Chapter 8: " Nine heavens Immortal King"

When Zhao Fan saw that Gu Dao was serious, he stood up and said, "Alright, we'll meet tomorrow after noon."

The others nodded in agreement.

Gu Dao hesitated for a moment, glancing at his friends. He had intended to ask for a loan, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Instead, he decided against it. He still had a few thousand dollars in reserve, which should be enough for now.

"I'll be going now," Gu Dao said, breaking the silence. "I have some business to take care of. See you all tomorrow."

The group was taken aback by his sudden departure. Chen Xinyue raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're okay? You're usually up for class, Gu Dao."

Lin Yue also chimed in, "Where are you headed in such a hurry? Something important?"

Gu Dao felt warm in his heart. "don't worry I'm really Okey, There's something I need to do that why I'm leaving." He gave them a nod and turned to leave.

The others watched him go, still a little confused.

After leaving his friends, Gu Dao made his way out of the school campus and onto the bustling streets. The sky was still bright, the late afternoon sun casting a golden glow over the city.

He walked briskly, passing by the familiar shops and busy pedestrians, his thoughts focused on what he needed to do.

In about fifteen minutes, he reached the nearest metro station. The station was underground, a mix of modernity and quiet decay—smooth, polished floors next to aging tile walls.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the space as commuters bustled about, some in a hurry, others seemingly lost in their own worlds. Gu Dao entered the station, swiping his metro card with practiced ease.

The train arrived a few minutes later, its metallic frame screeching slightly as it pulled into the platform.

He boarded and found a spot near the doors, standing as the train began its journey toward the city center.

The metro was relatively quiet for this time of day, with only a few people seated. Some were scrolling through their phones, while others stared out the windows lost in thought.

The train ride was smooth, and the journey was quick. The usual stops in between the school and the city center passed without incident.

Gu Dao glanced around, observing the occasional glance from other passengers, but no one paid him much mind. It was a typical, routine ride.

Roughly twenty minutes later, the train announced its arrival at the city center station.

Gu Dao stepped off the train and made his way toward the exit, the city center's towering buildings already visible above ground.

As Gu Dao emerged from the station, he was greeted by the typical rush of the city center.

The streets were crowded with people moving about, some hurrying to finish errands before nightfall, while others simply strolled, enjoying the evening air.

The traffic was heavy, with cars honking and weaving through intersections, and the city's neon lights began to flicker to life, casting a vibrant glow over the scene.

Gu Dao navigated through the crowd, his steps purposeful.

He passed a few familiar landmarks—a large café with an outdoor seating area where people were laughing and chatting, a bookstore with an inviting display, and a bustling food stand offering fresh fruit juices.

The rhythm of the city enveloped him, the constant hum of life making it easy to get lost in the flow.

After a short walk, he arrived at the clothing store he had been aiming for, a modest yet modern shop called Leisure Threads, between a café and a bookshop. The store had a minimalist feel, with clean lines and simple decor.

The entrance was adorned with a few mannequins dressed in trendy but understated outfits, with soft lighting that gave the entire shop a calm, welcoming atmosphere.

Gu Dao stepped inside, and a small bell chimed overhead as the door closed behind him.

The store was quieter than he expected, with only a couple of other customers browsing the racks. A young sales associate greeted him with a polite nod.

"Good afternoon, sir. How can I help you today?"

Gu Dao glanced around at the racks. "I need some robes. Simple, white ones. And maybe one black one as well."

The associate nodded and led him toward the back of the store, where a section of long robes hung neatly.

The white robes were elegantly simple—perfect for someone who preferred understated elegance.

After a few moments of consideration, Gu Dao selected two long white robes, their fabric soft to the touch, light yet durable.

The black robe, similarly plain but with a slightly more formal air, caught his eye next. He added it to his selection.

"Anything else, sir?" the associate asked.

Gu Dao shook his head. "No, this should be fine."

He made his way to the counter, where the associate rang up his purchase.

The total wasn't much, and Gu Dao paid in cash, the transaction quick and efficient.

After receiving his bags, he offered a polite thank you before leaving the shop, feeling the weight of the robes in his hands.

The sun was beginning to dip lower, casting long shadows across the street.

As Gu Dao walked back toward the metro station, the city's evening energy surged—a mix of flashing lights, distant chatter, and the soft buzz of passing cars.

He wasn't in a hurry, enjoying the moment of calm amid the city's constant motion.

Gu Dao walked through the busy streets of the city center, carefully avoiding suspicion as he made his way to various shops.

His plan was simple: exchange paper money for silver and gold, but he needed to be discreet.

At the first shop, a small currency exchange, the shopkeeper eyed him warily when Gu Dao asked for silver.

After a brief conversation and a small fee, he received a few silver coins.

He then continued on to other shops, repeating the process, keeping his exchanges low-key to avoid drawing attention.

Finally, at a well-established store, "Silver & Gold Exchange," he exchanged more of his paper money for the remaining silver and gold he needed.

The elderly shopkeeper didn't ask questions, and soon Gu Dao had everything tucked away in his backpack.

Satisfied with his acquisitions, he left the store and disappeared into the crowd, ready for what lay ahead.

When everything was done, the sky had already darkened, signaling the onset of night.

Gu Dao boarded the bus, swiping his card as usual, and settled into his seat as the vehicle rumbled away.

The city passed by in a blur—streets bathed in the glow of streetlights, the steady hum of urban life carrying on outside. After a while, he arrived at his stop and made his way to the station. From there.

he continued his journey to his apartment, the small fortune he'd acquired safely tucked in his backpack.

Arriving home, he opened the door and stepped inside, the familiar Cold environment of his apartment greeting him.

He changed out of his clothes, ate a quick meal, and then made his way to his bedroom.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he let out a long sigh, finally allowing himself to relax.

Then he focused his mind, the essence of his Dao Fruit surged within, resonating with the very core of his being.

A determination filled his heart as he made the choice to accept it.

In that instant, a wave of strange energy enveloped him.

It was as though he had been bathed in the purest spring, cleansing not just his body, but also his soul. as if his consciousness was being purified.

His understanding of the world expanded, his thoughts sharpening, his mind feeling clearer and more brilliant than ever before.

ethereal energy began to envelop him, its purity sweeping through his body like a cleansing tide.

It was as though the energy from the Void was purifying every part of him—his thoughts, his body, and his spirit.

He did not feel the passage of time, lost in the endless flow of energy.

When he finally opened his eyes, he was stunned.

The night had passed, and morning light streamed through the window. But something was off. The air around him was thick with a foul, rancid stench.

He looked down at his body, and his eyes widened in shock. Dark, viscous impurities were oozing from his pores—black, now being expelled by the energy he had absorbed.

He was disgusted by the lingering smell and immediately made his way to the bathroom. After an hour of relentless washing, he finally rid himself of the foul odor.

As he looked into the mirror, he froze, staring at the reflection before him.

The young man staring back was unrecognizable—his long, flowing black hair cascaded down to his waist, dark as midnight. His sharp, sword-like eyebrows gave him an air of nobility, and his features were strikingly handsome, radiating an otherworldly aura.

His body was sculpted to perfection, lean yet muscular, with every movement exuding an effortless grace and strength.

His sharp jawline and piercing eyes held an irresistible allure, a magnetism that could captivate anyone. Without even trying, his presence alone was enough to seduce any woman who crossed his path.

Just one word to describe this transformation. 'Handsome'

He stared in awe at his reflection, completely mesmerized by his transformation. Without thinking, he grabbed the nearby broom and struck a sword stance, his posture stiff and grand.

Staring at his own image in the mirror, he couldn't help but add in a cold, pretentious tone, "In the vast skies, there are three million sword immortals... and even they must lower their brows when they see me."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Gu Dao nearly choked on his own embarrassment. Too pretentious! What am I even saying? He almost vomited blood from embarrassment.

He threw the broom aside with a groan, laughing at himself. "I'm an idiot…" He muttered, shaking his head, his face flushed with shame.

"These brainless cool novels have poisoned me too deeply..." Cursing the authors under his breath, he muttered, "Damn those shameless writers."

Soon He put on his white robe,He grabbed a black silk ribbon, swiftly tying his long hair into a neat, high ponytail, the strands now flowing like the mane of a proud immortal.

slung his backpack over his shoulder, and glanced at the mirror.

He looked just like the Nine Heavens Immortal King. What a pity, though… still a weak chicken.

Soon, his friends sent him a message. He replied, then headed out.

Before leaving, he turned back and quietly gazed at the apartment where he'd spent years. Shaking his head, he stepped forward and continued on his way.

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