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

Cheng Yuan hesitated for a moment, then, amidst the puzzled gazes of the crowd, he suddenly lowered his voice and said, "I am a reserve beast tamer of the Twelve Divine Generals, codenamed Qilin!"

"Hiss—" A collective gasp filled the room.

"???" The puppy beast was also dumbfounded, and then quickly covered the gear beast with its paw to stop it from ruining the show.

The short-haired woman immediately stood at attention and said respectfully, "Excuse me! I am Xu Bing, a one-star professional beast tamer from Love City, reporting for duty!"

"No wonder he can enter a special secret realm at such a young age..." The young man in the off-road uniform stood at attention and saluted, "Greetings, Commander, I am Cheng Yi, the beast tamer of the military!"

Even the usually composed Ma Yunlin showed surprise: "I didn't expect to meet a Divine General trainee here... Being able to bring two Digimon into the secret realm alone, he is indeed a hidden talent."

The doctor also looked solemn and respectful: "I am Cui Zhuo. I have long heard of the Twelve Divine Generals, and this is the first time I have met them."

Aside from Lin Xiaoyang, the college student who had never heard of the Twelve Divine Generals, Cheng Yuan didn't seem particularly stern.

Cheng Yuan appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was pounding.

Did we go too far...?

Chapter 86 Armor Evolution Egg

"I thought it would be some kind of mission to hunt powerful Digimon!" Xu Bing complained, frowning. "But it turns out we're here to learn blacksmithing?"

Soldier Cheng Yi said solemnly, "This is a mission assigned by the International Digital World Administration, and the military requires it to be completed."

"That's what the Ministry of Education also said," Lin Xiaoyang, who looked like a college student, echoed.

Cheng Yuan smiled bitterly to himself, and could only bite the bullet and reply, "That's what the divine generals... also instructed." He was getting more and more comfortable with it.

Lin Xiaoyang suddenly suggested, "Since the mission isn't competitive, why don't we all cooperate? That way, everyone can get a reward from the Bureau." He pushed up his glasses. "Moreover, this digital world from the ancient war era has extremely high research value, and the Archaeological Bureau should be very interested in the data we obtain."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Lin Xiaoyang's insight was indeed exceptional, given his ability to join the Shanghai University varsity team and gain early experience at the outpost.

Just then, the motorcycle beast began to slow down.

Looking out the car window, an ancient village with an industrial atmosphere gradually came into view.

Towering chimneys spewed thick smoke, the clanging of blacksmiths echoed, and the air was filled with the scent of metal and fire.

The train stopped at a rudimentary station, where there was only a rusty sign that read "Forging Village".

With a hissing sound as the car door opened, a dragon-humanoid Digimon strode into the carriage.

It exuded a scorching aura, and its sharp gaze swept over the crowd.

"So you're here as forging apprentices for further training? Come with me, don't waste time."

Cui Zhuo said in a low voice, "It seems that the Bureau's [Time-Space Confusion] has assigned us a suitable identity."

The group got off the vehicle and finally got a clear look at the full appearance of the dragon-human beast.

This dragon-human beast was massive, carrying a giant forging hammer almost as tall as itself on its back, with a delicate little hammer at its waist, and its scales gleamed with a metallic sheen in the firelight.

“I am the village chief of Forging Fire Village,” the dragon-man beast said in a deep voice. “You can call me Village Chief Dragon.”

The village chief slammed the handle of his forging hammer heavily onto the ground, the dull thud of metal striking soil echoing across the platform. "Since you've come all this way to Forging Fire Village to study and improve your skills, we will naturally teach you properly."

Its piercing gaze slowly swept over the crowd: "But don't blame me for not warning you, the Digital Armored Division assessment is no joke. In the entire Forging Fire Village, there are no more than five people who can be called masters. As for whether you can pass..." It drew out the last syllable meaningfully.

Cheng Yuan pondered to himself: What level of knowledge can one acquire in 30 days in the secret realm?

Besides, even if we spend all 30 days on it, how would that help us find the light of evolution?

He had no superiors or missions; his arrival was simply to help the Ancient Beast find the Light of Evolution.

"Village Chief Long," Doctor Cui Zhuo suddenly spoke up, "I wonder how one obtains the Junior Digital Armor Forging Engineer qualification?"

Village Chief Long was stunned for a moment, then looked at him as if he were an idiot: "Don't you even know about the junior blacksmith assessment in 25 days?"

Businesswoman Ma Yunlin asked, "Village Chief Long, could you tell us about the digital armor?"

Village Chief Long raised his thick, scaly arm, swinging a small metal hammer with it. "The core of digital armor forging originates from a cruel reality."

Its voice suddenly turned low, like a muffled thunderclap, "Each of us Digimon needs a massive amount of data to grow, but the evolutionary data in the Digital World is ultimately limited."

It stood proudly upright, its chest scales reflecting a cold light: "We humanoid Digimon use wisdom as our spear to forge our own path in the war against beast-type Digimon." The dragon claw slammed heavily on the forging table. "After each victory, we will extract and absorb the data essence of the defeated."

A heavy sigh escaped from between its teeth: "But the lifespan of humanoid Digimon... is too short."

The village chief stroked the small hammer at his waist, its surface bearing the marks of time. "The amount of data we can absorb is far less than that of Beast-type Digimon. Our strength and lifespan are also inferior to those of Beast-type Digimon. The path of evolution is fraught with thorns. What's even more terrifying is that forcibly absorbed impure data can bring about unpredictable mutations."

Its gaze suddenly sharpened: "That's why our leader pioneered the armor forging system—using wisdom to compensate for inherent deficiencies."

Village Chief Long suddenly changed the subject, the small hammer spinning nimbly on his fingertips: "To be honest, I don't know you very well yet. Show me your abilities so I can assess and arrange suitable mentors to teach you according to your actual situation. There are only 25 days left until the assessment, you don't have much time left."

The group looked at each other in bewilderment—what could they possibly learn in 25 days? Besides, none of them were skilled in industrial technology.

Moreover, instead of spending 25 days exploring the outside world, you could gather resources and materials to help your Digimon grow and evolve.

“Let’s start with you.” Village Chief Long pointed to Cheng Yi.

Cheng Yi took out the Tyrannosaurus Rex, and the village chief of Long Village only glanced at it indifferently, without any surprise. It seemed that a special force had already rationalized the existence of beast tamers.

As the data stream surged, a silver-gray mecha-dragon appeared in the light. "Village Chief Dragon, although I haven't done much forging, I do have some experience in aerial combat, and my strength is not bad..."

The tamers present were all astonished—this was the rumored new type of aerial combat Digimon secretly developed by the Eastern Great Power. Its superior mobility and weapon mounting system were of epoch-making strategic significance.

Unexpectedly, this cutting-edge technology has already been put into practical use, and even more surprisingly, it can be perfectly demonstrated in a secret realm.

【Mechadramon】

[Data Seed - Mechanical Type]

[Maturity Stage]

[Skills: Night Vision, Heat Detection, Ultrasonic Waves, Weapon Mounting, Laser Eye, Sonic Vulcan Cannon]

[Description: A Digimon that combines the characteristics of a fighter jet and a dragon. It possesses vertical takeoff and landing capabilities and super-maneuverable flight, boasting the highest speed in its class, and can be equipped with a variety of weapon systems.]

“A newly bred Digimon.” Ryumura shook his head, immediately sentencing it to death, saying, “The mind control of a newly bred Digimon is limited, so it can only be used to forge ordinary armor. Forget about adding attribute forging. I’ll find you a master who teaches basic casting techniques.”

Sending fighter jets to pour molten iron? The other animal trainers almost burst out laughing.

"And you?" Village Chief Long asked Cui Zhuo.

“Mine is a Wild Birdmon, an Ancient Species Digimon, skilled in plant-based energy control and Digimon healing,” Cui Zhuo said.

【The Strange Bird】

[Data on ancient bird types]

[Maturity Stage]

[Skills: Small Beak, Pickaxe]

[Description: An ancient Digimon on the verge of extinction. Its wings have degenerated, rendering it unable to fly. It possesses plant-like structures and can obtain nutrients through photosynthesis. Its beak is extremely hard.]

“Hmm, a bit stronger than that person.” Village Chief Long said, “But… the strange bird beast doesn’t even have hands, so what can you use to forge it? Its beak is hard, though, and it can control attribute energy. I’ll find you a master who can engrave energy matrix lines.”

Let's move on to the next one.

“I’m quite skilled in martial arts.” Animal trainer Xu Bing comes from a family of martial artists, and her Digimon is a Champion-level Martial Rabbitmon. “My Martial Rabbitmon… has hands.”

【Martial Rabbit Beast】

[Data-driven Beastman Type]

[Maturity Stage]

[Skills: Rock Rabbit Fierce Fight, Ninja Swift Fist]

[Introduction: A martial arts-type Digimon, possessing rabbit-like agility and high jumping ability, specializing in combo attacks.]

"You think forging is something anyone can do?" Village Chief Long rolled his eyes. "You lack elemental control... but your combat strength is not bad. You can be a debugger to test the armor's maximum performance."

Lin Xiaoyang, from the Shanghai school team, awkwardly released his Gaogamon, stammering and unable to articulate its advantages, only managing to say dryly, "My Gaogamon is pretty strong..."

Tencent executive Ma Yunlin also released a dolphin-like creature, which made Village Chief Long cover his face in disbelief.

【Dolphin Beast】

[Vaccine Type - Aquatic Type - Aquatic System]

[Maturity Stage]

[Skills: Vibration Pulse, Water Manipulation]

[Introduction: The Dolphin Beast resembles a dolphin in appearance, possessing a streamlined body and typically displaying blue or blue-gray skin. It is cautious and dislikes pointless battles, but will not back down from a challenge.]

Village Chief Long sighed heavily, feeling he had encountered his most difficult group of apprentices to train: "Having a fire-type digital beast would be an advantage. Who among you has one?"

Disappointingly, the group of tamers didn't have a single fire-type digital beast.

Village Chief Long looked at the youngest, Cheng Yuan, without much hope, only to find the young man deep in thought.

In order to cling to the coattails of Gulemon, we must earnestly search for the Light of Evolution.

But why did you leave yourself here instead of on another train?

I'm here to learn how to forge digital armor? What does that have to do with the Light of Evolution?

The Ancient Beast must have had a profound reason for teleporting him to this secret realm of time and space. He must seize this opportunity, after all, being able to establish a connection with the legendary Light of Evolution is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any beast tamer.

Digital Armor? Light of Evolution? → Digital Armor Evolution?

Cheng Yuan's brain was racing, his thoughts flashing through his mind like lightning, and the images in his memory were clearly emerging.

In Digimon Adventure 2, DigiGear Evolution occurs! Aren't those Armor Eggs, which embody the spirit of ancient Digimon, the key to evolution?

In the second generation of the anime, the protagonists' Digimon cannot undergo Holy Evolution due to the suppression of the Dark Tower, but they can achieve Armor Evolution through the magical Armor Egg.

Those armored eggs, imbued with the spirit of digital technology, are the product of a perfect combination of ancient armor technology and evolutionary energy!

Although the armor forging technology of this era was quite advanced, it was still a step away from creating a true evolutionary armored egg.

If Armor Evolution and the Light of Evolution are truly related, then if one completes Digital Armor Evolution, is it possible to obtain the Light of Evolution?

If one could master the most advanced forging techniques and find the legendary Digital Spirit...

Therefore, he must demonstrate exceptional value in order to find the most skilled and top-notch blacksmith to teach him.

I'll fight for those thighs!

Cheng Yuan raised his head and began to boast, "My strength is not bad either... I master the power of holiness and light, and the temperature generated by the holy light energy is no less than that of fire; I have hands, and I can wield a forging hammer with a soul; mental strength is not a problem either, and..."

He paused deliberately, and continued amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, "I have also participated in the complete mechanical modification and evolution!"

Chapter 87 The Digital Spirit of Light... Is it that difficult?

By observing the village chief's reaction, Cheng Yuan basically confirmed that, after the intervention of the Digital World Administration's [Time-Space Chaos], the natives of this time-space secret realm would regard the tamer and the partner Digimon as a single entity.

In other words, in the eyes of Village Chief Long, Cheng Yuan and the puppymon are a single Digimon.

Since Gearmon did not establish a contract relationship with Cheng Yuan, it was merely regarded as an ordinary Digimon companion who accompanied him.

"Holy Light system?!" The village chief's pupils suddenly contracted, and his metal scales stood up.

The group looked at each other, puzzled as to why it was so shocked.

Village Chief Long took a deep breath to calm himself down: "I'm sorry for losing my composure. Since the first leader, Jeanne d'Arcmon, died in battle, our Humanoid Alliance has not produced any Holy-type Digimon."

Cheng Yuan suddenly realized—so this is how rare the Sacred Order is in this era!

“Forged with holy light…” the village chief muttered to himself, his rough claws rubbing his chin. “Even the dragon leader never imagined this possibility. Come, let me broaden my horizons.”

Passing through a steam-filled metal corridor, the group arrived at a massive forging workshop. A wave of scorching heat washed over them, and various ancient forging tools were neatly arranged—from waist-high forging hammers to exquisite engraving knives, primitive yet possessing a refined beauty.

Village Chief Long took a dark piece of raw ore from the corner, placed it on the forging table, and made a "please" gesture.

Everyone held their breath, curious about what kind of performance this "twelve divine generals in reserve" would deliver.

Cheng Yuan and the little dog exchanged a glance—they'd come this far, so they had no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.

They selected a medium-sized forging hammer and iron tongs.

The puppy beast released a clone to take the iron pincers, while its main body condensed four holy light bullets the size of soccer balls.

As energy was continuously injected, the temperature of the Holy Light Bullet rose sharply, yet remained stable.

"This energy purity..." Village Chief Long narrowed his eyes. Unlike the mixed data attributes of the ancient species, the holy light of the puppy beast was astonishingly pure.

Four holy light orbs rotated around the ore, creating a uniform heating field. The ore gradually softened in the holy light, and the impurities on its surface were completely purified.

"Clang!" Cheng Yuan swung the first hammer, sparks flying everywhere.