Nice! Thanks!
Honestly, the multiple lives technique is probably the thing that turns the battle.
Like we've seen with the phoenix kid, he had 9 lives. The sage had a couple and turn back time.
Often times, in power gaps, sacrificing yourself is like the only sure way method.
But, as shown, when they harp on the fact they have multiple lives, it also implies they're still at a disadvantage since these gods, buddhas, and rebels have already taken a couple of their lives.
Usually it seems that those lives are reserved for a whole lifetime for each generation of guardians.
So, it's kinda plot armor for the main cast to level up before the guardians fall honestly
I would even count it that the emperor has a backup pill that gives more lives