The third trial overseen by Xuan Niu Niuzao was located at Xuan Niu Temple on the Townlong Steppes. This region lay beyond the Great Wall, the domain of the Mantid and territory behind Pandaren enemy lines.
After a brief rest, Shaohao headed west with the Monkey King. At Niuzao's request, they traveled entirely on foot. Along the way, Shaohao once again passed through the Valley of Four Winds, a land he had visited countless times before. Yet never had this peaceful and prosperous land moved him as deeply as it did now. As the Pandaren emperor, he had to shoulder the responsibility of protecting his people.
He and the Monkey King crossed the Valley of Four Winds and passed over the Great Wall, arriving at the Townlong Steppes, where enemies surrounded them on all sides. Xuan Niu Temple stood in the far northwest of the Townlong Steppes. Like scouts, Shaohao and the Monkey King cautiously evaded the patrols and marching forces of the Mantid. Any small groups of Mantid they encountered fell beneath Shaohao's attacks and the Monkey King's Iron Staff.
At last, they reached Xuan Niu Temple. Weathered by countless years, the entire temple had fallen into ruin. Only the incomparably vast square still spoke of its former glory and grandeur.
Xuan Niu Niuzao was already waiting on the steps of the square. He was an enormous bull radiating white light, with a pair of sharp horns thrusting straight toward the heavens.
Shaohao began his third trial: the trial of courage and resolve.
This trial permitted both Shaohao and the Monkey King to participate. They struggled to evade Xuan Niu's overwhelmingly imposing charges. One careless mistake, and those massive horns would impale them clean through. Xuan Niu ran at tremendous speed, kicking up wind and sand that soon became