The words had barely been spoken when the ground began to shake violently. The fissure instantly widened, and a few enormous members of the Insect Race burst from the earth, their massive pincers and sharp claws glinting coldly.
"They’re here!"
Bai Lin warned while monitoring his equipment, "There are five of them, with possibly more underground!"
"Only five? That’s not enough!"
Sun Yang cracked his knuckles, his Pulse Gun already warming up. "Watch me take them out!"
"Cut the chatter and get to it!"
Li Chang’an swung the Saw Chain Sword in his hand, aiming straight for one of the Insect Race’s heads. The sharp teeth bit in instantly, producing a piercing, metallic screech.
"Han Ruoxi, support!"
he shouted as he struck.
"On it!"
Dazzling currents of electricity crackled around Han Ruoxi’s hands. With a sharp wave, she sent a bolt of Lightning striking one of the Insect Race square in the body. Its massive form shuddered violently from the shock, letting out a piercing shriek.
"Haha, so this thing is afraid of electricity!"
Sun Yang laughed triumphantly. His Pulse Gun locked precisely onto another insect’s vitals, and a beam of light shot out instantly. The creature’s head was struck dead-on, and green fluid gushed out.
"Finish them quickly! Don’t drag this out!"
Li Chang’an quickly adjusted his position and continued to slash at another insect’s claw.
"I’m fine over here, Brother Chang’an!"
Han Ruoxi said, manipulating the electricity while looking smugly at the fallen insect, "A few more wouldn’t be a problem!"
"Don’t get cocky. There are still more underground!"
Shen Qiuyue reminded her coolly, her High-Energy Sword already plunged into an insect’s abdomen. The Light Blade instantly sliced open its carapace.
Just then, the ground began to shake again. Several new members of the Insect Race burrowed out, even larger and more ferocious than the last few.
"I knew it wouldn’t be that simple!"
Bai Lin frowned as he watched his equipment. "There are more and more of these things!"
"More? Excellent!"
Hearing this, Sun Yang’s face grew even more excited. "I was just thinking this wasn’t enough of a fight!"
"That’s enough. Save the tough talk for after you’ve actually beaten them."
Li Chang’an waved a hand, signaling for everyone to prepare for the new attack. "Hold the formation! Don’t get reckless!"
The Insect Race charged, their massive claws gouging deep grooves in the ground with a series of piercing screeches.
Without hesitation, Li Chang’an swung his Saw Chain Sword again, accurately striking an insect’s neck. The serrated teeth bit into its hard carapace, and blood flew.
"These things have insane defense!"
Han Ruoxi was getting frustrated. Her electrical attacks caused the insects pain, but they weren’t enough to be fatal.
"Don’t worry, aim for their weak spots!"
Shen Qiuyue shouted a reminder, "Their abdomens are more vulnerable! Focus your attacks there!"
"You guys hit the abdomens! I’ll draw their attention!"
Li Chang’an roared, charging straight at an insect with his Saw Chain Sword. He deftly dodged an oncoming claw and, using the momentum, slashed at its neck.
"Alright, watch this!"
Without hesitation, Sun Yang locked his Pulse Gun onto an insect’s abdomen. The beam instantly pierced its body, and green fluid spewed out like a fountain.
"See? That’s how it’s done!"
He grinned smugly and fixed his gaze on the next insect.
"Don’t let your guard down! There are still two left!"
Li Chang’an quickly repositioned himself, tying up the remaining members of the Insect Race while reminding his teammates to stay on defense.
"Don’t worry, I’m here! It’s fine!"
Electricity gathered again in Han Ruoxi’s hands. A powerful bolt of Lightning struck an insect’s abdomen, and with a final scream, it finally collapsed.
"One last one! Finish it!"
At Li Chang’an’s command, the Insect Hunter Squad quickly surrounded the final target, bringing it down with their combined efforts.
"And that’s that!"
Sun Yang wiped the sweat from his brow, a wide grin on his face. "Those things were a real pain, but we took care of them easily enough, didn’t we!"
"Easy for you to say. You were the one who almost got hit by that insect just now!"
Shen Qiuyue shot him a sidelong glance and said coolly.
"Hehe, but we’ve got Brother Chang’an, right? Even if I got hit, I wouldn’t be scared!"
Sun Yang grinned and scratched his head.
"Alright, enough with the smart remarks!"
Li Chang’an retracted his Saw Chain Sword and walked to the front of the group. "Everyone, check your gear. Once you confirm everything’s okay, we’re moving on!"
"Hey, is that it?"
Sun Yang seemed a little disappointed. "I thought there’d be more of them!"
"In your dreams."
Bai Lin looked at him, his face expressionless. "This is just a perimeter recon mission. Why would there be so many of them?"
"Still, those members of the Insect Race were pretty interesting!"
Han Ruoxi said as she checked her weapon, "I’m surprised at how well our Insect Hunter Squad is working together!"
"Smooth is good."
Li Chang’an walked at the head of the team, his tone calm. "But don’t get carried away. The mission isn’t over yet."
"Yeah, yeah, I know!"
Sun Yang waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t worry, Brother Chang’an. I promise I’ll take the mission seriously!"
"How big is the area we’re supposed to scout this time?"
Han Ruoxi asked, looking up at Li Chang’an as she walked.
"Not too big. Just a few kilometers around here."
Li Chang’an answered without turning his head, "The main goal is to see if the Insect Race has set up a nest nearby. If there are any signs, we report back immediately. The main force will come in to clean up."
"The Insect Race has a nest?"
Sun Yang’s interest was piqued. He patted his Pulse Gun as he walked. "Doesn’t that mean we get to fight more? I’m telling you, Brother Chang’an, if you let me take on ten of them by myself, I could definitely win!"