The Arakkoa nobleman in charge of greeting the guests revealed a mysterious smile:
"You are Sen'jin, son of Vol'jin, leader of the Darkspear Trolls, who betrayed three hundred thousand Darkspear Tribe to win the favor of Thrall, the Savior."
Vol'jin's face darkened; he knew everything. He gritted his teeth and said, "I preserved the Darkspear Trolls from the Orcs."
The Arakkoa nobleman shrugged and said, "What use is a hollow name when the person is dead?"
"Then do you know who I am?" Cairne asked defiantly.
The Arakkoa nobleman politely said, "Cairne Bloodhoof, Tauren Chieftain of Thunder Bluff, by sending your people to the Orcs as rations, the Tauren have gained a place in the Horde."
Cairne chuckled sheepishly, "The world doesn't understand my good intentions. Since the rise of the Orcs, countless races have perished, but I preserved the Tauren race. My contribution is undeniable."
The Arakkoa nobleman smiled politely and led the way.
Along the way, there were elegantly dressed Arakkoa everywhere, and everyone had a smile on their face.
Only one person's expression stood out: Archivist Reshad, cautiously huddled in a corner, forcing out an awkward smile that looked worse than crying.
Vol'jin noticed something amiss and said to the Arakkoa nobleman, "I've seen a friend; may I go and say hello?"
The Arakkoa nobleman said, "Of course, you are a distinguished guest, not a prisoner, and you are free to do as you please."
The three approached Reshad was startled and stood up. Seeing the Arakkoa nobleman standing at a distance, he asked in a low voice:
"What are you all doing? How did it get like this?"
Vol'jin thought to himself: I haven't even asked yet, and you're already launching into a barrage of questions.
"What exactly happened?" Vol'jin asked, pointing to the richly dressed Arakkoa around him.
Reshad looked dejected. "Skettis must maintain a certain number of living beings, otherwise he will open the Shadow Portal and Terokk will return from the world of the dead."
"What kind of impact will this have?" Griftah asked anxiously.
"I don't know." Reshad shook his head repeatedly. "Such a thing hasn't happened for hundreds of years. There are only a few words about it in ancient books. Remember, at the banquet to come, you must not eat or drink anything. If any Arakkoa invite you to dance, you must refuse. If you are rewarded with gold and silver treasures, do not accept them. You only need one thing, and that is the Eye of Anzu."
"We have a chance to get the Eye of Anzu?" Vol'jin asked in surprise.
Reshad nodded and lowered his voice:
"According to ancient records, if you refuse everything, Terokk will ask you what you want. If you ask for the Eye of Anzu at that point, Terokk's expression will turn ugly, and he will try every means to refuse. You must persist. Once you obtain the Eye of Anzu, we will be free. Otherwise, you will only be lost in this world of shadows, living like these Arakkoa with false smiles, like walking corpses."
After a pause, Reshad cautioned, "Remember, you only have one chance. After tonight, everything will be irreversible."
Vol'jin was skeptical, Cairne Bloodhoof in thought, Griftah's expression was grave.
Following the Arakkoa nobleman, the three arrived at the Sethekk Halls.
The atmosphere here is the most lively.
A magnificent bed sits atop the high steps, upon which sits a robust Arakkoa with exceptionally vibrant feathers and a mesmerizing smile.
Below is the seating area for the guests, with luxurious carpets spread out on the floor and various strange-looking creatures lying around.
Arakkoa maids moved among the guests, bringing out various exquisite foods and fine wines.
Upon entering the hall, Vol'jin had no time to admire the magnificent furnishings; his face turned deathly pale and his legs went weak.
"Gods above, grant me courage," Vol'jin prayed silently, clasping his hands in prayer.
It wasn't that Vol'jin lacked courage; he simply saw some acquaintances.
On the blanket to the left, leaning against the ground, was a emaciated Troll, raising a wine glass and shouting something, his treacherous expression exactly the same as when he was alive.
Sen'jin, former chieftain of the Darkspear Tribe.
To Sen'jin's right, a fierce-looking Orcs was tearing apart roasted meat, a cruel smile on his lips.
Vol'jin didn't recognize him, but he was all too familiar with the black armor he wore, Orgrim Doomhammer.
Behind Orgrim, a disheveled Orcs, with his arm around Arakkoa woman, grinned and kept stuffing roasted meat into his mouth.
Vol'jin had seen this Orcs, Grom Hellscream, whom Thrall treated like a dog.
On the right, an elderly human in golden armor sat on a blanket, laughing arrogantly as he poured fine wine into his mouth.
Uther the Lightbringer, Vol'jin has seen his portrait.
Beside Uther, the crowned old man laughed until tears streamed down his face, almost plunging his head into his wine glass.
Thrall didn't hesitate to cut off his head back then, and the crown became Thrall's collection.
It was King Terenas of Lordaeron.
Vol'jin staggered, biting his lip hard to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
Looking at Cairne Bloodhoof beside him, he couldn't help but back away little by little, a look of horror on his face.
Following Cairne's horrified gaze, Vol'jin saw an old Tauren, grinning broadly while holding a jar of wine.
"He's my father, how could he be here?" Cairne whispered.
Beside Cairne's father was a burly Centaur, chewing on juicy, honey-coated roast meat.
"He was the leader of the Kolkar Centaurs. When my father was alive, the Kolkar Centaurs were allies of Thunder Bluff." Cairne's face was deathly pale. He paused and continued, "Later, I tricked him and his four sons into coming to Thunder Bluff, skinned them, and made a tent from their hides."
The Arakkoa nobleman gestured with his eyes, Vol'jin and Cairne reluctantly came down the steps, while Griftah looked relaxed.
The brightly colored Emperor Terokk raised his wine glass and carefully examined the three men:
"Look who has arrived, my most honored guests. You helped me return from the Shadowlands, a desolate world where we were utterly bored. You brought us amusement, and I must reward you."
With a loud bang, a Tiger Person burst its belly, spraying its food all over the ground.
Emperor Terokk, clutching his stomach, burst into laughter. "Pride King Karash, he always loves to play pranks."
The maid hurriedly cleaned up the mess and changed the blanket.
The Pride King Karash was carried away by his guards, but returned shortly afterward with a flat stomach, still indulging in unrestrained eating and drinking.
Terokk smiled and said, "We eat and drink like this every day. Someone, prepare food for our distinguished guest."
The Arakkoa maidservants brought three blankets and then served fresh, juicy roasted meat.
Vol'jin and Cairne suddenly felt an unbearable hunger in their stomachs, as if they hadn't eaten for a month, and couldn't resist picking up the roast meat.
Griftah nudged Vol'jin with his elbow and then secretly kicked Cairne, revealing a corner of the roast meat to them.
All that looks good on the outside is rotten inside; the golden-brown roasted meat was crawling with black maggots.
"Of course I can't eat this kind of roasted meat," Vol'jin said politely, suppressing his rumbling stomach.
"Your Majesty Emperor Terokk, we ate our fill before we came and have no appetite whatsoever."
Emperor Terokk raised an eyebrow in surprise, his smile fading slightly, "It's alright, we have fine wine to soothe our throats."
A maid brought over three jars of fine wine and poured a cup for each of the three men.
Vol'jin and Cairne were immediately parched, their throats burning, the aroma of the wine tempting them.
[2000novel. com updates the latest chapters and fixes errors in real time, supporting simplified and traditional Chinese reading and searching]