Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”It’s possible.”

Li Chang’an didn’t shy away from the question.

”The terrain in the Insect Hive is complex to begin with. If the Rebel Army really wants to set traps, it’ll be difficult for us to avoid them completely.

But as long as we stick to the plan and minimize unnecessary risks, it shouldn’t be a major problem.”

”That doesn’t sound simple at all!”

Sun Yang sighed, setting his Pulse Gun aside.

”But whatever. This isn’t the first time our squad has dealt with a tricky mission like this.

We just have to get through it.”

”Whether we get through it or not isn’t decided by talk.”

Li Chang’an’s tone was flat.

”When we’re on the battlefield tomorrow, no more joking around. Be serious.”

”Got it, got it!”

Sun Yang waved his hand dismissively.

”How could I not be serious? My life’s on the line!”

Bai Lin had been sitting in the corner the whole time, his head down as he operated his terminal.

On his screen was a dynamic map of the Insect Hive he had just downloaded from command headquarters, covered in a dense web of routes and markers that was enough to make one’s scalp tingle.

”Bai Lin, your head is practically glued to that screen!”

Han Ruoxi, lying on her bed, glanced up at him.

”Can’t you just take a little break?”

”No.”

Bai Lin said coldly.

”There are problems with these routes. The marked locations aren’t detailed enough.

I need to optimize them again.”

”Optimizing again!”

Han Ruoxi sighed.

”Can’t you be like a normal person and slack off a little?”

”Slacking off will get you killed.”

Bai Lin didn’t even look up, continuing his work.

”The optimized routes I’m making might be what keeps you alive tomorrow.”

Han Ruoxi opened her mouth, but ultimately didn’t argue back. She just rolled over and pulled the blanket over herself.

The dorm gradually fell silent. Aside from the faint BEEP BEEP from Bai Lin’s terminal, there was hardly another sound.

Li Chang’an leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, seeming to take a short rest.

Around midnight, Bai Lin finally shut down his terminal, stood up, and stretched.

He glanced back at Li Chang’an and asked in a low voice,

”Aren’t you going to sleep?”

”I’ll sleep a little.”

Li Chang’an opened his eyes.

”But someone has to keep watch.”

”I’ll set up an alert program.”

Bai Lin said.

”If there’s a mission update, my terminal will notify you immediately.”

Li Chang’an nodded without saying anything more.

The next morning, the base was jolted awake by a blaring alarm, and the Insect Hunter Squad assembled on time in the equipment room.

Everyone’s expression was calm, but their eyes held a steely glint.

”Is all your gear checked?”

Li Chang’an’s gaze swept over the team, lingering on each of their faces.

”Checked!”

Shen Qiuyue was the first to answer.

”My weapon’s status is normal.”

Sun Yang raised his Pulse Gun and gave it a little shake.

”Superpower Bracelet is fully charged!”

Han Ruoxi also nodded.

”Route map and mission details are saved to the terminal.”

Bai Lin’s voice was as calm as ever.

”Good.”

Li Chang’an nodded.

”The mission objective is clear. Stay alert during the operation, and prioritize relaying intel.

Move out!”

The squad boarded the transport vehicle.

The vehicle bumped along the rugged mountain road. The squad members were silent, and the atmosphere in the cabin was so heavy it was almost suffocating.

Everyone was silently adjusting their mindset, preparing for the mission ahead.

”The outskirts of the Insect Hive are just ahead. Prepare to disembark!”

The driver’s voice came from the front, breaking the silence in the cabin.

Li Chang’an stood up, tightened his grip on his Saw Chain Sword, and looked at his squad.

”Everyone, look sharp! Don’t forget our objectives: destroy the Split Flame Prototype, bring back the intel, and withdraw safely!”

”Understood!”

The squad members responded in unison, a cold glint flashing in their eyes.

The vehicle door opened. The team disembarked quickly, dispersing to find cover according to the mission plan.

Not far ahead was the core area of the Insect Hive, surrounded by Insect Race patrols and Rebel Army outposts.

”Bai Lin, confirm enemy positions!”

Li Chang’an ordered in a low voice.

Bai Lin quickly opened his terminal and pulled up the real-time surveillance data.

”Rebel outpost fifty meters straight ahead. Insect Race patrol squad one hundred meters to the south. No threat detected to the north for now.”

”Good. We’ll circle around from the north.”

Li Chang’an made his decision instantly.

”Avoid direct confrontation. Get as close to the target area as possible.”

The squad moved north with extreme speed, each member’s movements light and stealthy, without making a single unnecessary sound.

After about fifteen minutes of movement, they finally neared the target area.

It was a wide-open clearing. In the center stood a metal base under construction, with several Rebel Army soldiers bustling about, moving equipment. The area around the base was crawling with Insect Race guards.

”That’s the temporary command base.”

Bai Lin said in a low voice.

”The Split Flame Prototype is most likely inside.”

”First, take out the Rebels on the perimeter. Clear a route inside.”

Li Chang’an kept his voice low.

”Han Ruoxi, arc suppression.

Sun Yang, you’re on long-range fire support.

Qiuyue, you’re with me for the close-quarters breach.”

”Understood!”

The team quickly divided the tasks and got into position.

Han Ruoxi was the first to act, releasing an arc of electricity. A blinding blue light shot toward the outpost, instantly disabling the electronic equipment of two Rebel soldiers.

They cried out in alarm and raised their guns to fire back, only to be precisely taken down by Sun Yang’s Pulse Gun.

”Keep pushing!”

Li Chang’an shouted, leading Shen Qiuyue in a swift charge to engage the remaining Rebels in close-quarters combat.

The roar of the Saw Chain Sword echoed through the air, while Shen Qiuyue’s Dueling Sword sliced through its targets with incredible speed and precision.

In just a few short minutes, all enemies on the perimeter were eliminated.

The squad quickly approached the command base, but before they could even enter, a low-pitched rumble echoed from deep within.