Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”That’s a lot of members of the Insect Race,” Li Chang’an whispered. ”About two or three squads. They’re setting up a temporary camp, probably in preparation for their next move.”

”So they *are* planning something big,” Shen Qiuyue said coldly. ”Looks like this reconnaissance mission was worth it.”

”They look like scout teams, not the main force,” Li Chang’an continued. ”But this is still enough to prove they’re starting to gather in this area.”

”So, what do we do now? Head back and report?” Han Ruoxi asked.

Li Chang’an nodded. ”Yes. Our mission right now is to gather intelligence. There’s no need for a direct confrontation.

We’ll bring this intel back, and the higher-ups will decide on the next course of action.”

”Tch, just recon again,” Sun Yang grumbled, disappointed. ”I was hoping we could finally get into a real fight.”

”Can you try to control that itch for a fight?” Han Ruoxi shot him a look. ”Missions aren’t for your personal amusement!”

Sun Yang pouted. ”Alright, alright. I was just talking.

If the Captain says we pull back, we pull back.”

Li Chang’an scanned their surroundings. After confirming there was no other movement, he waved a hand. ”Let’s go. No more wasting time. We need to get back and report ASAP.”

The group quickly withdrew from their hiding spot. They carefully avoided the Insect Race’s patrols and returned to base along the same route they came.

”I guess you could call the mission a success,” Sun Yang said as they walked, ”but I have a feeling the Insect Race won’t give up on this area so easily.”

”Of course. They’re gathering here for a future offensive,” Li Chang’an agreed with a nod. ”But that’s not our problem. Our job is recon. We leave the rest for the higher-ups to deal with.”

”Fine, as long as the higher-ups give us a more interesting mission next time,” Sun Yang grumbled.

The squad returned to the base without incident. The first thing Li Chang’an did was report their findings to Liu Na.

Liu Na listened carefully to his report before nodding. ”Very good. Your reconnaissance was timely, and this intelligence will be extremely helpful for our next steps.

There will be a large-scale extermination mission coming up, and your intel is vital to its success.”

”When does the operation begin?” Li Chang’an asked.

”The plan is still being developed, but you’ll be notified soon,” Liu Na said. ”Get some rest for now. Stay on standby.”

”Understood.” Li Chang’an nodded, then led his team out of the command center.

Back in their dorm, Sun Yang plopped down on his bed. ”Hey, Captain, we scored big this time, didn’t we? I mean, intel like this has got to be worth a lot.”

”Don’t get caught up in things like that. Credit isn’t what we should be thinking about right now,” Li Chang’an said with a smile. ”The upcoming extermination operation is what’s important.”

”That’s true,” Sun Yang agreed. ”Still, I’d love to see the Insect Race get completely wiped out.”

”The Insect Race is a massive force. Don’t expect a single extermination mission to solve the problem,” Li Chang’an said. ”This war will likely drag on for a long time.”

”We’ll take it as it comes, then. I’m in no rush, anyway.” Sun Yang yawned, then lay down and closed his eyes. ”Time to get some good sleep and wait for the big mission.”

Han Ruoxi and Shen Qiuyue also returned to their beds, and the dorm gradually fell silent.

Li Chang’an sat on the edge of his bed, silently organizing his gear. A faint smile touched his lips.

’The battles to come might get very interesting.’

「A few days later.」

Li Chang’an was in the dorm, maintaining his gear, when his communicator suddenly beeped.

Li Chang’an glanced at the device and immediately answered the call.

”Chang’an, assemble the squad. The commander has a new mission to assign,” Liu Na’s voice came through the communicator.

”Understood. I’m on my way.” Li Chang’an replied curtly, then disconnected the call and stood up to face his teammates.

”Listen up, everyone! We’ve got a mission. Get ready,” he said.

Sun Yang leaped up from his bed, stretching his arms. ”Finally!” he said with a grin. ”I was going crazy from the wait.

Captain, what’s the mission this time? It’s not another recon job, is it?”

”No wild guesses. Let’s assemble and hear what the commander has to say,” Li Chang’an replied coolly.

Han Ruoxi and Shen Qiuyue quickly put on their gear, ready to move out.

”Captain, I don’t think this is going to be a simple recon mission,” Han Ruoxi said while checking her Superpower Device. ”The base has been ramping up its activity lately. We might be in for a tough fight.”

Li Chang’an nodded but didn’t say anything more.

He led his team out of the dorm and headed for the command center.

When they arrived at the command center, Liu Na was standing in front of a large screen, waiting for them.

”Insect Hunter Squad, are you ready?” Liu Na asked, looking at them with her usual calm tone.

”Yes. Standing by,” Li Chang’an replied from the front, his back ramrod straight.

Liu Na nodded. ”This mission is different.

We’ve received new intelligence. The Insect Race has completed a large-scale mobilization in the Southwest Mountain Area and could attack at any moment.

Your squad’s mission is to go deep behind enemy lines, locate their command center, and destroy their command-and-control system.”

Sun Yang’s eyes lit up the moment he heard that. ”Destroy their command-and-control? So we finally get a real fight this time, huh?”

”Don’t get too excited,” Han Ruoxi shot him a glare. ”Taking out a command-and-control system is no easy task. We’ll probably run into heavy resistance.”

”That’s right,” Liu Na said coolly. ”This mission is extremely dangerous.

Not only do you have to find the Insect Race’s command center, but you also have to find a way to destroy their communications network and throw their forces into disarray.

This will require precise coordination and exceptional combat skills.”

”Understood,” Li Chang’an replied with a nod. ”We will give it our all to complete the mission.”