Transmigrated in A Vampire's Slice of Life

[A/N: Yes, I will be skipping a lot of his journey but I will come back and expand more on it later on. One thing that I didn't like much about the original story is how slow-paced it was, though my story might be too fast-paced XD. Don't worry I plan to slow down soon and have normal character interactions and good thought out romance. Also, I forgot if there are tribulations at half ranks so I'll add them in any way lol.]

Breaking into the Saint rank was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Cultivation, up to that point, had been grueling and relentless, but it was a battle I fought against the world—against beasts, rival cultivators, and my own limitations. The tribulation was different. It wasn't a mere test of strength or endurance. It was the will of the heavens themselves, bearing down on me with the singular purpose of annihilating me.

I'll never forget the moment it began. I had spent decades preparing for the breakthrough, stockpiling resources, fortifying my core, and honing my techniques. The Saint rank wasn't just another step—it was the line between mortality and Immortality. Crossing it required more than cultivation; it demanded a battle against the heavens themselves.

The skies darkened unnaturally as I prepared to ascend. A sense of suffocating dread filled the air, as though the heavens themselves were watching, weighing my worth. Clouds boiled above me, churning with malevolent energy. Then came the first crack of thunder—a deafening roar that seemed to split the very fabric of reality.

"Tribulation lightning is a cruel thing. It doesn't simply test your strength—it seeks to destroy you. To break you so utterly that there's no chance of rising again."

The first bolt struck without warning. A lance of blinding light crashed into the ground, sending shockwaves rippling through the earth. I barely managed to raise a defensive barrier in time. The impact shattered the shield and sent me hurtling backward, my body scorched and trembling.

Each bolt that followed was stronger and more destructive than the last. The heavens seemed intent on obliterating every trace of my existence. My flesh was burned, my bones fractured, and my core—the very foundation of my power—cracked under the relentless onslaught. Luckily cracks could be healed but if my core were to break, that would be the end of me, literally. Once your core shatters, there is no do-over, no resurrection, no second chance. To destroy one's core is to destroy their existence. 

I fought back with everything I had. I began channeling mana into my armor to form defensive spells. I unleashed wave after wave of counterattacks, but the tribulation lightning wasn't something that could be defeated. It was a force of nature, a test of endurance and willpower.

By the time the seventh bolt struck, I was on the brink of collapse. Blood poured from countless wounds, and my vision blurred with exhaustion. The energy I had painstakingly accumulated over decades was almost depleted, and the thought of giving up whispered seductively in the back of my mind.

"Is this it? Is this where my journey ends? After everything I've endured… am I really going to die here?" I said with a tone of self-pity.

But the thought of failure—of losing everything I had fought for—ignited a fire within me. I wasn't just fighting for power. I was fighting for the life I had built, and the dreams I had yet to achieve. I was fighting for the future I had envisioned for myself.

The final bolt of lightning was the most devastating. It came not as a single strike, but as a cascade of energy that seemed to tear the heavens apart. The impact shattered the ground beneath me, leaving a crater of scorched earth. My armor cracked under the strain, and I was thrown to the ground, my body battered and broken.

When the dust finally settled, I lay in the center of the crater, barely clinging to life. My core was on the verge of shattering and my body was mangled, but I was alive. And more importantly, I had succeeded.

"The heavens didn't make it easy for me. They never do. But I survived. That was all that mattered," I said aloud.

The aftermath of the tribulation was as grueling as the trial itself. For months, I was confined to a state of near-death, my body and core slowly repairing themselves. The process was agonizing, but it was also transformative. The energy of the tribulation, though destructive, left behind traces of energy that strengthened my core and refined my cultivation.

When I finally emerged from that state, I was no longer the same person. The power of a Saint coursed through my veins, and the world seemed… different. Though I didn't have much time to delve into my musings. 

I didn't have the luxury of a mentor or a powerful family to pave the way. My rise was a solitary battle, with every step forward carved out through sheer effort and willpower. The heavens were merciless, and so was the path I walked. I needed to press forward.

Centuries passed before I reached Half-King, each year a test of my resolve and perseverance. By the time I was 400, I had already endured countless battles and cultivated to the limits of Saint rank.

The tribulation for Half-King rank was a crushing pressure, an invisible force from the heavens that sought to grind me into dust. My bones cracked under the strain, my body on the verge of collapse. It wasn't just my physical strength being tested but my ability to endure overwhelming adversity.

Through sheer willpower, I withstood the pressure, refusing to falter even as my core strained under the weight. When the ordeal finally ended, I emerged victorious, and my power amplified beyond measure.

[A/N: I'm not sure if there are different types of tribulations in this world other than the standard lightning one but if there aren't think of it as an AU thing, I'll try not to change the world too much but for small things like this, I think it's fine.]

Nearly five centuries passed before I ascended to the King rank. By now, my name was known throughout the cultivation world. I had forged my path with blood, sweat, and countless struggles, earning both allies and enemies. I was given the moniker, King of War, a truly funny coincidence considering that the Medici of my original world was known as the angel of war.

The tribulation for King rank came as a firestorm. Flames hotter than anything I had encountered descended upon me, burning away every impurity in my core and body. It wasn't just a test of strength but of transformation.

To survive, I had to embrace the fire, letting it refine me. The process was excruciating, but when the flames finally subsided, I stood reborn.

The road to Half-Emperor rank was even more grueling. By the time I reached this stage, I was over 1,700 years old, and the challenges I faced had grown exponentially.

This tribulation was unlike the others. The heavens cast me into a void of utter darkness, a place where time and space ceased to exist. Alone in the void, I had to confront the deepest parts of my soul—my fears, my regrets, and my weaknesses.

The trial wasn't about physical strength or endurance; it was about identity. The void sought to strip me of everything I was, to leave me as an empty shell. But I held on to the spark of who I was, refusing to let the darkness consume me.

When I emerged from the void, I was forever changed. My understanding of myself and the universe deepened, and my cultivation core reflected that growth.

It took over a millennium to ascend from Half-Emperor to Emperor. By this point, I had firmly established myself as one of the strongest cultivators in the world. Though not a Supreme, even at my mortal stages I could fight above my ranks, though even at the peak of the Emperor realm I still couldn't close the gap between an Emperor rank and a Supreme rank.

The tribulation for Emperor rank was a tempest of chaos. Lightning, fire, wind, and ice merged into a storm so destructive that it felt as if the universe itself sought to tear me apart.

To survive, I had to harmonize with the chaos, becoming one with the storm rather than resisting it. The process was harrowing, each moment a delicate balance between destruction and control.

When the storm finally subsided, I emerged as an Emperor. My power had reached heights that few could comprehend, and my mastery over cultivation was nearly unparalleled at my rank.

The journey to power is a solitary endeavor, but ruling once you have that power is a wholly different challenge. For centuries, I have risen through the ranks of cultivation, facing death at every tribulation. Each step was an unrelenting struggle, pushing me beyond my limits. But the trials of the heavens were nothing compared to managing the empire I have built.

"An empire, after all, is only as strong as the hands that carry it."

My empire was not forged through brute strength alone but through careful alliances and the loyalty of extraordinary individuals. These retainers, a collection of maids, butlers, and confidants, were more than servants—they were warriors, cultivators of immense power who swore themselves to me. And, to be perfectly honest, they are also the reason I can indulge in my most treasured hobby: avoiding work.

It started slowly—a few connections here, a few alliances there. The human continent was rife with conflict, and I saw an opportunity to rise above the petty squabbles. My first loyal retainers were not powerful cultivators but skilled strategists and negotiators who understood the art of influence.

"Power alone isn't enough. You need people—loyal people—to wield it properly."

My first true retainer was Elena, a Half-Emperor-ranked assassin that I had spared after she failed to kill me. Recognizing her potential, I noticed the desire for revenge within her, I offered her a place by my side, promising her the strength to avenge whatever past she carried. Naturally, I added an obedience seal to her soul so she could never betray me, I did this to all of my subordinates regardless of how much trust I had in them.

Next came Victor, a Half-Emperor who had been betrayed by his family. He became my butler, managing my growing influence with a meticulousness that I could never match. He ensured that the empire I was building remained stable while I focused on cultivation. 

More followed—warriors, scholars, and outcasts who found new purpose under my banner. Each had their own story and their own ambitions, but they shared one thing: loyalty to me. Some reached the peak of the Emperor rank under my guidance, while others, continued to pursue the peak and became renowned in their own ways.

Becoming Supreme Rank was never my goal—it was simply an inevitability. A goal implies some aspiration, but survival demands necessity. My life has been a long, grueling journey through the ranks of cultivation, one tribulation at a time. The heavens are fair only in their cruelty. Each breakthrough tested my resolve, and each test left me teetering on the edge of death.

"Some would call it a triumph. I call it a reminder—power is the only currency the heavens respect."

By the time I reached Supreme rank at 5,000 years old, my empire spanned the human continent. My tribulation was...well let's talk about that later.

I was a force of nature, rivaled only by the Vampire Queen herself. And yet, I took no joy in managing my empire. Due to me conquering the human continent I naturally became enemies with the other human Supremes like Darren Whitter who ruled the human continent before I came in. However, due to my overwhelming power, I subdued them and forced them to become my subordinates. 

You see, the obedience seal is nearly unbreakable, it is something that is placed in your soul and becomes one with you. You could break out of it but you would need to be overwhelmingly stronger than the caster to break out of it.

Darren, though reluctant, handled the politics and logistics, Victor ensured my 'safety' though I doubted he could protect me from anything that could threaten me, and Elena crushed any threat that dared to challenge us. They would often complain about my habit of delegating everything to them, but I never cared enough to actually listen to them.

"Why waste my time on the mundane when I can spend it cultivating? That's what retainers are for," I said aloud.

I built an empire not to rule but to have a foundation for my ambitions. The retainers I've surrounded myself with are my greatest asset, allowing me to pursue greater heights without being bogged down by the trivialities of leadership

Despite all I've accomplished, there is still one being who stands above me: Lilith Evure, the Vampire Queen. Her power at the Legendary rank is beyond my comprehension, and her presence is as intoxicating as it is terrifying.

We have met on several occasions, particularly when all the Supremes gather to talk about worldly affairs though I always remained friendly and courteous with her I could say I have a good reputation for being reasonable and kind among the Supremes. Most of them are batshit insane if I'm being honest so my 'kind' is different from the way kind is usually defined.

To top it all off, I had even begun intimately talking to the Supreme of the Demon realm, Lucifer. She like most of the other female Supremes were Lith's lovers in the original work but due to my existence that has changed a bit. Although I'm not as close to the others as Lucifer, I am still on friendly terms with the Dragon Supreme Mayzin, the Eleven Supreme Agalea, and the Vampire's 'Supreme' Lilith. 

I had a sneaking suspicion that Lilith was wary of me, particularly because she was interested in why she couldn't see anything related to my future or fate. Truthfully I was scared for a while due to this, I do not have the power to do anything if Lilith decides to experiment on me to see why she can't see through me. 

However, over time that fear dwindled as we became closer acquainted. One thing that I can say now however is that she may not kill me due to the connection with her daughter, Lucy. Lucy seems to have a bit of a crush on me, it was when Lucy was in the Dragon continent and she was nearly injured, this moment was talked about in the novel, and was said that Lilith went on a bit of a rampage and destroyed a portion of the continent due to this.

However, due to my unknowing interference, I saved Lucy in time and became the prince on a white horse for Lucy. I haven't interacted with her much but the few times I have been invited to her birthday celebration or official events, I could tell she showed me special attention compared to other guests. Honestly, Its rather sweet and have shown my interest but I still maintain space so I don't piss off Lilith and Lucifer.

In other words, my love life is complicated, and yes…I am a 10,000 year old virgin. But I'm really strong and in this world strength is all that matters!

Snapping out of reflections of the past I quickly began getting ready, the Supreme ranks of each continent were preparing to meet up in the neutral continent. If I remember correctly in the novel around this time Lith should be around 13 years old and preparing to go to the academy.

Damn it, I hope Lith didn't lay a hand on Lucy! If he does…I'll probably do nothing because Lilith is too damn strong.

I hate that I can't do anything due to Lilith but that just gives me motivation to reach the Legendary rank so that I don't have to listen to every word Lilith says or have to change plans due to her whims. I like Lilith, I do, but I knew from the start that I would more than likely never conquer her heart considering Lith's existence.

*Sigh*

"If only Lith would be born a girl, maybe that way there would be no intimacy between him, Lilith, and Lucy," I thought depressingly.

Little did I know that my desire to acquire Lilith's heart may not be as impossible as I once thought.