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

After the transfer was completed, the two rushed to the digital center. In the taxi, Zhao Lu talked about her Gear Beast.

"One-third of the digital eggs distributed this year are CyberBeasts," she said softly. "Now even elementary schools are offering mechanical care classes."

Cheng Yuan nodded, but his thoughts drifted to a more distant place.

In this digital age that is deeply integrated with the real world, electronic Digimon like Gearmon have long since transcended their simple combat purpose.

Through the efforts of countless animal tamers, their evolutionary paths have exhibited astonishing diversity:

Guardian beasts patrol and perform their duties on city street corners, mechanical vehicle beasts shuttle through the streets and alleys to undertake transportation tasks, and infrastructure beasts swing their steel arms on construction sites.

Even more striking were the military-grade evolved forms—the tank beasts, their heavy armor roaring across the exercise field, and the cannons of the armored vehicle beasts gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Recent news reports have even mentioned that the military is secretly developing missile-like and fighter-like aircraft with air combat capabilities.

Cheng Yuan couldn't help but sigh, this had completely surpassed the simple combat partner setting in the animation of his previous life.

Here, the deep integration of cyberbeasts and human technology is reshaping how society operates. From urban security to transportation, from infrastructure to national defense, the various evolved forms of the Gearmon have permeated every link in the social industrial chain.

"The Beast Tamer Association's efforts have been indispensable," Cheng Yuan mused to himself. It was the association's tireless promotion that made data-type electronic beasts like Gearmon so widespread. Compared to the virus-type Gearmon that emitted black smoke in the anime of his previous life, the silver Gearmon of this world clearly had a brighter future.

“Cheng Yuan, do you know?” Zhao Lu suddenly asked. “My dad chose the Gear Beast.”

Cheng Yuan: "What's the problem?"

Zhao Lu gazed out the window, gave a soft, bitter smile, and said in a voice as light as a feather, "But...I never wanted to be a sheriff..."

These words stunned Cheng Yuan. In his memory, Zhao Lu had always been a model student, the pride of a family of police officers. But now, this girl, who always had a bright smile, had a hint of confusion in her eyes.

"So what do you want to be?" Cheng Yuan asked subconsciously.

After a long silence, Zhao Lu shook her head with a bitter smile: "I don't know. From childhood to adulthood, my father has only ever given me one path."

Cheng Yuan suddenly remembered his past self before he transmigrated—his parents arranged for him to go to school, take exams, and attend tutoring classes, and he never thought about what he really wanted.

“I’m only 16,” Zhao Lu said, as if talking to herself, “Why should I decide what I’ll do for the rest of my life now?”

silence.

The worst thing is when the atmosphere suddenly falls silent.

An awkward silence fell over the carriage. Cheng Yuan racked his brains for words of comfort, such as "I am in charge of my youth" or "Life cannot be defined," but they all sounded awkward and he couldn't bring himself to say them.

"Are you... alright?" he finally asked, his voice dry and strained.

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Zhao Lu said, "I'm thinking about how to write my essay."

Cheng Yuan: "......"

Uh, so you're actually starting to plan this.

Zhao Lu couldn't help but laugh: "I'm thinking, ever since you got a Digimon and became a Tamer, you've become a completely different person."

Zhao Lu looked at Cheng Yuan with her big eyes.

Cheng Yuan's heart tightened: "W-what's different?" Would he be found out that he's a time traveler?

“You used to be like a hedgehog,” Zhao Lu tilted her head, “wrapping yourself in quills, refusing everyone’s help, and not letting others see your vulnerability. When I heard that you and Little Dog Beast had entered the special training class, I simply couldn’t believe it.”

"now what?"

“Boldness and confidence are like a beam of light ahead, making people excited and want to chase after you…” Zhao Lu’s voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, and she saw Cheng Yuan looking at her.

"Hmph... Anyway, you're very different now than before." Her expression turned serious. "Alright, that's enough. We're at the digital center."

Cheng Yuan watched Zhao Lu's hasty retreat and touched his nose. Light? He looked down at the little beast in his arms; the little guy was winking at him, its sacred halo reflecting the morning light.

Chapter 64 Let's Get a Room

Cheng Yuan and Zhao Lu stood in a long queue at the security checkpoint of the digital center.

The little dog squirmed restlessly in Cheng Yuan's arms, clearly uncomfortable with the tight security measures around it.

"It seems the association is moving quickly," Cheng Yuan said in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over the newly installed detection devices.

Each security gate is equipped with a flashing blue scanning beam, and fully armed staff stand beside it.

It is likely that after the Beast Tamers Association obtained the Dark Gear sample, they manufactured a large number of security inspection devices overnight, and quarantine work targeting the Dark Gear has been launched throughout the city.

Digital centers, with their high density of people, are naturally a key area for quarantine and prevention.

"Security check passed, welcome to the Digital Center."

After passing through multiple security gates, the two put away their Digimon.

There are rules in these places that prohibit the summoning of Digimon except in designated areas, such as battle rooms and medical rooms.

The doors of the digital center remained closed, and some people were already queuing outside.

Several Digimon were confined in specially designed isolation cages, and their trainers were anxiously negotiating with staff members wearing protective suits.

One of the mineral beasts had a faint black, oily substance visible at its joints, and it was numbly banging its head against the iron cage.

"Those who fail quarantine will be directly isolated?" Cheng Yuan subconsciously hugged the little dog beast tighter, the experience of retrieving the Dark Gear last night still vivid in his mind.

Once the Dark Gears are discovered, removing them isn't too difficult. I tried it last night; divine energy can suppress and expel the Dark Gears. The real challenge lies in how to stop the spread of infection.

"So many people?" Zhao Lu's face turned pale instantly, and her fingers unconsciously gripped Cheng Yuan's sleeve.

Cheng Yuan narrowed his eyes and quickly scanned the line: "Don't rush, they're probably all here to buy ordinary goods. Not many people should know about X Crystal."

Just then, several young men in matching uniforms behind them were loudly complaining. They wore bow and arrow-shaped badges on their chests, and their tone was full of dissatisfaction.

"The Beast Tamer Association is really domineering! They shut down the Savage Valley Digital Space just like that!" A young man with dyed red hair said indignantly. "Why did they suddenly ban hunting? I was planning to hunt a few mischievous monkey beasts yesterday and exchange them for digital cores and data!"

The companion wearing an earring chimed in, "I heard that the Savage Beast and the Mischievous Beast were fighting inside and almost rioted, so the Beast Tamer Association sealed off the Digital Space."

The slick-haired youth leading the group snorted coldly, "Who cares if they fight or not? Our Digital Hunter Guild is no worse than them. Why can they just shut down the road whenever they want? They can block roads just by showing a certificate and get all sorts of tax exemptions. Who gave them these privileges!" another youth said indignantly.

"Oh no!" Zhao Lu exclaimed softly, "It's a Digimon from the Digimon Hunter Guild."

Cheng Yuan raised an eyebrow: "Digital Hunter?"

“It’s a non-governmental organization independent of the professional tamer system, the Digital Hunter Guild,” Zhao Lu explained in a low voice. “They mainly hunt Digimon and collect rare resources. Compared to the Tamer Association’s concepts of ‘peacekeeping’ and ‘integration,’ they are more inclined to take the initiative to attack and obtain what they want from wild Digimon and the digital space.”

"Tsk, to put it bluntly, it's just an unofficial animal trainer organization, lacking a formal position."

Zhao Lu shook her head: "It's different. Compared to professional beast trainers, who are all elites, the threshold to becoming a digital hunter is lower, and their quality varies greatly. Their appearance is often accompanied by killing, robbery, and poaching. Moreover... they are frequent visitors to the police department..."

Cheng Yuan understood; it turned out they often "dealt with" Zhao Lu's father, a police officer.

Soon, the doors of the digital center finally opened, and Cheng Yuan and Zhao Lu immediately sprinted towards the No. 3 sales area located in the digital center.

I heard hurried footsteps behind me—those digital hunters were obviously coming from the same direction.

As a girl, Zhao Lu's running speed was slightly slower, and she was about to be caught. Cheng Yuan had a sudden idea: "Zhao Lu, you go first. Pay and complete the transaction as soon as you arrive, and we'll meet at the entrance in a bit."

After saying that, he stopped, pointed behind him, and shouted excitedly, "Holy crap, a team of professional beast tamers! What a grand display!"

The hunters stopped and looked back as if by reflex, only to find that there was nothing behind them.

By the time they realized what was happening, Cheng Yuan had already stretched out his hand with a grin: "Sorry, you've misread it. You've all been fertilized."

Cheng Yuan shook hands with each of them, sincerely apologizing with heartfelt sincerity.

"Damn it! Get out of the way, you brat!" The slick-haired youth shoved Cheng Yuan aside and continued the chase with his companions.

When Zhao Lu rushed breathlessly to the sales area, she immediately shouted, "I want to buy X Crystal!"

"X Crystal is listed for sale at a fixed price of 80," an employee in the sales area said after tapping the screen a few times.

"Wait, we want X crystals too!" The hunters who had rushed over crowded in front of the counter.

"There's only one." The staff member finally looked up and adjusted his glasses.

“We’ll offer a higher price!” The slick-back-haired youth looked at Zhao Lu defiantly.

"I arrived first!" Zhao Lu's eyes reddened with anxiety. The money she had scraped together, plus what she had borrowed from Cheng Yuan, was barely enough. If the price increased, she definitely wouldn't be able to compete.

The staff member said expressionlessly, "According to the Digital Center's regulations, this is on a first-come, first-served basis. Moreover..." He glanced meaningfully at the hunters' badges, "Rare resources are prioritized for school-trained beastmasters."

If Cheng Yuan heard this, he would definitely give the Animal Trainers Association a thumbs up; they truly treat us like the flowers of the motherland.

"What kind of bullshit rules are these!" The slick-haired youth slammed his hand on the counter. "This X-Crystal was listed for sale by a member of our Digital Hunter Guild! I demand that the transaction be stopped!"

"Then please come in person to cancel."

The staff ignored her and turned to process Zhao Lu's paperwork.

Having worked at the digital center for many years, he was used to such disturbances—no one had ever dared to really cause any trouble on the Animal Trainers' Association's territory.

Amidst the envious gazes of several young members of the Hunter's Guild, Zhao Lu trembled as she accepted the specially made container holding the X-Crystal.

She clutched the precious box tightly and strode towards the entrance of the digital center.

After meeting up with Cheng Yuan, Zhao Lu was still immersed in surprise: "I simply can't believe it..."

"Don't get too excited yet," Cheng Yuan said in a low voice, "Let's go quickly!"

Before they could finish speaking, a commotion suddenly arose behind them.

The two looked back and saw that the digital hunters had chased after them aggressively, and the young man with slicked-back hair in the lead had a terribly gloomy face.

“Hand over the X crystal,” he said viciously. “That’s not something a child should take.”

Cheng Yuan's eyes darted around, and he suddenly grinned, then pulled back from stepping out of the digital center.

He deliberately raised his voice: "This is the territory of the Beast Tamers' Association. Who among you dares to touch us here?"

Several young hunters, who were touching their Digimon machines, froze on the spot upon hearing this, their expressions shifting between anger and uncertainty.

The slick-haired youth gritted his teeth: "You brat, you're all in cahoots, aren't you? If you hadn't tricked us, we would have been here already!"

"???" Cheng Yuan blinked innocently. "I'm sorry, I really misread it just now. I've already apologized. I really thought my teacher's team of professional beast tamers had arrived."

"Stop pretending!" another hunter couldn't help but interject. "Hey girl, you bought it for 80, right? We'll pay 90, giving you a 10 profit for free. Isn't that generous enough?"

Zhao Lu hugged the container tightly, her voice firm: "I...I won't sell."

Seeing this, Cheng Yuan deliberately sighed exaggeratedly: "Did you hear that? We're not selling. You're going to keep bothering us, aren't you? Fine, we're not in a hurry to leave anyway." He smiled at Zhao Lu: "Let's browse around the digital center first, and wait for your sheriff dad to come and pick you up."

"A sheriff?" The hunters' expressions changed slightly, and they exchanged glances.

Who are these two? One is a student of a professional animal trainer, and the other is the daughter of a sheriff?

"Fine...fine! You won't talk properly, huh? I'll just stay here and wait for you to come and pick you up!"

"Whatever you want! Let's go get a room first," Cheng Yuan said.

"Huh? What kind of room?" Zhao Lu blushed instantly.

"The battle room!" Cheng Yuan pointed to the sign on the right side of the lobby. "We've come all the way to the Digital Center, how can we not have a friendly match?"

Chapter 65 X Evolution (Please continue reading)

The sound of their footsteps echoed through the metal corridor of the combat zone.

Cheng Yuan opened a high-level battle room, and the holographic projection system immediately started, projecting a holographic image of a standard battle arena in the center of the room.

"All done." Cheng Yuan wiped away non-existent sweat, turned to Zhao Lu and gestured for her to begin her performance. "Miss Zhao, please begin your performance."

Zhao Lu rolled her eyes at him, but had already raised her Digivice high: "Gearmon, come out!"

With a humming sound of machinery, the modified gear beast appeared on the battlefield. Its metal surface occasionally crackled with blue electricity.

Cheng Yuan subconsciously took a half step back: "Wow, you've really gone all out with this modification! A high-voltage electric shock device?"

"The latest achievement from the Public Security Bureau's R&D department." Zhao Lu patted the gear beast's metal shell proudly. "Want to try it? I guarantee it'll make your little dog beast's fur stand on end."

Cheng Yuan waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, no, I was just fooling them."

He lowered his voice mysteriously, "There's something more important about opening a battle room."

Zhao Lu narrowed her eyes suspiciously: "What's all the mystery about?"

"Zhao Lu, could I borrow that X crystal from earlier... to take another look?"

Zhao Lu took out the faintly glowing crystal from her pocket. Its shape was exactly the same as the picture in the game from her previous life. Inside the crystal, a striking red X-shaped code string was slowly rotating.

"Zhao Lu, do you remember the joke I made with you before? Evolving Gearmon into a three-in-one Gearmon?"

"Yes, I remember. I've thought about it carefully. It's not impossible, but I don't know how to do it. Currently, the mature stages of Gearmon evolution include Guardianmon, Fightermon, Tankmon, Engineeringmon, Armored Vehiclemon, and other mechanical creations, which mainly evolve through mechanical modification. But the three-in-one Gearmon you mentioned has never appeared before, and no one has ever explored it."

“What if I said it really exists?” Cheng Yuan shook the X antibody in his hand, the crystals reflecting a scarlet light under the lamp. “And it didn’t evolve into a mature stage, but rather into another form at the same time.”