Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

"Sun Yang, make sure our fire support can keep up!"

"Roger!" everyone answered in unison, regrouping.

The Insect Hunter Squad continued to advance. The terrain ahead grew more complex, and metal fragments, not buried very deep, could occasionally be seen on the ground—traces of an earlier battle.

The squad remained on high alert, each member scanning their surroundings for potential ambushes or traps.

Han Ruoxi’s drone circled high above, and the real-time data streaming back to her terminal made her frown.

"Captain, something’s not right.

There are no heat signatures within a hundred-meter radius ahead. It’s too quiet!"

Li Chang’an stopped and raised a hand, signaling for everyone to halt.

He asked Bai Lin in a low voice.

"Linzi, has your equipment detected any abnormal fluctuations? A cloaking device or some kind of jamming signal?"

Bai Lin looked down to check for a few seconds before looking up and replying.

"No obvious jamming signals, but... the data looks a little strange.

It’s like some kind of dynamic fluctuation. It’s probably a camouflage device at work!"

’A camouflage device?’ Li Chang’an thought for a moment, then looked at Han Ruoxi.

"Can you try disrupting the nearby area with an electric arc? See if you can break the camouflage!"

Han Ruoxi nodded. She raised her hands, and a ball of blue-white electric light quickly gathered in her palms.

She said quietly.

"Everyone, be ready. If something is hiding here, the electric current might give away our position!"

The moment she finished speaking, the arc shot forward into the empty space like a bolt of lightning.

Accompanied by the CRACKLE of electricity, the air ahead seemed to tear apart as faint outlines began to emerge.

"A camouflage barrier!" Bai Lin shouted, quickly adjusting his terminal to expand its signal detection range.

Under the effect of the current, an entire camouflage barrier was exposed, revealing a simple defensive fortification and several armed Alien Martial Artists hidden behind it.

"Nice work!" Li Chang’an drew his Saw Chain Sword and waved his squad forward.

"Move out! Take them down!"

Shen Qiuyue had already rushed forward, her Dueling Sword cutting a cold glint of light through the air as she thrust it toward the foremost Martial Artist.

Her opponent reacted quickly, raising a Long Spear to block the strike. But Shen Qiuyue instantly changed her attack, the blade of her sword sliding past to slice open his side, sending blood flying.

Sun Yang, positioned at the rear, had already set up his Pulse Gun. He couldn’t help but mutter to himself.

"These guys look pretty tough. Let’s give ’em something hot!"

As he spoke, a high-energy pulse beam struck another Martial Artist squarely in the chest. The man staggered back a few steps and collapsed.

"Don’t fall behind!" Li Chang’an commanded as he charged toward the other end of the fortification. He swung his Saw Chain Sword, cutting down an enemy who tried to approach.

His movements were swift and precise, leaving his enemies no chance to counterattack.

Meanwhile, Han Ruoxi was unleashing electric arcs from the rear, suppressing the enemy with area-of-effect attacks.

While controlling her drone, she yelled into the comms channel.

"Captain, watch out! Two more on your left, trying to get behind you!"

"Got it!" Li Chang’an spun around, glancing to his left.

Sure enough, two Martial Artists were attempting a flanking attack.

He sneered and raised his Saw Chain Sword to meet them.

One of the enemies on the left was short but exceptionally agile. The dagger in his hand struck at Li Chang’an like a venomous snake.

But Li Chang’an was as steady as a mountain. The moment he pinpointed his opponent’s move, he activated his Chain Sword, severing the man’s arm along with the dagger it held.

The other enemy tried to counter, but before he could get close, a precise Pulse Bullet hit him in the head.

Sun Yang’s voice came over the comms channel.

"Captain, you owe me one! That shot was a lifesaver!"

"Cut the chatter!" Li Chang’an retorted, throwing himself back into the fight.

At the same time, Shen Qiuyue and Han Ruoxi finished off the last enemy inside the fortification.

Han Ruoxi caught her breath, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

"These guys have decent gear, but their combat skills are nothing special.

Compared to the Insect Race, these guys are a complete joke!"

"Don’t get careless!" Shen Qiuyue sheathed her sword, her gaze still warily scanning the surroundings.

"This is just the perimeter. The real threat is still inside!"

"Linzi, check their equipment. See if there’s anything valuable!" Li Chang’an clipped his Saw Chain Sword back to his waist and walked over to a fallen enemy, carefully inspecting his gear.

Bai Lin nodded and began scanning the enemies’ communicators and equipment.

A moment later, he looked up and said.

"There are some log files, but they’re encrypted.

It’ll take time to decrypt them, but there might be intel inside!"

"Good!" Li Chang’an nodded.

"Take anything useful and destroy the rest.

We can’t leave too many traces behind!"

Han Ruoxi looked around.

"Captain, what’s next? Do we charge straight in or do more recon?"

"We’ll rest for three minutes, then continue advancing!" Li Chang’an scanned the area.

"This isn’t a place we should linger.

Everyone be careful. The deeper we go, the more dangerous it’s likely to get!"

The Insect Hunter Squad took a short break. The members quickly checked their gear, confirming everything was in good condition.

While adjusting her drone’s signal range, Han Ruoxi glanced at the area ahead.

"Captain, do you think there’ll be higher-level Martial Artists waiting for us in the core area?" she asked, looking up. Her tone held a mix of curiosity and unease.

"One hundred percent!" Li Chang’an said, wiping the blood from his Saw Chain Sword.

"This kind of perimeter ambush is just an appetizer.

If their defenses in the core area are on the same level as this, they might as well not bother with camouflage and just put up a sign telling us to come kill them!"

"Whoa, Captain, feeling witty today, are we?" Sun Yang teased with a grin.

"But you’re right. If these guys really are this pathetic, I’m going to suggest our Combat Group send the rookies here for target practice!"

Shen Qiuyue stood to the side and said coldly.

"Sun Yang, your Pulse Gun was nearly off-target just now. If it weren’t for luck, that Martial Artist ambushing the Captain might have gotten through.

Stop boasting and save your energy for the fight ahead!"

Sun Yang rubbed his nose and muttered.

"I was just trying to lighten the mood. Sister Qiuyue, you don’t have to be so serious all the time. We’re allowed to have a little fun, right?"

Shen Qiuyue didn’t respond, merely checking her Dueling Sword and remaining on guard.

Just then, Bai Lin, who was staring at his terminal screen, frowned slightly.

He spoke up.

"Captain, I’ve made some progress decrypting those comms logs.

Most of the files are still being cracked, but one of them mentions some numbers. Looks like troop distribution!"

"Give me the details!" Li Chang’an immediately walked over and crouched beside Bai Lin.

Bai Lin tapped the screen.

"According to these logs, there’s likely an elite squad in the stronghold’s core area, numbering between eight and ten.

Their weapons and gear are probably reverse-engineered Alliance tech. The threat level is not to be underestimated!"

’An elite squad?’ Han Ruoxi frowned.

"Now that’s interesting.

These perimeter Martial Artists didn’t look elite at all. They seemed more like cannon fodder!"

"That’s exactly why we need to be more careful!" Li Chang’an stood up and clapped his hands.

"Alright, time’s up. Let’s move!"

The squad quickly assembled, maintaining a state of high alert as they advanced along the corridor toward the stronghold’s core.

As the terrain changed, the air around them seemed to grow heavier. The signs of battle became more frequent—damaged equipment, discarded ammo crates, and other wreckage were everywhere.

Sun Yang stared at a piece of shattered Armor by his feet and said in a low voice.

"Captain, look at this Armor. The quality is clearly much better than what those guys we just fought had.

Looks like Linzi was right. There really might be some tough customers ahead!"

"Good that you know!" Li Chang’an tightened his grip on his Saw Chain Sword.

"Maintain formation. Don’t break rank!"

Han Ruoxi’s drone suddenly let out an alarm, and she quickly glanced at her screen.

"Heat signatures detected fifty meters ahead! Not many, but they’re clustered together.

Looks like a squad might be guarding a specific position!"

"Another ambush!" Shen Qiuyue said coldly.

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