Xiao Ling had chosen to confront Nihility Devouring Flame in a Soul Showdown because he had absolute confidence in his own Soul Cultivation Level.
His Spiritual Power had now reached the Half-Step Divine Palace Realm. Though he had not truly ascended to the Divine Palace Realm, it was still somewhat stronger than an Emperor Realm soul.
Nihility Devouring Flame, on the other hand, possessed a formidable soul that had barely reached the peak of the Heavenly Realm, at the pinnacle of the Half-Step Emperor Realm. Yet he had ultimately failed to cross the crucial threshold into the Emperor Realm. The difference between them was already as vast as heaven and earth.
For that reason, Xiao Ling was certain of victory in this clash of souls.
Moreover, he did not wish to leave behind any future trouble.
If he forcefully refined Nihility Devouring Flame while it retained its complete consciousness, its remaining Spiritual Wisdom might very well backlash against him, interfering with or even contaminating the consciousness of his own Heavenly Flame Origin.
But if he utterly crushed and erased its will through a Soul Showdown, he could eliminate that risk at its root.
As for the secrets Nihility Devouring Flame had learned during its countless years entrenched in the Hall of Souls—the Hun Clan's schemes and the secrets of Soul Origin—Xiao Ling could extract them all from its scattered soul fragments after shattering its consciousness.
This approach was both safe and foolproof, leaving no hidden dangers behind. It was the most perfect choice.
Within the world of consciousness lay a boundless expanse of pure white. There were no restrictions from the laws of heaven and earth, no clamorous Dou Qi or Heavenly Flames—only pure Soul Power flowing through the space, forming Nihility Devouring Flame's consciousness realm.
When Xiao Ling's