[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-strongest-existence-becomes-teacher":3,"chapter-strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-chapter-148":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Strongest Existence Becomes Teacher",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1723560,2200,"Chapter 148: Rules And Team Formation","strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-chapter-148",148,"\u003Cp>The white space trembled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of Astralis Arcanum students stood scattered across the endless brightness, their figures small against the infinite void. The echo of the mysterious woman’s voice still lingered in the air—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Competition of the Conscious Nexus!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of confusion erupted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What competition!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this some kind of joke!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Send us back—NOW!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This... this has to be a dream, right? RIGHT!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone pinch me—AH! NOT SO HARD!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chaos spread in seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some tried running, only to find their steps leading nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some crouched on the floor, covering their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And some... simply stared blankly, unable to understand any of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the noise, Ron, Lia, Selene, and Jax stood together in a small circle — each trying to process the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron scanned the endless space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s no exit. No walls. Nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lia held her hands close to her chest, silver-tinted hair glowing faintly in the bright space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This feels... too real to be a dream.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jax exhaled sharply, running a hand through his chestnut hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why us? Who would drag an entire dorm of students here...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene bit her lip, voice low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This presence... whoever that woman is, she’s not normal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before any of them could speak again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>DING—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cheerful yet unsettlingly calm voice of the mysterious woman returned, echoing across the blank space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone, attention please~!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You all... have been chosen to participate in this wonderful competition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"CHOSEN!? By who!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What for!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least explain something—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice continued, ignoring the questions entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the winner...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone brightened dramatically, like she was announcing the grand prize on a stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...will receive a unique and powerful artifact!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Artifact...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A powerful one?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-wait, what level are we talking about? Legendary? Mythic?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A real artifact!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even those who were panicking a moment ago slowly lifted their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Excitement crept into their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Temptation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, in Astralis Arcanum, even touching an artifact was a privilege.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Owning one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dream most mages would never achieve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now a mysterious entity was offering one as a prize?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whispers spread like wildfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe this competition is worth it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean, if the reward is real...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Artifact... an actual artifact...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we win... our futures would be made!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jax frowned deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This isn’t good... People are getting hooked.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene nodded with a worried look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s intentional. Temptation to control the crowd. Whoever she is... she knows exactly how to handle people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron clenched his fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t like this at all...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lia’s eyes narrowed, sensing something deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something... is wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the voice only laughed lightly, as if enjoying the growing mix of fear and excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The competition was about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astralis Arcanum – Teachers’ Residence\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane’s Room\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the outside, Zane’s room looked completely normal — quiet, tidy, and empty as always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exactly what a student or teacher passing by would expect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But inside...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire room was wrapped in a thick blue mana barrier, humming softly like a giant heartbeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sealed the room completely — soundproof, sense-proof, even resistant to spatial detection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside that sealed environment, Zane sat comfortably on a chair, one arm resting on the armrest, the other lazily supporting his chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him floated a massive holographic screen, projected from a sleek grey laptop on his desk — the surface engraved with a glowing, stylized Z.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the screen:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of panicked students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Voices overlapping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene clutching her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron scanning the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lia calming herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jax confused and annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire scene played out clearly, as if Zane were watching a livestream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks lively.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him hovered Eira — the real one — her holographic projection floating a few inches above his technowatch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was holding a tiny holographic mic, shimmering with pink sparkles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eira leaned slightly toward the screen and cleared her throat dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Khm—khm~!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Participants, get ready!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explanation for the Competition of the Conscious Nexus is about to begin~!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cheerful voice echoed into the white space, but her body remained right beside Zane, not inside the void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Why are you using a mic? Your voice already projects directly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eira puffed her cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It feels more professional, Boss! Like a real host announcer!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expression blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>William stood on the table nearby — monocle glinting, cane held politely — watching Eira’s performance with fascination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boss...\" William whispered. \"Is she supposed to sound this enthusiastic?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane leaned back in his chair, expression thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know,\" he admitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Her personality’s changed quite a bit from what she originally was.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>William tilted his head. \"Originally?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before... she was a mortal-hating immortal goddess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She absolutely despised anything troublesome and would never do something like hosting a competition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>William blinked several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...And now she’s... like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eira, still ignoring both of them, raised her tiny mic again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a bright, enthusiastic tone, she announced into the white void:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All contestants, please calm down and remain where you are~!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your instructions will be given shortly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the screen, dozens of students jolted in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some shouted questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some panicked even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane watched with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So begins the Conscious Nexus.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned back in his chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And let’s see who survives this round.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue mana barrier pulsed faintly, sealing the room tighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one in Astralis Arcanum would know what was happening here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>--\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white space trembled with noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students were shouting, panicking, or shaking their heads in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some backed away, others tried running, but no matter where they moved, everything remained the same blank white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron, Lia, Selene, and Jax stood close together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All four wore tense expressions—except Jax, who looked like he still hadn’t fully processed the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Eira’s cheerful voice echoed again, bright and loud:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay participants~! Time to explain the rules of this competition!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words rolled through the space, cutting through the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, the students fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eira continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The competition will be held in teams of four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You may create a team with anyone you want... until the timer ends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, teams will be decided automatically.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of murmurs followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some students gulped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some clenched their fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There will be three phases,\" Eira said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tests based on teamwork, individual strength, and quick thinking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That statement put even more pressure on the atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students exchanged glances, realizing this wasn’t going to be easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The stages will be difficult. And yes— you can die here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gasps rippled through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But don’t panic!\" Eira added quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you die here, you won’t die in the real world...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sigh of relief spread—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>until she finished the sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...but you will forget everything that happens in the Conscious Nexus.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confusion returned immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some students looked horrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others looked angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And some were just stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eira raised her voice again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If more than one team clears all three phases,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>there will be a final round—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a Team Battle Royale!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words hit the crowd like a thunderbolt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouting started again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some students panicked, others pumped their fists in excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only ONE team of four,\" Eira announced,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"will win the final prize—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a unique and powerful artifact!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, the entire white space shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear was replaced with greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Excitement mixed with tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone understood how high the stakes were now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron stayed rigid, jaw tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lia’s fingers trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Jax looked around dumbly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So... when does this start?\" he muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene stared at him in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How are you calm right now!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jax blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not calm. I’m just waiting for it to start, I mean we can’t do anything else, right ?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene dragged a hand down her face, sighing deeply at Jax’s confused reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You’re impossible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no point arguing with him right now. Everyone around them was tense, and her patience was hanging by a thread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before any of them could speak again, the mysterious woman’s voice echoed smoothly through the endless white space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bright, cheerful, and completely unfitting for the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, participants~! It’s time to form your teams of four!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcement rolled across the void, causing the already tense crowd to stiffen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you want to team up with your friends, simply stand together in a circle... and raise your hands.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of movement rippled through the students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some immediately ran to their friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some hesitated, scanning the area for someone they trusted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others simply froze, unsure what to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron turned first, eyes settling on the three people he trusted most here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lia met his gaze, worry in her eyes but a quiet resolve behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene looked between them, taking a steady breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jax caught all their stares and blinked before giving a small, awkward nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without needing to speak, they stepped closer and formed a small circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron lifted his hand slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On three. One... two...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All four raised their hands together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft pulse of energy spread under their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light gathered around them — gentle at first, then brighter as it wrapped their group in a glowing ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene’s eyes widened as the glow strengthened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So this means we’re recognized.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lia exhaled slowly, relief and tension mixing on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s official, then. We’re a team.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jax tilted his head, watching the glow with mild fascination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh... kinda cool.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron allowed himself a small nod, though his jaw remained tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This works.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around them, more circles of light began appearing as other students completed their groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some groups glowed brightly with confidence, while others flickered with hesitation and fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Formations took shape one after another, filling the white space with clusters of faintly shining teams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere shifted noticeably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The panic softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The confusion faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What remained was a tense, focused anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first step of the Conscious Nexus had begun.\u003C\u002Fp>",1677,"2026-06-06T15:36:01.016Z",1,"novelbin.me","ed4a22c6ad0a16c859eec39d0f8b70e94e07f23264de1a52decc5d829e24026c","strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-chapter-149","strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-chapter-147",275,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstrongest-existence-becomes-teacher-cover.jpg"]