Despite all that, Augheimer remained sitting cross-legged on the ground, his eyes shut as he continued to cultivate. He knew that everyone else would be begging, and begging was something that did not help increase one''s value. If he were to join the flocks of people begging, it would deteriorate his own value as well. Augheimer was a man of pride and was not about to get on his knees so easily.


    In fact, he had even made up his mind. If he was not chosen to be a ve of the Eight Great Families, he would live on the outskirts of Buck Town and then enter the town once he was powerful enough.


    Divan Reyne walked past the cells. They were lined with people calling out to him, but he hardly even nced at them.


    Just then, the guard asked, "Why aren''t you choosing a ve, Mister Divan? Are these not good enough?"


    Divan said, "Thest ve I chose got me a terrible scolding from Mister Firton thatsted two whole hours. It''s been a while, but I''m still troubled by it."


    "But if you don''t choose a ve at all, wouldn''t thatnd you in even more trouble with Mister Firton?"


    Divan sighed. "You''re right. I''ll choose a few to show for work, I guess. Ugh, we''re going to have to be harsher on these ves in the future."


    Divan nced at one of the cells. His gazended on Augheimer at once, and he stopped in his tracks with a frown. "Open this cell."


    "Yes, sir."


    The door of the cell swung open, and five or six cultivators ran up to Divan on their knees. They bowed profusely, hungry for him to notice them so they could be a ve of the Reyne family.


    "Choose me, sir."


    "Sir, over here!"


    ...


    Divan glowered at all of them. "Get out of my way."


    The guard shooed the cultivators away, before following Divan''s gaze and calling out to the person itnded on. "Hey, guy in the corner! Mister Divan wants to see you. Get over here."


    Augheimer opened his eyes, ncing at Divan. "Yes, sir."


    He got to his feet, walked up to Divan, and got down on one knee. "Augheimer at your service, Mister Divan."


    Divan smirked at the sight of Augheimer. Somehow, this guy reminded him of that Wilbur Penn idiot from before. "Augheimer, was it?"


    "Yes, sir."


    "Right. If you go back to where you were sitting, and make your way to me on your knees, I''ll pick you to be a Reyne family ve. Deal?"


    "I''ll do it!"


    "Sir, I''ll do it!"


    The other ves eximed one after another to offer themselves.