Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”You’re right.” Sun Yang nodded, his brow furrowing. ”This place is too strange. A group our size barging in should have alerted them by now.”

”Don’t let your guard down,” Li Chang’an warned in a low voice. ”They could be watching us from the shadows, ready to strike at any moment.”

”Heh, let ’em come. The Insect Race isn’t all that,” Sun Yang scoffed, acting nonchalant.

”Don’t underestimate them,” Han Ruoxi said softly. ”You remember our last fight, don’t you? These bugs are incredibly powerful, especially when they swarm. It’s impossible to defend against.”

”I know, but don’t forget we’re the Insect Hunter Squad. With the Captain here, what’s so scary about a few bugs?” Sun Yang said with a grin, looking at Li Chang’an with complete trust in his voice.

”Enough. Don’t put me on a pedestal,” Li Chang’an shot him a look. ”My being here doesn’t mean you can get careless. Stay alert. No mistakes.”

”Understood, Captain!” Sun Yang immediately straightened his posture, his expression growing serious.

They pressed on, the atmosphere growing increasingly oppressive. They occasionally spotted tracks left by the Insect Race on the ground—claw marks and the rotting remains of carcasses—but there were no living specimens in sight.

”Captain, I’ve got a new contact,” Bai Lin said suddenly in a low voice, his eyes glued to his tablet. ”Two hundred meters ahead. Signs of an Insect Race gathering, large numbers. They might be massing for an attack.”

”Looks like our guess was right.” Li Chang’an nodded, raising a hand to halt the squad. ”Heads up. The Insect Race might have spotted us. Prepare to engage.”

”Finally! I’ve been waiting for this!” Sun Yang excitedly brought up his Pulse Gun, ready to open fire.

”Not yet. Wait for them to get closer,” Li Chang’an ordered calmly. ”Don’t give away our position. We need a clear view of their movements first.”

”Captain, this is a golden opportunity. How about I lay down some suppressing fire?” Sun Yang asked eagerly.

”What’s the rush?” Han Ruoxi shot him a look. ”Listen to the Captain. We’re not here for a head-on fight.”

”Right. Sun Yang, hold your fire,” Li Chang’an said evenly. ”We’ll make our move when the time is right. Our mission is reconnaissance and cover. We can’t afford to tip them off.”

Sun Yang was clearly reluctant, but he still obeyed Li Chang’an’s command, lowering his weapon and remaining on guard.

”There’s movement up ahead,” Shen Qiuyue said suddenly in a low voice, her gaze locked on a spot behind a large boulder.

”Bai Lin, keep scanning. Get a headcount,” Li Chang’an ordered quietly.

”Analyzing now... Yes, confirmed Insect Race concentration ahead. Numbers between fifty and seventy. Mostly low-level combat types, but there are a few command-types in the mix,” Bai Lin reported quickly.

”Command-types?” Li Chang’an frowned. ’This operation is more complicated than we anticipated.’

”So what’s the plan? Do we pull back?” Han Ruoxi asked, her voice laced with tension.

”We can’t. Pulling back would just give away our position,” Li Chang’an said decisively. ”Keep watching. We’ll make a decision once they’re on the move.”

”So we’re really not fighting?” Sun Yang asked, unable to hide his disappointment. ”This is a great chance. If we engaged, we could wipe out a whole wave of them!”

”This is not an extermination mission. Remember, our objective is reconnaissance,” Li Chang’an reminded him again. ”Don’t let your impulsiveness get us all killed.”

As the seconds ticked by, the activity of the distant Insect Race became clearer. Li Chang’an and his team finally got a full view of the swarm.

A swarm of over fifty insects milled about in the distance. Some appeared to be foraging for food, while a few larger, command-type insects stood in the center, directing the lower-level drones.

”They look like they’re preparing for something,” Li Chang’an said in a low voice after a moment of observation. ”Those command-types are no joke. They’re organizing an attack.”

”That swarm spells trouble. Captain, are we really just going to sit here?” Sun Yang’s palms had started to sweat. Despite his usual bravado, he couldn’t help but feel a little tense seeing so many insects massed together.

”Relax. We’re not engaging them head-on. Just keep observing their movements,” Li Chang’an said calmly. ”As long as they don’t approach, we won’t be spotted.”

Just as the squad was on high alert, the distant swarm suddenly seemed to sense something. Several of the command-type insects simultaneously raised their heads and looked directly toward the Insect Hunter Squad’s position.

”Damn it, they’ve seen us!” Han Ruoxi gasped.

”Prepare for combat!” Li Chang’an ordered without hesitation.

Sun Yang immediately raised his Pulse Gun and aimed it forward. Han Ruoxi’s Electric Energy instantly surged to full power. Shen Qiuyue drew her High-Energy Dueling Sword, while Bai Lin quickly shut down his reconnaissance device and readied himself for the fight.

The insects began to move in their direction, picking up speed. A battle was imminent.

”Captain, they’re charging!” Sun Yang’s eyes widened, a hint of excitement in his voice.

”Don’t panic. Stick to the plan. Prepare to engage,” Li Chang’an said grimly.

The insects drew closer, the air thick with tension.

Li Chang’an stood calmly at the head of the squad, his hands gripping his Saw Chain Sword, his gaze locked on the command-type insects.

”Han Ruoxi, ready your Electric Energy. Don’t unleash it until they’re in range,” Li Chang’an commanded in a low voice.