50: Level 1 Civilization Wonder: Gold Pickaxe

The golden pickaxe in front of him wasn't large.

It was similar in style to a normal miner's pickaxe.

But it glowed resplendently.

Especially when the old Golden Kobold, Aud, approached, its light would intensify.

However, even though the decrepit Aud moved in front of the stone platform where the golden pickaxe was placed, he was unable to lift it.

Gradually, the light emitted by the golden pickaxe dimmed until it became ordinary.

“Respected guest, this is the most precious treasure of our Ode Tribe—the golden pickaxe.”

“During the Ode Tribe’s most prosperous period, it was a symbol of the Kobold king. Only by gaining its recognition could one ascend to the supreme throne in the center of the tribal alliance.”

“Once, I was fortunate enough to receive its recognition.”

“But now, I don’t even have the strength to lift it, and in fact, no one in the entire Ode Tribe can lift it anymore.”

“What does it do?”

Lu Yang didn't go along with Old Ode's emotional tone and asked directly.

If it was merely an ornamental item, it wouldn't be of much value to Lu Yang.

Correspondingly, if Old Ode later made some difficult request, he would refuse without hesitation.

They were both ancient foxes; he didn't want to play any games.

As he was thinking, Old Ode’s voice resonated in his mind again.

“Respected guest, you will know once you pick it up.”

“It can allow your subjects to gain higher returns and obtain some special resources when mining minerals.”

“During the Ode Tribe’s most prosperous period, there was a tribal subject who, under the blessing of the golden pickaxe, used a Tier 1 pickaxe to dig up extremely precious Tier 9 minerals.”

“Even as the Ode Tribe gradually declined later, we could still dig up many good things. It’s just a pity that another wonder of the tribe, the golden scales, was lost, making it impossible to conduct equivalent exchanges. Otherwise, even if we were trapped in this Civilization Fissure, we wouldn’t be living in such hardship.”

Lu Yang listened to Old Ode’s rambling in his mind and gripped the golden pickaxe with his right hand.

【Item Name: golden pickaxe】

【Type: Civilization Wonder】

【Tier: 1】

【Effect: When placed on a train, it grants the Civilization Wonder effect ‘Turning Earth into Gold’.】

【Turning Earth into Gold LV1: When passengers of the affiliated train mine, there is a very small chance of obtaining additional output. The higher the level of the mining spot, the higher the chance of additional output. (Wonder Description: This was once the exclusive Civilization Wonder of the Golden Kobold. The more Kobolds you gather under your command, the stronger the wonder’s effect becomes. Kobolds required to upgrade to LV2: 0/1000.)】

The golden pickaxe felt very good in his hand; it was comfortable to hold.

Lu Yang casually swung it, and with a 'ding,' it struck the stone platform where the golden pickaxe had originally rested.

【Ding! The ‘Turning Earth into Gold’ effect has activated. Congratulations, Train Captain, you have obtained Tier 1 Iron Mine × 1.】

Lu Yang’s eyes widened, and he asked in disbelief, “This… this stone platform is made of iron?!”

Old Ode shook his head: “Respected guest, this is just an ordinary stone platform. The iron ore you produced is a result of the golden pickaxe’s effect.”

“It is precisely because minerals can be dug up even from ordinary ground that hundreds of thousands of ordinary tribesmen in these mountains follow their instincts, moving in and out of the mines.”

“In fact, the growth of Kobolds is closely related to mining. The higher the value and quantity of minerals they dig up, the faster their own growth.”

“But here, they can’t dig up anything good.”

Lu Yang swallowed.

Whether the Kobolds grow or not is irrelevant for now.

The ability of this golden pickaxe is unexpectedly powerful.

It can dig up iron ore out of thin air—

Although the probability is uncertain, accumulation over time will lead to a qualitative change.

If it could reach what Old Ode described—digging up Tier 9 ore with a Tier 1 pickaxe at a Tier 1 mining spot—Lu Yang couldn't even imagine how far the Xinhuo Train could develop.

He composed himself and spoke again: “Old Ode, this gift of yours is of great help to me and my train. I like it very much.”

“Now, you can state your request.”

“As long as it’s not too excessive and I can accomplish it, I will agree to it.”

Old Ode: “By the great Kobold God, Old Ode is very happy that the esteemed guest likes this gift.”

“Esteemed guest, I have only one small request, and that is I hope you can take some of my tribesmen with you when you leave, to the best of your ability. Although they are foolish, they are naturally good at mining, eat little, work hard, and have very low requirements for various living conditions.”

“As long as you can take them out of here, the Golden Kobold tribe will forever remember your kindness.”

As he spoke, Old Ode bowed very low, his voice filled with pleading.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yang inwardly rejoiced.

Such a good thing?

The Civilization Wonder effect ‘Turning Earth into Gold’ of the golden pickaxe requires enough Kobolds to upgrade.

Even if Old Ode hadn't said anything, he was already planning to discuss with Old Ode whether he could take in a group of Kobolds.

They could mine and also enhance the Civilization Wonder effect.

These Kobolds are not very intelligent, so they should be easy to satisfy.

As long as their mining efficiency can reach one-third of an ordinary person's, it would be a surefire profitable deal.

And now, Old Ode’s request was for Lu Yang to take away a group of Kobolds.

It perfectly aligned with Lu Yang's thoughts.

It was simply killing two birds with one stone, a win-win situation, an absolute victory!

Thinking this, Lu Yang asked, “How many Kobolds are in this canyon?”

“About three thousand,” Old Ode replied, then quickly added, “As long as you, esteemed guest, can take away a tenth of them—no, even fewer, two hundred, or one hundred, enough to propagate offspring, I will be content.”

Two hundred? One hundred?!

Hearing Old Ode’s petty request, Lu Yang resisted the urge to complain about him.

Who are you looking down on here?!

He had to take at least a thousand.

However, since it was about fulfilling a request, he certainly couldn't agree so easily.

Lu Yang: “Old Ode, taking your tribesmen is not a problem, but I want to test their abilities.”

“If they are indeed as you say, eating little and working hard, taking more of them will not be a problem.”

Old Ode’s face showed joy: “Really?!”

“How do you, esteemed guest, wish to test them, and how many people do you need? I will call them over immediately.”

Lu Yang: “I found a few mining spots on the way here.”

“Here’s what we’ll do: first, call over five hundred strong tribesmen. I’ll take them there and see how efficient they are at work.”

“As long as they can reach one-third the efficiency of an ordinary human, they will pass.”

This was Lu Yang’s bottom line.

If they couldn't even reach one-third the efficiency of ordinary passengers, these Kobolds would be utterly useless.

In that case, Lu Yang would only take 1000 of them, keeping them as mascots.

Until resources on the train were abundant enough to be wasted, he would never expand the Kobold population further.