Binding Elder Ding
Elder Ding possessed the cultivation Great Emperor level and was capable of forging Immortal Artifact. Naturally, his discerning eye was among the best in the Three Realms and Six Paths. Although the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow was powerful, the more Elder Ding Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, the more astonished he became.
Because this existence, which surpasses even Immortal Artifact, was not crafted using particularly sophisticated techniques—in fact, it was quite rudimentary—yet the divine bow possessed power exceeding that of Immortal Artifact, greatly exceeding the old man's expectations.
"Oh? What do you think of this divine bow?" Seeing that Elder Ding's mind was completely captivated by the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, Zhuge Xiang chuckled inwardly, but his face remained impassive as he asked.
"Appraisal? Is there even a need to ask?" With a wave of the divine bow in his hand, Elder Ding didn't need to think too much before saying, "To be honest, the materials used to make this bow are indeed extraordinary, even surpassing those used to forge my Gentleman's Sword. However, the forging techniques are far too rudimentary, and it hasn't even fully utilized the power of these materials."
He paused slightly, a look of confusion and bewilderment crossing his brow, before continuing, "Judging by the materials and forging techniques, this bow is at most Half-Immortal Artifact Grade. But its true power surpasses that of a genuine Immortal Artifact, something I find difficult to comprehend." As he appraised the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, Elder Ding shook his head, but his face was filled with a thirst for knowledge. He urgently asked Zhuge Xiang, "Alright, I've answered your question. Now tell me quickly, what is the true nature of this bow? Why does such a simple forging method possess such terrifying power?"
"Have you ever heard of the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow?" Seeing that Elder Ding was already impatient, Zhuge Xiang knew that if he kept him in suspense any longer, he might not be able to resist making a move. So he answered frankly.
"The Sun-Shooting Divine Bow?" Sure enough, when Zhuge Xiang uttered this name, Elder Ding's expression changed drastically. He had naturally heard about the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow before. In fact, he had once been extremely interested in this legendary weapon of the Three Realms and Six Paths, but no one knew its whereabouts. He never expected that today, this legendary Sun-Shooting Sun-Shooting Divine Bow would appear right before his eyes.
"The Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, this is the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow? I should have guessed it long ago. Besides the legendary Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, where else in the Three Realms and Six Paths could there be a bow with such power?" Upon suddenly hearing the news of the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, Elder Ding was indeed surprised, but then he immediately adopted a matter-of-fact expression. Knowing the name of the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow -Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, Elder Ding lowered his head to examine it. As he examined it, he nodded. "No wonder such rare materials were forged using such rudimentary methods. In that era, the development of Forging was only just beginning. It's no wonder that such rudimentary methods could possess such terrifying power."
"In the past, the Great God Hou Yi wielded this bow and shot down nine suns in the sky. What treasure in the world could compare to such power and killing intent? Moreover, the blessings that the Great God Hou Yi brought to the Three Realms and Six Paths have imbued this bow with the Vow Power of all living beings in the Three Realms. It is only natural that it possesses such power."
"Alright, Elder Ding, our deal is done, and I should be leaving now," Zhuge Xiang said, looking at Elder Ding's infatuated expression. He suddenly reached out and asked for the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow.
"No!" Although the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow belonged to Zhuge Xiang, Elder Ding pulled back his hand holding the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, as if afraid that Zhuge Xiang would take it away. He said, "The Vow Power and the achievements it has made can allow the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow to break through its own limits. This is of vital importance to my research on Forging. I cannot give it to you, at least not in the short term."
"But I have important matters to attend to, and besides, I'm about to use the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow," Elder Ding said, hiding the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow behind his back as if protecting his own son. Zhuge Xiang also had a troubled expression on his face.
"The Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, although surpassing the power of Immortal Artifact, only unleashes its full potential when the user is stronger. In your hands, it's not even as powerful as your Demon Artifact longsword. Why are you in such a hurry for it? Why not leave it for me to study for a while?" Elder Ding shook his head firmly, refusing to take out the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow no matter what.
"What I need is not the power of the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow itself, but the meaning it represents," Zhuge Xiang said with a smile, telling the other party about the struggle between the Phoenix Clan and the Fire Crow Clan. He explained that the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow was also a crucial and indispensable part of his alliance with the Phoenix Clan against the Fire Crow Clan.
"Unless you, Elder Ding, can stay with me forever, then you can naturally research the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow whenever you want," Zhuge Xiang said meaningfully, looking at Elder Ding at the end.
"Well, you've been going on and on, all you want is for me to follow you, kid?" Although he was obsessed with Forging, as a powerful Great Emperor level, he was naturally not stupid, Elder Ding quickly realized what was going on.
"Hehe, how about it? If you follow my instructions, you can study this Sun-Shooting Divine Bow anytime you want. Do you agree or not?" Since Elder Ding had seen through him, Zhuge Xiang readily admitted it.
Elder Ding frowned and pondered. If he agreed, he would naturally have to step forward in the struggle between the Phoenix Clan and the Fire Crow Clan. Fighting for others was not in line with Elder Ding's principles.
If he didn't agree, an opportunity to research the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow would slip through his fingers, and he might never forgive himself for it.
"Alright, I agree," after a moment's hesitation, finding it hard to resist the temptation of the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, Elder Ding nodded in agreement.
Upon hearing that Elder Ding had agreed, Zhuge Xiang smiled.
Although Elder Ding owed him a favor, if Elder Ding were to repay that favor in the future, their relationship would fade, and they might even never have any contact again. However, if a favor was combined with some exchanges of interests, it would be different. Future cooperation would naturally be endless. Sure enough, with the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, he successfully tied Elder Ding to his side.
Elder Ding is not merely a blacksmith capable of forging immortal artifacts; he himself possesses the strength of a Great Emperor. In the battle between the Phoenix Clan and the Fire Crow Clan, Elder Ding's Great Emperor-level strength will undoubtedly be a great help, thus increasing the Phoenix Clan's chances of victory, and of course, also increasing my chances of completing the mission.