I'm a little bit cute after transforming.

At the stone table, Diana listlessly toyed with the teacup in her hand, her fingertips lightly stroking the rim, her eyes wandering, clearly bored with the pointless chatter before her.

Candice continued to shower the Sword Saint with concern, her tone so gentle it was almost sweet, while the Sword Saint responded somewhat awkwardly, occasionally letting out a dry laugh.

Adolf watched coldly from the sidelines, occasionally interjecting with a sarcastic remark, creating a subtly unsettling atmosphere.

Diana suddenly felt a light tap on her back. When she turned around, she saw Rhine standing behind her, anxiously winking at her and then winking exaggeratedly.

What's wrong? Are your eyes dry?

Rhine nearly tripped over his shoulder. "I kill without blinking an eye, and you're asking me if my eyes are dry?" he thought. "Can't you see such an obvious hint? Who was it that so confidently promised to introduce me to their master?"

Rhine took a deep breath, realizing that perhaps he hadn't expressed himself quite right. He slightly tilted his head toward the Sword Saint, his eyes filled with a crazed hint.

Diana watched as Rhine's head bobbed back and forth, then suddenly realized something and slammed her hand on the table.

"Are you tired of standing? You should have said so earlier! Here, have a seat!"

After saying that, Diana jumped off the chair and gave up her seat.

The surroundings fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes turned to Rhine.

Rhine felt her face burning, and she lowered her head, her ears turning so red they looked like they were about to bleed.

Looking at the sword mark left by the Sword Saint on the ground, he felt an inexplicable urge to crawl into it.

"Anna, who is this silly boy?"

The Sword Saint broke the awkward silence with his words.

Diana thought the Sword Saint was right; he was being quite foolish.

“His name is Rhine, and I picked him up from the roadside.”

Rhine was already used to Diana's descriptions, and sighed inwardly, thinking that it was better to rely on oneself than on others.

He took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind.

"Sword Saint! I admire you greatly! It is said that your swordsmanship is unparalleled, capable of splitting mountains and parting seas. Having witnessed it today, I can see that your reputation is indeed well-deserved!"

Rhine bowed deeply to the Sword Saint, his voice firm and sincere.

"Could you teach me swordsmanship? Please!"

Upon hearing this, the Sword Saint merely smiled calmly, 'What are you thinking, young man? There are plenty of people who want to become my disciple; you can't expect to do so just by offering a few flattering words.'

"No need for flattery, I have no plans to take on any more apprentices."

Rhine refused to give up and pleaded:

"Sword Saint, please accept me as your disciple! I will certainly not disgrace your reputation!"

Receiving no response, Rhine maintained his ninety-degree bow, believing that his sincerity would surely move the Sword Saint.

The Sword Saint scoffed at this. He had seen plenty of people like this. He had even refused the hero's request to become his disciple, let alone this kid he had picked up from who-knows-where.

After a while of this stalemate, Diana couldn't stand it anymore, since she had promised to help.

"Master Yi, please accept him!"

"Rhine may be a bit simple-minded, but he's definitely a good person, I can guarantee that!"

Diana raised one hand as if making a vow.

Rhine, bowing deeply, suddenly felt utterly exhausted. 'Your praise sounds harsher to me than an insult!'

The Sword Saint sighed.

"Anna, swordsmanship is not something just anyone can learn. The requirements are extremely demanding, requiring exceptional talent, a strong physique, and unwavering perseverance! It's no exaggeration to say that only one in ten thousand can master it!"

Diana scratched her head.

"Master Yi, isn't learning swordsmanship something you can do just by having hands? It's not as exaggerated as you say!"

The Sword Saint's lips twitched. 'I suspect you're subtly criticizing me! But I have no proof!'

"Do you think everyone is as prodigy as you? You said it yourself, this kid is stupid, he can't possibly learn it, there's no need to waste time!"

Diana was somewhat unconvinced.

"You haven't even taught him, how do you know he can't learn? Maybe he's just lucky, and he'll learn it in no time!"

The Sword Saint couldn't help but laugh.

"Even a genius can't learn something in one go, let alone an idiot."

Rhine felt an urge to cry. 'I guess I'm going to play the fool today!'

Seeing that the Sword Saint showed no sign of agreeing, Diana had no choice but to use her ultimate move.

Diana went to the Sword Saint's side, skillfully massaged his legs, and then looked at him pitifully.

"Master Yi, you're the best! Please accept him!"

Seeing Diana's appearance, the Sword Saint almost agreed on the spot, but Diana's next words instantly brought him to his senses.

"I've already given Rhein my assurances. If you don't accept him, I'll lose face!"

The Sword Saint was speechless. He had thought Diana had taken a liking to Rhine and was speaking up for him like this. 'So you were just afraid of losing face! Thank goodness, I almost softened and agreed!'

“Alas—Anna, it’s not that I don’t want to take him in, but swordsmanship is not something that can be done overnight, and I no longer have the time to teach him.”

The Sword Saint wanted to find an excuse to get away with it, but he didn't lie. He was already old and only had a few years left to live.

The Sword Saint's words made the atmosphere around them somewhat oppressive. Candice's nose tingled, and she couldn't bring herself to say anything comforting. Even Adolf's face showed a hint of desolation.

The Sword Saint gently patted Diana's head.

"Anna, don't be sad. Everyone has their own destiny, and that day will come eventually."

Diana pushed away the Sword Saint's hand, tapped the spatial bracelet on her wrist, took out a wooden bottle from it, and slammed it onto the stone table.

"It's no big deal! You should have said so earlier!"

"This wooden bottle contains the Water of Life. Taking three drops can increase one hundred and fifty years of lifespan. Now we have time!"

??

The somewhat somber atmosphere was instantly shattered, replaced by an eerie silence.