Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

Li Chang’an’s gaze was locked ahead. He knew they had to destroy the enemy’s High-Energy Ion Cannon as quickly as possible, or the base’s defensive line wouldn’t hold against the next assault.

”The Ion Cannon’s position is at the top of the high ground!” Li Chang’an said in a low voice, sidestepping an incoming Energy Bullet. ”We have to find a way around their defenses and destroy it directly!”

Shen Qiuyue’s expression was calm as she gripped her sword. ”Their defenses are bound to be tight,” she said without hesitation. ”We’ll have to take out the perimeter guards before we can get close to the Ion Cannon!”

The two of them quickly approached the high ground. The Rebel Army had already set up several layers of defenses, with numerous patrols and heavy firepower guarding the key routes around the hill.

”We have to be stealthy. We can’t fight them head-on,” Li Chang’an said gravely. ”I’ll circle around to the left and draw their attention. You swing around from the right, find an opening, and destroy the Ion Cannon!”

Shen Qiuyue gave a slight nod. ”I know what to do. You be careful.”

Li Chang’an took a deep breath and sprinted toward cover on the left, using the darkness to quickly duck behind a ruined structure.

He gripped his Saw Chain Sword and slowly activated it. The motor emitted a low, humming buzz.

His goal was to draw the enemy’s attention, creating an opening for Shen Qiuyue.

Meanwhile, Shen Qiuyue had already circled silently to the right. Her figure moved like a shadow, completely unnoticed.

She quickly neared the edge of the enemy’s defensive line, her hand on her still-sheathed sword, her gaze calm and determined.

Li Chang’an suddenly burst from cover, swinging his Saw Chain Sword in a vicious arc that precisely cut down several Rebel Army soldiers ahead.

Amid the roar of the blade, the soldiers collapsed instantly. The shower of sparks drew the attention of the surrounding guards.

”Enemy over there!” a Rebel Army soldier shouted. They immediately swiveled their weapons toward Li Chang’an and opened fire, a dense volley of Energy Bullets instantly hurtling his way.

Li Chang’an quickly fell back, using the terrain for cover while constantly shifting his position to draw more of their fire.

Though he appeared to be at a disadvantage, he had the enemy’s full attention, creating the opening Shen Qiuyue needed.

With the enemy’s attention fixed on Li Chang’an, Shen Qiuyue rapidly closed in on the Ion Cannon.

She concealed herself in the shadows, silently observing the enemy’s deployment and searching for a weakness.

When the moment was right, she struck. A flash from her blade cut through the air like lightning, silently dispatching the few soldiers guarding the Ion Cannon.

’Done!’ Shen Qiuyue thought, quickly approaching the massive Ion Cannon.

With a single swing, she plunged her sword into the Ion Cannon’s Energy Core, then swiftly withdrew it.

With a harsh ZZZZTT of arcing electricity, the cannon’s interior began to billow thick smoke before erupting in a massive explosion.

”Ion Cannon is destroyed!” Shen Qiuyue reported quickly over her comms.

”Nice work!” Li Chang’an immediately disengaged and started moving toward Shen Qiuyue’s position.

They had to get out of the area as fast as possible; enemy reinforcements would be arriving soon.

The two retreated quickly back to the defensive line, where the battle was still raging. Sun Yang and Han Ruoxi were fighting hard to hold back the enemy’s assault.

”You’re back!” Han Ruoxi asked, her face tense. ”Did you get the Ion Cannon?”

Li Chang’an nodded. ”The Ion Cannon is destroyed. Their heavy firepower threat is gone, but their assault hasn’t stopped!”

”That’s awesome!” Sun Yang laughed as he fired his weapon. ”Now they’ve got nothing on us! Watch me keep laying down the fire!”

Li Chang’an scanned the battlefield. The line had stabilized for now, but the enemy’s assault hadn’t let up.

The Insect Race horde was still charging frantically, while Rebel Army soldiers tried to flank them. The situation on the battlefield remained grim.

”Everyone, hold the line! We just have to hang on until reinforcements arrive!” Li Chang’an commanded calmly. ”Han Ruoxi, keep using your Electric Energy to seal their breakthroughs! Shen Qiuyue, you’re responsible for the left flank. Don’t let them break through from the side!”

”Got it!” Han Ruoxi and Shen Qiuyue responded in unison, quickly returning to their posts.

Intense electricity gathered in Han Ruoxi’s hands once more. With a sudden wave, a blue-white arc of lightning shot across the battlefield, instantly striking a large cluster of the Insect Race.

The current leaped between their bodies, paralyzing them and temporarily slowing their charge.

’Just have to hold on!’ Han Ruoxi thought, gritting her teeth. Though her stamina was draining, she continued to unleash her Electric Energy with all her might.

On the left flank, Shen Qiuyue continued her defense. Enemy soldiers were trying to flank them from that direction, but her blade flashed like a downpour, each strike incredibly lethal.

The enemy couldn’t get past her line of defense.

”This Rebel Army offensive is stronger than I expected,” Shen Qiuyue said coldly, her Swordsmanship as sharp and deadly as ever.

Sun Yang continued to lay down suppressive fire from the front. His Pulse Gun was glowing red-hot, but he didn’t let up, sending a constant stream of Energy Bullets toward the enemy.

”Let them send as many as they want, I’ll shoot them all down!” Sun Yang laughed, continuing to fire. ”We’re going to make this battle legendary!”

Just then, Bai Lin’s voice crackled over the comms with an alert: ”Command just sent the latest intel! The enemy’s main force is mobilizing! They’re probably preparing to launch one last, massive charge! Everyone, get ready!”

”One last push,” Li Chang’an’s eyes turned cold. ”Listen up, everyone! This is going to be the hardest part of the fight. We cannot let them break our line!”

”Bring it on! I’m ready!” Sun Yang wiped the sweat from his forehead, gritted his teeth, and kept his eyes glued to the enemy forces ahead.