Chapter 736 - 360: The Mission Isn’t Over Yet (Part 2)
Chapter 736: Chapter 360: The Mission Isn’t Over Yet (Part 2)
A few minutes later, the field was clear. All the Insect Race models had fallen.
"Captain Li, don’t you think that was too easy?"
Shen Qiuyue walked over and stabbed her sword into the ground.
"It was over in less than three minutes. You call this training?"
"You think it’s simple?"
Li Chang’an glanced at her.
"Next, we’ll raise the difficulty to Level 4 and extend the time to twenty minutes!"
"Fine by me! Bring it on!"
Shen Qiuyue lifted her chin defiantly.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Brother Chang’an, let’s forget about Level 4!"
Sun Yang quickly waved his hands in protest.
"Let’s take it easy. No need to risk our lives just yet!"
"It’s not up for discussion!"
Li Chang’an clapped him on the shoulder.
"If you don’t have the stamina, eat less barbecue and train more!"
"I..." Sun Yang was speechless, and could only stare up at the sky in frustration.
"Bai Lin, Level 4 difficulty. Restart!"
Li Chang’an turned and spoke into his headset.
Bai Lin’s calm voice came through.
"Ready. Countdown in ten seconds!"
The Level 4 simulation began. The environment of the training ground changed in an instant. The rocks became more cluttered, the surrounding terrain grew rugged and uneven, and cliffs and chasms even appeared.
The number and size of the Insect Race models also increased noticeably.
"Brother Chang’an, are you sure you’re not just messing with us?"
Sun Yang stood at the edge of a chasm, his eyes fixed on the Insect Race models across from him, which were glowing with a blue light.
"These things look like bad news!"
"Less talk!"
Li Chang’an had already taken a few steps forward, Saw Chain Sword in hand.
"Everyone, coordinate. Don’t fall behind. We’ll split up, clear the perimeter first, then regroup to take out the ones in the center!"
"Alright, you’re the boss!"
Sun Yang muttered as he adjusted his Pulse Gun.
"But then again, it would be pretty interesting if these models could actually bite you!"
"Why don’t you let one bite you? I doubt you’d be alive to joke about it!"
Shen Qiuyue passed him, her sword pointed straight ahead.
"I’m flanking right. Han Ruoxi, cover my left!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know!"
Han Ruoxi flicked her hand dismissively.
"Don’t order me around like you own the place. I’m not your little sidekick!"
"Quiet down!"
Li Chang’an suddenly turned and glared at them.
"We’re in combat mode. Keep your mouths shut!"
The team immediately fell silent, and everyone dispersed according to their orders.
Li Chang’an, holding his Saw Chain Sword, cautiously approached the nearest Insect Race model.
The model was as tall as a person, with two pairs of blade-like claws on its back. A blue light flickered along the claw edges, as if in warning.
"Brother Chang’an, want me to take the first shot?"
Sun Yang’s voice came over the comms channel, low and hushed.
"No need!"
Li Chang’an replied in a low voice.
"It’ll make too much noise. Clear out the ones in the back first. Don’t alert the big guy up front!"
He quickly circled around to the Insect Race model’s flank, his steps so steady they were almost silent.
With a WHIR of gears, the Saw Chain Sword roared to life and he swung it directly at the Insect Race model’s joints.
The model staggered and whipped its head around, but before it could swing its bladed claws, Li Chang’an kicked it to the ground. Another slash from the Saw Chain Sword finished it off, leaving it completely disabled.
"Left side clear!"
Han Ruoxi’s voice came through the comms channel.
Li Chang’an glanced up and saw that Han Ruoxi had just unleashed an electric arc, reducing a slightly smaller Insect Race model to a charred wreck.
"Not bad speed,"
he commented calmly.
"Of course! You know who you’re dealing with!"
Han Ruoxi laughed.
"Right side’s clear too!"
Shen Qiuyue’s voice followed. Her sword was dripping with the model’s liquid residue, and she wore a relaxed expression.
"I’ll take the ones in the middle!"
Without another word, Li Chang’an charged directly at the Insect Race models in the very center.
These models were clearly stronger than the ones on the perimeter, their movements more agile.
As soon as Li Chang’an got close, one of the models swung its bladed claws down at him.
He leaned slightly to one side, dodging the attack while his Saw Chain Sword sliced through the opponent’s waist, cutting it in two.
Seeing this, the second model immediately lunged, its claws aimed straight for Li Chang’an’s chest.
He calmly took a step back, and as he dodged the attack, he thrust his sword through its head.
"Brother Chang’an is just too smooth!"
Sun Yang exclaimed from the rear as he took aim.
"Don’t just stand there watching! Provide support!"
Li Chang’an yelled without turning around.
Sun Yang snapped to it, raised his gun, and fired a series of Pulse Bullets at the last Insect Race model. Before it could react, it was blown to smithereens.
"Is it over?"
Han Ruoxi looked around, a hint of surprise in her voice.
"I thought it would be harder!"
"This is Level 4, not Level 6!"
Shen Qiuyue sheathed her sword.
"Let’s try a higher difficulty next time. We can’t get much practice at this level!"
"Give it a rest, you two. Can’t you just take it easy for once?"
Sun Yang couldn’t help but complain.
"We train like it’s a real war every day. When a real mission comes, will we even have the energy to survive?"
"You think training is a game?"
Shen Qiuyue shot him a look.
"It’s precisely because real missions are more dangerous that we have to train here like it’s a real war!"
"Alright, that’s enough arguing!"
Li Chang’an waved his hand dismissively.
"That’s it for today. You have the afternoon off. Do whatever you want, just don’t wander around the base. Remember to report if you leave!"
"Time off?!"
Sun Yang’s eyes lit up.
"Brother Chang’an, you’re not joking, are you?"
"Don’t believe me then, see if I care!"
Li Chang’an turned and walked toward the exit.
"I’m going to get something to eat. You guys do what you want!"
"The Captain is wise!"
Sun Yang shouted as he ran after him.
"Let’s go, let’s go! Who’s coming with me to get some barbecue on the back street?"
"Aren’t you afraid of getting fat?"
Han Ruoxi called out from behind, but she followed along silently anyway.
"You even complain about getting barbecue. I give up on you guys!"
Sun Yang sighed.
"I’m ordering twenty skewers later, and nobody better touch them!"
"Steal your skewers? Don’t flatter yourself!"
Shen Qiuyue said coldly as she walked past.
"Sigh. You’re the coldest person on the team!"
Sun Yang shook his head.
"Sooner or later, we’ll have to find someone warm to thaw you out!"
After leaving the training ground, the group headed directly for the back street of the base.
The back street was a small commercial area within the Interstellar Warrior Base. When the soldiers at the base were off-duty, they loved to come here to eat good food, buy useful little gadgets, and just unwind.
"Let’s hit the barbecue stand first. I’m so hungry my stomach is touching my spine!"
Sun Yang rubbed his belly, striding ahead of the group.
"It’s my treat today! Order whatever you want, don’t hold back for my sake!"
"For real?"
Han Ruoxi followed behind, a little skeptical.
"Don’t tell us to go Dutch at the end again!"
"What are you talking about? When have I, Sun Yang, ever done something like that?"
Sun Yang looked back at her with an air of righteous indignation.
"I said it’s my treat, and it’s my treat! I’m prepared to empty my wallet today!"
"Let’s hope so!"
Shen Qiuyue snorted softly.
"Last time you said you were treating, but when the bill came, you made us all split it!"
"Hey, that was an accident!"
Sun Yang scratched his head.
"I really didn’t bring enough money that day. It’s different this time. I came prepared!"
Li Chang’an didn’t join their bickering. He walked at the back of the group, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding crowd, habitually observing every detail.
There were many stalls on the back street selling food, clothes, and all sorts of interstellar goods. The cries of vendors filled the air.
"Captain, what are you looking at now?"
Han Ruoxi glanced back at him.
"We’re already outside. Still so vigilant?"
"It’s a habit."
Li Chang’an answered calmly.
"Besides, even though the base is safe, we can’t let our guard down completely."
"Alright, alright, you’re the cautious one!"
Han Ruoxi pouted.
"Hurry and catch up, don’t get lost!"
The group quickly found a barbecue stand. It was the most popular one on base; the owner was a retired veteran with great skill and fair prices.
Many people were already sitting around the stand, including a few members of the 42 Combat Group. They greeted Li Chang’an and his team when they saw them.
"Captain Li, bringing the team out to relax?"