Free Web NovelChapter 1369: Chapter 1368:
The Deep Web is akin to a virtual underground world, and the midnight auction is a network auction platform situated within the Deep Web that ordinary people may have never even heard of.
The website design of the auction resembles a video game, providing an immersive experience. It is reasonable to believe that if one day human-computer interaction advances to a new stage, enabling entry into the virtual world via brain-computer interface, it will offer an even more realistic experience.
Through Allen’s introduction, Lin Fan learned that the artificial intelligence technology Li Zixia is researching is related to this.
But Lin Fan doesn’t have the time to bother with this right now; his primary task is to find Li Zixia.
"Sir, what would you like to buy?" Allen asked.
Lin Fan said, "Buy physical objects and request the platform to deliver them in person."
Allen nodded: "Alright, let’s just browse around first."
Allen casually opened a green light auction house and entered the auction room. There are two types of auction houses here: red light represents private auctions that only vetted members can access, while green light represents free auctions where passersby can enter and watch.
After entering the auction room, they observed that a vintage vase was being auctioned with fierce competition. Anonymous buyers were bidding one after another, while the "crowd" watching was stirring up a commotion. This free auction room is like a live broadcast room where viewers can comment.
The auctioneer introduced themselves as an antique collector and announced they would auction off ten of their collection items tonight. The current item, a vintage vase, is Huaxia Song Dynasty porcelain, very valuable, with real pictures displayed in the live broadcast room.
Allen asked Lin Fan, "Shall we buy this?"
Lin Fan looked at the vase pictures and the current bids and said, "Let’s not rush. Let’s observe further—buying something right away might raise suspicions, and this item isn’t worth that price."
Allen was surprised and asked, "You know how to appraise antiques?"
Lin Fan said, "Not exactly, but I noticed the craftsmanship on this vase is rather rough. Even in the Song Dynasty, it would’ve been a substandard piece."
Allen acknowledged, "So, shall we browse other auction rooms?"
Lin Fan said, "Sure."
So Allen exited the auction room and browsed several others.
Lin Fan realized that many items for sale at the midnight auction were shady: illegal weapons, illegal companies, stolen items, etc. Any of these items listed on "legitimate" websites would attract the police to trace them.
However, in the Deep Web and at the midnight auction, items pass unimpeded. No one questions the source because in the dark world, dark items are normal, similar to how ghosts are merely ordinary residents in hell.
Ghosts are only captured by mages when they enter the human world.
After a round of browsing, Lin Fan couldn’t make up his mind. Some items could be easily delivered via mail, making a request for delivery in person difficult.
Seeing no suitable items, they returned to the initial auction room.
The antique auction was still ongoing.
"Next, I’ll unveil tonight’s blockbuster item, the heaviest piece in my collection," the auctioneer announced upon their return.
The auctioneer was anonymous and used voice-changing software, making it difficult to determine their gender. The altered voice sounded somewhat comical.
As the auctioneer spoke, a video began playing in the room, featuring a Beast Head statue resembling a Snake Head.
"Have you heard of the Twelve Beast Heads? If not, you can check out Brother Long’s movie ’Twelve Zodiac.’ This item is the Snake Head from the Twelve Zodiac, and I won’t elaborate on how it came about. If you’re interested, prepare yourselves, as the auction is about to begin."
Twelve Beast Heads!
The auction room instantly buzzed with excitement, filled with exclamations.
"Holy crap, is this for real!"
"The legendary missing Snake Head!"
"Found here!"
"Big shots must be going crazy!"
"The highlight of tonight!"
The audience commented feverishly in various languages, including English, Korean, Neon, and Huaxia language.
It seems the story of the Twelve Beast Heads has gained worldwide fame.
It is said that during the Qing Dynasty in Huaxia, there were twelve zodiac bronze statues created during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, cast in red copper and designed by a missionary. The twelve heads represented the twelve hours of the day. Due to war in the late Qing Dynasty, these Twelve Beast Heads were plundered and all lost.
In modern times, patriotic Huaxia citizens have been diligently searching for these Twelve Beast Heads, and through relentless efforts, have recovered eight of them, all properly protected.
However, four Beast Heads remain unaccounted for. If not reclaimed, even knowing where they are would be helpful. Once their location is known, efforts could be made to retrieve them. The issue is that these four heads are entirely untraceable—perhaps destroyed or buried underground, unbeknownst to anyone, leaving only luck as a means of discovery.
One of these four missing Beast Heads is the Snake Head.
Who would’ve thought it would appear at a Deep Web auction!
"We’ll buy it," Lin Fan declared decisively.
Allen was puzzled, "Are you sure? Is it worth that much? Based on its appearance, the platform might not agree to deliver it in person."
Lin Fan said, "Whether it’s delivered in person is irrelevant; I must have this item."
Allen asked, "What exactly is this?"
Lin Fan said, "This belongs to Huaxia. As Huaxia People, we’re obliged to reclaim it. This is about us, not anyone else."
Allen understood and couldn’t help but give a thumbs up, admiringly saying, "I’ve heard Huaxia People have a strong sense of patriotism, and it’s truly so. I’ll register for the auction now."
Lin Fan nodded.
Thus, Allen registered for the auction.
The auction had a condition: participating buyers must have personal assets starting from 10 million Euros.
This was entirely within Allen’s means.
Allen registered successfully and gained auction participation eligibility, allowing him to bid.
"The starting bid for this Snake Head is 5 million Euros, with each raise no less than 100,000 Euros. Bidding starts now, and we hope for enthusiastic participation," the auctioneer announced.
Immediately, a buyer bid: "5.5 million."
Then other buyers quickly placed bids as well.
Due to the auction of this Snake Head, the auction room reached its peak activity, with many spectators observing, curious about the final price this treasure would reach.
Amidst the vigorous bidding, the Snake Head soon reached 10 million Euros.
"Should we place a bid?" Allen asked Lin Fan.
Lin Fan said, "No rush, let’s filter out some of the bidders first."
As prices rose, some buyers couldn’t keep up and began dropping out. Gradually, more buyers became calm and withdrew from the auction, while the Beast Head’s price had already climbed to 15 million Euros.
Lin Fan said, "It’s time to place a bid."
This Snake Head was something he was determined to obtain.
