Chapter 28: If You Were Lilith Anor Londo

Today, Jiang Qianqian was wearing a national-style short jacket—the kind often seen on short-video platforms worn by trendy girls—though her version was exceptionally delicate and cute.

She paired it with a matching knee-length skirt and warm white tights. Her shoes were quite distinctive; floral cloth shoes can look a bit dowdy on most girls, but on Jiang Qianqian, they made Li Xingming subconsciously want to take those tiny, fragrant feet into his lap and play with them.

In the cold weather, shivering with nervousness and suffering from slight stomach cramps before an exam was standard for Jiang Qianqian.

Li Xingming’s solution to this was simple.

Warm her up!

Based on Li Xingming’s multiple tests over the past few years, the fastest way to warm her up was a surprise attack on her backside. The small, round, and perky bottom wrapped in white tights felt amazing to pat—it was a perfect equilibrium of softness and elasticity.

Jiang Qianqian was startled and quickly dodged.

Li Xingming, not yet satisfied, chased after her and gave her another pat.

"You’re dead!" Jiang Qianqian’s face turned crimson instantly. "There are so many people watching!"

"How about it, has your blood started circulating?" Li Xingming said with a cheeky grin. "Don’t worry, the key points I reviewed with you last night will definitely be useful."

"…Awoo."

Jiang Qianqian let out an ambiguous sound. After waving her arms and claws around for a bit, her emotions calmed down significantly.

In truth, she loved flirting with Li Xingming. Being in public was embarrassing, but there was a unique joy in showing off their closeness. Although she held no official title with him—merely a childhood friend taking a shortcut—she could still try to influence how others perceived them.

If everyone thought she and Li Xingming were a thing, then maybe, just maybe, he would start to feel something special for her, right?

Plus, it could ward off potential rivals.

Unfortunately, Ye Sheng was a prodigy with zero emotional intelligence who likely wouldn't fall for this tactic.

How annoying.

By the time it was time to enter the exam hall, Jiang Qianqian had mostly returned to normal. Today was the weekend, and the school was closed to students, with classrooms repurposed as exam halls.

Li Xingming had nothing to do, so he found a stone bench on the tree-lined path outside the school gate to meditate.

In the path of destiny from his previous life, one didn't have to stand to meditate; squatting worked too. Sitting or lying down was fine as well.

Actually, if one didn't care about meditation efficiency, one could even do it while... never mind, that would be too bizarre.

These were methods Li Xingming had distilled after much trial and error in his past life. Like the breathing techniques in cultivation novels, they seemed basic but were crucial for climbing the path of practice.

Jiang Qianqian seemed to lack this kind of exploratory effort. But what could he do? Li Xingming doted on her so much. She was the future support core of his team, and combined with their childhood friendship, he practically treated her like a daughter—how could he bear to let her suffer?

The "Living Soul Singer" path wasn't one that required immense suffering, but people needed to endure some hardship to avoid being too fragile.

Studying hard and passing the Awakening Test on her own was the "suffering" Li Xingming had arranged for her. Otherwise, he had a myriad of ways to help her awaken, without needing to rely on state-issued awakening agents.

The Awakening Test was spread over two days: theory on the first, practice on the second.

The theory exam consisted of three parts: "Sieris Language," "Basic Mathematics," and "Professional Synthesis." The first two were held in the morning, while the more extensive Professional Synthesis was scheduled for the afternoon.

Less than twenty minutes into the exam, the essay prompt for Sieris Language was already going viral on major social media platforms.

[If you are Lilith Anor Londo, on the eve of a great battle, you discover signs that your captain is having an affair, likely with the team's support member. You decide to knock on the support girl's door under the cover of night for a "friendly chat." Ultimately, your consultation is very pleasant, and the following day’s battle is a success.]

[Please write an argumentative essay expressing your views on this matter, or a narrative piece simulating the late-night conversation. No less than 500 words.]

On the tree-lined path, aside from Li Xingming squatting on the bench to meditate, there were many parents gathered in small groups, waiting for their children to finish the exam.

It was the perfect time for them to chatter away about the essay topic.

"Seriously, man, why are the essay prompts getting more and more abstract?"

"I know, right? Why bring up this... this romance theme? Aren't they afraid of corrupting the kids? Even though those taking the Awakening Test are adults, dating is still a distraction from studies..."

"It doesn't necessarily have to be interpreted as romance. Based on my years of sitting in on cram schools, the core theme of this prompt is actually 'unity' and 'team building.' If you only interpret it as romance, you won't get a high score."

"I see! It seems I was too shallow."

Li Xingming listened to the "know-it-alls" while meditating, finding it quite entertaining.

Come to think of it, did Lilith ever have a late-night chat with the support member?

How did he not know about that?

Was he, the captain, just too oblivious?

Self-reflection—he really needed to reflect.

Between the Sieris Language and Basic Mathematics exams, there was a short break. It wasn't long, so Jiang Qianqian stayed tucked away in the exam hall.

Li Xingming grew tired of meditating and switched to reading *Folklore of the Fresnel Region, Sixth Epoch* to pass the time.

The content of the math exam also appeared on major social media platforms within twenty minutes of the start.

The discussion was noticeably less heated than the essay prompt. After all, math was harder to grasp, and a large portion of the public had long since forgotten most of their high school math.

But the essay... anyone could chime in with an opinion.

At 11:30 AM, the exam concluded.

Based on the requirements of the chosen path, the math exam was divided into four difficulty levels: A, B, C, and D.

Judging by the expressions of the students pouring out of the exam hall, examinees of all levels felt they hadn't performed very well.

"Looks like the test was too hard," a woman who looked like a reporter muttered, immediately pulling out her phone to send a voice message. "Quick, send out the pre-written press release... Which one? 'Holding the Question Setter Accountable! Is the Rising Difficulty of the Awakening Test Math Exam Cutting Off the Path to Transcendence for Students from Humble Backgrounds?'"

The reporter put down her phone and noticed someone nearby watching her with great interest. She turned her head and met Li Xingming’s gaze.

"Student, is there something you need?" the reporter asked gently, as Li Xingming was, when silent, a handsome young man who could easily win the affection of older sisters.

"You just said 'which one,' does that mean you have multiple drafts prepared in advance?"

"Ah... yes. That's a well-known secret in the journalism industry."

"Then, if the math test had been easy, which one would you have sent?"

"'Holding the Question Setter Accountable! Does the Lack of Differentiation in the Awakening Test Math Exam Give Students from Developed Regions an Unfair Advantage?'"

"So, the question setter is always held accountable, no matter what."

"If we don't hold someone accountable, where does the traffic come from? Without traffic, who pays my salary? Sigh, being a reporter is hard, little brother; you'll understand when you grow up."

"Understood, meow."