The Present World.
Neptune Domain.
On Venus's orbit in the Solar System.
Black Whale gazed at the megastructure floating silently in the distance, then shifted his gaze slightly to Matilda, the Octopus Lady's graceful back.
His complicated eyes instantly filled with savagery and jealousy!
After a moment, they swiftly returned to normal.
Matilda sensed something, and her crescent-shaped pupils contracted slightly.
Yet she did not react to that trace of malice.
She simply acted as though nothing had happened, maintaining her original speed as she flew toward Star-Picking Tower.
Before long, the two arrived at the temporary defensive perimeter Earth had established, one after the other.
Because Pan Xiaoxiao had notified them in advance, when they entered the perimeter, only a few psychic tendrils briefly probed Matilda and Black Whale, simply confirming their identities.
They then immediately withdrew of their own accord, showing no intention of making things difficult for them.
Black Whale assumed Matilda would remain stationed around the perimeter as Pan Xiaoxiao had instructed, so he spoke directly, attempting to strike up a conversation:
"I think Star-Picking Tower is behaving quite honestly. It probably just wants to get closer to Earth to make business more convenient, right?"
"Otherwise, why would it just watch Earth set up defenses around Star-Picking Tower without showing the slightest reaction...?"
Matilda did not respond immediately. She merely gave Black Whale a sidelong glance.
She casually summoned her Data Panel, her fingertips dancing as though she were messaging someone.
Seeing this, Black Whale could only wait quietly.
A few minutes later, Matilda closed the Data Panel and looked toward Star-Picking Tower again. Only then did Black Whale speak once more:
"It doesn't look like there's anything for us to do anytime soon. Why don't we find somewhere near the perimeter to rest for a