Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”Whoa, whoa, whoa, Captain. I meant clearing the perimeter wouldn’t be hard, but if you want me to go first... that doesn’t really fit my job description. I’m ranged fire support!”

Han Ruoxi burst out laughing and asked teasingly.

”Sun Yang, who was it just now bragging about being able to take on Martial Artists? Why the cold feet now?”

”Cold feet?” Sun Yang’s eyes went wide.

”I’m just being strategic! If a fight breaks out, fire support is crucial. Without me, wouldn’t you lose your strongest damage dealer?”

Shen Qiuyue, sitting near the cockpit and leaning on her sword hilt, said coldly.

”Enough. Stop arguing.

The Captain isn’t kidding. When the fighting really starts, Sun Yang, your fire support has to be precise.

If you start shooting wildly like you did on the training grounds again, don’t blame me for dealing with you afterward!”

Sun Yang shrank back and put on a placating smile.

”Don’t worry, Sister Qiuyue. My marksmanship is definitely First-class in the Alliance. When have I ever not completed a mission flawlessly?”

”What about last time?” Han Ruoxi casually interjected.

”That was an accident!” Sun Yang quickly explained.

”Who could’ve guessed that insect would react so fast and jump right up into my line of sight!”

”Keep it down!” Bai Lin’s voice came from the corner. He had been looking down, operating his terminal, and was now frowning slightly.

”The drone’s forward scan just picked up some abnormal Energy reactions, about five kilometers ahead of our position!”

Li Chang’an immediately grew serious.

”Abnormal Energy? Is it a living thing or equipment?”

Bai Lin shook his head.

”Can’t be sure yet. The signal is very weak, could be a cloaking device.

According to the textbook, this situation usually means the target area is already under surveillance or has enemies lying in wait!”

”An ambush ahead?” Han Ruoxi sat up straight.

”Looks like the Alien Martial Artists aren’t completely unprepared. We’ll have to be careful this time!”

Li Chang’an nodded.

”Linzi, keep monitoring the signal fluctuations and maintain the drone’s stealth status.

Ruo Xi, be ready to deploy tactical drones for reconnaissance at any moment.

Sun Yang, adjust your ammunition settings. Maximize penetration power.

Qiuyue, you and I will handle the frontal assault. Linzi, cover our rear!”

”Understood!” everyone answered in unison, the atmosphere instantly growing tense.

The convoy slowly came to a halt. Wei Zhuang’s voice came through the comms in the command vehicle.

”Insect Hunter Squad, the mission objective’s outer perimeter is two kilometers ahead.

We won’t get any closer. You’ll disembark and proceed on foot. Make sure you don’t reveal your position!”

Li Chang’an stood up and signaled for the team to disembark.

”You all heard him. Out of the vehicle. Go stealth, and maintain radio silence!”

The squad members quickly jumped out of the vehicle, checked their gear, and moved out in their pre-arranged formation.

Han Ruoxi followed close behind Bai Lin and asked in a low voice.

”Linzi, has your equipment found anything else? Is that signal still there?”

”It is!” Bai Lin’s fingers flew across his terminal.

”But the fluctuations are very unstable, like some kind of Disguise device.

We’ll have to get closer to confirm!”

Li Chang’an lowered his voice.

”Then pick up the pace. Watch your footing and try not to make any unnecessary noise!”

Shen Qiuyue, one hand on her sword, remained constantly vigilant. She scanned her surroundings and said in a cold voice.

”Captain, the terrain in this area is too open. If the enemy has set up an ambush, we have very little cover!”

”Can’t be helped. This is the only way through!” Li Chang’an quickly scanned the area, then pointed to a low-lying Rock Area ahead.

”Get over there. Spread out, and try not to bunch up!”

The team moved quickly to the Rock Area, taking cover in different positions.

Han Ruoxi launched a tactical drone, and a clearer topographical map soon appeared on her screen.

”About five hundred meters ahead, there are three heat sources, close to human-sized!” Han Ruoxi reported in a low voice, staring at her screen.

”Could be patrolling Alien Martial Artists, or it could be an automated defense system!”

Sun Yang, prone behind a rock, aimed in their direction and whispered.

”Captain, do I have permission to fire? How about I take a shot and see what it is?”

”Negative!” Li Chang’an shook his head decisively.

”We haven’t confirmed the enemy’s position. Firing rashly will only expose us.

Wait. Let’s get a clear look first!”

The drone slowly approached the target area, and the image on the screen grew clearer.

Bai Lin squinted at it for a moment, then said.

”They’re Alien Martial Artists. Three of them.

Based on their equipment, one is carrying heavy weaponry, and the other two appear to be Close Combat Martial Artists!”

Li Chang’an gave his orders in a low voice.

”Qiuyue and I will handle the close-range takedown. Ruo Xi, use the drone to lock onto the heavy weapons target and provide suppressive fire.

Sun Yang, cover our rear. Linzi, continue to monitor the other areas and report anything you see!”

The team members nodded quickly and moved out according to their assigned roles.

Li Chang’an led Shen Qiuyue out from the Rock Area, moving slowly toward the enemy’s direction in a low crouch.

He waved his hand, signaling Shen Qiuyue to stop. The two of them took cover where they were and observed the movements of the Alien Martial Artists ahead.

Of the three Alien Martial Artists, one was burly and carried a heavy Firepower Cannon on his shoulder. He stood in the center, his gaze sweeping the surroundings.

The other two stood on his left and right, each holding a Short Blade that glinted coldly as they patrolled with slow steps.

”Qiuyue, let’s take out the close-combatants on the flanks first!” Li Chang’an said softly.

”You approach from the left, I’ll attack from the right. Be quick. Don’t let the heavy weapons guy spot us!”

Shen Qiuyue nodded without a word, tightened her grip on her Dueling Sword, and began to sneak forward, crouched low and silent.

Li Chang’an circled around from the other side, his Saw Chain Sword in hand. His eyes were locked on the Close Combat Martial Artist who was slightly further back, calculating the best angle of approach with every step.

Meanwhile, Han Ruoxi’s tactical drone hovered over the battlefield. Staring at her screen, she gave a quiet warning.

”Captain, the heavy weapons Martial Artist has a high scanning frequency. He might have an automated alert system, be careful not to trigger it!”

”Understood!” Li Chang’an responded, then gave Shen Qiuyue a hand signal to make her move.

Shen Qiuyue shot forward like a gust of wind. Her Dueling Sword, suffused with a faint Energy Glow, slashed precisely at the Close Combat Martial Artist on the left.

The Martial Artist reacted with incredible speed, raising his Short Blade to block. But with a flick of her wrist, Shen Qiuyue’s blade changed direction like a striking viper, slicing right through his Armor.

Almost simultaneously, the Martial Artist on the right noticed the commotion and turned to provide support, only to be met by Li Chang’an lunging at him.

With a roar from the Saw Chain Sword, Red blood splattered. Before the Martial Artist could even counterattack, a gruesome gash was torn open across his chest.

The heavy weapons Martial Artist in the center was instantly alerted. With a roar, he raised his Firepower Cannon to fire.

However, the instant he pressed the trigger, an electric arc struck the cannon’s body with perfect accuracy. The Firepower Cannon immediately lost power and belched a puff of black smoke.

”Ruo Xi, nice shot!” Li Chang’an quickly fell back, dodging any potential counterattack.

He waved to his teammates.

”Sun Yang, cover us! Qiuyue, finish him off!”

Sun Yang was already prone behind the rock, his Pulse Gun set up.

He aimed for the heavy weapons Martial Artist’s head and pulled the trigger without hesitation.

A blazing beam of light shot through the air, striking the target’s helmet with precision and letting out a piercing CRACK.

”Got him!” Sun Yang shouted excitedly, looking up at the others.

”Captain, don’t I deserve some praise this time? That shot was perfect, wasn’t it?”

”Don’t get cocky!” Li Chang’an said in a low voice while scanning their surroundings.

”Linzi, scan the area. Are there any other enemies in hiding?”

Bai Lin, crouching in the rear, tapped his terminal a few times, then looked up.

”No more heat signatures. We’re clear for now!”

Han Ruoxi recalled the drone and walked over to Li Chang’an.

”They dared to set an ambush with just this many people? Are they underestimating us?”

”Don’t let your guard down!” Li Chang’an patted her shoulder.

”This is just the perimeter. The bigger challenges are still ahead.

Linzi, keep monitoring. Sun Yang, go check the heavy weapons Martial Artist’s gear, see if there’s anything useful. Qiuyue, clear the battlefield with me. Don’t leave any traces!”