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

Professor Zhao stood outside the door, with his Sagemon—a dwarf Digimon with underdeveloped, shrunken body and unhealthy purple skin—following behind him.

"Please come in, Professor Zhao." Cheng Yuan stepped aside.

Professor Zhao's gaze was immediately drawn to BlackGatomon: "This is the Digimon you just evolved into? It's really special!"

BlackGatomon proudly raised its head, its tail swaying gently.

“Its dark energy is so stable and pure…” Professor Zhao excitedly pushed up his glasses, “unlike other Digimon that are contaminated by chaotic energy.”

Cheng Yuan smiled slightly: "It uses pure shadow energy, not the corrupted chaotic dark power."

As he spoke, he gestured for BlackGatomon to demonstrate. BlackGatomon reluctantly raised its paw, and a jet-black Shadow Ball condensed between its claws, emitting a dark yet pure light.

"That's wonderful!" Professor Zhao exclaimed. "Finally, a Digimon has appeared in the settlement, freeing it from the torment of the Dark Virus..."

He suddenly changed the subject, "Young man, can I see your Dinosaur?"

Cheng Yuan hesitated for a moment, but still took out the arc laser machine.

Professor Zhao took the equipment and gently ran his fingers across its surface: "Just as I thought..."

"You recognize this?" Cheng Yuan asked, somewhat surprised.

"In the real world, I was a professor at the National Animal Tamer Research Institute," Professor Zhao said nostalgically. "One of my research areas was Dinobot technology."

Cheng Yuan's eyes widened. A professor at the National Research Institute? This was a real big shot!

Professor Zhao continued, "Your device is much more advanced than a regular Digimon machine, but in principle... does it carry digital spirits or other enhanced data through parallel computing chips?" It could see the special features of the Arc Light Machine at a glance.

“If I’m not mistaken, if the chip is removed, it will regress to the growth stage.” He returned the arc light machine.

Cheng Yuan understood, exchanged a glance with BlackGatomon, and pulled out the chip. BlackGatomon immediately transformed into a data stream and reformed into the form of Puppymon.

"Woof!" The little dog jumped happily into Cheng Yuan's arms and nuzzled his cheek affectionately.

"It's recovered?" Cheng Yuan hugged it in surprise.

"Yeah, Cheng Yuan, they didn't mean to scare you like that," the little dog said pitifully.

Professor Zhao's eyes gleamed with excitement: "Very good, the technology in the real world has also developed to this level."

He examined the Arc Light Machine closely. "Did you notice that when Commander Feng's Zombie Tyrannosaurus evolved, he directly injected the Spirit of Despair into the Tyrannosaurus Machine?"

Cheng Yuan recalled that scene and nodded.

"That's my research result," Professor Zhao said proudly. "It works similarly to your Arc Light Machine, and can directly read the tamer's digital spirit and transfer it to the Digimon without needing to insert an additional chip."

Cheng Yuan had a sudden flash of inspiration—wasn't this the Digivice from Digimon Adventure 05? The main characters evolved by directly shoving their Digimon souls into the Digivice! This was practically the initial version of the Digivice from Digimon Adventure 05.

"Back then, I was conducting this experiment in the Digital World when I was accidentally drawn into the Underworld," Professor Zhao sighed. "We discovered that some outstanding professional trainers who have close contact with the Digital World develop Digital Spirit Energy. Many high-level Digimon also possess this spiritual energy. It's a kind of spiritual data energy that humans cannot use directly, but it can be transformed into spiritual data to help Digimon strengthen and even evolve!"

The Sagemon added from the side, "Humans are gradually becoming digitized; this is an inevitable trend."

Professor Zhao suddenly became excited: "My follow-up research is on a multi-core, multi-threaded Digimon machine! Theoretically, it would allow a single tamer to sign contracts with multiple Digimon simultaneously!"

Cheng Yuan was almost speechless with astonishment. Currently, a tamer can only have one partner; if someone could contract multiple Digimon simultaneously… this Professor Zhao is practically a national treasure!

“It’s a pity…” Professor Zhao’s expression darkened. “The conditions in the Yellow Springs region are too rudimentary, making it impossible to continue research. It’s still in the theoretical stage.”

He looked down at the Arc Light Machine and suddenly suggested, "I can help you modify this device so that it can directly use digital mental energy like Commander Feng's Digimon Machine. That way, your chip slot can be used to enhance other abilities."

Cheng Yuan was both surprised and delighted: "This... thank you so much!"

"Hehe, now you are a member of the settlement, and you will have to contribute to the settlement in the future. The stronger you are, the more you can contribute to the settlement."

Professor Zhao paused for a moment, then said, "Moreover, even in the real world, there must be very few people your age who possess mature combat strength. You are a rare genius and deserve to be nurtured."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yuan glanced at the mutated Sagemon beside Professor Zhao and a thought struck him: "Professor Zhao, I might have a way to temporarily suppress the dark corruption of Digimon, but there are some risks involved..."

Professor Zhao suddenly grabbed Cheng Yuan's hand: "Really? What method?"

“My little dogmon once used holy and dark power to help other Digimon repair their Digicores,” Cheng Yuan explained. “Although it may not have completely eliminated the contamination, it might have been able to temporarily suppress it.”

Professor Zhao was so excited his beard was trembling: "Let's try it now! I'll help you upgrade your Digivice first, come with me to the lab!"

Chapter 136 The Soul of the Dark Warrior?

The laboratory is located in the most secluded corner of the settlement, and was converted from several stone houses.

The simple wooden shelves were filled with various rudimentary instruments and mineral samples, and the walls were covered with hand-drawn circuit diagrams and calculation formulas.

A rudimentary device powered by ore was humming in the corner.

"We have limited resources, so we have to make do," Professor Zhao said somewhat embarrassedly.

Cheng Yuan was dumbfounded.

To be able to persist in research under such circumstances is truly remarkable.

Professor Zhao couldn't wait to start disassembling the arc laser machine, his calloused hands deftly manipulating the inside. The Sage Beast, handing him tools, looked just like a nurse in an operating room.

The little dog squatted curiously to the side, sniffing the various parts from time to time.

"Here... this should be changed..." Professor Zhao muttered to himself as he worked, "The energy conduction path needs optimization... add a mental energy reading module..."

Cheng Yuan watched quietly, his heart filled with respect for the old professor.

In this desolate land of the dead, the fact that someone still upholds the spirit of scientific exploration is a miracle in itself.

Three hours later, Professor Zhao wiped the sweat from his brow: "It's done!"

The arc light machine in his hand didn't look much different, but its internal structure was somewhat different.

Cheng Yuan took the device and felt a warm energy flowing in his palm.

"Now you can directly input digital spiritual energy," Professor Zhao announced proudly. "Give it a try?"

Cheng Yuan nodded, and with his right hand, he conjured a dark flower. He gently tapped both of them into the mental energy interface at the top of the Arc Light Machine—

"Buzz!"

Black light burst forth, and data streams wrapped around the little dog beast like silk, its body gradually enveloped in a data cocoon formed by the data streams...

[The puppy's evolution—]

BlackGatomon!

In the blink of an eye, the elegant black cat reappeared, the shadow ring on its tail gleaming with an eerie light.

"Transformation successful!" said the Sage Beast.

Cheng Yuan took out a power-enhancing chip and inserted it into the Arc Light Machine. "BlackGatomon, can you feel your power increasing?"

BlackGatomon nodded.

The next step is to try to cleanse the Digimon that have been contaminated by the chaotic dark data energy.

Cheng Yuan nodded to Dilu Beast.

Cheng Yuan used [Digital Scan] on the Sage Beast.

[Wealth Points -100]

【Dwarf Sage Beast (Mutant Degenerate)】

【Virus Type - Demon Type】

[Maturity Stage]

[Status: The digital core has been corrupted by chaotic dark energy, resulting in mutation and weakening]

[Solution: Clearing the dark contamination from the digital core will gradually restore functionality]

A tense atmosphere filled the laboratory.

BlackGatomon stood on the experimental table, its golden pupils fixed intently on Sagemon.

This once powerful Ultimate-level Digimon now only possesses the strength of a Champion-level Digimon, its gray skin covered with ominous black spots.

“I understand your thinking,” the Sage Beast’s voice was hoarse. “Please proceed.”

The Dwarf Sagemon lifted its robe, revealing the Digicore deep within its chest.

It was a murky, round crystal covered with dark gray crystals that were deeply embedded in the digital core like parasites, almost completely replacing it.

"Let's begin," Cheng Yuan said softly, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the modified arc laser machine.

BlackGatomon's small claws glowed with a dark purple light, and shadow energy condensed into energy threads thinner than a hair, slowly reaching towards the Digicore of Philosophermon.

"The first strike." BlackGatomon's voice was frighteningly calm.

The shadow threads precisely sliced ​​into the edge of a dark gray crystal, finding the point where the crystal adhered to the digital core at an almost impossible angle. With a soft "click," the first piece of contaminated crystal was completely peeled off.

"The second cut has corrupted the digital core, and it needs to be repaired with shadow energy."

"Repairing the digital core, then converting it into a stable shadow system? This skillful technique... it's like he's done it countless times before," Professor Zhao said.

"In the real world, we've treated similar infections for the Sheriff's Department's Gear Beasts."

BlackGatomon ignored their conversation and focused intently on the surgery.

Its claws were as steady as a rock, each strike precise and accurate. The stripped-off contaminant crystals were enveloped in shadow energy to prevent secondary contamination. At the same time, pure shadow data filled the void in the digital core, forming a new energy circuit.

"Is this converting a digital core into a stable shadow system?" Professor Zhao observed the surgical procedure, lost in thought.

Cheng Yuan nodded: "This is more suitable for survival in the Yellow Springs environment than the Holy System."

Even though this dwarf sagemon has mutated and degenerated to the level of a Champion, it has the foundation of an Ultimate level. BlackGatomon almost exhausted all its dark energy to repair its Digicore.

The surgery lasted for nearly two hours, and BlackGatomon's movements began to slow down, with the density of its shadow energy starting to decrease.

“The last one…” BlackGatomon’s voice was weak. As it peeled away the last piece of contaminated crystal, its body was suddenly enveloped in white light.

"Meow..." The little dog lay limply on the lab table, panting heavily.

“The Shadow Energy is exhausted,” said the puppy-dog beast. “However, the Digital Core cleaning and repair were very successful. Next, we can use Divine Energy to purify and clean up the remaining contamination and mutations.”

Professor Zhao quickly handed over an energy crystal: "Take a rest."

The puppy beast shook its head and struggled to its feet. The holy ring on its tail glowed softly, and pure holy energy flowed into the sage beast's body like a gentle stream.

The Sagemon's body began to change—its purple skin gradually returned to a healthy blue, and its size slowly increased. Although it was still far from its perfect form, it was already much better than before.

"Incredible..." Professor Zhao's voice trembled with excitement, "The sacred and pure darkness can actually coexist..."

“What cannot coexist is the chaotic and evil darkness,” Cheng Yuan explained. “Pure shadow energy is actually just like divine energy; both are stable forces.”

The purification process lasted half an hour. When the little dog finally collapsed from exhaustion, Cheng Yuan quickly picked it up and held it in his arms. The little guy's breathing was steady; it had simply fallen asleep from overexertion.

Meanwhile, the dwarf sage beast stared incredulously at its own hands, its data volume slowly but steadily recovering.

Seeing the gradually recovering Sagemon, Professor Zhao was incredibly excited. He could sense that the data volume of the dwarf Sagemon was gradually increasing. Given time, it could recover and become a fully evolved Sagemon.

Cheng Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Dr. Zhao, that's about it. The digital core has been converted into a shadow type, which gives it some resistance to chaotic dark energy. It's actually easier for it to survive in this environment than the holy type. Hopefully, this will last until the rescue arrives."

Professor Zhao suddenly grabbed Cheng Yuan's hand: "Please help the other tamers in the settlement! Their Digimon also need treatment!"

Cheng Yuan looked troubled: "Professor Zhao, I really want to help... but I need to find my way back. The college entrance exam is in a month, and I promised my parents I would get into the Animal Tamer University..."

Professor Zhao's eyes dimmed, but quickly brightened again: "If you are willing to help the settlement, we can give you a precious digital item as a token of our gratitude! This is an item that our pioneering team obtained when they went to explore a ruin. You, who possess the Dark Flower, should find it useful."

Cheng Yuan initially intended to decline, as he already possessed several digital gadgets, including several armor evolution eggs. However, when Professor Zhao retrieved the item from the secret room, it immediately caught Cheng Yuan's attention.

It was a black, three-headed skeletal beast statue, roughly the size of a Digivice, with seven blood-red eyeballs embedded in its grotesque skeleton. "Holy crap!" Cheng Yuan blurted out, "The Soul of a Warrior!?"

Chapter 137 is in hand!

Cheng Yuan stared at the Dark Warrior's Soul in his hand, as if the seven blood-red eyes on the black bone beast statue were watching him.

"System, can this thing really allow humans to evolve into Digimon?" Cheng Yuan asked the system.

[Ding! Wealth points -100. Dark Warrior's Soul is a special evolution item, applicable to Monster-type and Mythical-type Digimon and human users.]

"What level of power can I achieve after using it?"

[Ding! Wealth points -100, depending on the amount of data, ranging from mature to fully formed.]

The Warrior's Soul before us is actually the evil side of the Dark Warrior's Soul. The main characters of Digimon Adventure 04 used it to evolve themselves into beings capable of defeating Fusion Mode FireDragon and WarWolfmon.

He must get his hands on it so he can fight alongside BlackGatomon.

Over the next ten days, Cheng Yuan began a major project to cleanse the Digimon in the gathering place of darkness.

There was no other way. On the one hand, Professor Zhao's reward was too generous. On the other hand, most of these people trapped in the underworld came from the pioneering team. In the real world, they would be heroes. Cheng Yuan should do his part to give these people a greater chance of survival.