Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

Li Chang’an stood up, his gaze resolute. ”Understood, Commander. We’ll get ready and complete the mission!”

Liu Na glanced at him and nodded slightly. ”I have faith in your abilities. Go on and prepare. The operation is tomorrow!”

After the meeting, Li Chang’an led his squad members out of the command center, his expression still calm.

The group walked in silence for a moment before Sun Yang finally broke it.

”So, Captain, this is no joke, huh?” Though Sun Yang was smiling, his tone betrayed a hint of nervousness. ”From the sounds of it, Commander Liu Na thinks this wave of the Insect Race is going to be a lot trickier than before!”

”Yes, it’s quite tricky,” Li Chang’an agreed with a nod. ”We have to go deep into the core of the Insect Race’s territory. It’s extremely dangerous, but that’s how recon missions are. We can’t afford to slack off in the slightest!”

Han Ruoxi frowned. ”The Insect Race is expanding faster than we imagined. This situation is really not looking good.

What are we going to do if we run into another Commander Level insect?”

”There’s always a way,” Shen Qiuyue said in a calm tone. ”We just need to confirm the scale of the Insect Hive, gather the intel, and retreat. There’s no need to force a fight.”

”Right, Sister Qiuyue is right!” Sun Yang nodded vigorously. ”If we can’t win, we run. As long as we’re alive, we can fight another day!”

Han Ruoxi pouted. ”Sun Yang, all you ever think about is running!”

”Hey, don’t say that. I’m just being a realist! Running isn’t a disgrace. Staying alive is what’s most important!” Sun Yang said with a grin.

Li Chang’an stopped in his tracks and turned back to look at them, his tone becoming serious. ”The difficulty of this mission is very high. The value of the intelligence and the risks of the mission itself far exceed any of our previous recon operations.

Everyone must give it their all and be on high alert. There’s no room for carelessness!”

”Understood!” Shen Qiuyue and Han Ruoxi responded in unison.

Sun Yang scratched his head. Though he still sounded flippant, his expression grew more serious. ”Captain, don’t you worry. I’ll definitely follow orders this time. I won’t mess around!”

Li Chang’an nodded and clapped Sun Yang on the shoulder. ”Good. Just make sure you do.”

Back in their dorms, they each began to sort through their equipment, preparing for the next day’s operation.

Li Chang’an meticulously inspected his Saw Chain Sword, ensuring every gear was functioning perfectly.

”Captain, this mission really is more difficult than usual,” Han Ruoxi said as she walked in, her voice laced with worry. ”Do you think we can pull it off?”

Li Chang’an looked up at her and smiled slightly. ”Of course we can.

We’re the Insect Hunter Squad. We’ve been through more battles than we can count.

No matter how dangerous the mission, as long as we stick together, there’s nothing we can’t handle!”

Han Ruoxi let out a soft sigh. ”You’re always so confident. No wonder everyone is willing to follow your lead!”

”Confidence comes from strength,” Li Chang’an said with a smile. ”As long as we’re prepared, everything will be fine.”

Han Ruoxi nodded. ”Alright, I trust you.”

Li Chang’an watched her leave, thinking to himself.

’He knew the risks of this mission were far greater than any they had faced before, but as their Captain, he had to remain calm and confident. It was the only way to make his team trust and follow him.’

The next morning, the Insect Hunter Squad assembled on the base’s landing platform, preparing to head to the mission location.

Sun Yang, shouldering his Pulse Gun, still had a relaxed look on his face and was even humming a little tune.

”Captain, where are we off to slay some monsters today?” Sun Yang asked with a grin.

”Slaying monsters isn’t the objective,” Li Chang’an shot him a look. ”This is a recon mission. We avoid direct conflict as much as possible.”

”Right, right, I get it. Recon first,” Sun Yang nodded, but it was obvious he was more interested in slaying monsters.

”You’d better actually understand,” Shen Qiuyue said coolly. ”If anything goes wrong on this mission, the consequences will be dire.”

”Sister Qiuyue, don’t you worry. I definitely won’t screw up!” Sun Yang promised, patting his chest.

Li Chang’an looked over his team, and after confirming everyone’s gear was in order, he gave the signal to move out.

The ship quickly passed through the atmosphere of Lion’s Fang Star. The Insect Hunter Squad’s destination was a mountain range in the northern part of the planet. The area was remote and the terrain complex, making it an ideal hiding place for the Insect Race.

”According to intel, this is a likely assembly point for the Insect Race,” Bai Lin reported to the team over the comms. ”We’re approaching the target area. Everyone get ready!”

The ship circled in the air as Li Chang’an gazed down through the viewport. Below was a sprawling mountain range with steep peaks and sparse vegetation.

Such an environment wasn’t favorable for their reconnaissance mission, but it was also a perfect place for the Insect Race to conceal itself.

”Looks like this mission isn’t going to be easy,” Han Ruoxi said with a frown.

”Who said it would be?” Sun Yang chuckled. ”But the more complex the place, the more interesting it is!”

”You really are an optimist,” Shen Qiuyue remarked dryly.

”What’s wrong with being an optimist? Keeping a positive mindset is important!” Sun Yang shot back with a grin. ”We’ll definitely get the job done this time, too!”

Li Chang’an didn’t join the conversation. He just kept his eyes fixed ahead, waiting for the ship to land.

’He already had a preliminary plan in mind. The key to this recon mission was stealth and flexibility; they couldn’t risk a direct confrontation with the Insect Race.’

”We’ve reached the target area!” Bai Lin’s voice came over the comms again. ”I’m starting my scan for any nearby Insect Race activity.”

”Excellent,” Li Chang’an nodded. ”Everyone, prepare to disembark!”

The ship touched down smoothly at the foot of a mountain. The Insect Hunter Squad disembarked swiftly and began to secure the perimeter.