After signing the pact with Gaia to become a deputy, Le Cheng knew what this identity entailed, as it was almost an instinct. He even clearly understood that the divine authority he wielded on behalf of the deity was the Moonlight.
Becoming the Moon in form, on its behalf he patrols the heaven.
Of course, this power could not be used anytime and anywhere; it required some prerequisites. To compare it to a game, it's like needing to charge up energy before unleashing a powerful ultimate move, and the process of making a pact with Elizabeth allowed his energy bar to be instantaneously filled to the brim.
That's right, as long as he had energy, he too could become light!