187: Are there different levels of Taoism?

Shao Kaitian suddenly laughed at this moment:

"I knew something was up when you suddenly came out with new contracts; turns out you realized how important we are."

The manager nodded, not refuting, "You are indeed very important. Compared to other players, you have a greater advantage in the Xuanhuan World."

After speaking, the manager continued:

"However, don't think about holding out for a better offer. We issued these contracts after thoroughly researching the relationship between True Intent, Dao Heart, and players. We understand your situation."

"Dao Heart is important, but some Dao Hearts are not as powerful as you imagine."

Unlike what Shao Kaitian and the others thought, after the Xuanhuan World launched, Red Rain's manager didn't just manage tasks like other club managers. He genuinely delved into the game, and even spent his own money to gather intelligence.

Therefore, he was always at the forefront of Xuanhuan World intelligence, having pre-determined the situation of the True Intent Dao Heart System.

So, while Shao Kaitian and the others were still somewhat unclear, the manager was the first to speak:

"When you were comprehending Spear Intent, did you feel a conflict? As if continuing to comprehend it would not only yield no results but would also severely damage your Soul."

"This is because you already have your own Dao Heart. Although it's not complete or truly formed, once a prototype and direction exist, trying to comprehend other Dao Hearts becomes incredibly difficult."

"Only true Prodigies might be able to comprehend multiple True Intents, but even then, they can only integrate them into a single Dao Heart. The hardship involved is something most people absolutely cannot overcome."

The manager took a breath and continued, "Therefore, for most people, in the Xuanhuan World, they can only follow one True Intent path, only seek a single Dao Heart. They absolutely cannot be greedy."

"Then, the budding True Intent that existed even before entering the game becomes crucial."

The manager pointed at Shao Kaitian and said, "If I'm not mistaken, Kaitian, your True Intent should be related to the Sword, right?"

Shao Kaitian used to play with Swords in previous games and was very skilled, even being regarded as a "Sword Saint."

He didn't hide it now, directly answering, "That's right. I can feel that when I use a Sword, it's very smooth, and I can quickly unleash Sword Qi. I can even vaguely feel a resonance from the Sword."

The manager nodded, "Everything a person did before entering the Xuanhuan World determined their future. This game is not just a game; the True Intent Dao Heart System is more powerful than we imagined."

Then, he added, "Sword Intent and Sword Heart are very powerful things with limitless potential, but others may not be."

"For example... if someone's Dao Heart is the Heart of Culinary Arts, it is indeed a Dao Heart, and it will offer some help during Breakthroughs. However, its assistance for cultivation and combat is not significant, making it a lower-tier Dao Heart."

"And what's even harder is that because they have the Heart of Culinary Arts, it becomes incredibly difficult to delve into other Dao Hearts. This person is then set in stone; no matter how much they struggle in the Xuanhuan World, they will never reach the highest peak."

Someone in the team's eyes dimmed instantly.

Shao Kaitian interjected at this point:

"Manager, what you're saying isn't right. We still don't understand the situation in the Xuanhuan World. Who can say for sure that a chef can't become a king or hegemon? What if a chef can also reach Nascent Soul, or even higher? Who can say?"

The manager chuckled and shook his head without speaking.

Dao Hearts have their hierarchies; a chef simply cannot compare to a Swordsman. This was the conclusion they reached after their research.

They could even categorize Dao Hearts into different tiers, determining their value.

It was precisely after the True Intent Dao Heart System emerged that the manager and his colleagues felt the Xuanhuan World had become somewhat cold and ruthless. A person's choice determined their upper limit; if the choice was wrong, then all was lost.

The most terrifying thing was that this choice wasn't even an in-game decision. Many people already had their choice upon entering the game, a choice stemming from their past life, from the various concepts, thoughts, and emotions in their mind.

"Manager, I also agree with Kaitian's idea."

Wen Xinghai pondered for a moment before saying, "Dao Heart shouldn't have a hierarchy. The Xuanhuan World holds infinite possibilities."

"I think what's more important about a Dao Heart isn't what it is, but whether you have one."

"Only a Cultivator with a Dao Heart can steadfastly continue on the path of cultivation, only then can..."

Before he could finish, the manager interrupted:

"Alright, alright, stop talking about all this. I know some of your Dao Hearts aren't very good, and you're afraid of the contract, right?"

"Don't worry, the contract won't disappoint you. You don't need to worry about that. We're not a trash company like Xing Shi Club."

Wen Xinghai finally stopped speaking, and everyone quieted down, listening to the manager continue to discuss Dao Hearts and contracts... "What? Changing the contract? Lowering the benefits?"

Wang Long's eyes widened as he looked at the document in front of him, his face filled with disbelief.

He was not in the game now, but in reality, in the meeting room of the Xing Shi Club.

Other Seiya members around him looked at him, some with mockery, some with pity, but none spoke up for him.

The manager sat at the head of the table, his hands clasped together, looking at Wang Long, and snorted coldly:

"Wang Long, you play with a Spear, and we spent a lot of money to bring you in to replace Ye Chun."

"However, this time, with the Nascent Soul Spear Intent, you weren't able to comprehend anything from it."

"This shows that you inherently lack a heartfelt passion for the Spear, making it impossible for you to comprehend Spear Intent, let alone develop a Spear Heart."

As soon as these words were spoken, Wang Long clenched his fists in anger and roared:

"What Spear Intent? What Spear Heart?"

"Aren't we just playing a game? I'm skilled, I'm talented, I'm driven, I can bring victory to the team, and that's enough."

"What heartfelt passion? Is that even necessary?"

"Professional esports isn't a fairy tale. We don't need passion; we only need talent, we only need skill!!!"

Wang Long's eyes were bloodshot.

Some people around him frowned, clearly not agreeing with his words.

Indeed, for a professional player, talent and skill are paramount.

However, if one truly lacks passion for the profession, it's impossible to achieve results, because they won't be able to endure the daily, repetitive boredom, nor will they be able to genuinely explore the limits of their skills.

"Wang Long."

The manager also looked at Wang Long with pity: "Times have changed. The Xuanhuan World is different from other games. It doesn't emphasize talent or skill; it emphasizes Opportunity and the original Heart."

"If you hadn't obtained an Opportunity, if you didn't have a soul body parasitic, your contract would be even worse, do you understand?"

The manager noticed Wang Long's displeased expression, and the corners of his mouth curled up:

"Of course, you can also choose not to sign the contract. When the old contract expires, you can just leave."

"But I must warn you, the Xuanhuan World will become increasingly popular in the future, a popularity that no other game can match."

"And to play well in the Xuanhuan World, you need the support of a faction. Without our Xing Shi Club, what good are you, a single Wang Long, no matter how good your talent or how strong your skill?"

Wang Long clenched his fists tightly, never having imagined that such a drastic change in his life would come so quickly.

Not long ago, he was headhunted with a hefty sum and sent to Mingshui Heaven to kill Ye Chun.

But now, he had exposed the fact that he had no Dao Heart, receiving pitying glances from his teammates and being scolded like a small dog by the manager.

At this moment, Wang Long suddenly remembered something the soul body old man had once said, that he could walk a path called the "Heart of Invincibility."