Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”When they leave, we follow. Keep your distance and stay hidden!”

”Understood!”

They all responded in low voices.

The Rebel Army soon made their move.

After the transport trucks were loaded with supplies, a rebel who appeared to be in charge waved his hand. Soldiers quickly boarded the armored and escort vehicles, and the entire convoy slowly began to move out.

”Here’s our chance!”

Li Chang’an said quietly.

”Han Ruoxi, survey the surroundings. Find a concealed position suitable for an ambush.

Bai Lin, track their route in real time.

Sun Yang, Shen Qiuyue, prepare for combat.

Remember, do not engage unless it’s absolutely necessary!”

The team members quickly split up. Han Ruoxi pulled out a small Energy Detector and began scanning the surrounding terrain and energy fluctuations.

A moment later, she pointed to some high ground up ahead.

”The terrain over there is perfect for an ambush. It gives us the high ground, a good field of view, and a quick escape route!”

”Excellent!”

Li Chang’an nodded.

”Move out!”

The team moved to the high ground as quickly as possible and found a concealed position.

The transport convoy drove slowly down the forest path, the sound of its engines jarring in the silent woods.

Li Chang’an lay on the ground, watching the convoy’s advance through a pair of binoculars.

He murmured,

”The armor on these vehicles isn’t thick, but they’re all protected by Energy Barriers. A direct assault would likely alert their reinforcements.”

”So what do we do?”

Sun Yang whispered from beside him.

”Just tail them like this?”

”We’ll follow them to their final destination.”

Li Chang’an’s voice was firm.

”We’re here for intel, not to destroy their supplies.”

The transport convoy wasn’t moving fast, which gave the Insect Hunter Squad plenty of time to trail them.

Along the way, they maintained a perfect distance, staying close enough to observe the convoy’s movements without being detected.

”The convoy is approaching a canyon!”

Bai Lin’s voice came over the comms.

”The terrain on both sides of the canyon is complex, with multiple potential ambush points.

The Rebel Army will likely increase their security!”

”We need to be careful, too,”

Li Chang’an responded quietly.

”Han Ruoxi, scan the entrance to the canyon. Confirm there are no ambushes!”

”Understood!”

Han Ruoxi quickly operated her detector. A few seconds later, she lowered her voice and said,

”No obvious life signs at the entrance, but I’m picking up a few energy fluctuations. Could be stealth devices or automated weaponry!”

’Just as I thought. They were prepared.’

Li Chang’an muttered to himself, then gave the order.

”Bai Lin, log the positions of those points. Give the data to Command after the operation is over.

Everyone else, with me. We’ll go around the slope on the left side to avoid a frontal engagement.”

The squad moved out quickly, flanking along the left slope of the canyon.

They carefully avoided the Rebel Army’s stealth devices and advanced silently through the woods on the hillside.

When they reached a higher vantage point, Li Chang’an stopped and looked down at the situation in the canyon below.

”Look over there!”

He pointed toward the far end of the canyon.

”That must be their temporary base of operations!”

The others looked where he was pointing and saw a small base hidden at the bottom of the canyon.

An Energy Shield encircled the base’s perimeter. Inside the Shield were dozens of tents and a few fixed installations. At the center was a small, factory-like building, from which a faint red light emanated.

”Is that... a processing plant?”

Han Ruoxi whispered in shock.

”Are they manufacturing weapons here?”

”Most likely.”

Li Chang’an nodded.

”Bai Lin, can you hack into their system?”

”One second, I’ll try.”

Bai Lin quickly operated his wrist device, linking it to his portable equipment.

He stared intently at the screen, his fingers tapping away furiously.

”This is tough, but I’ve found a vulnerability... Just give me five more minutes!”

”Hurry it up. Don’t take too long.”

Li Chang’an stared toward the base, his gaze as calm as still water.

A few minutes later, Bai Lin breathed a sigh of relief.

”I’m in.

I’ve already acquired some of the data. They really are processing a new type of weapon here, and the materials are the rare ores being transported from the southern region!”

”A new weapon?”

Li Chang’an’s brow furrowed.

”Can you get more information? Like their plans?”

”I’m downloading it now, but time is limited. I’ll do my best!”

Bai Lin continued to work.

Just then, an alarm suddenly blared from deep within the canyon. The lights in the base flashed on, and Rebel Army soldiers began scrambling about in a panic.

”What’s happening?”

Han Ruoxi asked nervously.

”We must have tripped some kind of sensor!”

Bai Lin’s tone was grave.

”They’ve detected the system intrusion!”

”Withdraw!”

Li Chang’an ordered decisively.

”Mission completion is the priority. Don’t get bogged down in a fight!”

The squad withdrew quickly, avoiding the pursuit range of the Rebel Army.

Although they had been discovered during the operation, they had succeeded in acquiring key intelligence.

Back in the armored vehicle, Li Chang’an said grimly,

”Mission’s over. We’re heading back to base.”

And just like that, the mission was a success.

「Some time passed.」

”Chang’an, you up yet?”

Sun Yang yelled as he pounded on the dorm room door.

”The instructor said we have combat drills today. What are you dilly-dallying for? Don’t tell me you were secretly putting in extra training last night again!”

”Shut up, Sun Yang!”

Li Chang’an opened the door, looking perfectly alert, his tone indifferent.

”What’s all the racket so early in the morning? It’s just a combat drill. Are you scared?”

”Scared? Are you kidding me?”

Sun Yang chuckled, rocking on his heels in the doorway.

”I’m just worried our Captain won’t be able to handle it. I, for one, am full of energy. Just make sure you don’t drag us down!”