With the Power of the Holy Light, Taran Zhu unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks, his attacks like a tidal wave, gradually gaining the upper hand.
Chen Stormstout, who was at a disadvantage, was forced to defend passively and was in a sorry state. He quickly ran out of Chi.
Strangely, Chen Stormstout smiled slyly, his figure flickered, and he once again transformed into three clones.
Unlike the previous Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Lightning, this time there are three bright incarnations of Holy Light.
"Master Zhu, if you understand the importance of studying Holy Light, how could I not? I have already incorporated the Path of the Holy Light into my techniques. It seems your understanding of Holy Light is nothing more than this."
Three avatars of Holy Light surrounded Taran Zhu. By this time, Taran Zhu had already consumed a lot of Holy Light, and the pair of golden wings on his back were gradually disappearing, putting him on the defensive.
Left with no other choice, Taran Zhu used the Power of the Holy Light to unleash the Shado-Pan Fist, barely managing to maintain the situation.
After holding out for a while, Taran Zhu's weaknesses became more and more apparent as she faced the combined attack of her three avatars, and she gradually could no longer hold on.
"Chen Stormstout, you forced me to do this."
Seeing that defeat was imminent, Taran Zhu took out an object from his bosom. It was a bright ball of light, about the size of an adult's fist. As the seal was broken, countless cries of pain and agony emanated from it.
Chen Stormstout's expression changed drastically. Countless Holy Light souls were sealed within the light sphere. Taran Zhu threw the light sphere to the ground, transforming it into a golden-armored war god over ten meters tall. He was clad in heavy armor, had a huge golden wing on his back, and held a golden giant sword in his hand. He strode forward.
"Taran Zhu, what have you done?" Chen Stormstout, his eyes wide with shock.
Taran Zhu smiled faintly and said, "This thing has nothing to do with me. It was Jiyun Fengzi who did it. Back then, five thousand Pandaren inexplicably learned Holy Light and drove me out of the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. Afterwards, Jiyun Fengzi sent them all to the Slaughterhouse, extracted the Soul of Holy Light, and created this strange thing. He didn't have time to take it with him when he escaped."
The Golden Armored Giant was incredibly powerful, Chen Stormstout dared not confront it head-on, so he could only roll around to avoid it.
Taran Zhu recovered some of his Chi and joined forces with the Golden Armored Giant to attack. Chen Stormstout was caught off guard and was struck on the back by the Golden Armored Giant's sword, coughing up blood.
"Chen Stormstout, it seems luck is on my side." Taran Zhu said smugly.
"That's not necessarily true, Master Zhu." Chen Stormstout. "If I'm not mistaken, this Golden Armored Giant has some connection to you. Once you defeat him, he will become ownerless."
Taran Zhu shrugged and said, "Although I have exhausted my Holy Light and have very little Chi left, it will still take some effort for you to defeat me."
Chen Stormstout took a deep breath:
"Master Zhu, there's a secret I've never told you. Years ago, I captured your only daughter and handed her over to Vol'jin, and then Thrall ate her."
"What?"
Taran Zhu's facial muscles trembled as she pointed at Chen Stormstout, stammering incoherently, "You, you, you!"
A sweet taste rose in her throat, Taran Zhu spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsing limply to the ground.
In his early years, when faced with the situation of Pandaren becoming food for Orcs, Taran Zhu tried to resist. Although he was almost Shado-Pan Monastery by the angry Pandaren, he never gave up.
He only learned that his only daughter had fallen into Vol'jin's hands and was about to be given to Thrall to eat.
At that time, Thrall, the Savior, was at the height of his power. Even if Thrall Taran Zhu had a thousand lives, he would not dare to oppose him. He could only express his loyalty to Thrall on the one hand, while secretly bleeding in his heart on the other. Therefore, he became disheartened and fell into despair, no longer caring about the suffering of the Pandaren.
Taran Zhu's daughter is extremely powerful; few can defeat her.
Over the years, Taran Zhu has been searching for the murderer. Although he once suspected Chen Stormstout, he felt that Taran Zhu was incapable of doing such a thing because the two were good friends.
After Taran Zhu fell, the Golden Armored Giant transformed back into a ball of light. Chen Stormstout, stuffed it into his pocket, and laughed loudly while stepping on Taran Zhu's head.
"Master Zhu, you are truly foolish! I betrayed so many Pandaren, why couldn't you guess it was me?"
Taran Zhu roared angrily, but unfortunately, his anger overwhelmed his vital energy, and his injuries were extremely severe; he was already on his last legs.
Hidden in the bushes in the distance were three Pandaren, Jaina used Eagle Eye to observe their battle.
"Oh no, Taran Zhu has been defeated! Zul'jin, Taran Zhu with the Power of the August Celestials!"
To ensure the rise of the Pandaren, Zul'jin closed his eyes and silently called upon the names of the August Celestials.
Just as Chen Stormstout was about to disregard the agreement and end his opponent's life, Taran Zhu's eyes suddenly became glazed, a white phantom possessed her, she suddenly broke free of her restraints and stood up.
In an instant, Taran Zhu's injuries were fully healed. She glared angrily at Chen Stormstout, wishing she could devour him.
"Niuzao the Black Ox."
Recognizing the phantom possessed by Taran Zhu, Chen Stormstout was secretly puzzled.
Why would Niuzao the Black Ox protect Taran Zhu when Xuen clearly ordered him to attack Vale of Eternal Blossoms?
Has the August Celestials also split up? Are they now enemies?
The two stared at each other, neither daring to make a move.
Chen Stormstout sensed something was amiss and felt it necessary to consult Xuen Nu to understand the relationship between the August Celestials before taking any action.
Taran Zhu's heart was filled with hatred, but fortunately he still maintained his rationality. The Niuzao the Black Ox granted him power, but it was not enough to defeat his opponent.
The two Pandaren, each with their own ulterior motives, cautiously retreated and returned to their respective groups.
"Withdraw the Gate of the Deity," Chen Stormstout ordered.
"Set up camp on the spot," Taran Zhu ordered through gritted teeth.
The two sides agreed to a truce, Pandaren Vale of Eternal Blossoms continued to work in the fields, not daring to slack off in the slightest, as if the war had nothing to do with them.
Taran Zhu locked herself in her room, and as she recalled her daughter's voice and appearance, she couldn't help but burst into tears.
Deeply tormented and unable to calm his thoughts, he summoned a Pandaren overseer, brought out a jar of strong liquor, poured a full bowl of it, and pointed to the bowl, saying:
"Drink."
The foreman dared not disobey the order, picked up the wine bowl, and drank it all in one gulp.
Taran Zhu poured another bowl and continued to order, "Drink."
Taran Zhu stopped urging the foreman to drink after he had become very drunk and asked:
"Tell me, are the Pandaren stupid? What are you really thinking?"
The Pandaren overseer, fueled by alcohol and losing his guard, cried out:
"We Pandaren are the most cowardly race in Azeroth. We're terrified, yet we deceive ourselves by saying that being eaten by the Orcs is an honor. We live our whole lives in lies, deceiving ourselves and others. A bunch of useless trash."
"So that's what you all think."
Taran Zhu sighed and said, "Yes, how foolish we Pandaren! Chen Stormstout are the two biggest idiots. Why did this happen?"
The foreman sniffled and said, "Because we're afraid to face our own hearts."
"Well said." Taran Zhu's eyes were bloodshot as she gritted her teeth and said, "We've been living in pretense, burying our true nature. We can't continue like this. Power, glory, none of that matters. Chen Stormstout, I swear I will make you pay for your crimes in blood, at any cost. Not just you, but all the enemies of the Pandaren, you all deserve to die."