Thrall's expression was indifferent, but he grinned.
"Illidan must have gotten his hands on the Shard of the Moon Goddess's Hand."
Vol'jin paused for a moment, then his eyes darted around before he quickly understood and echoed:
"That's right, Illidan must have taken it."
Eitrigg, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. "Illidan harbors malicious intentions and his crimes are unforgivable. For the sake of Azeroth, he must be severely punished."
The Tauren Cairne Bloodhoof was inexplicably and without any basis taken by Illidan.
Lor'themar immediately saw the connection, a slight smile playing on his lips as he nodded and said:
"Ten thousand years ago, Illidan, in order to obtain Fel power, did not hesitate to join the Burning Legion, and had long coveted the power of the Moon Goddess; the evidence is irrefutable."
This is Thrall's two-birds-with-one-stone strategy.
If it can be confirmed that Illidan took the Shard of the Moon Goddess's Hand, the Moon Goddess will be enraged, and the Black Temple will face its doom.
Even if Thrall doesn't get the Eye of Anzu, he can still give Elune, an explanation.
All you need is enough evidence.
If there's no evidence, then fabricate it—that's one of the Orcs' specialties.
After a moment's thought, Thrall gave the order:
"Eitrigg, the task of fabricating evidence is yours. This is Outland, not Azeroth. Even the Moon Goddess isn't omniscient. Just go ahead and do it."
"As you command, Savior," Eitrigg said respectfully.
Thrall looked at Vol'jin, only to see Vol'jin's eyes filled with intense longing:
"The task of finding the Eye of Anzu is entrusted to Cairne Bloodhoof."
Everyone was taken aback by these words.
Cairne Bloodhoof is considered cunning among the Tauren, but unfortunately, Tauren are naturally honest and simple-minded. Compared to the treacherous Arakkoa, Cairne's wisdom is simply insignificant.
Vol'jin looked dejected, while Cairne Bloodhoof were overjoyed, patting their chests and saying:
"My Savior, I guarantee the mission will be accomplished."
Thrall finally looked at Vol'jin: "Is it alright for you to assist Cairne Bloodhoof?"
"No problem!"
Vol'jin secretly admired him; he truly lived up to Thrall's reputation.
The Eye of Anzu is, after all, a precious Titans Relic, Thrall was worried that Vol'jin would take it for himself. With Cairne Bloodhoof overseeing things, Vol'jin dared not act rashly.
Cairne Bloodhoof had absolutely no clue how to find the Eye of Anzu, and was so anxious that he kept scratching himself.
Vol'jin sighed softly, "There's a Troll in the Shattrath Lower City named Griftah, known for his excellent information network. If we find him, we'll definitely be able to discover the whereabouts of the Eye of Anzu."
Unable to obtain the Node Key, Anachronos and his companions returned to the Lower City dejectedly.
Griftah came to visit again, and went straight to the point:
"Did you know that Thrall was rescued by Elune?"
Anachronos rolled his eyes at him. "With such a commotion at Serpent Lake, Cenarion Expedition Camp restored to its original state, how could we not know?"
Griftah looked lost and sighed:
"It's a pity that Prince Kael'thas, who led a dissolute life, Vashj, a heroine among women, both met such ends. I feel indignant on their behalf."
The Imperator Mar'gok, was in a bad mood. "Speak quickly."
Griftah grinned slyly. "I know you've suffered many setbacks, and there are several Titans Relics missing in Outland. Why be so discouraged? Are you interested in the Eye of Anzu?"
"The Eye of Anzu?"
Anachronos looked at Mar'gok with suspicion.
Mar'gok shook his head. "The Eye of Anzu is a treasure of the Arakkoa, not belonging to the Gorian Empire."
Velen said with great interest:
"I've heard of the Eye of Anzu, which possesses the power of prophecy. As you all know, I am a Prophet, and if I could obtain the Eye of Anzu, my prophetic abilities would be enhanced to an even higher level."
Durotan said with disdain, "Then predict the whereabouts of the Eye of Anzu?"
Velen blushed and muttered, "You don't understand prophecy. Although I am Prophet, I don't know everything."
Griftah waved his hand and said, "It's alright, I know the whereabouts of the Eye of Anzu."
Anachronos looked up and asked warily, "Since you know about the Eye of Anzu, why don't you take it yourself?"
Griftah smiled wryly:
"You are unaware of the origins of the Eye of Anzu. In ancient times, the Wind Serpent God Sethe plotted to harm the sun god Rukhmar, so he allied with the raven god Anzu. However, Anzu had long harbored feelings for Rukhmar. As you can imagine, before his death Wind Serpent God Sethe cursed Rukhmar and Anzu. Anzu swallowed Sethe's flesh and blood, bearing most of the curse, and became unrecognizable. Feeling unworthy of Rukhmar, he hid in the Shadowlands."
"But Anzu could never forget Rukhmar. He plucked out one of his eyes and asked the Titan Aggramar to forge it into an artifact—the Eye of Anzu—just to witness Rukhmar's soaring flight through the skies. Rukhmar understood Anzu's thoughts: 'If I were to take the Eye of Anzu, Rukhmar would surely burn me to ashes. But you are different; you can simply take the Eye of Anzu and leave. Rukhmar does not have the ability to travel through time.'"
Anachronos pondered for a long time, then shook his head. "That reason is not enough."
"There's another reason," Griftah said wearily. "I've received word that Thrall, after being rescued, sent people to search for the Eye of Anzu, and they'll soon be after me. Thrall has the protection of Elune, Rukhmar won't dare do anything to him. He'll definitely take his anger out on me. If you obtain the Eye of Anzu first, it will have nothing to do with me."
Anachronos found some merit in his words and asked, "We'll trust you for now. Can you tell us the whereabouts of the Eye of Anzu?"
Griftah took a deep breath and said:
Most adventurers believe that the Eye of Anzu is hidden in Skettis, but unfortunately, only wandering Undead are found there. Adventurers have searched countless times but have found nothing.
"Later I received news that Rukhmar's son, Rukhran, guarded a precious pearl. Rukhran lived on Skyreach, atop the mountains of the Spires of Arak. The sun god Rukhmar often lingered at the summit of Skyreach, so I was certain that the pearl Rukhran guarded was the Eye of Anzu."
The day after Anachronos and his companions left the Lower City, Cairne Bloodhoof and Vol'jin found Griftah.
"The great Savior Thrall Consecration everything for Azeroth," Griftah said sincerely. "I know the whereabouts of the Eye of Anzu, but..."
"Just what?" Cairne Bloodhoof urged.
Griftah deliberately hesitated for a long time. "A long time ago, someone discovered the whereabouts of the Eye of Anzu in Skettis. Unfortunately, this treasure is hidden in the Shadowlands and only appears at specific times. After years of research, I have found only one way to successfully enter the Shadowlands, but the price is too high."
"Whatever the cost, the Horde is willing to pay," Cairne declared righteously.
Griftah stammered, "You know, the Ancestral Spirit of the Orcs are incredibly powerful because the Orcs souls are unique. Offering a large number of Mag'har Orcs to Skettis will open a portal to the Shadowlands."
Vol'jin smiled slyly and leaned forward slightly, "Griftah, you'd like to join our group in searching for the Eye of Anzu, wouldn't you?"
Griftah remained unfazed. "Of course, it's my honor."
Vol'jin nodded. "I heard that your ancestral home is in Stranglethorn Vale. The Horde established Grom'gol Base Camp in Stranglethorn Vale and slaughtered your people. You were the only one who escaped."
Griftah smiled slightly and said nonchalantly, "Nonsense. I am Zandalari Trolls, and I grew up in Dazar'alor."
[2000novel. com updates the latest chapters and fixes errors in real time, supporting simplified and traditional Chinese reading and searching]