As long as his cultivation wasn’t crippled and he wasn’t refined into a Daoist Soldier, this was the best possible outcome.
However, the sentencing was not yet over.
Zhu Wuji’s gaze turned to Hee Wenyan. The Official Seal in his hand fell once more—the judgment for the second crime.
"As for the matter of destroying the Spirit Realm and causing a deficit for the Celestial Observatory..."
"Sentence: During his exile in the Extreme North, Chu Bai is required to work for the Celestial Observatory until the losses to the Cyan Nether are fully compensated. Only then will this debt be cleared!"
The verdict was final.
It both upheld the authority of the law—with a thirty-thousand-li exile for punishment—and tended to the Celestial Observatory’s interests, forcing Chu Bai to work off his debt as free labor.
This was the final answer given by the Merit Department.
As Zhu Wuji’s final, decisive verdict fell, the tense atmosphere in the grand hall finally began to shift subtly.
The Dao Record Department Director, Chang Buyu, let out a cold snort. The fury in his aged, perpetually scrutinizing eyes gradually subsided, replaced by a touch of cold calculation.
’The Extreme North Land... Hmph. It’s perpetually occupied by Demons, its skies shrouded in Evil Qi. There are even Fierce Beasts from ancient times lurking about.’
Chang Buyu mused, ’Even a veteran Foundation Establishment Cultivator would be lucky to survive there. An exile of thirty-thousand li?’
’How is that any different from a slow death sentence? It preserves the dignity of the law and punishes the transgressor, all without me having to dirty my own hands... Fine. I can begrudgingly accept this verdict.’
With that thought, he slowly settled back into his chair and said no more.
Beside them, Hee Wenyan nodded, her expression serene.
She wasn’t particularly concerned about whether Chu Bai lived or died; her only concern was cutting her department’s losses.
"Since it’s an exile, he can’t go empty-handed."
Hee Wenyan flicked a delicate finger, and a Jade Scroll shimmering with starlight transformed into a streak of light, hovering before Chu Bai.
"This Jade Scroll records the characteristics of several Star Ores and Ancient Cultivation Ruins unique to the Extreme North."
Hee Wenyan’s voice was cool. "I don’t care what methods you use. During your exile, you will repay your debt with goods. This matter will only be considered settled when the Celestial Observatory’s losses are fully repaid."
"Yes." Chu Bai reached out, took the Jade Scroll, and tucked it into his sleeve.
As for Shen Xuance, he let out a quiet sigh of relief, his gaze toward Chu Bai filled with a measure of gratification.
’The Extreme North may be harsh, but the heavens are high and the emperor is far away.’
Shen Xuance knew Chu Bai’s temperament well; the boy was like a resilient weed that couldn’t thrive in a greenhouse. The political infighting in Dayuan Prefecture is severe. If he stayed here, he would inevitably be schemed against by various factions.
’Tossing him into that cruel Barbaric Land to grow wild might actually be a stroke of fortune for him. It’s just as the saying goes: a dragon returning to the sea, a tiger to the mountains.’
Just when everyone thought the dust had settled, Zhu Wuji, seated on the high platform, suddenly changed the subject.
"The punishment has been decided. Next, it is time to discuss the ’reward’."
Zhu Wuji’s gaze was piercing, his voice booming once more. "I have said that merits and demerits must be clearly distinguished. Destroying the Spirit Realm was his demerit, but saving five thousand comrades and slaying three Evil Gods is a monumental merit! If we only punish and do not reward, would that not dishearten all the capable people in the world?"
With a wave of his hand, several rays of golden light descended from the "Merit Mirror" plaque, hovering in front of Chu Bai.
"First, your status shall be retained."
Zhu Wuji said in a deep voice, "Although you are exiled, your status as a Cyan Register Immortal Official of Dayuan Prefecture is retained! From this day forth, you are exiled with your Official Status, not as a common prisoner! Wherever you go, you represent the Government and possess the authority to enforce the law in that area!"
At these words, Chang Buyu’s brow furrowed slightly, but he ultimately remained silent. There was a world of difference between being exiled with Official Status and being a common prisoner. The former meant Chu Bai was still part of the Great Zhou system, protected by its Destiny.
"Second, your merits will offset your demerits."
"According to the law, Foundation Establishment Without Talisman is punishable by Thunder Punishment. However, in light of your great merit in Godslaying, the merit and demerit cancel each other out. The Thunder Punishment is waived!"
"Third, a special grant."
Zhu Wuji looked at Chu Bai, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Considering the difficulty of surviving in the Extreme North Land, and the fact that you have just entered Foundation Establishment without a suitable Cultivation Technique, the Merit Department has made a special dispensation: one scroll of a Foundation Establishment Stage Five Elements Technique, five thousand Spirit Stones, and... one Merit Golden Scroll!"
A scroll emanating a soft golden light slowly descended.
It was a life-saving trump card, capable of protecting one’s True Spirit from being extinguished at a critical moment!
"Thank you, Your Excellency!" Chu Bai’s heart stirred. ’Now *these* are some tangible benefits.’
However, the true gift was yet to come.
Zhu Wuji leaned forward, a grim aura spreading from him. He stared at Chu Bai and spoke, enunciating each word.
"Finally, given that the Extreme North Land is a lawless and barbaric place, teeming with Demons and fraught with unpredictable situations..."
"I hereby grant you... the authority to act as you see fit!"
"Anyone you encounter—be they a Demon, a rebel, or anyone who obstructs your path—regardless of their origin or background, you may... execute first and report later!"
When these five words were spoken, even Shen Xuance’s eyelids twitched.
Execute first and report later!
This meant that in the territory of the Extreme North, Chu Bai was the walking embodiment of the Great Zhou Laws, possessing absolute authority over life and death!
Hearing this, Chu Bai slowly raised his head.
He reached out and caught the floating Cyan Talisman, Jade Scroll, Golden Scroll, and Storage Bag. Then, he bowed deeply to the high platform, his voice calm, yet edged with a chilling sharpness:
"I accept my orders."
As the echoes of Zhu Wuji’s "execute first and report later" faded in the grand hall, the judgment officially took effect.
At that very moment, deep within Chu Bai’s Sea of Consciousness, the Fate Chart Panel that had long since merged with his soul began to tremble violently. As if sensing some kind of opportunity, it erupted with an unprecedented, dual-colored light of black and gold.
[Fate Chart: Seal and Ribbon Mutual Generation, Merit and Demerit Shape Destiny]—Activated!
Ever since Chu Bai had obtained this Fate Chart, his journey had been filled with "Merit" from slaying demons and protecting the region. The "Demerit" side, however, had always remained empty, never manifesting.

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