Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

A flash of nervousness crossed Han Ruoxi’s eyes. ”Does this mean the Insect Race might be planning a large-scale attack?”

”It’s possible, but we don’t have any solid intel yet,” Li Chang’an explained. ”However, the base has already heightened its alert level. We need to stay vigilant and can’t let our guard down.”

Shen Qiuyue said calmly, ”If the Insect Race launches a full-scale invasion, the base’s defensive lines will be under immense threat. We need to prepare for a protracted battle.”

Sun Yang scratched his head, his expression a bit conflicted. ”To be honest, I still prefer fighting smaller groups of enemies.

A massive swarm attacking... just thinking about it gives me a headache!”

Han Ruoxi sighed softly. ”But this is our reality. We’re bound to face bigger battles sooner or later.”

”Reality is harsh,” Li Chang’an said, his tone steady as he stood by the table. ”But we can’t back down.

Every battle is a test for us.”

Sun Yang pouted. ”Hmph, just as I thought. You’re all so serious. Can’t we lighten up a little? Fine, fine, I get it. I’ll definitely take the next fight seriously!”

Li Chang’an glanced at the time. ”Alright, everyone get some rest tonight. We’ll start new training and preparations tomorrow.”

”Great!” Sun Yang immediately stood up. ”Then I’ll get a good night’s sleep, recharge my batteries, and we’ll deal with things tomorrow!”

Han Ruoxi shook her head with a smile. ”You and your sleep!”

Shen Qiuyue watched Sun Yang coolly. ”I hope you can maintain that relaxed attitude tomorrow.”

Sun Yang grinned. ”Don’t worry, see you tomorrow!” With that, he strode out of the lounge, clearly eager to get to bed.

Watching him leave, Li Chang’an shook his head slightly. ”Alright, you all should get some rest too. See you tomorrow.”

Sun Yang returned to his dorm and immediately flopped onto his bed, stretching out with a loud groan.

”Agh, today was exhausting. After a battle like that, my legs feel like they’re about to fall off!” he muttered, closing his eyes to get some much-needed sleep.

A few minutes later, he suddenly opened his eyes and frowned. ’No, this won’t do,’ he said to himself. ’I need to find something fun. Just sleeping is too boring!’ So, he pulled out his personal terminal and started searching for some entertaining shows or games to pass the time.

Meanwhile, Han Ruoxi wasn’t in such a hurry to rest after returning to her dorm.

She sat down at her desk, lost in thought as she toyed with a small Electric Energy Ball, making the currents within it swirl gently.

She watched the electricity dance across her fingertips, letting out an occasional ”ZZT, ZZT,” her mind replaying the recent mission.

’Even though the mission was a success, something feels off.’

”The Insect Race’s reaction was too slow. Based on past experience, they shouldn’t have been repelled so easily,” she whispered to herself, her brow furrowed slightly.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

”Come in!” Han Ruoxi called out without looking up, still fiddling with the Electric Energy Ball in her hand.

The door opened softly. It was Shen Qiuyue.

She walked in and looked calmly at Han Ruoxi. ”You feel it too, don’t you? Something’s not right.”

Han Ruoxi put down the Electric Energy Ball and looked up at Shen Qiuyue. ”Yeah. You sensed it too?”

Shen Qiuyue nodded and sat down in the chair across from her. ”The Insect Race’s response was too slow. It was like they were intentionally holding back.”

”Holding back?” Han Ruoxi frowned. ”Are you saying they were testing us?”

”It’s a possibility,” Shen Qiuyue said, her tone even but her eyes betraying a hint of vigilance. ”This operation seemed to go smoothly, but there were hidden dangers.

Don’t you find it strange? We defeated their scout team so easily, yet they didn’t launch a large-scale counterattack.”

Han Ruoxi nodded thoughtfully. ”You’re right. Logically, once an Insect Race scout team is discovered, they should counterattack immediately.

But this time, it was as if they were waiting for something.”

”Perhaps a larger plan,” Shen Qiuyue stated calmly. ”But for now, we can only speculate. We don’t have any concrete evidence.

Li Chang’an must have noticed it too. He’ll handle it.”

”Mmm, Brother Chang’an definitely won’t miss a single clue,” Han Ruoxi said with a small smile. ”But I’m still a little worried. These bugs are getting smarter.”

Shen Qiuyue stood up and patted Han Ruoxi’s shoulder. ”Don’t overthink it. Just focus on our own preparations.

If something happens, we’ll deal with it.”

Han Ruoxi nodded with a smile. ”I know. You’re always so calm. Sometimes I really envy you.”

Shen Qiuyue didn’t reply, simply offering a faint smile before turning and leaving the dorm to return to her own room.

Meanwhile, Li Chang’an was in the command room, his fingers drumming lightly on the tabletop as he contemplated the recent mission.

He sensed the abnormality in the Insect Race’s behavior, but he couldn’t find any specific evidence just yet.

Commander Liu Na stood beside him, studying a map. After a moment of thought, she spoke. ”Chang’an, do you think there was a problem with the operation?”

”Yes. The Insect Race’s reaction was abnormal,” Li Chang’an answered concisely. ”It didn’t seem like a typical reconnaissance mission. It was more like they were deliberately luring us into action.”

Liu Na nodded slightly. ”I feel the same way. Logically, the Insect Race should have reacted more strongly.”

Li Chang’an thought for a moment, then looked up and asked, ”Do you think this could be a precursor to a larger-scale attack?”

Liu Na was silent for a moment before speaking slowly. ”We can’t rule out that possibility.

The Insect Race has always been cunning. They wouldn’t display such a drastic change in behavior for no reason.

But we’ll have to wait for more intel to know the specifics.”