Modern Cultivation : The Strongest Couple Bonded by Vampire System-Chapter 691: Becoming Citizen

The officer left without looking back.

Alex closed the hatch and waited until his ship moved to another location. Only then did he step out with Mingyue.

The transit dock was packed.

Thousands of people moved, carrying bags, crates, and metal cases. Some had children clinging to their clothes. Some dragged carts loaded with all their stuff.

It wasn’t that they couldn’t put it in their storage rings. The rules required them to take everything out and let the guards inspect it directly.

"What a crude method. Can’t they just analyze the storage rings directly?" Mingyue asked.

"They could," Alex said, "but doing it like this gives people jobs. It also shows authority."

Above them, the ceiling was a white arc lined with floating cameras and scanning lamps. Every few meters, formations were embedded in the wall, glowing faintly.

Their functions varied, from broadcasting and managing cleanliness to making sure the structure stayed stable.

"All arrivals proceed to Registration Hall. Please remain disciplined. Any interference will result in detention."

Mingyue’s gaze flicked over the cameras. "Do you think they have people working there too?"

Alex nodded.

Even for him it was easy to create an automated system, but people still needed to work.

Not everyone was suited for cultivator life. These kinds of easy, boring jobs were created for ordinary citizens and for extended families to rely on.

They merged into the crowd and followed the signs toward Registration Hall.

The hall was massive. Rows of counters stretched so far Alex couldn’t see the end. Each counter was separated by transparent barriers, with soldiers standing behind them like statues.

Mingyue shook her head. "Another unnecessary job."

Even the cameras could be seen as unnecessary. The formations already handled everything, including making sure no one acted out of order.

Mingyue understood, because her sect in the past had a similar system in their treasury. Only one elder stayed to guard it in case the formation failed.

But for the Empire, with their expertise, Mingyue was sure their formations were a hundred times better than hers. So she saw all of this as unnecessary.

Anyone strong enough to break or bypass the formations wouldn’t be caught by normal guards or cameras anyway.

Alex didn’t answer. He just let out a chuckle.

His explanation was enough, and Mingyue also understood the reason. She just wanted to complain.

Every person stepped into a booth, got scanned, answered a few questions, then received a bracelet.

A man in front of them whispered to his wife, voice tense. "Don’t ask too much. Just take it."

His wife clutched her sleeve. "What if it tracks all our movements?"

The man forced a smile. "It’s normal here. Don’t compare it with our old world."

Mingyue lowered her voice. "So that bracelet is their citizen ID?"

"Yes," Alex said. "It seems to have many functions."

They reached the waiting lane. Metal rails guided them forward, keeping the crowd packed tight and preventing anyone from cutting.

A group of well-dressed immigrants pushed through from the side, escorted by a tall man with dyed silver hair and a long coat. He strutted like he owned the place.

"Move," he said, waving his hand. "You’re blocking the way."

The people in line hesitated, then stepped aside out of instinct.

They didn’t want trouble.

The man’s eyes landed on Alex, then stopped on Mingyue.

He stared at their clothes, then smirked. "Slum-world refugees? To think there’s beauty like you hidden there."

Alex didn’t react. Mingyue frowned.

The man leaned closer. "You should be grateful. Proxima is A-grade. But don’t think you can have a good life here with your background."

He paused, then looked Mingyue up and down. "How about this. Become my slave, and I’ll treat you nicely."

Some people in the line stiffened. No one spoke back.

Most of them already knew this type. Local tyrants who got whatever they wanted.

The man smiled wider, enjoying the attention. "You only need to learn to dance and entertain me anytime I want. If you do well, maybe I’ll take you as my concubine."

Mingyue’s eyes turned cold.

Alex raised a hand slightly, stopping her.

The silver-haired man noticed it and laughed. "Oh? You want to fight?"

He tapped the badge on his coat. It was made from some crystalline material, infused with formations.

"I’m from House Varn," he said. "A B-grade noble line. My uncle is an officer in the Proxima security division. If I report you for disrespect, you’ll be sent right back out."

He pointed at the counters. "And don’t bother dreaming. You people will spend years in the slums before you even get any good opportunity."

Alex looked at him for the first time.

His gaze was calm, almost bored.

"Then go report it. I dare you," Alex said.

The man’s smile twitched. "What?"

Alex didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t show any anger.

"Go report," Alex repeated. "If your uncle is really an officer, he’ll love hearing how you threaten strangers in the registration hall."

The silver-haired man’s face tightened. "You..."

Mingyue spoke softly, just one line. "You talk too much for someone still standing in the public line. And if you dare try to talk to me again, I will cut your tongue."

Her eyes were icy cold.

Then someone behind them let out a short laugh.

A few more followed.

"Did you hear that?" a woman whispered, voice bright with relief. "She said she’ll cut his tongue."

"That girl’s serious," another man muttered. "Look at her eyes. She’ll really do it here."

"Good," someone else said with a low laugh. "Finally he met his match. So much posturing. So what if he’s a noble on a B-grade planet? Here he’s nothing more than a refugee."

The man’s ears turned red. He stepped closer, trying to intimidate them with his height.

"You think you can talk back to me like this?" he said. "You two should kneel and thank me for even giving you this opportunity."

Mingyue stopped in her tracks and glared at him.

Alex stepped forward, blocking her path.

"You really have no shame," Alex said. "Just go before you get yourself into more trouble."