Chapter 37: Ch 37: Stage 4

Aegis and his followers returned to the Aquabyss Domain.

The familiar liveliness returned to the Sea God’s Palace.

The Phoenix girls and the Sanguine Imperials played in the courtyard.

Alongside Naida, Aegis began inspecting the marine creatures up close.

The dual-headed Hydra and the Crab King also accompanied them through the sea.

The changes were fast and visibly noticeable.

The once lifeless sea was becoming lively, filled with sea creatures in every corner.

During the five days Aegis spent on the Tree of Life, fifty days had passed in the sea.

However, sightseeing was not his goal today.

To upgrade to a Stage 4 island, he needed a total of fifty followers.

As such, he began adding sea creatures as his followers one after another.

Among his newly added followers, the most prominent were the swordfishes and sea crabs.

He believed that if he could provide enough synthesis to them, he could forge them into a terrifying legion within his army.

But that was a priority for later.

Right now, his focus was on upgrading his domain.

Originally, he needed 10 Sky Crystals and 50 followers to advance to Stage 4.

He had achieved both.

Without delay, he gave the command to the system.

“Initiate upgrade.”

< Command Received. Initiating the Upgrade… >

The moment the command was accepted, the entire Aquabyss Domain trembled.

Not violently.

But profoundly.

From the palace foundations to the farthest reaches of the seabed, a deep resonant hum spread through the ocean.

The Sea God’s Palace also glowed faintly as ancient runes lit up along its walls, responding to the system’s authority.

< Upgrading Island: Aquabyss Domain >

< Stage 3 → Stage 4 >

Then the domain itself answered.

The borders of the Aquabyss Domain began to expand outward, pushing against the surrounding void like a living organism reclaiming lost territory. Invisible boundaries stretched farther and farther, swallowing new waters into its dominion.

< Territory Expansion Confirmed >

< Domain Size Increased: 20,000 sq. meters → 30,000 sq. meters >

Aegis watched silently as the map of his domain unfolded within his consciousness.

New trenches formed naturally, deeper and richer in mana. Where there had once been barren rock, Coral reefs bloomed. Vast kelp forests grew at impossible speed, and their leaves shimmered with faint blue light.

The water quality changed.

It became purer. Denser with life essence.

Schools of fish multiplied rapidly, moving in elegant formations. Crustaceans grew larger and sturdier. Even low-tier marine beasts showed signs of evolution, their bodies adapting to the enriched environment.

Swordfish swam in disciplined groups now. Their blades became sharper, their movements were more synchronized. They were no longer just predators.

They were soldiers in the making.

The dual-headed Hydra let out a low, approving roar as the sea around it deepened. The Crab King clicked its massive claws, absorbing the surplus earth and water mana seeping into its shell.

Naida’s eyes were full of pride.

“The sea is responding to you more strongly than before, Your Grace,” she said softly.

Aegis could feel it too.

The bond between him and the Aquabyss Domain had grown tighter. Stronger. More absolute.

Then a new system panel appeared before his eyes.

< Stage 4 Island Effects Unlocked >

• Marine Growth Rate +30%

• Sea Creature Evolution Chance Increased

• Domain Defense Strength Enhanced

• New Oceanic Biomes Unlocked

< Stage 4 Passive Traits >

Hydro-Regeneration 150%, Time Excelleration 15x

Then, another line appeared.

< Next Stage Requirement: Stage 5 >

• Sky Crystals Required: 25

• Followers Required: 120

• Special Condition: Establish one Subordinate Domain OR conquer an enemy Stage 4 island

Aegis narrowed his eyes.

Stage 5 would no longer be a simple matter of growth.

It demanded expansion through dominance.

Either he would spread his influence peacefully by creating a subordinate domain…

Or he would take one by force.

The sea around him continued to churn with life, unaware that its ruler had already begun planning the next conquest.

“This world really doesn’t allow stagnation,” Aegis murmured.

The Aquabyss Domain had grown.

And with it, so had his ambition.

His growth did not go unnoticed.

Almost immediately, the Island Leaderboard updated, reshuffling itself before the eyes of countless Skylords across the world.

[ Island Leaderboard Update ]

[ 1st Place – Holy_Emperor (Stage 4) ]

[ 2nd Place – Aegis (Stage 4) ]

[ 3rd Place – Skadi_Supremacy (Stage 3) ]

…..

For a brief second, the world seemed to pause.

Then—

The Global Chatbox exploded.

[ Firestarter ]: WHAT?? Aegis jumped to 2nd place already?!

[ ThreeBeautifulPrincesses ]: Wait, didn’t he just finish the Global Event? How did he upgrade so fast?!

[ xX_GamerDad_Xx ]: Stage 4 already… that’s insane growth speed.

[ DesertFox ]: I told you all. Don’t underestimate Aegis. This is just the beginning.

[ Holy_Emperor ]: Hmph. Second place is still second. Don’t get cocky, Mongrel.

[ Admin_01 ]: Interesting. Two Stage 4 islands now. The competition is heating up.

[ RandomUser_774 ]: Does anyone else feel like Aegis is playing a completely different game?

Back in the Aquabyss Domain, Aegis stared at the leaderboard with a calm expression.

Second place.

He felt nothing.

No pride, nor any excitement.

Only clarity.

“Holy Emperor…” he murmured softly.

A Stage 4 island already meant that the man was no longer just expanding.

He was conquering.

And now, the gap between them was no longer distant.

Naida glanced at him, sensing the change in his aura.

“Your Grace, your name is spreading very fast.” she said gently

Aegis closed the leaderboard window with a flick of his will.

“Let it spread. Rankings don’t matter.” he replied calmly.

The ocean behind him rippled, vast and alive, responding to his presence.

“What matters is who will still be standing when this world stops pretending to be a game.”

Naida shook her head, then looked straight into his eyes.

“That’s true. But you should smile a little more. I wish to see you truly happy. What’s the point of being an emotionless conqueror, Your Grace?”

Aegis reply was swift and absolute:

“Who said I’m emotionless? I just stopped caring about things that don’t matter.”

Naida’s brows knit together slightly.

“And what does matter to you now?”

He looked past her, toward the endless sea stretching beyond the palace balcony. The waves moved gently, obedient, alive.

After a brief pause, he added:

“Survival. Strength. Control.”

Then, more quietly, “And the people who stand behind me.”

Naida’s face formed a charming curve.

“You care more than you let on.You just bury it under responsibility.”

Aegis did not deny it.

“This world doesn’t reward kindness, Naida. It punishes hesitation. If I hesitate, they die. If I soften, they suffer.”

He moved his gaze back to her.

“So if becoming a conqueror is the price for protecting what’s mine, then I’ll pay it.”

Naida stepped closer, her face pure and radiant.

“And what about you, Your Grace? Who protects your heart?”

For the first time, Aegis hesitated.

Just for a second though.

Then he looked away.

“That’s not important.”

Naida smiled faintly, not pushing further.

“Your grace, One day you’ll realize that even gods need something worth returning to.”

The sea breeze passed between them, carrying the scent of salt and life.

Aegis said nothing.

But for a brief moment, he genuinely smiled.

Just a little.

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