“What are you looking at?”
When the lift slowly came to a stop at the entrance of the ninth floor, Monica noticed Vincent’s unusual behavior. She could not help but ask curiously.
Vincent frowned and looked at the abyss under his feet. He asked softly, “Look down there. Is there any difference from the last time we came?”
Monica turned her head to look down and said with a confused look, “There’s no change! Ever since I entered Hell’s Rose, this place has always been a black hole. There’s nothing!”
After hearing that, Vincent could not help but frown even more. This was because he could clearly see the scene hundreds of meters below him. The darkness that seemed to be able to swallow everything before had become much brighter.
The space below did not change in size. It was like a vertical shaft that went up and down. However, there were still a few rusty and rotten weapons stuck to the seemingly irregular rock wall that was impossible to climb.
It looked like the Dark Elves that previously fell had tried their best to climb up. However, in the end, they still fell into the abyss.
Vincent knew very well that he was able to observe the situation within hundreds of meters of the abyss because he had cultivated the Art of Heaven’s Will formula. It had strengthened his connection with heaven and earth.
However, what Vincent could not understand was that despite the abyss being hundreds of meters long, there was a faint light that could be seen from the deepest part of the abyss. It was also the light that Vincent had first seen from the gap in the lift platform!
That faint light seemed to be thousands of miles away from Vincent. It was like a star that he yearned for but could not reach. It kept shining at him. Vincent’s curiosity was aroused.
Vincent believed that the reason that he could see that light was definitely related to the Art of Heaven’s Will. However, what was the source of that light?
Could it be that there was a treasure hidden deep underground?
Or could it be that there was a high-level creature there?
In short, this glimmer of light left an indelible shadow in Vincent’s heart. He made up his mind to go and investigate it clearly the moment he had the chance!
Even though he knew that it would be very dangerous, Vincent still felt that the source of that light must be very important to him!
It might contain a history that even the elves had forgotten about, or it might be a treasure that no one had discovered. In short, it was an opportunity that could not be missed!
Monica looked at Vincent staring at the darkness below and could not help but ask, “Can you see something?”
Vincent retracted his gaze and said with a smile, “I can indeed see something, but it might just be an illusion!”
Monica nodded and did not continue to ask. This was because she felt that Vincent must have been hallucinating!
Monica had practically grown up in Hell’s Rose. Although she knew nothing about the outside world, she knew everything about the inner parts of Hell’s Rose. She felt that she knew enough about the abyss below. It was absolutely impossible for anything to be in there as far as she knew. Therefore, she did not pester Vincent or continue to probe.
After Vincent retracted his gaze, he knew that he was still unable to see the secrets under the abyss, so he said to Monica, “Let’s go back to the fifth floor now!”
Monica looked at Vincent in surprise and asked, “Didn’t you say that you wanted to come to the ninth floor? Are you sure you don’t want to go in and take a look?”
Vincent looked at the corridor leading to the auction house. He smiled bitterly and said, “I came here to see the abyss below. Moreover, I only have tens of thousands of crystal coins left. Even if I go in, it will be difficult to bid for anything. I can only watch others take away treasures one by one. What’s the point?”
Monica said, “When you come to the auction house, you don’t have to just participate in the auction! If you have any valuable treasures that you don’t need, you can also bring them to the auction house and let a professional auctioneer help you sell them! As for the reward, they will take a portion of the commission, and the rest will be handed over to you!”
Vincent scratched his head and said, “This service is quite humane, but I don’t seem to have anything worth auctioning on me. If it’s too expensive, I definitely won’t be willing to part with it. If the others look too ordinary, I think I’d better forget about it!”
Upon hearing that, Monica could not help but sigh in disappointment. It seemed that she really liked the atmosphere of the auction house. As she could not enter the auction house, she could only hurriedly take a look at the corridor. That counted as visiting too!
After seeing Monica’s dejected look, Vincent could not help but shake his head helplessly. He thought that maybe he could get some treasures in the future and bring Monica to the auction house for a tour.
However, Vincent needed to find Catherine urgently to discuss with her about the mansion in the suburbs.
Just as Vincent was about to press the button that led to the fifth floor, Monica suddenly sighed, “Isn’t that David? Why is he at the auction house again?”
Vincent subconsciously turned his head and saw that David was indeed sneakily heading toward the auction house from the other side of the corridor.
However, Vincent knew that there was no passageway in the direction that David was heading toward. There was only a slightly mysterious room there. This meant that David was not here to participate in the auction. Instead, he was going to the room to do something or find someone!
Vincent pulled Monica in front of him and pointed to the room at the other end of the corridor. He asked, “What’s the innermost room for?”
Monica thought for a moment and said, “The layout of every floor of Hell’s Rose is basically the same. Other than the normal business area and a few secret rooms that were used to store valuable items or lock up important creatures, the only room that can be displayed so openly is the private area of the individual in charge of that floor. That must be the room of the person in charge of the ninth floor!”
Vincent then asked, “Then how much do you know about the supervisor of the ninth floor?”
Monica turned to look at Vincent with a blank look and said softly, “The supervisor of the ninth floor, you’ve seen him too!”
“I’ve seen him too?”
Vincent sighed in surprise. It was his first time here. Other than some ordinary employees, he did not see any Dark Elves who looked like supervisors.
Suddenly, Vincent had a flash of inspiration. He seemed to have understood something and said, “That auctioneer is the supervisor of the ninth floor!”
Monica nodded and said, “Yes! The nine supervisors of Hell’s Rose are willing to hide in this dark underground place because they all have their own reasons and motives. Some are willing to stay because of their hobbies! Take Lady Catherine for example. Back then, she encountered some crisis and had to hide in Hell’s Rose to protect herself. The one in charge of the fourth floor that we just met, Blue, obviously joined Hell’s Rose to earn money. As for the one in charge of the ninth floor, it’s said that he likes auctioning, that’s why he stayed in Hell’s Rose!”
After listening to Monica’s explanation, Vincent could not help but look at the room at the end of the corridor.
What was David doing in the auctioneer’s room?
Did he want to recruit the person in charge of the ninth floor? Or did he want to ask about the next auction item in advance?
But with the strong background of Hell’s Rose and the professionalism of the auctioneer, this obviously would not happen. No matter how arrogant David was, he would not be able to act recklessly in Hell’s Rose.
Plus, what could the auctioneer have to make David take the initiative to visit him?
Vincent could not help but think in his heart. Other than the auctioneer’s control of the auction house and his understanding of the auction items, what other advantages did he have?
Maybe it was because he knew the origin of the auction items and the identity of the buyers? Or maybe it was because he was able to perform valuations on the items? He must have a sharp and professional vision due to his accumulated experience after handling countless auction items.
After listing all the advantages of an auctioneer in his mind, he quickly thought of one possibility!
David went to the auctioneer to ask about the purpose of an item and the story behind it. David just happened to have a few treasures that even Vincent wanted!
Vincent held Monica’s hand and said to her, “Now that I’ve changed my mind, Let’s go visit this auctioneer!”
Monica said happily, “Okay!”
Vincent led Monica down from the lift platform. After deliberately avoiding David, he walked to the door of the auctioneer’s room and knocked on it gently.
“Please come in!”
The auctioneer’s voice was heard. His tone was still as calm and elegant. It sounded the same as when he was on the auction platform.
Vincent immediately pushed the door open and entered with Monica. He looked at the room that looked like a study. The auctioneer was sitting behind a desk.
The auctioneer looked at the two individuals who were covered in black robes and asked casually, “Why are you looking for me?”
It was normal to see individuals dressed like this in the auction house. This was because all the buyers who had successfully bid for items did not want to end up like His Highness Dave!
Vincent continued to pretend to be hoarse and said with a smile, “I want to ask, other than buying and selling items, what other services can the ninth floor provide?”
After hearing his question, the auctioneer could not help but turn his head to look at a mirror mounted on the wall beside him. He nodded silently, smiled and said, “The two of you should be here for young elder David, right? He just walked out of my room not long ago. You must have noticed his whereabouts, or perhaps you followed him all the way here!”
Vincent mimicked the auctioneer and turned his head to look at the mirror on the wall. He then said, “I think you might have misunderstood. I’m not interested in David’s whereabouts. I just want to ask about the secret services in Hell’s Rose!”
The auctioneer spread his hands when he heard that. He smiled and said, “Since you don’t want to tell me the truth, fine! I can tell you that in Hell’s Rose, the business on every floor is not fixed. For example, you can buy all kinds of information on the seventh floor, but some information about special items or auction items can also be bought on the ninth floor! Of course, if you have information about the auction house’s past auction items, you can also come to me to sell them. I will estimate the corresponding value for you based on the accuracy of the information and whether it is effective!”
Vincent nodded slightly and said softly, “I understand! If you want to buy and sell information related to the auction items, you have to choose someone who has a better understanding of the treasure. And I’m afraid that there is no auctioneer in the entire Devil Flame City who has a better insight than you!”
The auctioneer replied with a smile, “Auctioneer is not just my profession. My name, or perhaps my code name is also called auctioneer! Since I have already told you what you want to know, then can you tell me the purpose of your visit today?”
Vincent did not respond to the auctioneer’s request. Instead, he continued to ask, “Just now, you said that young elder David had come to look for you. I think he is here to ask for information, right? After all, the Mother Nest Insect Egg that he bought last time had already disappeared. I’m afraid that no one knows the specific purpose of it until now!”
When the auctioneer heard Vincent mention David, he revealed a smug smile because he thought that the other party had finally revealed his true intentions. At the same time, it also confirmed his previous guess.
But when Vincent mentioned the Mother Nest Insect Egg, the auctioneer’s expression immediately changed, because this was a term that even he had never heard of. As for the white boulder that David had bid for, the ninth floor did not find any relevant information regarding it. How did this mysterious man in front of him know this name?
“Looks like your excellency has come prepared!”
The auctioneer tugged at his collar nervously and smiled as he spoke to Vincent. He subconsciously looked at the mirror beside him again.
When the auctioneer saw his reflection in the mirror, he instantly calmed down. He turned to Vincent and said, “Since you know the name of the auction item, I wonder if you can provide me with more detailed information? If possible, we can discuss the payment!”
Vincent mimicked the auctioneer again and turned to look at the mirror. He then said, “If you want me to sell the information in my hands, I definitely can! But you must prove to me that this information has a possibility of being sold. Otherwise, I don’t mind keeping this information in the bottom of my heart. After all, some secrets are more precious when they are not known by others!”
The auctioneer stood up and walked to the mirror to rearrange his collar. He said calmly, “Sir, you don’t have to beat around the bush anymore! I can tell you directly that young elder David had came to me just now to ask for information about the white boulder. He gave me a very high reward! And please believe me, that reward will definitely not disappoint you!”
Vincent revealed a smile under the black robe. This was because he had finally confirmed the purpose of David’s visit. He had also discovered a small secret on the auctioneer. However, this secret still needed to be verified more boldly!
Vincent said with a slight smile, “Alright, I can sell the information I know, but the prerequisite is that you must meet my conditions!”
When the auctioneer heard this, he could not help but reveal a joyful smile. He turned around to return to his seat and said to Vincent with an excited expression, “As long as the information is true, any conditions can be discussed! Sir, can you reveal part of the information to me now so that I can verify the authenticity of the information?”
Vincent held Monica’s hand and walked to the desk. He said in a deep voice, “I once saw a record of an ancient secret in an old book. What I can tell you now is that the auction item is actually an ancient insect egg. At the same time, it should be a complete insect egg left behind in the ancient insect world at the very last moment! That’s all I can say for now. After you verify the authenticity, we can talk about the conditions!”
The auctioneer smiled and turned to look at the mirror. He then said, “There’s no need. I naturally have a way to know that your excellency is speaking the truth. You can put forward the conditions now! What do you need us to do before you are willing to sell the information in your hands?”
Vincent said in a deep voice, “First, I will not disclose the complete information. I will only provide you with part of the content!
“Secondly, during the intelligence transaction, you must help me conceal my identity. You must not let the buyer know that the information originated from Devil Flame City. As for the source of information, you will be responsible for faking it!
“Thirdly, I don’t care what price the buyer offered before. I want him to increase it by ten times. Otherwise, I will not carry out the transaction!”
The auctioneer looked at Vincent in shock. His lips were trembling because he could sense danger from Vincent’s conditions!
Vincent did not want to provide the complete information. He wanted to conceal his identity and take the opportunity to increase the price. These conditions could make a big deal out of the information. It would be verified by the auction house, and it could also set up a trap for the buyer who bought the information!
The auctioneer was a businessman who did business. He had always remained neutral. He would never get involved in personal grudges. If he agreed to Vincent’s request, it would be difficult for him to answer to young elder David in the future.
At that moment, the auctioneer suddenly realized that the mysterious person in front of him was too dangerous. At the same time, the fact that he dared to do so showed that he was crazy enough!
As for whether or not to accept this business deal, the auctioneer himself was unable to make a choice!
Just as the auctioneer was about to turn his head to look at the mirror again, he suddenly realized that Vincent had unknowingly circled to his side. He was blocking his line of sight.
The auctioneer asked with a nervous expression, “You, what are you going to do?”
Vincent raised his hand to press down on the table. He bent down and said to the auctioneer with a smile, “I’m sure you’ve guessed my true purpose, but I’m afraid you can’t make the decision on the matter. I think it’s better to invite someone who can truly make the decision to make a deal with me!”
The auctioneer’s expression changed drastically when he heard that. He said in a panic, “What? I’m the person in charge of the ninth floor. In the entire ninth floor, only I can make the decision!”
Vincent smiled coldly and shook his head. He said, “Originally, I also thought that you were the person in charge of the ninth floor. I thought that you were the one who had the highest status. However, the way you’re acting now is more like a marionette. How can I believe that you’re the owner of the ninth floor?”
“You, you…”
The auctioneer looked at Vincent in shock. He wanted to say something, but nothing came out of his mouth.
This was because he was indeed not the highest-ranking supervisor on the ninth floor!
At that moment, the wall with the mirror suddenly opened. It revealed a luxurious secret room inside.
A white-haired Dark Elf was sitting upright on a sofa. He said with a smile, “Hello, Mr. Vincent! Your intelligence and wisdom are completely beyond my imagination. I have no choice but to meet you in person! Let me introduce myself. My name is Myron. I am the true supervisor of the ninth floor. I am also the boss of Hell’s Rose!”
