Dimensional Storekeeper - Chapter 234: Billiard Tournament Final Game! 4
Chapter 234: Billiard Tournament Final Game! 4
Even in the Upper Realms, Sect Master Jiang Xianwei held no expectations of success. The chances of even leaving a mark were painfully low – maybe even nonexistent.
It was absurd. No, it was fascinating.
Just what were these medals made of?
If something this small could nullify a blow from a peak Heavenly Emperor Realm cultivator without even a hint of recoil, then its use wasn’t just symbolic. It wasn’t some simple participation badge for a store event.
It was a defensive treasure in disguise.
Not a shield. Not armor. Not even a talisman.
But something far more deceptive. Something that pretended to be harmless, all while holding the power to shift life and death.
Compact, inconspicuous, and apparently capable of swallowing the full force of a targeted strike.
Not redirecting. Not dispersing.
Just a quiet halt, like a sword into water that never ripples.
If it could truly neutralize a direct attack without backlash, then it wasn’t just useful – it was life-saving.
As long as the blow wasn’t an area-wide technique or a barrage from all sides, this thing could serve as the perfect sink.
A buffer. A silent barrier.
Its size, of course, was a limitation. At best, it could protect a narrow zone, no wider than a clenched fist.
But in close combat, that was all it took.
A sword to the heart? Gone.
A sneak attack from behind? Neutralized.
And for someone of their caliber, that kind of precision wasn’t a gamble.
It was training. It was instinct.
Sect Master Jiang Xianwei didn’t need it to block every strike.
Just one. The most critical one.
In the world of cultivation, a single well-timed defense could mark the boundary between survival and ruin, between a narrow escape and utter defeat.
If used with precision, if positioned with intent, it could shift the outcome of a deadly clash.
Whether hung on the chest, sewn into a robe, or even flung into the air with exact timing – this little trinket held unimaginable potential.
He rubbed his thumb lightly along the edge of his own medal, lost in thought.
“This… this is better than the reward.” someone whispered in the crowd.
“It’s proof.” another murmured. “Proof that you were there. That you fought to the end.”
And it came from the storekeeper himself!
The mysterious owner of this bizarre shop. A man who might not be a man at all.
Someone whose casual attitude masked something deeper – an existence far beyond theirs.
In a world where immortality was the highest pursuit, something like this medal, forged by hands that possibly transcended even that, felt sacred.
And this store…
This strange, otherworldly convenience store tucked into the folds of their realm, was bound to be discovered sooner or later.
And when it was? It would shake the foundations of every sect, every dynasty, every ancient power that still clung to the belief that they stood at the peak.
A place like this was destined to become legendary.
To win the very first commemorative prize from such a place, before the world knew its name, would not just be lucky. It would be historic.
A feat worthy of inscription in one’s personal legacy.
Because in time, when the great clans and hidden masters came crawling for a taste of this shop’s wonders…
You could proudly say you were there first.
Hao smiled and moved on to Elder Bai Qingshui.
“Runner-up.”
“A silver medal, and five products of your choice.”
Elder Bai Qingshui accepted the medal with a simple nod.
He didn’t need to say much. The respect between him and Hao was mutual.
Still, when he turned the medal over in his hand, his eyes lingered. Even someone at his level recognized the significance.
Five products from the store? That was nothing to scoff at.
But the medal. That would be displayed somewhere private.
Somewhere important.
He had hoped to win the championship. Truly. A part of him, deep down, had still carried that flicker of competitiveness.
So when he fell short, there was a tinge of disappointment.
But Bai Qingshui wasn’t the kind of man to cling to loss. He accepted it with quiet grace, just as he had accepted countless things in his long life. Failures, farewells, the weight of time.
And this time, it wasn’t bitterness he felt.
It was pride.
Because the one who bested him wasn’t luck or trickery. It was someone worthy.
And then, finally, Hao stepped before Ji Yunzhi.
The young man was still slightly breathless. The performance had taken a toll, even if his face didn’t show it.
He had poured everything into the match. Every bit of perception, control, and discipline. It was exhausting. But also strangely satisfying.
And a little bit dangerous.
Because now that it was over, Ji Yunzhi realized he’d enjoyed it too much.
His heart was still thudding lightly. Not from fatigue, but from something else. That creeping thrill of obsession. That dangerous whisper in his mind telling him, “Maybe just one more round.”
A chill ran down his back.
No. He couldn’t let this strange game start sharing the same space as his alchemy.
That would be a disaster. He still had an unfinished batch of Cola-Inspired Enhancement Pills waiting.
The idea of splitting his focus between cue sticks and cauldrons made him want to bolt out of the billiards room and slap a sealing talisman on the door.
Preferably forever.
Okay, maybe not that deep. He could chill with it every now and then… but not until he nailed the final structure for the Wing Blast-Inspired Pill he’d been grinding on.
Hao slipped the gold medal onto Ji Yunzhi’s neck, snapping him out of his spiraling thoughts.
“…?”
Ji Yunzhi stared at it.
He wasn’t someone who cared for keepsakes. He didn’t collect mementos.
But this wasn’t just a trophy. This was recognition from the storekeeper himself!
The one who made canned drinks that defied reason.
Who could pinpoint flaws and offer improvements with just a single touch.
Ji Yunzhi already believed he’d reached the pinnacle of alchemy.
This medal was worth keeping.
“Congratulations, Ji – khm!”
Hao suddenly coughed into his fist.
Loudly.
Too loudly.
He even staggered a step back, as if he’d choked on thin air.
“…Bai Chen!” Hao finished, raising a thumb and pretending nothing happened.
“Incredible performance out there.”
Ji Yunzhi gave Hao a long look.
Off to the side, the others exchanged glances – but none of them said anything.
They had already grown accustomed to the storekeeper’s occasional strange antics.
Somehow, it was easier on the brain to not think too deeply about them.
Hao just kept smiling.
“And of course.” he added quickly. “We can’t forget your main prize.”
“Ten products of your choice.”
Ji Yunzhi didn’t even blink and answered straight.
“Ten cans of Wing Blast.”
Murmurs rose from the crowd.
“He already decided that? He didn’t even hesitate?”
’The new drink?’ Hua Feixue tilted her head. “It can replenish your qi in one go. Super useful! But ten of them?’
’Hey, not a bad choice. You can carry them around. Good for travel or emergency boosts.’ Lin Yijun replied.
’But all ten?’ Xiao Lianfeng frowned deeply, arms crossed. ’Why not mix it up? There’s Peach Oolong Tea, Lime Fizz, Cola.’
’And you cannot forget about the most godly product in this store – the cup of instant noodles.’
Yue Xueyan, who was quietly watching Ji Yunzhi, finally spoke. ’He must have a specific purpose.’
’Still…’ Hua Feixue pouted. ’If I won, I’d pick one of each. Then maybe an extra spicy instant noodles or chips.’
’Or maybe the Soft Serve Chocolate Ice Cream!’
Lin Yijun chuckled. ’You’d pick based on taste. Ji Yunzhi picked based on need.’
’Doesn’t mean I’m not jealous.’ Hua Feixue flailed her sleeves. ’He just went up and said it with no hesitation.’
’Ten cans. Bam. Like he’s been dreaming about it since morning.’
’He probably has.’ Xiao Lianfeng snorted.
Yue Xueyan spoke up calmly. ’But the real question is… why that drink?’
Lin Yijun and Xiao Lianfeng both stiffened slightly.
It wasn’t obvious. But they’d realized it at the same time.
They didn’t speak, of course.
Instead, Xiao Lianfeng flicked his fingers subtly and sent a quiet spiritual transmission only Lin Yijun could hear.
’Brother Yijun… is it possible that Bai Chen chose the ten cans of Wing Blast because he’s developing a new pill’
’One that mimics the effects of Wing Blast? It wouldn’t be the first time. He managed to create something based off Cola before…’
Lin Yijun responded almost immediately. ’It is very possible.’
’With his skill and boldness, even if he can only replicate a fraction of the effect…’
’It would already be overpowered.’
’If a pill can restore spiritual qi with the sharpness and explosiveness of Wing Blast, it could revolutionize the market for replenishment pills.’
A long pause passed between them.
Lin Yijun and Xiao Lianfeng both turned slightly, eyes drifting toward Sect Master Jiang Xianwei and Elder Tang Sheng’s direction.
The two old men said nothing.
But judging from the subtle shift in Sect Master Jiang’s gaze – a faint flicker of acknowledgment aimed directly at Ji Yunzhi – he had already understood.
Probably faster than them both.
Xiao Lianfeng sighed inwardly.
As expected of the Sect Master. Nothing escaped him.
Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com
