Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

Chapter 740: Chapter 362: Missing the Target Is Not an Option (Part 2)

"You just have to get used to it, and then it won’t feel so hard!"

"I’d rather not get used to this kind of inhuman training!"

She rolled over and set her water glass aside.

"Enough about me. How are Sun Yang and Shen Qiuyue? Did the reconnaissance simulation go smoothly?"

"It should have been fine!"

Li Chang’an glanced at the time.

"Bai Lin’s abilities are beyond question. The only unknown is whether Sun Yang slacked off!"

"He definitely slacked off!"

Han Ruoxi said without a moment’s hesitation.

"With his personality, it’d be a miracle if he sat still and listened to Bai Lin’s lecture!"

The words had barely left her mouth when Sun Yang’s voice came from the doorway.

"Who’s bad-mouthing me? Don’t you have a conscience?"

Han Ruoxi turned her head to look, and sure enough, it was Sun Yang and Shen Qiuyue, back together.

Sun Yang was holding a bottle of soda, speaking as he drank.

"I was paying close attention the entire time, I swear. I absolutely didn’t slack off.

Sister Qiuyue can vouch for me!"

"You were paying attention?"

Shen Qiuyue sneered.

"You zoned out at least three times and were secretly looking at your phone. Did you really think I didn’t notice?"

"No way!"

Sun Yang immediately protested.

"That was... that was me adjusting my mindset! Don’t you get it? A proper mindset is crucial for reconnaissance!"

"Your mindset is *too* relaxed!"

Shen Qiuyue said coldly.

"If you keep this up, something’s bound to go wrong sooner or later!"

"Don’t keep picking on me!"

Sun Yang sighed and sank onto the sofa.

"Captain, say something. Isn’t this lifestyle a little too high-strung? We’re not on a suicide mission. Can’t we relax a little?"

Li Chang’an glanced at him, his tone calm.

"I’ve said it before. There is no relaxing during a mission.

That’s a base regulation, and it’s my bottom line as Captain.

If you can’t adapt, you can apply to your superiors for a transfer off this squad!"

Sun Yang froze for a moment, then waved his hands dismissively.

"No, no, no! I wouldn’t dare. Where would I even go if I transferred? I was just talking. Don’t take me seriously!"

"Then cut the crap!"

Li Chang’an stood up.

"You’re free to do as you wish for now. Just remember to be back in your dorms before eight tonight. Bai Lin might have some more technical details to go over!"

"More lectures?"

Sun Yang clutched his forehead as if in pain.

"All his data already made my head spin. And there’s more?"

"You’ll listen even if you don’t understand!"

Shen Qiuyue shot him a cold glare.

"Don’t expect to have time to learn on the fly on the battlefield!"

"All right, you win!"

Sun Yang sighed.

"I’ll go find him later to review. Don’t want to embarrass myself when the real mission comes!"

Leaning back on the sofa, Han Ruoxi watched their exchange and couldn’t help but smile.

"You guys bickering every day is pretty entertaining. But I still hope the mission won’t be too hard. Just hearing about it gives me a headache!"

"We’ll find out how hard it is when it gets here,"

Li Chang’an said flatly.

"Training isn’t meant to make you fear missions. It’s meant to get you used to facing unknown challenges!"

Han Ruoxi pouted and didn’t argue, but a hint of seriousness appeared on her face.

After a short break, the group dispersed.

By eight o’clock that night, all the squad members had assembled on time in the lounge.

Bai Lin was there with his portable terminal, sitting at the conference table and adjusting the device.

Sun Yang leaned back in his chair, twirling a pen in his hand, his face a mask of impatience.

"Bai Lin, what kind of technical briefing is it this time?"

Sun Yang asked.

"I’m doing well if I remember even half of what you say. Don’t make it too complicated!"

"This time, it’s crucial!"

Bai Lin didn’t look up, his fingers swiping rapidly across the terminal’s screen.

"The simulation data for the mission area is out. I’ll be focusing on the potential risks and response strategies for this reconnaissance mission!"

"So it really is a mission!"

Han Ruoxi raised an eyebrow and looked at Li Chang’an.

"Captain, didn’t you say we were just in the preparation phase? Why has it suddenly gotten so tense?"

"The preparation phase is part of the mission!"

Li Chang’an said calmly.

"A reconnaissance mission can turn into a combat mission at any moment. You should all be clear on that!"

"True enough!"

Shen Qiuyue nodded.

"Reconnaissance is just the surface. We’ll likely encounter unexpected dangers.

Bai Lin, get to the point!"

Bai Lin nodded and projected his terminal’s screen onto the holographic projector in the middle of the room. A three-dimensional map slowly unfolded.

The map was marked with several Red warning zones and some yellow caution points.

"This is a simulation map of the mission area!"

Bai Lin said, pointing at the map.

"Our objective is this area—a mining vein region with frequent Insect Race activity.

According to intel, the depths of the mining region might conceal a High-tier Insect Race, but the outer areas are relatively safe.

We need to first scout the outer perimeter to confirm the number and types of Insect Race members!"

"So what do the Red areas mean?"

Sun Yang asked.

"High-danger zones!"

Bai Lin explained.

"The terrain in these locations is complex, and there could be ambushes or traps.

Also, based on the Insect Race’s habits, they tend to be most active in the Red zones!"

"Then why even go?"

Sun Yang frowned.

"Why not just bomb the whole place?"

"If we could bomb it, the regiment would have done so already!"

Shen Qiuyue said icily.

"This kind of place can’t be solved with brute force alone. Reconnaissance is for finding weaknesses and formulating a plan!"

"Exactly!"

Li Chang’an nodded.

"For this mission, our main responsibility is peripheral reconnaissance and data transmission. Follow-up units will act based on our intel.

The mission requires complete stealth. Direct engagement is forbidden!"

"Stealth, huh..." Han Ruoxi scratched her head.

"Doesn’t that mean my electric arcs will be useless?"

"Your Superpower can also be used for detection!"

Bai Lin looked up at her.

"By controlling its intensity, you can interfere with the Insect Race’s perception within a certain range while simultaneously scanning the surroundings!"

"That sounds pretty high-tech!"

Han Ruoxi said thoughtfully.

"Then I’ll follow your arrangements for now. I can adjust on my end anytime!"

"So what’s our specific plan of action?"

Shen Qiuyue asked.

"Does the reconnaissance plan involve splitting into groups? Or will the whole team move together?"

"The initial plan is to split up!"

Bai Lin tapped the screen a few times, and several different routes immediately appeared on the map.

"Sun Yang and Han Ruoxi will take the west route. Shen Qiuyue and I will take the east.

Li Chang’an will be responsible for the central area, acting as backup support while monitoring both sides!"

"Why am I in a group with Sun Yang?"

Han Ruoxi frowned.

"With his personality, can I really count on him to be serious?"

"You’ll take the lead, and he’ll provide support,"

Bai Lin answered calmly.

"Besides, based on the data, the combination of your skills is better suited for this route!"

"Fine!"

Han Ruoxi sighed in resignation.

"I hope Sun Yang doesn’t screw up!"

"Don’t worry, I’m super reliable!"

Sun Yang patted his chest.

"Just wait and see my performance!"

"Stop bragging!"

Shen Qiuyue said coldly.

"There’s no room for error on this mission. Don’t drag the team down!"

"Alright, alright, I get it!"

Sun Yang waved his hand dismissively.

"I’ll definitely take the mission seriously, okay?"

Li Chang’an watched their banter and tapped on the table.

"The specific time for the mission hasn’t been set, but the order will come down soon.

Starting tomorrow morning, we’ll run a simulation drill to go over every last detail.

You can rest for now, but don’t leave the base and keep your comms open!"

"Understood!"

The group replied in unison.

After the meeting, Sun Yang sidled up to Bai Lin and asked in a low voice,

"Bai Lin, you think there’ll be any surprises on this mission? I’ve got a feeling this Insect Race isn’t so simple!"

"There will definitely be surprises,"

Bai Lin said without looking up.

"However, dealing with surprises is part of the mission itself.

You just need to follow the plan. Leave the rest to me and the Captain!"

"That’s actually pretty reassuring to hear!"

Sun Yang scratched his head.

"Let’s hope everything goes smoothly!"

The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, the base’s broadcast system crackled to life.

Li Chang’an’s eyes snapped open. He quickly got up and dressed.

He checked the time. It wasn’t even time for breakfast yet, but he knew today was going to be busy.

He picked up his Saw Chain Sword, and just as he pushed his door open, Han Ruoxi’s door opened as well.

"Captain, you’re the first one up again, huh?"