"Bai Lin, is the Energy Ball completely shut down?"
Li Chang’an asked, remaining vigilant.
"It’s temporarily disabled, but this system is very complex. It might restart after a while!"
Bai Lin frowned. "We need to get out of here as soon as possible, or destroy this core completely!"
"Then let’s destroy it completely!"
Li Chang’an’s gaze was resolute. "We can’t let something like this continue to exist. Who knows, the enemy might use it against us!"
"Understood. I’ll handle it!"
Bai Lin quickly began operating his device while the rest of the Insect Hunter Squad remained on high alert, making sure there were no other enemies.
A few minutes later, Bai Lin successfully initiated the self-destruct sequence. The Energy Ball began to emit a low rumble, and the temperature of the entire space rose sharply.
"Move out, now!"
At Li Chang’an’s command, the Insect Hunter Squad quickly sprinted back out through the tunnel.
Behind them, the light from the Energy Ball grew increasingly intense until, with a deafening explosion, the entire underground space collapsed in a cloud of dust and debris.
The Insect Hunter Squad stood at the mouth of the tunnel, staring at the distant ruins. Everyone was silent for a moment.
"Looks like we finally took care of the problem!"
Sun Yang breathed a sigh of relief and clapped Li Chang’an on the shoulder. "Brother Chang’an, we really scored big this time!"
"Don’t celebrate just yet. We’ll talk when we get back!"
Li Chang’an’s expression remained calm. He turned to look at the team. "Is everyone okay?"
"We’re fine!"
Han Ruoxi and Shen Qiuyue answered in unison.
"Then let’s head back to base and report!"
Li Chang’an nodded, then led the squad and turned to head back toward the base.
The Insect Hunter Squad made their way back to the base. Although the atmosphere was a bit more relaxed, a hint of exhaustion was visible on everyone’s face.
The continuous fighting and tense situation had left them all feeling drained.
However, Li Chang’an still walked at the very front, his pace steady, showing no signs of letting up.
"Brother Chang’an, do you think we can get a few extra days off after this?"
Sun Yang scratched his head, looking at Li Chang’an with an expectant expression. "My shoulders feel like they’re about to fall apart!"
"You’re just trying to slack off!"
Shen Qiuyue shot him a cold glance. "When we tell you to train, you don’t listen. Now you feel tired?"
"Sister Qiuyue, I’m not slacking! I’m really just wiped out!"
Sun Yang had a wronged look on his face. "That fight was intense. I think our squad did a great job. We deserve a reward, right?"
"Sun Yang, can you just shut up for a second?"
Han Ruoxi, walking beside him, couldn’t help but roll her eyes. "Can’t you see Brother Chang’an hasn’t said a word? Now’s not the time to relax!"
"Brother Chang’an is way stronger than me, of course he’s not tired!"
Sun Yang said sullenly. "But speaking of which, Brother Chang’an, do you think that Black Armored Warrior from before will show up again? It seems like there’s a bigger organization behind him!"
Li Chang’an didn’t answer right away. He walked a few more steps before speaking. "That guy’s origins are definitely not simple.
He might be a scout sent by a more powerful faction. We’ll have to get the intel department to analyze the situation when we get back.
But one thing is for sure: this mission was just the beginning!"