To Tian Sang, his two different lives were like two mirrors. Comparing them revealed many problems he had never noticed before, teaching him to take control of his own mind. The presence of shadow energy further deepened his mastery of his thoughts.
With the aid of shadow energy, Tian Sang refined his thoughts. He learned to notice and clear away distractions, using his subconscious to balance his mind and body and dispel physical fatigue. Once his thoughts had been refined to this degree, he felt that some of his hazy memories had suddenly become clear.
Nathanos—the human among the Farstriders who was rumored to have had an affair with Sylvanas. His name was Nathanos. Tian Sang clearly remembered it now. He just didn't know whether the man he had killed was Nathanos, but he decided to set that matter aside for now.
Tian Sang clearly recalled the exact timeline in the World of Warcraft Chronicle. Unless something unexpected happened, today was the sixth year after the Dark Portal opened, and the Old Horde would be defeated by the end of the year.
"What a mess." Thinking about how the story was unfolding, Tian Sang couldn't help shaking his head. Then he focused on his cultivation.
By using shadow to refine his thoughts, Tian Sang had unexpectedly opened the door to his memories, recalling the plot he had half-forgotten. It gave him something to rely on when it came to the future, but relying on the plot alone wouldn't be enough to survive. Strength was the most important asset.
After successfully refining his thoughts, Tian Sang's ability to see shadow energy began to fade. Though his eyes could no longer perceive shadow, he retained his ability to sense and control it. He could manipulate shadow energy directly with his thoughts.
Controlling shadow energy sounded like an impressive ability, but it was actually pretty useless. Until it became tangible, shadow energy couldn't cause direct harm. And it was an evil force, according to Troll culture as well.
Though shadow energy was evil, it had its uses. In its intangible form, it couldn't directly harm anyone, but it could influence people's minds. Witch Doctors, priests, and Shadow Hunters, as well as human and Elven Priests, were all adept at using it to curse their enemies and inflict mental damage.
Being able to control shadow energy directly meant the magic within him was maturing. Tian Sang also began formally practicing Voodoo Magic, brewing Hex Potions from herbs and flesh and drawing Voodoo energy from them for his own use.
As mentioned earlier, Troll Witch Doctors used a wide range of powers. Besides shadow, elements, and herbs, they could also borrow the power of the Loa. Of course, that depended on their relationship with the Loa they served—and whether the Loa was willing to lend them its power.
Having grown up under the red flag, Tian Sang firmly believed that mountains could crumble and people could run away, so only he could truly rely on himself. By nature, he kept his distance from demons and spirits. Besides, the Serpent Goddess Ulatek, whom he had once served, and Maide, the Spirit of the Black Raven, had both ignored him. So he decided not to get too involved with the Loa.
With little involvement with the Loa, Tian Sang spent each day absorbing Voodoo energy and practicing Voodoo magic on plants and animals. The results were excellent, but he wasn't satisfied, so he turned his attention back to shadow energy and the use of the mind.
After using his subconscious to balance his mind and body and opening the door to his memories, Tian Sang hoped to explore even deeper applications of the mind. So he began spending entire days clearing his thoughts and meditating until he forgot the distinction between himself and the world around him.
In the quiet stone chamber, Tian Sang sat cross-legged on the ground, his body naturally relaxed. His mind was as clear and still as a pool of water. Everything around him was imprinted on his consciousness, and all was so peaceful that it filled him with joy.
Just as Tian Sang was reveling in the tranquil surroundings, a breeze suddenly slipped into the room. Ripples spread across the surface of the water, and as images flickered through his mind, he felt as though an electric current had passed through his body.
"What do I see?" A hissing voice sounded. Tian Sang's brow twitched. In his subconscious, he seemed to see silver scales gliding all around him. A silver serpent's head gazed down at him from above.
"A soul pretending to be charming." A faint stream of air seemed to brush the top of his head, making goose bumps rise along his back.
"My goddess, Ulatek, what guidance do you have for me?" Tian Sang sensed the "snake" circling him in his consciousness, its head raised as it looked down at him. After a few thoughts, he understood what was happening: a Loa had reached out to him of its own accord.
The Serpent Goddess Ulatek was a serpent-shaped Loa. Among the Loa worshipped by Trolls, serpents were one of the most common forms, because Trolls deeply revered their mystery and power. This Serpent Goddess was also exceedingly mysterious. She was elusive and capricious, with no dedicated priests; most people who worshipped her were Witch Doctors, who worshipped her alongside other Loa. Tian Sang had prayed to her before but had never received a response. Why had she suddenly reached out to him today?
"Oh, am I your goddess?" The hissing voice carried a teasing tone. Then it abruptly changed, roaring like a giant serpent opening its jaws.
"Then why can't I find any place for me in that tiny heart of yours?"
"That's because you never showed me any favor before. I had only heard of your reputation, and knew nothing about your appearance or power. That empty space in my heart..." Tian Sang looked at the creature above him, its jaws seeming ready to snap shut. Fear clamped around his heart, and he struggled to explain through it.
"Oh!" The silver-scaled serpent seemed momentarily taken aback by Tian Sang's explanation.
"You've never seen me before. So that's why!"
"..." Hearing the silver serpent's tone soften, Tian Sang felt relieved, but he also wanted to complain. Shouldn't she know whether he had seen her or not?
"Never mind. That's not why I came to find you. I'm here to deliver a message, little Troll." The silver serpent shook her head, then lowered it beside Tian Sang's ear. Her forked tongue flicked as the corners of her mouth curled upward.
"..." Tian Sang pressed his lips together.
"Far from this city, a tremendous force is gathering. Its fury will rain down upon your people, just as it did at the foot of Alterac Mountain all those years ago." Her ethereal voice was deliberately mysterious.
"And then?" Tian Sang asked, hearing the silver-scaled serpent's soft whisper beside his ear. What year was she talking about? What had happened at the foot of Alterac Mountain back then?
"..." The voice at his ear seemed to falter.
"Respected Ulatek, are you still there?" Hearing the serpent's voice stall, Tian Sang tilted his head. He wasn't sure if she had left; if she was going to go, she should at least finish what she was saying.
"...You should really learn some history. West of Zul'Aman, the allied forces are already discussing their plans. They're preparing a massive spell to rain fire down upon the forests surrounding Zul'Aman." Ulatek held back her irritation and tried to keep her voice calm.
"Burning Battleaxe Ridge?" Tian Sang's heart skipped a beat. So that was what she meant by the foot of Alterac Mountain.
"You don't seem afraid." Ulatek sensed his momentary alarm and paused. By her reckoning, he should have been terrified and begged her for help.
"Respected goddess, why should I be afraid?" Tian Sang asked, sensing the snake goddess's baffled expression beside him. If he knew the enemy was going to attack, all he had to do was tell everyone to run. What was there to fear?
"You want your people to flee?" Ulatek raised her head and looked down at Tian Sang, seeing right through his thoughts. Before he could answer, she continued.
"You might escape Battleaxe Ridge, but what about Zul'Aman?"
"Isn't Zul'Aman protected by you and the other Loa? Are you planning to abandon us?" Hearing that Ulatek seemed able to read his mind, Tian Sang's heart skipped a beat. It seemed this Loa was trying to take advantage of the crisis.