"I..." Faced with Kratos's unfeeling coldness, the Eighteenth Elder wore a conflicted expression.
After hesitating for a long while, he finally nodded slowly.
"Alright, I agree to hand my two children over to you."
"But... not now."
"Not now?" Kratos's brows drew together, the coldness in his eyes gradually turning into killing intent.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you planning to wait until I've settled the Blue Flame Star Zone for you before handing the hostages over?"
"No, no, no..." The Eighteenth Elder shook his head repeatedly in denial.
"I just need time to summon the two of them back and go through the official procedures."
"After all, the entire Kero Clan isn't mine alone to command, and the one we're deceiving this time is Wushe, God's Chosen One..."
"If we act rashly and draw the attention of others, our whole plan will be ruined."
"You certainly don't want that to happen either, do you?"
Kratos's frown deepened.
He stared into the Eighteenth Elder's eyes for a long while before asking again, "How long?"
Elsewhere.
At the border between the Tempest Domain and the Scorching Domain.
Erfu, the Spirit Clan's home planet.
Within a hidden palace somewhere in the White Rock Mountains.
Spirit King Arthur had already shed his magnificent robes and changed into plain clothes.
The attendants at his side had also been sent outside to stand guard.
Only a young commander and a white-haired, wrinkled old Spirit Clan woman remained with him.
The young Spirit Clan commander was his adopted son, whom he had raised since childhood. He had a steady, kind nature and extraordinary talent in battle.
Arthur felt that the boy greatly resembled himself in his youth, so he had intentionally groomed him and kept him by his side all year round.
As for the