Lightning Is the Only Way

Gravis thought about the Empress' words and realized several things. Yes, if his goal were only to ascend, there would be no problems for him, but the Empress knew that this wasn't his goal. Gravis wanted to become the strongest, and with that, he had to approach cultivation from a different standpoint.

What was the most important aspect of power when one had the goal to become the strongest?

The foundation and Battle-Strength.

What decided Battle-Strength?

That depended on the Realm of the person or beast. As a Lord or lower, the being's combat experience would be the most important, but starting at the King Realm, the Laws became more important. After all, at some point, everyone would have basically reached the peak of what they could do with their body or with the weapons they had at their disposal.

So, when one already had a 100% mastery of their abilities, the only way to become more powerful was to get more powerful abilities. That's where the Laws came into play.

Gravis knew that as soon as he lost his advantage in Battle-Strength, it would be difficult for him to regain it. It would not only take a lot of time, but it would also be very dangerous. After all, suddenly, nearly every being crossing his path might be a danger to his life. Additionally, sometimes one needed to push themselves to understand a Law.

If someone only understood one more Initial Law, the understanding of another Initial Law would allow someone to close the gap and triumph. Yet, if every opponent understood an additional Low-Rank Law, understanding one more Initial Law wouldn't make much of a difference.

This meant that if one didn't have the ability to resist someone on the same level, even an additional breakthrough might not guarantee their survival. If one reached that point, becoming more powerful became nearly impossible.

That was why it was important to always be above average in comparison to others at one's level. Because if you were above average, you would become average with an increase of Realm. Yet, if you were average, you would become weak with another increase of Realm. That's when one's path came to an end.

Right now, Gravis was the most powerful King. Just with his Law of Suppression, he would be able to slow a level five King by over 50%. Then, by using his Punishment Lightning, he would be able to kill them.

Yet, what if he was an Emperor and he met another Emperor that also understood a level three Law? Gravis had witnessed the power of a level two Law when he had fought the Inquisitor, and he had needed to evade every single attack. He had tried to block one spire once with his pillar of shields, but that had nearly killed him.

One had to remember that Gravis relied on speed and attacking power. His fighting style was very explosive and aimed to kill the opponent with a single attack.

Yet, what if an Emperor understood a level three Law regarding speed and a level two Law regarding attack? If Gravis were a level one Emperor, a level two Emperor that managed to comprehend these things would be able to kill Gravis without him being able to resist.

I have the most knowledge about the more powerful worlds out of anyone in

don't have any examples or comparisons in

Gravis nodded.

of them understand a level three Law. Understanding a level three Law is very difficult. I,

above yourself, while the Striders are basically two levels above yourself. This means that you can only fight someone that's at the same level as you. Yet, there are

a real life and death fight. Sadly, you can't find

to look up to but something that you should fear and lament. Fear that you will never end up in their situation. Their existence

would still be the weakest possible beast that could ascend from this world. In the next world, where

Gravis' eyes widened.

the higher world also require fodder and tempering for others? Then how was it possible that every beast in this world

'It's not that there are more powerful middle worlds and weaker middle worlds. It's not that there are better and worse ones. It's simply

already discern the future potential of beings. After all, Laws will be the main focus for, at

can see the good and bad seedlings already, it can gather the good seedlings in one place to make them even better while the other places are responsible for fodder! Logically speaking, this means that this

the weak fodder. The weak fodder will be fed to the powerful fodder, and

weak fodders together, and you might create one powerful fodder. That powerful fodder will then be

has been specifically created to produce beasts that can reach the highest world. The higher world will have many

had already shared more about the workings of the world than nearly anyone else would have done in his situation.

this secret with the Empress. Telling her that the purpose of her entire existence was to become mere food for humans would do way more damage than

the conversation for the first time. Gravis perked up and looked

that will make it easier for you to accept your Realm-Stop. I know that you are only around 50 years old, and 100 years feels like an infinitely long time to you," the Grand

so powerful in fifty years, but in the next hundred

beasts that became Kings would probably be around fifty years. Yet, due

average age for becoming an

hundred years to go from being a King to being an Emperor was already

over 1,000 years," the Grand Elder said,