Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

Li Chang’an’s tone was calm, but carried an undeniable authority.

”Assemble in the training room in five minutes. Move it!”

Sun Yang was suddenly wide awake. He scrambled to put on his clothes, muttering under his breath.

”Unbelievable. He puts us through this every day. Is the Captain made of iron or what!”

The others reacted with much more composure.

Han Ruoxi walked out of her room, tying up her hair as she glanced at Sun Yang.

”Can you not look like you just rolled out of bed every day? You have zero professionalism!”

”I just woke up, Miss Han!”

Sun Yang looked aggrieved.

”Of course you geniuses are always full of energy. I’m just a normal person!”

”Normal people still need to hurry up!”

Shen Qiuyue approached from the other side, her voice cold.

”If you’re late, Chang’an won’t let you off easy!”

”I know, Sister Qiuyue!”

Sun Yang replied as he laced up his boots.

”Don’t rush me, I’m almost ready!”

Five minutes later, the entire squad arrived in the training room, right on time.

Li Chang’an stood in front of a screen, his gaze sweeping over each person.

”We just received a notification. Base Commander Liu Na has directly assigned us a reconnaissance mission!” he announced.

”The target is the Southern Mountain Area of Lion’s Fang Star. There were signs of small-scale Insect Race activity there a month ago. The base suspects there might be a remnant Insect Hive, and our mission is to go investigate and confirm the situation!”

”The Southern Mountain Area?”

Han Ruoxi frowned.

”Didn’t they just say yesterday that there was nothing unusual there? Why the sudden recon mission?”

”Probably new intel,”

Li Chang’an replied.

”We don’t need to know the specific reason; we just need to complete the mission.

The mission requires a stealth operation. Avoid exposing our position, prioritize confirming enemy status, and do not engage unless absolutely necessary!”

”Understood!”

Shen Qiuyue nodded.

”A stealth op, huh...” Sun Yang scratched his head.

”Stealth is a bit tricky for a firepower guy like me!”

”Then shut your mouth and talk less!”

Han Ruoxi shot him a glare.

”The enemy can hear you from a kilometer away the moment you open your mouth!”

”Han Ruoxi, you don’t have to be so harsh!”

Sun Yang looked innocent.

”Alright, that’s enough nonsense!”

Li Chang’an cut their conversation short.

”Everyone, go back and prep your gear. Assemble at the armored vehicle in ten minutes.

And travel light. Avoid making any unnecessary noise!”

”Understood!”

The team members responded in unison, then quickly left the training room and returned to the dormitory area to prepare their equipment.

Ten minutes later, the squad had assembled and boarded a light armored vehicle.

Li Chang’an sat in the front passenger seat, adjusting the map while laying out the specific operational details.

”Bai Lin, you’re in charge of monitoring thermal and Energy signatures around us. Provide timely enemy reports!”

”Understood!”

Bai Lin lowered his head and began calibrating his terminal.

”Han Ruoxi, you’ll be at the rear of the vehicle, responsible for guarding against any potential pursuers.

Sun Yang, you’ll be on the roof providing fire support, but you must strictly control your use of firepower. Do not open fire unless it’s a last resort!”

”Understood, Captain!”

Sun Yang replied with a grin.

”Qiuyue and I will handle reconnaissance and tactical decisions at the front!”

Li Chang’an finally looked at Shen Qiuyue.

”Pay attention to every detail. Ensure the reconnaissance operation proceeds smoothly!”

Shen Qiuyue nodded without saying anything more.

After the vehicle started, the squad headed toward the Southern Mountain Area.

The armored vehicle bumped along the barren wasteland and rugged mountain roads, but the atmosphere inside was surprisingly quiet.

For once, Sun Yang wasn’t making a fuss. Instead, he was lying on the roof, observing their surroundings.

”Captain, this area is really desolate!” Sun Yang suddenly spoke up. ”There isn’t even a single decent tree. How miserable would the Insect Race be, hiding out here?”

”The Insect Race doesn’t care about the environment, only whether it’s suitable for their survival,”

Li Chang’an replied.

”Don’t let your guard down. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times!”

”Yes, Captain!”

Sun Yang acknowledged and resumed his observation.

Several hours later, they finally reached the mission area in the Southern Mountain Area.

Li Chang’an ordered the vehicle to stop, then had everyone dismount for reconnaissance on foot.

”From now on, we’re in full silent mode,”

Li Chang’an reminded them in a low voice.

”All communication will be through our earpieces. No talking out loud!”

”Understood!”

The team members all nodded, then followed Li Chang’an into the mountains.

The terrain in the Southern Mountain Area was complex; huge boulders and steep slopes made advancing even more difficult.

But the squad members were well-trained, moving lightly and without making any excess noise.

”Three hundred meters ahead, I’ve got a thermal reading!” Bai Lin’s voice came through the earpiece. ”Could be small Insect Race units. Not many!”

”Everyone take cover and stay quiet!” Li Chang’an ordered in a low voice.

The squad quickly found a concealed position and observed the situation ahead.

Sure enough, three small Insect Race creatures were moving slowly across an open area. Though not large, their movements were very agile.

”Targets are moving slowly, no signs of active aggression,” Bai Lin continued to report. ”Likely a patrol unit!”

”Don’t startle them for now.”

Li Chang’an glanced over, then motioned for the team to bypass the area.

”The Insect Hive is our objective. We don’t have time to waste on these small units!”

Following his command, the team carefully skirted the Insect Race’s patrol zone and continued deeper into the mountains.

Over the next few hours, they encountered more small Insect Race units, but successfully avoided them all.

Finally, in a hidden valley, they discovered a massive cave.

”Is this... the entrance to the Insect Hive?”