Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

After returning to the base, the squad promptly reported on their mission to their superiors and handed over the intelligence from the mining area to the intel department.

Back at the base, the entire Insect Hunter Squad crammed into their dorm room. The atmosphere was somewhat relaxed, but everyone was visibly exhausted.

Sun Yang, sprawled on the sofa and stroking his Pulse Gun, couldn’t help but start complaining.

”Man, we really put our lives on the line this time.”

”The Insect Race was so dense in that mining area. If we hadn’t been so quick on our feet, we’d probably be dead and buried there right now!”

”Being quick on your feet is your greatest asset,” Han Ruoxi said, glancing up at him as she disassembled her protective gear.

”But don’t forget, your accuracy is still the lowest on the team!”

”Ruo Xi, can’t you say something nice for a change? I scored a perfect hit on that Insect Race warrior’s joint just now!” Sun Yang shot up, looking disgruntled.

”How could you have taken it down so smoothly without me?”

”You hit it, sure, but how many shots did it take?” Shen Qiuyue added coolly as she walked past from a corner of the room.

”Sister Qiuyue, are you trying to completely demolish the little bit of confidence I just managed to build up?” Sun Yang asked, looking at her helplessly.

”I’m not trying to put you down. It’s a fact,” Shen Qiuyue said calmly, setting down her High-Energy Sword.

”Your strength is suppressive fire, but your precision still needs work.”

”Alright, that’s enough,” Li Chang’an said, pushing open the door to the dorm with a report in his hand.

”High command just issued new directives.”

”Intel’s analysis indicates that the hive in the mining area is just one part of the Insect Race’s plan. The true core area still hasn’t been located.”

”A core area?” Han Ruoxi frowned.

”You mean the mining area was just an outpost?”

”It’s highly likely,” Li Chang’an said, placing the report on the table and pointing to the data.

”The Insect Race’s sphere of activity on Lion’s Fang Star is expanding. If we can’t find their main hive soon, the situation will get even more complicated.”

”Then what are our next orders?” Shen Qiuyue asked, leaning back in her chair. Her voice was calm, but held a trace of anticipation.

”There are no specific orders yet, but we need to be on standby,” Li Chang’an said, glancing at the others.

”Get a good night’s rest. We’ll start tactical drills tomorrow morning to prepare for a bigger mission.”

”Captain, can I make a suggestion?” Sun Yang suddenly raised his hand.

”Go ahead,” Li Chang’an said, giving him a flat look.

”Well, I was thinking... since we just finished this mission, maybe we could apply for some kind of reward?” Sun Yang said with a grin.

”Like, maybe get the squad some better gear, or a bonus allowance. I mean, we did risk our lives to complete the mission, right?”

”There will be rewards, but they’ll be based on performance,” Li Chang’an said coolly.

”How much of a reward do you think your performance today deserves?”

”Uh...” Sun Yang was at a loss for words, scratching his head.

”Captain, I was just thinking out loud...”

”Stop thinking about rewards and start thinking about how not to drag the team down,” Han Ruoxi said bluntly.

”Alright, alright, you’re right. I’ll shut up,” Sun Yang said, waving his hands in surrender as he slumped back onto the sofa.

...

The night grew late and the dorm fell silent, but Sun Yang couldn’t sleep.

He tossed and turned before finally getting up. He walked to the window and stared blankly out at the night sky.

”Why aren’t you asleep?” Li Chang’an’s voice came from behind him.

”Captain? You’re still up?” Sun Yang turned to look at him, a little surprised.

”I always go to bed later than the rest of you,” Li Chang’an said, walking over to his side.

”What’s on your mind? The mission’s over.”

”I just feel... uneasy,” Sun Yang sighed.

”I have a feeling the Insect Race isn’t as straightforward as they used to be. Our missions are going to get more and more dangerous, aren’t they?”

”Danger is a given,” Li Chang’an said, his gaze fixed on the view outside the window. His voice was calm but firm.

”But our job isn’t to run from danger. It’s to eliminate it.”

”Captain... aren’t you scared?” Sun Yang asked quietly.

”Scared?” Li Chang’an turned to look at him.

”What good would being scared do? On the battlefield, the only things that will keep you alive are a clear head and decisive action.”

Sun Yang was silent for a moment, then nodded.

”Captain, I understand.”

”I’ll work hard to get stronger so I don’t hold the team back anymore.”

”I hope you mean that,” Li Chang’an said, patting him on the shoulder.

”Go get some sleep. We have training tomorrow.”

”Right. Good night, Captain,” Sun Yang nodded and turned back toward his bed.

...

Early the next morning, the Insect Hunter Squad assembled again on the training grounds.

Li Chang’an stood before the squad, his gaze stern.

”Today’s training exercise is urban warfare. The scenario is an Insect Race invasion of the base,” he said coldly.

”You will need to work together to clear targets in complex terrain while simultaneously protecting the base’s core area.”

”Urban warfare?” Han Ruoxi raised an eyebrow.

”That sounds even more difficult than the fight in the mining area.”

”A complex environment will maximize the Insect Race’s advantages,” Shen Qiuyue analyzed.

”We have to learn how to adapt.”

”Attention, everyone. There will be simulated dangers in this exercise. If you make a mistake, it will be considered a mission failure,” Li Chang’an said, his eyes sweeping over each of them.

”Are you ready?”

”Ready!” the squad members replied in unison.

”Begin!” At Li Chang’an’s command, the training ground’s projection system activated. The surroundings instantly transformed into a ruined city block, with simulated Insect Race targets appearing everywhere.

”Front line: Qiuyue, you take point. Ruo Xi, you provide cover. Sun Yang and I will provide fire support. Bai Lin, you’re on tech support!” Li Chang’an rapidly issued his orders.

”Understood!” The squad members immediately moved out.

Shen Qiuyue charged to the front, her High-Energy Sword glinting as she cleanly dispatched the simulated Insect Race targets blocking their path.