It could only be said that even among demigods, there are tiers. The weakest can be enslaved by mortals or even hollowed out to serve as fortresses—like the gastropod demigod in Vashj'ir. Most of these beings attain their status simply through longevity and a natural affinity for the wild, allowing them to enter the ranks of the semi-divine.
Demigod status is never determined solely by raw power, but by whether one receives the recognition of the World-Soul. Once successfully ascended, even the lowest-tier demigod gains a vast lifespan.
Lei Shen, the last emperor of the Mogu, became a demigod and the most powerful Mogu in history because he stole the majority of Keeper Ra-den's power. This power did not truly belong to him; it was usurped. It couldn't help him evolve further, effectively capping his potential.
Even so, his "floor" was staggeringly high. As one of the most powerful Keepers, Ra-den's power—aside from the Titan's blessings—was rooted in the natural elements. This unique lightning element was similar to that of an Elemental Lord, capable of slowly recovering and accumulating over time.
The condensed Lightning Core was the source of Lei Shen's ability. In other words, whoever could devour and digest the core, erasing Lei Shen's consciousness and imprint to make it their own, could also become a demigod—a master of lightning.
By performing a unique ritual with the Lightning Core, one could be resurrected, which was how Lei Shen maintained his place in the demigod hierarchy. Even without the direct favor of the World-Soul, elements are naturally favored by it, making his ascension a sort of "cheat" in the grand design.
Lei Shen had defeated every demigod on Pandaria and enslaved them; those who refused to submit were imprisoned. While he was stronger than the native wild gods, he didn't reach a level of absolute suppression; they could still hold their own in a fight.
Rezan is a Great Saffron Devilsaur demigod who has existed for a very long time, serving as the patron deity of the Zandalari royal line. Every generation of troll kings has been a follower of Rezan, the Loa of Kings. Among the countless Loa of the troll clans, Rezan was the undisputed top combatant, enjoying the most offerings. More followers meant more faith energy, which amplified the demigod's power.
Demigods must regularly perform miracles to respond to their followers' pleas and maintain their flock. Otherwise, a silent demigod's followers would quickly turn to other Loa. Trolls are pragmatists: if this Loa doesn't work, find another!
Rezan was the Zandalari's greatest warrior, and Lei Shen was Pandaria's. The fact that these two joined forces and still couldn't defeat Azshara was unexpected—especially since she wasn't even using the power of the Well of Eternity at the time.
With the Well of Eternity amplifying her Arcane magic and providing an infinite mana source, Azshara was the undisputed number one on Azeroth. Not even the Titan Watchers were her match, and the Old Gods could only barely hold their own against her. Killing one another might have been impossible, but a battle would have been an eternal stalemate.
Arthas truly hadn't realized his wife was this formidable. Azshara never spoke of her past battles or bragged about them. Perhaps what seemed miraculous to others was merely a triviality to her, forgotten as soon as it passed.
"Wife, I didn't expect you to be so incredible!" Arthas praised her sincerely, giving her a thumbs-up.
"Of course! There are many of your wife's talents you have yet to discover!" Azshara tilted her chin up. Praise from her husband made her heart dance. When others praised her, it was sycophancy; when Arthas did it, it was love. There was a world of difference.
It wasn't actually surprising that Azshara could defeat Rezan and Lei Shen. She possessed the peak of Arcane talent, the favor of the World-Soul, and the legacy of the Well. She only struggled against the combined might of a dozen powerful wild gods—the Wild Gods of Mount Hyjal were no pushovers, and their coordination made them difficult to pick off.
But against just Rezan and Lei Shen? Even without the Well, she could have slapped them around. Violent lightning is fast and powerful, exerting pressure on any biological creature, but Azshara could easily dismantle natural forces with Arcane precision.
The expansion of the Kaldorei Empire was built on the ruins of the Troll Empires. The Zandalari were driven to the fringes. Had it not been for the Loa and the Titan facilities in their homeland, they might have been chased all the way to Pandaria. Before the Sundering, Zandalar and Pandaria were quite close, which explained the ancient ties between the Trolls and the Mogu.
"I was just curious," Arthas said. "Pandaria has two great races: the Mogu and the Pandaren. Both built empires, and their last monarchs are dead."
"The Pandaren are no concern; they are peace-loving. With Chen and Li Li as intermediaries, we can likely cooperate. Those Pandaren Monks are excellent fighters and would be effective against C'Thun."
"The only concern is the Mogu. These stone-born became more vicious after the Curse of Flesh. If they won't cooperate, we'll enslave or eliminate them. In a few days, once the camp is built and the surroundings are cleared, you all should come here for a vacation."
Arthas was curious but didn't expect to find much. The most valuable thing, the Heart of Y'Shaarj, was long gone. He would simply strike a deal with the Pandaren: absorb and convert these manifested Sha into energy for the Goddess Aionhara. A win-win!
As for the Mogu? He felt nothing for them. Not exactly hatred, but certainly no affection.
"Fine. Tell me when it's ready. I'll get ready with Sylvanas. Anyway, we're eating—mwah! Bye-bye!" Queen Azshara gave him a flirtatious wink and a blown kiss. Coming from a sovereign queen, the gesture was devastatingly charming.
The Jade Forest was massive—larger than Highmountain and Suramar combined. It was a continent, after all. Free from major wars for millennia, its resources were incredibly rich: mineral veins, natural herbs, and teeming schools of fish. No wonder Pandaren cuisine was so refined; the land was a natural larder.
In the distance, atop a mountain peak, a majestic palace came into view, surrounded by circling Cloud Serpents. These creatures were natural allies of the Pandaren, resembling the dragons of Eastern myth, which gave Arthas a sense of familiarity.
Shandris, having woken up, took a teacup from Helya and watched the scenery from above. "Father, what are those? They look different from dragons!"
"Those are Cloud Serpents. A different form of dragon. It looks like that's the Temple of the Jade Serpent. Want to take a look?" Arthas took a sip of tea and casually gave Helya's hand a squeeze.
"Well done. Having you as a handmaiden makes things very comfortable."
"It is my honor, Master. Your happiness is mine." Since her revenge on Odyn, Helya had lacked a purpose. Serving Arthas filled that void. The other women of the household treated her well, which earned her genuine loyalty.
"Look, Father! Those Pandaren are ringing the bells." Shandris pointed toward the bamboo forest. Through the mist, the golden eaves of the temple were visible. Her playful demeanor vanished, replaced by the sharp focus of a warrior.
The three followed the sound of the bells. As they broke through the last of the bamboo, the Temple of the Jade Serpent revealed itself. The vermilion walls were weathered, and the jade dragon statues on the roof were lifelike. But there was no Zen here—only the roar of battle and the stench of decay.
In the plaza, dozens of Pandaren Monks were locked in combat with bizarre black shadows. These shadows were like smoke or lint, yet they carried a bone-chilling cold that clung to the monks' limbs, devouring their life force.
In the corner, once-gentle porcupines and cranes now had blood-red eyes and bristling fur, lunging at the monks with savage ferocity. One infected porcupine had ballooned in size, its quills turning into jagged black spikes.
"It's the Sha! Different from normal shadow beings, these feed specifically on emotions and psyche," Helya whispered, her fingers crackling with Shadow energy—the power of Death, distinct from the Void.
Arthas watched the infected creatures. There was no sanity in their eyes, only madness. The Pandaren Monks, though skilled in martial arts and rich in Chi, were helpless against the intangible corruption. Many were already stained with black mist.
Suddenly, a massive silhouette lunged from the main hall. Composed of concentrated black gas and shaped like a bear with glowing green claws, it was the leader of this pack—the Sha of Doubt. It roared and swiped at three monks; the black energy sent them flying, coughing blood as their internal energy was reversed. An elderly Pandaren elder, his beard white as snow, slammed his staff into the ground, his Chi forcing the Sha back temporarily, though blood stained his own lips.
Monks weren't created to fight the Sha; their style was born to resist Mogu tyranny. Their core focus is emotional control—converting inner state into energy. Where Warriors use Rage, Monks use Chi.
"We must hold the Sha here! Wait for the Shado-Pan! We cannot let them leave the temple, or the Jade Forest will fall!" the Elder gasped, forcing himself back into the fight against the Sha of Doubt.
"It seems you need a little help. I am the King of the Lordaeron Empire, the Protector God, Arthas. Good to meet you."
Arthas stepped forward, Frostmourne sliding an inch from its sheath. A biting frost instantly flooded the plaza. Both sides froze. The monks looked warily at the newcomers, while the Sha of Doubt, stimulated by the cold and sensing the lingering essence of Y'Shaarj on Arthas, roared with greed rather than submission. If it devoured him, it could become Y'Shaarj reborn!
"Careful! That is the Sha of Doubt! It amplifies resentment and erodes the mind!" the Elder shouted.
Shandris reached for her sword, but Arthas raised a hand to stop her. His gaze was calm, as if facing ants rather than soul-devouring monsters. As Frostmourne cleared the scabbard, the sky seemed to rain frost. The black mist froze into crystals, and the very air solidified.
"Trust the Master, Princess," Helya comforted. "He's just looking for a little fun."
"Sha? Insignificant trash."
Arthas flicked his blade. An ice-blue arc of energy hissed through the air, piercing the Sha of Doubt. The creature froze mid-lunge. The black mist dissolved instantly in the frost, vanishing into motes of light without a single chance to struggle. As their leader was deleted, the remaining lesser Sha fell into a panic. Helya's fingers flicked, sending Shadow Bolts to pick them off with clinical precision.