Modern Cultivation : The Strongest Couple Bonded by Vampire System-Chapter 690: Proxima Centauri

"This is Proxima Centauri b Border Control to all incoming vessels. Maintain your assigned approach lane and prepare for inspection. Land one at a time when you are cleared."

Alex didn’t even bother to look at the comm screen. His focus stayed on the massive formation map.

Even with the detailed data he got from Kael, a lot was still hidden inside the formation structure. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

’This is a mix of many systems.

I can see some runes used. Even that weird symbol Sigma used.’

Mingyue glanced at the four ice statues sitting in the back seats.

"Should we kill them?" she asked.

"They’re mercenaries," Alex said. "If we release them, they’ll just get hired to hunt us or our allies. Finish them."

It wasn’t like they were clean.

Alex had already pulled information on them when he took the ship. Kidnapping. Illegal trafficking. Smuggling people from civilized society to sell them as slaves in border worlds.

That practice was common in the outer regions. People there treated captured citizens like trophies, proof they could reach into the Empire and drag someone out.

Mingyue snapped her fingers.

Crack.

The four statues shattered into chunks of ice, then melted into puddles of water. A small vacuum drone rolled out from the wall and cleaned everything until not a single trace remained.

On the display, their ship was a small dot moving through a fixed lane.

"Vessel ID: C7-1189. Proceed to Checkpoint Three. Disable protection systems. Open cargo manifest."

Alex tapped the panel and sent the manifest.

Despite the old owners doing illegal jobs, they didn’t dare to carry anything now. They knew how strict the rules were, so Alex wasn’t worried.

Mingyue watched the outside feed. Thousands of ships moved in neat lines, each one waiting its turn.

A huge space station floated outside the planet, inspecting them one by one. Every landing had to pass through it.

"As expected of an A-grade planet," Mingyue muttered. "Even the border looks like this."

Alex nodded. "This station is far larger and better than the mining facility at Karthos Reach."

The planet also had its own planet-wide formation, a translucent barrier surrounding it. It didn’t just protect against intruders. It also filtered radiation and UV light, keeping the climate comfortable for humans.

Beyond the last checkpoint, a ring of docks wrapped around the planet like a crown. Stations, defense platforms, and logistics hubs formed a continuous belt.

A patrol craft slid close to their lane.

The ship’s internal AI chimed. "External scan detected. Non-invasive. Identity verification in progress."

A second later, another message came in.

"Proceed. Please maintain order and release your control."

Their ship moved forward.

The region looked empty, but Alex could tell it wasn’t.

Alex narrowed his eyes.

’There’s a hidden formation here.’

He couldn’t see it with normal sensors, but he could feel the energy flow in the air.

’So this is why they take over the ship’s control system here.’

They passed through it.

But Alex still felt it, like a hand brushing across his soul and then letting go.

Mingyue exhaled quietly. "That felt disgusting."

Alex didn’t deny it. "I’m glad we met that soul insect before. If not, we would’ve been found out."

After learning how the Soul Princess could detect their souls, Alex had improved his method. Now he used souls from captured criminals, turning them into false shells that covered their real ones.

They crossed into the final descent, entering through the atmosphere.

The planet Proxima Centauri b filled the screen.

It was beautiful. A blue-green world wrapped in thin cloud bands, with city lights even on the night side. Massive orbital mirrors floated near the poles, adjusting the atmosphere. You could see the glow of energy shields near the main continents.

Another message flashed.

Dock: 7A-43

Bay: Civilian Transit

They descended toward the docking ring, engines throttling down. Around them, ships queued in perfect order.

All the refugees behaved. They all knew how strict the security was.

Their ship slid into the bay. Magnetic clamps locked onto the hull.

THUNK.

A seal formed around the entrance hatch, connecting them to the station’s corridor.

"Welcome to Proxima Centauri b Transit Dock," the station voice announced. "Remain inside the vessel until inspection is complete."

Two inspection drones floated into view outside the hatch window. They were round, with smooth armor, and a single lens that rotated like an eye.

A third unit followed behind them.

A human officer in a black uniform. He didn’t carry any weapon, only a tablet and an annoyed face.

The officer’s voice came through the comm. "Open your hatch. Present your travel documents. Keep hands visible."

Alex stood and took the document case.

Mingyue moved beside him.

The hatch hissed open.

The officer looked at them once, then scanned the case. The drones swept over the ship interior through the open hatch.

The officer’s eyes paused on the empty seats in the back.

"Based on the report, there should be four people here," he said calmly. "Where are the other two?"

Alex didn’t blink. He stepped forward and grasped the officer’s hand.

"Two changed their minds," Alex said. "They preferred to move to other planets."

His movement was quick and smooth.

The officer felt the storage ring under Alex’s grip.

He smiled. "I see. That does happen sometimes."

The officer stared at the tablet for three seconds, then nodded.

"Okay. No problem here."

In reality, it wasn’t common at all. It was very rare.

By procedure, he should have confirmed the situation, but the officer didn’t care. He was already annoyed at working overtime because of the influx of immigrants.

He guessed some kind of conflict happened. The other two were probably dead already.

Mingyue didn’t move, but her eyes stayed sharp.

The drones finished their sweep.

"Inspection complete," the officer said. "You are cleared to disembark."

As he turned to leave, the officer added, "A suggestion. Sell your starship here and use the money to start in the border city.

Don’t try the capital. People there don’t look too kindly on your kind."