Homelander paused slightly, considering the pros and cons of these two options.
Super Ego explained in detail from the side.
"If you choose the natural birth mode, the Genesis Chamber will cultivate an embryo. But we need to find a suitable host to implant it into for a normal pregnancy and delivery."
"Kryptonians born in this mode have more stable genetic sequences and a higher potential for future growth."
"But the downside is that their power awakening is relatively slow. They need to grow up like ordinary humans, usually not until they are thirteen to sixteen years old, when their physical functions have matured, will they gradually awaken the full power of the Kryptonian bloodline."
"If you choose the rapid cultivation mode, although the growth potential is not as high as natural birth, they can quickly grow into adults in just a few months, rapidly forming combat-ready forces."
Homelander frowned slightly after hearing this.
Thirteen to sixteen years old?
He couldn't wait that long.
The Celestials could descend at any time, and there were various BOSSes hidden in the shadows who had not yet emerged; Earth had never had a truly peaceful day.
He didn't have a dozen years to play a raising simulation game.
"Rapid cultivation!" Homelander made his decision decisively.
"Understood." Super Ego operated the control panel for a moment.
"Master, please preset the gender of the cultivation subject."
Gender, huh...
Homelander raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Need you ask? Of course, it's female."
"Who doesn't love seeing long-legged blondes in red miniskirts? The fans will absolutely love them!"
"Gender locked: Female. Cultivation cycle: Three months. Starting sequence."
Homelander nodded with satisfaction.
"In three months, she will become Vought's new brand ambassador."
...
Svartalfheim.
Loki put on his horned helmet, brushed the dust off his shoulders, and an arrogant smile returned to his lips.
He couldn't be King in Asgard, and he had to be mocked by that idiot Thor, who stole all the spotlight.
But here, he was the high and mighty King.
Loki spread his arms and walked forward with an arrogant stride.
"My subjects, come out and welcome your King!" Loki proclaimed loudly.
The wind howled.
It was quiet all around; not a single Dark Elf came out to greet him.
The atmosphere was somewhat eerie.
Loki lowered his arms, frowned slightly, and his magic daggers were ready.
"Long time no see, Loki."
A low, resonant voice with chest vibrations slowly emerged from the shadows ahead.
Loki's scalp tingled instantly.
He was too familiar with that voice.
Run!
Almost as an instinctive reaction, Loki's body flashed with light, instantly conjuring six identical duplicates that sped off in six different directions.
"Ridiculous trick."
A cold snort rang out.
Standing beside Thanos, Ebony Maw elegantly raised his right hand and gently hooked his withered fingers in mid-air.
From the black rock beneath Loki's feet, a dozen thick, twisted pieces of metal shot out.
These metals, like giant snakes, directly formed a metal cage, enveloping all of Loki's figures within it.
Then it tightened abruptly; the illusions touched by the cage turned into green light and dissipated.
And the real Loki, forced with nowhere to run and with his range of movement compressed, was tied up tightly and thrown to the ground.
In the shadows, Thanos's hulking body slowly walked into Loki's line of sight.
Ebony Maw followed him like a ghost, his fingers slightly hooked, controlling the metal that trapped Loki.
Seeing that he couldn't escape, Loki stopped struggling. His expression changed, and he instantly put on a warm smile as if reuniting with an old friend.
"Good heavens, look who it is!" Loki exclaimed loudly, trying to make himself appear less disheveled.
"Thanos! This is truly fate. I was just planning to visit you after finishing up some chores here."
Thanos stopped in front of Loki, looking down at him from above.
"Visit?" Thanos's tone was calm but full of oppressive pressure. "With my Tesseract?"
"About that..." Loki blinked, his mind racing.
"That was a small accident. You know, the situation on Midgard is a bit more complicated than we anticipated."
"I lent you a massive Chitauri army." Thanos said with a cold smile, "And I gave you the priceless Mind Stone."
"In return, you promised to bring back the Tesseract from Earth and hand it to me."
Thanos leaned down slightly, his massive shadow completely engulfing Loki.
"And the result? Not only did you fail to bring back the Tesseract, but you also lost my precious Mind Stone..."
"Tell me, Prince of Asgard. How should we settle this debt?"
Loki let out a dry laugh.
"Business always has risks, brother." Loki tentatively tossed out a shield. "How about... we put this debt on Odin's tab?"
"After all, I am a god of Asgard, the Son of Odin."
"I am his favorite son, and he would be more than happy to compensate you for me. You know, Asgard's vault has many good things, you can take your pick."
Loki subtly reminded Thanos that the All-Father stood behind him. He should weigh the consequences before touching him.
"Odin? Hmph..." Thanos said disdainfully, "His era has ended."
Thanos leaned closer to Loki, grabbed his neck, and slowly tightened his grip.
"As for your consequences... I will peel you apart piece by piece, and let you spend every second of the next few thousand years in agony."
Loki's face turned pale; he knew this madman Thanos was capable of anything.
"Wait! I know where the Infinity Stones are!" Loki quickly threw out his trump card. "I know you are looking for them!"
Thanos's eyes flickered, and his fingers loosened slightly.
"Midgard! That human called Homelander!"
Seeing that Thanos was interested, Loki immediately threw out the intelligence he held.
"He has at least two Infinity Stones in his possession! Both the Mind Stone and the Reality Stone are with him!"
Thanos remained silent.
Seeing that Thanos did not interrupt, Loki continued to offer his schemes.
"I know his weaknesses."
Loki nonchalantly withdrew his neck and revealed a sinister smile.
"He is a typical Superhero! He considers himself the Guardian of Midgard all day long. Full of morality, valuing emotional ties, and regarding his reputation as more important than anything else."
"And that is his fatal flaw, buddy."
Loki lowered his voice, his tone certain.
"You just need to send someone to kidnap his friends, then lead an army to press the border, and threaten him with the lives of all humanity."
"With a two-pronged approach, he will definitely compromise for the sake of those weaklings and hand over the stones on a silver platter."
"Believe me, this trick works every time on Superheroes."
After hearing Loki's long-winded speech, Thanos remained unmoved, a look of mockery even flashing in his eyes.
"Homelander..." Thanos shook his head. "That Planet of his is in big trouble right now, and I'm not in a hurry to wade into those muddy waters."
"But the Tesseract you owe me, you must give it to me."
Thanos fixed his gaze back on Loki.
"You mentioned kidnapping earlier? I think that method is not bad..."
Loki was stunned.
"Come with me, god..."
Thanos strode into the darkness.
Ebony Maw manipulated the metal, dragging the desperately struggling Loki behind him.
***************************
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