Chapter 21: Flowing Light Technique
Message From Vs. And Crew:
Dear Readers,
I owe you all an apology.
For the past ten days, there were no updates on the site. Unfortunately, we had no electricity during that time, and it completely halted our ability to translate and upload new chapters. It was frustrating on our end as well, especially knowing many of you were waiting.
The good news is that we are back — at least partially. Power has been restored, and work has resumed. Updates may not be at full speed immediately, but we are doing our best to get things moving consistently again.
If you’ve been enjoying the translations so far, I’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to rate us on Novel Updates and leave a review. Your support makes a huge difference and helps more readers discover the site.
Thank you for your patience, your support, and for sticking with us. We’ll keep pushing forward and continue bringing you new chapters.
Sincerely,
Vs. and Crew.
A crescent moon hung in the frosty sky, and the insect heart sank into the river of sorrow.
In the Ancient Pine Courtyard, the scent of wine permeated the air, and the three-inch Mayfly was tipsy, thoroughly enjoying his intoxication.
Having cultivated the Mirage Technique for over a month, and with Time having reached the Deepest Cold of Winter, Fu Shaoguang still couldn't find a Breakthrough point regarding Time, so he drank to drown his sorrows.
He gulped down another mouthful of wine.
Fu Shaoguang wanted to get completely drunk.
When drunk, he wouldn't think about anything.
After waking up, he would be a good insect again.
As for the cultivation Technique, he would let nature take its course.
Reducing internal consumption and maintaining a happy mood were the keys to Extending Lifespan.
In his drunken haze, he looked up at the moon, watching the moonlight that flowed like water, and drank sip by sip.
After watching for a long Time, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck his mind.
Time was hard to find, but what about moonlight?
The sun and moon are manifestations of brilliance, the concretization of Time.
Could he perhaps settle for the next best thing, not set the bar too high at the start, and become fat one bite at a Time?
Thinking this way, Fu Shaoguang's heart burned with excitement.
In the haze, he recalled certain things—a vague memory from the night he drank Spirit Wine, right before falling asleep. The Magical Power in his body circulated along a route that was both familiar and strange. A silvery-white Moon Halo flickered, and Fu Shaoguang vanished into the moonlight.
When he reappeared, he was already outside the courtyard.
This scene greatly surprised and delighted Fu Shaoguang.
The alcohol in his mind instantly dissipated quite a bit. He quickly returned to the courtyard, took out a blank Bamboo Slip, held a Carving Knife with his feet, and recorded the circulation route of the Magical Power.
Not long after finishing writing, his consciousness blurred again.
The intoxication returned, and Fu Shaoguang fell asleep.
Dawn broke in the East.
The hungover Fu Shaoguang woke up.
One of the benefits of Spirit Wine was that being drunk didn't cause a headache.
After drawing in the Morning Sun Purple Qi, he dove into the Morning Dew to clear his head, drank a bowl of warm spirit honey, opened yesterday's Bamboo Slip, and began practicing the Technique while reviewing it.
Only part of his body disappeared.
Fu Shaoguang understood this was due to the daylight.
Demons belong to Yin, and their strength during the day is inferior to that at night.
Compared to moonlight, the Great Sun is a mixed blessing for demons.
However, he wasn't disappointed. Compared to before, this was already a noticeable improvement; contentment brings happiness.
More importantly, this Technique was comprehended by Fu Shaoguang himself, making it a better match for him. Furthermore, comprehending a second Technique meant he qualified to attempt the Second Heaven of the Technique Realm.
Once he Breaks Through the realm, he:
He wouldn't need to buy Hundred-Tongue Grass anymore.
His self-preservation ability would be stronger.
His lifespan could be extended... Suppressing his excited insect heart, Fu Shaoguang carefully studied this Technique, including its circulation route and the amount of Magical Power input and output.
And he named this Technique the Flowing Light Technique.
The crescent moon was slender and the night was cool as water.
The equally watery moonlight flowed around the Mayfly's wings, gradually enveloping his entire body. Fu Shaoguang's Insect Body disappeared bit by bit, becoming invisible inch by inch.
After several consecutive attempts, he patiently recorded his insights, not letting go of every minor change or new realization.
For several nights in a row, except for attending the Demon Academy to study, Fu Shaoguang dedicated every night to researching the Flowing Light Technique.
Only after fully mastering this Technique did he attempt to analyze its similarities and differences with the Mirage Technique, comparing them theoretically based on his insights and experiencing the practical differences through practice.
The Flowing Light Technique is suitable for use on moonlit nights. When executed, the body transforms into a wisp of moonlight and can continue to move.
The Mirage Technique is applicable both day and night and offers stronger concealment, but it requires remaining static. Once exposed, life or death is unpredictable.
The advantages and disadvantages of the two Techniques are obvious.
But they both share a common point: Light!
Seeking common ground while reserving differences makes Fusion possible.
However, this Time, instead of integrating Time into the Mirage Technique, he would use the Flowing Light Technique as the primary method and the Mirage Technique as the auxiliary.
In the past, he had been mistaken in his thinking.
No matter how good the Mirage Technique was, it belonged to an Other Insect's Technique.
The Flowing Light Technique was his own foundation.
Recognizing this point, Fu Shaoguang achieved Mental Clarity, gained new insights into the Flowing Light Technique, and his Magical Power surged accordingly.
A single night saved him months of Arduous Cultivation.
The third month of attending the Demon Academy.
It was Time to pay Tuition again.
Fu Shaoguang composed another superior Poem:
Clinging to the green mountain and never letting go,
Its roots are originally set deep in the broken rock.
Enduring thousands of trials and blows, yet still strong and tough,
Uncaring of the winds from east, west, south, or north.
Inside the Study Room, in front of the Desk.
The Old Goat Demon Gongyang Qing, the Golden Spider Demon, and several other Instructors gathered around, carefully appreciating the poem, nodding incessantly, and praising it endlessly.
The look they gave Fu Shaoguang contained both amazement and pride, mixed with the frustration of Hating Iron for Not Becoming Steel—for as excellent as the poem was, This Child's handwriting was equally Indescribably Awful.
Even though they had repeatedly instructed him to Practice Calligraphy, and even crowdfunded to buy him a Copybook and Writing Tools.
His handwriting was still... Indescribably Awful!!!
Fu Shaoguang, who understood the expressions of the Instructors, helplessly looked up, gazing at the plum blossoms blooming on the Roof Beam. No insect is perfect; in both his lives, he lacked Calligraphy Talent, and that couldn't be changed.
Smelling the unique fragrance mixing the Plum Fragrance and Ink Fragrance, Fu Shaoguang's thoughts wandered. It was said that this Study Room was entirely supported by the Headmaster's True Form; the Roof Beams, walls, Window Lattices, and more were all transformed from ink plum blossoms.
Headmaster Ji Mo, dressed in a Black and White Gown, with tree branches as hair and several Ink-Colored Plum Blossoms blooming on her head, had bright, shining eyes and a faint smile on her lips. Her breath was fragrant like orchids as she softly recited "Bamboo and Stone," her quiet and elegant demeanor enhanced by three parts of Intellect.
"You Little Mayfly, you certainly have quite a few tricks up your sleeve."
Looking at Fu Shaoguang before her, Ji Mo gave a half-smile: "You've continuously produced two Poems Praising Bamboo. It seems you want to use this to curry favor with the Empress."
"Headmaster Discerns the Smallest Detail."
Seeing that the Headmaster had no intention of blaming him, Fu Shaoguang breathed a sigh of relief, immediately offered an Over-the-top Compliment, and frankly admitted his intentions.
"Don't Flatter me. Anyone with a bit of sense who thinks about it can see your objective."
The Instructors nodded lightly, confirming Ji Mo's words.
This matter was obvious; they weren't stupid.
Fu Shaoguang simply gave a simple-minded smile.
"Enough! It is only natural for an insect to want to please the Empress. Who in the Yushan Demon Market doesn't want to win the Empress's favor? Even I, the Headmaster, am no exception.
Since you have this ability, I will naturally convey it for you. After all, it counts as a merit for my Instructional Merit.
I only hope you don't become Arrogant Due to Talent, nor should you Belittle Yourself. You must maintain your bottom line and not lose your Integrity."
Fu Shaoguang bowed by fluttering his wings, his tone suddenly serious: "Headmaster's teachings, this Junior will engrave them in his heart."
"Mhm!"
Ji Mo nodded, then turned to the Toad Demon who managed the General Affairs of the Demon Academy and instructed: "Remember to add ten Contribution Points for him. Our Demon Academy should treat Talented Demons generously and set an example for other Students."
The Toad Demon's face fell. While feeling pain over the Contribution Points, he replied, "Croak! Headmaster, rest assured."
Ji Mo turned back and teased:
"In that case, are you relieved?"
Fu Shaoguang: "Headmaster is Wise and Brilliant."
Ji Mo picked up her tea, and Fu Shaoguang wisely took his leave.
After he and the other Instructors left, Ji Mo couldn't help but mutter softly, "I have treated you so favorably. I wonder if you will dedicate a poem to me in the future?"
After a pause, she gritted her teeth and said, "You Little Insect had better be sensible. Otherwise, I will toss you into the Inkstone Washing Pond and turn you from a White Mayfly into a Black Mayfly."
She spread paper, ground ink, and wielded the brush.
She copied "Bamboo and Stone," and looking at the delicate handwriting, Ji Mo was satisfied. After blowing the ink dry, she got up and left the Study Room, exiting the Demon Academy.
An incense stick's Time later, thNext Chapter »e poem appeared inside the Study Room of a Bamboo Tower. The bamboo forest was deep, the Bamboo Sea vast. As a breeze swept through, the bamboo trees swayed and danced, and the leaves rustled in the wind.
A Cold, Clear Voice slowly echoed around the beams:
"Clinging to the green mountain and never letting go..."
Comments
Post a Comment