Conflict Begins to Brew

Hu Feng was genuinely stunned for a moment, then shook his head. Was this really history correcting itself through sheer inertia?

Quel'Thalas had still closed its borders, just as it had in the original history.

In the original timeline, the High Elves had cut off virtually all contact with the outside world and ignored worldly affairs. Self-sufficient within the sealed-off Quel'Thalas, they lived an isolated, xenophobic, and exceedingly arrogant existence.

It was not until the First Dark Tides, when the Orcish War began, that the orcs knocked some sense into the High Elves. Only then did they join the Alliance and resume contact with the outside world.

On Hu Feng's unique new timeline, he had thought that after the High Elves went through the Troll War and received timely aid from the Night Elves and humans, they had not struggled nearly as badly and thus would not take the path of isolation. Who would have thought that Anasterian and his Silvermoon Councilors were so fragile...

A little pressure was all it took for them to immediately burrow into their hole like frightened squirrels, refusing to come out no matter what.

"What should I even say about them... Forget it, let them be. Sooner or later, they'll realize their mistake and pay the price for it. But there's some trouble on Alleria's side..."

Hu Feng pondered for a moment before making up his mind. "Aethelus, pick a few clever druids and bring them to see me. I have a task for them."

"As you wish."

Across the Eastern Kingdoms, the Seven Human Kingdoms were also left rather dumbfounded by Quel'Thalas's sudden move.

Was there really any need for this? They were acting like a wronged little wife who dared not fight back, shutting their borders and withdrawing from the world at the slightest disagreement.

Fine, it was simply the result of having skin too thin and pride too abundant. Everyone knew that the High Elves had always been firmly overshadowed by their former overlords, the Night Elves. If they just lowered their heads and admitted fault, they could all still be friends, trade, exchange goods, and prosper together. Did things really have to come to this?

In any case, humans simply could not understand the High Elves' mindset: pride above all else, and if they could not reclaim it, then they would refuse to play with anyone.

But it had little impact. The High Elves thought far too highly of themselves. In truth, the various kingdoms merely expressed some regret before carrying on as usual.

Whatever Quel'Thalas sold, the Night Elves sold as well, and for cheaper. They were not fools with money to burn. If Quel'Thalas would not sell, they would just buy from the Night Elves instead. That was the shared attitude of the Seven Human Kingdoms.

Other than Quel'Thalas making such a major spectacle of itself, the entire continent of Azeroth entered a relatively peaceful period of development.

There were no major wars or grand conflicts, but small wars and local clashes continued without end. That was the current state of affairs.

The Tauren had pushed out of the Mulgore plains and fought the centaurs to the death in The Barrens. The feud between these two hereditary enemies had become impossible to trace back to its origin, turning into a hatred carved into their bones. As an exceptionally aggressive barbaric race, the centaurs' lifelong goal was to exterminate their mortal enemies, the Tauren. The Tauren, meanwhile, rose up to defend their homeland and peaceful way of life.

In this local war, the Night Elven druids joined at the Tauren's invitation. Many Tauren were druids as well, and together with the Night Elves, they built a massive druidic stronghold in the mountain-ringed Moonglade, serving as a gathering place and site of cultivation. With that connection, it was hardly strange for the Night Elves to lend them a hand in battle.

The Eastern Kingdoms were far more refined. Other than the Stormwind Kingdom and Dalaran, the other five human kingdoms had entered a new round of scheming and rivalry, with every King seizing every opportunity to gain a little more land for his nation. Lordaeron remained firmly in first place in overall strength. The Menethil Royal Family's blood of generals made them constantly yearn to recreate the unified grandeur of the Arathor Empire. Once they embraced the mindset of a great power, Lordaeron's actions became increasingly aggressive.

Dalaran, the Mage Kingdom, adopted an attitude of lofty indifference. As long as no one disturbed its magical research, it would peacefully tend to its own little patch of land. Since every major kingdom relied on Dalaran to train and supply mages, Dalaran lived an exceptionally comfortable life.

The Stormwind Kingdom in the south rarely interacted with the human nations of the north. They kept their heads down and developed the Elwynn Forest region, their territory now extending into the Redridge Mountains, Westfall, and Duskwood.

They had forged an extremely close alliance with their good neighbors, the Bronzebeard Dwarves. Stormwind Kingdom caravans could often be seen traveling to and from the dwarven capital of Ironforge, bringing grain, furs, and elven-style luxury goods, while taking away longswords, muskets, and strong liquor.

Yet none of this had anything to do with Quel'Thalas. Since returning to its old closed-off way of life, the High Elves' already weak pioneering spirit had vanished entirely.

Alleria and her Ranger Corps were not having an easy time. The Silvermoon Council believed that she had grown too close to Hu Feng. While that was indeed true, Alleria had never done anything to betray the High Elves.

But the councilors did not see it that way. Even Sun King Anasterian had begun to guard against her. This pained Alleria deeply. She did not understand why two kinds of elves sharing the same origin had to become enemies.

But there was something even more painful. The Ranger Corps' supplies were being cut back more and more. There was no need to mention bows and arrows; they had not received a full replenishment in a very long time. Now even food and everyday supplies were being reduced. Though the rangers could hunt for themselves and would not starve, elves were not as resilient as humans and preferred a more comfortable life.

Why was this happening? We rangers were utterly loyal! We had always guarded Quel'Thalas's borders without complaint. Just because of suspicion, and because the trolls were no longer an enemy, they suppressed the rangers like this. Had we done something wrong?

Alleria was not a saint. Though her will was exceptionally firm, her closest sister complained and cursed in her ear every day, causing different thoughts to surface in her heart from time to time.

"Sis, this can't go on! Those bastards from Fairbreeze Village send people to guard Sunsail Port every day. Even if brother-in-law wants to deliver supplies, he can't get them through!" Sylvanas leaped lightly as the wind onto the second-floor terrace of Farstrider Lodge, where Alleria loved to stay whenever she had no mission.

"We cannot accept any more supplies from the Night Elves. We were already close to Hu Feng. If we continue accepting supplies after the total blockade, it will create an even worse impression." Alleria automatically ignored the term brother-in-law.

"Ha! Sis, don't be stupid! You're fiercely loyal to Silvermoon City, but they don't think the same of you. I heard that many councilors are now proposing to plant their own people in our Ranger Corps! If that happens, we won't even be able to protect ourselves!"

"What did you say???"

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