Free Web NovelChapter 1367: Chapter 1366
A technology related to artificial intelligence was auctioned on the Deep Web. From the information disclosed by the auctioneer, this technology could potentially change the world, immediately attracting much attention and causing discussions on hacker websites. Some were skeptical, some outright did not believe it, and others were deeply interested.
Regardless, the auction proceeded as scheduled, just four nights ago.
Over a hundred buyers entered the auction room. Although this auction was anonymous, it wasn’t hard to imagine they came from all around the world, possibly a high-tech company or perhaps a billionaire.
The white man in front of Lin Fan was one of them. He was the CEO of a high-tech company located in London, named Allen, an American.
Allen recounted to Lin Fan the events of that evening.
Allen’s company urgently needed an artificial intelligence technology, so upon learning about the auction on the Deep Web, he registered to participate.
All the buyers entering the auction were anonymous, and unaware of each other’s presence. The owner of this anonymous auction divided them up, yet they could all see the auctioneer.
Of course, the auctioneer remained anonymous too. If the auction succeeded, the transaction would be facilitated through a third party, namely the auction owner. This way, the identities of the buyers and sellers could be protected.
After Allen entered the auction room, he saw only a virtual room and the anonymous auctioneer.
The auction commenced with the auctioneer introducing this artificial intelligence technology.
"After listening to the auctioneer’s description, the technology was said to be developed by himself. If what he said was true, then this technology could indeed change the world. Hence, I was determined to seize it," Allen said.
Lin Fan asked curiously, "Since it’s an auction, he certainly wouldn’t reveal the specifics of the technology’s program. Aren’t you afraid it might be fake?"
Allen replied, "You have this thought because you don’t actually understand the Deep Web. Although the Deep Web is an underground world, it has its own rules and they are far stricter than ours. If the auctioneer dared to fake it, they would surely face the most severe punishment."
Lin Fan asked, "So what exactly happened that night?"
Allen continued, "Originally, everything went smoothly during the auction that night. The auctioneer’s presentation sparked interest among many people, and my own interest was indeed piqued. The starting bid for the technology was 1 billion Euros. I was the first to bid, raising it immediately to 2 billion Euros. Subsequently, I saw others placing bids, and after a fierce contest, the auction price soared to 10 billion Euros. Yes, I was the one who placed that 10 billion bid; I was determined to secure this technology."
Allen’s company was an established high-tech firm, but it had reached a developmental bottleneck, remaining stagnant for several years. It urgently needed a new technology to rejuvenate the company. One could say Allen was hoping this technology would save the company; he was intent on acquiring it.
However, there were many others with the same mindset. In the bidding process, the buyers got carried away, seemingly all determined to secure the technology.
"If the auction continued, it was hard to imagine the final price; it might very well reach a sky-high amount! Do you know what that means?" Allen said.
Lin Fan responded, "Naturally, it’s a good thing for the auctioneer, as they would earn more than the actual value of the item being auctioned. That’s the advantage of auctions. But for buyers, it might not be such a great thing. You want to acquire it, but the high price makes it difficult. Yet in this auction environment, sometimes people lose their heads, and the final price may be more than you can bear."
Allen smiled bitterly, "That’s exactly it. To be honest, when I shouted out the 10 billion price, I already regretted it. Because I might not be able to come up with that sum, even if I was willing, the company’s shareholders wouldn’t agree; they’d think I was crazy. By then, I had already decided that if anyone else raised the bid, I would abandon it."
However, what Allen didn’t anticipate was that he became the final bidder at the auction.
It wasn’t that no one wanted to bid further, but because the auction was abruptly interrupted.
"What happened?" Lin Fan asked.
Allen replied, "The auctioneer’s identity was suddenly revealed."
Lin Fan frowned, "Who did it?"
Allen said, "I don’t know. The individual who exposed the auctioneer’s identity was also anonymous and swiftly vanished. In any case, everyone in the auction room that night learned about the auctioneer’s identity, the inventor of this artificial intelligence technology."
Lin Fan said, "Li Zixia?"
Allen nodded, "Li Zixia, London."
Li Zixia had invented an artificial intelligence technology, anonymously auctioned on the Deep Web. Yet, halfway through the auction, her true identity was unexpectedly disclosed.
Li Zixia immediately announced the auction’s cancellation and then went offline.
Allen said, "At that moment, I thought this girl must be terrified. Can you imagine what’s going to happen next?"
"Not only would she be scared, even I felt my hair stand on end!" Allen said, "Even if the technology’s price had already reached 10 billion Euros, 10 billion Euros is enough to drive anyone to do something crazy."
Lin Fan asked, "What did you do?"
Things Allen could think of, Lin Fan could also imagine. Consider that a technology capable of changing the world—who wouldn’t want to own it? Originally, acquiring this technology required 10 billion Euros, possibly even more. That price was already difficult for many large companies to bear. Yet, because the auctioneer was anonymous, whom would they complain to? They had to tough it out.
Ultimately, whoever acquired the technology would pay a price too high to bear.
Now, the auctioneer’s identity was exposed, and the situation was entirely different.
It was inevitable that someone would develop sinister thoughts.
If acquiring Li Zixia equated to obtaining the technology for free.
Lin Fan stared at Allen, "Did you ever have such sinister thoughts?"
Allen quickly said, "No, no, absolutely not. Think about it, Mr. Lin, I’m in London, so close to Miss Li. If I wanted to have sinister thoughts, would it still be someone else’s turn?"
Lin Fan said, "Then what’s your intention tonight by sending someone to Li Zixia’s home? Are you claiming goodwill?"
Allen laughed awkwardly, "If I say I genuinely want to help Miss Li, would you believe it, Mr. Lin? Of course, I’m not without self-interest; I hope to impress Miss Li. After all, when the auction was interrupted, I was the highest bidder."
Allen originally planned to provide protection to Li Zixia, hoping she might sell the technology to him at a discount or even give it to him.
Unexpectedly, he was a step too late; Li Zixia had already been kidnapped.
