and ascend to the throne of the God King."
Sky God Daius smiled. Sending Fikros as a spy was not just to deal with a rival. His mind held greater schemes.
To become the King of Gods, rule the Three Thousand Realms, and dominate all living beings—this was his true goal.
Only the Earth Goddess could contest his claim to the throne—but now, the obstacle was gone.
Sacrificing a lowly Cloud God? Totally worth it.
"Summon the gods to Shanjian City, revered Sakhaman."
"As your will, God King."
Stellar God Sakhaman left the grand temple, splitting into countless forms to travel across the heavens.
At Mount Sumeru, Miaozhen Palace: after a great yoga exchange, Fane sat up, his Lingam radiating fierce battle intent, as if seeking the source of life, the Yoni.
The Earth Goddess Ximi nestled in his embrace, her body glistening with perspiration, exhausted from the encounter.
It was clear that Ximi had been on the losing side