I fell in love with Reverend Insanity. In this series, there are a lot of times where the MC is in a really dangerous situation and everyone wants to screw him over and you can't believe he will survive. I love this! Any series where that is the case (doesn't have to have evil MC). I don't want a story where the MC gets OP abilities at the start and gets OP quickly, he has to start from the bottom and work his way up throughout his journey. Also, it helps if the story has strong villains/everyone hates the MC! Although it has left conflict, I also liked Reincarnation Of The Strongest Sword God(at least the 1st 400 ch) just because of the Shonen elements (like the progression of the MC throughout the story). I hated Transcending the Nine Heavens because the MC used three abilities to win a fight with 0 training or build up!
Otherworldly Evil Monarch... is somewhat similar, with scheming and lots of enemies... i've read 200+ chapters and it seems good so far... edit: although just going through reviews it seems to fall off around 20-30% through. also the harem elements were not anything early on but it's starting to get a bit.... shitty haremy........... sooo read with caution, i might drop it....
Summoned Slaughterer - Don't want to spoil it, but the title kind of should give it away. Kuro no Maou - Dark and violent with a slice of lot-o-death. Release that Witch - When you can friend witches in minecraft and craft Spoiler nukes . The Good for Nothing Seventh Young Lady - Ever want an army of crazy strong people? Well, the call of adventure (and food) is the perfect incentive to those bored, mercs and wait what?
Ancient Godly Monarch The Legend of Futian MCs of this author can't take a break, seriously. Everyone and their grandmother for this reason or that reason want MC's girlfriend, MC's heavenly yellow apple, MC's death etc. you name it. Futian is the better one of the two as I had to drop AGM since I don't enjoy stories which don't even leave some breathing room. This was my comment for Futian:
Try Douluo Dalu. There were a lot of times here where I felt the situation was absolutely hopeless for the MC but he found a way through by calmly assessing his situation. The methods are not super ingenious like you'd see in some novels with smart characters, nor is it just simply powering through with strength or new skills so that's why I like it so much. He is not exceptionally talented, he just always stays calm because that's what his master taught him and that lets him rationally think even in the most hopeless of situations letting him barely make it out by a hair's breadth.
Lord of Mysteries has the highest rating I have ever seen, it must be insanely good, thank you for the recommendations.
Lord of Mysteries it has everything you're looking for. Dangerous situations where MC might really die? check. not only that, the fighting strategy are outstanding. MC also starts from the bottom and gets stronger later on but not OP like he can own all the enemies, only OP for people weaker or even slightly stronger than him. the power levels is also amazing, the plot is even more amazing. just try it's 1st volume.