I woke up two weeks later.
The first thing I noticed was the absence of pain. Not healing, just numbness. Medical Qi suppressing everything while my body desperately tried to hold together.
"You're awake," Medical Disciple Wen's voice. Tired. Resigned. "Against all medical probability, you're awake."
"How bad?" My voice came out as a croak.
"Your foundation damage peaked at sixty-two percent. We've stabilized it at fifty-nine percent through constant medical intervention." She held up a jade slip. "This is your new reality: Stage 8 cultivation, but functionally operating at Stage 6 power. Any significant technique use risks permanent collapse. Recovery time: three to six months of complete rest."
[MEDICAL REPORT: GRIM]
[EFFECTIVE COMBAT POWER: STAGE 6]
[ACTUAL CULTIVATION: STAGE 8 BUT CRIPPLED]
[TECHNIQUE USE: SEVERELY RESTRICTED]
[YOU BROKE YOURSELF WINNING]
"Can I still cultivate?"
