Trees, compared to mere flowers and grasses, boast a longer lifespan. Among them, those exceeding a thousand years are one hundred and ninety-five in number, and those surpassing three thousand years, nineteen. Overall, the quantity is quite considerable.”

Chen Pingan nodded, “A veritable golden mountain, a silver sea.”

Furthermore, upon the mountain peak lies a celestial mansion enshrouded in misty clouds, the Crimson Citadel.

Chen Pingan approached a fallen, withered ancient pine. The annual rings were incredibly dense. After a cursory glance, he estimated its age to be roughly four thousand years. Chen Pingan broke off a large chunk of golden pine resin, heavy in hand. Whether used in medicine or for crafting ink and incense, it would be exceptional. Chen Pingan surveyed his surroundings. This mountain was truly overflowing with divine money. As long as one ascended, they could pick it up at will.

For no reason, he recalled his exploration of the hidden wonders in the Northern Entirety Continent. Clearly, that was far more arduous.

Therefore, the Falling Mountain’s subsidiary, the Immortal Capital Mountain established by Cui Dongshan, was not lacking in funds. The shortage of manpower was only temporary.

No wonder Cui Dongshan, as the Sect Master of this subsidiary, could act so confidently, even going to great lengths to poach talent from the main sect.

Chen Pingan did not place the pine resin into his sleeve. Instead, he casually left it on the decaying branch of the withered pine tree.

Xiao Mo noticed that the Cui Sect Master beside her seemed to be craning his neck, his eyes full of expectation. When he saw his own young master return the pine resin, he seemed a little dejected.

Chen Pingan clapped his hands and continued to ascend the mountain, casually asking, “That Cicada Slough Grotto-Heaven, it disappeared long ago, yet it has never been removed from the list. It remains one of the thirty-six lesser Grotto-Heavens. Is there a story behind this?”

Cui Dongshan nodded, “That Cicada Slough Grotto-Heaven is the most important ancient Shu site, without exception. It is rumored that several ancient Sword Immortals once sloughed off their mortal forms and ascended here, their immortal hearts transforming, leaving behind their physical shells like cicada sloughs. Later relics, such as the great rivers and dragon palaces, cannot compare. Because each Sword Immortal’s slough, with its residual Dao rhymes, may carry one or even several ancient sword daos.”

Chen Pingan curiously asked, “How did the Cicada Slough Grotto-Heaven disappear from the Treasure Bottle Continent back then?”

Cui Dongshan smiled, “It was originally the place of Dao attainment for Zheng Juzhong’s master. That fellow’s swordsmanship was high, and his temper stubborn. Back then, he was a foreigner wandering the Treasure Bottle Continent, but he still managed to obtain this greatest opportunity. It was within this lesser Grotto-Heaven that he attained the Ascension Realm. Later, somehow, he incurred public wrath and was besieged by over a dozen local and intercontinental Sword Immortals. The two sides engaged in a fierce battle, causing mountains to collapse and the earth to split, resulting in heavy casualties. Eight upper five realm sword cultivators, six nascent soul sword cultivators, a total of fourteen people, none escaped. They were all killed by that fellow. Because it was a sword cultivator’s dispute, the two sides established a pre-battle agreement…”