The Blood Contract - Chapter 22: I had no choice

Xion Aijawa thought his life was finally coming together. That is, until he tried saving a cat stuck in a tree, fell into a pit, and... diedIn his disoriented sate of “Freshly dead” the silly Xion accepted a strange request and ended up transmigrating into the world full of dungeons and Mana.He became illegitimate child of Marquis family hated by his three siblings.According to the memory of the original owner of the body, Xion only had a month to live.So, taking the cover of the banquet, Xion ran away. Aided by a mysterious Mall System, he makes his way to the distant borderlands, hoping to put his past behind him.But fate has other plans-. Xion ends up saving Darius Rael Darkhelm, the feared Archduke of the North, notorious for his ruthless and deranged nature.The silly Xion tried to run away but...Xion's heart thumped loudly as Darius effortlessly pinned his wrists using only one hand.“I've heard you tried to run away.”Darius gently caressed Xion's pale cheek, “That must be a lie... After all, I've given you things even the royal family can't have. Isn't that right, my dear healer?”Xion gulped when Darius's thumb brushed his lower lip as a chilling smirk remained on his handsome face.“I-I think I should leave, Your Grace. I've overstayed my welcome...”The room grew cold, and struggling Xion shivered.Darius's green eyes dimmed before lighting up with a dangerous glint.Xion felt a pit growing in his stomach when he saw the deranged archduke smile. Darius never smiled. And whenever he did, it only meant trouble.“You're right,” Darius said calmly. “So, let's get married.”Xion “...!!!!”

The world is a sea of bitterness.

The mortal swims in the sea.

The body is the vessel.

The soul is the mortal on the vessel.

The vessel carries the mortal as it sails endlessly towards the other side of the sea.

Does cultivating the body strengthen the vessel enough to reach the other side of this sea of misery?

Or does cultivating the soul give the mortal on the vessel the ability to master swimming?

Cultivating according to the martial path allows one to become an Earthly Immortal.

Cultivating according to the immortal path allows one to become a Divine Immortal.

Which path should be chosen?

- Description from Novelupdates

The first-ever virtual reality game, New World. {The time has come.} {Synchronization starts.} That marked the beginning of the catastrophe. As the game became reality, the Earth began to crumble. However, there was hope. All-Master Jeong-hoon, who had survived until the very end, was just one step away from finishing the game. “Gah!” But ended up being betrayed by his comrades. “Should I say, from the moment you said you wanted to end this game?” The reason for their betrayal was simple, if the game ended, their power would disappear. The moment they thought it was all over. [An unknown mysterious force is protecting you.][An unknown mysterious force is sending you back to the past.][Warning! The system attempts to intervene… failed.][Warning! Warning! The system attempts to intervene… failed.][Warning! Warning! Warning! The system attempts to intervene… failed.][An unknown mysterious force dissipates.] Thanks to that unknown force, he returned to the past.

Su Xiaoxiu failed the college entrance exam and was admitted to a private university instead. Looking at the expensive tuition bill, her whole family was worried about how to pay for it. Should she take a gap year and retake the exam?

Just then, she suddenly got a progress system that gave her money every time she walked somewhere?! Looking at the large amount of money in the system, she was determined to improve herself and contribute something useful to society.