Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

Han Ruoxi also flicked a switch, resetting her Electric Power Device to safe mode. ”I’m ready, too. We can leave whenever!”

”You guys are pretty fast!” Bai Lin said, stowing the data terminal in his hand and getting to his feet. ”I’ve uploaded the recon data to the main system. Command should be able to see our combat record soon!”

”Then let’s move out,” Li Chang’an said with a nod. Once he confirmed everyone was ready, he led the squad toward the base.

The team was silent for a moment on the way, then Han Ruoxi was the first to break the quiet.

”Captain, do you think this unusual activity from the Insect Race means something has changed on their end? We haven’t encountered an operation this large-scale in a long time!”

”It’s possible,” Li Chang’an mused. ”When a species like the Insect Race starts to gather in force, it usually means some kind of change has occurred in their nest.

Perhaps a new commander has emerged, or other types of insects are driving this!”

”Does that mean we’ll have more operations after this mission? I’ve heard there are even more powerful beings behind the Insect Race. Their so-called matriarchs could pose an even greater threat!” Sun Yang asked with curiosity.

”It’s hard to say for now,” Li Chang’an said, shaking his head. ”But regardless of the situation, we have to be prepared.

Command will definitely adjust their tactical deployment based on the intelligence from this mission!”

”Oh, don’t be so serious!” Han Ruoxi said with a grin. ”No matter how strong the Insect Race is, they’re just a bunch of stupid bugs. We’re an elite team, and with the Captain here, what’s there to be afraid of!”

”Easy for you to say,” Shen Qiuyue interjected coolly. ”But the number of insects this time was definitely not normal. There will probably be more battles waiting for us.”

”Mm, that’s right,” Li Chang’an agreed with a nod. ”Once we’re back at the base, aside from debriefing, you all need to prepare for the next step!”

Sun Yang smiled dismissively. ”Hey, don’t be so tense all the time. A mission is a mission, but we’ve got to use our rest time to properly relax!”

”You’re still thinking about relaxing?” Han Ruoxi rolled her eyes. ”Sun Yang, can’t you feel a little bit of pressure? Besides, didn’t you almost get zapped last time you were fighting the Insect Race?”

”That was an accident! An accident!” Sun Yang immediately waved his hands. ”I got through it just fine, didn’t I? That just proves I’m tough!”

”I don’t know about you being tough, but you sure don’t skimp on the big talk!” Han Ruoxi teased with a lighthearted laugh.

”You two are really something else,” Li Chang’an said, shaking his head with a hint of resignation. ”Alright, stop squabbling. Wait until we’re back at the base to argue!”

A short time later, the Insect Hunter Squad returned safely to the base on Lion’s Fang Star. Command had already received their mission intelligence.

Li Chang’an led the squad straight into the command center. Instructor Wei Zhuang was waiting for them in the main hall and waved the moment he saw Li Chang’an.

”Reporting, mission complete!” Li Chang’an stepped forward and immediately saluted.

Wei Zhuang nodded, his expression serious. ”Good work. I’ve reviewed your combat record. You did very well.

However, according to the current intelligence, the Insect Race’s activity has clearly exceeded our expectations. Command has decided to have you remain on standby, ready to execute the next mission at any time!”

”Understood!” Li Chang’an replied with a nod, then turned to the squad members behind him. ”Everyone, go get some rest. Remain on standby, ready for action at a moment’s notice!”

”Finally, we can rest!” Sun Yang shouted with a look of delight, immediately turning toward the rest area. ”My legs feel like they’re about to snap!”

”Is your stamina really that bad?” Han Ruoxi laughed from behind him. ”But then again, we really did perform well today. We deserve to treat ourselves!”

”Don’t get ahead of yourselves. The next mission might be even bigger,” Shen Qiuyue reminded them coolly.

”I don’t care what mission it is, I’m just going to rest well today!” Sun Yang said, plopping down onto a sofa in the rest area, his face a mask of pure relaxation.

”Yeah, Captain, how long do we get to rest?” Han Ruoxi also leaned back on the sofa, asking languidly.

”Command didn’t specify a time, but everyone needs to remain on standby,” Li Chang’an said, glancing at them with an admonishing tone. ”Don’t slack off. Always be prepared for a new mission!”

”Understood, Captain!” the group replied in unison.

For the time being, life at the base returned to normal. Li Chang’an continued to lead his squad through their daily training and mission preparations.

”Captain, do you think the next mission will be more dangerous than this one?” Han Ruoxi asked suddenly one day at the training ground, wiping sweat from her forehead.

”It’s possible,” Li Chang’an replied calmly. ”The Insect Race’s activity is becoming more frequent. Command can’t let us stay at the base indefinitely. There will be a new operation sooner or later.”

”That’s great! I was afraid there’d be no more fights!” Sun Yang chuckled from the side, seeming to look forward to the impending battle.

”Fighting is all you think about!” Han Ruoxi pouted. ”But to be honest, it has been a little boring lately. Our Insect Hunter Squad isn’t here at the base to retire!”

”Don’t worry, you won’t be idle for too long,” Li Chang’an said with a smile, his gaze drifting toward the starry sky in the distance. ”The fighting will start again soon. What we need to do is be ready to leave at any moment.”

「And just like that, time flew by.」

「In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.」

”What’s today’s mission?”

Li Chang’an walked into the training room. He saw Han Ruoxi standing off to the side, spacing out, and asked her directly.