"It's nothing much," Wang Mu said. "If there is nothing else you need, then I will take my leave."

"Wait a moment, fellow Daoist," the woman suddenly spoke. "The festival is about to start. Do you have a Taoist partner you desire?"

"That… I do not."

"Fellow Daoist…" The woman's eyes suddenly flashed with a strange light. "You are a disciple of the Sword Sect, aren't you? Actually, I have a secret about the Sword Sect… If you can agree to one request of mine, I will tell you this secret. How about it?"

Wang Mu's brows twitched. Could this be the next development in my travels?

"If it concerns the Sword Sect, of course I would like to know," Wang Mu said with a smile. "What is the request?"

"It's simple…" The woman laughed. "With my unsightly appearance, I know that even if the Magpie Bridge Festival were held ten more times, I would still not find a Taoist partner. But I still come here every time, just to see many lovers finally united."

"Fellow Daoist, with your handsome appearance, if after the festival starts, you find your partner in the Reincarnation Mirror, you must stay with her and also overcome the Three-Life Illusion Realm in the mirror. How about that?"

"At that time, I will tell you a great secret of your Sword Sect!"

"This secret will definitely be useful to you! Should my words prove false, may I be struck down by heavenly thunder and obliterated by the earth!"

Wang Mu's eyelids twitched. Well now. I can't really make sense of Nanrong Biyou's maneuvers. This… feels like a trap. But, what could the secret be?

This… Wang Mu thought. Since I've already come to this Magpie Bridge Festival, I probably can't escape anyway. What if the Reincarnation Mirror is malfunctioning? Besides, even if it truly reflected my situation, it would probably be exceedingly complicated, and it's highly likely that no specifics would manifest. Yes, that must be it!

"No problem," Wang Mu said. "If it's shown by the Rebirth Mirror, it means there's fate between us. I will try my best…"

"Then it's agreed," the woman giggled, picking up three small snakes and leaving.

"Oh, by the way! Fellow Daoist, if you happen to be in a Duel during the potential assessment later, please don't hold back," the woman suddenly turned her head and said with a smile. "Especially against women."

Wang Mu pondered. What on earth is Nanrong Biyou up to…

At that moment, a clear and resonant voice came from the sky:

"Ladies and gentlemen, the festival is about to commence! Please head towards the Rebirth Platform. Cultivators at the Golden Core stage and above, if you wish to learn about your romantic destiny, please proceed directly to the Rebirth Hall."

"The remaining Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage and below, please gather first at the Rebirth Platform. Creation Gate will conduct a potential assessment on you… recording your potential details into the Rebirth Mirror…"

The voice spread throughout the entire island.

Is it starting already?

Wang Mu took a deep breath and flew towards the Rebirth Platform. Compared to when he first descended, it was now teeming with people.

There were many Cultivators, but all were at the Foundation Establishment Stage or below. This was because, for matters of potential, assessment was unnecessary beyond the Foundation Establishment Stage, as most traits were already set.

Golden Core and Nascent Soul Cultivators could already travel alone through many locations in the Nine Provinces, including some areas with powerful Fierce Beasts, unimpeded. Especially those at the Golden Core stage, who were considered a benchmark within the Cultivation World of the various continents. With the Golden Core Stage, you would be respected in practically any Sect.

Disciples of the Sword Sect, senior martial brothers and sisters at the Golden Core stage or above, had already flown to another grand hall, heading straight to be reflected in the Rebirth Mirror.

「At the center of the Rebirth Platform.」

Leading them was an Elder in a Taoist robe, embroidered with landscapes and celestial bodies, with Yin Yang revolving on its back, appearing utterly mystical.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Xuanmingzi, an Elder of Creation Gate responsible for the Magpie Bridge Festival here."

The Elder held a horsetail whisk, his complexion ruddy, exuding kindness. "You must all know that our Creation Gate organizes this Magpie Bridge Festival primarily for the continuation of humanity in the Nine Provinces Cultivation World. Cultivation is a path that steals the essence of heaven and earth, vying with the sun and moon for creation—a path that goes against nature. During this journey, one endures countless karmic consequences and tribulations. A Taoist couple is the companion who holds the torch with us on this arduous path."

"Descendants represent our ambition as Cultivators to pass on the Great Tao."

"Cultivation is about inheritance, not immortality. Tell me, of all the Cultivators in the world, how many can boast extraordinary talent, step on the Immortal Path, and achieve Ascension to become Immortals?"

"Countless Cultivators, after exhausting their lives, find that Foundation Establishment and Golden Core are their limits. Even those with peerless Spirit Roots and overflowing talent, who endure countless tribulations, cross the ninety-nine Heavenly Tribulations, and reach the Immortal Ascension Realm, may still become Wandering Souls under the Heavenly Immortal Thunder Tribulation."

"Even Heavenly Prides face such a fate, let alone those with mediocre talent?"

"Cultivators must face themselves squarely. If one generation cannot achieve Ascension, it is not certain that successive generations cannot!"

"You should all have a clear understanding of your own talent, so I need not elaborate further."

"In short, the Immortal Path pursued by our Creation Gate focuses on the continuity of lineage and living freely in the world, not on struggling and clinging to a dragging longevity."

"That is why we have this Magpie Bridge Festival. We hope you all realize that even if you cannot achieve Ascension yourselves, you can summarize your experiences and pass on your talents and skills to the next generation, allowing them to go further… without obsessing over your own Immortal longevity."

"Whether you follow Evil Cultivation or belong to Righteous Immortal Sects, your philosophies may differ, but I believe this ultimate truth of Cultivation should be the same."

"Creation Gate treats all equally."

"Now then, I will need everyone to come forward to the Rebirth Platform to compete in a Duel. I will gauge the potential of you future great powers within the Cultivation World, so that our Creation Gate's Ancient Treasure, the Rebirth Mirror, will have a more accurate basis to reveal your future romantic partners."

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