Exodar.
At Jaina's request, Velen brought Anduin to Exodar, where they studied the Way of the Light daily beneath Naruwros.
The Path of the Holy Light is very complicated, requiring various forms of meditation and devout prayer. Anduin his pursuit of this, and only agreed to learn from Velen because he wanted to avoid Varian.
Velen had his own set of insights regarding the Holy Light.
"You must open your heart to the Holy Light in order to receive Holy Light favor."
Anduin found it amusing. If they truly opened their hearts, Velen, that bastard who betrayed the Draenei, should be reduced to ashes under the Holy Light.
Velen added, "You must meditate Anjing, enter a state of emptiness, and purify your mind in order to receive more Holy Light."
Anduin by no means an obedient child and didn't care about meditation at all. Whenever Velen led him in meditation, he would only pretend to do it.
Occasionally, he would secretly observe Velen and discover that Velen was not meditating most of the time, but was clearly spacing out. Anduin concluded that the so-called meditation was a lie.
But Velen always wore a devout expression and earnestly instructed, "Child, the Holy Light will bring you comfort and great power, helping you to eliminate the Evil enemy."
Anduin burst out laughing. He was a Prince, destined to become King. The idea of King leading the Charge was just a fictional story in history books.
Protecting the country and fighting bravely against the enemy are, after all, the duties of soldiers. The King only needs to stay in the rear. Anduin did not think so.
Just like with other teachers, Anduin the surface, but he didn't really take it to heart at all; his Holy Light training was a complete failure.
However, Velen was very patient and did not give up like his former teachers. The Draenei have a lifespan that is almost immortal, and in this respect, Anduin was at a great disadvantage.
Life in Exodar was very peaceful, except for Velen's nagging, unlike Stormwind City, which was full of deceit and intrigue.
Anduin has made up his mind to return and inherit the throne after King Varian dies of old age. For political reasons, Velen and Jaina will certainly provide support.
The only thing that bothered Anduin was that the Naaru Volos had a very low opinion of him. Although the Naaru rarely spoke directly to the living, Anduin clearly sensed Volos's disdain.
During his daily meditation, Anduin, bored out of his mind, secretly opened his eyes to peek at what Velen was doing, only to find that Velen's expression was unusual, unlike his usual self.
This time, Velen seemed to have truly entered a meditative state, or one could say, entered some kind of mystical realm. He closed his eyes tightly and murmured as if in a dream.
"No, no, great Naaru, humanity can receive the Holy Light."
"Holy Light can transform the human soul, just as rotten meat, when cooked, can release an enticing aroma. Believe me, their souls are incredibly delicious."
Anduin hearing this. After studying for many days, Anduin had gained some understanding of the Holy Light and the Naaru.
The Naaru feed on souls, and the souls of mortals are like medicine, slowing down or even reversing the Naaru's descent into darkness.
After acquiring the Holy Light, the Draenei's combat power did not increase significantly, and they were far from being a match for their former brethren, the Eredar, who wielded Fel.
Holy Light is merely a form of energy, inferior to Fel, and it holds no significant advantage over Arcane energy or Elemental Power. Yet the Draenei are so fixated on Holy Light.
Did the Naaru bestow the Holy Light upon the Draenei merely to make their souls delicious, like roasting meat over a fire?
Having reached this conclusion, Anduin extremely uneasy and almost immediately wanted to flee Exodar.
But then, a seemingly dreamlike remark from Velen put Anduin at ease.
"Great Naaru, Anduin is a promising talent. I see a reflection of my younger self in him. He will surely be able to serve the Holy Light as diligently as I am, providing the Naaru with a constant supply of sustenance. All we need to do is bestow the Holy Light upon him."
Like Velen, did he sell the souls of his people in exchange for immense power?
Anduin careful consideration, he felt there was nothing wrong with doing so.
From then on, Naruvolos's attitude towards Anduin changed significantly. Anduin felt the kindness of the Holy Light more than once, and the warm Holy Light subtly changed Anduin.
It's like raw meat being smoked over a fire, gradually releasing an enticing aroma.
Although Anduin continued his unconventional and careless practice of the Holy Light, his Power of the Holy Light grew rapidly, and he was vaguely able to rival Velen.
"I am Prince Anduin, the sole heir to the Stormwind City, and the future leader of the Alliance."
Whenever Anduin utters these words or silently recites them in his heart, he receives powerful support from the Holy Light, without needing to open his heart or meditate.
Velen was delighted by Anduin's growth; at this moment, Anduin was like someone who had inherited a never-ending fortune, and all he needed to do was learn how to spend it.
Velen changed the content of his teachings, instructing Anduin the techniques of using the Holy Light, but unfortunately Anduin's mind wasn't on this, and he never seriously learned the skills of the Holy Light.
Subsequent events proved that Anduin's attitude was correct.
Wrathion, the Black Prince, led Jaina and Thrall into Exodar. Through Jaina's introduction, Wrathion met Velen for the first time.
Wrathion was blunt, cutting to the chase. "I know the Holy Light's tricks, and I understand your purpose, Prophet Velen. We are not enemies."
Velen feigned confusion. "I don't understand what you're talking about!"
The most powerful negotiation technique is, of course, threat. Wrathion gave a wicked smile:
"Velen, you are old. You have gone too far down the path of the Holy Light to turn back. The Holy Light has left countless marks on your soul. If you try to accept Fel again, you will die instantly."
"I will never abandon the Holy Light," Velen declared loudly, his attitude utterly resolute.
But the Holy Light will abandon you.
Wrathion shouted:
"With just a little trick, you can become completely immune to the Holy Light. Without Holy Light, you'll be like a frail old man. Guess how those Draenei harbor resentment towards you will treat you?"
Velen frowned deeply, wondering if Wrathion possessed such an ability.
Mysterious and unpredictable Harbinger, super-creatures from the depths of the universe, though their power may not be great, their extraordinary wisdom and profound knowledge are as unfathomable as the stars and the sea.
After much deliberation, Velen, who still had reservations, chose to concede.
"I can let you see Prince Anduin, but you must remember that he must receive the Holy Light."
Wrathion nodded in satisfaction and said with measured intonation:
"I won't hinder the Army of the Light's plans, but I'll maximize the remaining value. Humanity has enormous potential; it would be a waste to just provide food for the Naaru. By the way, I'll show you how unreliable the Holy Light can be in crucial moments."
Velen's gaze hardened. "As you wish, the mysterious Harbinger."
Wrathion waved his hand, Thrall fawned over him like a lapdog trying to please its master; Velen even saw a wagging tail.
"Anduin gained immense Power of the Holy Light; he must be incredibly proud. Thrall, make the poor Prince face the harsh reality, just as you did to Jaina."