Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”What’s there to be afraid of? They’re just bugs.”

Shen Qiuyue tightened her grip on her Dueling Sword, her voice as calm as ever. ”We just need to take them out.”

”Alright, let’s get to it!”

Sun Yang took a deep breath and raised his Pulse Gun, aiming at the swarm ahead. ”I refuse to believe these damn bugs are going to be the end of me!”

The swarm drew nearer. Li Chang’an glanced at his teammates and gave the order. ”Stick to the plan. Han Ruoxi, you’re on ranged support. Sun Yang, covering fire. Shen Qiuyue, you’re on the front line with me. Bai Lin, you’re responsible for rear recon and tech support. Understood?”

”Understood!”

They all responded in unison and sprang into action.

Han Ruoxi threw her hands up, and several arcs of blue lightning erupted in the air, lashing out at the swarm ahead.

Wherever the lightning struck, the carapaces of the Insect Race were instantly scorched. A shrill buzzing filled the air as several bugs dropped to the ground.

”Not bad!”

Seeing this, Sun Yang couldn’t help but crack a smile. He raised his Pulse Gun and unleashed a volley of shots. The bullets tore through the carapaces of the Insect Race, making a series of dull, popping sounds.

Li Chang’an and Shen Qiuyue charged out, one to the left and one to the right. Their Saw Chain Sword and Dueling Sword swung in unison, hacking into the bodies of the Insect Race and splattering blood everywhere.

The Saw Chain Sword in Li Chang’an’s hands screeched as it ground against the hard carapaces of the Insect Race. With every swing, more of them fell.

”These bugs are pretty tough!”

Shen Qiuyue said in a low voice as she sliced the head off a bug, ”But they’re not so tough we can’t handle them!”

”Don’t get careless. There could be more coming!”

Li Chang’an warned as he swung his sword, his eyes ever vigilant.

The swarm surged forward relentlessly, and the team was soon locked in a fierce battle.

Han Ruoxi stood in the rear, continuously unleashing arcs of lightning. The currents weaved through the swarm, electrocuting any bugs that drew near.

Sun Yang’s Pulse Gun spat a constant stream of fire, suppressing the swarm’s advance from afar.

”Brother Li, more bugs behind us! A lot of them!”

Bai Lin’s voice suddenly came over the comms channel, low and urgent.

”Got it!”

Li Chang’an cleaved through an insect in front of him and made a quick decision. ”Han Ruoxi, concentrate your fire on our front! Sun Yang, you take rear support!”

”Roger!”

Sun Yang immediately spun around, raised his Pulse Gun, and began spraying wildly at the bugs to their rear.

Han Ruoxi, for her part, focused her energy. The lightning in her hands grew even more brilliant as she sent several bolts in quick succession crashing into the swarm, felling them in droves. But still, the bugs poured in endlessly from all sides.

”How are there so many of them?!”

Sun Yang exclaimed as he fired, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. ”Are we actually about to get surrounded?”

”Don’t panic! Stay focused!”

Li Chang’an barked. His Saw Chain Sword tore another bug’s head open, splattering blood, but he didn’t pause for a second before charging the next one.

Shen Qiuyue was just as ruthless. Her Dueling Sword flashed like cold steel, and several members of the Insect Race were instantly sliced in half.

Her movements were clean and efficient, like she was mowing down grass in a game with no real challenge.

”Something’s not right with these bugs!”

Han Ruoxi’s voice came from the rear. ”Their attack patterns are chaotic. It’s like they’re uncoordinated!”

Li Chang’an frowned at her words. ”You’re saying they’ve lost their leader?”

”It’s possible. Or their commander just hasn’t shown up yet!”

Han Ruoxi replied as she unleashed another jolt of electricity, her eyes fixed on the swarm ahead. ”We have to find their leader, and fast. Otherwise, they’ll just keep coming!”

”Alright. Then we push forward!”

Li Chang’an immediately gave the order, ”Shen Qiuyue, charge with me!”

Shen Qiuyue nodded. With a swing of her Dueling Sword, the two of them charged side-by-side into the densest part of the swarm.

Han Ruoxi and Sun Yang continued to provide covering fire from the rear, while Bai Lin operated his equipment from a distance, maintaining reconnaissance.

As Li Chang’an and Shen Qiuyue pushed forward, the swarm’s encirclement began to tighten. Finally, amidst a pile of rubble, Li Chang’an’s gaze locked onto a massive, hideous insect. It was far larger than the others—clearly the commander.

”Target acquired!”

Li Chang’an said in a low voice, tightening his grip on his Saw Chain Sword. He picked up his pace, heading straight for the creature.

”Looks like that’s the leader.”

Shen Qiuyue was right beside him. ”Should we take it out directly?” she asked coldly.

”Enough talk. Let’s move!”

Li Chang’an shot forward, his Saw Chain Sword whistling through the air as he brought it down viciously on the insect.

The creature reacted with incredible speed, leaping up to dodge Li Chang’an’s attack.

It waved its limbs and let out a piercing shriek. The surrounding insects instantly grew more frenzied, lunging at Li Chang’an and his team.

”It’s commanding them!”

Han Ruoxi cried out from the rear, ”Be careful!”

”No time for that! We take it out first!”

Li Chang’an’s voice was ice-cold. He swung his Saw Chain Sword again, generating a fierce gust of wind as he pressed the attack on the creature.

Without hesitation, Shen Qiuyue attacked its flank with her Dueling Sword.

The two worked in perfect concert, forming an encirclement that pinned the creature down.

”Shen Qiuyue, follow up!”

Li Chang’an yelled, his Saw Chain Sword suddenly accelerating as he viciously slammed it into the creature’s torso.

The creature let out a bloodcurdling shriek. Its body jerked back, limbs flailing wildly as it tried to break free from Li Chang’an’s attack.

Just then, Shen Qiuyue’s Dueling Sword struck from the other side, piercing straight through the creature’s body and pinning it firmly to the ground.

”Got him!”