[During the exam period, gain recognition from at least 20 servant disciples in the sect (3/20)]

Looking at the newly popped-up task, Lin Li raised an eyebrow slightly, his mind becoming active.

While continuing to write an essay diligently, Lin Li's brain was also rapidly processing this task.

Gain recognition, huh?

After glancing at the task introduction, Lin Li roughly figured out the logic behind it.

Du Hansi must have shared his situation with others present to ensure he could focus on the exam, persuading curious onlookers not to disturb him.

This explained the previous glances.

They listened and, upon realizing he's a 'good student' who just wants to take the exam, immediately lost interest, thinking he's someone they can't really connect with?

That's likely the case.

So, the condition for completing the task is to gain recognition from at least 20 out of the 27 students in this examination hall, excluding himself.

The task progress is already at (3/20), with one of them undoubtedly being Du Hansi, given that Lin Li overpowered him both physically and mentally during the sports event, gaining his admiration.

As for the other two who recognize Lin Li, he hasn't a clue.

"Teacher, I can't hold it any longer, can I go to the restroom?" a student raised a hand to the invigilator, face tight with what seemed like considerable discomfort.

The invigilator naturally agreed, and Lin Li lifted his head to look around the classroom.

By now, the Chinese exam had been underway for over an hour, and the crowd in the hall wasn't as lively anymore. The heavy rain had dashed their test dreams, each settling quietly.

Passing notes had almost vanished, half were sleeping, while the rest were either on their phones or staring at the classroom clock in a daze, spinning pens.

A while later, the student who'd gone to the restroom returned, looking relieved instead of distressed.

Seriously?

Why does this guy smell like smoke?

What exactly couldn't you hold in?

With his keen sense of smell, Lin Li wanted to comment.

Whatever, in this examination hall, it seems normal.

In this strange place, you can even see people taking the exam: a few in the first group are still writing their papers.

"There are people taking the exam in the test hall," it's such a magical sentence in Chinese; who would dare believe it?

But on second thought, Lin Li realized that's because they're the first group.

They are top-ranking students, second only to Lin Li himself in their grade, so continuing with their papers could be understood.

Perhaps the two unknown people who've recognized him are among them, acknowledging his academic excellence.

However, Lin Li understood he couldn't complete this task relying solely on his ranking, as most in the hall wouldn't find it impressive and might think he's just a bookish student.

There are quite a few athletes in this hall; should he display his physical fitness?

Like in the gym before, gaining recognition via arm-wrestling or similar post-exam methods?

That might be one effective strategy worth trying later.

After quickly finishing his essay and checking for errors, Lin Li used the excuse of going to the restroom to memorize all the information from the seating chart outside and returned to match names with faces in his class.

Know yourself and your enemy, and you'll be unbeatable. With the sect competition lasting three days, using non-exam periods like lunch breaks and evening self-study sessions to make gradual progress could be a clumsy but reliable plan, something to fall back on.

"Buzz—buzz—"

On the podium, the invigilator's phone buzzed.

Immediately, he stood up and announced loudly to the classroom: "There's only half an hour left in the examination."

"Teacher, I want to submit my paper—!" The classroom instantly erupted, everyone like soldiers hearing the call to charge, rushing to hand in their papers.

The invigilator considerately added: "Wake up the sleeping classmates around you, it's time to get up."

Really, Lin Li was in tears.

In just a moment of distraction, Lin Li found only himself still seated, with only a few drowsy others waking and rubbing their eyes.

F*ck, was I just caught in a time stop?

Everyone moved so swiftly.

As the invigilator organized answer sheets and tucked them under his arm preparing to leave, he noticed Lin Li still had one on the desk.

"Student, aren't you going to submit?" The invigilator asked cautiously, with a probing look.

Lin Li understood why the invigilator had that look; if he didn't submit, he'd have to stay in the hall with Lin Li.

If it were Xue Jian or Wang Ziyan, Lin Li might choose not submitting just to torment them, but not with this unfamiliar invigilator—no point.

Moreover, he needed to align with the others in the hall for granularity, so Lin Li nodded:

"I am."

After handing in the answer sheet, Lin Li carried his exam paper out of the classroom.

The fifth floor was crowded, with far more people than when he'd submitted in other exam rooms.

It was hard to tell if there were still half an hour left of the exam, or if it had completely finished.

"Lin Li, do you have an umbrella?" Du Hansi, already ready near the door, asked Lin Li while watching the rain starting again.

"Yes."

"Then can you take me to the cafeteria under your umbrella? Mine's in the classroom and they likely won't let me in now, and I don't want to wait," Du Hansi asked hopefully.