Even his previous minor infractions had been easily washed away in the face of his overwhelming Merit.
But today was different.
Foundation Establishment Without Talisman violated the laws of Great Zhou. Devouring a Spirit Realm damaged the Court’s foundation. Though his Merit had offset the death penalty for these two crimes, the essence of his transgressions was engraved by the Celestial Dao and the Law Net, manifesting as tangible shackles.
At this very moment, his merits and faults coexisted. They didn’t cancel each other out, but instead formed a strange and domineering balance.
Chu Bai performed Introspection and felt two completely different forces weaving together within his Fate Chart.
[Merit]: A vast golden light, originating from saving the lives of the five thousand Celestial Examination candidates and the act of Godslaying.
[Fault]: Heavy black shackles, originating from his exile and debt.
It didn’t weaken Chu Bai’s power. Instead, it had become an invisible Sharpening Stone, pressing down firmly upon his Divine Soul.
The effect manifested: [Body of Sin, Tempering the Dao Heart].
The heavier the sins he bore and the greater the resistance to his progress, the more his Dao Heart was tempered, becoming ever more lucid and resilient. His resistance to Heart Demons, Illusion Techniques, and the oppressive auras of higher-level beings increased dramatically!
"So that’s how it is..."
Chu Bai felt the strange sensation in his soul—of being both nourished and suppressed—and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
’Merit and fault don’t cancel each other out. Instead, they complement one another. Merit gives me a spear, and fault gives me a shield.’
’A sentence like this isn’t entirely a bad thing.’
Coming back to his senses, Chu Bai tucked the Cyan Talisman and Jade Scroll into his robes. His gaze swept over the Directors on the high platform, his mind a Bright Mirror High Suspended.
’This was absolutely the best result he could have hoped for, considering the maneuvering of all parties involved.’
’Exile to the Extreme North, a thirty-thousand-li-long journey.’
’On the surface, the journey seemed perilous and teeming with Demons, but in reality, it not only allowed him to avoid the power struggles set to erupt in Dayuan Prefecture after the Celestial Examination, but also preserved his most crucial asset: his Official Status.’
’Exile with Official Status means I am still part of the Great Zhou system and still enjoy the blessing of its Destiny.’
’I can only return after traveling thirty thousand li. This is both a punishment and a period of tempering. When I return, my sins will be cleansed. With my Foundation Establishment Cultivation, my Cyan Talisman status, and the experience of this journey, I will rightfully take a high position.’
Chu Bai’s gaze finally landed on Hee Wenyan, who was dressed in purple robes.
This Lord Director of the Celestial Observatory had a cold and detached expression, seemingly paying him no mind.
But Chu Bai knew that if she hadn’t proposed the "debt repayment" solution to block Chang Buyu’s kill order, he would have suffered a terrible fate today.
’Find Star Ore to cover the deficit...’
Chu Bai felt the Jade Scroll in his sleeve.
’This clearly wasn’t just a matter of being a creditor.’
The Jade Scroll didn’t just contain information on local ore veins, but also some extremely crucial intelligence. He could peruse it slowly later.
’This was clearly a covert line to the Celestial Observatory. As long as he completed this task well, this debt could be transformed into a valuable connection at any time.’
Having figured this out, Chu Bai no longer felt the slightest bit of resentment.
He gave a deep bow toward the high platform. This bow was both an expression of gratitude for being spared and a farewell to the turbulent affairs of Dayuan Prefecture.
"Sinful Official Chu Bai accepts his punishment."
"I will set out today, bound for the Extreme North!"
In the great hall, once the words were spoken, they had to be sealed into a binding contract by law.
Zhu Wuji’s expression was solemn as he slowly raised the mountain-heavy black Official Seal in his hand.
This was no ordinary seal. It was the Regular Fifth Grade Seal of the Merit Department, one that carried the laws of the entire Dayuan Prefecture and had been refined by the Destiny of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Beneath this Seal, a verdict was equivalent to a Celestial Law, and its impression formed a Decree.
"The Dayuan Prefecture Merit Department, carrying out punishment on behalf of Heaven."
Zhu Wuji spoke with the authority of the Celestial Canon. Every word he uttered transformed into a golden rune that hovered in the air.
"Decree: Sinful Official Chu Bai is sentenced to exile. Effective immediately, he shall measure the land with his own two feet, traveling to the Land of Extreme North Cold, until he has accumulated a journey of thirty thousand li and has repaid the deficit to the Celestial Observatory..."
"...he is forbidden to return south!"
As the last word fell, Zhu Wuji brought the Official Seal in his hand down heavily upon the void.
In an instant, the [Merit Mirror] plaque hanging high in the hall erupted in brilliant light. Countless fine, golden Decrees cascaded down like a waterfall, instantly weaving together in mid-air to form an ethereal but immensely majestic set of golden shackles.
"Go!"
Zhu Wuji pointed a finger.
The golden shackles transformed into a streak of light. As fast as lightning, it gave Chu Bai no time to react before plunging directly into his chest, finally branding itself upon his [Circulation Wheel] Dao Foundation.
Chu Bai’s body trembled slightly.
He looked down and saw faint, golden rings of runes appear around his wrists and ankles, only to sink beneath his skin and vanish a moment later.
There wasn’t the crushing weight he had imagined, nor did it seal the flow of Magical Power in his body.
But the feeling of restraint was very real, existing within his Divine Soul and Fate Chart.
This was an absolute Restriction based on Cause and Effect and physical direction.
A realization dawned in Chu Bai’s mind: from this moment on, if he failed to complete the thirty-thousand-li journey or tried to turn back south, these golden shackles—personally set by a Purple Mansion Master and empowered by the Great Zhou Law Net—would activate instantly. The lightest consequence would be excruciating pain in his Divine Soul, rendering him unable to move. The worst would be the summoning of Celestial Thunder to blast him to smithereens.
’So this is a Purple Mansion Divine Technique...’
Feeling the unshakeable Restriction inside him, Chu Bai’s heart went cold with awe.
He had already reached Foundation Establishment and forged an Upper Grade Dao Foundation, and he believed his combat strength far surpassed his peers. Yet, when faced with the methods of a Purple Mansion Great Cultivator like Zhu Wuji, he still felt a profound sense of powerlessness.
It wasn’t a gap in sheer power, but a difference in their level of control over the Heaven and Earth Laws—a difference as vast as that between the clouds and the mud.
His opponent didn’t even need to act. With a single Decree, he could Draw the Ground as a Prison and decide Chu Bai’s very life or death.
"The shackles are set. Leave the prefecture at once."
Zhu Wuji put away his Official Seal, and the pressure emanating from him receded like the tide. He reverted to the cold-faced Director of punishments and waved a hand in dismissal.
"Beyond the north gate of Dayuan Prefecture lies the official road leading north. The journey is long and arduous, and Demons run rampant. You’re on your own."
"This subordinate takes his leave."
Chu Bai’s expression was calm as he once again cupped his fists in a salute.
Then, he turned and walked out of the great hall. Though he now bore the shackles of exile, his steps remained steady and strong.
’A journey of thirty thousand li.’
’When I return, I wonder what the world will look like.’

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