LOL: Summoner of Goddess Janna

While Nasus and Taliyah were chatting, the brigade gradually approached the destination of their trip, the city of Vicora.

It is still a miracle that such a city can be formed deep in the desert, even if it is now desolate and dilapidated.

There is only one reason for this miracle, and that is that there is a precious resource here that is enough to support the population of a city - water.

And this is also the reason why Taliyah and his party chose to come here.

The water attracted enough people to form cities.

The nearby desert tribes and the desert merchants traveling north will all spontaneously gather in this city in order to replenish precious water resources.

Therefore, the leader only needs to go to the city of Vicora to meet all kinds of desert tribesmen, find them to understand all aspects of the desert in detail, and complete the social background investigation of the eastern region of Shurima Desert.

So, where does the water source of Weikaola City come from?

"Mother of Life." Looking at the dry river bed that gradually emerged in front of him, Nasus sighed melancholy.

This long river that miraculously appears deep in the desert is the water source of Wekaula.

However, the part of it that appears on the surface has completely dried up, leaving only a wide river bed that was mostly buried by wind and sand, still telling the story of its former turbulence.

Fortunately, although this big river has stopped flowing, it has not completely stopped flowing.

Although the long above-ground river has dried up, the underground river is still flowing quietly.

Here, deep groundwater mercifully rises to the surface, forming a small, constant lake. The lake nourishes the oasis, and the oasis nourishes life.

This is also the reason why the declining and dilapidated ancient Weikaola City is still surviving so far.

"Is this...the Mother of Life?" Taliyah had never seen it before, but she also knew this river.

This river is the spiritual totem of all Shuriman people and the legendary source of life that nourishes the land of Shuriman.

Its importance is like the Nile to Egypt - that's why it is called the mother of life.

The Mother of Life in the story has abundant water and many tributaries. Legend has it that it originates from the capital of the Shurima Empire and transports sweet spring water to every corner of the Shurima Desert like a spider web.

As a result, the lonely Shurima desert came to life, oases were born from the water, and cities rose from the ground, eventually creating a prosperous and prosperous ancient Shurima empire.

However, any Shuriman who grows up will know:

These beautiful legends are just stories to deceive children.

In reality, the mother of life does not have any vast torrents at all. It would be nice if only the outline of a dry river bed is left, not completely buried by the yellow sand.

"She flows like the sea, feeding people with the tide and the crops they cultivate. She is the wheat grain for food and the cotton for clothes..."

Next to her, Sivir was still carrying an ancient Shurima poem praising the Mother of Life.

Taliyah, looking at the lonely and decaying scene in front of her, couldn't help but ask Nasus, "Mr. Giant."

"In the ancient poem you taught Sivir, it is said that the mother of life is 'wheat grains for food' and 'cotton for clothes'."

"Could it be that crops and cotton can still be grown in ancient Shurima... desert?"

Growing crops consumes a lot of water, especially cotton.

Piltover scientists have previously studied that it takes 1 to 1.2 tons of water to produce one kilogram of wheat, and 5.7 tons of water to produce one kilogram of cotton.

With so much water, can this dead river in front of us really provide it?

Even Populus euphratica and cacti can barely survive in this desert, so how can there be any living space left for delicate crops and cotton?

Taliyah couldn't believe that those ancient legends about the Mother of Life were true.

"Alas." Nasus sighed deeply.

"It's true." There was a look of memory in his eyes: "Our mother of life is far greater than you imagine."

"Taliyah, in the legends you heard, the Mother of Life originated from the capital of the Shurima Empire, right?"

"Yeah." Taliyah nodded slowly.

This was also what she couldn't figure out the most.

The capital of the Shurima Empire is located in the center of the desert, with the Gobi Desert stretching from east to west and south to north.

How could a great river known as the mother of life arise out of thin air in the center of the desert, the end of life?

"Because the source of the Mother of Life is not actually the capital of the empire, but the Targon Mountains on the far west side of the desert." Nasus said, "It is the melting water from the snowy mountains of Mount Targon all year round that brings life to this desert. Source.”

"Tanogon Peak?" Taliyah frowned slightly.

She had been to the Targon Mountains.

After she left the tribe, she headed north along the Targon Mountains on the west side of the desert and arrived at the Noxus colony on the north shore of Shurima.

While passing through the Targon Mountains, Taliyah did see the melting water of the snowy mountains that Nasus had mentioned.

The melted water from the snowy mountains rushes down from the high mountains, gathering into countless streams and rivers, and pours all the way eastward into the Shurima Desert.

"But, from what I've seen," Taliyah said, "Those streams did not change the desert environment after entering the desert."

"Perhaps they dried out quickly after entering the desert."

Taliyah did not specifically investigate the hydrological environment downstream of these streams. But she knew that if the water really worked, Shurima wouldn't be what it is now.

"What's more, from Mount Targon to Vikoula..."

Mount Targon is on the west side of the desert, and Weikaola is on the east side of the desert. The east-west span is thousands of kilometers.

Can those melted snow-capped mountains really withstand the scorching desert sun without losing or evaporating all the way across thousands of kilometers to get here?

"Under natural conditions, no." Nasus replied solemnly: "But in the Shurima Empire, yes."

"How?" Taliyah asked eagerly.

If what Nasus said is true, it means that the ecological environment of the desert can actually be changed artificially.

And as long as such a method really exists, then the ancient Shurima people could do it, and the current leader can definitely do it as well.

Taliyah believed so.

She looked forward to the day when Shurima people could see spring again, with flowers blooming on the branches.

"No, you can't." Nasus only shook his head.

He was not mocking, but sighing: "After the demise of the Shurima Empire, no one in this world can do it."

As he spoke, he began to talk about the basic principles of ancient Shurima's great project of "transmitting water from the west to the east".

"Actually, the melted snow-capped mountains water sent by the Targon Mountains to the Shurima Desert is already sufficient."

"And the water did not completely dry up after entering the desert. They converged into three large rivers - the intersection of the three large rivers downstream is the capital of the Shurima Empire."

"Oh?" Taliyah was puzzled: "You mean, the capital of Shurima is actually a place with abundant water resources?"

"No." Nasus shook his head again: "When those large rivers flowed to the capital of the empire, they had actually completely dried up due to excessive water evaporation caused by the high temperature environment along the way."

Although the capital of the Shurima Empire is located at the confluence of three rivers, it is also the end point of three large rivers, and is a place with serious water shortage. Otherwise, it would not be buried under the deep yellow sand and become a restricted area for life.

"But that's just the appearance."

"The only thing that has dried up in the capital of the empire is the surface riverbed."

"Most of the melted water from Mount Targon's snow-capped mountains was not evaporated by the sun along the way - instead it was gathered deep underground, forming an 'underground ocean' beneath the Shurima Desert."

Nasus said something astonishing.

Under the arid and water-deficient Shurima Desert, there is a vast ocean of fresh water!

"Yes." Nasus confirmed seriously under Taliyah's surprised gaze.

But before Taliyah could speak in anticipation, he poured out another basin of cold water: "But this underground aquifer is really too deep."

"With human power, it is simply impossible to drill through the ground and extract this water from the depths of the ground for use."

"Even you leaders, the science and technology you are so proud of, can never do it now."

Nasus was telling the truth.

Fetching water from deep underground for the entire Shurima use is as outrageous as blowing a hole in the Targon Mountains and diverting moist water vapor from the west coast to nourish the desert.

Even if the people of Zaun today blow out the screws, they still cannot unscrew such a powerful water pump.

What's more, water pumps also consume energy.

If water is extracted from burning alchemical fuel, then the price of water must not be more expensive than oil?

The leader is not a big fool from the Middle East. How can he get so much money to engage in desert agriculture?

"That is to say..." Taliyah figured it out: "In the ancient Shurima Empire, humans not only had the technology to create a 'continental-level water supply center', but they also had an almost unlimited cheap energy that they could use?"

"That's right." Nasus nodded.

Ancient Shurima really had this kind of black technology.

This "black technology" is...

"Sun Disk." Nasus had a complicated look in his eyes.

The Sun Disk is a magical wonder created by the Star Spirits by stealing the power of the Star-Forging Dragon King.

It can extract the infinite energy of the stars in the universe and continuously transport it to Runeterra.

The Ascended Ones call this energy astral energy, and they also regard themselves as possessing this power as warriors of the gods and sons of the sun.

The function of the sun disk is not only to create ascendants.

"It is also a huge water pump driven by astral energy. It will continuously draw groundwater from deep underground and transport it to the surface, forming a majestic river that can cover most of Shurima."

"That's why according to legend, the source of the Mother of Life is in the capital of the empire."

"Because this great river does, in a sense, originate from the imperial capital and from the solar disk."

The historical truth told by Nasus shocked Taliyah.

She didn't expect that the ancient Shurima people's method of solving problems was so simple and crude.

Driving the "plug-in" given by the giant god in the sky, he used nearly unlimited astral energy to extract underground water, and then artificially created a majestic river to nourish the vast land of the Shurima Desert.

And that's exactly what happened.

Moreover, Levi has known this for a long time.

Because as a "prophet" who is familiar with the plot, he knows that in the original world line, when Azir was resurrected, the sun disk was also rebuilt.

Later, Sivir took advantage of the resurrected Azir not paying attention, and left the capital alone in fear.

Not long after she left, she saw "a three-foot-high wall of blue water rushing along the ancient riverbed."

Azir is the Tsar, not the King of the Sea——

Obviously, this majestic tide that appeared out of thin air should not be Azir's personal masterpiece, but the great power from the sun's disk.

"This..." Taliyah stared at Nasus.

After making sure he wasn't joking, she fell silent.

Solar disk? this...

How can a leader learn from this?

"That's why I said, you can't do it." Nasus sighed.

Not only could the leader not do it, he couldn't do it either.

After the Sun Disk collapsed, the Mother of Life lost her water source, and Shurima was effectively... dead.

It is like a mummy that has been drained of blood and cannot be resurrected.

Because without water, there would be no large oases, there would not be a sufficient population, no cities could be formed, and no empire could be built.

"In the words of your leaders, productivity determines production relations."

"Shurima's productivity level has regressed to an extremely low level since the collapse of the sun disk. Shurima's social civilization has irreversibly regressed from the imperial era back to the tribal era."

That's why Nasus has been living in seclusion for the past three thousand years.

Because he knew that no matter what he did, he could not save this empire that had become "Munayin" due to lack of water.

Without the power of the Sun Disk, Shurima would never return to its former prosperity.

This is a matter of productivity and the limitations of the natural environment. Even if Nasus was as powerful as a god, he couldn't solve it.

"So I really want to know-" Nasus looked at Taliyah curiously: "How do you, the leader of the wind, plan to solve the development problem of Shurima?"

"Um..." Taliyah was immediately stopped by the question.

Such development strategy issues and general direction issues are generally discussed and controlled by the top leaders.

To answer this question, Levi and others must first understand the details of the Shurima region.

Without knowing any details, it is not feasible for people thousands of miles away to talk and point fingers at the map based on stereotypes.

That is to say:

"This requires me to complete this social survey, go back and make a complete report to my superiors, and finally come up with a rough plan after discussion and research by the Supreme Council of Leaders."

Helpless, Taliyah could only admit that she had not answered yet.

"Yes." Nasus nodded secretly, not showing any disappointment: "Without investigation, there is no right to speak."

"It is also a kind of wisdom to talk less."

"But..." Nasus couldn't think of anything.

Even if they know the social background and details of the Shurima region, what answers can the leader give to Shurima's questions?

Could they still help dig Azir out of his grave, resurrect the Shurima Empire, and rebuild the Sun Disk?

"Taliyah, now you are the leader who knows the situation in Shurima best."

"In your opinion, is there any way to save Shurima now?"

"Um..." Taliyah was silent.

She couldn't find any solution. All that is left in this land is despair.

So Taliyah thought for a while: "We can only use the method of poverty alleviation and relocation to move all the people in the desert area out of the desert."

"At least the north shore of Shurima has the conditions for industrialization."

"Industrialization will greatly increase the population carrying capacity of the land, and the total population in this vast desert is not too large."

"So the industrialized north coast coastal area is enough to accommodate the entire population of Shurima now."

The desert was not originally inhabited by humans.

Stop killing each other inside and move everyone to the coastal areas of the North Coast to work in factories.

In addition, the north coast of Shurima already has many valuable minerals.

The raw materials for the alchemical fuel used by Zaun Auto are mainly imported from the North Shore of Shurima.

At that time, we only need to move the alchemical fuel industry to the north coast of Shurima, where raw materials are produced. When industrialization spreads throughout Runeland, the demand for alchemical fuel in various regions of the world will increase...

The leader's mere selling of oil and fuel might be enough to make all of Shurima rich.

In this way, doesn't Shurima rise again?

"This..." Nasus fell silent.

Taliyah abandoned 95% of the land in Shurima with just one mouthful.

At that time, the entire population of Shurima will live in that 5% of the territory?

Will the Shurima Desert, which once created a glorious civilization, turn into a wasteland abandoned by humans?

Nasus couldn't accept it emotionally, but...

"This is indeed a good idea." He could only admit that Taliyah had a very unique vision.

Gathering all Shuriman people to the North Shore and allowing them to live a modern industrial and civilized life is the best solution to the current problems in Shuriman.

"How to achieve that?" Nasus asked: "There are so many scattered tribes in the desert. It is not an easy task to move them out of the desert."

"This...maybe not as difficult as imagined." Taliyah thought for a moment.

"It is the dream of every Shurima desert dweller to settle down on the north coast where there is ample water."

"As long as we, the leaders, integrate the northern shore of Shurima and prepare to accept immigrants, then we can spread the news through the desert caravans——"

"I think those desert tribes will take the initiative to move to the north shore without us having to rush them."

Just like everyone wants to go to Piltover.

From the desert to the north coast, why do we need people to drive here?

"Well, this is indeed feasible." After thinking for a long time, Nasus could only express his approval with a sigh.

He could no longer find much fault with the leader's theory.

In terms of practice, they have both feasible solutions to problems and the ability to implement their ideas.

"Perhaps these people can really save Shurima?" Nasus thought to himself.

Even if you don't want to admit it. But he began to believe more and more in the good promises made by the leader.

While thinking about it, Nasus and his party had moved forward a lot of distance without knowing it.

They rode their "horses" to the gate of Wekaula City and stood under the ancient city.

Because the mother of life has dried up, the city has now become dilapidated.

Although the outline of the city is still there, looking from the city gate, one can only see a stretch of weathered and decaying buildings that give no sense of prosperity and vitality.

However, at this moment...

The street was unexpectedly lively.

I saw a large group of shackled desert people being escorted by the warlord warriors of Vicoula, walking along the street towards the outside of the city.

They happened to bump into Nasus and his party as they entered the city.

"These are..." Taliyah looked at the poor people in ragged clothes curiously: "Slaves?"

She stopped a warlord soldier who looked kind-faced and asked him, "Where are you going?"

"Are you going to sell these slaves to the north coast?"

Weikaola is an important supply point for desert caravans heading north, and is also an important cargo distribution center.

Some desert tribes who are unable to travel far will sell their goods to Vekora, and then go north through the desert through the second-tier traders in Vekora, and then sell them to the northern shore of Shurima.

Among the goods brought by these desert tribes, the most common commodity is slaves.

Therefore, Taliyah instinctively believed that this was the tribal warlord who occupied Vekora and was the second slave trader. He was escorting their goods to the north shore of Shurima.

However...

"Go to the North Shore?" The warlord soldier looked at her mockingly: "Don't you know yet? My child."

"A group of guys called the Wind Leaders came to the north shore not long ago. Not only did they occupy Berguen, they also..."

Taliyah investigated all the way, stopping and delaying for a long time.

She didn't expect that the news of the leader had already reached Weikaola in the south one step ahead of her.

"In short, it is said that after this group of leaders arrived, the plantation owners of the major city-states on the north coast of Shurima were frightened and released all their slaves."

"Now no one on the entire North Shore dares to engage in slave trading or continue to buy slaves."

"Really?" Taliyah was a little surprised.

Only now did she realize that the accident she caused more than a month ago had brought such drastic changes to the situation in Shurima.

Although the leader only occupies a small Berguen, their reputation has already shocked the entire north coast.

Is slavery that has lasted for thousands of years in Shurima coming to an end like this?

Taliyah was instinctively happy.

but...

"Friends." Nasus asked in a solemn tone after deep thought: "Since no one is buying slaves now, what are you going to do with these slaves...?"

Upon hearing this, Taliyah's smile suddenly froze.

She finally reacted belatedly.

She suddenly realized that the butterfly effect brought by the Wind Leader to Shurima may not be all positive.

It could even be worse for those slaves, with the unexpected intervention of the Windleaders and the sudden end to the slave trade.

After all, just think about it:

What will the seller do with the goods after suddenly losing the buyer?

When the economic crisis comes, how do dairy farmers deal with milk?

"Oops." Taliyah's heart sank.

"What else can we do?" The warlord warrior looked at Nasus' burly figure in awe, and then said impatiently, "Take him outside the city and kill him."

"You can't keep it, can you?"