"Once again, thank you for everything our Horde allies have done. Without the Horde's help, Pandaria might well have suffered a terrible catastrophe." In the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, the last emperor, Shaohao, hosted a banquet for the Horde leaders, Shado-Pan leader Taran Zhu, Lorewalker Cho, and others.
The threats of the Mantid, Mogu, and Yaungol had all been temporarily eliminated. This removed three great burdens from the Pandaren's shoulders. At least in the eyes of ordinary Pandaren, they had defeated all their enemies and could continue enjoying peace. But Rend knew that the truly powerful enemy had only just emerged. He said to the last emperor, Shaohao, "No need for thanks, Emperor of the Pandaren. The Sha escaped their seals because of our arrival. Now Y'Shaarj's heart and the Sha are both running rampant. We must unite. Does the Pandaren Empire wish to continue our alliance?"
The Shado-Pan had suffered devastating losses. Of their more than one hundred thousand members, fewer than fifty thousand elite fighters remained available for battle, excluding those assigned to guard Serpent's Spine.
The Pandaren Empire was now at its weakest. After all, it had just won the Cycle War. After every Cycle War, both sides were nearly crippled. This was why the Pandaren and Mogu rarely pursued their victories after winning a Cycle War. The birth of Mantid heroes was itself the result of the Mogu pursuing their victory after a previous Cycle War.
Yet once the Pandaren Empire, with its population of millions, cast off the Sha's influence, it could expand its forces and train combatants without restraint. It would become an immensely powerful ally. That was precisely why Rend hoped to continue the alliance with the Pandaren Empire.
"The Pandaren have always repaid kindness. We cannot repay the Horde's generosity. When we