Land of Zuldazar

After leaving Sindragosa Village, Ji Feng's group sailed north aboard the Windfury, gradually approaching Pandaren territory.

In the era before The Sundering, north of Sunstone Peak, the Pandaren had built a prosperous, flourishing civilization known as the Land of Zuldazar. This was fertile land belonging to the Pandaren, dotted with dozens of villages that sustained countless Pandaren.

After more than three days at sea, Ji Feng and the others finally reached the land of Zuldazar and returned to their homeland.

Distant mountains stood emerald with pines, snowy sands rolled like waves, faint shores stretched beyond, and birds and geese crossed the sky. Serene streams wound through a landscape exquisite from every angle. To Ji Feng, the Zhuo Jin Region was Pandaria's Shangri-La.

"Master Ji, we have returned to the Zhuo Jin Region. Once we disembark, another two days of travel will take us back to the village..." After docking at a wilderness ferry crossing on Zuldazar's border, Yao Shi pointed toward the distant hills and spoke respectfully.

"Good. Inform everyone to prepare to disembark."

Although Ji Feng still wore that linen slave robe, there was no trace of a slave about him now. Instead, he seemed like a sage. As soon as he spoke, Yao Shi answered and hurried off to pass on the order.

Layer upon layer of distant mountains rose amid reclining pines and slender bamboo, lush green everywhere. Azaleas and violets adorned the landscape in pink, white, purple, and red.

Jagged strange rocks rose beneath towering peaks...

After disembarking, Ji Feng gazed into the distance at the enchanting scenery.

"Yao Shi, the scenery here truly is splendid. There should be villages around here, shouldn't there? It is nearly dusk. Do we have somewhere to stay tonight?" Ji Feng suddenly asked as he looked over the surrounding beauty.

"Master Ji, once we cross Whispering Cloud Mountain, we will reach Whispering Cloud Village. I have been there before. There are quite a few taverns there, along with plenty of fine food. We can rest there tonight..." As he spoke, Yao Shi unconsciously touched the dagger at his waist. He was now equipped with elven weapons and armor.

"Whispering Cloud Village? I remember that place. Their stews really are quite good. Hahaha... Just talking about it is making me hungry..." Ji Feng said with a smile, rubbing his stomach.

While chatting, Ji Feng's group climbed the mountain.

"Keep up! As long as we reach the shore, these Mogu won't be able to do anything to us!"

"Third Brother, be careful!"

"Damn it, the Mogu truly deserve death! They actually sent troops to slaughter Whispering Cloud Village. We have lived in seclusion for centuries, yet the Thunder King still refuses to spare us..."

Not long after Ji Feng's group entered the mountain, a sudden commotion rose from the forest.

Footsteps and shouts rang out as a group of Pandaren emerged from the woods and headed toward them.

"Enemy attack! Form ranks..."

"Form ranks."

Hearing the sounds ahead, everyone drew their weapons and prepared for battle. Spears were gripped, bows were readied, and they formed a simple battle formation.

"Woof! Woof!"

A large dog suddenly burst from the forest and lunged straight at Ji Feng. Behind the beast appeared a group of Pandaren dressed in black robes.

Ji Feng kicked the beast, sending it flying away.

"Careful."

Seeing Ji Feng kick away the hound, the leader of the newcomers hurriedly stopped. Spreading both hands, he held back those behind him. He had brown fur, slightly different from Ji Feng's black-and-white coat.

"Pandaren from Whispering Cloud Village?" Ji Feng frowned and asked cautiously.

"That's right. We are indeed warriors from Whispering Cloud Village. Mogu pursuers are behind us..."

Before the man could finish, a shrill cry suddenly came from the forest.

"Long, the Mogu have caught up! What do we do now? We cannot waste any more time. Hurry and leave..." Ji Feng blocked the mountain path ahead, while Mogu pursuers closed in from behind. For a moment, the Whispering Cloud warriors were thrown into utter panic.

"Everyone, remain calm. We mean no harm. We had originally intended to go to Whispering Cloud Village ourselves."

"How many Mogu pursuers are there? How strong are they? Tell me quickly..."

Since they were people from Whispering Cloud Village, Ji Feng naturally intended to lend them a hand. He also wanted to see the Mogu's strength for himself.

"There are twelve Mogu pursuers, all elite Angu soldiers. In an unarmed one-on-one fight, they are probably about as strong as I am. But we have no weapons, so we simply dare not fight them." The brown-furred young Pandaren explained urgently.

He was the leader of this group and the strongest among them, so he understood the Mogu pursuers' strength best.

The Mogu had three armies: the Yangu, the Yugu, and the Angu. The ones pursuing these Whispering Cloud clansmen were Angu soldiers, elite Angu troops sent by the Thunder King to "cleanse" Kun-Lai Summit.

"Twelve, is it? I understand. You and your brothers do not need to flee. I will kill these invading Mogu soldiers here. Take cover behind us for now!" With the system at his disposal, Ji Feng could see a cluster of gray-white skull icons approaching on the map. He did not consider enemies like these worth worrying about.

"Thank you for your help. Forgive my presumption, but could you give me a saber? I want to kill the enemy alongside you..."

"I, Long Suxin, offer you my respect..."

The brown-furred Pandaren pressed his palms together and bowed respectfully. The palms-together salute was an exceptionally solemn form of courtesy.

"Haha, give him a saber. Everyone, spread apart and let these brothers from the Whispering Cloud clan pass..."

Ji Feng nodded as he spoke. As soon as he finished, Yao Shi handed the saber on his back to Long Suxin. At the same time, the Pandaren and elven warriors parted down the middle, opening a path for the newcomers to retreat behind the mountain road.

Roar.

As the sound drew closer, Long Suxin gritted his teeth and drew the saber. A flash of white light passed by, and his entire bearing turned sharp and fierce. He was actually an expert saber wielder.

The Doom Cleaver, forged by an elven master smith, was the finest weapon the elves had given them. A good blade in the hands of a renowned warrior—this coming battle was bound to be thrilling...

Crack!

A dull sound rang out as Mogu soldiers suddenly emerged from the forest. With pointed mouths, protruding fangs, round eyes, bluish-purple skin, and scraps of blood smeared around their mouths, they looked utterly terrifying.

"Leave none alive! Loose arrows!"

The instant the Mogu appeared, Ji Feng let out a furious shout. He had never expected them to be so savage. The blood on their mouths belonged to Pandaren—these Mogu actually fed on Pandaren.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Before the Mogu could react, dozens of arrows flew toward them. These were elven magic arrows, exceptionally powerful. In an instant, the three Mogu who had exposed themselves were instantly killed.

Seeing the Mogu elites slain in an instant, the Whispering Cloud warriors hiding behind Ji Feng were all stunned. At that moment, even the air seemed to freeze.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A few breaths later, the shot Mogu soldiers crashed to the ground. By then, Ji Feng and Long Suxin had already charged toward the Mogu elites.