“What exactly do you mean, Brother Mo?” Han Li immediately picked up on the deeper implications in the elder’s words and asked with a touch of surprise. “Brother Ao’s next celestial calamity is likely to arrive within a few years. At that point, we may have to personally step in and offer protection.” Mo Jianli sighed, speaking with serious tone. “What? Brother Ao’s celestial calamity is coming?” Even though Han Li was usually exceptionally composed, he could not help but feel his face slightly pale and his gaze shift toward Elder Ao Xiao. “Grandfather, this is truly the case,” the once-cheerful Yin Yue suddenly turned pale. “Hmph, the celestial calamity was supposed to have occurred over a thousand years ago, but I managed to delay it until now using a special method. While this gives me more time to prepare, it comes at the cost of making the calamity, when it finally arrives, even more intense. In fact, I’ve never been particularly optimistic about this one. Overall, I believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.” "With this over a thousand years of time, Ling'er, you've finally reached the Consolidated Stage, and with Han Xiao's constant support, I can finally feel at ease." Ao Xiao the Elder paused a moment before chuckling softly. "So it's because of me that Grandfather has made such self-sacrificing, life-draining choices?" Yin Yue's voice trembled slightly. "Ling'er, this has little to do with you. Even if you weren't here, the魔 realm had already shown clear intentions to invade our spiritual realm—back then, I would have made the same choice anyway." Ao Xiao the Elder's expression grew serious. Yin Yue shook her head repeatedly, clearly unconvinced. "Master Han, is there truly no hope of surviving this celestial calamity this time? If any specific treasures are needed, I'll do my best to locate them for you." Han Li frowned, his thoughts deep and thoughtful. "Even if I hadn't employed any secret techniques to delay the calamity, I still had a one-in-ten chance back then. Now? I'd say even half that chance—perhaps less—is gone." As for the treasures needed to endure the heavenly calamity, my lord has naturally prepared them long ago, gathering nearly all that could be of use. The few remaining ones are rare and hard to find—things that simply happen by chance—and thus, I no longer expect much from them," Old Master Ao Xiao sighed. "Half? That probability seems rather low. This simply won't do. Grandfather, truly, is there no other way to improve the chances of enduring the heavenly calamity? Can we raise them even a little more?" Yin Yue's eyes glistened with emotion, and she shook her head vigorously in response. "There is a method—should the hidden Thunder-root disciple of Friend Han be a being of the Great Perfection stage, perhaps I could gain an additional tenth of my chances. But now, with him as he is, his presence offers me absolutely no benefit at all," Old Master Ao Xiao replied without hesitation. Upon hearing this, Yin Yue's face grew even paler. After exchanging glances, Han Li and Mo Jian could only shake their heads and offer helpless smiles. If they were to temporarily elevate Hai Daxiao's cultivation level to the Consolidated Stage, with their presence as Mai-Cheng beings, they might just manage to find a way—though that would be no easy feat. But when it comes to reaching the same level of Mai-Cheng cultivation, that is something entirely beyond consideration. As for Han Li's several towering peaks, which proved remarkably effective in withstanding the celestial thunder calamity, they have long since been fully absorbed and integrated into his own cultivation—thus, they cannot be drawn upon for temporary use. "There is one thing that might help Ao Xiao endure his trial, possibly increasing his chances of success by a couple of percentage points," Mo Jianli said, after a moment of shifting expression. "Mo Senior, what is it?" Yin Yue immediately brightened at this news. Ao Xiao, however, showed a brief expression of surprise, as if he had never heard Mo Jianli mention this before. Han Li, too, leaned forward with attentive interest. "Ao Xiao, do you know Stone-Heart Elder?" "Mo Jianli didn't directly answer the question, but instead shifted the topic to Elder Ao Xiao. "Master Shi Xin certainly knows. He wasn't the Yun Gang clan's great attainment disciple who entered the Origin Demon Realm with us, right? I actually had a few conversations with him, though he ultimately perished within the ancient seal. So, is what you're referring to connected to him?" Elder Ao Xiao pondered briefly before replying. "Master Shi Xin didn't possess the divine artifact to withstand the heavenly calamity, yet the information about that object was conveyed through his own words. Therefore, that object must be among the Ling clan's treasures." A subtle expression of surprise flickered across Mo Jianli's face as he added a few clarifications. "Indeed, the great attainments from the foreign clans visited the Ling clan before entering the Demon Realm, and stayed there for some time. It seems this matter is likely genuine. Still, Mo brother, you've spoken at length—what exactly is this artifact you're referring to?" Elder Ao Xiao's gaze flashed slightly before asking. "It's the Three Pure Thunder Sky Seal!" Mo Jianli hesitated slightly before finally stating it. "What? This scroll. Isn't this the supreme secret scroll mentioned in the legends? Has such a scroll truly existed in the lower realms?" Elder Ao Xiao's expression turned utterly stunned, his voice filled with excitement. Han Li, too, leaned forward, his eyes glistening with genuine emotion. "By right, the Sanqing Lei Xiao Seal should not have appeared in the lower realms. Yet Elder Shixin personally witnessed its existence within the Ling clan, and I can assure you that his account is entirely truthful. As to the reasons, however, I am not at liberty to disclose them." Mo Jianli spoke half in narration, half in explanation, with evident depth and intention. "Then, with your words, it must be true. Yet once Elder Shixin became aware of the Seal's existence, how could he fail to seek ways to secure it for himself? Even though he still has some time before his next celestial calamity, such a precious treasure would surely not be left untouched." Although Elder Ao Xiao was somewhat surprised by Mo Jianli's certainty, he naturally did not press for further details, but instead took a moment to reflect thoughtfully before seriously asking, "Should such a treasure be placed before me, I myself would not hesitate to claim it." Han Li agreed wholeheartedly. "You two may not be aware of this, but it wasn't that Stone Heart Elder was willing to let go of the precious artifact right before his eyes—he had already struck a deal with the current owner of this seal, intending to fulfill it upon his return from the demonic realm, thus securing the Sanqing Zhaixiao Seal." Mo Jianli smiled and said. "In the spiritual lineage, even Stone Heart Elder has to resort to trade in order to obtain such a seal! Then, surely, this seal must have fallen into that person's hands." Elder Ao Xiao's handsome face darkened, revealing a hint of apprehension. "It couldn't possibly be anyone else!" Mo Jianli sighed deeply, then chuckled. Silver Moon listened attentively, her eyes blinking with mild curiosity, yet already sensing something beneath the surface. As for Han Li, he suddenly smiled. "Are you two referring to the Spiritual King of the spiritual lineage?" He recalled vividly the scene from when they first entered the purification pool in the demonic realm—the Spiritual King manifesting through the body of Bai Qi. Ao Xiao and Mo Jian's faces slightly changed, and they instinctively exchanged glances. "Indeed, we are referring to the Spirit King. The Sanqing Lei Xiao seals are currently in his hands, and we still don't know how many there are." Mo Jian nodded and then openly acknowledged it. "Not just one?" Ao Xiao was slightly taken aback, but soon let it go. According to the records, even if there were more such secret seals, only one could be activated during a single heavenly calamity. "I've heard of the Spirit King's reputation to some extent, but only that there exists a high-level cultivator from the Spirit Clan. Beyond that, I'm rather unfamiliar. From the way both of you speak, it seems you don't particularly wish to involve yourselves with him." Han Li narrowed his eyes and asked slowly. "Far from it! If possible, I and Ao Brother would actually prefer not to have any connection with this old monster at all." Mo Jian replied with a wry smile. "Oh, then what is the reason?" Han Li naturally asked a few more questions. "Although the Ling clan is relatively small and even falls short in overall strength compared to our human and immaterial clans, this Ling King might very well be a true ancient being who has lived for over a million years." Old Master Ao Xiao spontaneously added two sentences. "Lived for over a million years? That's impossible!" Han Li suddenly gasped, genuinely stunned. "Hehe, don't just you. When we first heard this, we were equally astonished." Mo Jianli chuckled. "If this Ling King truly has lived for over a million years, then the number of celestial calamities it has weathered must be... " Han Li didn't finish his sentence, but everyone clearly understood his meaning. "We aren't entirely sure, however. No one has personally witnessed this Ling King enduring a celestial calamity, nor has anyone ever heard any news related to its experience of such events." Some say that this Ling Wang is a unique being, with celestial calamities occurring every hundred thousand years. Others claim that in truth, the Ling Wang is no different from us—having already changed through many generations, though outsiders simply remain unaware. As for which of these accounts is truly accurate, no one knows for certain. Ao Xiao spoke seriously. "If indeed a being who has lived for a million years, then I suspect I would have to hold myself in great reverence upon meeting such a creature." Han Li's face changed several times, as though pondering deeply. "Nevertheless, one thing is certain: over these past million years, the aura and appearance of the Ling Wang, as passed down orally by successive senior cultivators of both our lineages, have remained remarkably consistent—unchanging, as though one and the same person. Fortunately, the Ling Clan has always been difficult to establish, so even though the Ling Wang possesses incomparable strength, they have been unable to expand the current territory of the clan beyond its present size, and can only maintain it as is. Moreover, the Ling Wang has traditionally been reserved and restrained, having actually intervened only sparingly throughout these million years." Mo Jianli added a few more remarks.