"What's wrong with you?"
Rose asked as she approached Ge Xiaolun, noticing his distracted expression. Despite being underwater, Rose's ability to traverse through micro-wormholes allowed her to catch up with Ge Xiaolun effortlessly.
"Rose, I'm fine. Just lost in thought for a moment."
Ge Xiaolun replied indifferently. If it had been before, Rose initiating a conversation with him would have excited him. However, for some reason, this time he had no mood to engage with her. His mind was tangled, and he just wanted to think alone.
He was torn between his feelings for Rose and those for Angel Leng. Often, people fail to appreciate what they have and desperately chase what they don't. Rose, noticing Ge Xiaolun's aloofness, felt a bit upset. She couldn't understand why she felt so empty even though she should be pleased that Ge Xiaolun was no longer trying to please her.
Nevertheless, Rose, being proud, said, "If you don't want to talk about it, fine. It's not like I really want to know." After saying that, she used her micro-wormhole ability to leave Ge Xiaolun's side.
Ge Xiaolun watched as Rose departed, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something but he stayed silent until she was gone.
The training time passed quickly. For ordinary people, such training would be at the limit of human endurance, but for super soldiers like Ge Xiaolun and the others, it was merely a warm-up.
However, due to the limited space aboard the giant ship, they couldn't conduct more intense training. Therefore, Emperor Lena decided to enhance the intelligence of the troop by learning advanced knowledge. The first topic was the use of micro-wormholes.
And so, the soldiers found themselves back in their student days.
**...
In the Chiyu Star System, Pluto, at the Worm Bridge Station.**
The large spacecraft of the Taotie civilization had quietly exited from the Great Worm Bridge. They were the advance fleet of the Taotie civilization, testing Earth's defensive capabilities with their first wave of attack.
In the command ship of the advance team, the commanders Xiong Lu and Feng Lei were discussing how to initiate the first battle on Earth.
"Our advance operation in the Chiyu Star System might have already been detected by some divine civilizations."
Commander Xiong Lu said.
"With me, Karl, here, besides the angels, are there any other deities we need to watch out for?"
Commander Feng Lei responded. Besides the angels mentioned by the Gluttonous King, Feng Lei seemed unconcerned about anyone else.
"Previously, our advance team invaded Huaxia's Giant Canyon City and discovered intelligent life forms far surpassing pre-nuclear civilizations."
"Moreover, I've heard from our deity Karl that the main deity of Earth also made a move at that time."
Commander Xiong Lu said. Both he and Feng Lei, like the previous Taotie invaders, were void warriors modified by Death God Karl. Thus, they were fully aware of the fate of the advance warriors defeated by Zhang Zheng.
"But Tianhe City, which also possesses a super civilization monument, has shown no defensive power against our Taotie vanguard. We can start our invasion there, creating casualties to please our deity Karl."
"As for Earth's main deity, he has a pact with our deity Karl. As long as we don't use nuclear-level strikes against Earth, he won't take action."
Xiong Lu, though wary of Zhang Zheng, had a certain misplaced confidence in Karl and the Taotie's power. Thus, he didn't believe that Earth's forces could hinder the Taotie invasion.
"What if the Earth people use nuclear weapons? Their arsenal is capable of destroying the planet hundreds of times."
Feng Lei, less optimistic than Xiong Lu, questioned the strategy. With restrictions on their own weapons but none on the enemy's, he wondered how the war could be won.
"Earth's civilization is a derivative of the Old God River civilization, which highly respects life."
"We can use this to our advantage by keeping our warships close to the ground, making them reluctant to use nuclear weapons against us."
Xiong Lu explained.
Influenced by Karl, the Taotie showed no respect for life, whether enemy or their own.
**...
On Earth, at Zhang Zheng's home.**
While chatting with Shixin, Zhang Zheng suddenly paused, then resumed their conversation.
"What's wrong, Zhang Zheng?"
Shixin noticed Zhang Zheng's change in expression and asked.
"Nothing, the Taotie's advance fleet has arrived in the solar system."
"I estimate it won't be long before they reach Earth and start the first battle."
Zhang Zheng said, his tone calm and untroubled. At his level of power, unless it involved particularly significant matters or people, nothing could stir his inner calm.
"Do we need to participate? If so, I'll notify Sister Leng and Lingxi to come back immediately."
Shixin said. Although Shixin might not care much about Earth since it had rejected the angels' justice and she was now Zhang Zheng's guardian angel, she inquired out of concern for Zhang Zheng.
"Hmm… call Sister Leng and the others back."
"You don't need to fight. This is just a small-scale invasion. If the troops can't handle even this, then Earth is truly in danger."
"The reason for calling them back isn't for battle. I'm worried that Morgana might take advantage of the chaos to attack them."
Zhang Zheng said, pulling Shixin into a hug, showing his affection.
"Alright, I understand."
Shixin replied. Although she said this, she looked somewhat displeased because she felt she was participating in an unjust situation, watching a weaker civilization being invaded by a stronger one.
Zhang Zheng noticed Shixin's thoughts and hugged her tighter.
"Don't feel guilty. Queen Kesha won't blame you because this is my decision."
"If Ge Xiaolun and the others can't handle this, they don't deserve to be the future gods of Earth."
"Besides, Shixin, do you really think I haven't prepared anything?"
Zhang Zheng had been preparing for this day for a long time, and the first batch of gifts for Earth should be ready.
"Okay, I'll contact Sister Leng and the others now."
Shixin, realizing Zhang Zheng understood her feelings, didn't get angry. She immediately started contacting Angel Leng and Angel Lingxi.
"Sister Leng, are you there?"
"What's up, Shixin?"
Angel Leng asked, surprised by the sudden contact as it had only been a day. From her observations over the past month, she believed Zhang Zheng would have forgotten her and Lingxi after expelling them. And Shixin, deeply in love, wouldn't contact her.
"Sister Leng, the war on Earth is imminent."
"Zhang Zheng wants you to return. He's worried that Morgana might exploit the situation to attack you and Lingxi."
Shixin explained.