The Witherer's Record

Things started to get interesting. I found a huge rock in the wilderness of the Emerald Forest. At first, I didn't pay much attention to it, but mischievous Sprites were circling around it. These creatures are easily attracted to certain things—things that would make them waste resources. I chased them away and examined the rock, guessing that something might be hidden beneath it. But I couldn't move the rock with my strength, and it was covered in moss, indicating that it had been there for a long time. I scraped away the vegetation with a knife and saw several carved wavy lines. This piqued my interest.

A dozen minutes later, after examining the entire rock, I came to a disappointing conclusion: the rock wasn't intact. It looked as if something had sliced it off from what was originally a complete structure. My wording was precise, because the cut was perfectly smooth. Furthermore, I deduced that this couldn't be Pandaren creation, as Pandaren are known for using various colors to adorn their artwork. I wondered if it was the work of Murlocs or Hozen? But the former weren't particularly interested in artistic creation, and the latter lacked the ability to direct. I began to realize that perhaps other intelligent races existed in Pandaria.

Within a mile of that rock, I searched for other fragments. I described them as a jigsaw puzzle, though I knew roughly what kind of "thing" it was before the pieces came together. The smallest piece was about the size of two footballs. It was a sculpted head, with eyes and eyebrows. Wide lips, reaching to the face, bore fangs. It exuded an imposing, unyielding aura. I knew it wasn't alive, but I still had this thought: did such creatures really exist?

The Sprites are the most mischievous creatures I've ever seen. They love to leap and bound, throwing fruit at passing Pandaren, and sometimes even disguising themselves as stools to prank others. However, they have one advantage: they don't resort to violence unprovoked. This is quite different from the Hozen deep in Emerald Forest. While primates abound in Stranglethorn Vale, the two are worlds apart. The Hozen's intelligence is almost at the level of a normal human. They can talk, build huts, and even wear clothes. Of course, they can communicate with other races. The most compelling evidence is that many Hozen study alongside Pandaren in the Temple of the Jade Serpent.

I first saw the Murlocs in the southern Emerald Forest. They were as tall as the Night Elf. Unlike the Night Elf, who were always lost in dreams and listening to nature, these Fish-headed humanoid, humanoid creatures often stared blankly at the river. Perhaps the water could tell them something, like the Shaman. In some ways, they were similar to the Night Elf, diligently maintaining and nurturing their beloved environment; they even used elemental magic to create smaller streams.

The lives of the Murlocs are different from those of the Pandaren; a class system likely exists among them. I saw Murlocs wielding an iron sword and wearing armor bowing and scraping to Murlocs dressed as a wizard. Yet, this doesn't prevent the two races from maintaining a good relationship. Some Pandaren hold the Murlocs in high esteem; and many Murlocs seek wisdom from the Pandaren.

Meanwhile, they and the Hozen are hostile to each other, and will fight fiercely for a suitable habitat. I have observed their battles from a distance. Judging from their tactics against each other, their conflict is irreconcilable.

Today I rescued a Pandaren. I spotted him as he emerged from the Temple of the Jade Serpent. He had ventured alone into a tiger-infested forest to collect a kind of viscous liquid. I arrived too late when he was in danger, and he was severely wounded. A tiger's sharp teeth pierced his back. I chased away the two beasts and was about to help treat his wounds, but things were far more complicated than I initially thought.

He had lost too much blood and was convulsing. His breathing was becoming increasingly rapid. No matter how I called out to him, he didn't respond. Loss of consciousness is extremely dangerous for a seriously injured person. But sometimes, the person treating him is in even greater danger.

I never expected it. As I bandaged him, a blackish-white substance, resembling gas but visible to the naked eye, emerged from beneath his body. That thing unsettled me; the surrounding soil and vegetation withered rapidly, as if stripped of their nutrients, instantly becoming covered in the same blackish-white substance. I was standing right there on top of it.

My vision was obscured by a crimson haze. As I opened and closed my eyes, several monsters suddenly appeared beneath my feet. They resembled slimes, but their appearance was grotesque, terrifying, and far more dangerous. The instant they touched me, I swung my Sulfuras. It was useless; the cuts on their bodies healed quickly. I cursed and leaped backward to avoid them, also leaping out of the "Rotten Ground." When I looked up, the monsters were gone. I realized it might have been a hallucination. But the feeling was so real; not only what I saw, but my heart was also affected, overwhelmed by a strange despair.

Could this Pandaren harbor some dangerous, evil power? I dismissed the idea, because if so, he wouldn't have needed to run away when facing those two beasts. He could have easily used that power to protect himself. If it wasn't him, then what were those black and white things? I'd never seen them before.

After this incident, I no longer approached that Pandaren. A dangerous aura emanated from him. Fortunately, that evil didn't spread further. But what should I do next? Leaving the Pandaren here wasn't appropriate. Contacting his other brethren at the Temple of the Jade Serpent to rescue him might be an option, but while I was away, carnivorous beasts might discover him.

Just as I was caught in a dilemma, something strange happened again. The evil filth vanished on its own, retreating back into the earth. Apart from the withered plants that proved its presence, it left no trace. I checked repeatedly, but sensed nothing amiss. It had truly disappeared completely.

This land has given me a new question. How many secrets does it still hold?

I carried the injured Pandaren outside the Temple of the Jade Serpent (he was really heavy). The guard at the gate was dozing against a spruce tree. Before leaving, I stared at the bandages for a long time. The medicine on them was a secret Nathos recipe, impossible to find in Pandaria. The Pandaren would likely discover this secret, and they would realize there was an outsider in their homeland.

I asked myself if I was ready. The answer was yes.