Day Five.
[You have learned Low-Level Fire System Magic: Evil Curse]
"It was successful, and although this is apprentice-level magic, the information it provides is much more substantial than what's on a magic scroll."
Qin Muye had mastered not only the Evil Curse but also Bloodthirsty Magic; however, he had previously acquired the latter through Intermediate studies from Demon Blood, so there was no repeat notification.
But his mastery was different from what the magic panel indicated; it was not a mastery in the sense of releasing a skill but one that could break away from his Lord identity to release it.
The effects, well, were quite similar. Evil Curse was a magic with negative effects, capable of using Magic Power to cast spells that caused physical dysfunction, while Bloodthirsty Magic targeted the mental aspects, inducing rage to enhance aggressiveness.
For Qin Muye, it was merely an insignificant addition that didn't amaze him like the Magic Eye, and more importantly, it had turned from strategic magic into ordinary magic, the more people affected, the more Magic Power it consumed.
This also confirmed something, that Lord's magic might not be as simple as it seemed on the surface, and it leaned more towards game rules.
Consuming 5 points of Magic Value to endow an army with Bloodthirsty Magic was completely inconceivable for the natives.
"I need a complete and blank magic book, but such a treasure might not be easy to find."
Qin Muye also realized the power of this Fire System magic book. If he used this book to release Fire System magic, its power would increase by ten percent, and the consumption would decrease by ten percent.
Of course, this was when he released it himself, not using the strategic magic of "Lord Era".
Although it increased the power and reduced consumption, it was still not as rule-like as strategic magic. He couldn't imbue several troops with Bloodthirsty Magic even if he drained all his Magic Value. By contrast, using the Lord's method, only 5 Magic Value points were required. That was the difference.
He knew that perhaps it was this legion skill and strategic magic that could level the playing field between Lords and natives.
From his analysis, it seemed likely that this world was one of individual might, not a cultivation game like the Lords'.
"Besides, I need more magic, and a pen..."
He was not short of paper, with the Fire System Apprentice Magic Book at hand. This book recorded only the first two pages; the rest were mostly blank, which he could use for notes. Though using it in this way might seem a bit wasteful, it didn't matter; the greatest value were the two spells, which Qin Muye already knew.
"Master, I have returned."
Demon Blood strode back to the territory. Now, with his enhancement, even the lowest-level Spirit Monster had notable combat and defensive powers.
"How come it didn't level up?" Qin Muye was puzzled. It was Level 3 when it left; how could it still be Level 3 upon returning?
It surely hadn't avoided fighting all the way.
"I went to the Quarry and cut trees, master. Your Mage Tower needs upgrading, and if we just relied on slaying monsters, we couldn't have gathered enough resources by today. Moreover, the wilderness monsters nearby have been almost eradicated by me, and the resources dropped by monsters are not as cost-effective as those gathered," explained Demon Blood.
"Hmm, okay, I understand." Qin Muye didn't ask where the tools for quarrying and logging came from; they were most likely borrowed from the lumber mill and quarry.
"In addition to Wood and Minerals, I also picked up quite a few plant seeds, and even a wooden Treasure Box, which contained some resources and a Building Blueprint for a Water Wheel."
As he spoke, Demon Blood handed the Building Blueprint to Qin Muye, who immediately learned it.
[Water Wheel]
[Stationing one troop type, it can irrigate fields daily, increasing farm yield by 10% (benefits from multiple water wheels cannot be stacked), limit (0/1)]
[Expansion: 100 units of Wood, 10 units of Special Resources]
It required 50 units of Wood to build, which wasn't a lot, but the 10% yield increase could not be stacked, otherwise Qin Muye would just build a hundred wheels and increase yield to 1000%.
Still, it was a nice surprise and having the Water Wheel would link up with the farmland. At least the Spirit Monsters wouldn't have to struggle so much for water anymore, saving a lot of trouble.
Farms were not just any simple buildings; they could greatly reduce the maturation time of crops. For example, corn normally required three to four months to grow, but in these farms, it only took three days. The downside was that troops had to stay and take care of it continuously.
Food was important. "Lord Era" was clearly a game focused on Bursting Soldiers. Without food, there was no support.
"I know, just wait a moment. I'll repair the Mage Tower and then finish the 'Blood Warrior Training Manual' that I didn't get to teach completely last night."
Qin Muye checked his resources.
[Food: 3137]
[Minerals: 2130]
[Wood: 2217]
[Warning: Supplies Warehouse has burst!]
Seeing this, Qin Muye couldn't help but inhale sharply. The food was manageable, a significant portion was water.
But the minerals and wood were truly impressive, having reached over 2000, whereas yesterday they were just in the double digits.
He then decisively repaired the Mage Tower.
[You repaired the Mage Tower, consuming: 1000 units of wood, 1000 units of minerals]
An abrupt burst of white light erupted, and the previously dilapidated Mage Tower was instantly restored, even the half-destroyed third floor was completely repaired.
[Territory: Mage Tower]
[Rank: 1]
[Advance: 10000 Gold Coins, 1000 units of minerals, 1000 units of wood, 100 units of gemstones, 100 units of crystals, 100 units of sulfur, 100 units of mercury]
[Requirement: Lord must reach LV10]
"..." Qin Muye looked at the advancement conditions for the Mage Tower, Gold Coins, basic resources, and special resources were not big issues. The real problem was the requirement for the Lord to be level 10, which was quite embarrassing.
He had originally planned not to go out and level up, but unexpectedly the territory upgrade required the Lord Level.
At first glance, it seemed like he was falling behind.
After some thought, he immediately expanded the Supplies Warehouse.
[You expanded the Supplies Warehouse, consuming: 10 units of wood, 10 units of minerals]
[You expanded the Supplies Warehouse, consuming: 100 units of wood, 100 units of minerals]
[You expanded the Supplies Warehouse, consuming: 1000 units of wood, 1000 units of minerals]
[Insufficient resources, expansion failed]
'Damn, is it that much?' Qin Muye pressed three times and then was dumbfounded.
[Supplies Warehouse LV4: Used to store various supplies (Expansion: 10000 units of minerals, 10000 units of wood)]
Seeing only 107 units of wood and 20 units of minerals left, Qin Muye was somewhat incredulous.
But he soon calmed down, checked again, and it was completely worth it. The original small warehouse had turned into a stadium, and it seemed that spatial technology was used, as the outside didn't give any indication of how big it was inside.