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

They disappeared into the jungle like a group of deflated balloons.

The troops deftly lifted the alert, clearly accustomed to such scenes.

"That's it?" Kang Zhaodi looked disappointed. "I thought I was going to see a good show."

Xu Xin patted him on the shoulder: "Don't worry, once you get into the Beast Tamer University, there will be plenty of opportunities to see a 'good show'."

In the dead of night, a figure wearing a baseball cap slipped silently out of the camp. The demon beast glanced back at the sleeping students, a cold smile playing on its lips: "What a bunch of foolish humans..."

It didn't want to stay with that pursuit team; the chances of being discovered were too high. After gathering intelligence, it had already located the Demon Beast's trail—in the southern hills of Green Fruit Mountain—so it didn't need to associate with these humans.

He felt very uncomfortable actually being among these human groups.

The black trench coat blended into the night, as if it had never been there.

Not long after, in a grove of trees outside the outpost, a flock of bats made a piercing sound, took off, and flew into the depths of the jungle.

The next morning, Cheng Yuan discovered that Mo was nowhere to be found and couldn't help but mutter, "That guy, he left without saying goodbye. How rude of him! He didn't even leave any contact information. What a waste of my barbecue invitation."

That day, the four-person team's bespectacled beast tamer began recording and collecting the mission rewards from each team. Because he was a professional beast tamer, he could earn a higher exchange rate, and he would distribute the money back to each team as a benefit for everyone.

"Line up, line up, one at a time!" The man with gold-rimmed glasses pushed up his glasses, and the tablet in his hand flashed blue light.

Each group displayed their spoils:

Kang Zhaodi's group: "Data and digital cores of 10 wild beasts, plus a bunch of jungle specialties!" Kang Zhaodi proudly displayed his harvest, with several strangely shaped tree branches hanging on the back of the pangolin.

Zhao Lu's group: "12 Wild Beast data and 9 digital cores." Her Gear Beast whirred as she excitedly displayed her spoils.

Wang Wei's team: "Data from 5 wild beasts and 3 digital cores." Wang Wei explained, sounding aggrieved, "We encountered a group of unruly monkey beasts stealing the carcass..."

"You got robbed by monkeys?" Cheng Yuan suppressed a laugh. "You guys didn't run into the Liangshan heroes of the Digimon world, did you?"

When it was Cheng Yuan's group's turn, the bespectacled beast tamer's pen paused: "32 savage beast data and 30 digital cores, 5 macaque beast data and 5 digital cores?"

The entire room fell silent.

“Class representative…” Kang Zhaodi swallowed, “You guys didn’t happen to raid the Savage Beasts’ lair, did you?”

"You didn't get a professional beast tamer to do this, did you?" someone questioned. "They were just plain brutes," Cheng Yuan scratched his head, looking utterly innocent. "I happened to stumble upon them fighting with the mischievous monkey beast, picked up the carcasses, and behaved just like a bunch of idiots!"

"You're kidding me!" Zhao Lu rolled her eyes. "Do you think this is a supermarket sale? A chance to snag a bargain?"

“Exactly,” Wang Wei said sourly, “Why don’t we have this kind of ‘fee’?”

Xu Xin interrupted Xing Shuo Nao's discussion: "Today we'll split into two groups. One team will come with me to Savage Valley to carry out the research mission, and the other team..." He looked at Cheng Yuan, "You and Little Dog Beast will lead the team to send those cubs back to Green Fruit Mountain."

Today, Xu Xin arranged for the main force to go to Savage Valley to carry out the Evolution Research Institute's mission—to capture a Shaman Beast; another team was responsible for sending the juvenile Digimon back to Green Fruit Mountain.

After all, Green Fruit Mountain produces rubies called "Green Fruits," and the injured mischievous monkey seems to have some status in their tribe; they might be able to get some. Each intermediate-grade ruby ​​is roughly equivalent to five rubies. Regardless of how much they sell for, it's excellent for these kids to prepare some resources before their college entrance exams.

"Me?" Cheng Yuan pointed to his nose, and the little dog beast imitated him by pointing at itself with its paw, looking incredibly cute.

"What, you don't dare?" Xu Xin raised an eyebrow.

"Woof!" The little dog jumped down from his head, head held high, looking like it had him covered.

The team was still led by Cheng Yuan, with Wang Lin accompanying them. Xu Xin let Cheng Yuan choose four classmates to go with him.

Cheng Yuan quickly selected his team members—Kang Zhaodi, Zhao Lu, Li Yue, and Wen Rou. Pangolin was responsible for feeding the X-Wheel Beasts and providing firepower, while Baloo Beast and Flower Beast took care of the cubs.

“Remember,” Xu Xin lowered his voice, “Qingguo Mountain is rich in digital raw stones, and that mischievous monkey beast seems to have some status…” He winked meaningfully.

Cheng Yuan understood immediately: "Understood! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"

The little dog beast and Cheng Yuan continued to act as scouts, walking at the front. The newly hatched golden-haired black ball beast was perched on the little dog beast's head like a hat, making for a particularly comical scene.

Wang Lin and Cao Jin followed at a distance. Looking at the students' excited expressions, Cao Jin asked worriedly, "Captain Wang, are you sure you don't need to keep up?"

"Don't worry," Wang Lin yawned. "Any two of these kids could beat you better than your Big Ear Beast. What are you so concerned about?"

Cao Jin's big-eared beast snorted in dissatisfaction, but dared not refute it.

Guided by the injured, mischievous monkey, they entered the cave leading to Green Fruit Mountain. Vines entwined around the cave entrance, and the faint sound of flowing water could be heard from inside.

The newly hatched golden-haired black ball beast rested on the puppy's head like a hat.

Chapter 47 The Monkey King?

"Ten-minute break!" Cheng Yuan wiped the sweat from his forehead and plopped down on a rock. The little dog beast immediately jumped off his shoulder and ran happily to play with the black ball beasts.

Wenrou was distributing data blocks to the cubs, while Zhao Lu and the Gear Beast were keeping watch on their surroundings. The Pangolin on Kangzhaodi was lying on the ground as a makeshift chair, and the cubs were getting off the rattan chair on its back in a noisy commotion.

Cheng Yuan looked around at the mischievous monkey beast, the group of round black ball beasts, and the lively dog-cat beasts, and suddenly felt playful: "Hey, little guys, do you want to hear a story?"

"Squeak?" The black ball beasts immediately gathered around, their round eyes full of curiosity.

“Once upon a time, there was a stone monkey beast…” Cheng Yuan cleared his throat and began to vividly recount the Digimon version of “Journey to the West.”

The trainers, who were all busy with their own tasks, couldn't help but perk up their ears when they heard the familiar opening. But when they heard "Stonemonkey sprang out of the Digimon," they all burst out laughing.

"The Stone Monkey Beast didn't want to live a muddled life among the monkey troop, so it traveled to the East Sea to learn from a master and undergo training..." Cheng Yuan gestured, "After arduous training, it successfully evolved into the Spiritual Stone Monkey Beast and also learned seventy-two development techniques..."

"Later, it caused a great disturbance in the palace and was eventually sealed beneath Data Mountain..." Cheng Yuan suddenly lowered his voice, "until one day, a beast tamer with a divine digital soul—Sanzang—appeared!"

"Holy type!" The little dog beast's ears perked up with a "whoosh," and its azure eyes sparkled.

"They broke the seal, formed a partnership, and ventured into the vast digital world together. But one day, they fell into the trap of the fully-formed Skeleton Beast, were sown apart, and went their separate ways..." Cheng Yuan vividly described the scene of their separation, and several sentimental girls had already begun to wipe away tears.

"The lone beast tamer Sanzang accidentally stumbled into the territory of the Skeleton Beast and quickly found himself in dire straits. When the beast tamer Sanzang was in such a desperate situation..." Cheng Yuan suddenly stood up, raised the Tyrannosaurus Rex, and imitated the summoning action, "At the critical moment, the beast tamer Sanzang called upon his former companion—the Spirit Stone Monkey Beast!"

"Summoned by its bondage, the Spiritual Stone Monkey evolved into the majestic—Great Sage Equal to Heaven Beast!" Cheng Yuan raised his arm as if holding an imaginary golden cudgel. "Waving a sturdy digital alloy staff, clad in alloy armor, and riding on auspicious seven-colored clouds, it instantly charged into the skeleton's territory, unstoppable!"

The black ball beasts jumped up and down excitedly, squeaking and urging Cheng Yuan to continue. Even the usually aloof Zhao Lu couldn't help but urge, "And then? What happened next?"

"To find out what happens next..." The break was longer than the planned 10 minutes; half an hour had passed without them realizing it. Cheng Yuan smiled mischievously and shrugged, "To be continued!"

"Squeak—" The black ball beasts let out a disappointed groan, and some even began to protest by bumping Cheng Yuan's legs with their round bodies.

"We need to hurry!" Cheng Yuan rubbed his sore calf. "We'll continue when we get to a safe place."

Not only the Black Ball Beasts, but even the Puppy Beasts were listening intently. A sacred Beast Tamer?

It was engrossed in listening, but it wasn't identifying with Digimon, but with the tamer.

I became a divine beast tamer?

"Go, Cheng Yuanshou! Dodge... Hold on... Use that move... Hold on..."

It seems like I could do it too!

The little dog was lost in thought...

The Golden Silk Black Ball Beast also quieted down, seemingly lost in thought...

After a series of actions, Cheng Yuan, who was good at storytelling, suddenly became the most popular tamer among these digital beasts. They surrounded Cheng Yuan and strongly demanded that he update the series.

Guided by the mischievous monkey, Xingyun Miao revealed the entrance to the pitch-black cave.

The cave entrance was deep and dark, like a gaping maw ready to devour people.

"I should have brought Zhang Ming and his Candle Beast..." Cheng Yuan muttered. The flame on the Candle Beast's head was practically a natural flashlight in this environment.

"Woof!" The little dog volunteered to step forward, a bright ball of holy light condensing on its chest. The pure white light dispelled the darkness at the cave entrance, but the shadows deeper inside still inspired fear.

"Using a Holy Light Bullet as a flashlight?" Zhao Lu raised an eyebrow. "Class representative, your thought process is really..."

"A brilliant idea!" Cheng Yuan exclaimed smugly. "Two portable light bulbs, one in front and one behind—are you scared yet?"

In fact, this usage is thanks to the special training given to improve the Holy Light Bullet's endurance during previous training sessions. Under the precise control of the puppy beast, the Holy Light Bullet can stably maintain illumination for several minutes.

The mischievous monkey squeaked, warning of the danger inside the cave. Cheng Yuan nodded, took out a knife from his backpack, and carved a clear arrow mark at the cave entrance.

“It’s a basic exercise, something that Teacher Xu taught us in his training class,” he explained. “That way, even if you get lost, you can find your way back.”

This thoughtful gesture made the team members look at Cheng Yuan in a new light. This class representative, who was usually carefree and irresponsible, turned out to be so reliable in a critical moment.

The cave was damp and cold, with water droplets condensing on the walls and dripping down intermittently. The light from the holy bullets cast flickering shadows in the narrow tunnel, as if countless eyes were peering into the darkness.

"Squeak!" The black ball beast on the puppy's head suddenly squeaked. Cheng Yuan looked up and his hair stood on end—two small spider beasts were slowly descending from the top of the cave, their sharp fangs gleaming coldly!

【Little Spider Beast】

[Virus Species - Insect Type]

[Growth Period]

[Skills: Spitting silk, Venomous fangs]

[Description: Resembling a spider, it has a small body and many claws. Its body color is usually dark. It is usually quite docile, often curling up into a ball and hanging from tree branches. However, when an enemy approaches, it becomes extremely ferocious, launching a collective attack from above.]

If it weren't for the black ball beast on the puppy's head discovering them, these two little spider beasts hanging down from the cave ceiling might have bitten Cheng Yuan with their venomous fangs.

This appears to be a place to stay in the cave, in a slightly wider tunnel when the encounter with the little spider beast took place.

Despite being called a small spider beast, it was actually the size of a human, with a ferocious appearance and six compound eyes reflecting Cheng Yuan's face.

Only then did I notice the spider webs everywhere. Especially overhead, where there were huge spider webs.

"Back off!" Cheng Yuan grabbed Wen Rou, who was closest to him. The two little spider beasts landed on the ground with a "thud," their six compound eyes reflecting the horrifying face of the creature.

"Didn't you say the little spider beast is very docile?" Li Yue's voice trembled slightly.

“That’s when it’s not provoked…” Zhao Lu pushed up her glasses; Gearmon was already in battle mode.

The two spiders retracted their silk, dangling in mid-air, and roared angrily at Cheng Yuan.

Cheng Yuan then noticed that the dense spider webs above his head were covered with the remains of many Digimon. These two spider-mon were clearly the "road bullies" here, specializing in attacking passing Digimon.

"Be careful, Spidermon is a social Digimon," Zhao Lu said.

“There are only the two of them here!” said the little dog beast.

"Holy Light Bullet, prepare!" Cheng Yuan commanded, and the orb of light on the chest of the little dog beast roared out.

"Click-click-click!" Gear Beast's flying saws were activated simultaneously, drawing dangerous arcs in the air.

The two spider-beasts let out a piercing screech and spewed out sticky spider silk from their mouths. One of the silk threads flew straight towards Cheng Yuan's face!

The battle was about to begin. Holy light bullets and lightning balls intertwined, forcing the spider beasts into a retreat. Just as things were getting tense, a third spider beast suddenly pounced from the shadows, aiming straight for Cheng Yuan's back!

"Woof!" The little dog noticed the danger in time, but it was too late to defend itself.

At the critical moment, the mischievous monkey suddenly used its slingshot to launch a pebble, which accurately hit the attacker's eye.

The vines of the Flower Beast and the Baloo Beast followed closely, binding the Spider Beast into a bundle.

"Well done!" Cheng Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. Although the encounter was brief, it had given everyone a fright.

After cleaning up the battlefield, Cheng Yuan returned to his camp. He occasionally replenished the attribute points of the small beast to maintain the illumination of the Holy Light Bullets. The tunnel seemed endless, and the oppressive atmosphere kept everyone silent.

Finally, a faint ray of light appeared ahead.

"It's the exit!" Wenrou exclaimed in surprise.

When the sunlight shone on their faces again, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The fresh scent of grass and trees dispelled the musty smell in the cave, invigorating everyone.

However, before they could enjoy this moment of peace, the sounds of fighting in the distance made everyone's hearts jump again.

In the distance, the roars of wild beasts could be heard, suggesting a fierce battle was taking place not far away.

Chapter 48: Kongo vs. Goldenhorn

“It sounds like… the roar of the savage beast from last night?” Zhao Lu pricked up her ears, her brows furrowed.

Kang Zhao scratched his head: "That's strange. They were dancing at the outpost gate last night, how come they've come to Qingguo Mountain today?"

The mischievous monkey in the group suddenly became restless, emitting rapid "squeaks." It pointed towards the distant valley, its paws trembling incessantly.

Cheng Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "You guys stay here, I'll go take a look with the little dog beast." He paused, then turned to Wen Rou and held out his hand: "Give me the collection device, maybe we can find quite a few corpses."

The fishy smell was so strong!

This deep forest, located within the territory of Qingguo Mountain, is eerily quiet. It's unclear whether the Digimon that originally lived here were summoned by their leader to join the battle, or whether they were simply trying to survive by avoiding the invading Digimon.

Cheng Yuan and the little dog beast made their way to the top of the mountain without any obstacles, following the sounds of fighting.

When he reached the top of a hill, he finally smelled the scorching heat of burning fire and heard the increasingly clear sounds of fighting.

"Holy crap!" Cheng Yuan was jolted awake and immediately lay down, using the rocks for cover to look down the mountain.

The sight before him made him gasp—

Below the mountain is a canyon, and the stream in the canyon has been stained an eerie blue by the blood of the Digimon, with severed limbs floating on the surface.