Chapter 344: Starlight and Moonlight

“Cultivation technique!”

Granny Blaze’s voice suddenly grew loud, echoing throughout the entire cave.

On the cave’s ceiling and walls, the surrounding Blaze Bugs all lit up in response to her astonishment, their glow intensifying.

However, in the very next second, Granny Blaze calmed down. “Mr. Gu… you might not be aware, but our Blaze Bug clan is incapable of cultivation. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have to rely on physical labor just to earn the spiritual energy we need to survive.”

“Hearing is unreliable; seeing is believing.” As he spoke, Gu Ning’an made a gesture of invitation and smiled. “I will first teach the technique to Doubao. If he can cultivate it, then Granny Blaze can accept this task. How about that?”

“Alright!” Granny Blaze nodded firmly and asked, “Mr. Gu, are you planning to leave the cave?”

“Yes. This technique requires drawing upon moonlight. I ask Granny Blaze to step outside and observe.” With that, Gu Ning’an began heading back the way he came.

Doubao looked back and forth between Granny Blaze and Gu Ning’an’s departing figure, still confused. Then he spoke up, “Granny, let’s go take a look! Mr. Gu is really powerful. Back in the Hunting Arena, even many powerful demon cultivators were afraid of him…”

“Alright!” Granny Blaze’s heart inexplicably surged with emotion. She had a strange premonition—if this truly worked, then their Blaze Bug clan would finally rise.

The night was deep, the stars dazzling. Countless Blaze Bugs gathered into small hills, forming a massive circle.

At the center, a vast empty space had been cleared, where a white-robed man stood alongside a slightly nervous Doubao, who occasionally squirmed in place.

Directly in front of them, the towering figure of Granny Blaze watched them closely. Her egg-sized eyes shimmered with anticipation.

Beside Granny Blaze stood several Blaze Bugs, significantly larger than the ordinary ones but still much smaller than her.

According to Doubao, these Blaze Bugs were all the uncles and elders of their clan, each having lived for over a hundred years. Among them, Granny Blaze was the eldest and the leader of the Blaze Bug clan—she had lived for a full six centuries.

The Blaze Bug clan was born of heaven and earth, but they lacked the ability to reproduce like ordinary demon races. They were naturally created beings, yet because they could not cultivate or sustain their own lifespans, they had fallen to become one of the lowest-ranked species in Northern Huangtian.

And now, someone was claiming they could teach them a method of cultivation. How could they not gather in full force?

Even though they knew it might be impossible, even if it led to disappointment, they didn’t care—because those who never had hope never knew the pain of losing it.

“Mr. Gu, p-please… begin!”

Granny Blaze’s voice trembled. She wanted Gu Ning’an to hurry and teach Doubao, but at the same time, she feared the hope would shatter too quickly.

Gu Ning’an nodded slightly, then reached toward the sky. With a gentle pluck, he drew down a strand of soft starlight and a wisp of bright moonlight into his palm.

Then, he pointed the intertwined celestial lights toward Doubao.

The starlight and moonlight fused together, merging into Doubao’s body!

In an instant, Doubao’s body slowly lifted into the air. Suspended at about the height of a person, he remained motionless.

His wings unfolded behind him—one side glowing with starlight, the other with moonlight, resembling a spirit of the night.

For those watching, the spectacle ended there. But for Doubao, with his eyes tightly shut, his mind was just beginning to enter a wondrous state.

[Heaven and earth create all things, casting their radiance upon the world. Those who receive the blessings of heaven and earth may also cultivate the light of all things… The Dao has countless paths, unbound by convention—one may harness the radiance of the sun, moon, and stars, gaining the unique wonders of creation…]

Gu Ning’an’s calm voice echoed in Doubao’s mind as his body naturally began absorbing the starlight and moonlight.

Half an hour later, Doubao’s entire form had transformed into a swirling sphere of light, shimmering with the radiance of stars and the moon. The energy emanating from him held the undivided attention of all the surrounding Blaze Bugs.

Even though they couldn’t comprehend what was happening, their instincts told them that something monumental was occurring—one of their own… was succeeding!

As time passed, the brilliant glow around Doubao gradually dimmed. Finally, when all the celestial light had dispersed, he gently landed on the ground, looking almost the same as before.

As he opened his eyes, his small, soybean-sized pupils gleamed with a flicker of moonlight and starlight. Then, his body trembled slightly, and a thin strand of celestial energy, as fine as a thread of hair, drifted outward toward Granny Blaze.

Seeing the glowing wisp floating toward her, Granny Blaze held her breath, afraid that even the slightest exhale might blow it away.

When the light finally merged into her body, she suddenly shone brightly for an instant.

The next second, Granny Blaze’s eyes filled with tears as she cried out in excitement, “Mystical energy! This is mystical energy! It’s far purer than ordinary spiritual energy!”

“Just this tiny wisp… is enough to extend my life by half a year!”

The moment these words were spoken, the entire place erupted!

Countless Blaze Bugs around them vibrated their wings, creating swirling gusts of wind. Their eyes were locked onto Doubao in the center, as if they could barely hold themselves back from rushing forward to rub against their now-successful kin.

“Enough!” Granny Blaze roared. A brilliant light burst forth around her as she flew straight in front of Doubao, her voice sharp. “You little brats, all of you quiet down!”

At the same time, the senior Blaze Bugs also radiated light, gathering around Doubao to shield him.

Seeing their usually respected elders angry, the swarming Blaze Bugs immediately quieted down, suppressing their excitement.

After all, they understood—this was the moment their kind could finally break free from their fate. They absolutely could not disturb the white-clad gentleman who had granted them this path!

“The ancestral decree of our clan!”

“Whoever is the first to step onto the path of cultivation—”

“Shall be the king of the Blaze Bugs!”

As she proclaimed this, Granny Blaze slowly lowered herself to the ground, bowing deeply toward Doubao.

Beside her, the senior Blaze Bugs followed suit.

Then, like a receding tide, the countless Blaze Bugs surrounding them spread out and bowed toward Doubao!

Seeing this, Doubao panicked. He quickly flew to Granny Blaze’s side, trying to lift her up.

But the difference in size was too great—no matter how hard he tried, his strength was nowhere near enough to move her even an inch.

“Granny Blaze, everyone, please get up!”

“I… I can’t do this!”

“Once everyone completes Mr. Gu’s task, he will also teach you all the method of cultivation. Granny Blaze, you are the eldest and most experienced—you should be the one to be king!”

Hearing this, Granny Blaze bowed even lower, almost pressing her head into the sand.

“The ancestral decree cannot be broken. If the king refuses to lead us, then I shall take my own life here and beg His Majesty to show mercy upon the Blaze Bugs!”