69: Chapter 69 Gift of Elixir

Fang Da looked at Qin Yan's surprised expression and smiled.

His tone carried a hint of teasing: "So, Xue Song's actions were basically lighting a lamp in the toilet—looking for death (shit)!

Bullying the boss's personal disciple on our own turf.

Isn't that like the God of Longevity hanging himself—tired of living?"

Meanwhile, the staff member Lily, upon hearing the words "Director Xiao Huo," instantly widened her eyes.

Her small mouth opened slightly, her face filled with disbelief.

She was just a low-level employee; how could she have imagined that this seemingly ordinary, simply dressed young man before her

actually had the backing of Xiao Huo, an alchemy grandmaster who was practically a legend even within the Hundred Herbs Hall!

This background wasn't just not simple; it was downright terrifying!

She felt as if she had just walked past the gates of hell, fortunate that she had stuck to her principles.

Lily hurriedly cupped the bottle of high-grade spirit nurturing pills that originally belonged to Qin Yan with both hands and respectfully presented it to him.

"S-Sir, these are your pills. Please keep them safe."

Looking at the girl who had been wronged while defending him, Qin Yan smiled gently.

He reached out to take the jade bottle and said sincerely, "Thank you for earlier."

Hearing Qin Yan's thanks and concern, Lily was overwhelmed and hastily waved her hands.

A sincere smile appeared on her face: "Sir, you're too kind! I just... just did what I should have done, stood on the side I believed was right."

She didn't claim credit, instead appearing quite unassuming.

Fang Da watched all this and nodded approvingly.

He spoke up: "Your name is Lily, right? You're quite good!

Neither servile nor overbearing, sticking to your principles. Employees like you are exactly what our Hundred Herbs Hall needs."

He pondered for a moment before making a decision: "Starting today, you are the counter manager of this first-floor hall.

Work hard. I have high hopes for you."

"Huh? C-Counter manager?"

Lily was stunned at first, then immense joy flooded her face. This was like a pie falling from the sky!

But she quickly calmed down and hurriedly bowed deeply to Fang Da. "Thank you, Steward Fang! Thank you for your promotion!"

Fang Da waved his hand, smiling meaningfully. "Don't thank me.

If you want to thank someone, thank the kindness in your heart that has never faded, and the courage to stand up for what's right."

As he spoke, his gaze subtly swept past Qin Yan.

Lily was clever enough to immediately grasp the key point.

She turned to Qin Yan, her eyes filled with gratitude, and bowed again. "And thank you, Mr. Qin!"

She knew that her ability to turn misfortune into fortune and gain a promotion

was greatly related to the young man before her.

With the matter resolved, Qin Yan took out his bank card, ready to pay for the six nourishing spirit pills.

Just then, Fang Da spoke up again. "Lily, go to the storeroom once more and fetch a bottle of high-grade spirit nurturing pills, the kind that holds ten pills."

"Yes, Steward Fang!"

Though somewhat puzzled, Lily immediately turned to carry out the task.

After a short while, Lily returned with a bottle of high-grade spirit nurturing pills.

Fang Da took the jade bottle and, without even looking at it, directly stuffed it into Qin Yan's hand.

A smile that brooked no refusal was on his face. "Junior Brother, consider this bottle of pills a meeting gift from your Fifth Senior Brother. You must accept it."

"Fifth Senior Brother, this is too valuable, I..."

Looking at the bottle of pills worth 1.5 million in his hand, Qin Yan hurriedly declined.

Ten academic credits per pill—that was equivalent to a hundred credits!

For him, it was definitely not a small amount.

"Hey!" Fang Da directly cut him off, pretending to be stern. "No refusing!

This is a tradition and an old rule of our master's lineage!

When I entered the school, the senior brothers and sisters above me took care of me the same way.

In the future, when you have junior brothers or sisters, you'll have to prepare meeting gifts for them too.

Pass this sentiment down, understand?"

His words completely blocked all of Qin Yan's reasons for refusal.

Qin Yan looked at the pills in his hand, then at Fang Da's sincere yet somewhat mischievous smile, and a wave of warmth flowed through his heart.

He stopped being coy and solemnly put away the jade case.

He bowed to Fang Da once more. "In that case, this junior brother will shamelessly accept it. Thank you, Fifth Senior Brother!"

"That's more like it!"

Fang Da laughed heartily, appearing very happy.

He patted Qin Yan's shoulder again. "Alright, Junior Brother, there's still some company business I need to handle, so I'll take my leave first.

In the future, whether at the Hundred Herbs Hall or elsewhere in Magic City, if you encounter any trouble, contact me anytime!"

He had just turned to leave when he seemed to remember something.

He took out a card shimmering with a crystalline luster from his chest and handed it to Qin Yan.

"Oh, right, this is for you."

Fang Da stuffed the card into Qin Yan's hand.

"This is the Hundred Herbs Hall's Diamond VIP Card.

Holding this card grants you a 30% discount on all pills and medicinal materials of the sixth grade and below at any store under the Hundred Herbs Hall banner!

Moreover, this card itself is a symbol of status.

It allows you to enjoy many privileges at the Hundred Herbs Hall.

For example, you can have priority in requesting high-level alchemists within the hall to tailor-make pills for you.

You can attend various high-end auctions held by the Hundred Herbs Hall for free.

Enjoy VIP boxes.

Receive the highest standard of reception at major branch stores, and so on.

There are many benefits. You'll experience them gradually."

After the brief introduction, Fang Da didn't linger. He nodded to Qin Yan

and turned to stride away, his figure soon disappearing at the end of the staff corridor.

He had just taken over part of the management duties of the Magic City flagship store and indeed had much work to familiarize himself with and handle.

Qin Yan lowered his head, gently rubbing the diamond card in his hand.

Today's series of events—from being harassed and humiliated, to his senior brother appearing and backing him up with overwhelming force,

to receiving generous gifts and this card symbolizing status and tangible benefits—

allowed him to truly and deeply comprehend the immense power brought by "influence" and "background."

He couldn't help but imagine: if he hadn't, by a stroke of fate, become a disciple under Teacher Xiao Huo,

facing Xue Song's bullying today,

he likely would have had to endure that humiliation alone.

"Personal strength is fundamental, but connections and background are also forces that can be leveraged...

However, in the end, I still need to seize the time and make myself stronger as soon as possible!"

Qin Yan secretly clenched his fist, sounding the alarm for himself once more.

He carefully put away the diamond card and the two bottles of pills, calmed his emotions, and turned to walk towards the exit of the Hundred Herbs Hall.

He had only taken a few steps when two familiar figures appeared before him, blocking his way.

It was Wen Ning and Mi Duoduo, who had been on the same vehicle earlier.

Wen Ning's gaze involuntarily fell on the nourishing spirit pills in Qin Yan's hand.

Deep envy, difficult to suppress, flashed in her beautiful eyes.