Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

Sun Yang grumbled, but he didn’t dare say another word.

The convoy finally arrived at the gates of the Northern Base. After the base guards verified the Insect Hunter Squad’s identity, they immediately opened the defensive barrier.

The convoy slowly drove into the base as the surrounding automated turrets and recon drones immediately began monitoring the area.

”We’re finally here!”

Han Ruoxi let out a long sigh of relief.

”That trip was a real pain!”

”Everyone out! Prepare to unload the cargo!”

Li Chang’an stood at the head of the convoy and waved to his team members.

Sun Yang was the first to jump out of the vehicle, stretching as he spoke.

”Captain, you think the base will treat us to a good meal for delivering such important supplies?”

”Can’t you have some ambition?”

Han Ruoxi shot him a glare.

”All you think about is food the second we arrive!”

”You need energy to have ambition! We fought tooth and nail the whole way here. Don’t we deserve to treat ourselves?”

Sun Yang said righteously.

”Stop arguing!”

Li Chang’an cut off their bickering.

”After we unload, we’ll have a mission debrief. Once logistics has inspected the supplies, we’ll see if there’s any extra for us!”

”Brother Chang’an, you sound so formal!”

Sun Yang mumbled under his breath, but he still obediently went to help with the unloading.

During the unloading process, the base commander came over in person.

He was a burly, middle-aged man clad in heavy combat armor.

As soon as he saw Li Chang’an, a satisfied smile spread across his face.

”Insect Hunter Squad, well done!”

the commander said.

”These supplies are crucial for our frontline deployment. Without you, I can’t even imagine the consequences!”

”It’s our duty!”

Li Chang’an replied with a nod.

”But we did encounter many difficulties along the way. The Rebel Army’s ambushes and interference were more complex than we anticipated!”

”The Rebel Army has indeed been more active lately, especially with signs of cooperation with the Insect Race!”

The commander frowned.

”Did you notice any new anomalies on your route?”

”Their equipment has been significantly upgraded, especially the modifications to their Mechas. It’s approaching the level of a regular army!”

Li Chang’an said in a low voice.

”We suspect they have backing from other factions, but we have no conclusive evidence yet!”

”This is extremely important. We’ll make it a priority to investigate!”

The commander nodded.

”Your future missions may be even more dangerous. I hope you’re prepared!”

”Standing by!”

Li Chang’an’s expression was serious.

After the unloading was complete, the Insect Hunter Squad finally had some time to rest.

They were assigned to the base’s dormitory area, and each person was given a simple room.

”This place is pretty comfortable, way better than our temporary camp!”

Sun Yang plopped down on the bed, saying with satisfaction.

”Now this is what I call living!”

”Don’t get too happy just yet. We probably have another mission coming up!”

Han Ruoxi leaned against the doorframe, fiddling with her Superpower Bracelet.

”But speaking of which, can we try to get some supplies? My Energy Module is almost depleted!”

”You read my mind! Supplies are the key to combat effectiveness!”

Sun Yang immediately agreed.

”If you two keep talking nonsense, the supplies will go to someone else!”

Shen Qiuyue said coldly as she passed by from the other end of the hallway.

”Sister Qiuyue is getting colder and colder!”

Sun Yang muttered under his breath, but he didn’t dare talk back.

At dinnertime, the Insect Hunter Squad finally gathered in the base’s mess hall.

The food this time was clearly much better than what they had at their simple camp on the front lines.

”Captain, if the food was like this every day, I guarantee I’d train even harder!”

Sun Yang said indistinctly, his mouth full of food.

”Eat less, leave some for others!”

Han Ruoxi glared at him.

”I’m a growing boy!”

Sun Yang retorted righteously.

”It’d be better if you grew a brain!”

Han Ruoxi shot back mercilessly.

Li Chang’an sat to the side, not participating in their squabble. He ate quietly while scrolling through a mission briefing on his terminal.

”Captain, can’t you stop looking at that stuff while you’re eating? You’re stressing me out!”

Han Ruoxi grumbled.

”Mealtime is precious. Talk less, eat more!”

Li Chang’an said without looking up.

”Man, the Captain is so steady and strict!”

Sun Yang sighed.

”But that reliability is really reassuring!”

”That’s our Captain for you.”

Shen Qiuyue said coldly.

”Stop wasting your breath on him and eat your food!”

”Sun Yang! Stop slacking! Get up and train!”

Li Chang’an stood in the middle of the training grounds, shouting at the top of his lungs.

”Hey, Captain, didn’t I just finish fighting the Insect Race? I’m tired! An army marches on its stomach, you know? How can I train without eating or drinking? Look what time it is, I haven’t even eaten anything this morning!”

As Sun Yang spoke, he looked up at Li Chang’an, a bag of snacks he’d pulled from who-knows-where in his hand. He was eating them with a loud CRUNCH.

”If you eat any more, you really won’t be able to run! Come on, throw that thing away and give me five kilometers to start! Eat, eat, eat, that’s all you know. When a real fight breaks out, are you planning on chewing snacks while facing off against the insects?”

Li Chang’an pointed a finger at the running track, his eyes holding an unquestionable authority.

”Fine, fine, I’ll run, okay? I’m running!”

Sun Yang pouted, tossed the snacks aside, and turned to slowly jog a few steps before looking back to add one more thing.

”But, Captain, when a real fight starts, the insects might even be jealous of me! I mean, look at this physique, this build. Who wouldn’t be?”

Han Ruoxi heard this and couldn’t help but laugh, covering her mouth.

”Sun Yang, you’re better at bragging than you are at firing a Pulse Gun! The insects are jealous of you? I’m afraid they’re just eyeing how much meat is on your bones!”

Sun Yang’s foot slipped, and he nearly tripped on his own shoelaces. He turned back and glared at Han Ruoxi.

”Han Ruoxi! Why are you so sharp-tongued? I’m what you call well-built! Well-built! You get it? All muscle! A real picture of health!”

”A picture of health? Alright, then show some of that health and run faster! You can be a real picture of health when you’re finished!”

Li Chang’an shot him a glance, then turned to Bai Lin, who was standing to the side, staring intently at a tactical terminal.

”Bai Lin, have you adjusted today’s training plan? Don’t make it too fancy. Just focus on solidifying the basics.”

”It’s unchanged. Just the usual basic marksmanship and team coordination drills.

We also have to test the new equipment this afternoon. That feedback system on the protective armor... I saw a report from command saying it’s still not optimized!”

Bai Lin didn’t even look up, their fingers flying across the terminal as they muttered.

”I can’t believe those R&D people. We’re the ones using the equipment, so can’t they listen to us more when they’re adjusting the parameters? They’re always adding flashy, useless features. The old model was better than this!”

”R&D’s brains are wired differently than ours. They’re probably trying to figure out how to make things look more pleasing to the insects’ eyes!”

Shen Qiuyue interjected unexpectedly. She couldn’t help but chuckle after saying it. Though she rarely spoke, her retorts were always on point.

”Our Eldest Miss Shen really hits the nail on the head!”

Sun Yang shouted at Shen Qiuyue while turning his head as he ran. As a result, he wasn’t paying attention and crashed into a pile of training equipment stacked by the side of the field, face-planting spectacularly.

”Hahahaha!”

Han Ruoxi laughed so hard she nearly doubled over.

”Sun Yang! Are you for real? There aren’t even any insects here and you’re already wiping out like that. If this were a real battle, would we have to collect your corpse first?”

”Han Ruoxi! Don’t laugh too soon! Just you wait! When I’m done with this run, I’ll show you how I deal with you!”

Sun Yang grumbled angrily as he picked himself up and dusted himself off.

”Alright, that’s enough messing around. Start training, now! After training, we still have to test the new equipment this afternoon!”

Li Chang’an walked over and pulled the fallen Sun Yang to his feet, then shot a glance at Shen Qiuyue.

”Qiuyue, stop provoking him. The main event today is testing the new armor. Whoever performs poorly can forget about dinner tonight!”

Shen Qiuyue shrugged.

”I always perform well. Him, on the other hand... tsk tsk!”

She glanced at Sun Yang, her eyes holding a clear, teasing glint.

”Eldest Miss Shen, don’t look down on people, alright? I’m treating tonight! At the base’s restaurant, the good stuff. Don’t you dare say I’m stingy!”

Sun Yang puffed out his chest, his face full of confidence.