In his previous life, Blake Langley had never practiced martial arts, but he had heard that before the eruption of Earth’s vital energy, being able to cultivate inner qi through martial arts was the pinnacle of strength. Martial artists who cultivated inner qi were also called inner strength practitioners. Aside from inner strength practitioners, everyone else was simply referred to with three words: if you had practiced martial arts, you were just someone who ‘knew a few moves.’

In fact, before the eruption of Earth’s vital energy, inner strength practitioners were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns—legendary figures whom ordinary people never saw.

After the eruption of Earth’s vital energy, the martial arts system became even more detailed. As long as one could cultivate inner qi, they would be considered at the Tempering Strength stage; after Tempering Strength came Bone Forging, then Meridian Unblocking, and after enduring the Meridian Unblocking stage, one would reach the Innate Realm.

It was rumored that Wade Sherman had stepped into the Innate Realm, which was why he could enter the depths of Kunlun Mountain unharmed.

But Blake Langley had also heard of another realm: all realms below Innate were considered part of the Refining Essence into Qi stage. Moreover, Innate could also be called Foundation Establishment. After the nuclear war on Earth, he had once treated an elderly man surnamed Huang, who told him about Refining Essence into Qi. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been able to save that old man.

Blake Langley estimated that now, having cultivated inner qi, he had barely stepped into the Tempering Strength stage of Refining Essence into Qi.

Although Blake Langley wasn’t sure about his own martial arts aptitude, since he could feel inner qi on the very first day of practicing the Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic, his aptitude shouldn’t be too bad—in fact, it might be quite good. At this rate, he should be able to reach the Innate Realm within two years.

Of course, he couldn’t wait two years. As soon as his cultivation was sufficient, he would enter Kunlun Mountain—he absolutely couldn’t wait until the mountain was sealed off.

Chapter 9: A Choice with No Way Out

After returning home, Ian King was not in a good mood. He had encountered cases like Little May’s before, but aside from amputation, he had no better solution. For an orthopedic doctor like him, this was both a sorrow and an irony. He had been working hard to improve his medical skills, but the more he learned, the more he realized how little he knew.

The next day, upon returning to the hospital, Ian King went straight to Little May’s ward. He knew very well that the longer Little May’s condition was delayed, the worse it would get. At this point, amputation would probably only require cutting to the knee. If they waited any longer, her entire thigh might be lost.

As soon as Ian King arrived at the hospital, he saw Little May in the process of being discharged. He hurriedly stepped forward to stop them. “Ms. Shaw, why are you discharging Little May? Her leg can’t wait any longer!”

Ms. Shaw sighed. “Doctor King, is there any way you can avoid amputating Little May’s leg?”

Ian King froze. With his current skills, there was simply no way to save Little May without amputation. But if he couldn’t do it, no one else could either.

“Thank you, Doctor King, but Little May can’t lose her leg.” Ms. Shaw’s eyes were ringed with dark circles—she hadn’t slept all night. In the end, she decided to take a gamble.

Ian King’s tone grew anxious. “Ms. Shaw, I may not be the best in orthopedics, but if you leave the hospital now, you won’t be able to find a better orthopedic specialist in the short term.”

He didn’t really need to say these things, but as a doctor, he couldn’t go against his conscience.

Ms. Shaw said nothing, only bowed deeply to Ian King, then slowly pushed Little May’s wheelchair away. She knew better than anyone that for Little May, amputation meant death. No matter what, she couldn’t let Little May die.

“Doctor King, Ms. Shaw said she wanted to transfer hospitals, and she seems to have bought a lot of medicine and medical equipment. She even asked me to help her buy some things.” The nurse who had been caring for Little May walked over. She also didn’t know what Ms. Shaw planned to do, but it was out of her hands.

Transfer hospitals? Ian King looked doubtfully at the departing Ms. Shaw. Kunhu Hospital was the best in several nearby cities—where could they possibly transfer to?

……

Blake Langley had just finished a set of Bright Fist when he saw a taxi pull up outside. As soon as the door opened, he saw Ms. Shaw.

She really came? He had thought that after thinking it over, Ms. Shaw wouldn’t come. After all, anyone thinking rationally wouldn’t believe in something like this.

But Ms. Shaw really did come, which meant she must have seen the deathly resolve in her daughter Little May’s eyes. Coming to him was truly a last resort. Ever since her daughter Little May contracted Frost Silkworm Disease, he was probably the only doctor who had ever promised that Little May’s illness could be cured.

“Ms. Shaw.” Blake Langley called out, then hurried forward to help.

He took out a cart and opened it, then lifted Little May onto it.

Little May was like a puppet—whether being carried out of the car or placed in the wheelchair, her expression never changed.

“Doctor, I still don’t know your name.” Ms. Shaw’s eyes were full of anxiety. Although she was asking for Blake Langley’s name, her gaze was fixed on Little May with worry.

She was truly at the end of her rope. Even if a beggar on the street claimed he could save her daughter, she would probably choose to believe him at this point.

“Just call me Doctor Langley. Did you get everything?” Blake Langley didn’t mind Ms. Shaw’s attitude and simply asked.

“I got everything.” Ms. Shaw quickly lifted a large suitcase beside her.