Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 708 - 351: The First Meeting with the Empress Dowager

Chapter 708: Chapter 351: The First Meeting with the Empress Dowager

Since the Taoist Ancestor of Zhenxuan Mountain ascended, no cultivator has successfully stepped into the Heavenly Gate.

Not even the three great masters of the previous dynasty.

Back then, they signed an agreement with the court to hunt down the Asura Queen, partly to attempt using the "Borderless Soul" within her to fulfill their ascension dreams, but they failed.

Later, they turned their attention to the Demon Venerable, but nearly met their ends.

During this time, they sought other methods.

For instance, Kumu created a unique technique called the "Lotus Ascension Vein," which could potentially open the Upper Realm’s Heavenly Gate without needing to cross the Ascension Bridge.

Another example is Xuanyuan Shugui’s "Path of No Self," aiming to sense the Immortal Realm at close range.

And yet another is Heaven Master Chou’s intense research into the "Yin Yang Dual Cultivation," hoping to forge a new path of ascension.

Unfortunately, these three legendary figures all fell short.

Dragging their half-dead bodies to eke out survival until now, upon divining that the Taoist Ancestor would appear, they all coincidentally ascended Zhenxuan Mountain, seeking new opportunities.

Compared to Kumu and Xuanyuan Shugui, Heaven Master Chou was more proactive and enthusiastic.

Over the years, he secretly controlled Minzhou City under the guise of an Immortal Master, working to restore his decayed body while continuing to delve into Dual Cultivation, tirelessly searching for high-quality Tool Girls.

He firmly believed his path was correct.

He simply hadn’t yet encountered the ideal and most perfect dual cultivation partner.

Even someone like Li Guanshi, a woman of top-tier caliber in every aspect, fell short in his eyes. Of course, given her cultivation level, he lacked the means to provoke her.

However, as he journeyed with Jiang Shouzhong and the others, Heaven Master Chou secretly observed the three women in their group, and gradually he felt that Dugu Luoxue possessed an exceptional aptitude for dual cultivation—she might be the one.

Initially, he had favored Yelü Miaomiao, but soon realized the power of the Dharma Aspect within her was too dense and impure.

Qu Hongling was also impressive, but her demonic aura—unintentionally detected by him—posed potential dangers.

Demons and Immortals are eternally opposed.

Should he entangle with a demon, he could very well face the wrath of a Heavenly Tribulation.

Thus, only Dugu Luoxue proved highly suitable.

Especially since she primarily cultivated the "Path of Abstinence," and with her Tao Heart now shattered, she was ripe for descent into depravity—aligning perfectly with the philosophy recorded in the "Shentu Yin-Yang Records": "Abstinence extinguished, born for degeneration."

Heaven Master Chou’s eyes gleamed deeply as he gazed at Dugu Luoxue and smiled:

"Your Tao Heart is shattered. Ascension is no longer possible for you, so why prolong this needless struggle? Why not kneel before me—this old man will restore your Taoist School."

"What’s the price?"

Dugu Luoxue questioned in return.

Heaven Master Chou replied, "You know well what the price is, but such a tiny sacrifice is nothing compared to ascension as a true immortal."

Dugu Luoxue’s expression remained indifferent, her jade-like fingers forming a spell gesture, as flakes of snow swirled around her: "Birth, aging, sickness, and death are all natural. Ascension to immortality and obtaining eternal life—what purpose does it truly serve? Isn’t living for so long tiring?"

"Girl, humans are never satisfied."

Heaven Master Chou sighed, turning his gaze to Xuanyuan Shugui and Kumu, raising his voice: "Are you two truly planning just to sit there and watch?"

Kumu laughed and cursed: "You old lecher, even if you’ve turned into a child, you can’t quit chasing Taoist couples. I think you’ll die under a woman eventually—talk about ascension, my ass."

As he spoke, Kumu leapt into the air, shaking the bell in his hand as he roared: "Move mountains!"

Rumble!

The mountains suddenly trembled.

In an instant, the forbidden snowy mountain split in two, isolating the Taoist Ancestor’s tomb chamber from the others.

Elders like Yun Wuqing quickly rushed toward the tomb chamber.

Xuanyuan Shugui plucked his erhu.

The once-ancient erhu suddenly transformed into a book.

With each pull of the bowstring, yellowed pages flew out one by one, materializing into beautiful women with elegant demeanors.

The women wielded long swords, dressed in pink garments that fluttered lightly, forming a sword array that barred Yun Wuqing and his group.

"Quick and decisive."

Xuanyuan Shugui said coldly.

By now, they had already noticed instability in the Taoist Ancestor’s Dharma Aspect; it could disperse at any moment.

This was a bad sign.

They had to enter the tomb chamber swiftly without interference, to question the Taoist Ancestor personally. If the Taoist Ancestor refused to answer, they would perform other secret techniques upon his remains.

After all, the down-to-earth Taoist Ancestor surely left traces of immortal qi remaining.

Blocking the others, Xuanyuan Shugui and Kumu tacitly charged toward Qi, who stood guard at the tomb chamber entrance.

Currently, only Qi posed a true threat.

As for Dugu Luoxue, though she appeared to be at the Feathered Transformation Realm, her shattered Tao Heart made it difficult for her to fully wield her cultivation, rendering her non-threatening—more than enough for Heaven Master Chou to handle.

"Girl, meeting me is your providence."

Heaven Master Chou placed a white Bone Bead into his mouth, saying to Dugu Luoxue, "You will understand that to seek the Tao lies in breaking before rebuilding, in letting go."

Heaven Master Chou struck at Dugu Luoxue with his palm.

A black-pink Yin-Yang Diagram manifested behind him, accompanied by an alluring melody.

Dugu Luoxue formed a spell to counter.

...

As the crowd descended into chaotic battle, the tomb chamber’s door subtly twisted. A gentle breeze passed silently, revealing two figures within the tomb chamber.

They were two women.

One was shrouded in black garments, only her sharp, radiant eyes exposed.

The other, though ordinary-looking, possessed a slinky and graceful figure. Her girded waist was slender, her curvaceous form mesmerizing—especially the region above her attire, full and lush.

These two were none other than Empress Dowager Xiao and her Ghost Guard Captain.