The sky above Ironstar Bastion split open with a high-pitched resonance.
From the heavens, a spiraling pillar of silver-white lightning crashed down beside the Nexus Core. The impact cratered the ground, yet the energy pulsed in harmonic waves rather than destruction. Within the storm stood a silhouette—tall, poised, radiant with deadly grace.
Fang Yuan narrowed his eyes, sensing the overwhelming pressure. This wasn't a monster or threat—it was the call of a system-tier summon.
> [Heroic Unit Summoned – Arc-Tech Commander: Valeen Hexspark]
[Type: Hybrid – Tech/Magic | Role: Strategic Commander | Loyalty: Bound to Core]
A woman stepped forward from the light. Her armor gleamed in obsidian blue, etched with flowing neon runes. Her silver hair shimmered like fiber-optic threads. She wore no helmet, only a visor flickering with tactical data. Two drones circled above her shoulders, whispering mechanical code.
Her voice was crisp, calculated, and calm. "Designation: Valeen Hexspark, former commander of the Aeonic Front. Class: Supreme Tier Strategic Intelligence. I am yours to command, Lord of Dominion."
Fang Yuan grinned. "Welcome to the war, Commander Valeen. Let's rewrite the laws of this reality together."
---
[Dominion Core – Realm Upgrade Interface]
The storm quieted, and the Bastion pulsed with new life.
System panels surged in front of Fang Yuan, brimming with loot, data packets, and realm code fragments. The aftermath of his last victory had granted immense resources.
> [Loot Gained:]
– 3x Core Reinforcement Crystals
– 20x F-tier Summoning Scrolls
– 12x Dominion Blueprints (Assorted)
– [Skill Chip: Tactical Amplification Lv.1]
– [Trait Card: Unbreakable Ironwall – Defensive Structure Boost +20%]
> [Empire Development Options Unlocked:]
– Summoner Hall (F-tier): Unlocks elite and rare summons
– Armory (F-tier): Enables equipment upgrades and fusion
– Wall Upgrade: Tier 1 > Tier 2 (15x Essence Crystals)
– Skyforge Node (Locked: Requires E-tier Realm)
"Summoner Hall and Wall Upgrade, initiate construction," Fang Yuan ordered.
Behind him, robotic construction golems whirred into action. Drone forges unfolded. Mana-laced steel and stone formed the foundation of his new stronghold: a cathedral of war where new allies could be summoned.
Valeen walked beside him, analyzing the layout. "Optimal. We'll soon possess strategic superiority on both land and sky."
Fang Yuan turned toward the evolving Dominion Map.
---
[Diplomatic Ping: Nearby Lords Detected]
A new icon blinked on the system interface.
> [Detected: Lord Aurex – Starflame Domain | Realm Tier: E]
[Invitation: Temporary Alliance – Expires in 5 hours]
[Options: Accept | Investigate | Ignore]
"Investigate," Fang Yuan murmured.
His system lens focused on Aurex's territory. A golden-robed man stood atop a fortress of burning marble. Phoenix flames swirled around him as he commanded elemental beasts and spirit warriors. His aura was powerful, refined—an old-school cultivation monarch fused with fire-type summoning.
"Caution," Valeen said. "He seeks allies, but he's clearly aiming for Domain War conquest."
"Expected," Fang Yuan replied, eyes sharpening. "We'll bait the invitation, then position our Realm Anchor just outside his vision."
He smirked.
> [Tactic Initiated: Shadow Vanguard Deployment]
---
[Summoner Hall – First Activation]
Hours later, the new structure stood complete.
The Summoner Hall pulsed with soft violet light, encased in obsidian and crystal circuitry. Inside, twenty summoning pedestals hummed, awaiting commands.
> [F-tier Summoning Scrolls: 20 Available]
[Begin Summon x10]
[Summon Type: Hybrid Units – Realm-Wide Optimization Suggested]
Fang Yuan selected a batch summon.
> [Summoning… Loading… Decryption Complete.]
Ten bursts of radiant energy exploded around the chamber.
From them emerged diverse units:
Thunderblade Warlord – S-Tier
Netherflame Archer – A-Tier
Quantum Monk – B-Tier
Ironwood Titan – A-Tier
Soulshard Hound – C-Tier (x2)
Plasma Priestess – S-Tier
Aether Wingrider – B-Tier
Crimson Blight Assassin – A-Tier
Valeen's eyebrows raised. "Impressive yield. Multiple A and S-tier units from F-tier scrolls… Your Dominion System is evolving faster than most lords can comprehend."
Fang Yuan's mind raced. With this lineup, he could initiate a Regional Sweep Campaign. The map was littered with lesser lords and fog monsters. Conquest would feed more loot, and loot would empower the system further.
"Prepare the troops," he ordered. "Tonight, Ironstar marches."
---
[Elsewhere – Deep in the Fog]
Far from Ironstar Bastion, a figure cloaked in black robes drifted through dimensional rifts. Their face was hidden behind a cracked porcelain mask.
Floating behind them were six ancient scrolls glowing with runes older than the multiverse.
They paused. A ripple passed through the fog.
> "The Dominion System has awakened. A new Lord rises… One who walks the path of conquest, not survival. The Glitch is real."
They vanished.