Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”The deeper we go, the more something feels wrong!”

Han Ruoxi mumbled uneasily, the electric currents in her hands beginning to gather automatically. She was clearly ready to handle anything unexpected.

”The core area is just ahead!”

Bai Lin’s voice came through the comms. ”Everyone, get ready. I’m detecting strong energy fluctuations there!”

Li Chang’an nodded, signaling the squad to slow down. Everyone tightened their grip on their weapons, their eyes fixed on the light source ahead.

As they drew closer, the view suddenly opened up. The end of the tunnel revealed a vast underground space. A massive Energy Ball floated in its center, surrounded by complex machinery. The ball emitted a blinding light, like some kind of high-energy reactor.

”What the hell is this thing?”

Sun Yang’s eyes widened in surprise. ”Could this be the Alien Martial Artists’ secret weapon?”

”It’s very likely!”

Bai Lin’s tone was grave. ”The fluctuations from this Energy Ball are incredibly powerful. If it fully activates, it could trigger a massive energy explosion!”

”An explosion?”

Han Ruoxi’s eyes went wide. ”Wouldn’t that blow us to smithereens?”

”It won’t come to that!”

Li Chang’an calmly analyzed the situation. ”However, this thing is definitely key for the enemy. We can’t let it fully activate!”

”How do we stop it?”

Shen Qiuyue asked with a frown, looking at the giant Energy Ball.

”I need to get close to it and see if I can stop the energy transfer by destroying the control device!”

Bai Lin rapidly operated his equipment. ”But this process could be dangerous. The enemy has most likely set up defensive measures!”

”Then let’s clear out those defenses first!”

Li Chang’an brandished his Saw Chain Sword with a wave of his hand. ”You all cover Bai Lin as he approaches the Energy Ball. I’ll take care of clearing the obstacles!”

”Understood!”

Han Ruoxi and Sun Yang immediately sprang into action. Han Ruoxi’s currents were already gathering in her hands, while Sun Yang raised his Pulse Gun, warily scanning their surroundings.

Just as they were about to move, the machinery around the Energy Ball suddenly let out a low rumble. Several massive mechanical guards slowly rose from the walls, gripping High-Energy Weapons that emitted a cold light as they slowly advanced on the Insect Hunter Squad.

”Just as I thought, guards!”

Shen Qiuyue said coldly, her High-Energy Sword already at the ready. ”Everyone be careful. Their weapons are probably auto-tracking!”

”Here these things come again!”

Sun Yang licked his lips, but his face wore an excited grin. ”Looks like we’ve got another fight on our hands today!”

”Cut the crap and take them out!”

Li Chang’an snapped. He swung his Saw Chain Sword violently, aiming straight for the nearest mechanical guard. The sharp teeth instantly bit into its armor, creating a piercing screech of metal on metal.

”The armor on these things is even thicker than the last batch!”

Han Ruoxi shouted while releasing her currents, ”But they’re a little slower. We still have a chance!”

”Attack their joints!”

Li Chang’an calmly directed them. ”The weak points on these mechanical guards are similar to the others. Concentrate fire on their joints!”

The Insect Hunter Squad quickly adjusted their tactics, focusing all their firepower on the mechanical guards’ joints.

Although the mechanical guards’ armor was exceptionally tough, their movements began to slow under the interference of Han Ruoxi’s currents. Sun Yang’s Pulse Gun fired continuously, precisely hitting the vitals of several guards.

”Bai Lin, are you close yet?”

Li Chang’an shouted while fighting.

”Almost there! Just give me a little more time!”

Bai Lin’s fingers flew across his device as he stared intently at the Energy Ball’s control mechanism. ”The energy transfer system is extremely complex! I’m cracking its defense protocols!”

”Hurry up, we can’t hold them off much longer!”

Han Ruoxi’s voice was tinged with anxiety. The number of mechanical guards seemed to be increasing, throwing off their combat rhythm. Although Li Chang’an and Shen Qiuyue were holding the line, the situation was gradually turning against them.

”Okay, I got it!”

Bai Lin’s voice finally came through. He pressed the last button on his device, and the light around the Energy Ball instantly dimmed. The mechanical guards’ movements also paused for a moment.

”Now!”

Li Chang’an roared, his Saw Chain Sword cleaving violently into a mechanical guard’s joint, instantly knocking it to the ground.

”Got it!”

Han Ruoxi yelled as a bolt of electricity struck the last mechanical guard. The huge machine let out a low groan before crashing to the ground.

The entire space fell silent. The Insect Hunter Squad stood in place, panting as they looked at the Energy Ball that Bai Lin had shut down.

”Finally, it’s over!”

Sun Yang wiped away his sweat, a relieved smile on his face. ”That was a close one!”

”Bai Lin, is the Energy Ball completely shut down?”

Li Chang’an asked, remaining vigilant.

”It’s temporarily disabled, but this system is very complex. It might restart after a while!”

Bai Lin frowned. ”We need to get out of here as soon as possible, or destroy this core completely!”

”Then let’s destroy it completely!”

Li Chang’an’s gaze was resolute. ”We can’t let something like this continue to exist. Who knows, the enemy might use it against us!”

”Understood. I’ll handle it!”

Bai Lin quickly began operating his device while the rest of the Insect Hunter Squad remained on high alert, making sure there were no other enemies.

A few minutes later, Bai Lin successfully initiated the self-destruct sequence. The Energy Ball began to emit a low rumble, and the temperature of the entire space rose sharply.

”Move out, now!”

At Li Chang’an’s command, the Insect Hunter Squad quickly sprinted back out through the tunnel.

Behind them, the light from the Energy Ball grew increasingly intense until, with a deafening explosion, the entire underground space collapsed in a cloud of dust and debris.

The Insect Hunter Squad stood at the mouth of the tunnel, staring at the distant ruins. Everyone was silent for a moment.

”Looks like we finally took care of the problem!”

Sun Yang breathed a sigh of relief and clapped Li Chang’an on the shoulder. ”Brother Chang’an, we really scored big this time!”

”Don’t celebrate just yet. We’ll talk when we get back!”

Li Chang’an’s expression remained calm. He turned to look at the team. ”Is everyone okay?”

”We’re fine!”

Han Ruoxi and Shen Qiuyue answered in unison.

”Then let’s head back to base and report!”

Li Chang’an nodded, then led the squad and turned to head back toward the base.

The Insect Hunter Squad made their way back to the base. Although the atmosphere was a bit more relaxed, a hint of exhaustion was visible on everyone’s face.

The continuous fighting and tense situation had left them all feeling drained.

However, Li Chang’an still walked at the very front, his pace steady, showing no signs of letting up.

”Brother Chang’an, do you think we can get a few extra days off after this?”

Sun Yang scratched his head, looking at Li Chang’an with an expectant expression. ”My shoulders feel like they’re about to fall apart!”

”You’re just trying to slack off!”

Shen Qiuyue shot him a cold glance. ”When we tell you to train, you don’t listen. Now you feel tired?”

”Sister Qiuyue, I’m not slacking! I’m really just wiped out!”

Sun Yang had a wronged look on his face. ”That fight was intense. I think our squad did a great job. We deserve a reward, right?”

”Sun Yang, can you just shut up for a second?”

Han Ruoxi, walking beside him, couldn’t help but roll her eyes. ”Can’t you see Brother Chang’an hasn’t said a word? Now’s not the time to relax!”

”Brother Chang’an is way stronger than me, of course he’s not tired!”

Sun Yang said sullenly. ”But speaking of which, Brother Chang’an, do you think that Black Armored Warrior from before will show up again? It seems like there’s a bigger organization behind him!”

Li Chang’an didn’t answer right away. He walked a few more steps before speaking. ”That guy’s origins are definitely not simple.

He might be a scout sent by a more powerful faction. We’ll have to get the intel department to analyze the situation when we get back.

But one thing is for sure: this mission was just the beginning!”