Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”Everyone, be careful. Something feels off,” Li Chang’an said with a frown.

Han Ruoxi closed her eyes, sensing the electrical fluctuations in their surroundings.

”Captain, there are a few members of the Insect Race in an ambush about a hundred meters ahead.

They look like guards!”

”Guards?” Li Chang’an pondered for a moment. ”It seems we’re close to the objective. There must be an Insect Race stronghold here.

All of you, stay quiet. I’m going to take a look up ahead!”

He moved forward stealthily, with Shen Qiuyue and Han Ruoxi close behind. Sun Yang lagged slightly, ready to open fire at a moment’s notice.

After passing through a thicket of bushes, Li Chang’an came to a halt.

There were indeed several members of the Insect Race ahead, apparently guarding the entrance to a hidden cave.

”It’s an underground Insect Race nest!” Li Chang’an whispered. ”But there aren’t many of them. They’re probably the outer sentries!”

”Should we take them out?” Han Ruoxi asked in a low voice, a faint electric glow appearing in her hands.

Li Chang’an shook his head. ”No. We don’t know their numbers, so we can’t act rashly.

We still don’t know how many of the Insect Race are inside the nest!”

Sun Yang scratched his head and said quietly, ”Captain, how about I circle around to the side and take a look? We can confirm their numbers before deciding!”

Li Chang’an thought for a moment before nodding. ”Alright, but don’t alert them. Go and come back quickly!”

Sun Yang grunted in acknowledgment and quickly disappeared into the trees.

Li Chang’an kept his eyes on the Insect Race guards. A few seconds later, Sun Yang silently reappeared from the side.

”I took a look. It’s just these few near the cave entrance. The situation inside is unclear.

But the entrance goes deep. I’d guess there are a lot of them inside!”

”So it is a large nest, just as I thought,” Li Chang’an said softly. ”We’re not making a move now. We’ll continue our reconnaissance and bring the intel back!”

”But...” Sun Yang hesitated. ”If we miss this chance, what if they retreat?”

”Don’t worry, they won’t leave so quickly.

This nest seems to be a long-term encampment!” Li Chang’an said flatly. ”Besides, our mission is reconnaissance, not assault.

Once the higher-ups confirm the situation, there will naturally be a large-scale operation!”

”Alright, your call!” Sun Yang shrugged with some resignation. ”I was hoping we’d get to have a big fight!”

Li Chang’an chuckled softly. ”You, always looking for a fight. You’ll get your chance.

For now, let’s pull back. Don’t want to alert the enemy!”

The group retreated stealthily, with Han Ruoxi’s electrical senses continuing to probe their surroundings.

Once they were back in a safe zone, Li Chang’an nodded to everyone. ”Mission complete. Let’s go turn in the intel.

Today’s reconnaissance was a success. What happens next is up to the higher-ups!”

”I still feel a little unsatisfied!” Sun Yang sighed. ”Can you get us a more thrilling mission next time?”

”There will be plenty of chances!” Li Chang’an patted his shoulder. ”Let’s head back first. Stop complaining!”

The group made their way back to the base and submitted their intelligence to the command center.

Commander Liu Na read the mission report Li Chang’an submitted and nodded slightly.

”Not bad. You all did a great job this time. The reconnaissance was accurate, and you didn’t alert the enemy,” Liu Na said. ”Go get some rest. Command will arrange the follow-up operation.”

Li Chang’an nodded and led his team out of the command center.

”Good work today!” he said with a smile. ”Go get a good rest, and be ready for the next mission at any time!”

Han Ruoxi stretched and said with a smile, ”Finally, I can go back and get some real sleep. I’m dead tired!”

Sun Yang also laughed. ”Even though we didn’t have a big fight today, the recon mission was still pretty interesting.

Captain, next time, let’s get a frontal assault, no more sneaking around!”

”There will be plenty of chances!” Li Chang’an said with a laugh. ”Don’t worry, I won’t let you down next time!”

Back in their dorm, Li Chang’an took off his gear, casually tossed his Saw Chain Sword aside, and flopped onto his bed with a soft sigh.

”These days are getting more and more boring,” he commented idly, lacing his hands behind his head.

”You say that like we’re at war every single day!” Sun Yang, lying on the adjacent bed, rolled over and winked at Li Chang’an.

”It’s actually pretty nice sometimes. At least we don’t have to be on edge every day, worrying about the Insect Race jumping us!”

”Oh, stop your complaining, Sun Yang!” Han Ruoxi said as she walked in, kicked off her shoes, and dove onto her bed. ”You were the one who ran the fastest during today’s recon mission. If I’d known you were that eager for a fight, I would have let you go say hello to the Insect Race!”

Sun Yang immediately retorted, ”Hey, that was a tactical withdrawal, you hear? Reconnaissance is all about being sharp and fast.

Besides, the Captain already said we’re not fighting this time. We’re saving it for later!”

”Alright, you two, stop bickering. It’s been a long day, get some rest!” Li Chang’an stretched. ”I have a feeling the coming days won’t be so easy.”

”Hey, Captain, do you know something?” Sun Yang immediately perked up. ”Is a big mission coming?”

”A big mission?” Han Ruoxi also sat up, curious.

Li Chang’an shook his head. ”Don’t speculate. I don’t know anything specific, it’s just a feeling.

The Insect Race activity we’ve scouted lately has been getting more and more frequent. They must be planning something big!”

”For real? The Insect Race is making a big move?” Sun Yang grew even more excited at the thought and sat bolt upright. ”Does that mean we’re in for a tough fight?”

”Calm down, Sun Yang. Maybe the higher-ups haven’t even decided to act yet!” Han Ruoxi rolled her eyes at him. ”Besides, even if the Insect Race really is planning something, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll be the ones leading the charge!”

”But then again, even though we didn’t fight, this mission was still pretty intense!” Sun Yang scratched his head. ”That nest didn’t look small. If we really had to fight, it would’ve been a brutal battle!”