The Krasarang Wilds, located at the southernmost tip of the ancient continent of Kalimdor, is a region where numerous rivers crisscross through the jungle, its abundant water resources nourishing the entire land.
Furthermore, the Crane Wing Temple—the sanctuary of Chi-Ji the Red Crane, one of the four August Celestials guarding Pandaria—was built here.
Inside the Crane Wing Temple in the central Krasarang Wilds, dozens of temple guardian monks had arranged themselves in a profound formation across the plaza. The demigod Chi-Ji stood before the main hall of his temple, intently watching the middle-aged Pandaren sitting cross-legged at the center of the array.
Chi-Ji the Red Crane appeared as a magnificent crane. The crest and tail feathers atop his head were a fiery red, while his snow-white body and wings were adorned with touches of ink-black, appearing as if vivid crimson magical runes had been brushed across his entire form. A warm, reddish glow surrounded Chi-Ji, as his unique demigod power provided support to the formation laid out by the monks.
The Pandaren sitting at the center of the array appeared to be of significant age, wearing a simple yet high-quality martial arts uniform. At this moment, his brow was tightly furrowed, as if he were troubled by something deep within.
Chi-Ji's gentle voice reached his ears. "Shaohao, do not be so tense. Relax your body and mind. Since you have decided to cast aside your doubts, you must first enter a state of deep meditation."
"Yes, Lord Chi-Ji."
The Pandaren known as Shaohao took a deep breath. He took a mask from the hands of a sharp-featured Hozen beside him and pressed it onto his face without hesitation. He then employed a monk's meditative technique to let his mind become ethereal and empty.
As Shaohao sank his consciousness into the depths of his soul and gradually lost perception of the outside world, slight ripples appeared in the great array in the center of the plaza. The crimson spiritual light enveloping the area began to flicker.
"Is it coming...?"
Chi-Ji's gaze sharpened, his body erupting with light. The guardian monks also shifted from their sitting positions, leaping up from the ground. Streams of azure Chi were channeled into the array beneath them. Driven by the formation, the ominous black mist emanating from Shaohao began to coalesce, gradually taking on a semi-solid, haunting form.
As the figure became more substantial, the monks finally saw the "monster's" true appearance. It was an eerie energy entity that defied verbal description. Since its manifestation, this monster had been continuously feeding on the nourishment of those present—the emotions of despair from the wavering monks.
"A hundred-legged insect dies but never falls cold."
Chi-Ji spoke a phrase steeped in Eastern philosophical wisdom as he stared at the monster, which was clawing the air and trying to solidify in the physical world.
"The seven Sha that were born from the remnants of the seven-headed Y'Shaarj have always plagued Pandaria. This is one of them—the Sha of Despair, the collective manifestation of all despair in Pandaria."
The leader of the Crane Wing monks asked uneasily, "Lord Chi-Ji, is it truly enough to just trap it within the array? What if..."
Chi-Ji shook his head. "Trust in Shaohao. As the current Emperor who commands the respect of all Pandaria, if he can lead by example and defeat the despair within his heart, we can significantly weaken the Sha of Despair's power."
"Awoo!"
Having absorbed enough nourishment, the Sha of Despair finally found its voice. "Foolish mortals, do not dream of sealing me! Face the fate you cannot escape and struggle in despair!"
The Sha's words were infused with indescribable dark power. Almost simultaneously, the monks present saw the most unacceptable scenes of their lives flash through their minds. An atmosphere of hopelessness filled the Crane Wing Temple, as wisps of black energy were greedily inhaled by the laughing Sha of Despair.
"Hold your breath and focus! Recall happy memories as much as possible; do not be completely overwhelmed by negative emotions!"
As the anchor of the array, Chi-Ji increased his power output. A warm, nourishing force surged from the ground within the formation, allowing the monks who were deep in despair to briefly reclaim themselves.
Shaohao, at the center of the array, was completely unaware of what was happening outside. The Monkey King hovered anxiously by his friend's side, watching over him. The brave and battle-hardened King of the Hozen didn't fear a head-on physical fight, but he was utterly powerless in this confrontation of the spirit.
...
After being invited to stay at the Shrine of Seven Stars in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, the Night Elf diplomatic mission to Pandaria was finally able to settle in officially.
The exhausted Shandris had enjoyed a deep sleep, and the fatigue accumulated during the journey was gradually fading. Due to some mysterious power, the Vale of Eternal Blossoms remained in a state of perpetual blooming. The breathtaking scenery outside the Shrine of Seven Stars and the endless golden rice fields allowed Shandris and the others to finally relax their tensed nerves.
"This land is too miraculous," Lainera remarked, leaning against the railing on the second floor of the Shrine, gazing in awe at the beauty of the Vale. "Grain that ripens in a day... even the Well of Eternity couldn't perform such a miracle, right?"
Shandris shook her head. "Perhaps the Well of Eternity could do it too, but the Highborne who control it prefer to use it as an inexhaustible source of arcane energy. Because of the Well's influence and the constant-temperature magical arrays covering the empire, our people do not lack food. Under these circumstances, the Highborne would naturally never open the power of the Well to serve the common people."
"Tch!" Lainera clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Selfish! The Well of Eternity belongs to all Night Elves. Why should only the Highborne get to use its energy?"
Shandris remained noncommittal to Lainera's statement. This issue was one of the root causes of conflict between the Highborne and the commoners. The lower-class Night Elves hoped to utilize the Well's energy more effectively for the benefit of the entire empire.
The Druidic order led by Cenarius, however, hoped to maintain self-discipline in the face of the Well's great temptation, using its power only within certain limits to avoid attracting enemies who coveted Azeroth's most dazzling treasure. Unfortunately, Cenarius's efforts ultimately bore no fruit; through their research of the Well, the Highborne had recklessly summoned the demons of the Burning Legion from the Twisting Nether.
While waiting for a further response from the Pandaren, the mission members could only wait patiently in the Shrine of Seven Stars. Wotta Moonscar was attempting to communicate with the Pandaren, hoping they would grant access to the Vale's ley lines so he could contact the main Resistance force back in the outskirts of Zin-Azshari.
Thump-thump!
At that moment, every living creature in Pandaria suddenly felt their heart rate accelerate. An ominous aura drifted from the south of the Vale.
"This is..."
Shandris pressed her hand over her racing heart and looked up at the distant sky in alarm. Wisps of black lines were rising from the far south. The mission members, not knowing what was happening, appeared quite panicked.
"Honored guests, please do not worry. Things should return to normal soon."
A kind-looking elderly Pandaren, leaning on a staff, walked up the stairs. The mission's ambassador, Wotta, stood beside him.
"Everyone, let me introduce you," Wotta explained. "This is the Chief Executive of the Pandaren Empire, Prime Minister Liu Li."
Liu Li smiled and bowed slightly to Shandris and the others. "Please forgive us. His Majesty Shaohao is currently in the south at the Crane Wing Temple, sealing an evil spirit. Once the ritual is successful and His Majesty receives my notification, he will return as quickly as possible. Until then, please remain patient."