Digimon: I really didn't want to be the Digimon Emperor!

Cheng Yuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "The beastmaster, codenamed Qilin, is here!"

"Hiss—" A collective gasp of cold air suddenly filled the room.

"???" The puppy beast was also dumbfounded, and then quickly covered the Gearmon that was trying to sabotage it with its paw.

The short-haired woman immediately became respectful: "Excuse me! I am Xu Bing, a one-star professional beast tamer from Love Heart City, reporting for duty!"

"No wonder he can enter such a special secret realm at such a young age..." The young man in the off-road uniform stood at attention and saluted, "Greetings, sir! I am Cheng Yi, the military's animal trainer!"

Even the usually composed Ma Yunlin showed surprise: "I didn't expect to meet a Divine General Reserve here... To be able to bring two Digimon into the Secret Realm alone, he is indeed a hidden master."

The doctor also looked respectful: "I am Cui Zhuo. I have long admired the name of the Twelve Divine Generals, and this is the first time I have met them."

Aside from Lin Xiaoyang, the college student who had never heard of the Twelve Divine Generals, Cheng Yuan seemed oblivious to Cheng Yuan's shrewdness.

Cheng Yuan appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was pounding.

Did we go too far...?

Chapter 86 Armor Evolution Egg

"I thought it would be some kind of mission to hunt powerful Digimon!" Xu Bing complained, frowning. "But it turns out we're here to learn blacksmithing?"

Military soldier Cheng Yi said solemnly, "This is a mission assigned by the International Digital World Administration, and the military requires it to be completed."

"That's what the Ministry of Education said too," Lin Xiaoyang, who looked like a college student, echoed.

Cheng Yuan smiled bitterly to himself, and could only bite the bullet and reply, "That's what the divine generals... also instructed." He was getting more and more comfortable with it.

Lin Xiaoyang suddenly suggested, "Since there's no competition for the mission, why don't we all cooperate? That way, everyone can get a reward from the Bureau." He pushed up his glasses. "Moreover, this digital world from the ancient war era has extremely high research value, and the Archaeological Bureau should be very interested in the data we obtain."

I wholeheartedly agree. Lin Xiaoyang's insight is truly exceptional; to be able to enter the Shanghai University varsity team and even gain early access to the outpost for internships demonstrates his exceptional ability.

Just then, the motorcycle beast began to slow down.

Looking out the car window, an ancient village with an industrial feel gradually came into view.

The towering chimneys billowed thick smoke, and the clanging of metal hammers echoed throughout the air, filling it with the scent of metal and fire.

The train stopped at a shabby station, where there was only a rusty sign that read "Duanhuocun" (meaning "Forging Village").

With a hissing sound as the carriage door opened, a dragon-humanoid Digimon strode into the carriage.

It emanated a scorching aura, its sharp gaze sweeping over the stench...

"You're here as forging apprentices for further training? Come with me, don't waste your time."

Cui Zhuo said in a low voice, "It seems that the Bureau's [Time-Space Chaos] has arranged suitable identities for us."

After getting off the bus, Xing Shuo finally got a clear look at the dragon-human beast.

This dragon-man beast was massive, carrying a giant forging hammer almost as tall as itself on its back, with a delicate little hammer at its waist. Its scales gleamed like metal in the firelight.

“I am the village chief of Forging Fire Village,” the Dragonman Beast said in a deep voice. “You can call me Chief Dragon.”

The village chief slammed the forging hammer handle heavily onto the ground, the dull thud of metal striking soil echoing across the platform. "Since you've spared no expense to come to Forging Fire Village to study and improve your skills, we will naturally teach you well in return."

Its piercing gaze slowly swept over the students. "It's my fault for not warning you, the Digital Armorer exam is no joke. In the entire Forging Fire Village, there are only a handful who can truly be called masters. As for whether you can pass..." it drew out the last syllable meaningfully.

Cheng Yuan pondered to himself: How much can one learn in 30 days of secluded time?

Besides, even if you spend all 30 days on it, how would that help you find the Light of Evolution?

He didn't have any superiors or missions; his arrival was simply to help the Ancient Beast find the Light of Evolution.

"Village Chief Long," Doctor Cui Zhuo suddenly spoke up, "I wonder how one obtains the basic digital armor forging engineer certification?"

Village Chief Long was stunned for a moment, then looked at him as if he were an idiot: "Don't you even know about the junior forging master exam in 25 days?"

businesswoman Ma Yunlin asked, "Village Chief Long, could you tell us about digital armor?"

Village Chief Long raised his thick, scale-covered arm, swinging a small metal hammer with it. "The core of digital armor forging originates from a cruel reality."

Its voice suddenly turned low, like a muffled thunderclap, "Each of us Digimon needs a massive amount of data to grow, but the evolutionary data in the digital world is ultimately finite."

It stood proudly upright, its chest scales reflecting a cold light: "We humanoid Digimon use wisdom as our spear, forging our own path in the war against beast-type Digimon." The dragon claw slammed heavily on the forging platform. "After each victory, we extract and absorb the essence of the defeated's data."

A heavy sigh escaped from between its teeth: "But the lifespan of humanoid Digimon... is too short."

The village chief stroked the small hammer at his waist, its surface etched with the marks of time. "The amount of data we can absorb is far less than that of Beast Digimon. Our strength and lifespan are inferior to theirs, and our path of evolution is fraught with thorns. What's even more terrifying is that forcibly absorbing impure data can bring about unpredictable mutations."

Its gaze suddenly sharpened: "That's why our leaders created the armor forging system—using wisdom to compensate for inherent deficiencies."

Village Chief Long suddenly changed the subject, twirling the small hammer nimbly between his fingers: "To be honest, I don't know you all very well yet. Show me your abilities so I can assess and arrange suitable instructors to teach you according to your actual situation. There are only 25 days left until the assessment, so you don't have much time left."

What can you learn in 25 days? And none of them are good at industrial technology.

Moreover, instead of spending 25 whole days out there, it would be better to go out into the world, gather resources and materials, and help the Digimon grow and evolve.

“Let’s start with you.” Village Chief Long pointed at Cheng Yi.

Cheng Yi took out the Tyrannosaurus Rex machine. The village chief of Dragon Village only glanced at it indifferently, without any surprise. It seemed that a special force had already rationalized the existence of beast tamers.

As the data stream flowed, a silver-gray machine dragon appeared in the light. "Village Chief Dragon, although I haven't trained much, I have some experience in aerial combat, and my strength is not bad..."

The trainers present were all astonished—this was the rumored new type of aerial combat digital beast secretly developed by the Eastern Great Nation. Its superior maneuverability and weapon mounting system were of epoch-making significance at the strategic level.

Unexpectedly, this cutting-edge technology has already been put into practical use, and even more surprisingly, it can be perfectly demonstrated in a dangerous environment.

【Machinedramon】

[Data Type - Mechanical Type]

[Maturity Stage]

[Skills: Night Vision, Heat Detection, Ultrasonic Waves, Weapon Mounting, Laser Eye, Sonic Vulcan Cannon]

[Introduction: A Digimon that blends the characteristics of a fighter jet and a dragon, possessing vertical takeoff and landing capabilities and super-maneuverability, boasting the highest speed in its class, and capable of carrying multiple weapon systems.]

“A new type of Digimon.” Ryūmura shook his head, immediately sentencing it to death, saying, “The new type of Digimon has limited mental control, so it can only be used to forge ordinary armor. Forget about adding attribute enhancements. I’ll find you a master who teaches basic casting.”

Sending fighter jets to pour molten iron? The other trainers almost burst out laughing.

"And you?" Village Chief Long asked Cui Zhuo.

“Mine is a Wild Bird Beast, an Ancient Digimon, skilled in controlling plant-based energy and healing Digimon,” Cui Zhuo said.

【Strange Bird Beast】

[Data on ancient bird types]

[Maturity Stage]

[Skills: Small beak, crane-billed hoe]

[Introduction: An ancient Digimon on the verge of extinction, its wings have degenerated, rendering it unable to fly. It possesses plant-like structures and can obtain nutrients through photosynthesis. Its beak is extremely hard.]

“Hmm, a bit stronger than that person.” Village Chief Long said, “But… the strange bird beast doesn’t even have hands, so what’s it made of? Its beak is hard, though, and it can control elemental energy. I’ll find you a master who can engrave energy matrix lines.”

Let's move on to the next one.

“I’m quite skilled in martial arts.” Beast Tamer Xu Bing comes from a family of martial arts practitioners. Her Digimon is a mature-stage Martial Rabbit. “My Martial Rabbit… has hands.”

【Martial Rabbit Beast】

[Data-driven Beastman Type]

[Maturity Stage]

[Skills: Rock Rabbit's Fierce Fight, Ninja Swift Fist]

[Introduction: A martial arts Digimon, possessing rabbit-like agility and high jumping ability, specializing in combo attacks.]

"You think forging is as easy as having hands?" Village Chief Long rolled his eyes. "You lack elemental control... but your combat strength is not bad. You can be a debugger to test the extreme performance of armor."

Lin Xiaoyang, from the Shanghai school team, awkwardly released Gaogamon, stammering and unable to articulate its advantages, only managing to say dryly, "My Gaogamon is quite powerful..."

Penguin Group executive Ma Yunlin also released a dolphin beast, which made Village Chief Long cover his face in disbelief.

【Dolphin Beast】

[Vaccine Type, Aquatic Type, Aquatic System]

[Maturity Stage]

[Skills: Vibrating Pulse, Water Manipulation]

[Introduction: The Dolphin Beast closely resembles a dolphin, possessing a streamlined body and typically exhibiting blue or blue-gray skin. It is cautious and dislikes pointless battles, but will not back down from a challenge.]

The village chief sighed heavily, feeling he had encountered his most difficult group of apprentices yet: "Having a Fire-type Digimon is an advantage. Who among you has one?"

Disappointingly, this group of trainers didn't even have a single Fire-type Digimon.

The village chief looked at Cheng Yuan, the youngest, with little hope, and found the young man deep in thought.

In order to cling to the coattails of the Ancient Beast, we must earnestly search for the Light of Evolution.

But why throw yourself here instead of on another train?

Here we come to learn how to forge digital armor? What does this have to do with the Light of Evolution?

The Ancient Beast must have had a profound purpose in teleporting him to this mysterious realm. He must seize this opportunity, as establishing a connection with the legendary Light of Evolution is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for any beast tamer.

Digital Armor? The Light of Evolution? → Digital Armor Evolution?

Cheng Yuan's brain raced, his thoughts flashing through a series of possibilities like lightning, and the images in his memory clearly emerged.

In Digimon Adventure 2, Digi-Armor evolved! Aren't those Digi-Armor Eggs, which embody the spirit of ancient Digimon, the key to evolution?

In the second anime, the protagonists were suppressed by the Dark Tower, and their Digimon could not undergo Divine Evolution, but they could achieve Armor Evolution through the magical Armor Egg.

Those armored eggs imbued with the spirit of digital technology are the product of a perfect combination of ancient armor technology and evolutionary energy!

Although armor forging technology was quite advanced in this era, it was still a long way from creating a true evolutionary armored egg.

If armor evolution and the Light of Evolution are truly related, then if one completes digital armor evolution, is it possible to obtain the Light of Evolution?

If one could master the most advanced forging techniques and find the legendary Digital Spirit...

Therefore, he must demonstrate his superior skills and abilities in order to find the most skilled and top-notch forger to teach him.

I'll fight for those thighs!

Cheng Yuan raised his head and began to boast, "My strength is not bad either... I master the power of holiness and light, and the temperature generated by the holy light energy is no less than that of fire; I have hands, and can wield a forging hammer with a soul; mental strength is not a problem either, and..."

He paused deliberately, and continued under Xing Suo's surprised gaze: "I also participated in the complete mechanical modification and evolution!"

Chapter 87 The Digital Spirit of Light... Is it that difficult?

By observing the Dragon Village Chief's reaction, Cheng Yuan basically confirmed that, after the intervention of the Digital World Administration's [Space-Time Chaos], the natives of this Space-Time Mystery would regard the Beast Tamer and the partner Digimon as a single entity.

In other words, in the eyes of Chief Dragon, Cheng Yuan and the dog-like beast are a Digimon.

Gearmon, having not established a contract with the source, is merely regarded as an ordinary Digimon companion.

"Holy Light system?!" Village Chief Long's pupils suddenly contracted, and his metallic scales stood up.

Xing Siting Chang Ying U, did not understand why it was so shocked.

The village chief took a deep breath to calm himself down: "I'm sorry for losing my composure. Ever since the first leader, Jeannemon, died in battle, our Humanoid League has not produced a Digimon of the Holy type."

Cheng Yuan suddenly realized—that in this era, the sacred lineage was so rare!

“Forged with holy light…” the Dragon Village Chief muttered to himself, his rough claws rubbing his chin. “Even the Dragon Leader never imagined this possibility. Come, let me broaden my horizons.”

Passing through a steam-filled metal corridor, one enters a massive forging workshop. A wave of scorching heat hits you, and various ancient forging tools are neatly arranged—from forging hammers half a person's height to exquisite carving knives, primitive yet exuding a refined beauty.

Village Chief Long took a dark piece of raw ore from the corner and placed it on the forging platform, gesturing for it to be placed there.

Everyone held their breath, curious about what kind of performance this "Twelve Divine Generals Reserve" would deliver.

Cheng Yuan and the little dog exchanged a glance—they'd come this far, so they had no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.

They chose a medium-sized forging hammer and pliers.

The puppy beast released a clone to take the iron clamp, while its main body condensed four holy light bullets the size of footballs.

As energy was continuously injected, the temperature of the Holy Light Ball rose sharply, but remained stable.

“This energy purity…” Village Chief Long narrowed his eyes. Unlike the mixed data attributes of the ancient species, the holy light of the puppy beast was astonishingly pure.

Four holy light orbs revolved around the ore, creating a uniform heating field. The ore gradually softened in the holy light, and the impurities on its surface were completely purified.

"Clang!" Cheng Yuan swung the hammer down for the first time, sparks flying everywhere.