That same night, at the Bloodedge Army Garrison.
An expanse of military camps lay scattered among the mountains.
Dao Soldiers on patrol flew past on artifacts outside the camp from time to time, their overlapping divine sense leaving no blind spots.
Inside the Main Force War Treasure Ship at the very center, Hua Tieshou had just finished his military duties for the day when he received a summons personally sent by Qing Chen.
The military order contained only four words: come swiftly and covertly.
Hua Tieshou dared not delay. He immediately slipped out of the Bloodedge Army Garrison in secret and used a small Teleportation Formation to enter Qing Chen's Sky-Patrolling Treasure Ship.
The treasure ship was dimly lit. Only a single crimson Glazed Glass Lamp burned in the deepest part of the great hall.
Only master and disciple occupied the vast hall.
Hua Tieshou's heart sank. He hurried to the foot of the steps and bowed.
"This disciple pays his respects, Master."
Qing Chen neither told him to rise nor immediately explained why he had summoned him. He merely sat at the head of the hall, his indifferent gaze resting on Hua Tieshou.
Hua Tieshou had followed Qing Chen for several hundred years and knew his master's temperament all too well.
He understood that something earth-shattering must have happened.
Silence held the hall for a moment.
At last, Qing Chen spoke.
"Tie Shou."
"This disciple is here."
"Are you afraid of death?"
Hua Tieshou's heart jolted violently.
He raised his head and met Qing Chen's eyes, which were now suffused with blood-red light.
Could something have gone wrong with Master's cultivation, leaving him in need of all my blood merit? What should I do, then?
*But that shouldn't be right. My meager cultivation wouldn't even be enough for Master