Practice and Vow Realm

The Mystic Shield Sect's plan was simpler than expected.

Sister Yu sent online trolls to spread pirated links to "Bodhi State of Mind" everywhere.

Divine Message Group sent people to inspect the underlying software architecture.

It has been confirmed that the group of people who started the "Electronic Wooden Fish" thing were actually all imposters.

Someone else was responsible for the "underlying architecture of the Cultivation Method software".

Divine Message Group immediately dismissed the relevant person in charge and then negotiated with "Hu Mang's representative," who was the public relations representative of the Mystic Shield Sect.

The deal was completed with an out-of-court settlement of 15 million.

In exchange for 15 million, one can obtain the next version update of "Bodhi State of Mind," or more precisely, the evolution of the Bing Character Instruction," "Dou Character Instruction," and "Zhe Character Instruction within the Nine-Character Great Hand Seal.

At the same time, "Hu Mang's representative" promised not to report any related content or update the Cultivation Method.

The reconciliation has ended.

During the negotiations, the Divine Communication representative requested to meet Hu Mang, the master of Cultivation Method, but was refused and never mentioned it again.

The whole process was not complicated at all. The strongest legal Divine Message Group in the Southern Hemisphere that Sister Yu and Huang Liang mentioned didn't even have a chance to participate.

By ancient standards, it would be utterly incomprehensible for a top-tier sect to pay compensation and apologize to a low-level Rogue Cultivator.

I'm being lenient by not killing your whole family.

"... Actually, the reason isn't complicated. Divine Communication already made a profit by spending 40 million to buy the software copyright. If they add another 15 million to buy a PLU version, it's hard to say they're losing out; they might even make a profit."

"The only thing they're unhappy about isn't spending money, it's that they spent money but still can't meet you, their true master. How about it, do you want me to make the connection for you? They don't mind spending tens of millions more to hire you as an advisor."

"Hehe, I'm not even in Heavenly Gate anymore, why are you bringing this up with me?" Hu Mang chuckled as he nestled in his small private room, listening to the rumbling sound from the stern of the ship.

Sister Yu on the other end of the line laughed and said, "This went much more smoothly than I expected. It seems the person in charge on the other end was under a lot of pressure, otherwise they wouldn't have been able to fire that guy surnamed Bai so quickly."

Hu Mang only remembered that the former project manager's surname was Sun; he had never heard of this person surnamed Bai.

To put it in a pretentious way, killing you is none of your business.

Of course, there's no animosity between the two sides. And if you say the other side lost out, they actually pocketed the Spirit Coin they earned for free. But if you say they gained, they were expelled by the Divine Communication, and it'll probably be difficult for them to enter such a large spirit enterprise again in their career.

It's the kind of thing that's hard to evaluate.

Why is it so noisy over there?

"In the cabin, and I'm at the stern, right next to the engine, isn't it noisy?"

"Going overseas is one thing, but why not even take a spaceship? Why insist on taking a sea voyage?" Sister Yu asked in surprise.

"Hehe, just to see the scenery overseas," Hu Mang changed his posture and changed the subject.

"Sister Yu, did you call me today just to tell me this? I received the remittance notification yesterday, isn't your call a bit late?"

"We've finally finished modifying the underlying structure of the 'Magic Software' you suggested, and I'm reporting this good news to you. By the way, when would you like to come and give us some guidance?"

"So you're going to put it on the shelves?"

"That's still early. It's only been less than a month. If it's going to be available, maybe January next year."

Hu Mang thought for a moment, "That should be soon, less than two months. You guys are quite efficient."

"Yes, development is one thing, but the approval process is the real pitfall. Luckily, we have your guidance, Master of Cultivation Method. Please don't let us down."

"It's alright. Does going overseas mean I can't guide you? Besides, transportation is so convenient now. If all else fails, I can just find a Golden Core sword cultivator for me to travel by sea. He'll be back in a few days."

Sister Yu exchanged a few more polite compliments with Hu Mang, mainly to get closer to him. Hu Mang's heart stirred, and he said:

"Did you develop this 'Inner Demon Evolution' software and immediately include the 'Inner Demon Trial' function?"

"Yes, this isn't based on your opinion. Ordinary mind-demon firewall software is too simple and common, and it's easy to be eliminated by the market. Why not take a different approach and create something powerful?" A deep male voice rang out.

These words weren't spoken by Sister Yu, but by Huang Liang, the cross-dresser with very white legs.

The other party had their phone on speakerphone, and it appeared they were in a meeting.

Hu Mang pondered for a moment, then a thought struck him. "The 'Trial of Inner Demons' is too unorthodox. Have you considered releasing a trial function first?"

What functions?

"Lust Abstinence."

"..."

On the other end of the phone, in the building where the Mystic Shield Sect was located, Sister Yu, Huang Liang, and several technical development cultivators looked at each other, completely bewildered by Hu Mang's words.

"Lust Abstinence?"

"That's right. Think about it. Most of the Cultivation Method software that's popular on the market right now is just for assisting in cultivation. It's good if it's useful, but at least it won't cause any problems if it's not."

"But when it comes to mental demon defense and State of Mind protection, aside from the major sects that rely on their brand power for endorsement, would you dare use other similar software? Do you believe it won't cause problems? Can you guarantee that cultivators who use your product won't sue you if they encounter problems in their cultivation?"

"But Lust Abstinence Software are different. What happens if you fail to Lust Abstinence? You just don't Lust Abstinence, it's no big deal. And we don't need to advertise its Lust Abstinence rate from the beginning. We can treat it as a challenge, buy traffic, create a buzz online, and see how many people take the challenge."

The more Hu Mang talked, the more plausible it seemed.

"Besides, these days condom sellers mark the success rate on the casing, and I haven't seen anyone actually 'hit' and sue the condom company. We don't need to worry about any related issues with ours."

"Once we achieve economies of scale, we'll then conduct the 'psychological challenge,' and on that basis, we'll strengthen our selling points and features..."

Zhongshan Holy Land, Mystic Shield Sect Branch

Sister Yu hung up the phone, completely bewildered. Then she looked around and, sure enough, everyone around her was just as bewildered.

"Let's all speak up."

After a moment of silence, everyone looked at each other, still completely bewildered.

Sister Yu rubbed her temples and randomly pointed to someone.

"You say."

The man hesitated for a moment and said:

"These days, there are still Cultivation Method for Lust Abstinence? And they even have to be adapted for online Cultivation Method?"

"Our Master Hu said he'll take charge of this, and the results will definitely exceed our expectations."

"Oh~" came the ambiguous response.

"Isn't this Lust Abstinence a bit too frivolous? Can it really be done?" some people still asked hesitantly.

"We're developing a firewall against inner demons—no, I mean, software that helps people succumb to demonic possession—and how is that related to Lust Abstinence?"

"Isn't a sex fiend a fiend too?"

"No wonder you're so lecherous, you've fallen into demonic possession! I must vanquish this demon Demon-Subduing Guard!" someone joked.

"Anyway, I think this whole thing is a bit ridiculous."

"It's not just a little bit, it's utterly absurd."

Everyone in the room was talking about it, but the head of the public relations department remained silent.

Seeing Sister Yu looking over, he pondered for a moment and said, "If this thing can really be made, it will definitely have a huge online buzz."

A viral moment means traffic, and traffic means people will download the software.

Sister Yu thought about it seriously for a moment, then suddenly pointed to someone in the room.

"If you were a user, and I suddenly came up with a 'Mind Firewall' that works really well, would you use it?"

"I'll definitely check out how others use it before I say anything. I don't want to be a guinea pig; what if something goes wrong?"

"What if it were a Lust Abstinence Software?"

"Then I'll give it a try and see if it can actually help me Lust Abstinence pornography. Just kidding, I don't believe I can't get an erection," the man said almost instinctively.

However, after blurting it out, the person realized they were in a meeting and quickly coughed twice.

"Just an example, an example."

"Shall we give it a try?" Finally, a marketing manager couldn't help but ask.

"Why not give it a try?"

"At least in terms of review, it shouldn't be stuck for that long. These days, is there anything more harmonious than Lust Abstinence?" someone complained.

"Holy crap, does that mean the lower levels will have to be changed again?"

Finally, the cross-dresser Huang Liang let out a painful cry, slumped into the chair, revealing his two long, fair legs.

"It should be reliable."

After hanging up the phone, Hu Mang muttered to himself.

Although he still couldn't forget about his Lust Abstinence Software project, he couldn't guarantee its reliability.

Because this project sounds very unreliable.

However, he didn't go around messing with the "Mystic Shield Sect" for no reason.

He thoroughly understood the Yugi Sutra, comprehended the Vajra Bodhicitta, and also opened the Kidney Absolute Devil Meridian —no, the Unraveled Rope Devil Meridian.

No one in the entire Heavenly Gate understands Lust Abstinence better than him.

Moreover, he did this not for others, but for himself.

To be more precise, it is for the cultivation path of the Buddhas of the Azure Mysterious Realm Form Realm.

After breaking through the three barriers of precepts, the next major realm for a monk in the Form Realm is called the "Practice and Vow Realm".

It is divided into three minor realms: making a vow, Form Condensation, and incarnation.

The Vow-Making Realm: When a clear and grand vow is made (such as saving the people of a city), the power of the vow begins to materialize, and the Golden Body solidifies.

Form-Gathering Realm: Using the power of vows, merits, and incense as materials, a prototype of the "Manifestation Body" is condensed in the sea of consciousness. It can leave the body for a short time, but it depends on the power of the believers' thoughts.

The Emanation Body Realm: The Manifestation Body solidified, able to exist for a long time, and possess some of the Divine Ability of Bodhisattvas and Buddhas (such as the Thousand- Guanyin).

The greater the vow, the stronger the Buddha's power.

The more difficult the grand aspiration, the higher the level of spiritual cultivation.

If one is like Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva, vowing not to become a Buddha until hell is emptied, one's cultivation can even reach the Bodhisattva Realm, at the Bodhisattva level.

The problem is that the bigger the ambition, the harder it is to achieve.

As time goes on, the backlash will become more severe, ranging from a slight regression in one's spiritual realm to a severe karmic backlash.

If you make some great vows that only Buddhas can have, such as "May my own light shine in all directions, so that all sentient beings may be dignified and beautiful", "May my body be as pure as crystal, illuminating the suffering sentient beings in the dark", "May I awaken sentient beings from ignorance and delusion, bestow upon them eloquence, concentration, and wisdom, guide them to break through delusion and attain enlightenment, stay away from inverted thoughts and delusions, and achieve perfect Buddhahood", etc.

Then you're finished, beyond saving, just wait to die.

Having tasted success with cyber Buddhism, Hu Mang was now pondering whether he could repeat the same trick once more.

For example, like the one right in front of us.

If Lust Abstinence Software becomes a huge success and collects "Lust Abstinence data" from millions of users, could the creator use this data to make a grand vow, for example—

"If, when I attain Buddhahood, I wish that all the Bodhisattvas and Arhats in my land may be free from lustful thoughts, never again harboring desire for women, and be free from anger and delusion. Without this vow, I will never attain Buddhahood."