Set Destiny

Demonic energy, a type of energy derived from Fel, had been kept hidden by Hu Feng after he thoroughly researched it, never being used or spread outwards.

Demonic energy excels at manipulating souls, toying with the dead, and can even forcibly detain the souls of the deceased, allowing them to continue existing within their own corpses, becoming undead monsters.

If this self-contagious energy were to spread uncontrollably on a large scale, it would undoubtedly be a catastrophe capable of sweeping across all of Azeroth.

It's not uncommon for the world of Azeroth to have necromancy; Troll witch doctors are extremely skilled in this area.

However, necromancy at most can summon a few small things like skeletons and zombies, and at its peak, it can create a few large creature zombies.

But the catastrophe brought by demonic energy can allow the reawakened dead to possess self-awareness, retain their former potential and talents, and even surpass their original strength.

No matter how one argues, the reawakened dead can never truly be their former selves; their mentality and thinking will inevitably undergo some uncontrollable changes, which is why Hu Feng was unwilling to cause such trouble.

As for Meryl Winterwind, he began his own research using only a few scattered and incomplete notes on demonic energy, which were practically written as a joke. Relying on his innate talent for understanding magical energy, he started his own research, and judging by his current progress, he must have made significant advancements.

"Tell me, Meryl, why are you secretly learning demonic energy? You have excellent talent; you couldn't possibly not see the dangers and uncontrollable factors of demonic energy. This isn't a matter of right or wrong, good or evil, but rather that you might fall because of it, becoming a madman who has lost himself."

Meryl remained kneeling on the ground. Upon hearing this, he performed another deep bow, his body still trembling slightly.

"Mentor, I simply wish to explore and master the ability to forcibly retain a soul within its original body after death."

Alleria, who was standing nearby, observing the master and disciple's exchange, felt a chill run down her spine.

Toying with the dead and souls is the ultimate taboo, and it sounds like this demonic energy is far more profound and complex than necromancy.

What kind of nonsensical things did that scoundrel Titan, Sarodar, teach his student?

"Continue."

"Yes, Mentor... I want to master this power because I fear I might die in this war, or in some future war... If I die, I will no longer be able to protect my people, my country... So, if I were to die one day, I want to use this power to allow myself to remain in this world, to remain in this body, until I turn to dust, or until the empire no longer has wars."

Alleria was truly astonished this time.

As an elf with a long lifespan, she couldn't understand the conviction and thoughts of this short-lived human before her.

Against nature, against common sense, against rules, attempting to forcibly extend life...

A madman! He's simply a madman!

After hearing this, Hu Feng sighed, remaining silent, lost in thought.

The oppressive divine power still permeated the surroundings, and coupled with Hu Feng's extremely serious expression, neither Meryl nor Alleria dared to speak.

"Alas... you are my only apprentice, and now you've presented me with a monumental dilemma... Oh well..."

With that, Hu Feng's eyes suddenly flashed with brilliant light. His pupils were gone, replaced by a vast silver-white starry sky, and flowing streams of energy like spider silk.

In the many years since he arrived in Azeroth, from the ancient races gradually civilizing to the current flourishing civilization, he had never used his Titan divine power, or rather, his privilege.

Hu Feng had always believed that knowing exactly what would happen in the future would not only render life meaningless but would also harm him and affect all his decisions.

But now, that incredibly strong sense of confusion and uncertainty made him, for the first time, feel an urgent desire to foresee the future.

He was a Titan; he should command the endless future.

Thus, Hu Feng used his divine power to predict for the first time. The gaze in his eyes left the mortal world and entered the endless sands of time.

Like countless surging rivers, the sands of time flowed forward mightily. The innumerable timelines and branching possibilities of the world of Azeroth appeared before him, and the will connected to his Titan World Soul's true form absorbed them all.

Hu Feng saw the world of Azeroth without his presence, unfolding like a movie.

He saw the originally predetermined timeline, the future of Meryl Winterwind, the future of the Alleria Windrunner sisters, and the predetermined destinies of everyone around him.

He also saw the rise and fall of the Night Elves, the rise and fall of humans, and Sargeras and his Burning Legion... he saw the War of the Ancients, Suramar, Stormwind City, Orcs, Dwarves, Karazhan, and the Five Great Dragon Aspects.

All things in the world – those that had been destroyed, those about to be destroyed, those that existed, those about to be born, and those yet unborn – their respective destinies were now imprinted in the Titan's memory.

But Hu Feng could not find his own timeline.

This newborn Titan World Soul seemed not to be controlled by destiny. Everything he did, and everyone connected to him, had transformed into a brand new, independent timeline that could not be peered into.

And those who were not influenced by him, or who had intersected with him, continued to advance according to their predetermined destinies.

At this moment, Hu Feng understood much and felt much lighter.

If he had disappeared during the War of the Ancients and no longer influenced anyone, then the world would still continue to develop according to its established history.

But those he had changed, destroyed, or saved would exist within a completely new timeline, eventually intersecting with each other through the chain reaction of the butterfly effect, forming a special timeline that belonged only to Hu Feng.

Perhaps in this new timeline where the Titan World Soul Sarodar existed, certain famous figures from the original predetermined destiny might be born earlier, be born later, or even not appear at all. Certain major events that could be considered turning points of destiny would undergo significant changes.

However, Hu Feng was not too worried about this, as having the predetermined timeline as a reference gave him a great deal of initiative.

Alleria and Meryl, at this moment, were staring intently at Hu Feng, who stood silently and motionlessly before them.

The Titan seemed to flicker in and out of existence, sometimes transparent, sometimes solid, as if he didn't belong to this world.

The sands of time swirled wildly around him, and the ground nearby behaved strangely, with patches of grass instantly sprouting and then withering and decaying back into the earth.

Meanwhile, Boss Hu's expression was incredibly varied, shifting from a silly chuckle to deep contemplation, then to gritted teeth, as if he were watching a drama with a complex and bizarre plot.

Finally, just as Alleria, filled with anxiety, was about to go notify others, Boss Hu's unusual state finally ceased.

Hu Feng plopped down onto the ground, panting heavily.

Meryl immediately rushed forward, carefully helping Hu Feng up.

"Mentor? Mentor? How are you? What happened?"

Hu Feng looked up, first staring at Alleria for a moment, then turning his gaze to Meryl beside him.

"This world... is truly absurd."