Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”Yeah. They’re much harder to deal with than the Black Blood Mercenaries were.”

Han Ruoxi nodded as well.

”All right, mission’s complete!”

Li Chang’an said, putting away his Saw Chain Sword.

”Destroy all the experimental equipment, then retreat!”

Li Chang’an ordered.

”Understood!”

The squad members replied in unison and began destroying the experimental equipment in the underground space.

A series of explosions rang out. The experimental equipment was utterly destroyed, turning the underground space into a field of rubble.

The Insect Hunter Squad had completed its mission. They left the underground base and returned to the surface.

「Some time later」

The Interstellar Warrior Base on Lion’s Fang Star was as bustling as ever.

On the training grounds, warriors dripped with sweat. The clash of various weapons and the booming voices of the instructors wove together into a unique battle hymn.

Li Chang’an’s squad was also starting a new day.

”Hey, Bai, those dark circles under your eyes are getting worse. What were you secretly up to last night?”

Sun Yang’s voice shattered the peace of the squad’s break room.

He plopped down on the chair next to Bai Lin, an Energy drink in hand, and watched with a smirk as Bai Lin tapped away at his Light Computer screen.

Without looking up, Bai Lin’s fingers danced across the virtual keyboard. His tone was placid.

”I’m analyzing the Insect Race’s recent activity patterns.”

”Whoa, look at you, researching such profound stuff. So, find anything? Next time we fight those bugs, can you tell us in advance which godforsaken hole they’re gonna crawl out of? It’d save us from running around like headless chickens.”

Sun Yang leaned in closer, trying to get a look at Bai Lin’s Light Computer screen, but the dense walls of code and data made him lose interest instantly.

”Cut it out!”

Shen Qiuyue’s voice cut in, laced with annoyance.

She was sitting off to the side, polishing her High-Energy Dueling Sword. Her movements were careful and precise.

”Sun Yang, quiet down. Don’t disturb Bai Lin’s work.”

Han Ruoxi was sitting nearby as well. But unlike the focused Shen Qiuyue, she was clutching a bag of snacks, munching away as she curiously watched Bai Lin work on his Light Computer.

”Qiuyue, you don’t always have to be so serious. Relax! We’re on a break.”

Sun Yang pouted, clearly unhappy with Shen Qiuyue’s tone, but he lowered his voice anyway.

”Besides, I’m just showing some concern for Bai. If he keeps this up, he’ll have permanent panda eyes. When we’re on a mission, the insects will mistake him for one of their own and ignore him completely!”

”You and your mouth!”

Han Ruoxi couldn’t help but laugh, her eyes curving into crescents.

”Sun Yang, you keep talking nonsense and I’ll zap you!”

”Whoa, my mistake, my mistake! Spare me, Miss Ruoxi!”

Sun Yang threw his hands up in an exaggerated gesture of surrender, which only made Han Ruoxi laugh harder.

Li Chang’an walked into the break room. Seeing the squad’s relaxed atmosphere, the corners of his mouth turned up in a slight smile.

”All right, that’s enough.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a natural authority that instantly quieted the rowdy break room.

”Bai Lin, what’s the status of your analysis?”

Li Chang’an walked over to Bai Lin’s side and asked quietly.

Only then did Bai Lin look up. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and turned the Light Computer screen toward Li Chang’an.

”Captain, there’s definitely something unusual about the Insect Race’s recent activity. Their operational range seems to be expanding, and their activity is much more frequent than before.”

”Oh?”

Li Chang’an raised an eyebrow. He took the Light Computer and carefully examined the data and charts on the screen.

”Elaborate.”

”Based on my analysis, the Insect Race may be in the middle of a large-scale migration or expansion. Their numbers are also slowly growing. While they don’t pose an obvious threat right now, if this trend continues, it could impact the security of our base.”

Bai Lin explained in his usual calm tone, but his words cast a serious mood over everyone present.

”Migration or expansion?”

Shen Qiuyue frowned, her hands ceasing their work.

”What’s the Insect Race up to with all these shenanigans? Are they trying to seize territory or something?”

Sun Yang scratched his head, asking in confusion.

”The way the Insect Race thinks is different from us humans. It’s difficult to guess their motives. But one thing is certain: any abnormal activity from them is definitely not a good sign.”

Li Chang’an said in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over his squad.

”We need to be on high alert. Keep a close watch on the Insect Race’s movements. If you spot anything unusual, report it immediately.”

”Understood!”

The squad responded in unison. The relaxed expressions vanished from their faces, replaced by a look of focus and vigilance.

Just then, the communicator chimed. It was Liu Na’s voice.

”Insect Hunter Squad, Command has a new mission. Report to the command center immediately!”

”Received.”

Li Chang’an responded, then ended the call and stood up.

”Let’s go. Looks like we’ve got work to do.”

He said to his squad, a hint of anticipation in his voice.

”Heh heh, finally, a chance to stretch our legs. I was about to go stir-crazy cooped up on this base!”

Sun Yang rubbed his hands together in excitement. He was the first one on his feet, an eager look on his face.

”I hope this mission is at least a little interesting. Not another boring chore like battlefield cleanup.”

Shen Qiuyue also stood up, sheathing her Dueling Sword, her tone calm.

”Don’t worry. This mission definitely won’t be boring.”

A faint smile touched Li Chang’an’s lips, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

”Let’s go. Time to see what kind of ’surprise’ the commander has in store for us.”