Dimensional Storekeeper - Chapter 205: Billiards Is a Cultivation Hack Now?

Chapter 205: Billiards Is a Cultivation Hack Now?

For normal people and cultivators, though? That price was borderline outrageous.

Who would willingly spend crystals just to hit colored balls around a table?

And if you lost? That’s it. No refund. Just pain.

Still, once people saw others playing, landing cool shots, almost winning, or pulling off lucky breaks, they would probably get curious.

Maybe even think. “I could do better than that.”

And before they knew it, they’d be lining up to try for themselves.

After all, the game really was fun.

Each customer was limited to one game per day.

No spamming matches. No hogging the table all night.

If you wanted to get better, you’d have to watch others and learn.

This way, people would actually treasure their turn.

While finishing up, Hao also confirmed something else from the system.

Something pretty big.

Apparently, anyone who won a game of billiards in the store would gain a temporary effect: increased qi circulation speed for the next one hour.

Not just some light bonus either.

It was confirmed to be twice as effective as soaking in a spirit spring for hours.

It’s straight up a cultivation treasure in disguise!

You win a match, and your qi flows smoother than if you sat half a day in some overpriced spring water bath?

No chants. No robes. No incense.

Just line up a shot and break.

Only problem?

Only the winner got the effect.

The loser walked away with nothing but regret and one less crystal in their pouch.

‘So let me get this straight.’ Hao muttered, rubbing his temples.

‘You pay to play, you lose, and you walk out with zero returns?’

[Correct, host.]

‘Isn’t that a little cruel, system?’

[It is called competition, host. If everyone received the same reward, it would no longer be a game. It would be a waiting line.]

‘Okay. That’s harsh, but also kind of facts.’

So that’s why Yan Shu’er just felt empty.

And why he, on the other hand, had been walking around the store feeling oddly refreshed, soaking up more solar qi than usual too.

At first, he just assumed the multiple suns hanging over Scorching Soul City were acting up again.

Maybe a solar flare. Maybe good weather.

Turns out, the real culprit was the billiard game.

‘Wait a minute. What if someone cheats?’

He looked up.

‘System, what if two people make a deal? One just throws the game so the other can win and get the effect?’

[If that is truly the case, host – if the system detects any intentional match-throwing where both parties agree to let one player receive the benefit – they will both be flagged.]

[No effect will be given. In addition, a warning will be issued to both participants.]

[There are three offense levels. First is a warning. Second is a three-day ban from playing. Third is a permanent ban.]

Hao blinked. ‘Dang. You didn’t even hesitate, system.’

Honestly? That made it even better.

He nodded, thinking it through.

It was strict – but fair.

You couldn’t just game the system.

Cultivators would absolutely try to pull that move for a free boost if they could.

But then Hao started spiraling, as usual.

But wait. What if someone loses intentionally but not for the buff? Like they just felt bad. Or their opponent was on a horrible losing streak and they just let them win to make them feel better?

He paused.

Or maybe their opponent looked too sad. Or they owed them food. Or they were trying to flirt – there’s so many weird reasons people might throw a match that aren’t really cheating.

There was silence.

Hao waited for seconds.

No response.

He sighed.

Yeah, figured. The systemwas usually pretty strict with its rules. Too logical. Too unforgiving.

There was no way it’d actually care about “soft reasons” like pity, guilt, or tragic love stories.

But just as he was about to drop it and move on –

[Thanks to your clarification, host, that has now been accounted for.]

[If the system detects an intentional loss that is not part of a coordinated attempt to receive the benefit, then the match will proceed as normal. However, the winner will only receive half the effect.]

[It will still be slightly stronger than soaking in a high-grade spirit spring.]

“Huh?”

‘Wait wait wait – system? You… listened?’

He squinted.

‘Is this still the same system? Did someone swap you out while I wasn’t looking?’

‘Hello? Where’s the cold, uncaring machine that would jab me with words for no reason?’

‘The one that used to threaten me with motivational lightning if I didn’t wake up early?’

He narrowed his eyes even more.

‘Don’t tell me you got upgraded into a softie. Is this System 2.0 or System 2-nice-oh?’

[Corn levels detected: dangerously high.]

[Please stick to managing the store, host. Comedy is not your path.]

Hao smirked. ‘There you are, my lovely, divine, all-powerful, trash-talking cosmic system.’

He gave a small nod toward the air.

‘But thanks, system. I like the change.’

Even if it still roasted him, at least now it was roasting him with heart.

Even if it still roasted him, at least now it was roasting him with heart.

Moments later, the bell above the door gave its usual cheerful jingle.

Customers started trickling in.

The regulars from Scorching Soul City came in first, looking half-cooked from the sun as usual.

Then came a few familiar faces from Sovereign City – clean robes, tidy hair.

Hao gave each one a nod, or a wave, depending on how much energy he felt like spending.

But it didn’t take long before they noticed it.

The new billiard room.

“…That opening wasn’t there yesterday.” Dou Xinshi mumbled, eyes wide, shining with discovery.

He spun toward Old Tiger Zhao. “Old man, that room’s new, right?!”

“Don’t tell me I’m going crazy. I’ve got the entire store layout engraved in my brain!”

Before he could spiral further, Old Tiger Zhao calmly reached out with one large hand and clamped it right over Dou Xinshi’s head.

Dou Xinshi froze mid-sentence, arms still flailing.

“Chill, kid.” Old Tiger Zhao said lazily, as if taming wild puppies was part of his morning routine.

“It’s a new room, alright.”

He sniffed once, eyes narrowing.

“But I don’t smell anything good comin’ outta there. Definitely not food.”

Old Tiger Zhao let Dou Xinshi settle, his hand still on the younger man’s head, steadying him as if flipping a switch to silence.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com