The girl who almost collided with A Li was named Yu Gong Yui. Her identity could be described as an Onmyoji, or a Shinto priestess.
Yu Gong Yui belonged neither to the Abe no Seimei Shrine nor to the Ise Grand Shrine. Her lineage was passed down through her family.
The Yu Gong family lived in seclusion, and for generations, they had been excellent healers. Naturally, the magical arts passed down within the Yu Gong family also originated from Huaxia.
They often treated the surrounding populace, not only using herbs but also employing divine arts for healing. This so-called divine art was, in fact, the ancient Chinese art of Zhuyou.
Furthermore, as Onmyoji, the Yu Gong family also utilized Shikigami. However, unlike other Onmyoji, the Shikigami of the Yu Gong family were not malevolent spirits but rather yokai cultivated from animals and plants.
Originally, Yu Gong Yui, like her predecessors, would have lived a life of peace and quiet, free from worldly strife, and continued the family's legacy.
However, with the approach of the Xian Gong asteroid and the resurgence of spiritual energy, things began to change.
Some of the Yu Gong family’s techniques and cultivation methods, which had previously seemed largely useless, now displayed immense power and potential in the revitalized spiritual energy environment.
Their healing abilities, in particular, improved by leaps and bounds.
As the saying goes, an innocent man is guilty when he possesses a treasure. The Yu Gong family's heritage was simultaneously coveted by both the Abe no Seimei Shrine and the Ise Grand Shrine.
Five years ago, on a dark and stormy night, several Onmyoji from the Ise Grand Shrine, accompanied by ninjas, launched a surprise attack on the Yu Gong family’s temple. The Yu Gong family members fought back with all their might, but in the end, they were annihilated, with the entire family of over a dozen people falling victim to the blade.
At that time, Yu Gong Yui was in the nearby mountains, communicating with a plant that had developed sentience, preparing to turn the resulting yokai into her Shikigami. She was not at home that night and thus narrowly escaped.
To evade the pursuit of those Onmyoji, Yu Gong Yui fled Japan and began to wander through various Asian countries. She healed people with her abilities, continuously cultivated herself, and also sought out various yokai to make them her Shikigami.
Yu Gong Yui hoped that one day she would become powerful enough to avenge her family.
However, she never imagined that in the last two years, the Abe no Seimei Shrine and the Ise Grand Shrine had provoked some formidable entity, suffering severe blows, even having their headquarters burned down. All those who had participated in the attack on the Yu Gong family were now dead.
This time, the royal family of Darusalan invited Yu Gong Yui to treat the Queen. They had heard of her existence and her unique healing methods capable of curing complex ailments. Thus, Yu Gong Yui was also invited to the event.
Yu Gong Yui attended the banquet that evening. Holding her plate, she nearly collided with A Li at the turn of the staircase. Being kind-hearted, Yu Gong Yui quickly apologized. But as she looked up, she was immediately stunned.
Ordinary people would see A Li as just a very beautiful girl. But Yu Gong Yui was different; she could sense that the beautiful girl before her was not human!
Yu Gong Yui felt a surge of excitement. She sensed that A Li was a very powerful yokai or spirit. If she could communicate with A Li and make her her Shikigami, then her path to revenge would be one step closer.
"A-Lei..." Yu Gong Yui was about to call out to A Li, but A Li had already floated away. At that moment, A Li's eyes were only focused on food!
Ling Tian, having eaten his fill to about eighty percent, put down his cutlery and looked out the window. Night had fallen, and various landscape lights illuminated the courtyard, creating a breathtaking scene. Just then, a man in a white military uniform, led by several attendants, approached Ling Tian's table.
A waiter attending to Ling Tian quickly introduced the man as Arroyo, the organizer of the banquet and the owner of this magnificent, palace-like estate.
The Arroyo family held a prominent position in Darusalan, second only to the royal family. This middle-aged man, in his early forties, had his own younger sister as the Queen.
Arroyo's father, Old Arroyo, was the Prime Minister of the kingdom.
Arroyo himself was also a man of great power and influence. He was the commander of Darusalan's highest military force, the Royal Guard, and was responsible for the safety of the entire royal palace and the King.
Ling Tian observed the man before him. He stood tall and straight, with a handsome appearance and an aura of a soldier.
This fellow was undeniably handsome, and he bore some resemblance to the Queen.
"Hello, Mr. Ling Tian. Thank you for traveling a long distance to treat our Queen.
Are our arrangements satisfactory? If you require anything, please do not hesitate to tell me!"
Ling Tian, using his Heavenly Eye divine ability, perceived that the man's attitude was genuine and not feigned, which earned Ling Tian's admiration.
After all, Arroyo was a true figure of immense power, a powerful magnate. The fact that he could be so humble and respectful made it no wonder that such a person achieved success.
"Mr. Arroyo, I am very satisfied. Your reception arrangements were perfect, and I enjoyed the banquet tonight."
"As long as you are pleased," Arroyo said with a smile.
Ling Tian hesitated for a moment, then said, "Mr. Arroyo, I have reviewed the Queen's medical records and examination results, and I have some ideas regarding her condition.
However, to confirm the diagnosis, I must examine the patient in person. I hope you can arrange for me to see the patient face-to-face as soon as possible."
Upon hearing Ling Tian's words, Arroyo's expression turned serious. He raised his hands, signaling his attendants to move away, and then sat down opposite Ling Tian.
Arroyo did not dare to underestimate the young man before him. Regardless of Ling Tian's youth, he was a bona fide member of China's Sword Bureau.
Furthermore, the title of founder and chief medical expert of Bing Tian Pharmaceuticals also carried significant weight.
The royal family of Darusalan had naturally conducted thorough background checks on the experts they invited.
The Arroyo family was extremely concerned about the Queen's illness. This was not merely a matter of a brother caring for his sister; it also concerned the interests of their entire family.
Through the Queen, the Arroyo family was tightly bound to the royal family.
Although the King had only one Queen, who was Arroyo's sister, there was a rather peculiar custom in this country.