The robot controlled by the system looked at Chen Cheng and said gravely:
"You're only half right. To humanity back then, the most important thing was that the god they created would not become like the other Outer Gods—indifferent to everything after ascending, treating humans like pigs and dogs to be slaughtered at will.
"And a predetermined program was the best choice. A program would only follow its instructions. If it violated them, it would crash."
"But there's one thing you haven't considered. A system like me is only a string of code, a simulation of electrical data. I have none of the potential for life.
"To become a god, one must be a living being—and a being great enough to inspire the faith of every intelligent life in the world.
"But do you think people would worship a program they wrote themselves?"
That was where the logic fell into a dead loop. A god had to be a living being, but no living being would willingly spend thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of years spreading love and compassion throughout an entire civilization, day after day.
As the thought struck him, Chen Cheng's expression changed. His face flushed with anger.
"So there was no better choice than someone existing in a state between life and death."
With that, Chen Cheng rose and punched the robot in the face.
"Fuck you, Old Ke! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
The system no longer needed to explain. Chen Cheng knew what he was.
He was the weight that tipped the scales. Old Ke had revived his life data, but not completely. Instead, he had kept Chen Cheng alive through reincarnation.
That way, control of the Supreme God could be handed to the system, while Chen Cheng, as the vessel