"Your soul is too frail. I'll help you grow stronger, but it will take a little time," the Emperor said.
Only then did Professor Ding Yi notice his own body. It was like a wisp of smoke, as though a gust of wind could blow it away.
In truth, this was what an ordinary person's soul was really like. It relied on one's self-image to maintain a human form, but without the protection of the body, it was frail and powerless.
"You..." he hesitated. "Why did you choose me?"
"You already know that the Trisolarans exist. They're coming. They're on their way, and they'll reach the Solar System in 200 years. Humanity doesn't have much time left," the Emperor replied calmly.
"If you rely on your own development, your fate is already sealed. I imagine you wouldn't want humanity to perish, would you?"
Professor Ding Yi's heart trembled. He struggled to look up at the giant wreathed in boundless golden light. "You'll help us? Why?"
"There are two reasons. I am humanity's guardian. Even without any benefit to myself, I would never stand by and let humanity be wiped out, even if we don't exist in the same universe," the deity answered.
"Besides, you're not without value to me. When humanity grows strong, I'll need your help to obtain something."
"Something? What is it?" he asked. "Can't you take it yourself?"
"Until I see it, I can't tell exactly what I need. I can only rely on my supernatural intuition, which tells me it's somewhere in a corner of your universe.
"Don't worry. I don't need you to search for it now. I have plenty of patience to wait for humanity to grow," the deity replied.
"In this materialistic universe, supernatural powers are greatly restricted. Even I'm not omnipotent."
"How