Chapter 66: Dark Wukong Beast

Night had fallen. Led by Old Xiao and the other veteran Digi-Tamers, the group returned once more to the base in the outside world.

"Old Xiao, why haven't I seen any of your Digimon?" On the way back, Zhao Jie finally voiced the question that had been lingering in his mind. In this base, he had only seen the Digimon belonging to their own group; none of the original guardians' Digimon were anywhere in sight.

"They're out on assignment," Old Xiao replied with a cheerful smile.

Well, that was that. Hearing the word "assignment," Zhao Jie wisely chose not to press further.

After half a day of training, Agumon was thoroughly exhausted. Without cell service, even his favorite pastime of ordering takeout was out of reach. He drifted off to sleep early.

Zhao Jie was equally worn out. Just before they left the secret realm, he had undergone digital fusion training, leaving his mind and body weary as well.

The next morning, after breakfast, the group ventured into the Digital Secret Realm once again. Compared to the previous day, when everything felt new and exciting, the second day was more subdued. Everyone was focused on training diligently. With the big exam fast approaching, every bit of progress they made here could be the key to getting into a better university.

A sharp cry echoed through the air as the group made their way back. A mature-stage Waspmon flew down from the sky, and following close behind, several other mature Digimon approached from the ground.

"Don't panic, everyone. These are our Digimon partners. There's no danger," Old Xiao and the others quickly reassured the group as the Digimon appeared.

Watching the nearly one-meter-long giant wasp settle on the stone hut, Zhao Jie was thoughtful. These must be the Digimon assigned to those mysterious tasks.

"What’s inside that stone hut?" The students were all curious about this. After their persistent questioning, by the fourth day, Old Xiao finally gave them an answer.

The stone hut functioned as a safe house, built by the Digi-Tamers themselves. In this secret realm, over ten thousand Digimon lived—some tribes numbering in the thousands. To prevent the Digimon from storming the entrance to the secret realm, the Tamers took turns on guard duty day and night. At the first sign of trouble, they would investigate, and if necessary, suppress any disturbances.

"Can I stand watch at night?" Zhao Jie looked at Old Xiao, his voice hopeful.

"No," Old Xiao refused without hesitation. His tone brooked no argument, and Zhao Jie could only drop the request.

...

The Digital Secret Realm of Wuling City was home to four major Digimon tribes: Apemon, Wildmon, Weedmon, and Treemon. Among them, Treemon and Apemon were the most powerful.

At that moment, an uninvited guest arrived at the Apemon settlement—a small, jet-black Impmon materialized in midair.

"I like it here; the air is full of freedom," Impmon said, beating its wings as it descended to the ground.

Thud!

The moment Impmon appeared, the Apemon took notice. As soon as it landed, they quickly encircled it.

"Relax, relax, my friends. I mean no harm," Impmon said, flapping its wings. Its eyes turned pitch-black, and a violent aura began to emanate from it, spreading outward.

"Roar!" The Apemon's eyes reddened under the influence of this aura. They bellowed in turn, their bodies radiating an energy as savage as Impmon's.

"I like you all, my friends," Impmon declared, leaping onto an Apemon's back and surveying the gathering with satisfaction. "Take me to your king."

Thud. Thud.

Heedless and numb, the Apemon led Impmon toward their king's domain. Every Digimon they encountered along the way fell under Impmon's control, swelling the ranks of his entourage.

Before long, Impmon stood before the Ape King, who resided atop a massive tree canopy.

"Roar! What's the matter with all of you?" The Ape King was a mature-stage Apemon, stronger and more intelligent than his kin, which was how he had claimed the title of king and led his tribe to survive in this realm.

Now, gazing down at the transformed Apemon below, the Ape King was filled with alarm and uncertainty. All he could sense was a wave of violent energy emanating from them. What was going on?

"Hey there, buddy. How are you?" Impmon, perched on an Apemon's shoulder, flapped its wings and took to the air, barely containing its excitement.

"So this is your doing? I'm warning you—change my companions back, or you'll have me to answer to!" The Ape King glared at Impmon, his tone menacing.

"Oh, I'm so scared! Please, spare me! Spare me!" Impmon's mocking voice rang out across the settlement.

"You want to die?" With a roar, the Ape King leapt from the giant tree trunk, moving with such speed that he appeared before Impmon in a flash, fist swinging with a fierce gust.

Bang!

The blow sent Impmon hurtling to the ground like a falling star, carving a deep crater into the earth.

"Really now, you make things so difficult for me," Impmon said lightly, shaking his head as he floated up from the pit, unharmed by the attack.

A collar radiating a dark and violent aura appeared in Impmon's hand. Though the Apemon had lost their intellect, instinct drove their gaze to the collar in Impmon's grasp.

Wear it, and they could evolve!

"You'll do," Impmon said, tossing the collar onto one of the Apemon.

"Roar!" The light of evolution burst from the collar, enveloping the chosen Apemon.

As the glow faded, a brand-new Digimon with jet-black fur stood before Impmon.

Dark Wukongmon, an ultimate-level Digimon.

Thud.

Having evolved, Dark Wukongmon turned its gaze toward the Ape King.

Impmon’s voice sounded at just the right moment.

"Take care of him."