Fog lifted across the Crimson Ridge. What was once a dead land now shimmered with life and sovereignty. The dominion of Fang Yuan expanded like wildfire across the fragmented Aether Realm, his Ironstar Empire drawing the gaze of distant lords—and something far more ancient.
The System's interface shimmered with fresh data.
> [Realm Notification: Crimson Ridge Zone Purified] [Influence Expanded: +4,200 square kilometers] [Dominion Level Raised: E-Tier Realm Lord] [New Systems Unlocked: Multiversal Diplomacy | World Token Market | Dimensional Gate Access (Stage 1)]
Fang Yuan stood on the new capital balcony—a sleek obsidian tower pulsing with arc-tech lines of blue mana. Around him, floating bastions, upgraded summoning pillars, and mechanized cultivator forges buzzed with life.
Arc-Tech Commander Valeen appeared, kneeling.
"My Lord, multiple realm factions have detected your ascent. Two dominant empires seek audience. Their envoys approach via interrealm gate: Flameborne Dominion and the Glacial Vassal Court."
Fang Yuan smiled coldly. "Let them come. The First Realm War begins now."
---
[Scene: Multiversal Embassy - Ironstar Capital, Obsidian Core Hall]
Twin gates pulsed open. Two figures stepped forth:
One, clad in crimson flame-armor laced with dragonbone, his eyes glowing like embers. General Kael'Thar, the Infernal Spear, emissary of the Flameborne Dominion.
The other, a woman of moon-pale skin and glacial breath, her dress an icy storm made manifest. Lady Nyssra, Iceflower of the Eternal Court, envoy of the Glacial Vassals.
"Ironstar Lord," Kael'Thar growled, spear tapping. "You burn brightly. The Flameborne crave your allegiance—or your ashes."
Nyssra simply smirked, crystalline frost dancing across her fingers. "The cold preserves what fire destroys. Join the Glacial Accord, and we shall freeze your rise into eternity."
Fang Yuan waved a hand. Golden throne rising, he sat, eyes gleaming silver.
"You misunderstand."
He leaned forward.
"You're not here to offer me alliances. You're here to witness your own end."
> [Lord Skill Activated: Dominion Intimidation Lv.5 (Epic Tier)]
Both envoys stiffened as their System interface flickered.
> [Alert: Lord Fang Yuan possesses Undefined Glitch Authority | Estimated Power Ranking: Unquantifiable]
"Prepare your realms. The Fog Wars were merely a tutorial."
Fang Yuan stood, summoning a radiant orb.
> [System Announcement: Ironstar Empire declares Realm War - Stage 1 Activation] [Target Zones: Emberwaste (Flameborne) | Cryo-Crags (Glacial Vassals)] [Writ of Conquest Granted: All Loot, Skills, Artifacts, and Unit Blueprints Droppable at 100% Rate]
---
[Scene: Emberwaste Conflict - Battlefront: Ashfang Cliffs]
Valeen led the aerial fleet—Arc-Tech Skycruisers launching orbital strikes against phoenix-mounted warlocks. Her new command interface crackled.
> [Unit Upgrade Activated: Skycruiser Omega Variant] [Skills Enhanced: Orbital Lance Strike, Anti-Magic Shields, EMP Pulse (x3 Range)]
Below, the Thunderblade Warlord led the Storm Infantry through molten valleys.
"Push forward! Fang Yuan rewards only victory!"
The battle reached its crescendo when a colossal flaming colossus rose.
> [Enemy Boss Detected: Infernosoul Juggernaut - Legendary Tier]
Fang Yuan blinked in personally, wielding a new weapon: Voidpiercer Halberd (dropped from the Revenant King).
> [Personal Skill: Limitless Strike Lv. MAX + Glitch Modifier: Cascade Echo]
His attack shattered the Juggernaut's core in one blow, energy detonating across kilometers.
> [Loot Acquired: Ember Crown (Realm Artifact) | Legendary Fire-Elemental Blueprint x3 | 42 Skill Chips]
> [Subrealm Conquered: Emberwaste Annexed]
---
[Scene: Cryo-Crags Conflict - Snowveil Fortress]
The Glacial Vassals had deployed constructs of ice and time magic. Lady Nyssra herself wielded the ancient artifact Hourglass of Frozen Eternity.
Valeen led an elite strike unit of Shadowmist Slayers and Chrono Lancers, exploiting time-lag patterns to break through.
Meanwhile, Fang Yuan unveiled his newest summon:
> [Mythic Summon Unlocked: Celestial Rift Dragon (Hybrid: Arcane+Void+Time)] [Trait: Devour Space | Passive: Time Distortion Field | Active: Reality Rend Lv. MAX]
The battle turned mythic.
Fang Yuan cleaved through time barriers, countering Nyssra's frozen timestop with his glitch-powered mana pool.
> [Boss Defeated: Lady Nyssra] [Captured Artifact: Hourglass of Frozen Eternity (World Modifier)]
> [Realm Annexed: Cryo-Crags now part of Ironstar Sovereignty]
---
[Scene: Ironstar Throneworld - Obsidian Core Throne Room]
> [System Notification: Realm War Stage 1 Complete] [Empire Rank: D-Tier Achieved] [New Functions Unlocked: Dominion-Level Construction, Interdimensional Hero Summoning, Faction Tree Evolution] [Loot Summary: 7 Legendary Blueprints | 3 Mythic Skill Orbs | 2 Realm Artifacts | 8 S-Tier Hero Contracts]
Fang Yuan smiled.
"Two realms fall, and yet... the true war is only beginning."
His map expanded again—hundreds of realms flickering across the system grid.
Each one was a world.
Each one… soon to be his.
---
End of Chapter 4: Realm War Stage 1 – Concluded
Next Chapter Preview: "Chapter 5: Starforged Wives and the Treasury of Eternity"
Introduction of Divine Wife Faction: Starforged Seraphim
Loot Tier Advancement: God-Tier Treasury Unlocked
Integration of Ancient and Modern Tech Labs
Glitch System Fragment Detected in Forbidden Star Vault