Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

The swarm, though still frenzied, gradually lost its coordination under the Insect Hunter Squad’s tenacious counterattack.

The tide of battle finally turned in the Insect Hunter Squad’s favor, and the members’ seamless teamwork steadily stabilized the situation.

After the battle, the entire Insect Hunter Squad retreated to the Rock Area and completely wiped out the remaining members of the Insect Race that had pursued them.

Everyone was panting for breath, their faces etched with the relief of having survived the ordeal.

”Captain, you got here just in time!”

Sun Yang leaned against a rock, panting as he grinned. ”Any later and I probably would’ve been dinner for the Insect Race!”

”If you were dinner, they’d probably starve!”

Han Ruoxi wiped the sweat from her face and retorted irritably.

Shen Qiuyue glanced at Li Chang’an and spoke calmly. ”The number of Insect Race in this area is far higher than anticipated. We have to report this to the base. It could be a new swarm gathering point.”

Li Chang’an nodded. ”Bai Lin, contact the base. Send the report and have them dispatch a team to clean this place up.”

Bai Lin fiddled with his terminal, then looked up. ”Signal’s back. Report sent!”

”Alright, pack it up. We’re heading back to base.”

Li Chang’an stood, flicking his Saw Chain Sword to shake off the residual green fluid. ”Today’s haul will keep the logistics department busy for a while.”

The Insect Hunter Squad dragged their weary bodies back to base. The atmosphere on the way was somewhat relaxed, but no one let their guard down completely.

Li Chang’an led the way, glancing back from time to time to check on his squad’s condition.

”Captain, are we gonna get more points for this?”

Sun Yang rubbed his hands together as he walked, his face full of anticipation. ”We took out so many of them this time. You think the base will give us a reward? Maybe some extra meat? Or how about an equipment upgrade?”

”Weren’t you just about to become dinner? How are you already thinking about food?”

Han Ruoxi rolled her eyes and took a bite out of an Energy Bar. ”Talk about a one-track mind. You switch gears way too fast.”

”It’s called having a positive outlook, get it?”

Sun Yang retorted with a straight face. ”We risk our lives fighting the Insect Race. There ought to be some tangible rewards, right? Otherwise, we’ll go insane eating nothing but Nutrition Paste every day!”

”All you ever do is talk a big game!”

Shen Qiuyue cut in coldly, wiping the residue from her Dueling Sword. ”The mission’s not even over and you’re already thinking about the rewards?”

”Hey, I’m not just ’thinking about it,’ I’m looking out for the squad’s welfare!”

Sun Yang continued without batting an eye. ”Sister Qiuyue, don’t be so cold all the time. We worked so well together this time. Shouldn’t we celebrate?”

”Shut up. Stop looking for attention.”

Shen Qiuyue couldn’t be bothered with him anymore and looked up at Li Chang’an. ”Captain, shouldn’t we do a new regional assessment when we get back? The density of the Insect Race here is abnormal.”

”The assessment is the base’s job, but we need to provide detailed intel.”

Li Chang’an didn’t break his stride, his voice steady. ”After we get back, everyone is to submit a combat log. Bai Lin, you’ll be in charge of compiling them to be handed over to the logistics department.”

”Captain, you don’t need my log, do you?”

Sun Yang scratched his head, looking sheepish. ”Mine was basically just: shoot, run, shoot again, run again. There’s not much to write!”

”Content or not, the log gets turned in.”

Li Chang’an said without turning back, ”If one is missing, the entire squad runs another five kilometers with Instructor Wei.”

”No, don’t! I’ll write it right now!”

Sun Yang immediately threw his hands up with an exaggerated expression. ”Captain, can’t you come up with a different threat? Running is honestly the most painful part of my existence!”

”You don’t have any other painful parts in your life?”

Han Ruoxi couldn’t resist teasing him.

”Of course there are! Like being broke, not getting to eat meat, and getting chased all over the place by the Insect Race!”

Sun Yang started counting on his fingers, but sighed halfway through. ”Ah, life is hard. Good meals are the only thing keeping me going.”

After an hour’s march, the squad finally reached the safe zone on the base’s perimeter.

The base’s protective shield shimmered with a faint blue light in the sun, like an invisible barrier.

”We finally made it!”

Sun Yang looked up at the familiar cluster of buildings and sighed in relief. ”My feet are killing me. Captain, can we call it a day early?”

”Call it a day?”

Li Chang’an stopped and glanced back at him. ”Finished your combat log? Done your gear check? Is the debrief summary ready?”

Sun Yang’s expression stiffened. ”Captain, with all this stuff to do, aren’t you exhausted?”

”Exhausted or not, it has to be done.”

Li Chang’an replied coolly and led the way into the base.

The others followed, and upon entering the base, they went their separate ways to the barracks or the armory.

The standard post-mission procedures began.

In the debriefing room, Li Chang’an and the squad were compiling their reports.

”Captain, should we add our operational details here?”

Han Ruoxi leaned over, pointing at her terminal screen. ”Like the times I used my electrical discharge. The effect was significant. That should be a highlight, right?”

”Include it.”

Li Chang’an glanced over and nodded. ”But don’t exaggerate. Just be objective.”

”Okay, how about I write that I used a precise electrical discharge to take down multiple members of the Insect Race, saving the squad from a crisis?”

Han Ruoxi looked at him expectantly.

”...This is a combat report, not an award application. Don’t make it sound like you’re bragging.”

Li Chang’an cut her off, shaking his head.

”Fine, fine. I’ll be modest.”

Han Ruoxi muttered, lowering her head to edit her report.

Sun Yang, meanwhile, had given up the struggle and was dozing off in his chair. ”I really can’t take this anymore. All this writing is torture.

Captain, maybe I’m not cut out to be a soldier. I’m better suited for desk work. What do you think about putting in a transfer request to logistics for me?”

”You’re right, you’re not.”

Shen Qiuyue cut in coldly. ”But you’re not suited for desk work, either.

Logistics doesn’t take slackers like you.”

Sun Yang shot upright. ”Shen Qiuyue, that’s harsh! When was I slacking off? I’m trying my best to write this thing!”

”You call that trying? You look like a bump on a log.”

Han Ruoxi chimed in with a laugh.

”A bump on a log? I’m conserving my energy! Get it? Every true expert goes through a low-key phase!”

Sun Yang puffed out his chest, trying to save face.

”Alright, that’s enough!”

Li Chang’an’s voice cut them off. He stood up and sent the compiled combat log to the logistics department. ”The main report has been submitted. Finish your individual logs and turn them in yourselves.

You can rest now.”

”Brilliant, Captain!”

Sun Yang shot to his feet, looking at Li Chang’an gratefully. ”I knew you were the most considerate captain!”

”Considerate?”

Li Chang’an glanced at him. ”Go run five kilometers on the training grounds. You need to reflect on your earlier performance.”

Sun Yang’s smile froze on his face. ”Captain! I was just trying to compliment you! Can’t a guy even give a compliment anymore?”

”You can give compliments, but you still have to run.”

Li Chang’an replied coolly and turned to leave.

The others couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Sun Yang looked at them helplessly. ”You guys have absolutely no sympathy!”

”We have sympathy, but it’s more fun to watch you squirm!”

Han Ruoxi was doubled over with laughter.

”My life is so hard!”

Sun Yang sighed and followed them out of the debriefing room.

Later, in the base’s mess hall, the squad gathered after finishing their duties for the day.

”Finally, food! I’m starving!”

Sun Yang sat down with his tray, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the meat stew. ”They actually have stew today! Logistics finally grew a conscience!”

”Eat less. Leave some for the others.”

Shen Qiuyue sat down across from him with her tray, her movements as graceful as always.

”I’m just having one bowl. That’s not too much, is it?”

Sun Yang asked cautiously.

”You call that a bowl? That’s a basin!”

Han Ruoxi couldn’t help but retort.

”Alright, stop arguing.”