Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”What? The Insect Race?!”

The entire arena was instantly plunged into chaos. Spectators began to scatter and flee in a panic. Li Chang’an immediately shot to his feet, his gaze turning grave.

An invasion by the Insect Race was never a small matter. The arrival of their powerful warriors, in particular, often brought catastrophic disaster.

’Why now, of all times...?’ Li Chang’an muttered, his brow furrowed.

Wu Yong rushed over, his expression grim. ”Chang’an, this is an emergency! Powerful members of the Insect Race have landed on Lion’s Fang Star. They’re clearly hostile. We have to assemble immediately!”

Li Chang’an nodded and followed Wu Yong to prepare to meet the enemy.

By the time Li Chang’an and Wu Yong reached the designated assembly point, the entire city had already entered a state of high alert.

Alarms blared from all directions, and the air was thick with tension.

Throngs of Martial Artists were assembling quickly, their hurried conversations making for a somber atmosphere.

”Brother, are the Insect Race really here?” Li Furong ran over, a nervous look on her face. Li Yan and Su Manyu were right behind her.

”Yeah.” Li Chang’an nodded, his gaze calm. ”You all need to leave. It’s not safe here!”

Li Yan took Li Furong’s hand. ”Your brother’s right, Furong. We’ll only get in the way here!”

Though her face was etched with worry, Li Furong knew she couldn’t help by staying. She could only nod. ”Brother, please be careful!”

Li Chang’an watched the three of them retreat into the distance, then turned and rejoined Wu Yong and the other Martial Artists.

An invasion by the Insect Race was no ordinary battle. They were powerful enemies from across the stars—brutal, numerous, and every one of their incursions brought devastating ruin to the planet.

”Attention, everyone! The Insect Race has breached the first line of defense and is now advancing on the city center! Our mission is to hold them back and buy time until reinforcements arrive!” Wu Yong announced, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the crowd. He then added, ”Remember, no one can afford to let their guard down!”

Li Chang’an rushed to the front line with the other Martial Artists. An air of tension hung over the battlefield ahead. In the distance, a dark swarm of the Insect Race army was rapidly approaching.

Their numbers were immense, and each one posed a lethal threat.

”They’re here!” someone cried out in alarm.

In an instant, the Insect Race army surged forward like a tidal wave.

A cold glint flashed in Li Chang’an’s eyes as he charged forward without hesitation, meeting the alien monsters head-on.

His movements were swift and precise. Employing techniques from the *Martial Scripture*, he quickly cut down several of the charging insects.

”Damn it, there are too many of them!” a nearby Martial Artist cursed. He swung his weapon relentlessly, but was still steadily forced back by the insects.

”Hold the line! We can’t let them break through!” Wu Yong yelled, trying to rally everyone’s morale, but his own face was etched with anxiety.

The number of insects on the battlefield far exceeded their expectations. Despite the Martial Artists fighting with all their might, they were clearly at a disadvantage.

Just as everyone was reaching their breaking point, a deep rumbling suddenly echoed from the horizon.

”Look! The sky!” someone yelled, pointing upward.

Streaks of silver-white light tore across the sky. The starships of the Interstellar Warrior Corps appeared over the battlefield as if they were divine soldiers descending from the heavens.

As the ships descended, squad after squad of well-equipped, imposing Interstellar Warriors dropped from the sky. The high-tech weapons in their hands instantly unleashed overwhelming firepower, cutting down swathes of the Insect Race army.

”The Interstellar Warrior Corps is here!” Wu Yong heaved a long sigh of relief, a look of ease finally appearing on his face.

Li Chang’an also paused, his gaze fixed on the sky.

The arrival of the Interstellar Warriors completely turned the tide. They crushed the Insect Race with absolute power, swiftly clearing the entire battlefield.

In less than half an hour, the rampaging Insect Race horde had been completely annihilated.

With the battle over, the Interstellar Warriors began to secure the area. Li Chang’an stood to one side, calmly watching these warriors from the stars.

Just then, a burly figure approached. It was Chen Hao, commander of the 42 Combat Group.

”Li Chang’an, right?” Chen Hao stopped in front of him, his gaze sharp. ”Your performance just now was impressive. You’re nothing like an ordinary Martial Artist!”

Li Chang’an was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. ”Thank you, Commander!”

Chen Hao smiled and clapped Li Chang’an on the shoulder. ”I like young men like you—you’ve got guts and you’ve got skill.

How about it? Interested in joining our 42 Combat Group?”

Hearing this, the surrounding Martial Artists all looked on in astonishment.

The Interstellar Warrior Corps was what countless Martial Artists dreamed of joining. To become one of them meant reaching the pinnacle of the Martial Dao.

And now, Li Chang’an was being personally invited by Chen Hao himself. This was an incredible honor.

Li Chang’an didn’t answer right away, pausing for a moment to think.

He glanced over at his family in the distance. Seeing their faces filled with anticipation and pride, a wave of warmth washed over him.

”I’ll join,” Li Chang’an finally said with a nod.

Chen Hao let out a hearty laugh, a satisfied expression spreading across his face. ”Excellent! Welcome to the 42 Combat Group. As of today, you’re one of us!”

Hearing this, Li Yan, Su Manyu, and Li Furong, watching from a distance, were all moved to tears. Li Furong was especially ecstatic, waving her arms and jumping up and down. ”My brother is amazing! He’s an Interstellar Warrior!”

Li Yan nodded as well, his eyes filled with pride. ”That kid... he’s finally forged his own path.”