Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

Sun Yang leaned back in his seat, feigning injury.

”Did you expect me to be enthusiastic?”

Shen Qiuyue didn’t even look up.

”I’m just trying to create a harmonious team atmosphere. Besides, on a mission like this, how can we not have a little humor?”

Sun Yang turned to look at Li Chang’an.

”Brother Chang’an, am I right?”

”Right, my ass!”

Li Chang’an glanced up at him.

”If you screw up the mission later, you’ll see how I deal with you!”

”Alright, alright, I get it! I was just joking around. Don’t be so serious!”

Sun Yang raised his hands in surrender.

”Captain, there’s signal interference!”

Bai Lin’s voice suddenly cut into their conversation.

His fingers flew across the console, and a string of warning messages popped up on the screen.

”Is it a jammer set up by the Rebel Army?”

Li Chang’an frowned and leaned in to look at the screen.

”I’m not sure, but it’s definitely an artificial jamming signal!”

Bai Lin continued to adjust the equipment.

”Our surveillance equipment might be affected, and communications could become unstable!”

”What a warm welcome.”

Han Ruoxi snorted.

”It looks like this Rebel Army was well-prepared!”

”Everyone, stay sharp!”

Li Chang’an stood up straight and looked at his team members.

”Bai Lin, can you break through the jamming signal?”

”It’ll take time, but I can try!”

Bai Lin lowered his head and continued typing on the keyboard.

”Then hurry. We can’t just walk straight into a trap!”

Li Chang’an nodded.

A few minutes later, the shuttle landed in a stretch of ruins outside the village.

The Insect Hunter Squad quickly disembarked, taking cover behind some rubble.

”Why does it feel even quieter than I expected?”

Sun Yang asked in a low voice, raising his Pulse Gun.

”Cut the crap and focus!”

Shen Qiuyue scanned her surroundings, warily tightening her grip on the Dueling Sword in her hand.

”Ruo Xi, scan the area!”

Li Chang’an gestured to Han Ruoxi.

”Roger!”

Han Ruoxi closed her eyes and released a faint electric current that spread out like a ripple.

”There’s a life sign to the northwest. It’s very weak. Might be survivors!”

Han Ruoxi opened her eyes and said in a hushed voice.

”Bai Lin, have you located the jammer?”

Li Chang’an turned his head and asked.

”It’s in the center of the village, within a fifty-meter radius!”

Bai Lin quickly confirmed the location.

”Alright, here’s the plan—Qiuyue and Sun Yang, you’re on cover. Ruo Xi, you’re with me to find the survivors. Bai Lin, stay here and provide remote support. Report in as needed!”

Li Chang’an looked at the others, his tone firm.

”No problem!”

Shen Qiuyue nodded.

”Don’t worry, Captain. A little thing like this is no problem for us!”

Sun Yang patted his chest.

The Insect Hunter Squad split into two teams and moved out.

Li Chang’an and Han Ruoxi moved cautiously toward the northwest. After passing several collapsed buildings, they finally found a dilapidated basement entrance.

”They should be in there!”

Han Ruoxi said in a low voice.

”You cover me. I’m going down to take a look!”

Li Chang’an made a hand signal, motioning for her to stay alert.

”Captain, be careful!”

Han Ruoxi gripped her Superpower Bracelet, standing near the entrance.

Li Chang’an entered the basement stealthily.

It was pitch-black inside, but he could faintly hear weak breathing.

Using the dim light, he saw several figures huddled in a corner.

”Don’t be afraid. We’re from the 42 Combat Group. We’re here to rescue you!”

Li Chang’an tried to keep his voice low to reassure them.

”Really... are you the army?”

A trembling voice spoke up. It was a woman.

”Yes. Don’t worry, we’ll get you out of here!”

Li Chang’an moved closer and confirmed they were several injured civilians.

He activated his communicator.

”I’ve found the survivors. Three of them, not in good shape. I need support!”

”Copy that, Captain!”

Bai Lin’s voice came through the communicator.

Just then, the ground began to shake, followed by a loud BANG.

Sun Yang’s urgent voice crackled over the communicator.

”Captain! The Rebel Army is here! They brought the Insect Race! We’ve been spotted!”

”Understood. Hold them off as long as you can. We’re pulling out now!”

Li Chang’an quickly turned to the survivors.

”Stay close to me, and don’t make a sound!”

He helped an elderly man who had trouble walking and led the group quickly out of the basement.

On the surface, Sun Yang and Shen Qiuyue were already engaged in a firefight with the Rebel Army.

Bullets and energy beams flew through the ruins, and the screeching of the Insect Race monsters was enough to make one’s skin crawl.

”Brother Chang’an! Hurry up!”

Sun Yang shouted while firing.

”Cover our retreat!”

Li Chang’an burst out from the ruins with the survivors.

”Leave it to us!”

Shen Qiuyue calmly swung her Dueling Sword, slicing through an Insect Race monster that was charging at them.

Han Ruoxi unleashed a powerful arc of electricity, instantly repelling a group of enemies.

”Get on the shuttle! Now!”

Li Chang’an escorted the survivors onto the shuttle, then shouted to his team.

As Sun Yang was the last to jump aboard the shuttle, he didn’t forget to make a gesture at the pursuing Rebel Army.

”Come and get me, you vermin!”

The shuttle ascended quickly, leaving the enemies to fire uselessly from the ground.

”We’re finally safe!”

Han Ruoxi let out a long sigh of relief and leaned back in her seat.

Aboard the shuttle, the members of the Insect Hunter Squad all looked exhausted, but Sun Yang’s mouth was still running.

”Captain, that sprint of yours was awesome! I almost applauded when you yanked that old man to his feet. But man, that Insect Race... each one is more disgusting than the last. It’s enough to make a guy lose his appetite.”

”Can you just shut up? Do you have any idea how close you were to getting hit just now? If I hadn’t blocked for you, we’d be rescuing you right now!”

Shen Qiuyue said from the side, her tone full of impatience.

”Hey, Sister Qiuyue, that’s just good teamwork, right? We’re both safe and sound, aren’t we? Don’t you think that whole scene was thrilling?”

Sun Yang grinned cheekily, not bothered in the slightest.

”If it were any more ’thrilling,’ you might have ended up as dinner for the Insect Race!”

Han Ruoxi rolled her eyes, leaning back against her seat.

”Seriously, that move you pulled back there had me sweating for you.”

”Ahem, Ruo Xi, that electric arc of yours was pretty cool too. Can you teach me how to do that? Next time, I want to zap those vermin myself!”

Sun Yang switched topics, putting on an eager expression.

”You think you could handle it? My Superpower is an innate talent. It can’t be taught!”

Han Ruoxi raised an eyebrow.

”Besides, do you think your brain could even comprehend the principles behind a Superpower?”

”Hey, you’re looking down on me! My brain might not be as sharp as you guys’, but I’m no idiot!”

Sun Yang protested loudly.

”That’s enough!”

Li Chang’an spoke, his voice low but carrying an intimidating authority.

”Everyone, check your gear. The way the Rebel Army and the Insect Race coordinated in that last wave was off. There might be more to come!”

Hearing Li Chang’an’s words, the team members quieted down and began checking their equipment.

”Captain, do you really think the Rebel Army and the Insect Race can cooperate?”

Shen Qiuyue asked as she polished her Dueling Sword, looking at Li Chang’an.

”In theory, they shouldn’t be able to. But what just happened proves otherwise!”

Li Chang’an leaned back in his seat, his brow slightly furrowed.

”Either the Rebel Army has had a technological breakthrough that allows them to control the Insect Race, or the Insect Race itself is evolving and has learned to communicate with humans!”

”That’s terrifying!”

Han Ruoxi wrinkled her nose.

”The Insect Race evolving? Are you kidding me? They’re already hard enough to deal with!”

”For us, an evolved enemy is an easier enemy to fight!”

Shen Qiuyue said coldly.

”At least they won’t just rely on overwhelming numbers. They’ll have weaknesses we can exploit!”

”Sister Qiuyue, that sounds a little dangerous!”

Sun Yang interjected.

”I’d still prefer them to be dumb, so we don’t have to work so hard!”

”That’s because you’re always slacking off!”

Shen Qiuyue retorted without mercy.

”Are you all done with your bickering?”

Li Chang’an sighed.

”When we get back to base, we’ll debrief the mission first, then figure out how to handle any future possibilities!”

”How long is the debrief going to take?”

Sun Yang grimaced.

”Can we get something to eat first? I’m starving!”

”No one eats until after the mission debrief!”

Li Chang’an laid down the law.

Sun Yang immediately slumped back in his seat and sighed dramatically at the ceiling.

”Why is my life so hard!”