Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

Shen Qiuyue gave a soft ”Mm,” and said no more.

Late that night, Sun Yang returned from the base’s late-night snack window, carrying several bags and wearing a look of utter despair.

”Here’s everything you ordered!”

He dropped the bags on the table and sank into a chair with a long sigh.

”I deserved this. Why did I even make a bet with you guys? This one late-night snack almost wiped out half a month’s allowance!”

”Well, who told you to run your mouth?”

Han Ruoxi grinned as she picked up her ice cream, a blissful expression on her face as she ate.

”But, seeing as you were so proactive about it, I won’t give you a hard time!”

”Oh, thank you so much!”

Sun Yang rolled his eyes and started gnawing on a skewer.

The next morning, just as the Insect Hunter Squad assembled, members of other squads were already gathered by the training ground. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on a vast, simulated battlefield in the distance.

”What new trick are they pulling today?”

Han Ruoxi said, yawning as she adjusted her Superpower Bracelet.

”Has Liu Na been messing with us on purpose these past two days? She won’t even let us get a good night’s sleep!”

”Who knows? But there are a lot of people here today. This assessment probably isn’t just for our squad.”

Sun Yang stood off to the side, cupping a steaming hot coffee. He sipped it while sneaking glances at the field.

Shen Qiuyue glanced at the equipment on the field and said in a cold voice,

”An occasion like this should be a team-based competitive assessment. We’ll most likely be facing off against other squads.”

”Facing off?”

Sun Yang was taken aback.

”No way. We just finished clearing out the Insect Race, and now they’re throwing this exhausting stuff at us? Isn’t that a bit much?”

”Are you scared?”

Han Ruoxi shot him a look, a mocking smile touching her lips.

”Aren’t you our firepower specialist? Shouldn’t you be good at this kind of competitive match?”

”Hey now, Ruoxi, I’m just worried, that’s all!”

Sun Yang waved his hands dismissively.

”Think about it, the other squads are no pushovers. What if we mess up and get our asses handed to us? How humiliating would that be!”

”Cut the crap!”

Li Chang’an stood at the head of the team. His voice wasn’t loud, but it silenced everyone.

”Today’s assessment has been confirmed. It’s a squad tactical confrontation.

Our opponent is another rookie squad from the 42nd Combat Group—the Thunder Eagle Squad!”

”The Thunder Eagle Squad?”

Han Ruoxi frowned.

”I heard their Captain is pretty strong. Du Feng, was it?”

”That’s him.”

Li Chang’an nodded.

”Du Feng is the Thunder Eagle Squad’s ace. He’s got decent skills, and I heard he’s participated in a few large-scale missions before, so he has some experience.”

”Doesn’t that make them stronger than us?”

Sun Yang clicked his tongue, a hint of unease on his face.

”We’ve only been in the Combat Group for a few months, and he’s already done missions. Aren’t they just picking on us?”

”If you’re scared, you can go back now.”

Li Chang’an said flatly.

”But once you’re back, you can write your own resignation letter.”

”No way, Captain Li!”

Sun Yang immediately waved his hands, his face a picture of misery.

”I was just saying! How could I be scared? I’m just worried you guys will get worn out, wanted to save you some trouble!”

”Cut the act!”

Shen Qiuyue said coldly.

”If you were really afraid of getting tired, you wouldn’t be standing here right now.”

Sun Yang sullenly shut his mouth and said no more.

A short while later, Liu Na walked over with an assessment checklist.

She stood in the center of the field, her gaze sweeping between Li Chang’an’s and Du Feng’s teams before she spoke in a monotone voice.

”Today’s rules are simple. Each team will bring one objective item onto the field. Your goal is to protect your own objective while destroying the enemy’s.

The simulated battlefield contains obstacles and random traps, which will test your tactical and adaptive abilities.

The time limit is one hour. After it begins, the losing team will be responsible for the logistical duty of cleaning the training ground!”

”Logistical duty?”

Sun Yang muttered under his breath.

”Isn’t that punishment a little harsh? Cleaning the training ground... that’ll take us all night...”

”What was that?”

Liu Na’s gaze instantly locked onto him.

Sun Yang flinched, immediately snapping to attention and shouting,

”No problem! Logistical duty is no problem! We will give it our all!”

”Hmph, you’d better!”

Liu Na said coldly.

”Now, both teams, prepare yourselves. We begin in five minutes!”

The Insect Hunter Squad moved to the side and began a quick tactical briefing.

Li Chang’an took out a map of the simulated battlefield and pointed to several key locations.

”The terrain is complex this time. The central area is the key. Whoever controls it first will have the advantage.”

”Captain Li, so is our strategy to defend or attack?”

Han Ruoxi asked.

”Attack!”

Li Chang’an said without hesitation.

”The Thunder Eagle Squad’s style leans defensive. They’ll likely choose to protect their objective. We can’t let them tie us down; we have to strike first.”

”Strike first?”

Sun Yang scratched his head.

”Then what about our objective? We can’t just leave it unguarded, can we?”

”I’ll be in charge of protecting the objective.”

Shen Qiuyue spoke up.

”The three of you will be on offense. I’ll follow at a distance, ready to provide support at any moment.”

”That’ll work.”

Li Chang’an nodded, then looked at Bai Lin.

”Bai Lin, your job is to monitor the enemy’s movements and report their positions to us at all times.”

”Understood.”

Bai Lin replied concisely.

”Han Ruoxi, you’ll handle long-range suppression. Sun Yang, you provide covering fire. I’ll lead the charge.”

Li Chang’an’s gaze swept over each of them.

”In this match, we have only one goal—to win.”

”Winning is a given!”

Sun Yang grinned.

”We’re the Insect Hunter Squad, the coolest kids at this base. How could we lose to those Thunder Eagle guys?”

”I’m just worried you’ll drop the ball again when it counts.”

Han Ruoxi said bluntly.

”Me, drop the ball? Ruoxi, who do you take me for?”

Sun Yang looked indignant.

”This time, I’ll definitely show you what I’m made of!”

”Alright, enough talk.”

Li Chang’an raised a hand.

”One minute left. Are you ready?”

”Ready!”

Everyone responded in unison.

With a sharp whistle, the match officially began.

The Insect Hunter Squad quickly spread out, advancing toward the target area according to their pre-planned strategy.

On the simulated battlefield, abandoned buildings, piles of obstacles, and suddenly activating traps filled the entire area with danger and uncertainty.

”Captain Li, three members of the Thunder Eagle Squad are moving toward the central area. Du Feng isn’t with them!”

Bai Lin’s voice came through the communicator.

”Their Captain isn’t in the center?”

Li Chang’an frowned.

”That means Du Feng is probably protecting their objective.

Han Ruoxi, keep your eyes on those three in the middle. Don’t let them advance easily!”

”Roger!”

Han Ruoxi quickly found cover, raised her hand, and released an arc of electricity, striking the Shield of an opposing team member.

”Whoa, this Shield is pretty tough!”

Muttering to herself, Han Ruoxi increased her power output and continued her long-range suppression.

”Sun Yang, move up and lay down suppressing fire!”

Li Chang’an commanded as he moved.

”Roger! Watch me!”

Sun Yang raised his Pulse Gun and unleashed a wild spray of fire. The Energy Bullets carved searing trails through the air, forcing the members of the Thunder Eagle Squad to fall back.

”Nice!”

Li Chang’an charged forward. With a swing of his Saw Chain Sword, he drove back two opponents who were trying to counter-attack.

The members of the Thunder Eagle Squad were quickly put on the defensive, and the Insect Hunter Squad seized control of the central area.

Meanwhile, Shen Qiuyue stood guard alone near their objective, her calm gaze scanning the surroundings.

Suddenly, a Black Shadow shot out from behind a nearby building, heading straight for the objective.

”Du Feng!”

Shen Qiuyue recognized his figure in an instant and charged forward, drawing her sword without hesitation.

The two quickly clashed. The glint of their swords crisscrossed in the air, accompanied by the sound of metal striking metal.

”Your squad really is something else.”

Du Feng said coldly.

”But can you stop me all by yourself?”

”Try me.”

Shen Qiuyue wasted no more words, her movements growing even fiercer.

On the other side of the field, Li Chang’an received an urgent report from Bai Lin.