Chapter 32

The Heart Demon Vow, this is something every servant student must swear before entering the academy—the family isn't foolish enough to believe you just because of a few words.

Compared to empty promises, the Heart Demon Vow is clearly a more binding force.

The Heart Demon Vow is divided into major vows, minor vows, and non-vows. For example, when Tang Jie first made the vow to destroy the Heavenly Palace, it was a major vow. When Xu Muyang was saved by Tang Jie and wanted to resolve the karmic ties, it didn't even qualify as a "vow," but rather a non-vow.

A non-vow is like opening a shop; whether it succeeds or fails, it's just a matter of a few customers' business, with little impact. Maintaining it is merely a matter of habit.

A minor vow is a common vow, like a company's contract. Each one is crucial, and losing one might not be fatal, but it will certainly have serious consequences and effects, so it cannot be taken lightly.

A major vow is like a contract that determines the survival of a company. If it fails, the bank might demand repayment, the company might face a cash flow crisis, and it could even go bankrupt.

Therefore, major vows should not be made lightly, but making a major vow can help cultivators strengthen their resolve, establish a solid foundation, and progress more smoothly on the path of cultivation.

This is the nature of vows.

Vows have both nature and content.

"I make a great vow that from now on, every meal must have meat!"

This kind of nonsense can also be called a major vow, but it's meaningless and just causes trouble for oneself without any benefits.

However, a vow like "I make a great vow to destroy the Heavenly Palace" is a demon-destroying vow. It won't bring any benefits during Tang Jie's cultivation, but it will provide extra assistance when he faces the Heavenly Palace in the future. The exact nature of this assistance varies from person to person.

For example, Shi Wunian's "I make a great vow to break all the conditioned dharmas in the world" is a vow to break laws. It doesn't mean he can truly break all the laws in the world, but it provides extra assistance when he breaks laws. However, his great vow's magical power is incredibly unique, allowing him to make vows temporarily in each battle, modify great vows, and even pay a smaller price for breaking vows compared to ordinary people.

As for seeking eternal life and freedom, this is called a fundamental vow, the core pursuit of a cultivator. Therefore, most great vows are fundamental vows.

The form of a great vow is the structure, while the demon-destroying vow, fundamental vow, and law-breaking vow are the content, which can be made as major or minor vows.

The servant students of the major families usually make vows to their families before entering the academy. These vows are called gratitude vows, and their specific content varies.

Since it involves the foundation of immortality and the fruit of the Dao, families generally don't force servant students to make great vows, but minor vows are necessary. If someone is willing to make a great vow, they won't be stopped.

The reason Tang Jie believes Shimo still has a chance is because of the Heart Demon Vow.

In the past, Shimo, believing he still had a chance, would not have raised his promise to seek admission. But this incident has once again put Shimo in the spotlight, making him realize that he has no chance of being chosen by the lady and will no longer rely on his "secretary" status.

When a person is in a desperate situation, they often fight with their back against the wall.

To enter the academy, Shimo's only option is to raise his promise of return, making the highest-level gratitude vow in the form of a great vow—when you can't borrow money, you raise the interest rate; the world is never short of risk investors!

Of course, not everyone can do this.

One must have the qualifications first.

And those who truly have the qualifications are not all willing to make such a choice.

The path of cultivation is fraught with danger. If one struggles to the death just to become a high-level servant, it's better to live a carefree life.

But Tang Jie knows Shimo is very likely to do this.

Because he understands Shimo and can see the desire for success and power in his eyes.

For this, even if he sells half his life, he will still take a chance.

At this moment, hearing the words "Heart Demon Vow," Manager Qin suddenly realized and frowned, "If that's the case, it is indeed troublesome. If all else fails, you might have to do the same."

"That's just a matter of attrition, like an auction, seeing who offers the highest price. This kind of cost-effective pursuit is unnecessary unless it's a matter of life and death." Tang Jie shook his head. "Thanks to the Wei family, if I can enter the Moon Washing Academy in the future, I will certainly repay the Wei family, but I haven't planned to sell the rest of my life... Uncle Qin, do you know that my lifelong aspiration is great freedom and great ease. Although I haven't yet established this as a vow, it is deeply ingrained in my heart. If I sell the rest of my life for cultivation, I will have violated my true self. Even if I step onto the path of immortality, it would be meaningless. So, I can accept being a temporary servant, but I absolutely cannot be one for life!"

"Aspirations can be lofty, but you must first enter the immortal gate. What's the use if you can't?"

"It's not necessarily impossible. To break Shimo's Heart Demon Vow, there is a simpler method, but I don't really want to use it."

"What method?"

Tang Jie smiled, "Actually, the Wei family is not a cultivation family and doesn't truly understand the Heart Demon Vow. I have had the fortune to meet immortals and learned some things about the Heart Demon Vow."

"You've met immortals?" Manager Qin was greatly surprised.

"Yes." Tang Jie nodded. "It was just a chance encounter, and we spent some time together. I was fortunate to receive some guidance and learned some things about the cultivation world. As far as I know, the Heart Demon Vow has many constraints, and its effects are not as great as people think."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Uncle Qin, do you know why cultivators have the Heart Demon Tribulation?"

"...I don't know." Qin Yuan was just a regular manager. Knowing about the Heart Demon Tribulation was already a sign of his well-informed nature, but he didn't know why it existed.

Tang Jie smiled and answered, "There are five realms of cultivation: Spirit Platform, Transcending the Mundane, Heavenly Heart, Purple Mansion, and Immortal Platform. The Spirit Platform realm cultivates qi, opening a spiritual sea within the body to absorb spiritual energy and generate various spells. However, these spells can only be used through personal consumption and have little impact on the body. In simple terms, it's just a way to use qi, like the difference between a person with and without a weapon. When one reaches the Transcending the Mundane realm and opens the Heavenly Bridge, cultivators can use the spiritual energy within their body to harness the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to cast spells. At this point, the spiritual energy within the body is just a catalyst. Human power has limits, but the power of heaven and earth is infinite. Therefore, only at this stage do cultivators truly possess the ability to traverse heaven and earth. Additionally, in the Transcending the Mundane realm, one can use spiritual energy to refine the body, transforming it. Uncle Qin, do you know what the Heavenly Heart realm cultivates?"

Manager Qin shook his head in confusion.

"Actually, the Heavenly Heart realm further refines the body, but at this level, what they refine is no longer the body, but..." Tang Jie pointed to his head.

Manager Qin's heart trembled, "The head?"

"More precisely, the brain, the consciousness. Although the Transcending the Mundane realm transcends the mundane body, the head remains a vital point. Damage to the heart won't kill you, but damage to the head will, because this part is still ordinary. The brain is the most intricate part of the human body, and even the transcendent immortals of the Transcending the Mundane realm cannot refine it casually. They must wait until they achieve success in the Heavenly Heart realm to proceed step by step. Once they succeed, they will generate spiritual thoughts, and the next step is divine thoughts. Spiritual thoughts and divine thoughts are actually our intangible consciousness transformed into tangible existence."

Hearing this, Manager Qin suddenly understood, "You mean the Heart Demon Tribulation comes from this?"

"Exactly. The Heavenly Heart realm cultivates spiritual thoughts, transforming the intangible into the tangible. Accompanying this is the Heart Demon, which also transforms the intangible into the tangible. The Heart Demon is the remorse and regret we have in our hearts, which arises from nothing during the transformation of spiritual thoughts. In simple terms, it's the difference between divine thoughts and demonic thoughts, like the good and evil sides of a person. Divine thoughts are controllable, and at the highest level, they can move heaven and earth without the need for hand seals. A single thought can generate myriad spells, which is the Purple Mansion realm. Demonic thoughts, however, are uncontrollable and will backfire on oneself. Therefore, the Heart Demon Tribulation is a major tribulation that only occurs at the Heavenly Heart realm."

"Then, ordinary spirit masters don't fear the Heart Demon Tribulation?"

"They do fear it, but only because they fear that the bad deeds they do now will come back to haunt them when they reach the Heavenly Heart realm. But if they decide to stop at the Transcending the Mundane realm and not seek further advancement, they truly don't need to fear it."

Manager Qin felt a chill run down his spine, "But the spirit masters in our family have never mentioned this."

"Why would they?" Tang Jie countered. "When they enter the Wei family, they must also make vows. Since they have made vows, they naturally expect higher rewards. Who would tell the master, 'I don't plan to reach the Heavenly Heart realm in this life, so don't take my Heart Demon Vow seriously?'"

"..." Manager Qin was speechless.

Tang Jie smiled, "Actually, old cultivation families know about this, but no one will say it. After all, it's easy to offend people. Many spirit masters rely on this for a living. The Wei family is still a relatively new force and doesn't have its own spirit masters, so they don't know many things. Moreover, those spirit masters might not have intended to deceive; many spirit masters don't know until they reach that stage."

"Why is that?" Qin Yuan was very curious. How could even spirit masters not know?

"Because cultivation itself is extremely dangerous, and a slight mistake can lead to a mental breakdown. Knowing too much about later cultivation methods too early might tempt cultivators to take risks, even out of mere curiosity, often with tragic results. For safety, teachers generally don't tell their disciples these things too early, and those who know are warned not to discuss or try them lightly."

"But how did you...?"

"The immortal didn't plan to take me as a disciple. I still don't understand any immortal techniques, so we just chatted casually. Perhaps he thought I would never enter the academy in my life." Tang Jie smiled.

Actually, Xu Muyang told him these things partly because he saw Tang Jie's steady character and believed he wouldn't act rashly, and partly because he had a few drinks that day and was unguarded, leading him to say more than he should. He later regretted it and repeatedly warned Tang Jie not to try it. Fortunately, Tang Jie didn't think he was so extraordinary that he could succeed in anything, and he never took risks when it came to safety.

Manager Qin paced back and forth, shaking his head, "No, this must be told to the lady."

"Forget it." Tang Jie advised him. "If you tell them, won't you be hated by those spirit masters? If they bear a grudge... they could kill you without you even knowing. Actually, those spirit masters might still have the ambition to reach the Heavenly Heart realm. As long as there's a glimmer of hope, who would really want to stop? So, the Heart Demon Vow still has some significance, but don't take it too seriously or rely on it."

Hearing this, Manager Qin could only sigh, "I hope they don't know either. You're right. If I expose it, whether they know or not, it won't be good. If I accidentally harm someone, it would be even worse. The lady is wise and has never relied on the Heart Demon Vow for loyalty. She always says that the Heart Demon Vow is important, but human nature is equally important. Only by addressing both can the family's safety be ensured."

"Exactly." Tang Jie smiled. "Wise people never believe in things they don't understand. The lady is truly wise!"

"But since we can't say it, we can't stop Shimo's great vow. You can only choose to follow Shimo's example. It's better to stop at the Transcending the Mundane realm for life than to be unable to enter the immortal gate."

Unfortunately, Tang Jie was unwilling, "I won't bet my future on it. Even if the Wei family doesn't choose me, I have confidence that I can enter the immortal gate, though it will be more troublesome."

Hearing this, Manager Qin was stunned, "You mean you have other ways to enter the immortal gate?"

Tang Jie replied, "Of course. The Wenxin Kingdom isn't just the Moon Washing Sect. If I can't enter the Moon Washing Academy, can't I go to other sects? The Moon Washing Academy is the orthodox sect, so why take the back door? If I'm willing to stop at the Transcending the Mundane realm, there are many sects in the Wenxin Kingdom to choose from, and entering any of them would be easier than entering the Moon Washing Academy. Besides..."

He wanted to say that he still had a way to win against Shimo, but before he could finish, Manager Qin grabbed Tang Jie, excitedly saying, "So you know how to enter other sects? I have a favor to ask, Little Jie, you must help me!"

"Uncle Qin, what are you doing?" Tang Jie was taken aback. He had never seen Manager Qin so excited, especially using the word "please" with him.

Manager Qin was already excited, "Please help the Fourth Miss! She's almost driven mad by the desire to cultivate!"

———————————————

In a dimly lit small room, Wei Die sat nervously in front of Tang Jie, with Manager Qin sitting beside her, equally nervous.

Rubbing his hands, Manager Qin said somewhat embarrassedly, "Don't laugh at me, Little Jie. I've watched the Fourth Miss grow up and treated her like my own daughter. Over the years, as a woman, the Fourth Miss has been denied the chance to cultivate, which has made her very unhappy, and I've been worried..."

"I know. The year the Fourth Miss was born was also the year Sister Xiaoru passed away, right?" Tang Jie said calmly.

Manager Qin trembled and lowered his head, softly sobbing.

Manager Qin had a daughter named Qin Xiaoru, who was Qin Yuan's only child.

The year Wei Die was born, Qin Xiaoru fell seriously ill and died. At that time, it was also the busiest moment for the Wei family, and Qin Yuan didn't even get to see his daughter for the last time.

This was a huge blow to Qin Yuan.

A girl was born, and a girl died. When Wei Die was born, Qin Yuan noticed that she resembled his daughter, and he couldn't help but pour all his affection into this girl. In his heart, he always had the idea that Wei Die might be his daughter reincarnated, even though Wei Die was actually born before Qin Xiaoru died. Qin Yuan ignored this fact and treated her as his own daughter reincarnated.

Over the years, his fatherly affection for Wei Die was no secret, but Manager Qin thought it was a secret. It wasn't until Tang Jie calmly mentioned it that Manager Qin trembled and lowered his head, sobbing softly.

After a while, Manager Qin said, "Little Jie, if you really have a way, teach the Fourth Miss how to enter the immortal gate. If you help her achieve this wish, you won't owe me anything in the future..."

"Uncle Qin..."

Wei Die and Tang Jie called out at the same time.

Wei Die was moved. In the matter of cultivation, even her biological father, Wei Qingsong, hadn't been as proactive as Manager Qin, who truly used every opportunity to help her.

Tang Jie, however, was slightly displeased, "What kind of person do you think I am, Uncle Qin? We're family, so what's this talk of owing? I will definitely do my best for the Fourth Miss, but whether she succeeds ultimately depends on her."

Wei Die quickly said, "I want to cultivate, and I'm willing to endure any hardship!"

"If enduring hardship alone could lead to cultivation, wouldn't all immortals come from poor families? Can rich families really endure more hardship than farmers?" Tang Jie replied disdainfully.

Wei Die blushed and said, "Then what should I do?"

"To enter the immortal gate, you must first set a goal. Fourth Miss, I ask you, why do you want to cultivate..."

Wei Die thought seriously for a while and answered, "I want to cultivate because I'm not convinced. Why can men do it, but women can't? It's unfair, and becoming an immortal, living freely and easily, is also a pursuit."

"So, you want to cultivate for fairness and freedom?"

"Yes, fairness and freedom!" Wei Die said firmly.

"Good. Then I ask you, what do you think of yourself? I mean, how do you evaluate your own character?"

"Ah?" Wei Die didn't expect this question and was stunned for a moment before finally murmuring, "I think... I should be a... good girl..."

Praising herself made Wei Die feel embarrassed, and by the end, her face was red with shame, and she dared not look at Tang Jie.

Manager Qin quickly said, "Die'er is a good child, gentle and kind to her subordinates."

Tang Jie, however, said calmly, "You don't get to decide."

"Ah?" This time, it was Manager Qin who was surprised.

Tang Jie replied, "Your affection for the Fourth Miss will cloud your judgment, so your evaluation doesn't count. To truly understand the Fourth Miss, one must observe,