Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”Fine, you win today!”

They exchanged a smile.

「Time flew, and several days passed in the blink of an eye.」

「At the training grounds.」

”Brother Chang’an, are you slacking off today?”

Sun Yang glanced up from polishing his Pulse Gun at Li Chang’an, who wasn’t far off.

”Slacking off? I just ran ten kilometers with you guys. Stop talking and finish cleaning your gun!”

Li Chang’an didn’t bother to look up, focused on adjusting the gears of his Saw Chain Sword.

”Hey, aren’t you tired? You can still work on your sword after running ten kilometers? If it were me, I’d have collapsed long ago!”

Sun Yang pouted and deliberately exaggerated his movements, making the gun-cleaning cloth snap loudly.

”Stop your whining. The training load is so light, and you’re already complaining. Can you even handle it?”

Shen Qiuyue stood to the side, arms crossed, her tone unfriendly.

”Sister Qiuyue, I’m just trying to liven things up. Look at how serious you are; it’s bad for team morale!”

Sun Yang replied with a cheeky grin.

”Shut up and get to work!”

Shen Qiuyue snapped, then turned back to adjusting her Dueling Sword.

”Bai Lin, why isn’t the data ready yet?”

Han Ruoxi stood before a console, watching the code scroll slowly across the screen, her tone impatient.

”It’s still processing. Nagging me won’t help!”

Bai Lin didn’t even look up, his fingers flying across the keyboard.

”Is your typing speed any good? Aren’t you a little slow?”

Han Ruoxi leaned in to take a peek.

”Faster than you!”

Bai Lin replied curtly.

”Hey now, you dare say I’m slow? Brother Chang’an, you tell him!”

Han Ruoxi whipped her head around to look at Li Chang’an.

”His typing speed really is faster than yours!”

Li Chang’an didn’t raise his head, continuing to tinker with his Saw Chain Sword.

”You! You’re all ganging up on me!”

Han Ruoxi puffed out her cheeks, standing there with her hands on her hips.

”Ruo Xi, stop messing around. The mission briefing is coming out this afternoon. Hurry up and get your gear calibrated!”

Li Chang’an finally put down his tools and glanced at her.

”I know, I know! All you ever do is lecture me!”

Han Ruoxi reluctantly walked back to her station and began to check the Energy Core of her Superpower Bracelet.

”Captain, is this afternoon’s mission another fight with the Insect Race? I really don’t want to see those disgusting things again!”

Sun Yang couldn’t help but ask.

”I don’t know. The mission briefing hasn’t been released yet.”

Li Chang’an shook his head.

”Sigh, can’t we get an easier mission? Or let me and Sister Qiuyue take on some Beastmen solo. That would be awesome!”

Sun Yang grinned, his face full of excitement.

”Why don’t you finish cleaning your gun first. Don’t want it jamming when we’re actually on the battlefield.”

Shen Qiuyue coldly shot him down.

”Sister Qiuyue, you have so little faith in me!”

Sun Yang patted his chest.

”This gun of mine is the most reliable source of firepower on our team!”

”No matter how reliable you are, you still have to follow the Captain’s orders. Stop interrupting!”

Shen Qiuyue couldn’t be bothered with him.

Just then, the communicator chimed.

Li Chang’an answered it and heard Liu Na’s voice.

”Insect Hunter Squad, assemble at the command center in thirty minutes. You have a new mission!”

”Understood!”

Li Chang’an disconnected the communicator.

”Assemble! Thirty minutes!”

Li Chang’an looked at his squad members.

”Get ready, and don’t mess this up!”

”Yes, Captain!”

Sun Yang gave a salute, then quickly packed away his still-uncleaned Pulse Gun.

”I hope it’s not the Insect Race!”

Han Ruoxi muttered, continuing to check her equipment.

「Thirty minutes later, the Insect Hunter Squad arrived at the command center on time.」

Liu Na was standing in front of the mission projection, her expression grave.

”This time, the target is a village in the northern region of Lion’s Fang Star!”

Liu Na began.

”Intel indicates signs of cooperation between the Rebel Army and the Insect Race. The village may have already fallen. Your mission is to infiltrate, conduct reconnaissance, and prioritize confirming the enemy situation!”

”The Rebel Army and the Insect Race?”

Shen Qiuyue raised an eyebrow.

”Those two have actually teamed up?”

”The exact intelligence is still unclear, which is why your mission is so important.”

Liu Na nodded.

”You should also be aware that there may be survivors in the village. Do your best to ensure their safety.”

”Understood. We’ll complete the mission.”

Li Chang’an nodded.

”Remember, reconnaissance is the priority. Don’t act rashly.”

Liu Na added as a final reminder.

The Insect Hunter Squad took the briefing and left the command center. On the way, Sun Yang couldn’t help but speak up.

”The Rebel Army and the Insect Race teaming up... just the thought of it is disgusting!”

”Enough with the chatter. Get prepared. This mission could be tricky.”

Li Chang’an said calmly, walking at the very front.

”Captain, don’t worry! We’ll definitely catch them off guard this time!”

Han Ruoxi pumped her fist.

”I hope so. Just be careful.”

Li Chang’an glanced at them, then led the way toward the mission area.

The Insect Hunter Squad boarded a small shuttle from the base and flew toward the target village.

The atmosphere in the cabin was a bit tense, so to liven things up, Sun Yang started joking around again.

”Hey, you guys think the Rebel Army soldiers are especially ugly? Every time I see their slapped-together armor, I want to laugh!”

”That’s so shallow!”

Han Ruoxi looked up, leaning back in her seat with her arms crossed.

”Does the enemy’s appearance matter? We’re here to deliver a smackdown, not to judge their looks!”

”Hey, when it comes to delivering smackdowns, I think Sister Qiuyue is the expert.

After all, her Sword Skill is so amazing, she could make someone lose all face with a single slash!”

Sun Yang looked at Shen Qiuyue with a completely serious expression.

”Cut the crap. Sit still, and don’t go bumping into me again because you’re fidgeting.”

Shen Qiuyue replied coolly, then looked back down to adjust her Dueling Sword.

”Sister Qiuyue, can’t you be a little nicer to me? Every time I crack a joke, you’re so cold!”