Zombie Bodyguard-Chapter 1463 - 1460: Appetizer

"Senior, you did right by letting me call out the bids. I have a loud voice and can guarantee to outbid all the families in terms of aura." Xing Shan pounded his chest and assured with a rough voice.

Lin Tian smiled inwardly. It’s precisely because you have a loud voice and are straightforward that I chose you. And to grant you a wish, after all, the invitation allows for three guests, and leaving a spot unused would seem wasteful.

Just then, a woman in a long dress came out. The red dress was tailored to fit perfectly, highlighting her curvaceous figure with every movement of her hips and waist, like a breeze brushing against a willow. She held the gaze of every man present, including Lin Tian, who stole a few extra glances.

Her appearance featured a clean and neat makeup, with her hair half-up, making her appear both youthful and mature, striking a blend between innocence and allure — a type universally appealing across ages.

However, such a woman’s eyes remained indifferent, and her expression somewhat stern, making men find her enchanting yet untouchable, suitable only to admire from afar.

"The chief auctioneer of Langya Pavilion is truly a captivating woman. Even if we don’t win anything this time, seeing this beauty is worth the trip," someone muttered softly.

The voice was quiet, but Lin Tian still traced its origin to a table on the first floor, where a middle-aged man gazed at the woman on stage with burning eyes — intentions any man would recognize.

Lin Tian’s gaze returned to the proclaimed chief auctioneer on stage and, admiring her curves, couldn’t help but sigh. With her appearance and figure standing on the auction stage, would any man dare to be stingy?

"Friends, welcome to the Langya Pavilion auction. I am Ling Xiao, the chief auctioneer here." The woman scanned the venue briefly upon appearing and uttered this succinct opening statement.

Her tone was calm and her demeanor composed, without any coquettish gestures to stir up the venue’s atmosphere. From her eyes, Lin Tian saw confidence; a belief in Langya Pavilion’s prowess, not needing to flaunt charm to incite fierce competition over treasures.

"Many of you are not first-timers at Langya Pavilion auctions, but I must re-emphasize: each person has a small bronze bell before them. When needing to bid, ring the bell to start competing. But be advised, do not ring the bell without making a bid, or we regret to inform you, you will be asked to leave the auction."

"Furthermore, let me stress, do not leverage your strength to threaten bidders to lower prices arbitrarily. If such actions are discovered, you will also be asked to leave."

The last remark was, naturally, aimed at the families. Perhaps in earlier auctions, families had used their influence, through language or even gestures, to intimidate opponents from bidding, lowering auction prices.

Such behavior seriously violates auction rules, not only being unfair to other Ancient Martial Artists but also being detrimental to the auction house itself, potentially causing significant losses.

Ling Xiao, the chief auctioneer, dared to speak such proud words, indicating Langya Pavilion’s fearlessness.

"Alright, with the warnings out of the way, let’s proceed to the auction. May the staff bring out the first auction item." After issuing the warnings, Ling Xiao immediately moved to the main event, without extra words, as she clearly understood these people were here for tangible items, not to waste time on idle chatter.

A guard dressed in black carried a wooden box forward, placing it in the auction display. The wooden box was rectangular, about forearm length. Ling Xiao opened it swiftly.

Inside lay a dagger, its blade parts pitch black, lacking luster, and the handle was simple. This was a qualified dagger; some daggers have blades shinier than longswords, but daggers are primarily for assassinations and ambushes. Making them too bright defeats the purpose.

"This dagger is called Black Teeth, sharp enough to cut through iron like mud. Though it’s not comparable to swords like Zidian Qingshuang or Lifeless Sword, it’s sufficient for self-defense, and it might even turn the tables at crucial moments."

Ling Xiao briefly introduced it, then picked up the dagger, pulled out a strand of her hair, and held it above the blade. Her hand relaxed, and the hair gently landed on the edge.

A magical scene unfolded; as soon as the hair touched the blade, it was sliced into two pieces. This was far more impressive than cutting hair effortlessly; the hair broke at the slightest touch.

Ling Xiao seemed unsatisfied, signaling as a guard brought a steel pillar the thickness of an arm to the stage, placing it at the edge. She gripped the Black Teeth dagger, strode to the steel pillar, and suddenly swung the dagger. With a flash of blade shadow, a clang was heard — the steel pillar was severed in two.

Such swift action; this auctioneer’s skills are no simple matter, Lin Tian watched and internally admired.

"Black Teeth Dagger, starting at one hundred thousand, with each increment not less than ten thousand. The bidding begins!" After showcasing the dagger, Ling Xiao promptly announced the commencement of bids.

A clang sounded as the first bronze bell rang, followed by a bidding voice: "One hundred fifty thousand!"

A dagger priced at one hundred fifty thousand was unimaginable for ordinary people. Even for Mi Country special forces military daggers, costing a thousand US dollars was considered remarkable. This Black Teeth started at over ten thousand; truly exceptional.

"One hundred eighty thousand!"

The price continued climbing amidst the group’s bidding. For now, it was only Ancient Martial Artists on the first floor calling bids while the family boxes above remained unanimously silent.

Not because they couldn’t afford it, but because the families didn’t view such a dagger favorably.

"Humph, compared to my dagger, it’s far inferior. Yet people are paying tens of thousands for it; they must be out of their minds." A faintly audible mutter came from one of the boxes.

Lin Tian glanced over, finding the sound came from a diagonally opposing box. The voice belonged to a woman, with her words blatant in disdain and pride.

Those below were intensely bidding, oblivious to the words, which could have stirred anger if heard below. Of course, this woman, Situ Ruoling, spoke without fear because she never learned restraint — Lin Tian had witnessed this more than once.

Lin Tian glanced at the Black Teeth dagger again, losing interest. Though the dagger could slice through iron, Lin Tian sought weapons beyond mere iron slicing.

"Two hundred fifty thousand, third call, sold." Not paying attention to the bidding below, Ling Xiao had already announced the bid’s result.

The dagger was won by a middle-aged Ancient Martial Artist, elated with the purchase.

"Senior, these people sure have money. They’re willing to spend two hundred fifty thousand on a dagger, while I’m reluctant to spend even two thousand five hundred, still using a black iron rod in hand." Xing Shan shook his head abruptly, expressing his astonishment.