What surprised Lei Dong slightly was that not only was she mute, but she also bore a large red birthmark on her face, making her appearance quite unsightly. Only her eyes were exceptionally pure, "like a stream flowing through a mountain gorge, clear and flawless." Seeing Lei Dong awaken, she seemed overjoyed. Holding a clay pot, she shuffled forward with small steps and placed it on the table, making various gestures with concern.

"You saved me?" Lei Dong composed himself, gazing at her as he spoke.

The mute girl startled momentarily but quickly nodded, making gestures.

Lei Dong nodded solemnly and asked again, "Can you write? I can't understand your gestures." Lei Dong did not offer thanks; a life-saving debt was not one that a simple 'thank you' could repay.

The mute girl's expression dimmed slightly, and she slowly shook her head.

This presented a complication. Lei Dong frowned slightly. However, it was not insurmountable. Since this mute girl had saved him, he naturally intended to repay her. But the immediate priority was to heal his injuries and recover his strength as quickly as possible. Lei Dong didn't know where he was, but he knew that in this world, the strong ruled, and strength was king.

Seeing Lei Dong silent, the mute girl used a cracked bowl to scoop a portion of soup from the clay pot. Carefully, she carried it to Lei Dong and gently brought a spoonful to his lips.

Lei Dong had already forged an immortal foundation, and his cultivation was not low. Even if he went without food for an extended period, as long as true qi remained in his body, he wouldn't starve to death even after a month or two. He could entirely substitute true qi for the energy derived from food—this was the legendary state of Bigu (abstinence from grains). Of course, to satisfy his appetite, Lei Dong still ate frequently. He sniffed the soup; it was slightly fishy yet very fragrant, likely some kind of fish broth. Perhaps due to his injuries, or perhaps because he hadn't eaten in so long, he felt a pang of hunger. Seeing the concern and anticipation in her eyes, he couldn't bear to disappoint her, so he smiled and drank the spoonful. Indeed, the thick soup was rich, fragrant, and delicious. It felt like a warm current spread from his lower abdomen throughout his entire body, instantly invigorating his spirit. Although both his body and soul were severely injured, someone of his physique could still manage to move. He smiled at her again and reached out to take the bowl and spoon from her. He scooped and ate until the entire clay pot of fish soup was finished. Although individuals of Lei Dong's caliber had tasted countless delicacies considered treasures by mortals, this bowl of fish soup felt like the pinnacle of beauty and substance in his life. What felt vaguely strange was that this fish apparently possessed the effect of stabilizing the soul and healing injuries, allowing the nearly depleted true qi within his body to recover slowly.

After drinking the fish soup, Lei Dong began conversing with her. Although she was mute, she was not deaf—a relatively comforting fact. Each time he questioned her, his guesses were either correct or incorrect. Gradually, Lei Dong gained some concept of his surroundings. He seemed to be on an island, and this girl was likely a fisherwoman. Though not old, her skin was dark from the sun, and her hands were rough. Lei Dong also now knew that she had pulled him from the sea.

Lei Dong calculated briefly and estimated that he must have been swept somewhere by that Sea God's Wrath Maelstrom. Moreover, it was probably outside the Yaksha Sea region; otherwise, the Yaksha King would not have left him floating in the ocean, and there would be no inhabited islands within the Yaksha Sea.

Once he had clarified some matters, Lei Dong felt the primary task was to recover his injuries and true qi. Otherwise, he wouldn't even possess the ability to defend himself if he encountered a master. He asked the mute girl, "Are there any very powerful, frightening people or monstrous beasts on this island?"

The mute girl thought for a moment and shook her head vaguely. But when Lei Dong inquired if there were any vicious people or monsters nearby, the mute girl showed palpable fear and terror, nodding with extreme alarm.

Lei Dong understood somewhat, so he told her, "I need to treat my injuries myself. Do not tell anyone, and do not approach me, or danger might arise." After repeating this several times and refusing her help, she finally understood. She retreated several steps and sat down on a crude chair, watching Lei Dong with curiosity.

Lei Dong didn't mind. He flashed her a toothy smile, swallowed two pills, sat cross-legged on the bed, slowly closed his eyes, and began healing. He did not attempt to summon Ghost Guards or similar entities; given the current state of his soul injury, he likely couldn't suppress them. Even with a Natal Ghost Servant, if the disparity in strength was too great, there was a chance of backlash.

His mind quickly settled. True qi, bit by bit, diffused from his Dantian to every limb and vessel. Upon encountering blocked or damaged meridians, he did not rush forward but instead meticulously nourished and massaged them slowly with true qi. In this manner, the damaged parts of the meridians gradually began to recover.

Furthermore, displaced or damaged internal organs also needed to be gently urged back into position using true qi; it could not be done quickly or forcefully. As for the fractured connections, true qi could only push them together before slowly nourishing them to stimulate self-growth and healing. Naturally, Lei Dong's true qi was scarce, requiring the Small Hazy Spiritual Recovery Pill to continuously supply him with power.

As for the soul, it was more difficult to heal, requiring the power generated by the Soul Condensing Pill to slowly nourish it and promote self-repair.

A full half-day passed before the medicinal properties of the two pills were entirely exhausted. Lei Dong’s injuries had recovered somewhat. However, this time, both his body and soul had suffered significant trauma; it was unrealistic to expect complete recovery in just one or two healing sessions. When he opened his eyes, he saw the mute girl still staring at him curiously, but her gaze was now filled with awe. Lei Dong knew this was because, during his healing, his body occasionally emitted faint glows or wisps of ethereal energy. To this mortal girl's eyes, it naturally appeared magical.

"You want to learn?" Lei Dong asked.

The mute girl nodded heavily, hope shining in her eyes.

"To learn this, you must possess a spiritual root. Come here, I will check your spiritual root aptitude." Lei Dong beckoned to her, though he didn't hold much hope in his heart. After all, not everyone possessed a spiritual root.

Lei Dong had already decided that if she lacked a spiritual root, he would at least secure her a life of wealth and honor as repayment for saving his life.

The mute girl hesitated, then fearfully approached. Lei Dong took her wrist and injected a fine thread of true qi into her body, letting it circulate once. But his eyes widened in surprise: "Little girl, you actually have a spiritual root? Uh, the quality of the root seems quite good... wait, it seems exceptionally good." Lei Dong was astonished. Were there no immortal cultivation sects nearby? If there were, they wouldn't likely overlook such a fine piece of jade. But now was not the time to dwell on that. Since she had a spiritual root, it was naturally the best possible outcome. Teaching her the art of cultivation was certainly the best way to repay her.

Facing the mute girl’s hopeful expression, Lei Dong smiled, "You can learn, but you must learn to read first. Otherwise, even if I give you a jade slip, you won't understand it. Is there anyone on the island who can read?"

The mute girl thought for a moment and quickly nodded.

Lei Dong said no more, "Don't make a fuss yet. After my body recovers a little better, I will find a teacher to instruct you." Of course, if Lei Dong intended to pass on cultivation techniques, he couldn't simply give her the Dark Yin Heart Sutra or other Yin-Fiendish Sect arts. That would be a forbidden act; if the sect found out, not only would she perish, but his own survival would also be uncertain.

In the following few days, Lei Dong healed daily. But the mute girl seemed to only possess this one dilapidated hut and never received visitors. Every night, she slept on the dirt floor. Seeing that Lei Dong enjoyed the fish soup, she went out daily to catch fish and boil it into soup.

A few days later, Lei Dong had recovered significantly. Although complete recovery would still take some time, he could at least manage some physical interaction. He gave her a spirit stone to hire a literate man. The teacher was a thin, middle-aged man with a somewhat cunning countenance. Lei Dong truly didn't wish to deal with such a person. As soon as the man entered the door, Lei Dong launched a Netherworld Ghost Claw, snatching him up into mid-air, his voice icy cold, "If you dare to cry out, this day next year will be your death anniversary."

Some cunning people have the advantage of their cunning nature. Although the man was pale with fright, he was remarkably sensible, stammering fearfully, "S-Senior Immortal. This junior absolutely dares not speak nonsense."

Senior Immortal? It seemed this man knew of immortal cultivators. A thought flickered in his mind. He withdrew the Netherworld Ghost Claw, letting the man fall onto the floor with a thump, and asked, "Have you seen other immortal cultivators?"

"Yes, yes." The man ignored his pain, putting on a fawning expression, and quickly said, "This junior has seen them before. On Whale-Lying Island, about five hundred li from here, there is a group of Senior Immortals. Every one of them can ride the clouds and fly, moving as fast as the wind—truly magnificent." As he spoke, a look of envy crossed his eyes.

As expected, there were cultivators nearby. But Lei Dong didn't know if it was a family or a sect, or what their strength was. Of course, Lei Dong knew he wouldn't get much detail from a mortal. He didn't dwell on it, only becoming exceptionally cautious internally. Five hundred li was not a great distance for a cultivator. He resolved not to reveal himself until his injuries were healed. This little dilapidated house was truly his best place for recuperation.

After intimidating and frightening the man, he fed him a pill, falsely claiming it was poison. Naturally, this ensured the man diligently taught the mute girl literacy and characters. Such a life continued for only seven or eight days before unforeseen complications arose.