Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 405, Section 14: "Fanatical Belief," an Incurable Faith Disease, is Declared Cracked Today.
The Pandaren of Pandaria have their own belief system.

They worship four "supreme gods" and imbue the power and behavior of these four unique "gods of the wilderness" with philosophical speculation and meaning.

Leaving aside the pandaren's philosophy of life, let's just talk about the four Celestials.

Although it belongs to the broad category of Wild Gods and is a high-level creation of the life force, the power of the Supreme Celestial is clearly not in the same concept as that of other Wild Gods.

The life demigods worshipped by the Kaldorei elves rarely display extraordinary powers beyond their physical forms; they even fight in the form of wild beasts. However, the four Celestials do the opposite.

The Eastern Wisdom Celestial, Yulong, can harness the power of water, bringing healing and purification; the Northern Power Celestial, Xuenu, wields storms and thunder, and is the embodiment of the Pandaren's pride.

The Southern Hope Deity, Chi Jing, is the master of the fire element. His beautiful vermilion crane is adept at inspiring people and protecting hope. The Western Courage Deity, Niu Zao, stands firmly on the earth, unyielding to the calamities of the world, and is the nemesis of all fear and hesitation.

Putting aside the exaggerated titles bestowed upon these four great gods by the Pandaren, the sheer power they wield demonstrates that these four supreme gods are indeed a level above the Wild Gods in terms of power, and their fusion with elemental forces is nothing short of perfect.

It is precisely because of the unique form and power that the elements endow life with that the Pandaren stubbornly believe that these four are the "Descended Gods".

The connection between the four Celestials and the Pandaren transcends even the relationship between Druids and Wilderness demigods; their existence can be seen as the foundation of Pandaren civilization and etiquette.

The four celestials also see themselves as part of the Pandaren civilization. They live in temples built for them by the Pandaren and generously impart their wisdom and power to their respective monks and scribes.

This quality of possessing great power and being generous in sharing it made Diakum deeply respect these four gods.

At this moment, in the main hall of Qinglong Temple, the vigilant was conversing with the Eastern Wisdom Celestial Venerable.

Yulong is a jade dragon, hundreds of meters long. When it circles and flies among the clouds in the Emerald Forest, it often brings a heavy rain that nourishes the earth.

To show its respect for its distinguished guest, Yulong deliberately shrunk its body. It hovered on a pillar in the hall, lowered its head in a comfortable posture, and curiously looked at Diakum, this "alien demigod".

The vigilant will be sitting at the octagonal table, feasting and drinking.

On one hand, the mental battle with the demon had left him feeling somewhat hungry.

On the other hand, the food of the Pandaren is one of the best in Azeroth, so it's not something you can miss since you've finally come across it.

He ate with great satisfaction, devouring fist-sized crystal-filled buns one bite at a time, and grabbing a slice of braised pork knuckle and eating it in a few bites. Watching this, Aegwynn helplessly covered her eyes; she felt Diakum was being far too "comfortable."

Aegwynn remembered when he first met the Vigilant, the guy would maintain the dignified demeanor of a priest and garrison commander, and would occasionally make some serious comments, but now, as the Vigilant's power continues to increase, his behavior has become more and more concise.

When faced with things he's not interested in, Dick becomes very indifferent and unwilling to waste time. Conversely, when it comes to things that require his full attention, the Vigilant's enthusiasm burns as brightly as the sun.

But thinking about it carefully, this change isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Companions who are clear about their likes and dislikes are always easier to accept than those with ulterior motives.

"I know the panda people's food is amazing, but can't you at least have some manners when you eat?"

Aegwynn faithfully fulfilled her mission, gritting her teeth and muttering:
“We are envoys representing Mother World. Your lack of manners will make you look foolish. Be careful, or the Star Soul Lord might give you a good whack on the head.”

“What does the Star Soul Lord need to worry about? Just look at how skillfully the Jade Dragon Celestial Venerable wields the water element. You'll know that the four of them have never been separated from this world in a deep way. Elemental power is the original power of the world, and the fact that the four celestial gods wield the elements means that they are the most orthodox ‘world holy spirits’.”

Diakum pursed his lips and said something, then skillfully used his jade chopsticks to pick up a few appetizing pieces of red oil beef and put them in his mouth. He then picked up the bowl of fragrant wonton noodles and slurped them down.

After finishing the incredibly delicious noodle soup, I finally put down my bowl with satisfaction.

The table of food was eaten clean, which in Pandaren culture means that the guests had a great time, and also makes the "host," Jade Dragon Celestial Venerable, feel very proud.

Amidst the gentle laughter of the Wise Celestial, the Vigilant produced a magical handkerchief and wiped himself clean. He stood up and, with a Pandaren-style fist salute, thanked the Jade Dragon Celestial, who was seated on a pillar, saying:

"Thank you for your hospitality. I have fallen in love with the culture and customs of Pandaria."

"We are the ones who should be saying thank you."

Jade Celestial Venerable stretched out his body, allowing Aegwynn and Diakum to see more details. The dragon in front of them was composed of biological features such as a horse's face, a dog's nose, a cow's mouth, deer antlers, a snake's body, eagle claws, fish scales, a lion's tail, and shrimp whiskers. It was as warm and smooth as jade and covered with rain clouds.

Its appearance is very dignified, at least much more imposing than the plain and unadorned Xiong Da and Xiong Er.

She slid along the pillar like a snake in a languid manner, then flew lightly around Diakum a few times, finally transforming into a cute little panda loli wearing an adorable padded jacket amidst the flowing jade light.

She looked at Diakum's giant body and said in a clear, childlike voice:
"Your arrival has solved the darkness and gloom that has plagued this land for tens of thousands of years. This is the first time I have ever seen anyone subdue a demon so easily. Shao Hao did not have it as easy as you. He really had to put in a lot of effort and with the help of the mischievous Monkey King, he finally managed to subdue the Demon of Doubt with a shabby face."

"This does not prove that I am more powerful than Emperor Shaohao."

Diakum waved his hand modestly and said:

"It's just because I am a Light and Shadow Walker, and I have some of the power of the Void. The Fiends are also evils originating from the Void, so my resistance to them is much stronger than that of ordinary people."

Perhaps it's because I'm more determined than others.

"Ha, the alien saint is a humble person. Your spiritual cultivation is even higher than the most powerful martial monk grandmaster. You are only one step away from 'unity of heaven and man'. No wonder the evil demon can't do anything to you."

Jade Dragon Celestial Venerable covered her mouth and laughed out loud. She said to Diakum:

“I know you’re worried about your followers. Go and see them. The Prophet Mari of the Jinyu people cast a cleansing spell on them, but it didn’t work. Your followers are very attached to their own desires, some of them even to the point of being ‘obsessed’.”

Perhaps they need your comfort to recover from the influence of the evil spirits.

I will arrange for the wandering scholar Stonestep to visit you tonight. Wandering scholars are Pandaria's finest historians; he will explain to you in detail the current complex situation on this continent.

"Ah."

Dick nodded and said:

"Then, could you represent the Supreme God and conduct this significant dialogue with the Star Soul Lord's representative?"

“I can’t, I can only speak for myself! Besides, I know nothing about you, so how can I make a serious decision under these circumstances?”

Yu Long earnestly held up her hairy finger and said:

"But I have informed my brothers that despite the tense situation at the front, I believe they will take the time to come to Jade Forest to speak with Lady Aegwynn."

How the relationship between the Four Celestials and Mother World will ultimately evolve is something we four will have to discuss with the wandering scholars, the elders of the Golden Lotus, and the Shado-Pan.

Please understand that our connection with the Pandaren civilization is too profound; any decision we make will directly impact the future of tens of millions of people.

"This is a prudent approach."

The Vigilant had no objection to this; he was merely a "mercenary" of the Lord of Azeroth, while Aegwynn was the official representative, and he had no interest in participating in such time-consuming exchanges and negotiations.

However, before leaving the Azure Dragon Hall, Dick asked:

“On my way to Qinglong Temple, I heard from a roadside tea stall owner that there is a well-known traveling scholar in the area named ‘Zhou Zhuo’. May I invite him and Elder Shi Bu to tell us about the current situation in Pandaria?”

"That's unfortunate."

Yulong sighed and said:
"Zhou Zhuo, that restless troublemaker, went to Kun-Lai Summit a while ago. He claimed he had discovered the secret of the undead legion under the Thunder King and was going to do archaeological work near the Conqueror's Tomb. But it's dangerous there; it's truly enemy territory!"
I estimate that he has already been detained by the White Tiger monks at the Wine Jar Market.

The monks under Xue Nu's command... well, how should I put it?

They are generally quite straightforward.

Zhou Zhuo probably suffered for it, but he deserved it.

This guy is the most active traveling scholar I've ever met. His family's scholarly background also makes him good at archaeology, but on top of that, he's always had bad luck, which has led him to get into a lot of trouble.

"Yes, we must take these people who are always in trouble seriously."

Diakum nodded with a sigh, wondering if Brann Bronzebeard had arrived safely in Kalimdor. Judging by the timeline, the guy should be conducting archaeological work in the Tauren ruins in Desolace by now.

Hopefully, he won't cause any more trouble.

Just as Diakum left the Azure Dragon Palace to check on his Lightforged followers, on the northern coast of Pandaria, Brann Bronzebeard, dressed like a savage, stared blankly at the vast ocean before him. At the edge of his vision, he could vaguely make out the coastline of a continent and towering snow-capped mountains.

On the shore below the hill where Brian was, explorers who had been stranded on the deserted island for a week due to a shipwreck were trying to restart a small boat with a dwarf motor.

Today is their seventh attempt.

So where exactly is this place?

Brian clutched his tattered adventure hat, flipped through the world map he always carried, scratched his head, and said:
"Could it really be the legendary Misty Continent? Ah, damn it, if it weren't for that Naga attack, we'd all be in the Desolace by now, starting our work. I promised Master Lyran I would bring her the complete Tauren creation myth."

"This is unbelievable!"

"buzzing"

A loud engine noise startled Brian Bronzebeard, who jumped up and looked toward the ships on the shore, where a group of shipwrecked explorers were cheering.

"Brian! Get down quickly, we're about to leave."

A female dwarf shouted, wielding a warhammer:
"We don't have much fuel, but it should be enough for us to reach the mainland across the strait. There seems to be a village there where we can get help."

"Oh, here it comes."

Brian rushed down the hillside, called his pet monkey Grib back, and the group boarded the small boat and headed towards the other side.

"What's wrong, Brian? Are you feeling unwell?"

A dwarf doctor traveling with them looked curiously at the trembling dwarf, while Brian stared intently at the approaching continent. He could already see the towering, temple-like buildings standing on the snow-capped mountains.

He waved his hand and said:

"It's my explorer's instinct reminding me that there must be amazing history waiting for us to discover on this continent! Yes, my pickaxe is trembling; there must be some powerful ruins nearby!"
Hey, you definitely came to the right place!

------

"Is Ms. Zera really wrong? What if we are wrong? What if Commander Diakum really is the 'Child of Light and Darkness'? What if the future of this starry sea really rests on his shoulders?"

We thought we had escaped the blind faith and fanaticism brought by Ms. Zela, but is it possible that we have fallen into the same blind obedience brought by Commander Diakum?

How exactly do we readjust our thinking between the doctrines of these two schools of thought?

Are we truly awake now?

In the meditation room of Qinglong Temple, Auress scratched her head and asked her older sister a series of questions, which made Saloras helplessly tap her younger sister on the head.

she says:

"Stop thinking about it. If you keep reflecting, you'll probably start asking philosophical questions like who you are, where you came from, and where you're going. Wake up! You're sliding into nihilism, a deep abyss that all wise people should stay away from."

"I know, but I can't help but think about it."

Aurecis sighed and said:
"The Jinyu prophet assured us that the Sha's influence had been dispelled by the flowing water, and its purification spell was very effective; my mind is at peace, but my spirit is still constantly introspecting."
I feel like I'm going to have a mental breakdown!
Doubt has taken root, sister; it won't rest until it has eroded some of its trust.

If I cannot get a clear answer, my doubts will continue to grow, eventually turning into a black hole that devours my energy and becomes a terrible drain on my mental strength.

"If even a demigod spellcaster like me is in this state, the other warriors must be in even worse shape."

Saloras remained silent for a moment.

she says:

"This thing is really something. It doesn't leave a 'seed of mental corruption' like other mental spells, but it creates natural cracks in your mind, making it difficult for others to intervene."

This kind of mental torment can only be overcome through self-persuasion.

My concern now is that the warriors' self-doubt will trigger a 'chain reaction.' The power of the Holy Light is idealistic; when they begin to doubt their own morality and principles, I fear…

"It is easy to exorcise evil spirits, but difficult to get rid of inner demons."

Diakum's voice accompanied the footsteps as he pushed open the door. The Watcher glanced at the two looking haggard and knew that they had also fallen into a terrible state of "mental exhaustion" due to the influence of the Doubtful Star.

Constant self-reflection can lead to a series of unpleasant consequences, and if the reflection fails to yield an answer, it can escalate into even more painful self-denial.

Other Force Walkers might at most lose the courage to act, but Light Walkers might directly lose the favor of the Holy Light.

The old story of Old Man Frank and the little lion is still fresh in my mind.

"be prepared."

He said to the Gemini:
"Tonight, there may be a series of tragic incidents involving the Lightforged whose morality has been broken. We will stay at the Azure Dragon Temple for a few days to help our warriors rebuild their morality. But don't worry, this is not a bad thing."

In my opinion, this is precisely a good thing.

After undergoing such a mental ordeal of self-doubt and denial, the fanaticism and blind obedience that the Holy Light Legion left them with will be completely shattered.

The rebuilt morality will be based on choices made from the heart by those who are clear-headed, rather than on hatred, stubbornness, and manipulation as it was originally.

At this point, Diakum pulled out the Blade of the Dark Empire. This dark and malevolent blade was surrounded by black and white orbs of malevolent energy, making it look very mysterious and sinister.

He said to the Gemini:
"Do you remember when I told you I would find a way to help you two bring the Holy Light Legion back to the right path of Guardians, Punishers, and Healers?"
I found it.

He drew his dark blade and said:

"The two demons will wash away the fanaticism of our warriors from 'doubt' and 'fear,' and when they begin to rethink, the shackles of light will be shattered by the wisdom of thought."

But that's not enough!
We must counter blind obedience with skepticism, cool fanaticism with fear, dispel indifference with anger, and interrogate cowardice with despair.

Warriors must overcome arrogance to find humility, wash away hatred and awaken passion!
The next step is for them to overcome pride and forge a true faith.

Once we have used the power of all seven Sha, Zera can also be freed from the 'tyranny' of the Holy Light. If we want to 'cool down' the Holy Light that has become too fanatical, the Sha will be our best tool.

This is also another extension of 'Twin Light and Shadow'.

Only the constraint of shadow can prevent light from annihilating everything.

The twins' eyes widened.

They exchanged a glance, and Saloras said loudly:
"So you had this all planned out in advance? I thought you were joking when you showed me the plan that night."

"I once thought that nothing in this starry sea could break the burning will of the Lightforged, but it turns out I've seen far too little."

Aurecis rubbed her aching forehead and sighed:

"But your plan, though 'cultish,' is surprisingly feasible, provided that the demons' ability to interrogate minds can be used properly."

'Self-doubt' and 'self-denial' are two different concepts, sir!

While this may sound a bit provocative, can you really distinguish between the two when you're handling them?
With just a little effort, you could crush a weak-willed soul.

Diakum's face broke into a "I've finally waited for this" smile. He spread his hands and said to the trembling twins:

"Therefore, it takes a long time to practice to master this dangerous mental power. My dear Gemini lieutenants, you also seem to have many doubts that need to be answered. I also want to know if there is an insurmountable fear in your hearts that will turn you into giants with feet of clay in the future."

Therefore, I need two willing sacrifices before I can unleash this large-scale 'trial of faith' on the warriors.

Are you ready to confront the demons within your own hearts?

(End of this chapter)