Chapter 376: Arrival

"You can't say that. There's a saying: 'A pretty face is a dime a dozen, but a noble soul is one in a million.' The fact that she could reject the young master so decisively shows just how rare and precious she is."

Consort said in a hoarse voice.

"Consort is right. Kuisha, don't speak ill of Luoxue behind her back again."

Benoka said to Kuisha indifferently.

"Yes!"

Kuisha replied with her head lowered.

The surrounding officers who overheard were shocked and began to murmur among themselves.

"No way, did I hear that right? Someone was foolish enough to reject Young Master Benoka and give up a chance to soar to the heavens?"

"She must be crazy."

"He's the scion of a noble family from the Twelve Universes."

"Her brain must be fried. Why couldn't Young Master Benoka have taken a fancy to me instead?"

"You? Forget it."

"What did you say?"

...

Meanwhile, Luoxue stood rooted to the spot, her expression growing dimmer. A layer of mist clouded her cold eyes as she murmured in a low voice.

"Has it been almost two years? I can't believe he's been gone for so long. Time really flies."

"Sister Luoxue, are you all right?"

Mira and the others walked up and asked with concern.

"I'm fine."

Luoxue took a deep breath, composed herself, and walked straight toward the delivery man.

"Miss Luo Xue, I'll need you to sign for these miners."

Markni said with a fawning smile plastered on his face.

"I don't want these miners. Take them all back."

Luoxue replied coldly.

"Miss Luo Xue, they're free!"

Markni grew anxious.

"I don't need them. Please take them back."

After speaking, Luoxue turned and left.

Markni watched Luoxue's retreating back and muttered angrily under his breath.

"So self-righteous!"

...

---------------------------------------------------

「Several days later.」

In the central control room of the Haiyun.

Vitor leaned back in the command chair, his eyes fixed on the interstellar navigation chart displayed before him, his fingers tapping restlessly on the armrest.

"Sir Vitor, we are about to arrive at our destination, the transfer point: the Omro Planetary Fortress."

Aisi reported respectfully to Vitor.

The Omro Planetary Fortress was located at the junction behind the Guangxiao Star Sea and the Huoying Star Sea, a position that allowed for easy travel to both star seas.

"We've finally arrived. Make the broadcast announcement!"

Vitor said as he stood up from the command chair.

"Yes, sir!"

Aisi replied.

"All hands, prepare to exit superluminal flight mode and begin docking procedures."

Vitor issued the command to the other operators.

"Yes, sir!"

The crew replied in unison.

Soon, an announcement sounded over the Haiyun's broadcast system.

"Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the Haiyun is about to arrive at the Omro Planetary Fortress and commence docking. The connection corridor will be opened at that time. Please prepare to disembark. If you have a special need to remain on board, please contact a staff member in a timely manner..."

Inside Room H4562.

When Long Ming heard the broadcast, he got up, opened the door, and left his room.

He followed the other passengers toward the waiting hall.

Soon, they arrived at the waiting hall.

A large number of passengers waiting to disembark were gathered here. There were also several observation decks open to the public.

Long Ming walked to an observation deck and gazed out into the vast whiteness of subspace.

Just then, with a slight shudder, the Haiyun burst out of subspace, appearing in an instant against the blackness of starry space.

In the distance, an incomparably massive, diamond-shaped planetary fortress constructed from blue metal came into view.

Countless ships of all kinds floated around the entire planetary fortress.

"Whoa, what a huge fortress!"

...

Many passengers gasped in amazement as they stared at the enormous fortress in the distance.

Long Ming was also stunned by the sight.

This fortress was many times larger than the Cube Fortress he had seen in the Level 4 civilization; they weren't even in the same league.

Following its instructions, the Haiyun slowly approached the Omro Planetary Fortress.

The Omro Planetary Fortress opened its docking ports, extending metal connection tubes that latched onto the Haiyun.

CLANK~

Layers of sealed doors on both sides opened.

"Ladies and gentlemen! The Haiyun and the Omro Planetary Fortress have completed docking. Please proceed to disembark in an orderly fashion through the connection corridor. Thank you for choosing the Haiyun..."

Listening to the broadcast, Long Ming followed the crowd into the connection corridor.

They walked along the connection corridor until they emerged at the other end, finding themselves in a massive security hall.

The entire security hall was a dense sea of passengers. Rows upon rows of security checkpoints were situated at the far end of the hall.

Soldiers clad in second-generation mechanical exoskeletons and holding firearms patrolled through the crowd, maintaining order.

An announcement repeatedly played over the broadcast system.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Omro Planetary Fortress. All entrants are required to present valid identification and undergo a physical host detection scan..."

When Long Ming heard this, his heart sank. He hadn't expected a physical inspection here.

'This is big trouble. Who knows if Hilic will be detected?'

Long Ming stood frozen in place with a very grave expression, watching the people going through security.

He saw that after their identification was checked, they placed a hand on a machine.

The machine would then eject a needle, prick their hand, and draw a certain amount of blood for testing.

Long Ming stood there observing for over an hour. Not a single machine sounded an alarm; basically, everyone passed through without issue.

However, Long Ming knew that this inspection equipment must be effective; otherwise, the Star Alliance wouldn't waste money on it for no reason.

Long Ming took a deep breath and got in the back of a line.

「Two hours later.」

Long Ming reached the front of the line at a security checkpoint.

A rather young woman in a blue military uniform looked at Long Ming and spoke.

"Sir, your identification, please!"

"Here."

Long Ming handed his ID to the woman.

She verified his identification against his person, then said,

"Please place your hand on the device. You'll feel a slight prick."

"Okay!"

Long Ming's nerves were stretched taut as he placed his hand on it.

CLICK~

The machine instantly activated, pricking Long Ming's finger.

Long Ming's eyes were glued to the machine's display screen, his heart in his throat.

He braced himself for the worst, but thankfully, the machine finally lit up with a green light.

"Congratulations, you've passed. Welcome to the Omro Planetary Fortress. If you need any help, you can look for me."

The female officer in front of him smiled and slipped a card into Long Ming's hand.

"Okay, thanks."

Slightly surprised, Long Ming took the card and passed through the gate.

As he walked into the corridor beyond, he glanced at the card and saw a private contact number written on it.

Long Ming couldn't help but shake his head. 'Looks like being too handsome is a hassle, too.'

...

「Half an hour later.」

Long Ming took a moving platform, rising from underground to the edge of Omro City.

Skyscrapers five hundred meters tall, each with a highly futuristic design, came into view.

Virtual advertisements of dazzling divas and celebrities were projected in mid-air.

Third Generation Mechanical Gods flew through the air at incredible speeds.