With only a few words, a sense of unfulfilled ambition and the sorrow of dying before achieving one's goals filled the hearts of everyone present.
Du Zihao's eyes gradually welled up with tears. He could not imagine his brother living as a spirit of a magical artifact for a millennium.
"Brother, what exactly happened back then?"
Du Lao shot Du Kang a meaningful glance and said, "What happened back then is a long story. Zihao, if you truly care about me, then help me find Xuan Feng. It would be best if you could stay by her side to protect her."
Du Zihao wiped the tears from his eyes and replied, "Brother, don't worry. I will definitely find my sister-in-law!"
Du Lao nodded, a look of relief on his face as he smiled, "When you find her, tell her that I will be back soon."
"Mm-hmm!"
Du Zihao quickly nodded, then suddenly realized something and exclaimed with surprise, "Brother means..."
Du Lao nodded and cast a sharp gaze at Du Kang. "I'll make this clear today: if you have any grievances, come at me. But if anyone dares to lay a hand on my family, then when I return, they will pay with their blood! It was like this back then, it's like this today, and it will be like this in the future!"
Having said this, he switched to telepathic communication, and the target of his message was none other than Du Kang, who was already in a state of utter chaos.
"Du Kang, you know perfectly well what happened back then. You'd best not do anything to harm Zihao, and you'd best pray that Xuan Feng remains unharmed, otherwise, I will surely make you wish you were dead more than alive!"
After speaking, the sharp glint in Du Lao's eyes faded, and he turned to Du Zihao with a gentle smile.
"Zihao, come here, let me introduce you."
As he spoke, he pulled Du Zihao towards Zi Linling and said, "This is the owner of the Nine Spirit Ring. It was she who woke me from my slumber and helped me repair my soul, so she is not only my benefactor, but also my..."
"Disciple!"
Zi Linling interrupted Du Lao, smiling.
She knew that Du Lao was about to say, "my master," but she did not want to embarrass him in front of so many people.
In her heart, Du Lao was already her master.
Du Lao imparted all his knowledge and insights regarding formations to her. Of course, he also passed on some cultivation techniques, spiritual skills, and his cultivation experiences.
Although no formal ceremony was held, Du Lao had always fulfilled the duties of a master.
Du Lao was stunned for a moment, then cast a grateful look at Zi Linling.
"Miss Zi, thank you for taking care of my brother. Your kindness is beyond words! From now on, if there is ever anything I, Du Zihao, can do for you, I will not hesitate. I will go through fire and water for you without question!" Du Zihao said sincerely.
Zi Linling smiled gently and replied, "Uncle Du, you are too kind. I should be thanking Master Du."
Du Lao smiled and said, "Alright, you two should stop being so polite to each other. Zihao, I introduced you to Linling because you are both my family. I don't want to see you become enemies."
"Zihao, after you leave, go directly to find Xuan Feng for me! As for the Du family, it's a den of iniquity, so it's not worth returning to!"
The latter part of this sentence was transmitted telepathically to Du Zihao by Du Lao.
Although he did not wish to tell Du Zihao about his betrayal back then, he had to remind Du Zihao to stay away from the Du family's troublesome affairs.
Only in this way could Du Zihao escape Du Kang's poisonous grasp.
Du Zihao was an intelligent person.
After hearing Xu Rongwei's account, he knew that Du Lao's "death" back then was related to Du Kang. The reason he didn't mention it was because he wanted to lie low by Du Kang's side and uncover the truth of that year.
Now, with Du Lao's reminder, Du Zihao naturally understood that Xu Rongwei's words were true.
According to his original plan, he was determined to stay by Du Kang's side and seek revenge at the opportune moment.
However, Du Zihao reconsidered. Since Du Lao had asked him to find Xuan Feng, it was likely out of concern that he might get into trouble if he was too eager for revenge.
Therefore, to avoid worrying Du Lao, he smiled and nodded.
He would go and find Xuan Feng, but that didn't mean he wouldn't seek revenge.
Du Lao naturally guessed Du Zihao's intentions, but what could he do now?
As a soul, and a soul that had become a spirit of a magical artifact, he was completely unable to protect his younger brother. All he could do was warn Du Kang again.
He transmitted telepathically, "Du Kang, if Zihao and Xuan Feng remain unharmed, then I will not pursue the matter of you leaking my whereabouts and setting an ambush. Furthermore, I will not contend for the position of Patriarch of the Du family."
"However, if either of them is harmed, I will ensure that you and your cronies have no chance of reincarnation! I keep my word, so take care of yourself!"
Du Kang quickly replied telepathically, "If you can only guarantee that you won't trouble me, then I will also guarantee the safety of Du Zihao and Xuan Feng."
Although he said this, a glint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.
The flash was so quick that Du Lao did not catch it.
Seeing Du Kang's agreement, Du Lao nodded and said to Du Zihao, "Zihao, although we brothers haven't seen each other for a thousand years, I truly have very important matters to attend to at the moment, so I won't be accompanying you!"
With that, he returned to the Nine Spirit Ring.
Although Du Kang had agreed not to harm Du Zihao, Du Lao was still uneasy.
However, as a ring spirit, he was powerless for the time being and could only focus on refining a new physical body as quickly as possible.
Du Zihao was reluctant but knew that Du Lao, now a ring spirit, was no longer in control of his own actions.
He bowed respectfully to Zi Linling and said, "Miss Zi, I entrust my brother to your care!"
After saying this, he turned to leave.
"Wait!" Zi Linling called out to him.
Du Zihao stopped in his tracks and looked at Zi Linling with confusion.
Zi Linling gestured for him to be patient, then her expression turned stern as she addressed Du Kang, "Originally, regardless of how much of what Patriarch Xu said was true, I would have killed you."
"But since Du Lao has let you go, I have nothing more to say. Before I change my mind, take your people and get as far away as you can! As for Du Zihao, from this moment on, he is no longer a member of the Du family."
"Furthermore, starting today, if Du Zihao suffers any harm, I will hold the Du family accountable! If he sustains even a scratch, I will make every member of your Du family sustain one. If he loses his life, then your entire Du family will be buried with him! Do you understand?"
She knew that Du Lao was worried about Du Zihao's safety, so she had directly declared Du Zihao's departure from the Du family.
Moreover, with her subsequent threat, she believed that as long as Du Kang was not foolish or insane, he would not trouble Du Zihao.
Of course, to prevent Du Kang from going mad or becoming foolish, she would do her utmost to quickly raise Du Zihao's cultivation level.