The Cunning Phoenix Takes the Stronghold

[Story Synopsis] 1. Long ago, the gods made the “Tianyuan Alliance,” an agreement among the divine clans of the four directions, east, south, west, and north, to join forces and exterminate the “God-Eating Clan.” But the Vermilion Bird Divine Emperor betrayed the pact, leading to the complete annihilation of the Black Tortoise clan. Three million years later, a descendant of the Black Tortoise comes to collect the debt, and the Vermilion Bird clan faces a grave threat. But this tortoise intends to marry their young city lord and make her his bride. 2. She was once a naturally gifted little Jiaofeng, but because her ancestors made a mistake, she and her people were sealed away on the Southern Continent. Then that arrogant figure crossed the barrier that could annihilate the soul all alone and came to this notorious continent. He placed in her hands a broken piece of armor that he had treasured close to his heart for years, the only record of anything connected to her identity. With the air of someone simply reclaiming a lost possession, he said, “I don’t know my own name, but I know why I came here: to marry you.” For the first time, the word “marry” took on the meaning of a punishment. 3. A Black Tortoise trapped for three million years decides to leave the Northern Continent. But she has only two choices: cross the Soul-Devouring Sky to the west, or the Lost Mountain to the east... “Xuan Kan, once you enter the Soul-Devouring Sky, your three souls will gradually dissolve. You’ll forget everything here, even who you are. Do you still want to leave, knowing that?” “I want to leave.” Stubbornly, she carved her name, surname, and family tree into the armor, cutting the lines deep. It was as if a lonely helmsman were driving an anchor into her ship, so she wouldn’t lose it. “Once you’re out, keep heading east. Go all the way to the easternmost point. The person you’re looking for is there.” “I know, Old Tengshe. You’ve told me a thousand times already!” “You’ve heard it a thousand times, but I’ve said it tens of millions of times!” “Old Tengshe, can you hold on until I come back? You have to last until I return! I’ll come save you!” This is a tragedy about “ancestors cheating at gambling, descendants coming to pay the debt.” It’s also a comedy about “getting the wrong script, but marrying the right wife.” It’s a power fantasy about “beneath the covered dome, not a single egg can remain intact.” And it’s an underdog story about “true greatness may seem flawed, yet its usefulness never fails.” [Special Notice] The completed imperial power-struggle novel The Carp Leaps Through the Dragon Gate is available to read. The extra story The Imperial Family’s Troubles is a lighthearted slice of life. [Inverted Paywall Notice] This novel will switch to paid chapters on Thursday, June 1. The chapters moving behind the paywall are 20–62. If you’ve already read them, please don’t buy them again. Three new chapters will be released when the novel goes behind the paywall. Thank you for all your support so far, and please continue to support the novel. [Concept Guide] I. What is the Covered Dome? Explainer: The Covered Dome is a wall! It’s shaped like the bottom of a pot... Xuan Zhu: Try putting that another way! Humble explainer: Yes, yes! It’s shaped like the celestial dome! Hence the name, Covered Dome! Beneath the Covered Dome, the gods are in grave danger... Xuan Zhu: What does “grave danger” mean? Explainer: “Grave danger” means... The Flattering Tengu Squad: Your Excellency Xuan Zhu, it means eggs piled up, the kind that shatter if you push them. Irritated explainer: Everyone knows you can’t explain things to her! It’s too late. The great god Xuan Zhu’s expression has changed. The gods: Trembling with fear The explainer: Trembling with fear The Tengu Squad: Trembling with fear The great god Xuan Zhu suddenly understands: Wow, that’s a perfect description! The nervous gods: What’s a perfect description? Please clarify, Your Excellency. Is it the eggs, or the shattering? Xuan Zhu: In short, beneath my Covered Dome, everything has to obey my rules. [Secretly delighted: That’s right, I’m messing with all of you.] II. What is a Jiaofeng? Explainer: Jiaofeng’s proper name is Jiaofeng, but on the Tianyuan Continent, Jiaofeng is synonymous with cunning and deceit... Zhu Xuan: Try putting that another way! Xuan Zhu: Why bother? Everyone knows her ancestors cheated at gambling and left her to pay off their debt. Zhu Xuan (on the verge of exploding): I demand a divorce!!! Xuan Zhu (with baffling confidence): You can have a divorce, but first you have to pay off the debt. [The Leads’ Views on Love] (I) “Don’t you envy the kind of love where two people hold hands, gaze at each other through tearful eyes, say nothing, yet convey a thousand words with a single look? Where they understand and stay by each other, enjoying a peaceful life together?” “Sorry, I’m not a plant. I’m a tortoise. I need to move.” “Are you insulting my intelligence? What moving have you done? You curl up there and stay that way all day. If I’m being honest, you’re worse than a plant. At least a plant’s leaves sway when the wind blows.” “I can wag my tail too!” “...” “Forget it! We live on different timescales.” (II) “I need to hibernate!” “And I need to die!” “So we’re not suited to be together at all.” “Then let’s part ways.” After walking for a while, they slowly moved closer again. “Actually, I can wait until you die before I hibernate.” “Then when you hibernate, I’ll go die.” “Hook pinkies. Tortoise and phoenix stay together; whoever breaks the promise is a dog. All right, it’s a deal.” [Tengu: What did I do wrong?] Theme: True greatness may seem flawed, yet its usefulness never fails.