Not that Alice didn't trust her man's strength, but no matter how outstanding her man's talent was, she felt he wouldn't have reached such a formidable level in such a short time.
After all, Princess Vera Duoduo, with her exceptional talent, had also spent a considerable amount of time accumulating power in the Void Refining realm. It was only through a life-and-death trial in the Ancient Thunder Mountain that she managed to reach the mid-stage of the Integration realm in such a short period.
Her physique was incredibly strong, the Purple Gold Demonic Dragon Physique. Even though she had only just entered the mid-stage of the Integration realm, her combat power was on par with some late-stage Integration realm powerhouses.
"Your Highness, Princess Seventh, do you think we can successfully drive out the allied forces of the three kingdoms?" Qingluan Alice looked at Princess Vera Duoduo and asked hesitantly.
Truthfully, she didn't want to ask this question, but she felt a sense of bewilderment and hoped to find clarity from Vera Duoduo.
"To be honest, I'm not confident myself," Vera Duoduo said with a wry smile.
She didn't really want to say this either, but even if she didn't, it didn't mean her subordinates were brimming with confidence in her.
Because it was too difficult!
Her father's death was too sudden, and the allied forces of the three kingdoms were too thoroughly prepared. It could be said that the moment her father died, the allied forces launched their attack. Otherwise, the Vera Empire wouldn't have fallen so quickly.
It was important to note that the Vera Empire was significantly stronger than any single one of the three great empires. If one were to describe their national strength, the three great nations combined would have a combat power of around one hundred points, while the Vera Empire had a combat power of one hundred fifty to one hundred sixty. It could even contend against two of them and still not necessarily lose. This was because the Vera Empire was unified, whereas the two empires, with their cooperation, couldn't achieve seamless coordination and would undoubtedly harbor mutual suspicions. Under such circumstances, the combined strength of the two empires couldn't fully manifest, so they might not be able to defeat the Vera Empire.
However, the alliance of the three empires, despite internal friction, was still considerably stronger than the Vera Empire had been before. Coupled with the element of surprise, and the loss of the Vera Empire's strongest fighter, this led to the current situation.
Hearing Princess Vera Duoduo's words, Qingluan Alice felt a pang of dejection.
Her cultivation had progressed greatly over the years, and she had now reached the Integration realm. However, the Integration realm could only alter the outcome of localized battles; it was insufficient to change the overall strategic situation. This would require the Vera Empire to produce a top-tier combatant, someone at least on par with Vera Wubing!
If they were even stronger than Vera Wubing, it would be even better.
After all, Vera Wubing himself was surrounded and killed by three top-tier experts.
If Vera Wubing hadn't been framed by a conspiracy at the time, he would have had a chance to escape alive. Once he returned to the Vera Empire and had other allies by his side, it would have been difficult for the three empires to kill him!
As they spoke, the group swiftly traversed the outer reaches of the Ancient Thunder Mountain.
Upon passing the periphery, everyone's expression changed involuntarily.
"Princess Vera Seventh, long time no see. You've been hiding quite well, seeking refuge in the forbidden lands of the Ancient Thunder Mountain." A flippant voice rang out.
"Crown Prince Xinghai!" Upon seeing the approaching figure, Vera Duoduo's expression darkened.
Crown Prince Xinghai was also one of the Integration realm powerhouses among the younger generation of the Xinghai Empire. Having cultivated for less than a thousand years, he was already a late-stage Integration realm expert. Reaching the Integration realm in less than a millennium was considered a top-tier genius in the vast Demon Realm.
Furthermore, the enemy was not limited to Crown Prince Xinghai alone. Standing beside him were four other Integration realm cultivators. One of them exuded an even more potent aura than Crown Prince Xinghai. Although he wasn't as powerful as the five marshals of the Xinghai Empire, he was a cultivator at the perfect Integration realm.
How did they know she was in the Ancient Thunder Mountain? Could there be a spy among those who had sent her messages?
Otherwise, it was too much of a coincidence that these people appeared here just as they were leaving the Ancient Thunder Mountain!
"Vera Duoduo, I'll give you a chance now. You and this prodigy of the Qingluan clan, pledge your allegiance to me, and I will spare your lives! What do you say?" Crown Prince Xinghai looked at Vera Duoduo with a smile.
Clearly, in his mind, killing Vera Duoduo and the others was far less important than bringing them under his control.
This was because both Vera Duoduo and Qingluan Alice were individuals of top-tier talent. Reaching the Void Refining realm before the age of a hundred was an exceptional testament to their potential.
He naturally wouldn't bear to kill them!
"Dream on! I'd rather die than submit!" Vera Duoduo gritted her teeth and said coldly.
"What meaning does a mutual destruction have for you? You can ask those around you if they truly wish to die," Crown Prince Xinghai said with a faint smile. "You can't be so selfish, can you?"
Hearing Crown Prince Xinghai's words, Vera Duoduo's face grew stern.
"Isn't everyone pursuing immortality? Moreover, think about it. If you pledge your allegiance to me, and when you eventually overcome the heavenly tribulation and achieve the Saint realm, the mark of allegiance will be removed, and you will regain your freedom. How about that?" Crown Prince Xinghai chuckled.
He naturally wanted to dissuade Vera Duoduo from her suicidal resolve.
He had long coveted Vera Duoduo. This woman was not only exceptionally talented and powerful but also possessed strong influence within the Vera Empire. If she pledged allegiance to him, he could gain significant leverage in a short period. Then, when his father abdicated, he would become the Emperor of the Xinghai Empire!
It wasn't just Vera Duoduo; Qingluan Alice also greatly attracted him.
These two were considered among the top beauties of the Vera Empire, and their talents were also extraordinary.
They were certainly worth his painstaking efforts.
"Hmph, do you think I'll fall for your tricks!" Vera Duoduo sneered.
Once allegiance was pledged, a master-servant contract had to be signed. Such a contract was difficult to break, even with heavenly tribulations. In fact, with the contract acting as an impediment, one might not even be able to survive the heavenly tribulation.
This was because the heavenly tribulation included trials that targeted the soul!
Throughout the ages, there had been no record of a servant who had signed a master-servant contract being able to survive a heavenly tribulation.
Of course, it was possible that successfully passing the tribulation led to ascension, or perhaps they perished under the tribulation.
The number of beings who perished under heavenly tribulations was countless.
Furthermore, she didn't think highly of Crown Prince Xinghai, so she would rather die in battle than become his servant.
"If you're a man, stop wasting words. If you want to kill, then come at me!" Vera Duoduo's eyes were filled with a death wish. As a noble of the Purple Gold Demonic Dragon Imperial clan, she did not fear death, but she would never allow herself to be enslaved. Death before subjugation!
"What about you all?" Looking at Vera Duoduo's death wish, Crown Prince Xinghai's expression turned grim. "I'll give you all a chance now. If you're willing to serve me, I'll spare your lives. Otherwise, you'll be buried with Vera Duoduo!"
Of course, his gaze was primarily directed at Qingluan Alice.
Vera Duoduo was excellent, and Qingluan Alice was not inferior. Not only in terms of talent and strength but also in appearance!