Shen Xin watched the exchange in silence.

He already knew how terrifying Jiang Chen’s strength was, but after everything that had happened, he realized Jiang Chen was even stronger than he had imagined—almost at the level of a Void Tribulation realm powerhouse.

Whether the Heavenly Purgatory Prison could actually hold someone like Jiang Chen was hard to say.

Still, Shen Xin wasn’t too concerned about Jiang Chen’s situation. Right now, the only thing he cared about was meeting Zhu Zhongming.

Luckily, it didn’t take long before four figures walked out from the entrance of the Heavenly Purgatory Prison.

Three of them were the Nirvana Cleansing realm guardians.

The fourth was a slim man with a cold expression, though the joy in his eyes was impossible to hide.

It was Zhu Zhongming.

Jiang Chen immediately checked his information panel:

[Name: Zhu Zhongming

Status: Supporting Character

Fate Value: 91,258

Aptitude: Perfect Grade

Innate Talent: Innate Sword Embryo Immortal Body

Realm: Peak-stage Nirvana Cleansing

Cultivation Methods: Divine Wind Clear Void Scripture (Void Tribulation, Core Technique), Sea Burial Soul Sorrow Sword Canon, Divine Wind Phoenix Plume Sword Manual, Moon Stream True Essence Sword Heart Chart (Nirvana Cleansing, Perfection)...

Main Equipment: None

True Combat Power: Peak-stage Nirvana Cleansing (+++)

Trust Level: 0]

The moment Jiang Chen saw the attribute panel, he was genuinely surprised.

Zhu Zhongming was even stronger than Shen Xin.

He was already standing at the very edge of the Void Tribulation realm.

"Senior Brother!"

The moment Shen Xin saw Zhu Zhongming, he immediately stopped guarding Jiang Chen and hurried over, worry clear in his eyes.

"Eh!?"

Yu Qiran was startled. He quickly moved together with the other three guardians, surrounding Jiang Chen tightly.

"Junior Brother Shen Xin, it’s been a long time. I trust you’ve been well." Zhu Zhongming’s usually cold expression softened into a smile.

"I’ve been fine, but you’re the one who suffered, Senior Brother." Shen Xin nodded, guilt flashing across his face. "I was too weak. That’s why you were imprisoned here for so long."

"How can that be your fault?" Zhu Zhongming shook his head with a faint smile, his eyes carrying a rare warmth. "Honestly, I was worried you’d lose your patience and attack the Heavenly Purgatory Prison directly. Luckily, you still remembered our master’s teachings and didn’t act recklessly."

Watching the two brothers reunite, Jiang Chen frowned inwardly.

Their relationship is way too strong.

These two are clearly the type who would risk everything for each other.

And this is only the two of them. If all the protagonist’s fellow disciples are like this, dealing with them is going to be troublesome.

Even as those thoughts crossed his mind, his expression remained unchanged.

The four people nearby, including Yu Qiran, stayed on guard the entire time, watching Jiang Chen closely to make sure he didn’t pull any tricks before being locked inside the Heavenly Purgatory Prison.

What they didn’t know was that Jiang Chen really was planning to escape.

He just wasn’t planning to do it now.

His plan was to wait until after he entered the Heavenly Purgatory Prison before making his move. That way, Shen Xin and Zhu Zhongming wouldn’t be implicated at all. It could even be considered a hidden favor to them, which might reduce the protagonist’s hostility toward him in the future.

Jiang Chen still wanted to avoid openly becoming enemies with the protagonist.

If he could manipulate things from the shadows and fool the protagonist without exposing himself, then there was no need for a direct clash.

At that moment, Shen Xin and Zhu Zhongming stopped talking and turned to look at Jiang Chen.

"He’s the one who killed more than a dozen Nirvana Cleansing realm cultivators?" Zhu Zhongming looked at Jiang Chen with some curiosity. "Including at least two Peak-stage Nirvana Cleansing realm experts?"

"Mm. He used some kind of trump card." Shen Xin glanced at Jiang Chen before lowering his guard slightly around Zhu Zhongming. "If he still has that trump card, even I wouldn’t be his match."

Zhu Zhongming gave a small nod.

"I see. Then let’s go. This matter is no longer something we should involve ourselves in."

"Wait a moment! Please wait, you two Daoist friends!"

Yu Qiran quickly stepped forward, stopping Zhu Zhongming and Shen Xin just as they were about to leave. His attitude immediately became much more polite.

"You two are among the top experts of our Profound Jade Immortal Alliance."

"The war between the Profound Jade Immortal Alliance and the demons at the frontline is at a critical stage right now. We urgently need more support. I hope the two of you can join the battle!"

He continued confidently, clearly trying his best to persuade them.

"As for rewards, there’s no need to worry. Cultivation resources, divine abilities, rare techniques—whatever you need can be discussed."

"Deputy Alliance Leader Feng is also waiting to personally speak with the two of you."

The determination in Yu Qiran’s eyes made it obvious he had no intention of letting them leave so easily. He clearly wanted to bring both of them to Phoenix Cry Immortal Star no matter what.

"This..." Shen Xin hesitated for a moment before answering tactfully, "We still need to return and pay our respects to our master first. As for joining the frontline battle, we can discuss it later."

It was obvious he had little desire to help the Profound Jade Immortal Alliance.

After all, the alliance had imprisoned Zhu Zhongming for many years, forcing the fellow disciples to hide their identities and live cautiously all this time.

Shen Xin did carry a lot of resentment in his heart.

On top of that, Jiang Chen’s confident claim that their master was still alive had given Shen Xin a new sense of hope. More than anything, he wanted to return and confirm whether it was true.

But Yu Qiran clearly had strict orders to follow and wasn’t willing to let the matter go so easily.

"Two Daoist friends, you should understand this well—when the nest is destroyed, no egg remains intact!"

"The Profound Jade Immortal Alliance is facing a massive crisis right now. The frontline battlefield is already close to collapsing!"

"If the alliance falls to the demons, what will happen to the two of you then?"

"I completely understand your respect for your master, and under normal circumstances, I would never stop you. But the current situation is far too urgent."

Yu Qiran’s face was full of anxiety as he continued speaking without pause.

"I ask the two of you to first travel to Phoenix Cry Immortal Star and meet Deputy Alliance Leader Feng. You can obtain the treasures and resources needed for battle there and also learn about the situation at the frontline."

"After that, I’ll personally accompany you both to pay respects to your master!"

"Alright." Zhu Zhongming finally nodded in agreement. "If the situation is really this serious, then we can’t stand by and do nothing."

"If the frontline collapses, the entire Profound Jade Immortal Domain will most likely fall into chaos."

"For now, we should focus on defeating the demon army and protecting the Profound Jade Immortal Domain. We can pay respects to Master after this matter is settled."

He paused briefly, his expression turning heavier.

"If we fail, not only would we have no face to meet Master, but even his remains might not be left in peace."

Shen Xin already knew from Jiang Chen that their master was likely still alive.

But Zhu Zhongming didn’t know that.

So from Zhu Zhongming’s perspective, both emotionally and logically, the most important thing right now was protecting the greater picture and preserving the stability of the Profound Jade Immortal Domain.

Because of that, he chose to temporarily put aside his resentment toward the Profound Jade Immortal Alliance.

The situation at the frontline was simply too urgent, so he agreed to head there and lend his strength.

Shen Xin’s heart shook slightly when he heard Zhu Zhongming agree so quickly.

Still, he didn’t say anything to stop him.

No matter what, his trust in Zhu Zhongming was far greater than his trust in Jiang Chen.

After all, Jiang Chen’s claims sounded far too unbelievable.

Even though Shen Xin wanted to believe it and still held onto hope, deep down, he couldn’t truly confirm that their master was still alive.

If he had been completely certain, he would’ve secretly informed Zhu Zhongming already and insisted they return to see their master first.

That said, Zhu Zhongming’s agreement immediately delighted Yu Qiran and the other three guardians.

"Daoist Friend Zhu Zhongming truly understands the greater picture!" Yu Qiran cupped his hands toward Zhu Zhongming and Shen Xin, gratitude written all over his face.

"Please rest assured, the Profound Jade Immortal Alliance will absolutely not mistreat the two of you."

"Not only will you receive abundant cultivation resources for supporting the frontline, but the alliance will also compensate you for the unfair treatment you suffered in the past."

"Then lead the way, Daoist Friend Yu Qiran." Shen Xin nodded.

Honestly, even he had to admit that the promise of huge cultivation resources was tempting. Both he and Zhu Zhongming were already close to the Void Tribulation realm, and reaching that next step required enormous resources.

"Good, good! Please wait a moment, you two."

Yu Qiran was clearly overjoyed. He immediately turned toward the three Nirvana Cleansing realm guardians.

"Hurry and escort this scoundrel Jiang Chen to the ninety-ninth level to await punishment!"

"Understood!"

The three guardians obeyed at once, shoving Jiang Chen forward while cursing at him as they escorted him into the Heavenly Purgatory Prison.

"This way, please." Yu Qiran smiled so broadly it almost looked flattering.

Right after that, he led Shen Xin and Zhu Zhongming toward the interstellar teleportation array and departed for Phoenix Cry Immortal Star.