Li Chang’an gave him a cool glance. "If you turn into a pile of scrap metal, it’ll save me the trouble of worrying about you. The Insect Race could always use more cannon fodder!"
Sun Yang immediately looked aggrieved. "Hey, come on, buddy, that’s harsh. I’m the team’s firepower support, you know.
You think being cannon fodder is that easy?"
Han Ruoxi, walking beside them, was doubled over with laughter. "Haha, Sun Yang, don’t be so down on yourself.
Besides, you think this little bit of daily training is too much? I bet you’ve never seen a real high-intensity workout!"
"Han Ruoxi, easy for you to say!" Sun Yang sighed. "You’re a Superpower User. Do you even burn through stamina? You just stand there, pinch your fingers, and ZAP—out comes the electricity. Us firearms guys have to carry our guns, run into position, and make precision shots. You think my job is easy?"
Han Ruoxi waved her hand with a smile. "Oh, you’re right, it’s not easy, not easy at all. In that case, let me toast you with a bottle of water!" As she spoke, she picked up a bottle of water and handed it to Sun Yang.
Sun Yang took the water with a helpless expression. "Fine, I’ll accept your watery toast!"
Shen Qiuyue, walking at the back of the group, cut in coolly, "Training is meant to improve physical fitness and combat skills. If you don’t train now, you’ll regret it when you’re actually on the battlefield. It’ll be too late then."
"Tsk, tsk, the young miss has spoken!" Sun Yang shook his head. "I’ve barely said a few words and you’ve all ganged up to tear me to shreds.
Are you all conspiring to bully your firepower support?"
Han Ruoxi teased with a smile, "Of course not. How could we bear to bully you? After all, you’re a key player!"
Li Chang’an couldn’t be bothered to argue with them anymore and walked straight ahead. "Alright, that’s enough nonsense. Let’s get to the cafeteria. After we eat, there’s a mission briefing tonight!"
At this, Sun Yang’s expression turned to one of surprise. "What? A mission briefing tonight? I was planning on getting a good night’s sleep! Isn’t this a bit sudden?"
"You think you can just slack off after training every day?" Li Chang’an shot back without turning his head. "The army isn’t a retirement home. There are missions at any time. If you don’t want to do it, you can pack up and go home!"
"No, no, I was just talking!" Sun Yang immediately surrendered, raising his hands. "A mission briefing! It’s what I look forward to most! What could be more exciting than combat?"
"Exciting?" Shen Qiuyue snorted coldly. "You’d better not just think about excitement. The Insect Race doesn’t care about entertainment. When the fighting starts, they won’t care whether you’re enjoying yourself or not!"
Han Ruoxi pursed her lips in a smile. "That’s right, Sun Yang. I saw how nervous you were last time. You’re not thinking of finding an excuse to desert again, are you?"
Sun Yang immediately puffed out his chest. "Nonsense! What kind of person do you take me for? When it comes to fighting the Insect Race, it’s my undeniable duty. I’ll never back down!"
Chatting as they walked, the group finally arrived at the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was quite full. Members of the Combat Group sat eating in small groups, and the atmosphere was relatively harmonious.
Li Chang’an and his squad found an empty table and, after sitting down, went their separate ways to get their food.
"What’s on the menu today?" Sun Yang craned his neck curiously, looking at the serving window. "It’s not the same old stuff again, is it? I feel like I’m getting sick of it!"
"It’s the usual, on daily rotation," Li Chang’an said flatly, casually picking up a tray and heading for the food line.
Han Ruoxi clutched her stomach. "Actually, I quite like the fried chicken nuggets here. They’re crispy and fragrant!"
Sun Yang rolled his eyes. "Don’t even mention the chicken nuggets. Last time, I waited in line for half an hour just for them, and by the time I got to the front, there wasn’t even any chicken skin left!"
Bai Lin remained silent, quietly standing at the end of the line, seemingly uninterested in the group’s conversation.
After getting their food and sitting down, Sun Yang couldn’t help but poke at the contents of his plate with his chopsticks. "Sigh... Do you guys think we’ll ever get to improve our meals, a day when we don’t have to eat this mess hall slop?"
"You’re overthinking it," Li Chang’an said, taking a sip of water, his expression still calm. "This isn’t your home. If you want something special, figure it out yourself."
Sun Yang sighed helplessly. "Forget it. As soldiers, we can’t expect any gourmet food.
Li Chang’an, when do you think we’ll be able to bring back some spoils of war from the outside to improve our lives a little?"
"Spoils of war? You’re dreaming!" Li Chang’an shot him a look. "You’ll be lucky if the enemy outside doesn’t kill you, and you’re expecting to get some perks?"
"Hey, I was just saying!" Sun Yang said with an embarrassed smile, rubbing his hands together. "But, you know... what if there’s a chance?"
Han Ruoxi couldn’t help but retort, "Sun Yang, can you be a little more realistic? We’re here to fight, not to hunt for loot!"
"Of course I’m being realistic!" Sun Yang quickly defended himself. "I never said we shouldn’t fight. But after the battle’s over, you have to reward yourself, right?
Don’t you guys agree?"
Shen Qiuyue said coldly, "Focus on completing the mission first. You can think about other things after the battle is over."
Sun Yang was choked speechless. He paused for a moment before speaking. "Fine, I’ll listen to you.
Let’s finish eating and get to the mission briefing. We can’t be late!"
After dinner, the group returned to the rest area. A short while later, Commander Liu Na summoned all the squads for that evening’s mission briefing.
"Tonight’s mission isn’t complicated, but it’s not simple either!" Liu Na stood at the front and briefly introduced the objective. "According to our reconnaissance, a small squad from the Insect Race is approaching the perimeter of Lion’s Fang Star. We need to stop them before they can launch a large-scale invasion!"
As soon as Sun Yang heard this, he leaned in excitedly. "Oh, I like this mission! A good chance to stretch my legs!"
Li Chang’an glanced at him. "Don’t get too excited. The Insect Race isn’t as simple as you think.
You didn’t see a real swarm last time. Don’t be careless."
"I know, I know!" Sun Yang grinned from ear to ear. "Don’t worry, I’ve learned my lesson. I absolutely won’t charge in recklessly this time!"
Han Ruoxi chuckled softly. "Sun Yang, you should still be more careful. This mission has real combat difficulty!"
"Hey, I was just joking!" Sun Yang quickly waved his hands. "I’m very serious when it comes to actual combat!"
"You’d better remember what you said!" Li Chang’an stood up, ready to lead the team to the mission location. "Alright, let’s move out!"
The Insect Hunter Squad assembled quickly, fully equipped. Li Chang’an walked at the front, Saw Chain Sword in hand, leading his team toward the mission objective.
"Remember, once we reach the perimeter, don’t split up. If the Insect Race gathers in force, the consequences will be unpredictable!" Li Chang’an said as they walked. "We need to be cautious and maintain formation!"
"Understood!" everyone responded in unison.
The Insect Hunter Squad advanced cautiously through the dim environment, an indescribable sense of pressure filling the air around them.
"Why do I feel like something’s wrong?" Han Ruoxi whispered, frowning.
Li Chang’an stopped, his brow furrowed. "You’re right, it’s strange. The Insect Race shouldn’t be this quiet."
Bai Lin, leaning against a nearby surface, tapped rapidly on a terminal and reported softly, "Energy signature ten kilometers ahead. Could be Insect Race scouts!"
"Scouts? The Insect Race uses scouts?" Sun Yang was a little confused.
"They don’t use scouts the way humans do. They use small swarms," Li Chang’an explained. "We need to be careful not to reveal our position!"
The Insect Hunter Squad began to advance stealthily again when suddenly, a faint sound came from up ahead.
"Everyone, be careful!" Li Chang’an immediately signaled for them to halt.
Not far away, a few Insect Race scout bugs were slowly approaching them. Han Ruoxi immediately clenched her fists, preparing to activate her Superpower.
"Not yet. Let them get closer," Li Chang’an commanded in a low voice. "Take them out in one blow. Don’t let them get back to sound the alarm!"
The team members stared nervously ahead, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
The few scout bugs drew closer, their movements seeming somewhat sluggish.
Li Chang’an narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze locked firmly on them.
"Now!"