My Five Bigshot Seniors: I am The Most Coddled Junior!-Chapter 419 - 99: [First Update]

"This sword is also Immortal Rank Three. The style is quite like Yue. Yue and Yan’er are somewhat similar in temperament—both a bit aloof. However, Yue is better than Yan’er and simply more focused on artifact refining." The Helian Family Master looked at the sword in his hand and smiled at Master Wen beside him.

"The girl’s temperament is also cold and very proud. I think Shen has a better personality." Master Wen shook his head, passed the sword in his hand to the Helian Family Master, "Look, Shen’s sword is also Immortal Rank Three. The skills of these three youngsters are quite similar."

The Helian Family Master took the sword, examined it, nodded secretly, and felt quite satisfied with the sword refined by Shen.

"These youngsters are truly surpassing their predecessors, far better than we were back then." The Cold Family Master stroked his beard, feeling very pleased.

"These three families truly have outstanding successors. The skills of you three can now be inherited." The City Lord, having served for years in Zhonglan City and being familiar with the three Family Heads, shared in their joy.

The three Family Masters exchanged a glance and all broke into a smile.

Just then, the sword crafted by Jun Wu was delivered, handed over to the City Lord.

"Is this," the City Lord initially assumed Leng Yan and the other two would be the winners of the first round, but upon holding the sword, he felt a bit surprised, "this sword, is actually Immortal Rank Four?"

Out of sheer astonishment, the City Lord’s voice rose considerably, catching the attention of the three Family Masters nearby.

"City Lord, what happened? The sword in your hand is?" The Cold Family Master, sitting closest to the City Lord, also saw the sword in the City Lord’s hand, his gaze fixed on the sword’s body, a look of amazement appearing on his face, "This sword is actually Immortal Rank Four?"

Upon hearing this, the Helian Family Master and Master Wen also looked at the sword in the City Lord’s hand.

The City Lord directly passed the sword to the Cold Family Master, letting them pass it amongst themselves, while he turned to inquire whose work the sword was.

"Judging by the lines and the power contained within, it’s undoubtedly Immortal Rank Four. I didn’t expect someone capable of reaching this level." The Cold Family Master examined the sword, expressing his admiration.

While using the three materials provided by the organizers to craft an Immortal Rank Four sword is quite easy for the Cold Family Masters, it’s not for artifact refiners like Leng Yan at their age—at the very least, Leng Yan and the others hadn’t achieved it.

Now, someone has appeared to reach this level, indicating their comprehension of artifact refining might surpass Leng Yan’s trio, causing the Cold Family Master to reflect.

"City Lord, who crafted this sword?" He unsheathed the sword and handed it to Master Wen beside him, then turned to inquire of the City Lord.

The City Lord, having just asked his attendant by his side, spoke without hesitation when he heard the Cold Family Master’s question: "I heard it’s a young person, who looks under twenty. According to my attendant, he was quite calm while refining, much like Yan’er and the others, though he took longer."

"Is this person not from Zhonglan City?" The Cold Family Master asked.

"I heard they passed through Zhonglan City and upon learning of the artifact refining competition, decided to join in for the experience." The City Lord nodded, sharing what he’d learned.

"No wonder. If this person were from Zhonglan City, they couldn’t possibly be so unknown over the years. However, if they’re from somewhere else, it’s understandable. It seems they’ll become Yan’er’s biggest opponent for first place, and that’s good to show them there’s always a higher peak beyond the peak!" The Cold Family Master took it in stride, considering it a good thing to broaden Leng Yan and the others’ perspectives.

Leng Yan and the others have been staying in Zhonglan City since birth, never venturing out these years. The trio sees each other as rivals, but due to the good relations between their families, they’re quite familiar with each other, making for less competitive rivalry.

The appearance of such a skilled competitor at the artifact refining competition poses a challenge, yet a chance—a chance for Leng Yan and the others to level up as long as they can seize it!

"Indeed, usually Yue focuses on each other, complimenting one another, thus it’s understandable they’d think their skills are quite excellent. Now with such a person emerging, it can motivate them." Master Wen also nodded in agreement.

The Helian Family Master at this moment held the sword crafted by Jun Wu, examined it, and nodded along.

Having reached their level, they’ve witnessed much, and understand what aids growth. They all hope Leng Yan and the others can gain something from this artifact refining competition.

This exchange between the four didn’t reach the contestants or spectators below. Soon, the results of the first round were announced.

To everyone’s surprise, the first place wasn’t somebody familiar like Leng Yan, Wen Xiyue, or Helian Shen, but instead, a name never heard before!

"Who is this Jun Wu? Actually overtaking Young Master Yan and becoming first in the first round?"

"No idea, never heard of them before. They surely aren’t from Zhonglan City, otherwise, how could they be so obscure?"

"This person is bound to become famous, having surpassed the three most promising figures of the Cold Family, Wen Family, and Helian Family, truly remarkable!"

"Yeah, I wonder how Young Master Yan and the others feel?"

"..."

As the City Lord announced the results, Jun Wu stepped out from among the contestants, and everyone took a good look at him.

Wen Xiyue didn’t think it would be the young man she met on the street earlier. When she saw him trying to purchase Blue Star Sand, she suspected he might be an artifact refiner. Thus, seeing Jun Wu appear wasn’t surprising, but his skill was!

She grew up with Leng Yan and Helian Shen, very familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Initially, she thought they might tie for first, yet it turned out someone suddenly topped them, something never before experienced, making Wen Xiyue a bit unaccustomed!

She looked at Jun Wu with complex emotions, uncertain how she felt.

Upon hearing the results, a flicker passed through Leng Yan’s eyes, though his face showed little change. Only his hand hanging by his side clenched slightly, showing he was less calm than he appeared.

Like others, Leng Yan wouldn’t have been surprised had Wen Xiyue or Helian Shen won, feeling no different. But with an unknown person now above him, even though Leng Yan usually isn’t bothered by these matters, he felt a bit uneasy.

The smile Helian Shen usually wore vanished. He glanced at Wen Xiyue and Leng Yan, curious for their reactions. Yet, with their habitual stoic faces, it was hard to discern their feelings, leaving him somewhat disappointed.

He looked at Jun Wu with a flash of curiosity, growing interested in him. The younger person seemingly outperformed them, implying Jun Wu’s skill in artifact refining might exceed theirs—the first time Helian Shen faced such a scenario, naturally drawing his attention.

In contrast, Jun Wu appeared calm, without exuberance from winning first place. He stood serenely, perhaps anticipating the result or simply indifferent.

In the crowd, Gu Qingqing felt much happier than Jun Wu, already imagining Jun Wu winning overall!

After the City Lord announced the list, he allowed everyone to leave, as the artifact refining contest was held daily, enabling artifact refiners to rest well without affecting performance due to unrecovered immortal power or missed rest.

Jun Wu had arranged with Gu Qingqing beforehand to wait for him after the event ended.

Though their striking looks drew attention upon arrival, few truly noted them. Yet now, after Jun Wu claimed first, monitoring the remaining matches, Jun Wu was visibly the favorite for first place, drawing everyone’s focus to the pair.

Luckily, the two were already accustomed to it; otherwise, they’d be overwhelmed.

"Ah Wu is amazing, winning first right from the start!" Upon spotting Jun Wu approaching, Gu Qingqing hurried to him, embracing him with a laugh.

Jun Wu carefully held Gu Qingqing to prevent her from falling. Hearing her, he nodded, "It’s getting late; let’s grab something to eat since you must be hungry."

To Jun Wu, the artifact refining competition mattered, but never as much as Gu Qingqing. If Gu Qingqing felt hungry due to the competition, he might even withdraw for her sake, ensuring she’d never be mistreated.

Gu Qingqing naturally agreed, nodding, and nestled comfortably in Jun Wu’s embrace while he guided her along.

On the road, many people watched the couple openly or stealthily, whispering with companions about Jun Wu, the dark horse who defeated Leng Yan, Wen Xiyue, and Helian Shen in the first round!

Gu Qingqing and Jun Wu acted as if they hadn’t overheard, heading to a previously chosen restaurant.

This restaurant in Zhonglan City was reputable for its delicious food, often crowded, sometimes requiring reservations!