Exiled Clan: Trial of Unity

After a difficult journey, Ji Feng finally rushed back to Shadowwind Village on the last day before the mission ended.

Shadowwind Village, one of the ten great villages of the Land of Zuldazar, possessed foundations more than ten times deeper than Whispering Cloud Village.

Its walls were built from square bricks, with four towers standing tall. Located at the center of the Land of Zuldazar, Shadowwind Village was undoubtedly a model among Pandaren villages. This was Ji Feng's hometown, the stronghold of a Pandaren clan with three sages and two quasi-sages.

Ordinarily, Shadowwind Village traded frequently with the surrounding villages, with a constant stream of travelers passing through. Yet today's Shadowwind Village was completely unlike its former self. Its gates were tightly shut, making it seem like an empty city.

As the flames of war spread, many displaced Pandaren had gathered outside Shadowwind Village. Fearing that they had brought disease, the Shadowwind sages had cut off all contact with the outside world. Inside and outside the village now seemed like heaven and hell.

The term "sage" referred to people of virtuous character and exceptional learning. Yet the Shadowwind sages' actions had clearly cast aside all virtue. Sages who were not virtuous were no sages at all.

"Master Ji, we've finally arrived. We're finally back at Shadowwind Village."

"Yes! Shadowwind Village... we're finally home."

At that moment, Ji Feng and his group were walking along a mountain path. Once they crossed this small hill, they would be able to see Shadowwind Village.

"Brother, we'll see Father and Mother soon. I can't wait anymore. I want to be the first to see the village. I'm going ahead." Hearing their conversation beside Ji Feng, Li Luo smiled.

The moment she finished speaking, she rushed up the slope first. When she saw the sight before Shadowwind Village, she suddenly rubbed her eyes and drew a deep breath.

Then, one Shadowwind Clan warrior after another climbed up and saw the scene before Shadowwind Village as well: a landscape of utter desolation.

Countless homeless Pandaren were scattered outside Shadowwind Village. In the distance, campfires and columns of smoke could occasionally be seen. They were burning the dead Pandaren...

"What a Shadowwind Village. What noble Shadowwind sages. Who would have thought that these Pandaren who had lost their homes would not die at the hands of the Mogu, but at the hands of Shadowwind Village's sages? Corpses of the starved littered the ground, and cries of misery filled the air. Nothing could describe it better."

Slowly removing his conical hat, anger rose in Ji Feng's eyes.

Before returning here, he had imagined what Shadowwind Village might look like. But he had never expected it to be like this. In his eyes, the Shadowwind sages were utterly unworthy of the title "sage."

All Pandaren were subjects of the Supreme Celestials. All the Pandaren of the Land of Zuldazar worshipped the White Tiger Celestial. One people, one faith—they were family. At this moment, Ji Feng had already sentenced the Shadowwind sages to death.

"System notification: The Path Home mission has been completed. The Talent System is loading. Progress: 10%..."

"Mission reward: One Monthly Card Fragment (can be used for leveling up). A single Monthly Card Fragment can reduce leveling time by 15 days. After combining fragments, it can provide 30 days of leveling time. Two fragments are required to combine a Monthly Card."

"System notification: Host's leveling progress has reached 100%. Level up complete. Host's current level: 62. Under current conditions, 35 days are required for the next level."

As Ji Feng looked toward Shadowwind Village, the system's voice arrived as well.

Monthly Card Fragments, the Talent System, a level increase—after all this time, Ji Feng's efforts had finally borne fruit.

"Master Ji, it looks like... it looks like we may not be able to return to the village. Hah..."

"Brother, we have almost no food left. If we can't get back into the village, we have nowhere else to go. What should we do now?"

Earlier, Ji Feng had discussed returning to the village with everyone. They had originally planned to try entering under cover of night, but looking at the current situation, that was clearly impossible. They could plainly see guards all over the village towers. It was obvious that the sages had been keeping watch over everything outside the village.

Before, before the Mogu invaded the Land of Zuldazar, Shadowwind Village had rarely needed guards. But now, both Kang and Yao Shi could tell that the number of guards had increased by more than tenfold.

"Everyone, calm down. Don't panic. Since we've made it here, we'll naturally find a way back into the village..."

"And don't forget why we returned. We came to depose the sages. No—the Shadowwind sages have committed unforgivable sins. Deposing them is no longer enough. They must be completely eradicated."

If warriors and villagers were the body of a Pandaren tribe, then sages were its mind. Now Ji Feng intended to become that mind, and the sages no longer had any reason to exist.

"Shadowwind Village is the most prosperous village in the Land of Zuldazar. With its resources, supporting twice its current population would not be difficult... I must open the road to Kun-Lai Summit within three months. If these exiles can form an alliance with me..."

Ji Feng took a deep breath and thought to himself.

In this era before The Sundering, what decided a battle was never spells, weapons, or stratagems. Those things might be important, but without question, the most important factor was the number of warriors—military strength. If Ji Feng could gather the four Supreme Celestials and an army of a million Pandaren, it might even be possible to crush the Mogu Royal Court head-on.

In his eyes, these refugees "abandoned" by the Shadowwind sages were all potential strength.

As long as someone stepped forward, slaves or refugees alike could become warriors in an instant. An army could be gathered in an instant, overthrowing everything. The strength of people who had lost their homes when united was incomparable. Before them, the Shadowwind sages were not worth mentioning.

"Kang, Yao Shi, one person's strength is limited. But the strength of a hundred people, a thousand people, even an entire tribe, is limitless. I once said that the wisdom of our ancestors lay in bringing people of different banners and backgrounds together beneath one flag. Today, we are facing a trial. Have you truly understood the wisdom of our ancestors?" Ji Feng suddenly asked.

A month ago, Kang and Yao Shi would never have understood those words. But during the time they had followed Ji Feng, both had gained some understanding. Now, as they looked at the scene of displacement ahead, they both came to a realization.

"The trial we face may be to unite these clans?"

"Master Ji, I understand. We must gather these clans and turn them into our strength..."

Kang and Yao Shi answered in turn.

"Kang, Yao Shi, you are the two people I value most. Your insights are both correct. Now, go complete this trial according to your own ideas!"

"My clan is made up of sages, warriors, and homeless Pandaren. Only a clan built on trust and unity is a true clan, never one built on oppression and possession. It is time for you to devote yourselves to the clan as well."

Before coming to Azeroth, Ji Feng had watched historical dramas too. He knew perfectly well what lines heroes usually said.

Now, his righteous speech stirred Kang and Yao Shi immensely. Ji Feng had fought countless battles and seen much of the world. What place in Azeroth had he not visited? He was not bragging—at Ji Feng's current level, there was no one in Pandaria who could casually trade jokes with him. Kang and Yao Shi were still far too inexperienced.

"Let's go!"

Seeing how fired up Kang and Yao Shi were, Ji Feng laughed heartily. With a wave of his hand, he took the lead and headed toward the village.