Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

Li Chang’an nodded and gestured for everyone to enter the tactical field.

The simulated battlefield was a wide area filled with various obstacles and simulated enemies, including models of the Insect Race and virtual projections of Alien Martial Artists.

”Simulation start!” Li Chang’an commanded, and the Insect Hunter Squad sprang into action.

Han Ruoxi was the first to act, releasing her Electric Energy to create an Electric Grid on the left side of the field, holding a swarm of virtual Insect Race members in place.

She quickly moved closer to her teammates, forming an encirclement with Shen Qiuyue.

”Sun Yang, the enemies on the right are yours!” Li Chang’an ordered while swinging his Saw Chain Sword, swiftly cutting down enemies that got too close.

Sun Yang immediately raised his Pulse Gun and fired a continuous, precise volley at the enemies on the right. Energy Bullets rained down on them, instantly taking down several approaching virtual Insect Race members.

”Heh heh, look at my suppressive fire. Pretty solid, right?”

Han Ruoxi raised her hand and unleashed another current of electricity, paralyzing a few more enemies that had drawn near.

”Brother Yang, don’t celebrate too soon! Another wave is coming!”

”Don’t worry, I’ve got this!” Sun Yang continued to fire, his Energy Bullets flying out relentlessly, giving the enemy almost no chance to get close.

Meanwhile, Shen Qiuyue calmly swung her Dueling Sword. Its blade flashed fiercely, each strike hitting an enemy’s vital point with clean, efficient precision.

Li Chang’an, for his part, maintained a constant watch over the entire battlefield, periodically adjusting the team’s positions and tempo.

”Bai Lin, monitor for enemy reinforcements!”

Bai Lin tapped at his terminal, head bowed, and replied softly, ”Monitoring. No more enemies approaching for now.”

A few minutes later, the simulated battle was nearing its end. The last wave of enemies was taken out by a single shot from Sun Yang.

”Nice!” Sun Yang said with a smug look, giving Li Chang’an a thumbs-up. ”Our teamwork was flawless this time. Absolutely seamless!”

Li Chang’an walked over and nodded slightly. ”It was good this time. Everyone’s coordination has improved.”

”But, Sun Yang, you need to pay more attention to your positioning next time. Don’t be so greedy for kills.”

”Greedy for kills? I was doing it for the team!” Sun Yang scratched his head, a look of exasperation on his face.

Han Ruoxi laughed and patted his shoulder. ”All right, Brother Yang. Teamwork is what’s key. Just listen to Brother Chang’an’s orders more next time!”

Shen Qiuyue sheathed her sword and said coldly, ”That glory-hog attitude will get the whole team killed.”

”Remember, you’re not alone on the battlefield!”

Sun Yang nodded repeatedly. ”I know, I know! I’ll definitely follow orders next time!”

Li Chang’an smiled faintly. ”Alright, that’s enough training for today. Everyone take a break. We’ll discuss tactical adjustments later.”

The squad members relaxed, sitting off to the side to drink water and rest.

Sun Yang slapped his thigh, in high spirits. ”Man, that was a good run today. I felt even smoother than usual!”

Han Ruoxi teased him with a smile, ”You just wanted to get it over with so you could go rest, didn’t you?”

”Heh heh, you saw right through me!” Sun Yang said with a grin. ”But seriously, the teamwork felt great today. A few more practice runs like this, and we’ll be a real force to be reckoned with in an actual battle!”

Li Chang’an looked at their smiling faces, a sense of peace washing over him.

”Keep this up. The enemies we face from now on will only get stronger.”

”No problem, we can totally handle it!” Sun Yang puffed out his chest, full of confidence.

Though exhausted, the members of the Insect Hunter Squad were in a relaxed mood.

After finishing his water, Sun Yang leaned back in a nearby chair, patted his stomach, and couldn’t help but say, ”Man, I’d kill for a big meal right now. We’ve got to reward ourselves after training, right? Brother Chang’an, did the base arrange for any good food today?”

Li Chang’an shot him a look and said flatly, ”Can you think about anything besides food? The mission isn’t even completely over, and you’re already thinking about your next meal?”

”This isn’t just thinking about food, it’s about balancing work and rest!” Sun Yang said with a chuckle. ”If I don’t eat my fill, where am I going to get the energy to keep fighting?”

Han Ruoxi couldn’t help but laugh. She put on a serious face and said, ”Brother Yang has a point. You really can’t fight on an empty stomach.”

”But, well, what we eat is up to the base. We don’t get a say in it!”

”Exactly! See, Han Ruoxi gets me!” Sun Yang pointed at her smugly. ”This isn’t just about eating, it’s about maintaining combat effectiveness!”

Shen Qiuyue shot Sun Yang a cool glance and mercilessly shot him down. ”You’ve got an excuse for everything. Combat effectiveness comes from the tactics in your head, not the food in your mouth.”

Sun Yang scratched his head, looking exasperated. ”Hey, missy, you’ve got a point, but how is someone like me, Sun Yang, supposed to have the energy to think about tactics if I’m not full?”

Li Chang’an shook his head lightly. ”Alright, stop arguing.”

”Today’s training was intense enough. Everyone rest for now. Wait for the base’s briefing tonight and see if there are any follow-up missions.”

”Ah, I hope the base gives us an easier mission this time,” Sun Yang sighed. ”We’ve been fighting for days. We’ve gotta catch a break!”

Han Ruoxi sidled up to him and said with a smile, ”Brother Yang, if you want to catch a break, you could always consider helping out in logistics. There’s no fighting there, it’s pretty relaxed!”

Hearing this, Sun Yang immediately waved his hands. ”Hey, hey, hey, don’t even joke about that. I’m not cut out for that stuff. Logistics and I don’t mix. I’d rather be on the battlefield, firing my gun, and taking on the Insect Race!”

Shen Qiuyue snorted. ”All you know is fighting and killing. No wonder you’re always charging in so recklessly.”

”Hey, I ought to thank myself for having that drive!” Sun Yang rubbed the back of his neck, looking proud. ”Otherwise, our squad’s heavy fire support would be a lot less impressive!”

Han Ruoxi shook her head, smiling. ”Your confidence is really something else.”

”But seriously, everyone worked together pretty well today. Even Brother Chang’an said our tactics have improved!”

”Of course!” Sun Yang said smugly. ”With my fire support, when have we ever had a fight that wasn’t a clean sweep?”

Li Chang’an glanced at the time and stood up. ”Alright, that’s enough chatter. Everyone get ready. We’re going to the base’s main hall for the mission briefing.”

”The higher-ups might have new orders.”

At this, Sun Yang’s expression instantly turned to one of resignation. ”Another mission so soon? I was hoping we could rest a bit!”

Li Chang’an walked up to him and patted his shoulder. ”On the front lines, rest is a luxury. If you came here to take it easy, you probably should have gone home a long time ago.”

Sun Yang pouted. ”Alright, alright, I get it. Let’s just go!”

The group straightened out their gear and then headed for the main hall together.

Along the way, the flow of people in the base was noticeably heavier than usual. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry, as if preparing for something big.

”Why are there so many people today?” Han Ruoxi couldn’t help but ask.

Shen Qiuyue glanced around, her tone calm. ”The Insect Race is probably on the move again. The past few days’ operations were just the beginning.”

”Just as I thought. The Insect Race is definitely making a big move!” Sun Yang frowned. ”Don’t tell me they’re planning a large-scale invasion.”

Li Chang’an didn’t answer, merely quickening his pace as he led the squad swiftly to the main hall.

The base’s main hall was already packed with squad members from various Combat Groups. Everyone was talking in low voices, seemingly discussing the same issue.

Li Chang’an and his team found a spot and stood there, waiting for the mission briefing to begin.

Before long, Commander Liu Na walked onto the stage. She scanned the crowd and then spoke. ”Everyone, quiet down!”

The hall instantly fell silent, and all eyes turned to Liu Na.

”According to the latest intelligence, Insect Race activity has been increasing around the periphery of Lion’s Fang Star. Their recent reconnaissance missions, in particular, show unusual patterns!” Commander Liu Na’s tone was calm, but her words carried an undercurrent of urgency.