The Black Cloth of the Hilt and Fingertips

In the evening, within the Trial Valley. 

Clad in the black armor of the "Silver Fox," Lin Xi navigated through the forest with a familiar short blade in hand. 

Although Xu Shengmo and Tong Wei were exceedingly demanding in his training, the enhancement of his strength was undeniably evident. 

At this moment, he sought to ascertain the level of adversaries he could contend with, given his current combat prowess... Moreover, he pondered whether he could confront foes he previously deemed insurmountable, relying solely on his unique abilities in the absence of a potent weapon like a bow and arrow. 

If he could indeed face them, he would engage in battle, gaining valuable experience and benefits. Conversely, if he found himself unable to cope, he would have no choice but to evade them in pursuit of achievements. 

Intent on luring opponents out, Lin Xi deliberately created noise as he traversed the woods. Within a mere quarter of an hour, he spotted a cautious black-armored student on an open patch of sloped grass, their eyes meeting across the slight incline. 

The "Yellow Antelope," a foe Lin Xi had never encountered before, bore the emblem of a yellow-horned antelope upon his black armor. 

Prior to entering the Trial Valley, Lin Xi had meticulously examined the crude notice board that recorded battle achievements. 

This modest board bore no written rules, yet it displayed over five instances of victories, with the top ranks occupied by "Firefly" and "Thunder Python," both boasting nine five-star achievements. The codenames of some familiar strong contenders were conspicuously absent, a fact easily comprehensible to the astute students of the academy; the board recorded consecutive victories, meaning that even if one had achieved five five-star results, any subsequent defeat would reset their winning streak. 

Having secured two four-star exits in recent days, Lin Xi's name, "Silver Fox," was notably absent from the board. 

As for Liu Ziyu, with his cultivation and prowess, he was unlikely to rival Tang Ke and his companions. Many were stronger than him, suggesting that his claim of nine five-star exits was merely cumulative rather than a continuous streak like that of "Firefly" and "Thunder Python." 

If counted by instances, Lin Xi had accumulated seven victories, but he understood that this was far from equivalent to a streak of five-star achievements. The individuals represented by "Firefly," "Thunder Python," and others on the board embodied absolute power, while Liu Ziyu's nine accumulative wins held little weight. 

Currently, the "Yellow Antelope" was not among the ranked individuals, suggesting his strength was not particularly formidable. 

Lin Xi glanced at the weapon in his opponent's hand—a plain black longsword, lacking in power. 

As Lin Xi contemplated this, the "Yellow Antelope" was similarly assessing the "Silver Fox," recognizing that he was not a renowned powerhouse. As Lin Xi scrutinized the weapon he wielded, the "Yellow Antelope" mirrored his thoughts. 

Convinced of their potential for combat, the black-armored student, marked by the "Yellow Antelope" insignia, raised his black longsword in salute before swiftly charging through the underbrush like a dark wave advancing towards Lin Xi. 

Faced with the accelerating approach of the black-armored student, Lin Xi remained still, his gaze locked onto his opponent's form and the longsword in his grasp. 

It was only when the student reached him, shoulder slightly lowered and poised to strike, that Lin Xi let out a sharp shout, stepping forward and unleashing his blade. 

Though he wielded a knife, his stance embodied the essence of a sword. The black-armored student was suddenly engulfed in immense fear, as Lin Xi's swordsmanship unleashed a peculiar force that rippled beneath him. With a resounding thud, the student's sword fell short of piercing Lin Xi by a mere foot, while Lin Xi's blade found its mark, plunging deeply into the student's throat. 

A choking sensation akin to being unable to swallow food surged through him, rendering his mind nearly numb. Yet, Lin Xi's assault did not cease; with a forceful shoulder charge, he sent the student staggering backward, delivering a decisive blow that cleaved into the juncture of his neck. 

The black longsword slipped from his grasp as he stared wide-eyed at Lin Xi, clutching his throat before collapsing heavily to the ground. 

In that fleeting moment, he realized he had been defeated in an instant. 

Lin Xi felt a surge of joy as he stepped forward to retrieve the black longsword, having executed the piercing thrust with remarkable swiftness... He had not anticipated this battle to be so effortless. Having recently undergone rigorous training with the Windwalker, his arms still felt weak; had he not been through Xu Shengmo and Tong Wei's morning drills, this strike would undoubtedly have been even more formidable. 

"Eh?" 

Just as he secured the golden five-point badge from the "Yellow Antelope," Lin Xi abruptly turned, sensing a distinct sound of footsteps approaching from the forest behind him. 

The footsteps were steady, snapping twigs and sending stones tumbling, exuding an air of undeniable authority. 

Lin Xi paused for a moment, gripping his short knife in his left hand and the sword in his right, retreating several paces from the gasping "Yellow Antelope" to a flat area, awaiting the emergence of this new opponent. 

Several thorny branches were cleaved by a black military longsword, and the newcomer soon came into Lin Xi's view. 

"Spirit Vulture!" 

Lin Xi felt a mix of fortune and anxiety, beads of sweat forming in his palms. 

This adversary, wielding a black military longsword, bore the emblem of a spirit vulture on his chest, ranking fourth on the notice board outside the Trial Valley, with a record of eight consecutive five-star victories—undoubtedly a strong contender. 

"Silver Fox?" 

Upon noticing the emblem on Lin Xi's chest, the opponent with the black military longsword halted and spoke first, "I recall you appearing on the board previously, having achieved four five-star victories. Your calmness in my presence suggests you must have attained five by now." 

Lin Xi, unperturbed by the pressure, nodded earnestly, "You are correct." 

"I enjoy sparring with strong opponents; I only hope you do not disappoint me." The "Spirit Vulture" nodded, continuing his steady approach towards Lin Xi. 

"Is this one a martial enthusiast, yet worried about my strength?" Lin Xi smiled slightly, his body instinctively coiling like a drawn bow, ready to unleash his power. 

The "Spirit Vulture" suddenly stomped heavily, sending shockwaves through the ground, creating a crater in the flat muddy slope. Given the distance between them and his current posture, this powerful stomp could propel him towards Lin Xi like an arrow, yet he made no further move. 

He merely planted his foot firmly, but Lin Xi, anticipating his next action, found himself momentarily halted. His body felt as taut as a bowstring at its limit, ready to release an arrow, yet suddenly losing its target, he was forced to remain still. 

In that brief pause, the "Spirit Vulture" sprang into action, seemingly leaping from his position, his black longsword slicing through the tranquil mountain air, aimed directly at Lin Xi's eyes! 

"Clang!" 

Lin Xi's black longsword met the attack, producing a resonant sound and a shower of sparks. His right hand went numb, losing grip on the longsword, which flew from his grasp. 

Yet his movements did not falter; as his body tilted left, he wielded the short knife towards the "Spirit Vulture's" abdomen. 

The "Spirit Vulture" momentarily hesitated, reaching down as if to seize Lin Xi's short knife. 

To his astonishment, Lin Xi allowed him to grasp it effortlessly; in that instant, Lin Xi delivered a powerful kick to the opponent's chest, propelling himself backward in an awkward roll, retrieving the fallen black longsword. 

The "Spirit Vulture" swayed slightly but remained steadfast like a rock, discarding the short knife he had seized into the distant woods. 

He took a steady step towards Lin Xi, yet the moment his silver-masked eyes widened in disbelief, the "Silver Fox," who had just been disarmed, advanced rather than retreating, decisively stepping forward to strike. 

Moreover, this attack was swifter than he had anticipated. 

"Clang!" With a resounding clash, the "Spirit Vulture," who should have been on the offensive, was forced into a defensive stance, barely managing to deflect Lin Xi's blade with a diagonal slash. 

To his shock, the opponent did not withdraw; instead, he maneuvered past him, the black longsword soaring through the air towards his midsection. 

"Clang!" 

He swiftly twisted his body, rotating rapidly to bring his longsword into a defensive position, blocking Lin Xi's strike with a whip-like motion. 

However, the opponent immediately followed up with another attack. His breath caught in his throat as he leaned sharply to the left, using his left hand to brace against the ground, propelling his body like a spinning top across the grassy slope. 

Lin Xi leaped, bringing his longsword down once more. 

"Clang!" 

The blade of Lin Xi's longsword clashed against the "Spirit Vulture's" black longsword, producing a resounding noise. With a powerful thrust, Lin Xi's sword struck the "Spirit Vulture's" back, yet at that moment, the "Spirit Vulture's" longsword slipped from his grip, colliding with Lin Xi's weapon. 

"Clang!" 

Lin Xi's entire right arm jolted violently, the force dissipating as the black longsword was once again knocked from his grasp. 

Yet the "Spirit Vulture's" black longsword halted mid-air, returning to his hand. 

Between the hilt and his fingers, a seemingly insignificant piece of old black cloth connected them.