Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”Alright, that’s enough bickering!” Li Chang’an stood up and clapped his hands.

”Since everyone is bored, let’s do something to pass the time.

Training is training, so how about we have a mock battle today? We can spar a little and see who’s improved recently!”

”Spar?” Sun Yang’s eyes lit up. ”That’s a great idea! I’ve been itching for a fight! Captain, I’ll challenge you first!”

”You should probably take a break!” Li Chang’an said with a laugh, waving his hand dismissively. ”I’m not fighting you. Why don’t you go practice with Shen Qiuyue? I think she’s looking to stretch her legs, too!”

”No way! Shen Qiuyue is too ruthless. I think I’ll pass!” Sun Yang waved his hands frantically, a flicker of fear in his eyes.

Shen Qiuyue snorted coldly and drew her Longsword, giving it a swing through the air.

”Scared? If you’re scared, just go back to lying there and sunbathing. Don’t get in the way of my sword practice!”

Han Ruoxi, sensing the mood, quickly interjected, ”How about this? We’ll split into two teams. Captain, you take Sun Yang, and I’ll team up with Shen Qiuyue. We can have a two-on-two battle. How does that sound? That way, you won’t have to worry about a one-on-one, and you won’t have to chicken out, Sun Yang!”

Hearing this, Sun Yang’s face lit up. ”That works! Captain, if we team up, there’s no way we’ll lose, right?”

Li Chang’an smiled. ”Alright, we’ll do it your way.

It’s settled then, a two-on-two battle.

Who’s up first?”

Han Ruoxi immediately raised her hand. ”I’ll go first! Shen Qiuyue, let’s get ready. Don’t you go easy on them now!”

Shen Qiuyue nodded slightly, tightening her grip on her sword.

Li Chang’an walked to the center of the field and pointed to the other side. ”Sun Yang, keep up! Don’t drag me down!”

”Don’t worry, Captain, I won’t let you down!” Sun Yang said, shaking out his arms, his face brimming with fighting spirit.

Both sides took their positions. Li Chang’an gave a slight nod, signaling the start.

Han Ruoxi instantly leaped into the air. With a wave of her hands, sparks of electricity crackled, striking toward Li Chang’an like a Thunderbolt.

Li Chang’an swung his sword, easily deflecting the electric current. In a flash, he dodged to the side and closed in on Shen Qiuyue.

Unflustered, Shen Qiuyue raised her Longsword horizontally, steadily blocking Li Chang’an’s sudden attack.

Their blades met in mid-air with a sharp clang.

”Not bad, Shen Qiuyue. You’ve improved again recently!” Li Chang’an said with a light chuckle, but his feet never stopped moving as he continued his rapid assault.

Shen Qiuyue’s expression remained calm as she quickly brought her Longsword back to defend, revealing no openings whatsoever.

”I won’t let you get the upper hand that easily, Captain!” Shen Qiuyue said coldly.

Standing to the side, Han Ruoxi saw her chance. With a wave of her hands, another bolt of electricity shot toward Li Chang’an’s back.

”Captain, watch out!”

Li Chang’an let out a soft laugh and tilted his body slightly, letting the current graze past him.

”Trying to ambush me with a little trick like that?” Li Chang’an laughed.

”Looks like you two need more practice!”

Sun Yang finally made his move. He raised his Pulse Gun and fired a wild volley at Han Ruoxi. ”Take this!”

”Hey! Sun Yang, what are you shooting at?!” Han Ruoxi yelled as she jumped to dodge. ”You’ll never hit anyone like that!”

”I’m just helping you practice your reflexes!” Sun Yang laughed loudly. ”Don’t panic! Just dodge a couple more times, and I’ll land a shot!”

”Oh, save it!” Han Ruoxi said through gritted teeth, dodging while simultaneously releasing bolts of electricity.

The teams went back and forth, and the training ground filled with the sounds of playful fighting and laughter.

After the training session ended, the four of them sat on the ground, panting. Li Chang’an looked at them, a smile on his face.

”Alright, that’s enough practice for today. We’ll continue tomorrow.

Remember, you all need to work on your coordination. Today wasn’t exactly ideal!”

”Captain, you have to go easy on us tomorrow!” Sun Yang said with a helpless look.

Li Chang’an laughed. ”That depends on your performance.

Alright, go get some rest. We have things to do this afternoon!”

Li Chang’an got up, dusted himself off, and started walking away.

”Let’s go. Time to get something to eat and restore our Energy. We have a mission this afternoon!” he said, waving to the team members behind him.

”Oof, finally, a break!” Sun Yang scrambled to his feet and rubbed his lower back. ”I’m sore all over from that mock battle. Captain, can you go a little easier next time?”

”Weren’t you the one complaining about being bored? Now you get a chance to move around and you’re complaining that it hurts?” Li Chang’an chuckled, glancing back at him.

”Suit yourself. If you don’t want to participate next time, no one’s forcing you!”

”I can’t do that!” Sun Yang quickly waved his hands and hurried to catch up.

”I still have to train. This body gets rusty if I slack off!”

”Han Ruoxi, your lightning attacks earlier were pretty good, but next time, don’t forget to wait for the right opportunity. I feel like your attacks are a bit wild, not focused enough,” Li Chang’an said as they walked.

”You’re one to talk!” Han Ruoxi retorted defensively from behind him. ”My lightning strikes were plenty accurate; you’re just too fast! I need to find a slower target to practice on!”

”A slower target?” Sun Yang clutched his chest dramatically. ”Don’t look at me! I have no desire to be zapped into a piece of barbecue!”

”Don’t worry, my electricity doesn’t hurt that much. At most, it’ll give you a little jolt to wake you up!” Han Ruoxi teased with a smile.

Chatting and laughing, the group walked into the cafeteria.

”What’s good to eat today?” Sun Yang plopped down at a table, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

”It’s the same old cafeteria. What could possibly be new?” Shen Qiuyue shot him a glance, sat down to the side, and started looking through the menu.

Li Chang’an glanced at the menu and smiled. ”Don’t complain. The conditions here at the outpost are pretty good. At least we get enough to eat.

Today’s special is synthetic meat and an Energy drink. That’s enough to replenish your strength!”