"A'ling, your way of addressing me has suddenly become so intimate, I'm still not used to it," Ye Ling said with a smile upon hearing what "Xin" had to say.
"Xin" continued, "You killed my brothers and sisters. By rights, I should hate you to the bone. In fact, I did want to kill you to avenge 'Hand,' 'Foot,' and 'Body.' But deep down, you are one of the few people I can truly recognize."
"Ye Ling, if you had stood with the watchers from the beginning, perhaps we could have become very good friends."
As "Xin" finished speaking, the cold wind between heaven and earth roared again. Ye Ling felt the rate at which his strength was being consumed begin to accelerate.
It was clear that "Xin" had amplified the power of her Karma Skill.
While using his Custom Future to resist "Xin's" Karma Skill, Ye Ling searched for "Xin's" location and said, "'Xin,' although you can threaten me, your spiritual energy is far less than mine. Moreover, this is still the Primordial Realm, and I have the support of the Primordial Realm's power... Are you sure you want to engage in a battle of attrition with me here?"
"Xin" replied, "Who will emerge victorious is still unknown, Ye Ling... Until the very end, no one can say for sure who the ultimate winner will be."
"You won the Primordial Chaos, but this time, you may not win."
"Then let us wait and see."
After replying to "Xin," Ye Ling immediately unleashed his Devouring Domain, covering the ice and snow-laden land and beginning to draw in the surrounding power.
Ye Ling's aura began to surge at an unbelievable rate, and the Source Text, which was about to be frozen, began to emit light again after gaining immense power.
Ye Ling's body temperature returned to normal, and his sluggish thoughts also recovered.
However, soon the blizzard in the sky and earth became even more violent, even freezing Ye Ling's Devouring Domain. Ye Ling's consumption increased again!
It was obvious that "Xin" intended to drag Ye Ling into a war of attrition!
"Is this a delaying tactic against me?"
Seeing "Xin" increase her efforts, Ye Ling did not back down. He also went all out, determined to continue resisting "Xin."
Although Ye Ling's escalating actions might seem impulsive, in reality, this was the fastest way for him to defeat "Xin."
What Ye Ling needed was time, and "Xin" was clearly skilled at concealment. If "Xin" truly intended to play hide-and-seek with Ye Ling in this icy landscape, Ye Ling would truly have no way to deal with her.
Although forcibly resisting "Xin" with Custom Future consumed a great deal of energy, it was also one of the few methods Ye Ling had to wear down "Xin" at the moment.
As the master of Primordial Chaos, bolstered by the power of the Seven Kings and aided by the Devouring Domain, Ye Ling feared no one in a war of attrition!
The power Ye Ling now possessed was approximately infinite.
The blizzard howled, and Ye Ling stood in the icy wilderness, continuously customizing the future and raising his body temperature. "Xin" also kept increasing her power, strengthening the might of her Karma Skill.
However, when "Xin's" power reached a critical point, she seemed to have reached her limit. The blizzard began to weaken, and Ye Ling's consumption gradually slowed.
"'Xin,' is this your strategy? If you simply try to outlast me, you have no chance of winning," Ye Ling said, standing in the ice and snow. Sensing "Xin's" power diminishing, he couldn't help but feel a hint of confusion.
With "Xin's" strength, she might have had some chance of winning if she fought normally.
Even if "Xin" wanted to stall for time, a normal fight would have caused Ye Ling more trouble than this simple battle of attrition.
In Ye Ling's opinion, "Xin" was using her weakness against his strength. The purpose of "Xin" doing this could only be to hasten her own demise.
In response to Ye Ling's inquiry, "Xin's" emotions remained undisturbed. She said, "Sometimes, one cannot focus on immediate gains or losses. If viewed from a broader perspective, temporary defeat is necessary."
"From a broader perspective..."
Hearing "Xin's" words, Ye Ling's brow furrowed. However, he had no better counter-strategy at the moment.
If Ye Ling did not use Custom Future to resist "Xin's" Karma Skill, his mind would be frozen, leading to his complete defeat.
And engaging in a battle of attrition with "Xin" was also the quickest and simplest way for Ye Ling to defeat her.
"What exactly is 'Xin' planning? Even if she wants to stall for time, everything she is doing now is the wrong choice."
"If this trend continues, in less than fifteen minutes, 'Xin' will be directly defeated... It's as if she's deliberately giving me kills..."
Ye Ling found himself unable to comprehend "Xin's" actions. However... even with his doubts, Ye Ling could no longer stop now. He could only increase the power of Custom Future, and while resisting "Xin's" Karma Skill, he began to counterattack, accelerating "Xin's" demise.
As "Xin's" Karma Skill continuously clashed with Ye Ling's Custom Future, the frozen heart on the ground began to decay, and the world of ice and snow gradually melted.
"You can't stop me anymore."
After adjusting his breathing, Ye Ling sighed softly.
He felt a sense of disappointment that he couldn't have a true contest with the powerful "Xin."
However, this was not the time to linger. As Ye Ling was about to exhaust "Xin," he put away the Source Text and moved towards the decaying heart.
The pale-faced "Xin" appeared behind Ye Ling. She raised her hand, intending to freeze Ye Ling's legs, but before the ice could reach Ye Ling's feet, it completely melted.
"Xin" had drained herself completely.
However, there was no disappointment or anger on "Xin's" face. Instead, a hint of a smile appeared in her eyes.
Ye Ling stood before the frozen heart, looking at the decaying organ while asking "Xin," "Can you tell me now the meaning of what you did?"
"Of course."
"Xin" smiled weakly at Ye Ling. "As the master of Primordial Chaos, I alone am no match for you. Even if I fought you with all my might, I would likely only end up perishing."
"Therefore, I chose to sacrifice myself."
"Sacrifice yourself?"
Ye Ling raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Xin" said, "That's right... I never told you, but my Karma Skill isn't about controlling temperature. This ice and snow, including your body losing heat, are merely side effects of my Heart of Annihilation being used."
"Body losing heat doesn't just happen to you; it happens to me as well."
Ye Ling's pupils contracted slightly.
"Xin" continued, "In fact, by myself, I wouldn't be able to support the completion of the Heart of Annihilation, because my body and mind would freeze completely before the Karma Skill was finished. So, my Karma Skill was a chicken's rib."
"But, A'ling..."
"Xin" smiled slightly at Ye Ling. "Your Custom Future... helped me complete my Karma Skill."