Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”Hey, I’ve got aspirations, you know!” Sun Yang shrugged. ”Anyway, a mission is always better than training. Let’s do a good job!”

”Alright, enough talk. Let’s move!” Li Chang’an quickened his pace, and the others followed close behind, heading for the mine.

Li Chang’an and his team set out on the road to the mine. The terrain around it was relatively flat, and they could occasionally see abandoned machinery and traces of broken conveyor belts along the way.

The scrap metal was scattered by the roadside, looking like it had been there for years.

”How do you think all this stuff ended up in this state?” Sun Yang asked as he walked, curiously kicking a rusty machine part by his feet. ”It’s all just left here to rot? And no one’s come to clean it up?”

”The mine’s been abandoned for so long, I doubt anyone cares,” Han Ruoxi said from behind him. ”This equipment has been useless for ages. There’s no point in keeping it around!”

”Speaking of which, Captain Li, what was this mine for, anyway?” Sun Yang asked, looking up after casually picking up a piece of junk metal and fiddling with it.

”It was mainly for mining rare metals, like titanium and vanadium ore,” Li Chang’an answered crisply. ”But it was abandoned after the resources were depleted. We were sent to patrol here recently because of reports of Rebel Army activity.”

”Titanium ore? So this place used to be pretty valuable, huh?” Sun Yang’s eyes lit up. ”All these rare metals... what a waste to just abandon them!”

”Even the most valuable things are useless once they’re all mined out,” Shen Qiuyue said coldly. ”Stop thinking about pointless stuff. We’re here on a mission, not an archaeological dig.”

”Hey, I was just making small talk, trying to lighten the mood!” Sun Yang grinned and shrugged. ”Don’t be so serious!”

”You should save your energy. We might actually have our hands full later,” Li Chang’an said, patting Sun Yang’s shoulder. ”When that time comes, don’t be all talk. That mouth of yours won’t help you in a fight.”

”Heh, Captain Li, you say that, but if we really run into the Rebel Army, I guarantee I’ll show them just how ’helpful’ this mouth can be!” Sun Yang smirked, striking what he thought was a cool pose. ”I’m not just quick with my mouth—I’m even quicker with my hands!”

”Alright, then. I’ll be waiting to see you in action,” Li Chang’an chuckled, but his eyes remained vigilant.

After walking a short distance, the outline of the mine ahead gradually came into focus. A stretch of dilapidated buildings met their eyes. The surrounding fences had collapsed, and the mine entrance was faintly visible, though it looked long-since buried in dust.

”Everyone, stay sharp. If the Rebel Army is really here, they could be setting up an ambush.” Li Chang’an stopped and raised a hand, signaling the team to hold their positions. ”Bai Lin, can you scan for any nearby signals?”

Bai Lin nodded and immediately began operating the terminal in his hands, speaking in a low voice, ”I’m scanning for nearby electronic signals now. One moment.”

A few seconds later, Bai Lin’s terminal emitted a soft chime. He looked up and said, ”There’s a weak signal source nearby. Can’t tell if it’s the Rebel Army or just abandoned equipment, but the signal is very unstable!”

”Looks like there really is something wrong with this place,” Li Chang’an said, his brow furrowing slightly. ”Let’s go check it out. Be careful, and keep the noise down.”

The team nodded, lightened their steps, and slowly approached the mine.

When they reached the mine entrance, Li Chang’an waved his hand, signaling the team to spread out and look for clues.

”This place is a total dump,” Han Ruoxi said with a frown, looking at the rubble and dust at her feet. ”If the Rebel Army is really hiding here, how can they stand this environment?”

”Who knows? Maybe they don’t have a choice,” Sun Yang shrugged, casually picking up a rock. ”But then again, if you were going to hide the Rebel Army somewhere, this is a pretty good spot. It’s so dilapidated, no one would ever think to look for them here.”

”Cut the chatter and focus!” Li Chang’an’s voice was low but carried a tone of command. ”If the Rebel Army is really here, they won’t be sitting around waiting for us to knock. They might have already spotted us.”

”Where do you think they could be hiding?” Shen Qiuyue asked, scanning her surroundings as her fingers gently brushed the hilt of her sword. ”Inside the mine or in the surrounding ruins?”

”The mine is the most likely place,” Li Chang’an said after glancing at the entrance and pondering for a moment. ”But let’s not go in just yet. Let’s see if there are any other clues around.”

Bai Lin continued to operate his terminal, which emitted soft, intermittent beeps.

After a few minutes, he suddenly looked up. ”Something’s up. I’m getting faint energy fluctuations from inside the mine!”

”So there really is someone in there.” Li Chang’an’s gaze sharpened, and he immediately waved his hand. ”All units, on alert! Prepare to enter the mine!”

”Finally, some action!” Sun Yang said, tightening his grip on his Pulse Gun and rubbing his hands together excitedly. ”Just wait and see how I teach these rebels a lesson!”

”Don’t get careless,” Han Ruoxi warned coldly. ”It’s too quiet. Something feels off.”

”It is a little too quiet,” Shen Qiuyue agreed with a nod, her gaze fixed on the depths of the mine. ”Could it be a trap?”

Li Chang’an mulled it over for a moment before making his decision. ”Trap or not, we have to go in and see.

Stay vigilant and be ready for anything.”

With that, Li Chang’an took the lead and strode toward the mine entrance. The other team members followed close behind, cautiously entering the dark area.

Inside, the mine was damp and cold. The air was thick with the smell of decay, and their footsteps echoed in the narrow passage.

Li Chang’an walked at the very front, his Saw Chain Sword swaying slightly, ready to strike at any moment.