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

Just then, Cheng Yuan gave them another surprise.

He took out several blank chips and explained, "Blank chips can be loaded with a large amount of data through the Arc Light Machine. Essentially, evolutionary armor eggs, digital spirits, and even digitized personal items can be stored. These weapon blueprints and data are also essentially data."

If the chip is high enough and has a large enough capacity, it can hold more data.

Each advanced blank chip contains enough data to hold the data of an ordinary mature-stage Digimon.

In addition to the high-end chip given to him by Zhao Lu's father, Cheng Yuan also purchased three additional high-end blank chips.

One chip can't hold all the data for the entire arsenal? Then use several!

He began operating the arc light machine, compressing and transmitting the data recorded by Guan Yan's camera and the Baron Beast.

As the light flashed, a massive amount of data poured into the blank chip like rivers flowing into the sea.

"I should have brought more blank chips!" Lin Yu regretted his actions as he watched this scene.

Who would have thought that a student practical assignment would lead to a discovery of this caliber?

Everyone was amazed, never expecting that the arc light machine could be used in this way; it was practically like a portable mobile database and warehouse!

People have gained a new understanding and envy of the equipment of professional animal trainers.

After collecting the data, the team continued to advance deeper into the ancient ruins of the circular swamp.

After encountering and easily defeating another team of ancient spirits, the team's coordination became even more seamless.

The Grizzly Beast, with its thick hide and tough flesh, serves as the main melee tank, roaring as it stands at the forefront; the Running Beast, swift as the wind, skillfully harasses the flanks and interrupts the Ancient Soul's skills; the Wind Lion Beast's Arrow of Light is sharp and unparalleled, with strong penetrating power, making it the main damage dealer.

Tailmon provides support across the entire field, using Holy Light Ball and Shadow Ball to eliminate squishy targets, disrupt backline spellcasting, and control with "Cat's Eye" at crucial moments;

Baron is a solid support, with its [Guardian Barrier] ready to protect the tamer at any time, and its [White Spell] also providing considerable damage.

More importantly, in any dangerous situation, under the protection of [Stone Guardian], [Guardian Barrier], and [Sacred Barrier], the Digimon can immediately protect the tamers and prevent the tragedy of the tamer on the first floor.

Cheng Yuan, on the other hand, was responsible for directing the seven soundbird beasts to conduct comprehensive detection and early warning, as well as the most important task of "cleaning up" the battlefield—absorbing ancient souls with the soul of the Dark Warrior to completely eliminate the possibility of their rebirth.

Cheng Yuan's physical fitness was exceptional. After continuous exploration and battles, while everyone else was so tired that they needed to ride on the backs of their Digimon to save energy, Cheng Yuan still walked steadily. In fact, most of the time, Gatomon leisurely perched on his shoulder.

Every so often, Cheng Yuan would unleash the [Field of Light] to help the vaccine species regain their energy. The effect was comparable to that of a healing spray and an energy drink, and importantly, it did not conflict with the healing spray and energy drink; they could work together.

With the ample supplies and food stored in Cheng Yuan's blank chip, he practically became a human walking supply station.

"Cheng Yuan, your aura is so useful, can you keep it on forever?" Li Yunjin couldn't help but suggest, enjoying the feeling of his Grizzly Bear Beast's condition recovering.

Lin Yu remained relatively silent, since his running beast was a virus species.

Cheng Yuan shook his head with a wry smile: "This Domain of Light consumes digital spiritual energy, so it can't be kept on indefinitely."

"Digital Spirit?" Everyone looked over curiously; this term was still unfamiliar to them.

While paying attention to the reconnaissance information transmitted by the Soundbird Beast, Cheng Yuan explained simply: "Digital Spirit is the data-driven manifestation of the core emotions, will, beliefs, and other positive forces of humans and Digimon. It is a very pure and high-level energy that can even help Digimon break through evolutionary bottlenecks."

I've heard that the National Institute for Evolution is developing equipment to detect Digimon Spirits. It won't be long before it helps tamers detect their own Digimon Spirits.

Everyone listened with rapt attention, filled with even greater anticipation for their future as animal tamers.

Then, they even encountered a medium-sized patrol of eight people, consisting of four female archer ancient spirits and four shield-wielding ancient spirit guards.

After a period of coordinated teamwork, they still managed to win.

Next, they opened a better-preserved armory, where the weapon components appeared to be more advanced.

"I only regret not buying more blank chips!" Guan Yan looked at the intricate ancient weapon components with heartache.

High-end blank chips are expensive, costing around 150 million yuan per chip, which is an astronomical price for students.

However, compared to the ancient weapon blueprints, knowledge, and even complete city defense weapon systems that might be obtained from the ruins, this investment seems insignificant.

As the group ventured deeper into the area, they gradually realized that something was amiss.

Many areas on this floor have clearly been explored.

Some weapons and instruments were deliberately destroyed. The core structures of those that were too large and heavy to move were intentionally destroyed, and some inscriptions and explanatory ancient texts on the walls were scraped off with sharp tools or burned away with energy.

The walls and weapons bore charred marks and deep scratches, and a faint, unsettling smell of burning filled the air.

Looking at the precious ancient knowledge that had been wantonly destroyed, Guan Yan's eyes reddened with heartache, and her fingers trembled as she touched the wounds: "What a waste! This is a crime! Who the hell did this?!"

Cheng Yuan also noticed some signs of fire extinguishing, as if the vandals had "very professionally" prevented the fire from spreading? But he quickly dismissed this idea.

A bolder, darker conjecture suddenly popped into his mind: What if... some people's mission is not archaeological excavation at all, but rather—what I cannot obtain, I must never allow those who come after me to obtain?

Just then, from the deepest darkness of the ruins, a series of muffled, rhythmic thuds could be faintly heard, as if something was violently pounding against the metal gate, or perhaps... the aftershocks of a battle.

Zhao Gang immediately looked at Cheng Yuan, awaiting his judgment.

Unbeknownst to him, Cheng Yuan had become the de facto command center of the team.

“The sound is coming from a lower level.” Cheng Yuan listened for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly, and continued to Guan Yan, “Judging from the noise, the battle is quite large-scale; the sounds are too dense and chaotic.”

"I have a bad feeling," Cheng Yuan said in a low voice after walking for a while.

Zhao Gang, standing to the side, also nodded with a serious expression.

Indeed, after venturing deeper into the area for so long, they had not encountered any trace of the ancient souls for some time.

This is not normal.

Moreover, they have discovered that several resource points and databases have been deliberately damaged.

"Could it have been done by the people from the foundation?" Li Yunjin guessed.

Guan Yan instinctively shook her head in rebuttal: "A real archaeologist wouldn't do such a thing; it's basic professional ethics... unless..."

Chapter 184 Trap? A Big Win!

She didn't finish her sentence, but her expression grew even more grim, clearly also considering some terrible possibility.

"Sigh..." A sigh filled with helplessness and regret came from the dark passage.

Zhao Gang comforted her, "Don't be too disappointed, senior. Let's find these troublemakers and get to the bottom of this!"

"Have you guys noticed... that there seem to be fewer ancient souls?" Liu Li suddenly whispered. "It's been too quiet along the way."

Although they found it strange, they had no choice but to continue to speed up their pace as they were tasked with their mission.

As they walked, the group continued discussing the topic of digital spirit, when suddenly—

Rumble, rumble, rumble—!!!

Almost simultaneously, a tremendous, deafening roar erupted from both the front and back of the passage! The entire ruins seemed to tremble, and dust fell from the ceiling!

"What's going on?!"

"An earthquake?!"

Everyone was shocked and instinctively huddled together, the Digimon instantly entering battle mode.

But that roar just now was clearly not a natural earthquake, it was more like... some kind of explosion? And it precisely blasted down both ends of the passage!

"Behind us! The road behind us is blocked!" Lin Yu, who was in charge of covering the rear, shouted in terror.

"The same goes for ahead! Falling rocks and metal gates have completely blocked the road!" Cheng Yuan said, as a sound-bird beast responsible for scouting the way transmitted back images.

They were completely trapped in a passage about 100 meters long!

"Damn it! Who did this?!" Li Yunjin roared.

Cheng Yuan's expression was grim. He quickly released all the sound-beasts to scout the situation. A few seconds later, his expression changed, and he shouted, "Quick! Find cover! There's a passage on the side, hide in there!"

Although the crowd was confused, based on their trust in Cheng Yuan, they immediately followed him into the side passage, at the end of which was a storage room with a half-open door.

"What's wrong, Cheng Yuan?" Zhao Gang asked anxiously, his heart pounding.

Cheng Yuan sensed the information transmitted by the sound-bird-beast, speaking rapidly with sharp eyes: "Someone blew up both ends of the passage, trapping us here. Then... they drove a large number of ancient souls in our direction!"

"What?!" Everyone's face turned deathly pale instantly. Using ancient souls to clear the area? This method is too insidious!

"No need to be so nervous." Cheng Yuan quickly calmed down and observed the passage outside the warehouse. "The passage outside this warehouse door is relatively narrow, only allowing 3-4 medium-sized Digimon to pass side by side. Given the size of the Ancient Souls, we only need to face 1-2 Ancient Souls at most. Defending by relying on the warehouse door is actually more advantageous than being surrounded in an open area."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gang nodded thoughtfully.

Cheng Yuan's calm analysis and plan did indeed instill a glimmer of confidence in the panicked crowd.

These ancient souls generally possess the strength of the early stage of maturity. If they were to be surrounded and attacked from all sides in an open area, the consequences would be unimaginable.

However, in narrow terrain, their numerical advantage can be limited.

Soon, the sent-out birds and beasts returned one after another.

Behind them, from the end of the passage came a chilling, dense, silent mental roar and energy fluctuation!

Countless ancient souls of all shapes and sizes were driven in from both ends of the passage like a tidal wave! Pale flames of soul fire burned in their eyes!

Seeing so many ancient spirits, even though they were mentally prepared, these former student beast tamers still felt their scalps tingle and their palms sweat.

When had they ever experienced such a desperate situation?

"Prepare for battle!" Cheng Yuan's voice rang out like a stabilizing force.

He first unleashed the Domain of Light, and golden radiance once again enveloped the small area at the warehouse entrance, bringing immense peace of mind and power to all the vaccine-type Digimon.

"Meow!" Gatomon leaped lightly to the ground, its holy ring on its tail standing tall, eight holy light bullets orbiting its body like satellites, its eyes sharp, already in its best battle state.

The Digimon of everyone found their places and roared to encourage themselves and their companions.

In this narrow passage, with no way to retreat, everyone's fighting spirit was aroused, and they were eager to fight to the death!

Looking at his team members who had quickly calmed down and were even showing signs of excitement, Zhao Gang felt a surge of emotion.

People often say that the leader of a team determines the team's character.

The six-person team in front of them, although still young students, are unknowingly becoming more and more like Cheng Yuan in terms of their characteristics—they may seem carefree in ordinary times, but they are calm, bold, and even have a crazy adventurous spirit when it matters.

Cheng Yuan has already begun to rapidly deploy tactics:

"Li Yunjin, put the Grizzly Beast at the front and hold the door shut!"

"Senior Zhao Gang, the Wind Lion Beast should use [Stone Guardian] in second place. Fill in the gaps and ensure output!"

"Lin Yu, the running beast can't maneuver properly in this cramped space. Crouch in the back and use [Heartbeat Pulse] to provide remote support!"

"Liu Li, with your powerful Angolan Beast, crouch in the second row and wait for the right opportunity to use [Ear Slash] to ambush the Ancient Soul charging at you!"

"Sister Guan Yan, Baronmon, prioritize stacking [Guardian Barrier] on Grizzlymon and Wind Lionmon. If you have extra resources, throw [White Spell] forward!"

"As for the main attack..." Cheng Yuan's gaze swept over the surging ancient souls, a glint of fervor flashing in his eyes, "Leave it to Gatomon, and me too!"

"You? I can understand Tailmon, but what are you, a Beast Tamer, doing with two DPS characters? Just stay in the back and command!" Zhao Gang cursed instinctively. This was too reckless!

Is this a good decision?

There were already a dozen or twenty ancient souls surging towards them right in front of them, and there were even more that hadn't caught up yet, around the corner.

In this situation, the normal choices are either to desperately break through the blockage at one end to escape, or to hide deep inside the warehouse and wait for rescue.

But at this moment, surprisingly no one is questioning Cheng Yuan's decision.

His suspected identity as a professional animal trainer, along with his previous exploits, gave his words an undeniable weight.

Cheng Yuan's thoughts were simple: it was a rare opportunity to make the Dark Beasts rich, and if he missed it, it might be gone forever.

The Soundbird Beast had already relayed the approximate number of ancient souls to him. Although dangerous, it was not without the ability to fight back.

He even secretly thought that if it weren't for this situation, he would have liked to find an excuse to temporarily shake off the Great Demon Beast Tamers and go hunting these ancient souls on his own to level up.

Now... let's just expose some of our abilities; improving our strength is the only way forward.

Amidst the tense yet expectant gazes of the crowd, Cheng Yuan took a deep breath and retrieved the Dark Warrior's Soul, which exuded an ominous and powerful aura.

Seven blood-red eyes lit up simultaneously, like seven miniature crimson stars, aimed at the surging torrent of ancient souls.

What ancient soul? Let me show you what the soul of an ancient warrior truly is!

The digitization of his body caused Cheng Yuan to let out a painful howl.

After the dark ball of light passed, to everyone's astonishment, a figure clad in a pitch-black, ferocious suit of armor with seven eyes and three beast skulls leaped out.

Chapter 185 Soul Power Surges! The Transformation Begins

The Dark Warrior's Soul erupted with a light as deep as an abyss!

That was not the data stream of ordinary Digimon evolution, but a more primitive and violent torrent of dark energy!