Xuan Niu Xizao

Emperor Shaohao of the Pandaren could hear the Monkey King's laughter, but it came from beyond the Great Wall in the west. That land belonged to the Mantis Demon, the mortal enemies of all Pandaren.

'I can't go there!' Shaohao thought to himself. Successive emperors had designated that place a forbidden zone, off-limits to everyone. 'Perhaps I should contact Master Xuen and ask him to send his strongest Warrior to rescue the Monkey King.'

The emperor trembled as he tried to turn and leave, but a chilling voice rang out. "Why are you turning back?"

Shaohao did not search for the source of the voice, but kept his head down and replied, "I dare not go any further."

Every Pandaren knows that Mantis Demon are terrifying enemies. They prey on all flesh and blood, and they always travel in packs, rarely acting alone.

Shaohao remained silent for a long time. He should have left, but his legs wouldn't obey him and he wouldn't move. To back down before the highly respected Xuan Niu Xizao would surely disappoint the other party, and Monkey King was now in imminent danger. Gazing at the plains, he saw Xuan Niu Xizao, its enormous horns gleaming in the twilight.

Sensing the emperor's hesitation, Black Ox exhaled a breath; he knew very well that everything is difficult at the beginning.

"Follow in your footsteps!" said the Black Ox. "The path is right beneath your feet."

Shaohao crossed the city walls and stepped onto unfamiliar land. For the emperor, this place was a nightmare. His steps were light, but he didn't stop. Soon, he heard terrifying sounds.

Three Mantis Demon soldiers were arguing about how to share their prey— the Monkey King! The monkey, bound hand and foot with vines from a tree branch, struggled and cried for help.

The emperor was paralyzed with fear; his eyes trembled as much as his body. The Mantis Demon's serrated sound made him dizzy.

What should I do?

The Black Ox's voice came. "Someone will tell you."

The emperor peeked out again and saw a warrior, even thinner than the Mantis Demon, leap out from behind another tree. He charged at the three Mantis Demons, wielding Greatsword. Shaohao thought he had gone mad; in terms of both strength and speed, this all-black figure was no match for the Mantis Demon.

But to the emperor's surprise, the person who stepped forward did not swing his sword to cut down the Mantis Demon, but instead crashed into a Kaipa Sacred Tree of the Terrace of the Endless Spring, a tree covered in shimmering amber.

The man slammed into the fragile Kaipa Sacred Tree, sending massive amber beads raining down. This time, it was the Mantis Demon's turn to panic. They fled in panic through the rain of resin, the amber making it difficult for them to flap their wings and even restricting their movement.

Shaohao witnessed everything. The man used his sword to cut the vines binding the Monkey King, freeing the emperor's friend. But the crisis wasn't over; the commotion attracted even more Mantis Demon. Only one tree still had enough amber to deal with them, but the Monkey King and his savior were too far away, and the cunning Mantis Demon stood in front of the tree, wary that their prey would use the same methods against them again.

The Monkey King and his companion could not reach the tree, but Emperor Shaohao could, as he remained hidden in the shadows...

"Go!" Xuan Niu Xizao's voice reached Shaohao's ears once again. "Don't let fear control you, young emperor. Instead, let yourself control your fear."

The emperor clenched his fist, rallied his spirits, and boldly charged towards the tree. Like the one who had just saved the Monkey King, he smashed the trunk of the Kepa tree with his elbow, and amber rained down like a downpour, making the Mantis Demon the target. Shaohao had saved his companions.

"I am very grateful for your courage in standing up for me, warrior." Shaohao clasped his hands in a fist salute to the person beside the Monkey King. "Without you, my friend might already be the Mantis Demon's meal." The Emperor said, while scrutinizing the other person. Because his face was covered, Shaohao could not see what the other person looked like. He could only stare at those terrifying eyes, and... he could not hear the other person breathing.

"Excuse me, who are you?"

"Nathanos..." The Undead's voice trailed off, the first time in a long time he had uttered his own name. The name felt so foreign to him, that even saying it made him feel like he was lying.

However, there was a problem between the two: neither could understand the other's language. The Undead could only guess, by feeling, that the furry creature in front of him was asking for his name.

In contrast, Nathanos was also observing Shaohao Monkey King. The reason he saved the monkey was because it was the first time he had seen a monkey that could fly, and the Monkey King could speak a language he couldn't understand.

Nathanos was now certain that the inhabitants of this land were this black-and-white race. Compared to the more comically primitive-looking monkeys, the bear-like creature who spoke to him seemed far more harmonious. Although his body was round and plump, his bones and muscles gave him a robust appearance, and his clothing, resembling a robe, was made of fine silk. This was enough to suggest that the race he represented, like the Night Elf, possessed a highly advanced civilization.

"This is my friend Monkey King," Shaohao continued, but no matter what he said afterward, the Undead remained silent. The observant Monkey King whispered a few words in the emperor's ear. Shaohao's eyes widened, he nodded, and then began a difficult communication with Nathanos, using a combination of language and gestures.

His first question was about where Nathanos came from.

The Pandaren's bewildered state was amusing. Nathanos, who had been hiding a smile, turned his head and pointed in the direction he had come from—the realm of the Night Elf.

"That is the kingdom of the Night Elf."

The Xuan Niu Xizao appeared in a whirlwind; it was so enormous that Nathanos didn't react at first. Strangely, both he and Shaohao could understand Niuzao's words.

"Who are you?"

"I am Xuan Niu Xizao. Young man, I know why you have come here, but I want to tell you that you will not receive help from the Pandaren. Emperor Shaohao is undergoing a crucial trial."

Nathanos sneered. He found it strange that such a huge creature like Niuzao left no footprints on the ground where it had walked.

'The Emperor? Is he their leader?' Nathanos wondered.

"The world is on the verge of apocalypse, and your emperor is still undergoing trials?" The Undead looked at the Pandaren, sensing no trace of leadership in him, which reminded him of his childhood.

"I have no comment on that."

"So I'm just wasting my time?" Nathanos took a step closer to the Black Ox.

"You can think of it that way. But as a reward for your arduous journey here, can I tell you a secret?"

A secret? Nathanos frowned. Could it be related to defeating the Burning Legion?

"What secret?"

"Anything you do here will not change history!"