Compared to accelerating crop growth, the other rule power, 'Trade Caravan Acceleration,' which can speed up trade caravan round trips, primarily requires a separate price.
But it's not expensive.
Consuming 1000 Faith Power can speed up a trade caravan's travel by one day, which means these trade caravans can increase their travel distance by one day in a short period.
"If I'm not mistaken, my trade caravans have been gone for over a week, so they should be back in less than two or three days."
Shen Mu pondered, thinking about the two trade caravans he had sent out earlier, and he was deep in thought.
The first trade caravan sent out was Nalot's Trade Caravan, which belonged to a bankrupt merchant who was also a former Bandit.
It was a trade caravan that traveled to the Calradia continent to smuggle goods and ironware between Deherim and the Vigia Kingdom. At that time, the estimated weekly income was about 2000 dinars.
At that time, this amount of dinars was quite good, and the income was considerable, but now, it's not much.
Only a mere 2000 dinars, of course, it's not a small amount, and it's better than nothing.
After all, Shen Mu currently only has 57 dinars left, which can almost be said to be at the end of his rope.
However, what Shen Mu focused on more were the supplies that Nalot's Trade Caravan brought back to him from the Calradia continent, such as the arrows and crossbow bolts needed by regular ranged archers, as well as food and tools. These were the things he cared about most.
However, the second trade caravan was quite important.
Because the second trade caravan was led by Torres to the White Tower region of Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings for trade. It transported the corpses of Abyssal Demons there and then exchanged them for precious magic scrolls.
And those magic scrolls were the most important items for activating the various effects of the Holy White Council's Torch Tower.
"If I'm not mistaken, using a magic scroll to activate the Holy White Council's Torch Tower would directly dispel all rules except the Mount & Blade Rules, completely restoring the area covered by the Torch Tower to normal."
Shen Mu murmured softly at this moment.
At the same time, he also had some longing for the second trade caravan, the one heading to the White Tower region of Middle-earth.
After all, if he could completely transform the surrounding area into normal land, free from the harassment of death spirit rules, then it would mean that the 20,000 to 30,000 Blue Star Humans he had gathered could live, reproduce, and engage in social activities normally in this area.
Moreover, this change could also attract more Blue Star Humans to join him. The thought of land completely under normal rules, not subject to death spirit rules, was somewhat astonishing.
In this terrifying place, which has been ravaged by Undead Monsters due to death spirit rules, it's like a ray of dawn appearing, giving birth to an Eden Garde.
How could it not attract those Blue Star Humans who have completely despaired of this world and are merely clinging to life, to come and join him?
Therefore, Shen Mu was quite excited just thinking about the purification effect of the Holy White Council's Torch Tower.
After all, as long as Blue Star Humans come to join him now, it means he can have more Faith Power.
Then he can obtain more food, more trade caravan supplies, and more town buildings through Faith Power.
And in the end, it also means more strength.
Thinking of this, Shen Mu's thoughts once again connected with the system, and then a new dialogue box began to appear on his retina.
【Ding! Do you want to activate 'Trade Caravan Acceleration (Special Rule Power)'? You currently have two trade caravans. Each trade caravan will consume 1000 Faith Power to speed up its travel by 1 day.】
【① Nalot Trade Caravan (Smuggling Trade Caravan): This trade caravan is a smuggling trade caravan organized by Bandits, quietly shuttling between the Swadia Kingdom and the Vigia Kingdom on the Calradia continent, smuggling valuable ironware and iron ore. Estimated income: 2000 dinars (weekly).】
【② Torres Trade Caravan (Trade Trade Caravan): This trade caravan is heading to the White Tower region of Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings, and because it has a trade license, it can go directly to the White Tower without hindrance and conduct specialized trade. Estimated income: 5000 dinars (weekly).】
【Tip: Estimated income is the income under ideal conditions. If your trade caravan needs to purchase some supplies or special items for you, it will be deducted from the income.】
The content in the dialogue box was a summary of the two trade caravans.
Shen Mu was not unfamiliar with this, as he had already learned about these two trade caravans before.
And he also knew that the estimated income displayed on the summary of these two trade caravans could not be calculated using the estimated income, after all, he still needed various daily supplies from the Calradia continent and those magic scrolls from the White Tower region in Middle-earth.
If he were to buy these supplies, then the dinars obtained would certainly not enter his pocket with the most ideal numbers.
Of course, for Shen Mu, what he cared about most were those supplies.
"Especially the magic scrolls."
Shen Mu turned his head at this moment and looked at the towering White Tower in Deherim's Castle District.
It was located right in the southeast corner, extending upwards, and was entirely white. From a distance, it had a stark contrast with the gray stone, making it quite conspicuous.
Especially at the very top, the Torch Tower's peak, which was about two meters high, where there were still vague figures of two or three people standing.
Shen Mu knew that those two or three figures were Rodok Sharpshooters holding sniper crossbows.
From their elevated position, they could precisely snipe any enemy daring to approach the Castle District or Town Area city walls, even from a distance of two to three hundred meters, they could use their sniper crossbows from above to shoot heavy crossbow bolts and kill enemies outright.
After all, as fifth-tier ranged archers, the Rodok Sharpshooters' ranged killing ability was absolutely unparalleled.
And they shot far and accurately.
Arranging them at the top of the Holy White Council's Torch Tower was also quite appropriate.
Because the Holy White Council's Torch Tower has not yet exerted its illumination effect, it is currently only used as a simple arrow tower, and stationing Sharpshooters there also serves as an additional warning effect.
And the reason why the Holy White Council's Torch Tower has not yet exerted its proper effect is because there are no magic scrolls.
"Now the magic scrolls have arrived."
Shen Mu's lips curved slightly, and then he simply instructed Manid to continue looking after the wheat field.
Then he stepped forward and walked towards Deherim.
Of course, the Holy Tree Knight serving as close guards immediately followed, and the Swadian Sergeant following behind also quickly caught up.
Although Shen Mu already had close guards, namely the Holy Tree Knight, he also needed ordinary guards or imperial guards during normal times, and these Swadian Sergeant usually served this duty.
Following by Shen Mu's side, they were not only responsible for protecting Shen Mu's safety but also for clearing the way for him.
After all, there are still many Blue Star Humans living in Deherim now.
At this time, they all, out of awe of his power, dared not block the road, and each of them restrained their Spiritual Realm creatures, watching Shen Mu pass with curiosity and reverence, but it was inevitable that there would be a few ill-intentioned individuals, and there might even be dangerous behavior.
It's easy to understand.
Shen Mu had just overthrown the Diesel Company not long ago, and there were many people who had received favors from the Diesel Company.
There were even some Blue Star Humans who had relatives or brothers within the Diesel Company.
It was even possible that in the previous conflict, they were directly killed by Shen Mu's troops in the Diesel Company.
And they had a deep blood feud with Shen Mu.
Therefore, there must be sufficient guards to protect Shen Mu's safety, which is why the area around Shen Mu's Noble Residence was directly cleared, and Blue Star Humans were not allowed to approach.
Of course, these were all matters considered by the Holy Tree Knight and the Swadian Sergeant.
They did not trouble Shen Mu.
This was also the reason for Deherim's development; everyone worked according to their respective systems, ensuring not only clear and orderly division of labor but also a strong sense of responsibility.
Shen Mu no longer needed to spend part of his time thinking about these trivial matters.
Now, he was more concerned about the arrival of the trade caravan.
He walked through the Town Area.
"Open the city gate!"
With a shout from the Lake Rat Gang Destroyers at the top of the city gate in the Castle District, the drawbridge was lowered.
It landed precisely on the ground of the Town Area, forming a steep slope.
At the same time, with a clanking sound, the iron grate was rolled up, and with the inner gate also open, the Castle District truly opened its gates, welcoming Shen Mu inside.
Below the drawbridge was a moat three meters wide and two meters deep, and at this moment, on both sides of the city gate, two springs were gushing out abundant water.
The water splashed into the moat, quickly filling it and then flowing into the moat outside the city wall, forming a defensive moat about two meters deep.
This was also an important water source for the Town Area.
Basically, the water supply for the Town Area now comes from the freshwater gushing out of these two springs found in the rock strata beneath the Castle District.
If these two springs were cut off, the entire Town Area would not have a single drop of water.
It could be said that the Town Area would immediately become a dead zone.
As Shen Mu walked into the Castle District, the Lake Rat Gang Destroyers quickly approached him, respectfully saluting and greeting him.
Shen Mu merely nodded calmly in return, but his gaze turned towards the Crescent Moon Spring, adorned with over a dozen date palm trees, in front of the main castle building directly facing the city gate, and a hint of relief appeared in his eyes.
That was one of his strategies: moving the Crescent Moon Spring, which was originally in the Town Area, into the Castle District.
This not only controlled the water source but also protected the holy white oak, which had already begun to sprout and glow in the sandy soil at the edge of the Crescent Moon Spring.
"It seems everything is slowly growing," Shen Mu said with a smile on his face.
The holy white oak was also one of his foundations; as long as it could grow, various rewards from the Holy Tree Knight Order would follow, and eventually, he might even be able to control the Holy Tree Knight Order to serve him.
Even the Noldor elves behind the Holy Tree Knight Order might provide him with support.
After all, the Holy Tree Knight Order from the Pandora World is supported by the Noldor elves, and as a low-magic world, the Pandora continent also possesses various artifacts and special extraordinary powers.
If he could master them, it would obviously bring a stronger increase to his strength.
Of course, these thoughts did not stop Shen Mu's footsteps.
Instead, he continued to walk forward, then turned right, heading towards the southeast corner.
Because that was where the Holy White Council's Torch Tower, a white structure of outstanding appearance, stood out like a crane among chickens.
And there were also about 10 Swadian Light Infantry guarding the area, while from the library on the second floor, the figures of Eden Guard Believers could occasionally be seen.
"Lord Shen Mu!" At the first-floor warehouse, the Swadian Light Infantry saw Shen Mu approaching and immediately bowed respectfully in greeting.
The first-floor warehouse was packed full of wood, serving as an alternative storage; when the Holy White Council's Torch Tower could not use these materials, the wood used in the castle during normal times was all stored here.
And the Swadian Light Infantry, these soldiers who had now been relegated to doing manual labor, were responsible for guarding and managing these supplies.
"Mm." Shen Mu merely nodded in response, saying nothing more, and then walked up the stairs towards the library on the second floor.
Inside, James had already returned and was discussing spell structures with the Eden Guard Believers.
At this moment, they also noticed Shen Mu's arrival.
One by one, they immediately stood up respectfully, bowing their heads, appearing extremely deferential.
"Lord Shen Mu!" they all greeted in unison.
"Mm." Shen Mu also nodded in response, then looked at James and asked, "How are your discussions about spells with these Devotees from Eden Garde coming along?"
"I've gained some insights, and I also have some ideas about the spells subtly present in this Torch Tower," James replied truthfully.
He also briefly introduced to Shen Mu some of the gains he had made in the Holy White Council's Torch Tower.
After all, the Holy White Council's Torch Tower is equivalent to a mid-magic world.
And it even subtly approaches high magic.
Of course, for these Devotees from the Aiden Gaarde Kingdom, which comes from a truly high-magic world, a mid-magic world does not inspire much awe, but the spell structures and magical concepts present in this Holy White Council's Torch Tower can indeed be used for reference and learning.
Especially the use of light power present in the Holy White Council's Torch Tower, which is highly recognized by the Devotees from the Aiden Gaarde Kingdom, who are inherently filled with infinite reverence for light.
This is the same origin.
As long as everyone believes in light and the power of light, then everyone can be trusted partners and friends.
Therefore, the Eden Guard Believers have a very good impression of James and the Holy White Council's Torch Tower.
This is also why they can coexist harmoniously here.
"Mm, very good." Shen Mu praised him for this.
Then he sat in the main seat, slowly closed his eyes, and communicated with the system through his thoughts.
He directly activated his rule power.
"Trade caravan acceleration!"
"Select, Torres Trade Caravan!"
Then, a dialogue box began to appear before Shen Mu's eyes, and its content quickly refreshed.
Ding! You have activated the special rule power 'Trade Caravan Acceleration'! And you have selected 'Torres Trade Caravan'!
You have consumed 1000 Faith Power, accelerating the 'Torres Trade Caravan' by 1 day! Now, they are closer to you!
At the same time, a white light began to flash in Shen Mu's mind.
And a data stream also gushed out from between his eyebrows, then instantly dissipated into the void, as if it had passed through the barrier of time and space, surging towards another dimension.
Of course, no one knew where it went.
But he could understand that it must have acted upon the Torres Trade Caravan, accelerating the caravan's journey.
"It seems one day isn't enough for the Torres Trade Caravan to return to Deherim," Shen Mu murmured softly at this moment.
However, in his mind, he once again communicated with the system.
"Accelerate another day!"
"Buzz!"
The data stream gushed out again.
On Shen Mu's retina, a new dialogue box refreshed again.
Ding! You have activated the special rule power 'Trade Caravan Acceleration'! And you have selected 'Torres Trade Caravan'!
You have consumed 1000 Faith Power, accelerating the 'Torres Trade Caravan' by 1 day! Now, they are closer to you!
However, Shen Mu was also stunned for a moment.
"Still not enough?" Shen Mu pursed his lips at this moment, communicating with the system again, and directly made a decision: "Accelerate by 3 days!"
This would directly accelerate it by 5 days.
Adding the seven or eight days that had already passed, Shen Mu believed that the semi-monthly trade caravan would definitely return.
Sure enough.
As soon as Shen Mu made his decision, the dialogue box on his retina immediately refreshed again, and the refreshed content was completely new.
Ding! Your 'Torres Trade Caravan' has overcome layers of obstacles and successfully returned from the distant Lord of the Rings World!
And at this moment, a cacophony of sounds reached Shen Mu's ears.
At the same time, cheers from the soldiers guarding the city wall also came from that direction.
"Our trade caravan is back!"