Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”Oh, these are interesting. I’ll take two and try them out!” Han Ruoxi immediately put them in her utility pouch.

Sun Yang, meanwhile, took a new Pulse Gun from the rack. Stroking its frame, he exclaimed, ”This feels different. Much better than my old piece. I can really let loose this time!”

Shen Qiuyue casually picked up a High-Energy Sword and, while calibrating it, said, ”No matter how good the gear is, it’s just a tool. In the end, it all comes down to you.”

Bai Lin chose a Lightweight Handgun and tossed a Mini Detector into his gear pack. ”This mission’s map is complex. I’ll do my best to mark enemy positions, so try not to run around randomly!”

Li Chang’an finished inspecting his Saw Chain Sword and nodded in satisfaction. ”Everyone ready? It’s about time. Form up!”

In the simulation mission’s launch hall, the Insect Hunter Squad stood before a screen of light. Instructor Wei Zhuang was briefly explaining the objective. ”The simulation map is an abandoned industrial zone, jointly defended by the Insect Race and the Rebel Army.

”Your mission is to destroy their core control point and successfully return to the extraction point.

”The mission duration is ninety minutes. Go over, and you fail.”

Han Ruoxi raised her hand. ”Instructor, will the number of enemies keep increasing? What happens if we run down the clock?”

Wei Zhuang chuckled. ”If you run down the clock, you’d better pray. The AI will gradually increase the enemy’s difficulty based on your performance.

”If you don’t want to be driven insane, you’d best complete the objective quickly!”

Sun Yang struck a fearless pose. ”Bring it on, bring it on! This sounds exciting!”

Li Chang’an raised a hand, cutting off Sun Yang’s chatter. ”Instructor, are the enemy numbers and positions fixed?”

”They’re fixed at the start, but reinforcements will spawn randomly.

”Don’t think this simulation will be easy!” Wei Zhuang looked at him. ”If you can’t lead the team well, failing this mission means more than just losing face!”

”Understood!” Li Chang’an nodded. ”Let’s begin!”

Wei Zhuang pressed the activation button, and the Insect Hunter Squad was instantly transported to the simulation map.

Inside the simulated abandoned industrial zone, buildings were dilapidated, and the ground was littered with discarded machine parts.

Han Ruoxi frowned. ”This place looks pretty realistic!”

Sun Yang walked in front, Pulse Gun at the ready, looking around. ”It’s a bit like that Insect Hive we cleared out before, but this time there are human enemies too!”

Bai Lin said in a low voice, ”Enemies within three hundred meters ahead. Prepare for combat!”

Li Chang’an raised his hand, signaling the team to halt. ”Standard combat formation! Ruo Xi, fall back to support. Sun Yang, suppress from the front. Qiuyue, take the flank. Bai Lin, keep reporting enemy movements!”

Han Ruoxi’s lips twitched. ”I’m in the back again? I’m practically support class at this point!”

”Less chatter!” Li Chang’an shot her a glance. ”Complain again when you find an enemy your Electric Energy can’t reach.”

Han Ruoxi pouted. ”Fine, fine. I’ll listen to the Captain!”

Sun Yang had already aimed at the enemies ahead and fired the first shot. ”Here they come! First wave of the Rebel Army, with the Insect Race mixed in. It’s a party!”

The moment Sun Yang’s first shot rang out, a mixed force of Rebel Army and Insect Race enemies swarmed toward them. The abandoned corridors of the industrial zone instantly filled with the chaotic sounds of footsteps and the low-pitched roars of the Insect Race.

”They’re here! Don’t just stand there!” Sun Yang yelled while firing. ”Captain, I’ll draw their fire! You guys get moving! Don’t leave it all to me!”

Li Chang’an peeked out from behind cover, his Saw Chain Sword humming in his hand.

He targeted an insect at the very front, leaped forward, and swung his sword in a wide arc. The creature’s head was instantly severed, splattering green liquid all over the ground.

”Sun Yang, cut the crap! The enemy’s closing in!” Li Chang’an said in a stern voice. ”Ruo Xi, cover the right flank with an Arc Attack! Don’t let those rebels get close!”

”Got it!” Han Ruoxi raised her hand, a bright blue arc of electricity surging from her palm. It instantly spread out, striking several rebels who were trying to circle around for a sneak attack.

The hit rebels convulsed and fell, leaving the smell of burnt flesh in the air.

Shen Qiuyue said nothing, charging to the left with her sword. Her Swordsmanship was precise and fierce, every strike hitting a vital point.

An insect was cleanly sliced in two before it could even react.

”Shen Qiuyue, clean up the left a little more! There are still stragglers over there!” Li Chang’an shouted, then turned to Bai Lin. ”Bai Lin, what’s the situation up ahead?”

Bai Lin’s fingers flew across his terminal. ”There’s a rebel squad in ambush fifty meters ahead! They have a heavy weapons unit. Watch the right—they might try to outflank us!”

”Understood!” Li Chang’an waved his hand. ”All units, advance to the cover ahead! I’ll take the right flank!”

Sun Yang yelled while shooting, ”Captain, you’re taking the right side alone? I can help you take out a few!” As he spoke, he started to rush to the right.

”Halt!” Li Chang’an glared at him. ”Don’t break formation! Stick to the plan! Your job is to suppress the front. Don’t let them pin us down with covering fire!”

Sun Yang grinned. ”Alright, alright. You’re the boss.

”But you take it easy too, Captain. Don’t get eaten by the bugs!”

Li Chang’an didn’t reply. He turned and sprinted to the right, Saw Chain Sword in hand. He didn’t pause for a moment on his way; whenever an insect lunged from a corner, his sword was always one step ahead, striking it down.

A few seconds later, the right flank was clear of insects.

”Right flank secure!” Li Chang’an reported calmly. ”All units, advance!”

Han Ruoxi peeked out from her cover in the rear. Watching Li Chang’an’s back, she couldn’t help but complain, ”The Captain is such a beast. He cleared out a whole section by himself. He’s just letting the rest of us slack off!”

”Slacking off?” Shen Qiuyue shot her a cold glance. ”If you’ve got time to spare, you can help me clear the remaining ones on the left.”