Geothermal Heat

Ergou accompanied Jose as he toured the remaining Living Areas Four through Eight. Apart from Living Area Number Five, which had a spring, the rest were abandoned and not worth mentioning.

"Are there any other places I haven't visited?"

"The rest are just some abandoned tunnels. These were dug by our ancestors to explore for new ore veins after the old ones were depleted. Oh, right!" Ergou remembered another place they hadn't visited. "There's also the mine where we dig for low-grade iron ore. Would you like to see it, Master?"

"Let's go. As the master of this place, I need to be familiar with every corner of my territory."

The mine entrance was located in Living Area Number Eight. The tunnel was dug to the standard size for kobolds, so Jose had to shrink his body.

Passing through the narrow and deep tunnel, the master and servant arrived at a cavernous mining area. The rock walls of the mine were dotted with dark red spots. This was the iron ore vein that the Bloodtooth Kobold Tribe relied on for survival.

The mine floor was covered in sharp-edged slag, with some tools like pickaxes and shovels scattered around.

Jose stepped into the mining area.

"Huh?!"

He noticed something unusual about the ground and quickly bent down, brushing aside the surface slag. He placed his dragon claw on the soil and felt an unusual warmth.

There was geothermal heat here!

Anyone who studied geography knows that our world floats on a layer of lava, much like a ship floats on water. However, the underground magma is not as smooth as the water's surface.

In the Earth's crust, some substances have high melting points, while others have low ones. Over long periods, substances with low melting points are corroded by high temperatures, forming underground cavities. Under pressure, the magma rises, creating underground lava lakes.

Hot springs and geothermal heat originate from such lava lakes that are closer to the surface. This means there is magma beneath the mine.

Jose felt pleased. Red dragons are fire-elemental dragons, and living long-term in places rich in fire elements like geothermal areas is very beneficial for their growth.

A perfect dwelling!

"Respected Master, it was precisely because they discovered a lava lake below that our ancestors were forced to abandon digging further down. Now, we can only dig horizontally for this low-grade iron ore, which is all slag." Ergou looked at the barren ore vein with some disappointment.

"Don't be discouraged, my servant. I have already found a new ore vein."

It had to be said, dragons' treasure-hunting talent was truly heaven-defying. During his recent inspection, Jose had felt the pulse of the ore veins within the earth's strata, a unique fragrance that made the Dragon God yearn for it.

"East of Living Area Number Six, at a downward angle of thirty degrees, dig in this direction, and you will find what you seek."

Ergou also remembered that dragons were experts at finding treasure, and his face lit up with genuine joy.

"Praise you! Great Master! You are truly the blessing of the Bloodtooth Tribe!"

"You're welcome. Minerals, wealth, the Bloodtooth Tribe, including yourself, all belong to me."

After wandering around for a while longer, he felt he had a good understanding of the mine.

"Let's go back. The people outside should have returned."

Master and servant turned and headed towards Living Area Number One. From a distance, they could hear noisy conversations, and they happened to encounter their tribesmen returning from outside.

Jose stood at the edge of Living Area Number One, looking down at his people.

The kobolds who had stayed behind in the camp poured out from the tunnel entrance, bringing their families. Their faces were beaming with smiles, and they chatted as they walked, their barks creating a noisy din.

Kobolds are intelligent beings. They can use Common and a small amount of Dragon Language. Language is one of the main reasons they are recognized as an intelligent race.

However, kobold civilization is truly primitive. Their ornaments are made from animal bones and teeth. Most of them are in a state of nudity, with less than thirty percent of kobolds wearing animal skin aprons or loincloths.

It's worth noting that kobolds do not wear clothes for modesty but to display status. In their eyes, clothing is a more valuable decoration than bone ornaments.

Seeing the Red Dragon, Sorda and four kobold soldiers approached with roasted food. They presented it with both hands: "Master, please taste the food prepared by the kobolds."

Jose took the meat skewers, sniffed them, and recognized them as the petrified lizard they had killed earlier. By the shape, it was the most prized thigh meat. He took a bite, and compared to the raw meat cooked by Dragon Breath, this primitive roast tasted so delicious.

"Not bad, you've put in a lot of effort."

Receiving his master's affirmation, Sorda's face lit up, and he bowed: "Please enjoy, Master. More food is being prepared."

Jose turned his head to look at the distant campfire. A circle of kobolds was gathered around the campfire, turning the roasting meat. Besides that, a stew pot was placed over the fire, emitting white steam.

He walked over curiously, lifted the lid of the stew pot, and a cloud of fishy steam billowed out. Then he saw the contents of the pot—a mixed stew of barley, petrified lizard innards, and some unknown plant tubers and leafy vegetables.

He heard the sound of kobolds swallowing saliva around him. It was clear that this food was prepared for them.

Jose put down the lid and asked calmly, "Sorda, tell me about the tribe's food situation."

"Most of the previously stored meat was ruined by the petrified lizards, but don't worry, Master. I've already sent people out to hunt. The warriors will ensure enough meat supply, even if they have to risk their lives."

Clearly, Sorda had misunderstood.

But it wasn't his fault for misunderstanding. No Evil Dragon had ever cared whether their subordinates were fed. Evil Dragons were brutal conquerors who only cared about their own enjoyment. When hungry, they would even use their dependents as food.

But an outsider from another world couldn't be so cold-blooded. He couldn't stand by and watch his subordinates starve while he enjoyed himself, let alone use them as food.

"Of course, I will eat meat, but my subordinates should at least have soup to drink." This was his thought.

He rephrased his question more directly: "How much food does the tribe have left, and how long will it last for you and your people?"

Sorda was slightly stunned, then reacted. His Master was concerned about the tribe's food reserves, and he was touched. "Don't worry, Master. The petrified lizards only eat meat. The grains stored previously are all well-preserved and will last the tribe for two months."

"And after two months?"

"After two months..." Sorda's voice grew quieter and quieter.

Yes, after two months, the Bloodtooth Kobold Tribe would have no food source. They had fallen out with their trading partners, the Graytail Centaur Tribe, and naturally couldn't trade minerals for food like before. The food obtained from hunting and gathering wouldn't be enough to feed so many people.

The worst part was, after two months... winter would be coming!

In past winters, when heavy snow blocked the mountains, many tribesmen starved or froze to death. This year was even worse, having fallen out with the centaurs and losing their primary food source. It was easy to imagine the dire situation the Bloodtooth Mines would face this winter.

Could they possibly go to war with the gnolls again? This would not only reduce the number of mouths in the tribe that consumed food but also turn the enemy's corpses, and even their own fallen warriors, into sustenance.

At this thought, Sorda shivered.

Jose finished the roasted meat in his hand bite by bite, then tossed the stick aside.

"From now on, the inferior ore vein will be renamed Living Area Number Nine. It is my residence. Ordinary kobolds are not allowed inside. You two can find me if you need anything. Also, my brother, the White Dragon, when he arrives, bring him to Living Area Number Five. He will like the spring water there."

With that, he turned and walked towards the petrification lizard nest. He took out the lizard eggs from the nest, then stepped into the tunnel and disappeared from the kobolds' sight.

Returning to his lair, which had geothermal heat, he set down the lizard eggs and surveyed his new home. If nothing unexpected happened, he would be living here for a very long time.

"First, to avoid using the Body Shrinking Spell every time I come home, I need to widen the tunnel a bit, then expand the lair, and finally prepare some emergency escape routes, at least two, preferably three."

No sooner said than done, he began renovating his new home.

Dragon claws were very efficient for digging, but the workload was immense. It took Jose a full three days to finish the renovations to his satisfaction.

The inferior ore mining area had changed drastically by this time. It had become a massive underground space with a diameter of a hundred meters. The cave ceiling had been transformed into a circular dome, and the ground had been leveled and modified.

Three emergency tunnels were constructed. Two were located on the sides of the cave, dug diagonally upwards until they reached the tree roots underground. The third tunnel was dug straight down, leading directly to the Underground Lava Lake. In a dire emergency, he could simply lift the stone slab and jump into the lava lake to seek refuge.

"Now I can rest easy and sleep soundly."

He patted his dust-covered dragon claws and contentedly lay down in the center of the cave.

Thanks to the geothermal heat, the ground was warm and comforting.

Thanks to Guang Long Ling Zhu for 1000 coins, xiaotang246 for 100 coins, and Teacher Yang is Here for 100 coins. A 10000 coin reward is truly amazing!