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

Professor Zhao stood outside the door, with his Sagemon—a stunted, shrunken, and unhealthy purple dwarf Digimon—following behind him.

"Please come in, Professor Zhao." Cheng Yuan stepped aside.

Professor Zhao's gaze was immediately drawn to BlackGatomon: "This is the Digimon you just evolved into? It's really special!"

BlackGatomon proudly raised its head, its tail swaying gently.

“Its dark energy is so stable and pure…” Professor Zhao excitedly pushed up his glasses, “unlike other Digimon that are corrupted by chaotic energy.”

Cheng Yuan smiled slightly: "It uses pure shadow energy, not the corrupted and chaotic dark power."

As he spoke, he gestured for BlackGatomon to demonstrate. BlackGatomon reluctantly raised its paw, and a jet-black Shadow Ball condensed between its claws, emitting a dark yet pure light.

"That's wonderful!" Professor Zhao exclaimed. "Finally, a Digimon has appeared at the settlement, free from the torment of the Dark Virus..."

He suddenly changed the subject, "Young man, can I take a look at your Dinobot?"

Cheng Yuan hesitated for a moment, but still took out the arc laser machine.

Professor Zhao took the equipment, his fingers gently tracing its surface: "Just as I expected..."

"You recognize this?" Cheng Yuan asked, somewhat surprised.

"In the real world, I was a professor at the National Beast Tamer Research Institute," Professor Zhao said nostalgically. "One of my research areas was Digivice technology."

Cheng Yuan's eyes widened. A professor at the National Research Institute? This was a real big shot!

Professor Zhao continued, "Your device is much more advanced than the ordinary Tyrannosaurus Rex machine, but in principle... does it carry digital spirit or other enhanced data through parallel computing chips?" It could see the special features of the Arc Light Machine at a glance.

“If I’m not mistaken, if the chip is removed, it will regress to its growth stage.” He returned the arc laser machine.

Cheng Yuan understood, exchanged a glance with BlackGatomon, and then pulled out the chip. BlackGatomon immediately transformed into a data stream and reformed into the form of Puppymon.

"Woof!" The little dog happily jumped into Cheng Yuan's arms and affectionately rubbed its cheek against his.

"It's recovered?" Cheng Yuan hugged it in surprise.

"Yeah, Cheng Yuan, they didn't mean to scare you like that," the little dog said pitifully.

Professor Zhao's eyes gleamed with excitement: "Very good, the technology in the real world has also developed to this extent."

He examined the Arc Machine closely. "Did you notice that when Commander Feng's Zombiemon evolved, he directly injected Despair into the Digivice?"

Cheng Yuan recalled the scene and nodded.

“That’s my research result,” Professor Zhao said proudly. “It works in the same way as your Arc Light Machine. It can directly read the trainer’s digital spirit and transmit it to the Digimon without needing to insert an additional chip.”

Cheng Yuan had a flash of inspiration—isn't this the Digivice from Digimon Adventure 5? The protagonists evolved by directly shoving their Digimon souls into the Digivice! This is practically the initial version of the Digivice from Digimon Adventure 5.

"Back then, I was conducting this experiment in the digital space when I was unexpectedly drawn into the underworld," Professor Zhao sighed. "We discovered that some outstanding professional tamers who have close contact with the digital space generate Digimon spiritual energy. Many high-level Digimon also possess this spiritual energy; it's a kind of spiritual data energy that humans cannot use directly, but it can be transformed into spiritual data to help Digimon strengthen and even evolve!"

The Sage Beast added from the side, "Humanity is gradually becoming digitized; this is an inevitable trend."

Professor Zhao suddenly became excited: "My follow-up research is on the multi-core, multi-threaded Digimon machine! Theoretically, it would allow a trainer to sign contracts with multiple Digimon simultaneously!"

Cheng Yuan was almost speechless. A trainer can only have one partner these days, so if someone can contract multiple Digimon simultaneously... Professor Zhao is practically a national treasure!

"Unfortunately..." Professor Zhao's expression darkened. "The conditions in the Yellow Springs region are too rudimentary, making it impossible to continue research. It's still in the theoretical stage."

He was studying the Arc Light Machine when he suddenly suggested, "I can help you modify this device so that it can directly use digital mental energy, just like Commander Feng's Tyrannosaurus Rex Machine. That way, your chip slot can be used to enhance other abilities."

Cheng Yuan was both surprised and delighted: "This... thank you so much!"

"Hehe, now you are a member of the settlement, and you will have to contribute to the settlement in the future. The stronger you are, the more you can contribute to the settlement."

Professor Zhao paused for a moment, then said, "Moreover, even in the real world, there must be very few people your age who possess the combat power of a mature being. You are a rare genius and deserve to be nurtured."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yuan glanced at the mutated Sagemon beside Professor Zhao and a thought struck him: "Professor Zhao, I might have a way to temporarily suppress the dark corruption of Digimon, but there are some risks..."

Professor Zhao suddenly grabbed Cheng Yuan's hand: "Really? What method?"

“My Digimon once used divine and dark power to repair the Digicores of other Digimon,” Cheng Yuan explained. “Although it may not have completely removed the contamination, it may have been able to temporarily suppress it.”

Professor Zhao was so excited his beard was trembling: "Let's try it now! I'll upgrade your Digimon first, come with me to the lab!"

Chapter 136 The Soul of the Dark Warrior?

The laboratory is located in the most secluded corner of the settlement, and was converted from several stone houses.

The simple wooden shelves were filled with various rudimentary instruments and mineral samples, and the walls were covered with hand-drawn circuit diagrams and calculation formulas.

A rudimentary device powered by ore was humming and whirring in the corner.

"We have limited resources, so we have to make do," Professor Zhao said somewhat embarrassedly.

Cheng Yuan was dumbfounded.

This old professor is truly remarkable for being able to persist in his research under such circumstances.

Professor Zhao couldn't wait to start disassembling the arc laser machine, his calloused hands deftly manipulating the inside. The Sage Beast, handing him tools, looked just like a nurse in an operating room.

The little dog squatted curiously to the side, sniffing the various parts from time to time.

“Here… this is how it should be changed…” Professor Zhao muttered to himself as he worked, “The energy transmission path needs optimization… add a mental energy reading module…”

Cheng Yuan watched quietly, filled with respect for the old professor.

In this desolate land of the dead, the fact that someone still upholds the spirit of scientific exploration is a miracle in itself.

Three hours later, Professor Zhao wiped the sweat from his brow: "It's done!"

The arc laser machine in his hand hadn't changed much in appearance, but its internal structure was somewhat different.

Cheng Yuan took the equipment and felt a warm energy flowing in his palm.

"Now you can directly input digital mental energy," Professor Zhao announced proudly. "Give it a try?"

Cheng Yuan nodded, and a dark flower condensed in his right hand. He gently tapped both of them into the mental energy interface at the top of the Arc Light Machine—

"Buzz!"

A burst of black light erupted, and data streams, like silk threads, coiled around the little dog beast, its body gradually enveloped in a data cocoon formed by the data streams...

[Evolution of the Puppy Beast]

【BlackGatomon!】

In the blink of an eye, the elegant black cat reappeared, the shadow ring on its tail gleaming with an eerie light.

"The transformation was a success!" said the Sage Beast.

Cheng Yuan took out a power-enhancing chip and inserted it into the Arc Light Machine. "BlackGatomon, can you feel your power increasing?"

BlackGatomon nodded.

The next step is to try to cleanse the Digimon that have been corrupted by the chaotic dark data energy.

Cheng Yuan nodded to Dilu Beast.

Cheng Yuan used [Digital Scan] on the Sage Beast.

[Wealth Value -100]

【Dwarf Wise Beast (Mutant Degenerate)】

[Virus Type - Demon Type]

[Maturity Stage]

[Status: The digital core has been corrupted by chaotic dark energy, resulting in mutation and weakening]

[Solution: Gradually restore by clearing the dark contamination from the digit core]

The laboratory was filled with a tense atmosphere.

BlackGatomon stood on the experimental platform, its golden pupils fixed intently on Sagemon.

This once powerful Ultimate-level Digimon now only possesses the strength of a Champion-level Digimon, its gray skin covered with ominous black spots.

“I understand your thinking,” the Sage Beast’s voice was hoarse. “Please begin.”

The dwarf sage beast lifted its robes, revealing the digital core deep within its chest.

It was a turbid, round crystal covered with dark gray crystals that were deeply embedded in the digital core like parasites, almost completely replacing it.

"Let's begin," Cheng Yuan said softly, his fingers unconsciously tightening their grip on the modified arc light machine.

BlackGatomon's small paws glowed with a dark purple light, and shadow energy condensed into energy threads thinner than a hair, slowly reaching toward the Digicore of Geniusmon.

"The first strike." BlackGatomon's voice was terrifyingly calm.

The shadow threads precisely cut into the edge of a dark gray crystal, finding the point where the crystal adhered to the digital core at an almost impossible angle. With a soft "click," the first contaminated crystal was completely peeled away.

"The second cut has already corrupted the digital core, and it needs to be repaired with shadow energy."

"Repairing the digital core and then converting it into a stable shadow type? This skillful technique... it's like you've done it countless times," Professor Zhao said.

"In the real world, we've treated similar infections for the Sheriff's Department's Gear Beasts."

BlackGatomon ignored their conversation and focused intently on the surgery.

Its claws were as steady as a rock, each strike precise and accurate. The stripped-off contamination crystals were enveloped in shadow energy to prevent secondary contamination. At the same time, pure shadow data filled the gaps in the digital core, forming new energy circuits.

"Is this converting the digital core into a stable shadow system?" Professor Zhao observed the surgical procedure, lost in thought.

Cheng Yuan nodded: "This is more suitable for survival in the Yellow Springs environment than the Divine System."

Even though this dwarf sagemon has evolved and degenerated to reach adult level, it still possesses the foundation of an ultimate form. BlackGatomon spent almost all of its dark energy to repair its Digicore.

The surgery lasted for nearly two hours, and BlackGatomon's movements began to slow down, with the density of its shadow energy starting to decrease.

“The last one…” BlackGatomon’s voice was weak. As it peeled away the last piece of contaminated crystal, its body was suddenly enveloped in white light.

"Meow..." The little dog lay limply on the experimental table, panting heavily.

“The Shadow Energy is depleted,” the puppy beast said. “However, the cleaning and repair of the Digital Core was very successful. Next, we will use Divine Energy to purify and clean up the remaining contamination and mutations.”

Professor Zhao quickly handed over an energy crystal: "Take a rest."

The puppy beast shook its head and struggled to its feet. The sacred ring on its tail shone with a soft light, and pure, sacred energy flowed into the sage beast's body like a gentle stream.

Sagemon's body began to change—its purple skin gradually returned to a healthy blue, and its size slowly increased. Although it was still far from reaching its perfect form, it was already much better than before.

"Incredible..." Professor Zhao's voice trembled with excitement, "That the sacred and pure darkness can coexist..."

“What cannot coexist is the chaotic and evil darkness,” Cheng Yuan explained. “Pure shadow energy is actually a stable power, just like divine energy.”

The purification process lasted for half an hour. When the puppy finally collapsed from exhaustion, Cheng Yuan quickly picked it up and held it in his arms. The little guy's breathing was steady; he had simply fallen asleep from overexertion.

Meanwhile, the Dwarf Sage Beast stared in disbelief at its own hands, its data slowly but steadily recovering.

Professor Zhao was incredibly excited to see the gradually recovering Sagemon. He could sense that the data of the dwarf Sagemon was gradually increasing. Given time, it would be able to recover and become a Perfect Sagemon.

Cheng Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Dr. Zhao, that's about it. The digital core is transformed into the Shadow type, which provides some resistance to chaotic dark energy and makes it easier to survive in this environment than the Divine type. Hopefully, this will hold out until the rescue arrives."

Professor Zhao suddenly grabbed Cheng Yuan's hand: "Please help the other trainers in the settlement! Their Digimon also need treatment!"

Cheng Yuan looked troubled: "Professor Zhao, I really want to help... but I need to find my way back. The college entrance exam is in a month, and I promised my parents I'd get into the Beast Tamer University..."

Professor Zhao's eyes dimmed, but quickly brightened again: "If you are willing to help the settlement, we can give you a valuable digital item as a reward! This is an item that our pioneering team obtained when they went to explore a ruin. You, who possess the Dark Flower, should find it useful."

Cheng Yuan initially wanted to politely decline, as he already possessed several digital gadgets, including several armor evolution eggs. However, when Professor Zhao retrieved the item from the secret chamber, it immediately caught Cheng Yuan's attention.

It was a black, three-headed skeletal beast statue, roughly the size of a Digimon, with seven blood-red eyeballs embedded in its ferocious skeleton. "Holy crap!" Cheng Yuan blurted out, "Fighter's Soul!?"

Chapter 137 is in hand!

Cheng Yuan stared at the Dark Warrior's Soul in his hand, the seven blood-red eyes on the black bone beast statue seeming to be watching him.

"System, can this thing really allow humans to evolve into Digimon?" Cheng Yuan asked the system.

[Ding! Wealth Value -100. Dark Warrior's Soul is a special evolution item, applicable to Monster-type, Mythical-type Digimon, and human users.]

"What level of power can I achieve after using it?"

[Ding! Wealth value -100, depending on the amount of data, ranging from mature to fully developed stage.]

The Fighter Soul before them was actually the evil side of Dark Fighter Soul. The main characters of Digimon Season 4 used it to evolve themselves into beings capable of defeating the Fusion Mode of Charizardmon and WarGreymon.

He must get his hands on it so he can fight alongside BlackGatomon.

Over the next ten days or so, Cheng Yuan began a major project to cleanse the Digimon in the gathering place of darkness.

There was no other way. On the one hand, Professor Zhao's reward was too generous. On the other hand, most of these people trapped in the underworld came from the pioneer team. In the real world, they would be heroes. Cheng Yuan should do his part to give these people a greater chance of survival.