Chapter 356 |
“Stop them! Don’t let them escape!” A night elf archdruid stood outside Shaladrassil cave, calmly directing the druid troops to blockade the satyrs continuously rushing out of the cave.
Because the situation happened suddenly, and the druids were very confident in the barrier they and the green dragons had set up together, the defenses inside the cave were actually less strict than the perimeter.
As a result, after the satyrs broke free, the cave was almost instantly overrun.
However, the night elves were not to be trifled with. Upon learning of the problem at Shala’nir cave, they immediately sealed off the entire perimeter, blocking the satyrs’ escape routes.
Due to the cave’s defensibility—easy to defend but hard to attack—no counterattack was possible for the time being.
Thus, both sides entered a stalemate for the moment.
The stationed archdruid had already sent a call for help to the Moon Temple and even notified Malfurion and the green Dragonflight through the Emerald Dream.
However, regardless of which side received the message, it would take considerable time to arrive.
Obviously, the druids still hadn’t grasped the severity of the situation.
At this time, the mastermind behind it all, Shadow Weaver, was also using the Emerald Dream to meet the Nightmare Lord, Xavius.
After the Shadow Weaver released all the dormant satyrs, their faith was sensed by Xavius, who connected to the real world through the corrupted edge of the Emerald Nightmare—the World Tree Shaladrassil, planted by the first druids under Cenarius’ guidance.
Though it didn’t receive the blessing of the four great guardian dragons like Nordrassil on Mount Hyjal,Shaladrassil held even greater significance to the druids.
Here was the true connection point between Azeroth’s real world and the Emerald Dream—a critical gateway closest to the real world.
Therefore, not only were many druids guarding here, but Ysera also dispatched her most powerful offspring to watch over this gateway to the Emerald Dream.
Since druids and green dragons could travel through here from the Emerald Dream to the real world, it also meant Xavius could cross here from the Emerald Nightmare to the real world.
After all, the Emerald Nightmare was part of the Emerald Dream.
Of course, because the Emerald Nightmare was not yet powerful enough to fully distort the Emerald Dream, to avoid alerting the green Dragonflight, Xavius did not personally appear here. So Shadow Weaver only saw a welcoming manifestation.
“A human? I can feel the strength of dark power within you. It seems you are the one who saved my children. So... state your purpose!” At this moment, the Nightmare Lord was not as huge or grotesque as later players saw him in the dungeon; he still retained a mostly intact satyr form, just larger and stronger.
“Honorable Nightmare Lord, please allow me and my master to extend our earnest greetings to the great Nightmare God, Lord N’Zoth!” The Shadow Weaver bowed slightly in salute.
However, the one she saluted was not Xavius—he wasn’t worthy yet. She was saluting N’Zoth behind Xavius.
“How dare you call out the name of the Nightmare God directly! Human, do you know what that means?” Xavius’ pupils contracted in anger upon hearing the Shadow Weaver openly name his patron.
“Heh, of course I understand...What I don’t understand is you, Xavius!” Calm and unfazed by the rebuke, the Shadow Weaver extended her hand, and a tentacle slid out from her sleeve, with an unspeakable eye upon it.
“...So you are His Lord’s subordinate...My apologies, thank you for all you have done. But what exactly is your purpose?” Seeing the tentacle and the eye, Xavius’ expression changed.
Having been assimilated by N’Zoth, Xavius naturally knew from his new master that there was not only one Old God.
And he was smart. Though N’Zoth always praised himself in his murmurs, by visiting the Dark Empire and through ancient remnants, Xavius knew among the four Old Gods, N’Zoth ranked the lowest.
Yes, although N’Zoth appeared last and caused the most trouble, his power was the weakest of the four.
Because he was the weakest, the Titans didn’t take him seriously.
The strongest, Y’Shaarj, was slain directly by Aman’Thul.
The relatively stronger Yogg-Saron and C’thun were more tightly imprisoned and guarded.
Only N’Zoth treatment was comparatively lax.
This also meant N’Zoth was the earliest and most prolific in breaking free from his prison since the ancient war and had started plotting.
Xavius neither lacked courage nor ability, but he had no path to serve the other two Old Gods.
So when he actually encountered C’thun followers, Xavius felt a little intimidated.
“Heh, rest assured, Lord Xavius. My master’s goals do not conflict with yours. In fact, I came seeking cooperation!” Shadow Weaver was pleased seeing Xavius' reaction.
She certainly was no follower of C’thun—he wasn’t worthy.
By now, C’thun was completely a battery for Ancient One.
Her power of C’thun came from Ancient One.
Though there was a middleman, it didn’t stop her from deceiving Xavius and N’Zoth.
Especially N’Zoth—he was actually very timid.
Most of his power had broken free thousands of years ago, but he never dared to show himself.
He waited until the Titans’ safeguards were nearly all corrupted before causing trouble.
“Cooperation? How so?” Xavius narrowed his eyes hearing the Shadow Weaver.
“Simple. You want the Emerald Dream, and I want the Broken Isles. Our goals do not conflict. Our greatest obstacle is the Moon Temple... isn’t it?” The Shadow Weaver said.
“...You want to lay claim to the Tear of Elune?” Xavius’ eyes widened at her words.
This human was really bold!
Why was the Moon Temple the biggest obstacle to corrupting the Emerald Dream?
Because inside the Moon Temple in Val’sharah was an artifact of supreme power—the Tear of Elune, one of the five Pillars of Creation.
With this artifact’s presence, it was very difficult for the night elves to fall.
So in the original storyline, Xavius’ crucial step to fully corrupting the Emerald Dream was first to corrupt the Tear of Elune.
But that treasure was left by the true goddess Elune—wouldn’t that invoke her wrath?
Xavius felt a bit timid—at this time, he had not yet reached the Legion’s re-invasion phase and still feared Elune.
Also, during the Legion’s re-invasion, the Burning Legion was blocking the way.
But now...
“It’s not that I want the Tear of Elune, but you do...I have little interest in the Tear of Elune; once this is done, it will be yours!” The Shadow Weaver shook her head. “And please rest assured, my master is already at Kalimdor, waging war against the night elves with the Aqir insect army. The night elves’ main forces cannot care for Val’sharah, and as for Elune...she did not appear even during the ancient war. So what could a seasoned lord like you have to fear?”
Yes, Elune did not appear in the ancient war.
Now how could she show up just because of a single Tear of Elune? Xavius’ eyes darted rapidly as he calculated gains and losses.
Undoubtedly, the benefit of obtaining the Tear of Elune was enormous.
With it, the green Dragonflight would be unable to stop his corruption of the Emerald Nightmare, even Ysera...
Thinking of this, greed flashed in Xavius’ eyes.
“How exactly are we cooperating? Tell me!” However, he was merely greedy, not without reason. He quickly restrained his emotions and asked Lady Shadow.
“Very simple, Your Excellency only needs to…” Shadow Weaver smiled slightly and began to introduce the entire plan to Xavius.
Of course, this plan naturally involved concealing some details.
After all, the true purpose of the Ancient One and Abbendis was never just to cooperate with N’Zoth.
On the contrary, N’Zoth was merely one of the power banks in the Old One’s plan!
…………………………………………………………
Just as Azeroth was engulfed in flames and turbulent undercurrents, Josh was calmly fishing at the foot of his castle mountain.
“Boss, the results are out. Mr. Nixon successfully won!” Just as Josh pulled a fish up and put it into the basket, steward Francisca walked up behind him to report.
“Expected, isn’t it? If Nixon could still lose, he might as well hang himself with a noodle!” Josh replied unsurprised. “I’m more interested in how Kennedy fared?”
What they were discussing now was the just-concluded U.S. election results.
Without a doubt, the one who ascended to the presidency was Nixon, whom Josh actually supported, not Kennedy, who once tried to reconcile with Josh but was actually treated as a joke by him.
“He’s very angry. Although he didn’t directly attack you, he made some inappropriate remarks harmful to our industries and Austria!” Francisca answered.
“Heh, good, let him be angry. He won’t have the chance to be angry again. Send the order, execute the ‘Brainstorm Plan.’ Hmm, just send the Winter Soldier, anyway he’s drowning in debt!” Josh leisurely issued the command.
To Josh now, Kennedy could only be considered a minor player idly causing trouble, and not even an “emperor” anymore.
Josh had played enough with him; it was time to send him off.
Over the past year plus, the rest of the Kennedy family had all died in various accidents, leaving him alone, which was quite lonely. Better to reunite him with his family early.
“Understood, Boss!” Francisca nodded as expected, happily accepted the order, then left.
Only Josh remained fishing by the lake.
Soon the bobber moved again.
Josh slightly tugged, but it didn’t budge???
What a joke? Are there still fish in this world that won’t move when he tugs?
Seeing this, Josh incredulously tugged harder, not afraid of breaking the fishing line because it was made of nano-vibranium material, looking thin but even a blue whale couldn’t break it.
But still, Josh couldn’t pull it up…
Fine, this definitely wasn’t about the fish.
“Who’s there! Show yourself!” Josh shouted cautiously, the Divine Armament instantly covering him, just about to draw the Divergent Sword.
But the next second, a huge force grabbed his hand, trying to pull him underwater.
Feeling this, Josh didn’t resist but went with the flow into the water.
He wanted to see who dared to cause trouble on his turf but once underwater, he laughed.
A stunningly beautiful “mermaid” wearing a swimsuit was smiling at him in the lake.
If it’s not his long-unseen wife, then who else?
“Darling, you finally came back. I missed you so much!” Josh instantly relaxed his vigilance, teleporting beside Margot and saying, “Looks like you’re doing well. Didn’t encounter any trouble, right?”
Although underwater, both husband and wife were no ordinary people, so a mere current didn’t affect their communication.
“Yes, I’m fine! Although I couldn’t move during the whole advancement process, I could sense everything outside. Arishem took me to the gods’ residence, which they call the Primordial Place, where I met other gods. With their help, I smoothly completed my advancement and can now skillfully control my powers!” Margot smiled.
“Indeed, I can feel your power now. You could probably slap me dead with one hand!” Josh shrugged. “But that’s not important. Welcome home…”
“Thank you. But do you still remember what I said to you before my advancement?” Margot asked.
“What?” Josh was a little confused. Did she say something?
“I still want a child!” Margot said with a smile.
“Uh… that has to come naturally, and this place isn’t really suitable, right?” Josh widened his eyes.
“I actually think it’s quite suitable… it’s not like we haven’t done it in the water before…” Margot smiled slightly, grabbing Josh’s collar.
Meanwhile, Francisca, who had just left the lakeside and was walking toward the castle on the mountain, suddenly felt a tremor behind her.
She turned around and widened her eyes: Damn… is this a tsunami… no, a lake-tsunami?
Frightened, she ran away quickly but stopped after a few steps, remembering Josh was still by the lake.
Although Josh was powerful, Francisca thought it necessary to find out what had happened.
Moreover, Francisca was no ordinary person now, and a little water flow wouldn’t pose much threat to her.
So she immediately rushed toward the lake.
But only a minute later, she blushed and returned the way she came.
Really, the boss and the boss’ wife were playing too wildly, making too much noise.
Could gods really be this exaggerated?