Traveling together

"I'm quite interested in those ruins you mentioned. Could you tell me about them in detail?"

Patrick poured himself and Lorne Songweaver a cup of Peacebloom tea each. It looked just like a homeroom teacher in his previous life calling a student in for a talk, with the student hemming and hawing off to one side while the teacher waited for an answer.

"I understand your concerns. I can accompany you to the Badlands as an adventurer. Treasure alone doesn't interest me much." Patrick gave Lorne Songweaver a meaningful look. He knew what Lorne Songweaver was worried about.

Had it been an ordinary adventurer, Lorne Songweaver would have agreed without hesitation. But the person expressing an interest in joining him now was a senior Sixth Ring spellcaster, who was also the Chief Mage of the Sun Temple. Going to Uldaman with Patrick might take a great deal of pressure off him.

But if there really was treasure inside Uldaman, and Patrick turned on him after obtaining it, Lorne Songweaver would have no way to stop him. The difference in their levels was there, after all. If Patrick turned on him afterward and simply teleported away with all the treasure, where could he go to cry about it?

Lorne thought carefully, weighing things up before raising his head to look at Patrick. "Honored Chief Mage, a Titan ruin has indeed been discovered in the Badlands. The Explorers' League, formed by the Bronzebeard Dwarves, discovered Uldaman. While excavating it, the Bronzebeard Dwarves came under siege from Troggs and Dark Iron Dwarves and had no choice but to retreat to Dustwind Dig."

After a pause, Lorne Songweaver continued, "By now, Uldaman has probably been occupied by the Troggs and Galgann Firehammer, a Dark Iron Dwarf councilor from Shadowforge City. Dark Iron Dwarves are all over the Creator's Ruins. My friends, the Dwarf surveyor Redul and Prospector Thelsamar, and I could only seek other forces outside to join us, hoping to reclaim the rights to excavate Uldaman."

After hearing Lorne Songweaver's account, Patrick recalled that there had indeed been a Dwarf boss named Galgann Firehammer inside Uldaman in his previous life. The Hall of the Guardians at the dungeon entrance had also been surrounded by Troggs. Lorne Songweaver had not been trying to fool him, and Patrick nodded in satisfaction.

"How about this? I'll join your adventuring party, and we'll distribute the loot according to your rules. What do you think?" Patrick made an unexpected suggestion.

Lorne Songweaver could hardly believe it, and his eyes began to shine. "Really, Chief Mage?"

"You are questioning an Arcanist. Do you realize that?" Patrick suddenly looked at Lorne Songweaver sternly, a trace of displeasure on his face.

Lorne Songweaver felt reassured. With an Elf's pride, he would never go back on his word, especially since he was also a high-ranking spellcaster.

With his last trace of doubt dispelled, Lorne Songweaver spoke excitedly, his eyebrows and ears twitching. "Then I'll contact Redul and Thelsamar right away to prepare to enter Uldaman again."

After Lorne Songweaver left, Patrick thought back over what he remembered about Uldaman. Uldaman's final boss was Archaedas. Archaedas, the ancient stone guardian, was a stone sentinel the Titans had left in their ruins of Uldaman, guarding the secrets of the Platinum Disc, as well as the powerful energy source within his body.

Back then, Archaedas had been a skull-level boss. When Patrick had reached the Badlands while questing, he had caused Patrick no small amount of trouble. He would revive all the surrounding Earthen to help him fight. In those days, this dungeon had been far from easy.

"I heard from Quelrintis that you're interested in an adventure in the south?" Patrick knew as soon as he heard the voice that Alleria had arrived.

"I'm a little interested in those so-called Titan ruins, so I called that adventurer over to ask him about them."

As a Ranger Marshal, Alleria was perceptive and intelligent, so Patrick told her his plans directly.

"Oh? As an Arcanist,

you're actually interested in places like that. I can tell you're in a hurry. That makes you different from those old mages in Silvermoon City." Alleria smiled in satisfaction, then continued, "You're an excellent mage, and somewhat different from those old mages: enterprising, pioneering, passionate." Patrick chuckled at her words. "Heh, thank you for the compliment. Arcane magic reflects every Elf's spirit, and it is also every Elf's lifelong pursuit."

"We worked very well together during the last sweep. Would you be willing to go to the Badlands with me this time?" Patrick extended an invitation to Alleria. The female Elf's Ranger skills were highly professional. With her along, there should be a little less pressure when facing Archaedas.

But after crossing over, everything Patrick had understood about how power manifested in the original World of Warcraft had been overturned. The game's level statistics could not be applied to the real world.

"Every time Sylvanas and I rotate our troops, I get some leave afterward. Going to the Badlands is certainly no problem."

Having obtained the female Elf's agreement, Patrick began preparing supplies for the two of them to use while away. Medicines, spellcasting materials, and even first-aid bandages all went into his magic bag. Then he instructed Quelrintis on the work arrangements during his absence and told everyone that he would be heading south for a while. He would not be away long, and there was no need to report it to Tranquillien, so they could rest easy.

Lorne Songweaver and Alleria arrived at Sunfury Spire. When Patrick saw them, he led them into the Teleportation Chamber. Arcane Brilliance flashed, space twisted in ripples, and Patrick, Lorne Songweaver, and Alleria appeared in the Badlands.

"Is this the power of a high-ranking spellcaster?" Lorne Songweaver exclaimed in admiration again and again. They could cross space directly.

After expressing his admiration, Lorne Songweaver began earnestly determining the direction for Patrick and Alleria so they could find Dustwind Dig as soon as possible.

Patrick studied the surrounding scenery carefully. Long ago, this had been a lush green valley with abundant natural resources. The arrival of Ragnaros three hundred years earlier had cursed the region, turning it into the Badlands.

The place was deserted and unfit for habitation. Around them lay barren, deep valleys, the dry heat penetrating to the bone. Scorching waves of heat churned the hot air, bringing not a trace of coolness to the sweltering land. Only the hardiest plants, such as cacti and shrubs, could survive in this harsh environment.

The Orcs and ogres had not arrived yet, which meant that only a few places throughout the Badlands, such as Sorrowhold and Lethlor Ravine, belonged to hostile forces. Patrick's main objective was Uldaman, so for now he would leave Ambassador Infernus, the fire elementals' representative, and Nefarian's subordinates alone.

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