In his view, although the Zhao clan was a large clan, it didn't have a single elite troop, nor a single decent Gu Master powerhouse. Although the Zhao clan leader was at the initial stage of Rank 5, three years ago he was defeated in a challenge by Dong Po Kong, who was at the peak of Rank 4. As a result, his prestige wasn't very high, and in all his years ruling the Zhao clan, he hadn't made any significant achievements.
If the Zhao clan had sided with the Eastern tribe, he might have paid them a bit more attention. After all, even the most undeserving Rank 5 Gu Master was not to be underestimated.
But now, the Zhao clan's retreat and the disgrace of their flight in the middle of the night only filled Hei Lou Lan's heart with contempt.
The people of the Northern Plains admired brave warriors and despised nothing more than the cowardly conduct of fleeing without a fight.
"Congratulations, Alliance Leader! Congratulations! We scared away a large tribe from the other side before we even made a move."
"Dongfang Yuliang must be furious! He spent so much effort inviting the Zhao clan, and they just ran away! Hahaha!"
"In my opinion, the Zhao clan might be a large clan, but that's all they amount to. They're such cowards, hmph..."
The Gu Masters inside the royal tent chimed in one after another, all sharing the same dismissive attitude towards the Zhao clan.
Fang Yuan, sitting calmly to one side, swept his gaze over the intelligence documents on the table.
Zhao Lianyun.
He had always kept this name in mind. An extraordinary woman of the future, one of Ma Hongyun's wives, a figure who would attain the realm of a Wisdom Path Gu Immortal. Right now, she was still just a little girl.
"It seems the famous 'Advice of the Tiger, Wolf, and Sheep' has already taken place..." Fang Yuan sneered coldly in his heart.
Fang Yuan suppressed the murderous intent in his heart, keeping his expression perfectly calm.
In his past life five hundred years from now, once Zhao Lianyun became a Wisdom Path Gu Immortal, someone would write a biography for her.
This cultural tradition could be traced back to the *Legend of Ren Zu*. As the foremost classic of the Gu Dao, many Gu Masters and Gu Immortals spent their entire lives studying it. When people wanted to commemorate and praise a Gu Master or Gu Immortal they had encountered, they would write a biography for them.
The *Biography of Zhao Lianyun* recorded a specific passage.
Zhao Lianyun had shown exceptional intelligence and wisdom from a very young age. During the great battle for the position of Lord of the Imperial Court, in which the "Black Tyrant Hei Lou Lan" competed, the Zhao clan was caught between the Dongfang tribe and the Hei clan.
Just when the Zhao clan was hesitating, Zhao Lianyun used the metaphor of the tiger, wolf, and sheep to persuade her father, finally allowing the Zhao clan leader to make up his mind. Traveling ten thousand li, they sought refuge with the Ma clan. In the end, the Zhao clan was not only preserved but also received the highest regard and warmest welcome from the Ma clan.
The memories of his past life five hundred years from now were vast and jumbled, but Fang Yuan remembered these things vividly.
It was all because of the later War of the Five Regions. Ma Hongyun, Sheng Ling'er, and Zhao Lianyun not only became Northern Plains Gu Immortals but also the main pillars resisting the invasion of the Heavenly Court, iconic figures.
In the Five Regions, the biographies of such figures were always widely circulated and read.
"Hmph. Figures like Ma Hongyun and Zhao Lianyun, I will nip them in the bud sooner or later. But there's no rush right now..." Fang Yuan suppressed the murderous intent in his heart, keeping his expression perfectly calm.
Whether it was Ma Hongyun, Zhao Lianyun, or these other players in the war of the Five Regions, they still had a long way to go before becoming Gu Immortals. Fang Yuan had plenty of time to deal with them.
However, Fang Yuan had to keep Ma Hongyun alive to deal with the Eighty-Eight True Yang Building. As for Zhao Lianyun, although he wanted to kill her, given his current identity and circumstances, it wasn't a good time to make a move.
After all, Fang Yuan was currently playing the role of Chang Shan Yin. How could an esteemed figure like Chang Shan Yin place such importance on a little girl only a few years old and even try to kill her?
"Besides, the most urgent task right now is to deal with the Dongfang clan!" With this in mind, Fang Yuan composed himself and turned his attention back to the inside of the royal tent.
After thoroughly mocking and denigrating the Zhao clan, everyone shifted their focus to the opponent of this great battle.
The Dongfang clan, like the Hei clan, was a super clan with a deep foundation. It was a behemoth of a force that dominated the Northern Plains Grasslands.
Dongfang Yuliang, as the current clan leader of the Dongfang clan, could be considered young and promising. Relying on his cultivation in the Wisdom Path, he not only managed the entire clan's affairs in an orderly manner but also showed a trend of continuous improvement.
Although the Hei clan had the upper hand in military strength, their opponent was a Wisdom Path Gu Master skilled in scheming. His strength should absolutely not be underestimated!
"If we're talking about the greatest threat in this battle, it has to be Dongfang Yuliang!"
"That's right. Although this kid is young, he is knowledgeable and well-informed, proficient in everything from music, chess, calligraphy, and painting to astronomy and geography. When he was eleven, he lost both his parents. He not only had to make a living but also take care of his six-year-old sister, Dongfang Qingyu. His parents left him a huge inheritance, but this kid was worldly-wise and knew he couldn't protect it. He went ahead and gave all of that property to a powerful elder, keeping only a small portion for himself."
"When he was in the school, he performed exceptionally well. After leaving the school, he became the trusted aide of that elder. Later, he repeatedly made contributions, earning the elder's appreciation and recommendation. He even received guidance from the clan's Gu Immortal ancestor, ultimately achieving his current status and strength."
Everyone knew a great deal about Dongfang Yuliang. Speaking one after another, they revealed his background and origins.
Fang Yuan listened carefully.
In his past life, he had not experienced these details firsthand. Being right in the midst of it now, he instantly felt that this Dongfang Yuliang was not simple and was worthy of attention.
"The annals of history are vast and heavy; the great waves wash away the sand, leaving no one knows how many heroes and legends were washed away."