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

Zhao Zheng stood in front of the hexagonal platform, his fingers trembling slightly as he stroked the brand-new chip on the Tyrannosaurus Rex machine.

The chip's surface gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen, and the certification mark of the Divine Eagle Kingdom stood out prominently under the lights. This top-tier chip, capable of supporting the operation of Ultimate-level Digimon, had long been listed as a strategic material under control, and each one was hard-won.

"The Tyrannosaurus Rex chip upgrade is complete." Mechanic Wang Shu adjusted her glasses and checked the final parameters with the experts from the Evolution Team. On the monitor beside her, data streamed down like a waterfall.

Cheng Yuan noticed that although Zhao Zheng's uniform was still crisp, the wrinkles around his eyes seemed to be deeper than yesterday.

He followed Zhou Mo into the laboratory, his gaze immediately drawn to the disassembled mechanical body on the platform—around the digital core of the guardian beast, black gears were still slowly turning.

"The Chrono Metal armor with 99.8% purity, the parts that Cosmos Technology rushed to produce overnight..." Wang Shu's voice echoed in the laboratory, "All preparations are complete, we can proceed to the next step, Dean Zhou."

"Okay, Engineer Wang." The middle-aged man standing in front of the control panel turned around. Cheng Yuan then noticed that Dean Zhou's eyebrows and eyes were somewhat similar to Zhou Mo's, only with a touch more authority between his brows.

Cheng Yuan's gaze fell on the experimental platform—the guardian beast's mechanical body had been completely dismantled, and around the exposed digital core, several black gears were still slowly rotating, emanating an ominous aura. This sight stirred a sense of unease in him.

He recalled the anime scenes he had watched in his previous life: in the first season, even the Ultimate-level Andromon was controlled by the Dark Gear; but in the second season, the same Andromon was able to break free from the Dark Gear's shackles on its own. What was the fundamental difference between the two?

Cheng Yuan frowned, his fingers unconsciously tapping his knees as he tried to recall his memories.

The image that gradually surfaced in my mind was the yellowed group photo of Andromon with the main characters in the second part of the series…

Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and two keywords flashed through his mind—memory and belief.

Yes, it is those unforgettable battle memories and unwavering belief in protection that enabled Digimon to break through the shackles of darkness.

"Uncle Zhao," Cheng Yuan suddenly spoke up, "are you wearing a sheriff's badge?"

Zhao Zheng was clearly unprepared for this question. He subconsciously touched the Morning Star badge on his uniform hat—a five-pointed star surrounded by a digital code pattern, symbolizing the honor and responsibility of a sheriff.

"I think...beliefs and memories are also a kind of data," Cheng Yuan said softly.

Zhao Zheng's fingers trembled slightly. He silently removed the cap badge and gently placed it beside the exposed core of the guardian beast. The crisp sound of metal touching metal was exceptionally clear in the quiet laboratory.

"Let's begin." Zhao Zheng's voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible.

Zhou Mo pressed the start button, and the hexagonal platform immediately lit up with a ghostly blue light. The Time Metal components, manipulated by the robotic arm, slowly moved, converging towards the guardian beast in the center of the platform. The guardian beast's body was enveloped in blue light and gradually floated into the air.

Cheng Yuan held his breath.

"Data and energy reserves: 98%...99%..." Dean Zhou stared intently at the data screen, while Zhou Mo stood beside him taking notes. "100%! Initiating the evolution program!"

Cheng Yuan then noticed that Zhou Mo had already entered the laboratory and was intently assisting Dean Zhou with his work.

Zhou...could it be...?

Before he could think it through, he was drawn to the sight before him—the Time Digital Metal began to melt into a stream of data, wrapping around the Guardian Beast's body as if it were alive.

The first thing to take shape was the breastplate, and familiar battle marks gradually appeared on the silvery-white metal surface—that was the Time Metal reading the Guardian Beast's memory data.

Next, the arm armor and leg armor took shape, each piece of armor bearing the marks of time.

The most astonishing thing was the sheriff's badge. It hadn't been melted down; instead, it was perfectly embedded in the center of the breastplate, the five-pointed star shining brightly against the silver armor.

"Did it...work?"

Zhao Zheng's voice trembled so badly it was almost incoherent; this tough sheriff was now like a helpless child.

The Digivice in his hand suddenly burst forth with a dazzling golden light, which shone brightly against the blue glow of the metal cocoon.

As the last piece of armor was completed, the entire laboratory was instantly engulfed by a blinding blue light.

In the bright light, Cheng Yuan had to squint, vaguely seeing countless data streams intertwining and swirling in the air.

As the light gradually dimmed, a huge metal cocoon stood silently in the center of the platform—its surface was composed of countless precisely arranged hexagonal crystals, each of which was rhythmically flashing, as if it were breathing.

Through the translucent crystal walls, one can see energy flowing slowly inside, like the pulse of life.

"This is an evolution cocoon." Zhou Mo's voice was soft, but it was filled with undisguised excitement. "It's a dormant state unique to Ultimate-level Digimon during their evolution, and it usually takes 12 to 48 hours for them to emerge from the cocoon."

Cheng Yuan looked in the direction she was pointing and saw a tall, imposing mechanical warrior clearly reflected on a hexagonal crystal surface of the metal cocoon.

Most striking is the sheriff's badge on the soldier's chest, which shines brightly in the energy flow.

Even more exciting is that several stubborn black gears are being forcibly expelled from the mechanical warrior's body by some force, and under the purification of blue light, they turn into wisps of black smoke and disappear without a trace.

"It really...worked..."

Cheng Yuan then realized that his back was soaked with sweat, and his tense nerves finally relaxed.

He looked down at the little dog in his arms. The little guy was gently rubbing his cheek with its wet nose, its bright blue eyes filled with joy.

Cheng Yuan couldn't help but rub its fluffy head, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

Standing at attention in front of the control panel, Zhao Zheng gave the metal evolution cocoon a standard sheriff's salute.

His shoulders trembled slightly, but his eyes shone with an unprecedented determination.

What followed was a long wait, but Cheng Yuan didn't want to waste time waiting.

Lin Ge from the Dragon Club has called. It's Sunday, and he's urging his "little devil" to hurry up and meet the challenge from the "heroes."

Pushing open the glass doors of the Dragon Club, a chilly breeze mingled with an intense fighting spirit.

More than a dozen dragon-shaped Rookie Digimon raised their heads in unison, their scales rubbing together and making a rustling sound.

Their partners—the beast tamers who had been "narrowly defeated" by Cheng Yuan for two weeks—now had flames of revenge burning in their eyes, like heroes going to fight the Demon King BOSS.

It was these tamers and dragon-type Digimon who were tortured by Cheng Yuan for two weeks, contributing several waves of wealth points.

The main goal is to provide a long-term meal ticket!

"It seems you've all made great progress." Cheng Yuan's lips curled slightly as he glanced at his opponents, who were poised to attack.

"Enough with the nonsense! This time I'm going to roast your little dog beast to a crisp!" Little Fatty Wang Baole shouted, patting the pangolin that had grown half a size bigger.

"I was careless last time, this time I'll show you the power of Firewave Beast!" A rich kid pushed up his glasses, and the Firewave Beast beside him flapped its thick wings.

"And my Qi Dragon Beast, it lost by half a move last time, but you won't be so lucky this time!" said the skinny beast tamer with glasses.

"If I don't beat you to a pulp today, I'll change my name!" the spiky-haired boy said viciously.

Cheng Yuan slowly took out his Dinosaur Machine and chuckled, "Sorry, I'm in a bit of a rush."

Just when everyone thought he was backing down, he looked around, a glint of fighting spirit flashing in his eyes: "...I'll take on ten!"