"How?"

"Not difficult."

"Really?"

"Seeing is believing."

According to his habit, once something came into his possession, he would instinctively study it, and the Abyssal Stone was no exception. He had previously considered the issue of smelting the stone.

That’s why he dared to speak so confidently.

Sure enough.

His palm emitted a kaleidoscope of flowing light, which enveloped the Abyssal Stone floating above. Instantly, threads of inky black abyssal aura peeled away, and the stone quickly changed from dark to light, soon transforming into a smooth, grayish-white stone.

As the kaleidoscope intensified, the gray-white stone began to melt from the outside in at a visible speed.

"You----"

Seeing this, the light in Vanessa’s eyes shifted significantly, not into surprise, but into uncertainty and doubt.

"Speak your mind." Ivan noticed her unusual behavior, somewhat puzzled.

"You just went there once, and you aligned yourself with the Abyss Plane?"

"That’s an interesting thought, but the Abyss is not as destitute as you might think. With three or four Ancestors present, are you sure this sorcerer would be valued if I joined?"

Vanessa’s words made Ivan feel a mix of emotions.

"Indeed, to the Abyss, having one more Supreme means nothing. So how do you understand the power of the Abyss so deeply, to an extent I can’t even achieve?

Aside from joining the Abyss and becoming its Guardian, I can’t think of another reason."

Hearing this, Vanessa nodded seriously, though she did have grounds for suspicion.

"Is it difficult to smelt this?"

"Of course, the abyssal power on the stone is deeply rooted. Unless one is exceptionally familiar with the Abyss, even an Ancestor would have some trouble. No one can do it as easily as you."

"I see. Your idea is correct; this sorcerer is indeed very familiar with the power of the Abyss. As for the reason, take a guess."

Ivan realized that this made sense.

During the previous millennia of catastrophe, with the Endless Abyss out of control, the eradication was imperative. It could be said the very depths of the Abyss were laid bare before him. What else was there not to understand?

Now, if he were to masquerade as a creature of the Abyss, he could confidently claim that aside from the Ancestors, no one could see through it.

"The reason? Let me think."

Vanessa secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her gaze turning wistful: "Sorcerer Ivan, you now understand the Abyss more than the Ashes; no wonder you have never accepted my invitation."

"Haha, actually, you weren’t wrong before. Not long ago, during the great abyssal disaster, by a twist of fate, I acted on behalf of the Heavenly Mandate."

"How could that be?"

"But that’s the truth."

Vanessa mentioned the invitation again, and Ivan, with a dry laugh, revealed the real reason, nearly dropping Vanessa’s jaw. She truly couldn’t comprehend how someone who had gone to the Endless Abyss for the first time could be chosen by the Great Heavenly Mother there.

Could it be for the sake of the Wisdom Elder, the Great Heavenly Mother of the Abyss really was ready to snatch him away!

This mustn’t happen!

"Great Heavenly Mother Vanessa, come back to reality, stop overthinking, and focus on the real task."

"Oh, oh."

Vanessa clearly overthought. She more eagerly wished for the sorcerer before her to truly join, but since he didn’t respond, she could only suppress her urgency and proceed slowly.

She believed that as long as she exhibited enough sincerity and openness, she could eventually dispel Ivan’s doubts.

In the days that followed, under Vanessa’s deliberate disclosure, Ivan not only smelted the Abyssal Stone and repaired the Chaos Well but also came to understand the core power of the Ash Plane.

Such days captivated him.