Apparently, this is now a Face Slapping Novel.

Yet, just as Melon was about to fall, an arm suddenly reached out to grab his shoulder. With a gentle push, Melon was stabilized.

"Brother!"

Melon quickly turned his head to gaze at the figure who had appeared at his back, suddenly extremely happy. The surrounding crowd's expressions also changed as fear flashed across their eyes.

Gazing at the figure behind Melon, April and Choly's expressions changed as a look of worry surfaced in their eyes.

Spring face was stretched taut, as he similarly cast his gaze behind Melon. A youngster clothed in white was holding onto Melon's shoulder, steadying him and preventing him from falling to the ground.

The youngster looked to be around 15 or 16 years old and he had rather handsome facial features. A small smile was on his face, yet in Spring's eyes, this smile appeared slightly cold.

Melon reached inside his bag and grabbed a potion, downing it in one go. His wrist came back.

Potions are amazing…

Alpine. Melon's elder brother and a fairly outstanding member of the Grassblade Family. He was only 15 years old, yet he had long ago reached 3x5 and was close to promoting on both fronts. After which, he would definitely be ranked top three among all of the younger generations in the Grassblade Family.

"Ge!" Although Melon was extremely overbearing towards others, he became as meek as a sheep in front of the seemingly gentle-natured Alpine.

"With just this level of skill, why do you go out and embarrass yourself, instead of practicing properly?" Alpine chuckled as he loosened his grip.

"It was only because I was careless… If we fought again, there's nothing for me to fear!" Melon's face flushed red with embarrassment at Alpine's words.

Melon was lying, as it was clear that Spring was indeed more powerful.

"A 4 glyph wind blade is not something you are capable of blocking." Alpine's gaze turned towards Spring, scrutinizing the latter for a while before saying: "Looks like you've been hiding this for quite some time…"

"It's just trickery, hardly worthy of your attention."

The corners of Spring's mouth pulled into a wry smile as he replied. Perhaps because of the feud between their fathers, even if you put it nicely, Alpine and his brother had a strained relationship with Spring. Likewise, Spring harbored no good will towards them.

Though Alpine seemed polite and friendly on the surface, Spring knew that compared to the menacing Melon, his brother was actually much more fiendish. The reason why Melon could be a little tyrant within the younger generation in the Grassblade Family was not only due to his father but also Alpine, who had quite a far-reaching influence himself.

Of course, most importantly, Spring had heard from August that half a year ago, Alpine had actually asked to be engaged to April. Thankfully, this request had been flatly rejected by August.

This is going weird places.

This matter had further deepened the enmity between both parties.

"Spring, let's leave first."

April stealthily tugged on Spring's sleeve as she whispered. Though she was extremely surprised that Spring had managed to defeat Melon, Alpine stood heads and shoulders above Melon in regards to both magic and wit. He was definitely not someone to mess with.

Messing with him would be bad for health.

"Heh heh, April, it's been so long since we've met." Alpine chuckled as he turned his gaze to April with a strange luster in his eyes. Although April was young, she was a blooming beauty. Among the younger generation in Turquoise Town, many secretly admired her and naturally, he was no exception.

Even big bro's cliché…

"Melon has always been such an impulsive brat. However, if you need any ingredients, you just need to approach me. A grade one Ingredient like the Bluepetal Grass is, after all, a little lacking in quality."

Hearing Alpine talk to her as if they were on familiar terms, April's crescent-shaped eyebrows tightly knitted together. However, due to the other party's strength, although she was not too pleased about it, she chose not to talk back.

"Dammit, this guy is so repulsive, I will definitely beat him to death in the future," Choly muttered behind Spring's back as he was also extremely disgusted by Alpine's words.

"Much thanks to your goodwill, however, we'd rather depend on ourselves. It's not easy for the family to earn money so it's only right that we try our best to save even a little of it." Spring smiled, ignoring the mutterings of Choly. If he saw Alpine in the past, he could only hope to retreat before anything happened.

Yet it was different now, as he had gained his plot armor already, he knew that surpassing Alpine was only a matter of time.

"Oh? Your unyielding character is exactly the same as your father's. Indeed worthy of his legacy!"

Though Alpine was smiling, anyone who heard his words could tell that they held a hint of ridicule.

Anger flashed across Spring's eyes as he heard these mocking words.

Dude, he's praising you. Thank him and go away. Nothing's more insulting to a bully than that.

"Heh heh, since the Bluepetal Grass was found by April, then it must be returned. Fret not April, after all this, I will definitely help you teach this rude fellow a lesson." Alpine took the Bluepetal Grass off Melon's hands and then waved it at April while smiling.

Seeing his actions, April pursed her tiny lips, not daring to move forward to retrieve the Bluepetal Grass. She was worried that Alpine may seize this opportunity to create trouble for Spring in the future. If so, she would rather give up this Bluepetal Grass.

In response, the corners of Alpine's mouth could not help but slightly raise.

"Seems like Alpine is truly a magnanimous individual."

Yet, before a smile could form on his face, Spring interrupted it with a laugh. After which, under the watchful gaze of the crowd, Spring stepped forward and approached Alpine as he unapologetically stretched out his hand to grab the Bluepetal Grass.

Spring's sudden actions caused Alpine's face to turn rigid. The latter stared straight at the former with an icy look in his eyes. Spring's actions in front of the crowd had hurt Alpine's pride.

However, Spring turned a blind eye to Alpine's stare as he attempted to exert more force to snatch the Bluepetal Grass. Nevertheless, he found that Alpine's hand continued to hold onto the Bluepetal Grass like a pair of metal pincers. At once, Spring smiled and asked: "So…? Does this man suddenly fancy this Bluepetal Grass now?"

Dude, he said she could have it, not you. Pay attention.

Upon hearing these words, the corners of Alpine's eyes twitched as he slowly released his grip. Staring daggers at Spring, he laughed and said: "Spring, I am also interested in wind magic, would you be willing to engage in a light duel with me?"

I refuse.

Without waiting for Spring's reply, Alpine suddenly took a step forward as his fist flew towards Spring's chest, with a thick, heavy layer of rock coating it.

Ouch. That has to be bad for health.

Seeing as Alpine launched his attack as soon as he spoke, Spring's facial expression darkened as he swiftly raised both of his arms in front of his chest, to protect his vital organs.

"Thud!"

As they exchanged blows, Spring immediately felt a thin but very powerful layer of blue mana coating his body. Despite this, he still took several steps back

"3x6?!"

Steadying his body, Spring muttered as he stared at Alpine. He had clearly felt the power of the latter's fist, more than just a single level higher.

This means that Alpine had actually reached the 3x6 rank. Nothing short of plot armor is going to let him win.

Alpine shot a glance at Spring, his brows knitting together. The fact that he had unexpectedly failed to defeat the latter in go did not sit well with him. Yet, he remained confident that he could defeat Spring quickly and efficiently.

"Spring is indeed skillful, come again!"

The dangerous glint in his eyes hinted that Alpine did not plan to let Spring off so easily. With a quick laugh, he once again rushed towards the latter. This time, however, many in the crowd gasped in response as they could clearly see Spring's hair change color to a light blue shade.

Ice gathered around Alpine's ankles, stopping him from charging forward, and a sharp icicle appeared in the hands of 'Spring'.

Alpine tripped and fell flat on his face.

Trying not to look embarrassed, he slowly stood up and wiped his nosebleed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you..." 'Spring' said mockingly. "Did somebody get a boo-boo?"