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

If the fight continues, his centaurs will likely be used as punching bags and turned into scrap metal by this ferocious black cat! Saving face is a small matter; his partner getting injured is a big deal.

He didn't want the Centaur to end up like the Armored Beast next door, spending half a month in a digital hospital.

"Meow." BlackGatomon glanced at Centaurmon with a hint of lingering interest, then elegantly flicked its tail.

After exiting the virtual digital space battlefield, Gatomon glanced indifferently at Cheng Yuan a few times and let out a strange sneer.

Cheng Yuan raised his eyebrows and quickly pulled out the Dark Flower chip.

The dark purple data stream of Huizhi Juexia Fan F instantly dissipated, and it transformed back into the fluffy, innocent-eyed little dog beast, trotting back to Cheng Yuan's feet.

"Woof! We won!" The little dog happily rubbed against Cheng Yuan's trouser leg.

Cheng Yuan bent down, picked it up, and rubbed its head: "Well done, little beast."

The notification tone signaling the end of the assessment rang. Amidst a mix of shocked, envious, and curious gazes, Cheng Yuan carried the little dog and walked off the command platform.

Kang Zhaodi, Li Yue, and others followed suit, and with Cheng Yuan's targeted tactical advice, they also performed exceptionally well, achieving results far exceeding expectations.

As the afterglow of the setting sun gilded the alloy exterior of the arena, the all-day college entrance examination finally came to a close. The examinees, with expressions of excitement, exhaustion, or frustration, dispersed in twos and threes, preparing to recharge for tomorrow's written exam.

Cheng Yuan's performance that day had already been transformed into countless pieces of information, which flew to the core database of the Pengcheng Beast Tamer Association through the terminals of examinees, examiners, and on-site association personnel.

Xu Xin looked at the message sent from the association, which was constantly being refreshed on the arc light machine. The reports related to "Cheng Yuan" that were constantly being updated in red and bold made him rub his temples in exasperation.

"Survived the Netherworld Rift... Unknown experiences in the Underworld... Evolved Leomon into Armored Body... Gatomon devolved into Puppymon... Freely switch between BlackGatomon forms..."

With a sigh of resignation, she stood outside the examination hall, waiting for Cheng Yuan to come out.

"This kid... he's really one problem after another, and every single one of them is absolutely explosive!" This isn't a student; he's practically a walking intelligence goldmine!

At the arena exit, Zhao Lu held the newly transformed Gearmon X. The four smaller Gearmon were still curiously touching each other and making soft "click" noises. Gearmon X's core gear snorted coldly, and the smaller Gearmon fell silent. At this moment, Gearmon X stared intently at Cheng Yuan.

“Gaga, um…you promised me…” Gear Beast X said.

The little dog perched on Cheng Yuan's shoulder, looking like it was watching the excitement.

"Cheng Yuan!" Xu Xin's voice came as he strode over, his gaze first sweeping sharply over Cheng Yuan's entire body to confirm that he was in good condition before finally settling on Zhao Lu and her Gear Beast X, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

"Hello, Teacher Xu," Zhao Lu greeted politely.

"Yes, that was a very well done! Your tactical awareness was also spot on!" Xu Xin rarely praised them so lavishly, his eyes fixed intently on the four agile little Gear Beasts. "This form of Gear Beast X has extraordinary potential. Are you interested in joining our pioneering team after graduation? We really need a tamer like you who has ideas and a unique partner."

He extended an olive branch directly. Although the pioneering team, the police department, and the research institute all belong to the association system, there is also internal competition for talent.

Zhao Lu paused slightly, glanced at Cheng Yuan who was holding the little dog beside her, and showed a thoughtful expression on her face. Then she smiled and said, "Thank you for your consideration, Teacher Xu! I will seriously consider it." She neither agreed nor refused, leaving the choice to the future.

Cheng Yuan walked over at this moment, and Xu Xin's gaze fell back on him. Her tone became serious: "Come with me, to the association..."

"Wait a minute, Teacher Xu!" Cheng Yuan quickly interrupted him, a hint of embarrassment and helplessness on his face. He squatted down and looked straight at the largest core entity among the four small Gear Beasts in Zhao Lu's arms—Gear Beast X.

At this moment, Gear Beast X's four mechanical eyes were all staring at Cheng Yuan, their gazes filled with the grievance of being forgotten and a silent accusation.

Cheng Yuan instantly remembered the promise he made at the police station—as long as it learned how to use the electromagnetic cannon, he would take it to meet the "same kind" geared beast girl in the research institute who was doing research in a white lab coat!

Digimon are simple-minded and persistent; what they promise is an ironclad rule in their hearts.

"Ahem," Cheng Yuan rubbed his nose, a little embarrassed, and said to Xu Xin, "Um... Teacher Xu, could you accompany me to the Pengcheng Evolution Research Institute first? I promised Gearmon X that I would take it to meet a 'friend.' And..." He glanced at the not-so-best-looking Gearmon, "Gitomon has degenerated and needs a professional check-up. By the way, I also want to see how Gearmon is doing at the research institute."

Xu Xin raised an eyebrow, looked at Gear Beast X, whose face said "If you don't take me, I'll cry (even though it doesn't have tear ducts)," and then looked at the listless little dog beast on Cheng Yuan's shoulder. Finally, she nodded: "Alright, I know a few people at the research institute, so it's on the way."

The Pengcheng Digital Evolution Research Institute was brightly lit. The air was filled with the mixed smells of disinfectant, the faint hum of precision instruments, and various energy minerals.

After passing through the busy corridor, Cheng Yuan led the way familiarly to the entrance of the laboratory with the sign "Zhou Mo Senior Researcher Studio".

Through the huge observation window, you can see all sorts of sophisticated instruments inside and Gear Beasts dressed in white coats busily at work.

Cheng Yuan knocked lightly on the door and then pushed it open.

In the center of the laboratory, a gear-like beast dressed in a specially made miniature white lab coat and wearing a mask is carefully adjusting the probe of a spectrometer with its robotic arm. Its movements are precise and meticulous, revealing a focused and calm demeanor immersed in the digital world.

Hearing the door open, the researcher didn't even raise the Gear Beast's head; the robotic arm continued operating steadily, only emitting a monolithic, synthesized voice: "Data recording in progress, non-urgent matters please wait..."

However, when it caught a glimpse of that familiar figure at the door, it froze! Its head fell onto the experimental table with a "thud".

"Cheng...Yuan?" The researcher Gear Beast's flat electronic voice showed a rare ripple. It turned around abruptly, its small body trembling slightly with excitement. Usually extremely restrained, it rushed over at top speed and then... grabbed Cheng Yuan's leg!

The cold, metallic head rubbed against Cheng Yuan's trouser leg, making a soft, affectionate "click-click" sound.

This scene moved both Zhao Lu and Xu Xin. The Digimon's emotions were pure and direct.

"Long time no see, Gear Beast!" Cheng Yuan smiled, bent down, and gently patted its cool, metallic head. "How's the research going?"

Researcher Gear Beast released Cheng Yuan, straightened up, and regained most of his composure, but his electronic voice still carried a hint of barely perceptible excitement: "Digital armor production line design in progress. You are safe and sound, very well."

"Yeah, I'm fine." Cheng Yuan nodded, stepped aside, and revealed Gearmon X, which Zhao Lu had placed on the ground behind him. "Here, I've brought you a new friend. This is Gearmon X, Zhao Lu's partner."

As soon as Cheng Yuan finished speaking, the four smaller Gearmon of Gearmon X instantly stopped touching each other, and all five pairs of mechanical eyes focused on the researcher Gearmon!

The gears in the core component rotated at a significantly faster speed, emitting a slight hum.

Researcher Gearmon also raised his head, his mechanical eyes flashing with a calm analytical light.

It steadily circled the Gear Beast X, which was significantly larger and more complexly ornate than itself, its sharp gaze sweeping over every rotating gear and energy pattern on its body, especially the four smaller Gear Beasts that were flying around it, full of vitality.

The laboratory was silent, save for the low hum of the instruments. An inexplicable tension hung in the air.

Just as Zhao Lu was worrying that her partner might be too "strange" and have scared him, the researcher Gearmon stopped in his tracks, stood in front of Gearmon X, and, in his perfectly calm and professional synthesized electronic voice, gave his evaluation:

"Sample: Gear Beast X. Morphology: Highly variable, non-standard template. Core structure stability: To be evaluated. New sub-unit consciousness linkage mode: Has extremely high research value."

It paused, its mechanical eyes seeming to flash for a moment, before concluding: "This sample is very satisfactory."

Every word from researcher Gearmon was like a cold scalpel.

However, in the Gear Beast X "Ear" which was in an "overheated" state, only the last four words were endlessly looping, enlarging, bolding, and highlighting in its digital core—"Very satisfied!"

Boom!

Gearmon X's core processor instantly overloaded! The four smaller Gearmon simultaneously stopped spinning, frozen in mid-air! A large amount of white steam, a sign of overheating, suddenly billowed from the gaps in its main body's shell! Its entire body emitted a strange "sizzling" sound, and the light in its eyes rapidly dimmed…

It crashed on the spot due to "excessive surprise" and "reading comprehension errors"!

Cheng Yuan: "..."

Zhao Lu: "..."

Xu Xin: "..."

The little dog covered its eyes with its paws: "Woof... I knew it! Digimon in love (unrequited love) don't have brains! Researcher Gearmon only sees data and samples!"

The researcher, Gearmon, looked at the smoking, malfunctioning Gearmon X, tilted its head, seemingly puzzled, but its professionalism quickly prevailed. It extended its robotic arm, skillfully plugged in several data cables and energy pipes, connecting them to the nearby instruments. A series of analytical data immediately appeared on the screen.

"Target core overload, cooling system activated. Analysis of the cause of the outage: Logic circuit encountered an unresolved emotional shock..."

While recording data, it directed two small robotic arm assistants to lift the stiff Gear Beast X onto a sensor-covered testing platform.

Soon, Gearmon X was covered with various cables, and a weak current for testing would flash on its body from time to time. Several non-core shell parts were even disassembled for internal observation.

However, even after being electrocuted until its shell gleamed slightly, soaked in liquid, and "gutted open," the Gear Beast X, in its last remaining faint consciousness amidst its shutdown, still happily repeated: "It says it's satisfied...it's very satisfied with me..."

Cheng Yuan's lips twitched as he watched. Pointing at Gearmon X, who seemed to be enjoying the "miserable research" on the testing table, he asked Zhao Lu, "This... is this the unique 'friendly communication' method among Gearmon?"

Zhao Lu covered her face, both amused and exasperated: "Let it be... We're already here, so let the experts at the research institute give Gear Beast X a comprehensive examination and evaluation. I've always wanted to consult with them about how to plan its future evolutionary path." She looked at the sophisticated instruments, her eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge.

Cheng Yuan's eyes lit up: "Oh? The research institute offers this kind of service?"

This is like a godsend! Doesn't his system's evolutionary tree parsing function need this kind of professional platform to "rationalize" and "monetize" it?

Just then, the laboratory door was pushed open again. A tall, capable young woman wearing a well-fitting white lab coat walked in.

She was in her early twenties, with delicate features, wearing thin-rimmed glasses, and her gaze behind the lenses was sharp and intelligent. It was Zhou Mo, a senior researcher at the research institute and an old acquaintance of Cheng Yuan.

Zhou Mo's gaze first fell on Xu Xin in the center of the laboratory. Her eyes behind the glasses brightened slightly, and a smile of surprise and familiarity bloomed on her face. She quickly walked over and said, "Xu Xin? Long time no see! You finally have time to come to the research institute for a follow-up check-up? Where's Greymon?"

"Yes, Zhou Mo, long time no see." Xu Xin nodded.

Cheng Yuan's gaze swept back and forth between Xu Xin and Zhou Mo, catching a hint of unusual familiarity and aura between them. His gossip-loving fire was instantly ignited, and he drawled, "Huh? Teacher Xu, Sister Zhou Mo, so you two... knew each other all along?"

Chapter 154 My Thigh Was Actually Myself

"What a small world!" Cheng Yuan said.

Xu Xin glared at Cheng Yuan, her tone a mix of helplessness and nostalgia, "Last year, my Greymon was a regular at the Evolution Lab. Especially during that... well, that rather unstable period."

Cheng Yuan's face lit up with realization: "So you're the Beast Tamer that Sister Zhou Mo mentioned before... the one who successfully stabilized his partner Digimon from its dark rampage?"

Xu Xin, unusually embarrassed, coughed lightly: "Ahem, it's all in the past. Thanks to the research institute and Zhou Mo, that guy is doing alright now." He was referring to his partner, Dark Tyrannomon.

"Huh? It's not because you and it are in the crater of the digital space, spending every day with lava, fighting volcanic beasts, and solidifying every bit of its power in the most extreme way..." Cheng Yuan recalled what Xu Xin had said.

"Cough, yes, yes, please stop talking."

Cheng Yuan and Zhao Lu listened with great interest, never expecting that Xu Xin and the Institute of Evolution had such a connection.

The tense atmosphere in the laboratory relaxed considerably because of this shared memory; everyone was an acquaintance, making it easier to talk.

Cheng Yuan's playful expression gradually faded. He put down the little dog beast and let it soothe the Gear Beast X, who was still immersed in being a specimen. His expression became serious: "Teacher Xu, Sister Zhou Mo, Zhao Lu, since we are all on the same side, I think it's time to make some things public. This also includes the information that the association wants to get from me."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three of them, "What's coming next might be a bit... well, shocking, so be prepared."

Xu Xin's eyes narrowed. He knew that Cheng Yuan had just crawled back from the hellish place of the underworld and had many secrets on him, but he did not expect him to choose to reveal them here and at this time.

Zhou Mo also stopped smiling. Her keen senses as a career researcher made her realize that what Cheng Yuan was about to say was no small matter.

Zhao Lu clenched her hands nervously. She knew Cheng Yuan trusted her, but the word "impact" made her heart clench.

Cheng Yuan chose to trust the three people in front of him, especially Xu Xin.

This mentor and savior was powerful, had a deep background, and acted according to principles; he was an indispensable pillar in his plan.

Zhou Mo's backing by the research institute and her academician father is key to the technology's successful implementation. Although Zhao Lu is young, the influence of the Zhao family in the Public Security Bureau and her potential are worth embracing.

“The first thing,” Cheng Yuan began, his voice low but exceptionally clear, “is about Zhao Lu’s Gear Beast X. The reason it was able to unleash its full potential in the college entrance examination is that it fused with the ‘X Antibody’.”

"X antibody?" Xu Xin and Zhou Mo exclaimed at the same time. The term was both familiar and unfamiliar to them.

Cheng Yuan nodded, took out an arc laser machine, and it showed a photograph of the X antibody.

"This is the mature form of the X antibody, originating from certain special Digimon deep within the 'Dark Dimension.' As for Zhao Lu's, she obtained it by chance."

Xu Xin stared at the photo, his pupils suddenly contracting: "This thing... I've seen it at the Dark Zone Outpost! It dropped from some mutated, powerful Digimon! The quantity was extremely small! Those on the front lines discovered that this thing seems to... dispel the Red Mist within a certain range!" His voice carried a hint of excitement, "The Red Mist is highly poisonous to non-Dark type Digimon, causing data decay, weakness, and even death! Some Digimon wear it to reduce the corrosive effects of the Red Mist..."

“Yes!” Cheng Yuan affirmed. “Those red mists, I think, are called the X-Program, or the X-Virus! The X-Antibody was born from Digimon that mutated after withstanding the red mist’s invasion. Dispelling the red mist is one of its strategic values! However, its other function…” He looked intently at Xu Xin, “Theoretically, if properly adapted, the X-Antibody can help most Digimon achieve X-Evolution, fully releasing the potential of their Digicores after evolution, and truly resisting the red mist. This is the reason for the dramatic change in the form of X-Modal Digimon! The key point is that it’s not only effective against Gearmon; it’s extremely versatile!”

"Versatility?!" Xu Xin gasped, he knew all too well what this meant! This was practically a strategic-level resource! "Cheng Yuan, this thing..."

“Teacher Xu, could you do me a favor?” Cheng Yuan took the lead, his tone serious. “Use your connections and networks in the pioneering group and the outpost to collect and acquire these primitive X-antibody fragments as discreetly as possible. Not many people probably know about this right now, but its future value is immeasurable. This information must be kept strictly confidential!” He sent the photos and information to Xu Xin.

Xu Xin looked at the data received on the arc light machine, then at the uniquely shaped Gear Beast X beside Zhao Lu, and considering its strategic significance, his expression became extremely solemn. He patted Cheng Yuan's shoulder forcefully and said in a deep voice, "Don't worry! Leave this to me. Thank you... Cheng Yuan, I'll remember this trust." He understood that Cheng Yuan had entrusted him with a huge treasure key.

"The second thing," Cheng Yuan continued without pausing, turning his gaze to Xu Xin, "Professor Xu, you must have heard of 'armor evolution,' right?"

Xu Xin's eyes sharpened: "It's not just hearsay! The National Institute of Evolution of the Association is listing this project as one of its top priorities and is working on it with all its might! Moreover..." He gave Cheng Yuan a deep look, "A month ago, at the last moment of the Underworld Rift, I personally witnessed your Gatomon evolve into that Goatmon, and Shen Bing's Leomon, with your help, evolved into Armored Leomon! That was definitely not a traditional evolution! I suspected at the time that it was the legendary Armored Evolution! That guy Shen Bing has already been urgently summoned to the capital by the National Institute of Evolution to participate in the research!"

He leaned forward slightly, his body filled with intense curiosity and inquiry: "Cheng Yuan, tell me, where exactly did you obtain this power? From the Underworld?"

Cheng Yuan understood perfectly well, and indeed, he couldn't keep it a secret any longer.

He put on a perfectly balanced look of "embarrassment" and "trust," and lowered his voice to say, "Teacher Xu, to be honest, it wasn't me, it was my 'friend' Qilin. He... possesses this technology."

He deliberately emphasized the word "friend".

"A Qilin?!" Xu Xin and Zhou Mo exclaimed in unison.

This name caused a huge stir among the association's senior members and top animal trainers!

Although the rumors of being a reserve member of the Twelve Divine Generals were personally denied by Li Xiaochun (the Rabbit), the more he denied it, the more mysterious and protected he seemed!

“It’s him!” Xu Xin looked at Cheng Yuan with a complicated expression. “You kid… you’ve really… struck gold by climbing onto Qilin’s coattails!” His tone was filled with undisguised envy and a hint of disbelief.

Cheng Yuan almost burst out laughing. It was truly a case of—sitting awake in his deathbed, only to find his own thigh was there!

However, he outwardly appeared to be "helpless" and continued, "Qilin couldn't personally handle these 'mundane matters,' so he entrusted me to operate them. The core of this armor evolution technology lies in using 'digital spirit crystals' to activate the potential of Digimon with ancient bloodlines or specific factors, thereby achieving targeted armor evolution."

He pointed to Zhou Mo and the research institute: "With Sister Zhou Mo and the top team at Pengcheng Research Institute on board, I'm not worried about the technology's implementation. We also don't have to worry about distribution channels. Once this product is released, it will drive any beast tamer crazy."

Cheng Yuan continued, "But the most crucial raw material—'Digital Spirit Crystals'—is extremely rare! It requires a powerful force to collect and maintain a stable supply. Qilin's point is that the best partner is undoubtedly the Beast Tamer Association. He hopes... to use this technology to develop into an industry and make a lot of money."

Chapter 155 Dark Fruit

"Money?" Xu Xin paused for a moment, then understood. For a mysterious being like the Qilin, worldly money might just be a tool to achieve a deeper goal.

He pondered for a moment, his eyes gleaming: "If armor evolution can truly be industrialized, as long as the core technology and the core of the industrial chain are within the territory of Dongda, it will be a tremendous boon for Qilin, for the Association, and for the entire beast taming force of Dongda! The Association has no reason not to support it!"