Seeing Li Li and Arthas join forces, the volatile Alemental grew even more frenzied. A peculiar manifestation entirely devoid of intellect, it harbored absolutely no concept of what kind of powerful entity it had provoked. Driven solely by rampant fury, it sought to obliterate everything in its path. Even when facing deities, it would confidently view itself as second only to the heavens until a truly crushing force suppressed it.
Brandishing its massive axe, it unleashed a sweeping strike toward the two of them. Li Li dodged nimbly, continuously exploiting openings to strike at its vulnerabilities with her fist weapons. Meanwhile, Arthas stood his ground, his gaze locked firmly onto the creature. Just as the heavy blade was about to cleave his position, he moved. Leaping into the air, his runeblade carried a biting frost as it crashed violently against the Alemental's axe.
Clang! A resonant detonation echoed, sending sparks flying in all directions. The Alemental was driven back several steps by the raw feedback, the liquid fire coating its axe instantly snuffed out by the sheer chill.
The moment Arthas touched the ground, he surged forward again without a second's pause. Moving swift as lightning, his runeblade blurred as it lashed out continuously. Chilling arcs of sword energy tore into the Alemental's form, leaving deep fissures where the liquid spirits froze instantly solid.
Queen Azshara watched the volatile elemental with considerable interest. This type of elemental, inadvertently birthed from brewing techniques, seemed to harbor a subtle trace of elemental principles. It was a pity, however, that it was handed a death sentence in the very next second.
This was not because the entity dared to resist, but rather because such an Alemental possessed absolutely no research value; one merely needed the recipe to dissect the underlying secrets. As for the specimen before them, it was little more than a defective byproduct.
She was the supreme Queen of the Kaldorei; if she were to conduct research, it would naturally center on high-end sorcery. There was no way she would harbor genuine interest in such a lowly creature. She could also tell that her husband simply wanted to amuse himself a bit longer. Otherwise, there would be no need to draw his blade and join the fray; merely releasing his divine aura would be more than enough to strike terror into this mindless elemental.
With a wave of her elegant hand, arcane energies converged, coalescing in a split second into a biting froststorm. It bound the raging Alemental securely in place. No matter how frantically the entity roared, its efforts were entirely futile as it was gradually encased in solid ice.
Though she was fully capable of freezing it solid in an instant, Azshara acted out of a playful caprice, deliberately slowing the freezing process to force the creature to taste the pathetic fate of struggling desperately without any hope of escape. Such was the consequence for a lowly creature daring to resist a noble deity. She had never been a saintly figure; she was merely a wicked woman who enjoyed amusement and torment.
Seeing the opening, Li Li seized the opportunity immediately. Channing the Chi within her body to its absolute limits, her fists flared with a dazzling green radiance as the Breath of the Dragon converged upon her hands.
Lunging violently toward the Alemental, she drove a fist directly into the frozen fissure on its chest. The Alemental unleashed a piercing shriek as its entire form shuddered violently, its surface bubbles bursting continuously as the liquid spirits rapidly drained away.
Right at that moment, the remaining Hozen and Virmen attempted to seize the chaos to flee, while the Jinyu prepared to retreat back toward the river valley.
Arthas's gaze turned cold. With a sweep of his runeblade, several biting arcs of sword energy shot toward the fleeing invaders. The Hozen and Virmen struck by the energy were frozen into solid ice blocks instantly, while the Jinyu were slashed open, their scales tearing away as blood crimsoned the surrounding accumulated water.
Daring to linger no longer, they ran frantically toward the vents. Yet Arthas afforded them zero opportunity, unleashing a few more arcs of sword energy to eliminate them entirely.
With the invaders dealt with, Arthas sheathed his blade. Had Li Li not become his consort, he wouldn't have bothered to meddle in the affairs of the Stormstout Brewery. He casually bestowed an aura upon Chen; the older monk, who had been spitting blood just moments ago, felt his wounds knit together rapidly, forming scabs that promptly fell away to reveal freshly renewed skin.
Li Li focused her entire concentration on the Alemental. Its form had grown exceptionally frail, and its burning eyes were steadily dimming. A sliver of terror finally crept into its gaze; its rudimentary intelligence had finally realized that these entities were far beyond what it could provoke. Yet it was already too late. There were no regret medicines in this world—if there were, they would surely be served in a wine glass. Judging by its current trembling state, it was clear the creature had simply had far too much to drink.
"Die! Dragon Fist, Windwalker!"
Having been nurtured by divine essences, Li Li's strength had escalated at a staggering pace, to the point where she hadn't even realized she had already surpassed her uncle Chen. Leaping high into the air, her hands assumed a unique form that came crashing down like a heavy axe. A massive surge of green Chi struck the Alemental dead center. With a final roar, the entity instantly solidified into a massive block of ice before shattering into countless tiny fragments, dispersing into the air and leaving behind only a faint fragrance of ale.
The battle had finally concluded. The workshop was left a total wreck, littered with shattered casks, scattered grain, and the corpses of the invaders.
Chen struggled to his feet and walked over to Li Li, patting her shoulder.
"Li Li, you have grown up. It seems you have found your own path, which is wonderful. I am certain the spirits of your parents would be deeply comforted to witness this."
Li Li smiled, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
"It was only my duty, Uncle. If it weren't for Arthas's help, we might not have been able to handle that raging Alemental at all."
Chen turned toward Arthas and bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Our deepest gratitude for your intervention to save the Stormstout Brewery. I leave Li Li in your care from now on. The Stormstout family shall remain forever loyal followers of Lordaeron. Salutations to you, my King."
Arthas nodded slightly, his tone carrying a touch more warmth.
"I am merely purging wickedness from this world. Pandaria is a pristine land that should not be defiled by these vile forces. This place is a hidden paradise, and I quite like it. Now that this matter is settled, it is time for me to depart. Li Li, will you remain here or follow?"
Li Li raised her head proudly, casting an apologetic glance toward her uncle Chen.
"Naturally, I will follow you, Your Majesty. Wherever you go, I shall go. After all, I am your chef!"
"Haha, let us go then."
Chen and the brewery's resident supervisor, Old Man Gao, stood at the workshop entrance, watching the departing figures of Arthas and Li Li with a flurry of emotions in their hearts. Though the brewery had sustained severe damage, they had at least reclaimed their ancestral home.
Taking a deep breath, hope rekindled in Chen's eyes. "Old Man Gao, I have returned to take over the family estate. From now on, we are a part of Lordaeron. Let us work together to rebuild the brewery, so the fragrance of Stormstout ale may once again drift through every corner of the Valley of the Four Winds."
Old Man Gao felt deeply remorseful; his brewing process had inadvertently spawned a monster that ravaged the facility. Now that the true head of the family had returned to claim the inheritance, he was entirely willing to assist.
"Understood, Master! I will certainly assist you in restoring the brewery to its former glory!"
Sunlight streamed through the workshop windows, the murmur of the distant river valley echoed softly, and the winds of the Valley of the Four Winds swept into the facility once more, carrying the fragrance of rice and a subtle aroma of ale. Though the Stormstout Brewery had endured a great tribulation, its legend would continue to be carried forward in Chen's hands.
Barely had they departed when Master Zhi and his diplomatic envoy arrived at the brewery. Looking upon the thoroughly thrashed facility and the countless corpses of the Hozen and Jinyu, they could not help but suck in a breath of cold air.
With their extensive combat experience, they could tell at a single glance that these invaders had been completely dispatched in single strikes. Had monks handled this, they could never have done so with such clinical precision, nor would they be so ready to deal fatal blows.
"You must be Chen, correct? I am Master Zhi, leader of the Golden Lotus. I have come seeking His Majesty, King Arthas. May I ask if you have seen him?"
Chen expressed a bit of regret, pointing toward the south as he spoke.
"They have already departed. Thanks to His Majesty's assistance, the brewery was saved. They should be heading toward the Crane Temple; if you hurry over now, you should still be able to catch them. My apologies, I must clear up this mess here and cannot accompany you."
"Thank you for informing us. Now that you have returned, the brewery will undoubtedly restore its former glory—this facility is the pride of the Pandaren! May your path be safe. Farewell."
Master Zhi harbored no suspicions regarding Chen. According to their intelligence reports, Chen had previously worked in Lordaeron. It was precisely because of this existing rapport that he was able to secure the assistance of the King of Lordaeron.
Half a day later, when they hurriedly caught up, they happened to spot Arthas and his entourage preparing to depart. Furthermore, Master Zhi instantly noticed something extraordinary: the vicinity should have harbored the presence of the Sha, yet it had completely vanished. This was highly unusual; the Sha were exceptionally difficult to eliminate, and they usually could only clear them out periodically to prevent their numbers from accumulating.
"May I ask if you are His Majesty, King Arthas?"
Master Zhi did not recognize Arthas personally, yet he could deduce his identity from the company of beautiful women of various races surrounding him, coupled with that faint, intangible aura of authority. This figure seemed far more formidable and powerful than even the Last Emperor, Shaohao.
"I am. I am aware of your purpose; this world has already informed me. I can agree to assist you, but you will also need to aid Lordaeron in extracting Pandaria's resources. Rest assured, we will not drain the pond to catch the fish; we follow a path of sustainable development. Onyxia, let him review the contract."
Arthas naturally wouldn't bother handling such administrative matters himself; drafting treaties was entirely the purview of his wives.
The Black Dragon Princess rolled her eyes at the man with amused exasperation before gesturing to Nalis, who was standing nearby. The latter promptly produced the pre-drafted contract and handed it over.
Master Zhi respectfully accepted the document to review it. After a quick scan, he found no clauses demanding that the Pandaren surrender women or children, nor were there any terms for the cession of territory. It merely outlined an alliance with Lordaeron, under which they would assist in resource extraction, cultivate food crops, and obtain trading privileges.
"On behalf of the Pandaren Council, I accept Your Majesty's terms. Regardless of whether I survive this conflict, this treaty shall remain in effect."
"It is a somewhat presumptuous request, but the situation is critical. I must implore Your Majesty to deploy forces to reinforce the Townlong Steppes and help us repel the Mogu army. The Pandaren can no longer muster additional troops; our elite have sustained devastating casualties, and even the four August Celestials have been injured. It will be exceptionally difficult to withstand Lei Shen's invasion on our own."
Had they not reached a moment of absolute existential crisis, Master Zhi would not have signed the contract so hastily. His absolute bottom line was to refuse any terms that compromised their sovereignty or brought national humiliation. As it turned out, Lordaeron possessed immense sincerity, operating entirely on the basis of free trade. An empire this benevolent was exceptionally rare.
"Very well. I have already dispatched the Mantid Vanguard and the Naga Vanguard to the Townlong Steppes. Syrenne will manage the overall strategic deployment; you merely need to follow her directives."
"Furthermore, Syrenne, deploy the fleet to give the troops some practical exercise. As for the Orcs who have pledged allegiance, have Grommash lead the vanguard. Tell him I do not wish to hear any casualty figures from his mouth; I only require Lei Shen's death. There is only room for one Thunder King in this world, and that fellow is entirely unworthy of the title."
Arthas harbored zero interest in the details of the campaign. He still needed to collect the Sha and had no time to play house with the Mogu.
At present, fulfilling the task set by the Goddess Azeroth remained paramount; he possessed zero interest in anything else.
Syrenne materialized beside them at some unknown juncture, gazing at Arthas with eyes full of absolute reverence; had he commanded her to offer herself immediately, she wouldn't harbor a shred of hesitation. Loyalty to Arthas was synonymous with loyalty to Queen Azshara. Since the War of the Ancients, she had revered this hero who was capable of severing Sargeras's arm.
"Father, may I also go join the fray?"
Hearing that a war was afoot, Shandris instantly felt her hands itching for action. This wasn't because she possessed violent tendencies or was a natural killer. Rather, since ascending to demigod status, she had yet to properly develop her capabilities; she required a well-matched conflict to hone her skills in battle.
Whichever fellow dared to call himself the Thunder King must surely be quite a capable fighter—he would undoubtedly make a highly qualified punching bag!
"You may. Go ahead."
Arthas cast a meaningful glance toward Syrenne, who nodded in silent comprehension, understanding that she was to keep an eye on Shandris.
Actual death was out of the question; it was merely to ensure the Princess didn't grow entirely too reckless. Charging alone into the thick of an army to unleash absolute devastation was an exhilarating prospect, but the risks were correspondingly high, making such actions entirely unnecessary.
Janna watched the exchange with a touch of envy, her hand resting gently upon her lower abdomen. Would the child she bore in the future receive this level of doting affection?
Undoubtedly so!
The diplomatic envoy departed in immense haste. Lacking the time to recuperate, they flew back toward the Townlong Steppes, intent on conveying this excellent news to the coalition forces as quickly as possible.
One day later.
The Pandaren upon the Townlong Steppes appeared exceptionally fatigued, having not yet recovered from the previous engagement. Yet before long, the war horns blared once more. Despite their absolute exhaustion and lingering injuries, the Pandaren monks struggled to their feet.
Having enjoyed peace for far too long, the intensity of the Mantid invasions had fallen far short of the original timeline. This had resulted in the Pandaren growing soft within their isolated pocket of the world, leaving their combat efficacy considerably low. Whether humans or any other intelligent beings, a powerful adversary is always required to maintain vigilance.
To be nurtured in hardship and perish in comfort—this adage carried profound truth.
"The Mogu have returned!"
These words caused many Pandaren monks to tremble involuntarily, the tragic grandeur of just a few days ago still vivid in their minds. Yet they could not retreat; their homeland lay directly behind them. If they fled, the elderly, women, and children would face a horrific fate, bound to be systematically slaughtered by the Mogu.
Any slave who dared to resist the Mogu would inevitably face the most severe retribution.
Taran Zhu's injuries had yet to mend, leaving him capable only of dragging his exhausted, battered frame to join the fight.
"The Shado-Pan was established for the sole purpose of safeguarding Pandaria. We are the most formidable monks, sustained by the provisions of the Pandaren people; it is time to summon our courage to protect our homes, our families, and our friends. There are only monks who fall in battle—there are no cowards who flee!"
"To battle! To battle!"
"For our home!"
"For our home! For our home!"
There was no alternative. At this juncture, they could only break out the finest food and drink coupled with rousing slogans to bolster morale. The Pandaren truly possessed no further reserves of troops; their losses were far too severe, making reinforcements exceptionally difficult to secure.