Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”This place really gives me the creeps!” Sun Yang said in a low voice. ”Captain Li, you think any bugs are going to suddenly jump out at us?”

”Shut up and focus!” Li Chang’an chided softly. ”Don’t talk nonsense. Stay quiet!”

Suddenly, a faint noise came from up ahead. Everyone immediately froze, their eyes fixed nervously on the source of the sound.

”What was that sound?” Han Ruoxi frowned, the Electric Energy in her hand flickering slightly.

”Could be the echo of machinery, or it could be...” Before Li Chang’an could finish, several figures suddenly emerged from the darkness ahead.

”Rebel Army!” Shen Qiuyue warned in a low voice, tightening her grip on her sword.

”Prepare for battle!” At Li Chang’an’s command, the squad members instantly fell into combat formation.

There weren’t many of them, only four or five figures. They were armed and had clearly spotted the arrival of the Insect Hunter Squad.

After a brief standoff, the battle erupted!

Sun Yang was the first to open fire. His Pulse Gun spat out a beam of light, accurately striking one of the enemy members.

Han Ruoxi followed right after. The Electric Energy in her palms flared, and she instantly unleashed a powerful wave of energy that forced two of the rebels back.

”Nice one! That was beautiful!” Sun Yang shouted excitedly.

”Don’t get cocky, there are more!” Li Chang’an swiftly swung his sword, cutting down an enemy lunging at him, then said in a low voice, ”Watch our rear. Be careful of reinforcements!”

”Reinforcements? Just in time!” Sun Yang laughed wildly. ”Let them come! I’ll show them how I take them all down!”

”Enough with the chatter. Focus on the fight!” Li Chang’an shot him a glare and continued to push forward.

Li Chang’an continued to wield his Saw Chain Sword, leading the Insect Hunter Squad deeper into the mine.

His Swordsmanship was exquisite and his movements were swift. Every strike landed with unerring precision, and the Rebel Army soldiers couldn’t get anywhere near him.

The darkness of the mine didn’t affect his combat rhythm; if anything, it made his movements seem even more crisp and efficient.

”These rebels really are pushovers!” Sun Yang said with a laugh as he fired. ”With this level of skill, how do they dare to fight us?”

”Don’t underestimate them!” Li Chang’an swiftly dodged an attack from a rebel and struck him down with his sword. ”These are just scouts. There might be stronger enemies ahead!”

”I hope there are stronger enemies! I’m just getting warmed up!” Sun Yang laughed heartily and kept firing.

Han Ruoxi was controlling her Electric Energy from the side. A streak of light, like a bolt of Lightning, flashed out and instantly took down the enemy in front of her.

She glanced at Li Chang’an, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly. ”Captain Li, it seems your Swordsmanship is as rock-solid as ever!”

”You’re not so bad yourself,” Li Chang’an replied, his eyes still fixed on what was ahead. ”But we can’t get careless. End this fight quickly. The mission is reconnaissance, not a head-on clash.”

”Got it!” Han Ruoxi smiled, the Electric Energy in her hands growing even more intense.

Shen Qiuyue had been standing by Li Chang’an’s side the whole time. Her Swordsmanship was just as sharp and her attacks were incredibly fast, each strike packed with immense force.

She didn’t speak, simply dealing with each enemy calmly and occasionally exchanging information with Li Chang’an through unspoken glances.

Suddenly, the sound of urgent footsteps echoed from the tunnel ahead. It seemed more of the Rebel Army were on their way.

Li Chang’an raised a hand, signaling for everyone to halt. He said in a low voice, ”The next wave is here. Prepare to engage!”

”Finally, things are getting interesting!” Sun Yang licked his lips in excitement. His Pulse Gun had finished recharging.

Han Ruoxi also clenched her fists, Electric Energy flowing between her fingertips, ready to be unleashed at any moment.

Shen Qiuyue stood quietly beside Li Chang’an, her gaze icy. The Dueling Sword in her hand trembled slightly, as if waiting for the moment to strike.

A moment later, the figures of the Rebel Army appeared at the other end of the tunnel. They were clearly well-prepared, holding various weapons, and their formation was orderly. Their presence was much more imposing than the enemies they had encountered before.

”They’re here!” Li Chang’an said in a low, calm, and resolute voice. ”All units, prepare to split up!”

”Understood!” Sun Yang responded, immediately moving to the side to find a position with cover.

Han Ruoxi and Shen Qiuyue also moved quickly, spreading out to different corners of the mine and forming an encirclement.

Li Chang’an, however, stood right in the center. His Saw Chain Sword gleamed faintly in the darkness, making it particularly conspicuous.

The Rebel Army didn’t attack directly, apparently aware of the Insect Hunter Squad’s strength. They stood at the tunnel entrance, exchanged a look, and then quickly fanned out in an attempt to flank them.

”They’re planning to surround us from both sides!” Bai Lin calmly observed the enemy’s movements and warned in a low voice.

”I see it,” Li Chang’an nodded, then said loudly, ”Don’t worry. Hold the front line. The moment their flanks appear, counterattack immediately!”

”You got it!” Sun Yang’s voice came from a short distance away. He was the first to open fire again, and a Pulse Beam instantly hit one of the rebels.

”Nice shot!” Li Chang’an praised. He then charged forward abruptly, his Saw Chain Sword carving an arc of light as it struck directly at the enemy’s front line.

The rebels were caught off guard. Li Chang’an’s Swordsmanship was as fast as lightning; nearly every blow struck an enemy’s vital point with precision.

In less than a few seconds, he had completely torn through their front rank.

”Captain Li, leave some for us!” Sun Yang shouted with a laugh as he fired. ”If you keep fighting like that, there’ll be nothing left for us to do!”

”Then pick up the pace and don’t let me take all the credit!” Li Chang’an replied without turning his head. His sword, however, didn’t stop, continuing its charge deep into the enemy ranks.

Han Ruoxi saw her chance and quickly unleashed a burst of Electric Energy, instantly felling several rebels who were trying to circle around to their rear.

She let out a soft chuckle, her voice tinged with a hint of pride. ”Looks like these guys aren’t so tough after all. They’re a complete mess!”

”Don’t underestimate the enemy!” Li Chang’an calmly reminded her. ”There are still more behind them. Don’t let your guard down!”

”Got it!” Han Ruoxi’s smile vanished as she refocused her attention.

Shen Qiuyue, for her part, remained perfectly calm. Her Swordsmanship was sharp and precise, each strike moving along what seemed like a calculated trajectory. The rebels were completely unable to get near her.

”Captain Li, the flanks are clear!” Bai Lin’s voice came from the other end of the tunnel. His terminal was still running, continuously providing intel on the enemy’s positions.

”Good. Keep up the pressure. Don’t give them a chance to counterattack!” Li Chang’an commanded loudly.

The Rebel Army clearly hadn’t expected the Insect Hunter Squad to be so formidable. Though they had superior numbers, their combat effectiveness was nowhere near that of Li Chang’an and his team.

Under Li Chang’an’s direction, the Insect Hunter Squad gradually gained the upper hand, and the enemy began to fall back steadily.

”Looks like these rebels weren’t all that much after all!” Sun Yang said with a laugh, standing amidst a pile of fallen enemies. ”Captain Li, what do you say we chase them right out of here?”

”No need to pursue,” Li Chang’an said, shaking his head, his expression still calm. ”We’re here to reconnoiter, not to annihilate the enemy.”

”Aw, I wasn’t done yet!” Sun Yang complained, a bit reluctantly. ”These guys seemed so weak. I really wanted to beat up a few more!”

”Cut the chatter. The mission comes first,” Li Chang’an said, walking over to Sun Yang and clapping him on the shoulder. ”We’ll talk about it when we get back.”

”Alright, alright, you’re the boss.” Sun Yang pouted and casually slung his Pulse Gun over his shoulder.

Han Ruoxi walked over, looked around, and said lightly, ”Seems this mission was easier than we thought.”

”It was simple, yes, but we can’t let our guard down,” Li Chang’an replied. ”The intel might be incomplete. Don’t get too complacent.”

”Understood.” Han Ruoxi nodded. ”So, what’s next?”

”We head back to base first and report to the commander,” Li Chang’an said after a moment of thought. ”The rebels here were likely just a small team. There’s more intel that needs to be analyzed.”

Everyone nodded, packed up their weapons and gear, and prepared to return to base.