Azeroth: Starting with Eagle Eye in the Necropolis.

Sometimes, a beautiful appearance can be very deceptive. The holy light elements that Rhode summoned were actually no less alluring than succubi.

Varian was getting anxious. The power of Rhodes' Holy Light was extraordinary, and he was very worried that his archbishop wouldn't be able to withstand it. However, since they had agreed on this beforehand, he couldn't offer any advice and could only worry helplessly.

Little Anduin's brow furrowed slightly, and his small body trembled slightly, as if he were going through a fierce internal struggle.

He felt the familiar, reassuring, harbor-like holy light emanating from Bishop Benedictus, a light that represented Stormwind's tradition and order.

But at the same time, Rhodes’ powerful, fiery holy light, which seemed capable of burning away all darkness, attracted him even more strongly.

And there was one sentence that bothered him: what was it that Lord Rhodes spoke of besides the Holy Light? He did indeed feel a slight discomfort from the Archbishop; he sensed a darkness.

“You don’t need to speak, child. I can hear your voice as long as you think about it,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes's Holy Light had established a spiritual link with Anduin, while the spiritual link with a certain archbishop was forcefully expelled by Rhodes's Holy Light.

This left the archbishop anxious but helpless. Although Rhode's five Archangels of Light and the Holy Phoenix in the system space could not be summoned, Rhode could still borrow their Holy Light power through his personal unit space, in addition to his own Holy Light power.

To put it bluntly, let alone an ordinary Archbishop of Holy Light, even a Naaru wouldn't be able to help.

“Lord Rhodes, you are right. I sensed something different about Archbishop Benedictus. His holy light is indeed very powerful and warm, but it is not as pure as yours. I seem to sense something uncomfortable in it.” Anduin hesitated for a moment before communicating with Rhodes in his mind.

“Clever child, it seems you have already discovered the problem. That’s right, Benedictus has betrayed the faith in the Holy Light. The chilling power you feel is the Shadow.”

"Although shadow is not inherently evil, and some priests study shadow power to create shadow priests, their power originates differently. Their power comes from the evil Old Gods; they are followers of the Doomsday Cult, which worships destruction," Rhodes said.

The existence of Shadow Priests isn't exactly a secret. Ever since Alexandros discovered that the ultimate form of Holy Light is Shadow, some priests have been studying the Way of Shadow. Compared to Holy Light, Shadow is much more aggressive.

Unlike paladins, priests can only rely on shadows to attack enemies in the wild without the protection of teammates.

However, cultivating the power of shadow can greatly affect one's mind, so priests who practice the power of shadow need to have a strong enough spirit to control this power.

In fact, according to the game's storyline, the powerful Shadow Priest who obtained the Legion artifact, the Dark Empire Blade, in version 7.0 was already used and exploited by Sarasta.

Rhodes also possesses shadow magic, which he learned from shadow creatures and dreadlords. However, unlike the power of holy light, Rhodes did not seriously cultivate the power of shadow.

Benedictus' power is a pure gift from the ancient gods.

"Lord Rhodes, you...you mean Archbishop Benedictus has betrayed my father and the Kingdom of Stormwind." Anduin's emotions became agitated, and even those observing from the outside noticed something unusual.

"Don't be nervous, child. Now is not the time to expose his true identity. One day I will deal with him and those ancient gods behind him myself."

These things are none of your concern. All you need to do now is make a choice: whether you are willing to follow me in my cultivation."

“Lord Rhodes, I am very grateful for your guidance, but I would prefer to stay by my father’s side,” Anduin said.

“Following me in cultivation doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll leave your father. Besides, I don’t have that much time to teach you all the time. I can only teach you for one or two months a year at most,” Rhodes said with a smile.

My time is very busy, I don't have time to teach you all year round. Besides, the Holy Light is something that depends on comprehension. When Anduin was young, Rhodes only needed to teach him some basic things, or even let Fina teach him. The main purpose was to obtain the title of master. The future king of Stormwind is his disciple, and this identity is the most important.

As for protons and such, they are completely unnecessary. Rhodes doesn't like to get involved in such abstract things. Moreover, if needed, Rhodes plans to find a certain archbishop who has been resurrected as an undead and have him teach Anduin. There's no problem with that person. Even if the future prophet Velen comes, he can help him.

After Ben Anduin became proficient in manipulating the Holy Light, Rhodes taught him Holy Light versions of Gate of Babylon, Holy Light Gundam, and Holy Light Giants.

"I see, Lord Rhodes. You should have said so sooner. If you had said so, my father would have agreed."

"Haha, if it were that easy, it would be rather boring, and we wouldn't be able to fool the Old Gods. Our enemies are very cunning," Rhodes said with a smile.

Finally, to everyone's astonishment, Anduin Jr. crossed the boundary of the invisible holy light field and walked straight to Rhodes, opening his clear blue eyes and looking up at Rhodes.

“I…I felt it. The light emanating from Lord Rhodes…is brighter and warmer. It’s as if it’s calling to me…it’s telling me that the Holy Light can…can do so much more!”

"Lord Rhodes, I wish to become your disciple."

“No problem, it’s my disciple Anduin,” Rhodes said with a smile.

Chapter 297 Sweet Treats and a Stick: Controlling Varian!

"Anduin! You, this, this!" Varian cried out, his face filled with complex emotions. His son's choice was unexpected, yet the result seemed to be within his expectations.

Rhodes's holy light was indeed extraordinary, stronger than that of his own archbishop, but Varian was extremely unwilling.

Benedictus's face darkened completely. He had lost the match, but being a shrewd and calculating man, he quickly regained his composure.

Rhodes' strength far exceeded his expectations, and his mastery of the Holy Light far surpassed his own. It seemed the rumors were true; he truly was the Son of the Holy Light.

Benedictus was a little scared, because he felt that the other party seemed to have discovered his secret, but it was no big deal.

Many priests follow the path of shadow, for the other side of holy light is shadow. Even if the other party discovers that they are practicing shadow power, there's nothing to say about it.

Mograine, the Ashbringer, also used Shadow Crystals to transform into Light Crystals to create Ashbringer. It is said that the Judgment of Light in Rhodes' hands was also made using Shadow Crystals.

Therefore, Rod has no right to lecture him.

“It seems… Your Highness and Lord Rhodes are indeed destined to meet. The guidance of the Holy Light has its own profound meaning.” Benedictus bowed slightly to Rhodes and said.

Rhodes laughed, bent down and picked up little Anduin, letting him sit in his arms. The little guy seemed a little shy, but didn't resist.

"It seems the Archbishop already knows whose Holy Light is stronger. Do you see? Brother Varian, the Holy Light, and your son himself, have all made their choices." Rhodes looked smugly at the Stormwind King, whose face was ashen.

"This is fate! This child is destined to be my disciple! No one can change that."

Varian looked at his son in Rhodes' arms, who showed no fear but instead looked at Rhodes with curiosity and a hint of adoration. He felt a mix of emotions.

He took a deep breath, knowing that if he were to forcefully refuse the outcome of "the choice of the Holy Light," it would not only be unreasonable but could also hurt his son's feelings and even provoke a greater backlash from Rhodes.

“…Fine!” Varian practically gritted his teeth as he uttered the word. “I can agree to let Anduin be taught by you!”

"Don't worry, Brother Varian, I won't just take your child away. How could I be so heartless?"

Anduin spends most of his time in Stormwind! I will come to teach him regularly, or take him away for 1-2 months each year, but no longer than three months.

Or send a trustworthy mentor to reside permanently in Stormwind! He is still the prince of Stormwind, the future king! That will never change! Rhodes gave Varian a slap on the wrist, then offered him a sweet treat.

Anyway, I have teleportation magic. After the improvements, I can travel all over Azeroth. I can just open a portal to go wherever I want. I've already been to Stormwind. If I come back in the future, I can just open a portal.

In some ways, the teleportation spells of Azeroth are even more powerful than the town-shifting magic of Heroes of Might and Magic, and if Hearthstone develops in the future, travel will be even more convenient.

Upon hearing this, Varian's ashen expression softened considerably. He could accept leaving Stormwind for one or two months each month, as long as it didn't involve taking his son away and brainwashing him into becoming a puppet of Lordaeron.

Could it be that Rhodes really just wanted to take his son as his apprentice and had no ulterior motives?

"That would be best, Lord Rhodes. I hope you will teach Anduin well in the future and make him a practitioner of the Holy Light."

"Deal!" Rhodes readily agreed, pinching Anduin's cheek.

"Then it's settled. From now on, I will be your teacher, little prince."

Anduin looked at Rhodes and finally revealed a childlike, slightly embarrassed but sincere smile: "Yes, teacher."

The tense atmosphere in the banquet hall finally eased a bit, and at Varian's invitation, the banquet resumed. All the nobles of Stormwind cheered, celebrating that the little prince had found a mentor and wouldn't have to leave Stormwind for a long time.

"We should celebrate that the Little Prince has received the approval of the Holy Light."

"He became an apprentice of the great Lord Rhodes."

"Lord Rhodes is a true son of the Holy Light, and he will surely take good care of the little prince. Congratulations, Your Majesty!" The nobles of Stormwind began to toast Rhodes and the king.

The court musicians resumed playing music, and the atmosphere returned to what it was like when the banquet had just begun.

Rhodes, holding his newly acquired apprentice, was full of pride and greeted everyone with a smile. He glanced at Benedictus, whose expression was not good, and sneered inwardly.

Let you dart around for a while, you old fox. Don't rush, we'll slowly reveal your true colors. Today, we'll just make you back down.

We'll settle your score later. Twilight? Hmph, with me here, your and your masters' doomsday plans are destined to fail.

And Onyxia, taming you, mother dragon, has only just begun!

Watching the celebration, King Varian shook his head, pulled Anduin back into his arms, and gave his son a loving father's smile.

"Follow Lord Rhodes, study the Holy Light diligently, and do not bring shame to Stormwind."

“Don’t worry, Father. I’ll only be away for two to three months at most each year. The rest of the time, Professor Rhodes will come back when he has time, or he will arrange for a professional tutor to come and teach me,” Anduin said, patting his father’s hand.

Varian stroked his son's head, his feelings extremely complicated. He was both gratified that his son had received such powerful guidance, and felt a sense of humiliation that his sovereignty had been violated.

He glanced at Benedictus, whose face was pale, and then at Rhodes, who was full of vigor, and sighed inwardly.

The landscape of Stormwind, and indeed the entire Alliance, will undergo a dramatic transformation because of this man's arrival, or perhaps it has already happened, but Stormwind simply hasn't realized it yet.

“Brother Varian, since I’ve accepted Anduin as my disciple, I can’t just leave without giving anything in return. I’ll give my disciple a gift!” Rhodes said, taking a sip of his wine.

What gift is it?

"Haha, this gift is quite big, it won't fit here, let's go outside." Rhodes said mysteriously, waving his hand to signal everyone in the hall to follow him out.

Marian was startled upon hearing this, but he still picked up his son and followed Rhodes. The other nobles of Stormwind exchanged glances at this scene, then stood up together and followed the king and Rhodes to the huge square of Stormwind Keep.

"Anduin, I'm giving you a special pet. It's a powerful pet that can easily overwhelm a dragon, or even two or three."

"Your strength can crush a dragon, teacher, you, you." Anduin looked on incredulously.

King Varian was also utterly shocked. What kind of powerful pet could crush a dragon? Could it be that archangel of holy light from before?

Rhodes smiled mysteriously, then summoned a Holy Fire Phoenix from the system's troop space.

A colossal fire phoenix appeared in Stormwind, its wings spread wide. It was only slightly smaller than an ordinary black dragon, but it radiated a holy light, with holy light pouring down from the sky.

In terms of its power and impact, the Holy Phoenix is ​​not much inferior to the Archangel of Holy Light, and may even be superior. This is the gift that Rhodes wants to give.

Since acquiring Anveena, even without using the waters of the Sunwell, Rhode can transform a Holy Phoenix every day thanks to the Sunwell's core essence and his own cooperation.

Now, Rhodes' town can produce four ordinary phoenixes every week. With Anvina's assistance, the phoenixes accumulated over the past few months or less than a year will be transformed into Sacred Fire Phoenixes.

The Holy Fire Phoenix is ​​no weaker than the Holy Light Archangel, but there are only 5 Holy Light Archangels, while the future number of Holy Fire Phoenixes is incalculable, so giving one away is not a big deal.

More importantly, a Holy Phoenix is ​​like an eye for Rhodes, constantly observing Stormwind and his disciples' every move. Moreover, the supreme command of the troops always remains in Rhodes' hands.

“Holy Light above… Is this… is this a miracle?” an elderly priest murmured in a trembling voice.

“So beautiful…and so powerful!” Duke Bolvar exclaimed, gazing up at the phoenix.

He had no doubt about Rhodes's words—this sacred creature truly possessed the power to crush ordinary dragons!

Onyxia, who was standing next to Rhode, was also shocked. The Holy Phoenix was incredibly powerful, and even if she reverted to her original form, she might not be able to guarantee a 100% victory.

This guy was actually given away as a pet! How incredibly extravagant can you be? The Black Dragon Princess is now starting to wonder if her father and brother will also be sent to their deaths.

“This…this gift is too precious, Lord Rhodes.” After recovering from his shock, Varian immediately shook his head and refused.

"It is not just a combat partner Varian. With it by Anduin's side, not only can it protect his safety, but the holy light it emits can also help Anduin cultivate better and communicate with the holy light more effectively."

By the way, I can't be biased. I can only give you one Holy Phoenix, but I'll give you two Holy Light Elements!

These holy light elements can adjust their size; you can even make them the size of a normal person if you want!

"The Holy Light Elementals are female, very beautiful, and they have wings; they are incredibly holy," Rhodes whispered as he approached Varian.