The sky was a clear, vivid blue, so pure it seemed freshly washed.
The sun blazed golden.
White clouds drifted lazily, while a flock of colorful parakeets chattered loudly, forming an arrow formation beneath the blue sky and white clouds as they soared with outstretched wings.
These colorful parakeets appeared in large flocks only during spring. Their feathers were brilliantly multicolored, their bodies roughly the size of hawks, with the head and beak of a parrot and a tail like a peacock's — long and trailing.
It had been roughly ten days since Fang Yuan took first place in the Life Gu refinement examination.
The spring breeze had greened all the mountain grass, wildflowers bloomed in fierce competition, and swarms of bees and butterflies danced in flight. It was a magnificent scene brimming with the vitality of spring.
The scent of spring was so rich that even the towering bamboo walls surrounding the martial arts arena could not contain it.
The arena covered three acres, its ground level and paved with thick, broad slabs of grey-blue stone. Green Spear Bamboo had been transplanted around its perimeter, these emerald-green stalks standing tightly side by side, straight and tall, forming a ring of green wall.
Though stone bricks lined the base of the wall, tufts of green grass had already sprouted through in many places. Wild roses had crept in from outside between the bamboo stalks, even climbing up to the top of the wall.
Fifty-seven fifteen-year-olds now stood in the arena, arranged in a half-circle, watching the Academy Elder at the center.
This was a lesson — teaching the youths how to use the Moonlight Gu.
"The Moonlight Gu is the signature Gu Insect of our Guye Clan, just as the Bear Force Gu is to the Bear Family and the Stream Gu to the Bai Family. Most of you here have chosen the Moonlight Gu as your Life Gu. Watch carefully, because I will now demonstrate personally how to activate the Moonlight Gu for an attack. Those of you whose Life Gu is not the Moonlight Gu should also pay close attention — this classic ranged attack method can be applied to other Gu Insects, and its range of application is very broad."
As he spoke, the Academy Elder extended his right hand, spreading all five fingers, and lowered his palm so that every youth could see its center.
"First, use your will to move the Moonlight Gu and transfer it to your palm." As his words fell, the crescent-shaped mark representing the Moonlight Gu slid along the Elder's arm and settled into the center of his palm.
"Then, channel True Essence from your Empty Orifice into the Moonlight Gu." A sliver of Silver True Essence seeped from the Elder's body — so thin it was nearly imperceptible — and flowed into the Moonlight Gu in his palm.
The Academy Elder was at the Third Transformation. Only a Third Transformation Gu Master would condense True Essence of a silvery hue.
A First Transformation Gu Master's True Essence was commonly called Bronze True Essence; a Second Transformation Gu Master's was known as Red Iron True Essence. It was only at the Third Transformation that one's True Essence turned silver.
After absorbing that sliver of Silver True Essence, the crescent mark in the Elder's palm grew brighter and brighter. Even in broad daylight, it radiated a luminous pale-blue glow.
"Incredible!"
"Beautiful!" The youths, witnessing this scene, could not help but cry out in wonder and admiration.
The pale-blue light was as clear as water, flickering gently in the Elder's palm. At first glance, it looked as though he were cradling a handful of moonlight.
The Academy Elder smiled faintly. "Watch closely now. The last step is to launch it — just like this."
As he spoke, his splayed fingers slowly closed together. Then he raised his arm, extended it straight forward, and with a light sweep of his palm, cut the air.
The entire movement was steady and powerful.
Swish.
Every youth heard a soft sound in their ears.
Following the Elder's motion, the pale-blue, water-like glow gathered on his palm was flung outward.
The glow formed a small Moon Blade in midair — a dim-blue crescent no bigger than a palm, like a sliver of moon in the night sky. It streaked a straight line through the air and struck a Straw Man Puppet ten meters away.
With a sharp hiss, the Straw Man Puppet's neck — thirty centimeters thick — was severed clean through by the Moon Blade. The puppet's body wobbled, and its massive head toppled to the ground.
Having cut through the straw man, the Moon Blade dimmed considerably. Nevertheless, it continued flying through the air for roughly another six meters before the crescent gradually faded and finally dissipated into nothing.
Looking again at the puppet's severed neck, the cut surface was perfectly smooth, as though sliced by the sharpest sickle.
Nearly every youth had eyes wide open, staring at the scene in astonishment. A few of them even involuntarily touched their own necks, shocked by the Moon Blade's destructive power.
After a brief silence, exclamations rose one after another. Some youths stared at the Straw Man Puppet with shining eyes; others gazed at the Elder's palm. Still others whispered to each other, talking excitedly.
Only Fang Yuan remained hidden within the crowd, his expression cold and impassive.
In his previous life, he had cultivated to the Sixth Transformation. He had founded the Blood Wing Demonic Sect in the Central Continent, commanding tens of thousands of followers, and was hailed as a Colossus of the Demonic Path — his name resounding far and wide.
The Academy Elder was merely a Third Transformation Gu Master. Such trifling tricks were child's play and could not stir even the slightest ripple in Fang Yuan's heart.
"Next, all of you who have successfully refined the Moonlight Gu, step forward. One Straw Man Puppet each. Use the method I just demonstrated to activate the Moon Blade and practice attacking."
No sooner had the Academy Elder's words fallen than over thirty youths stepped forward.
This generation, over a hundred youths from the entire clan had participated in the Opening Orifice Ceremony. Those with cultivation Aptitude numbered fifty-seven. Among them, those who had chosen the Moonlight Gu accounted for thirty-five. After days of effort, they had all successfully refined their Moonlight Gu.
The remaining youths were all of Grade D Aptitude. It was not that they didn't want to refine the Moonlight Gu — they simply lacked the Aptitude and had no choice but to accept defeat.