Amid the vast search, the celestial herb seemed within grasp just as the old saying goes: "In countless searches, when you least expect, there she stands."2

The trio's hearts raced. The elusive path lay tantalizingly close, its allure impossible to ignore. Old Chen, ever the voice of reason, cautioned, "Perhaps the herb is revealing its final glory before fully vanishing into the deeper realms of the clouds."1

Taking a measured approach, Wang Xuan directed Qing Mu, "Let's pull the ship back. We must appear indifferent, not desperate. We should respect the whims of nature."0

Yet, regardless of their position, the herb and the gilded soil stood unyielding and unchanged.0

Wang Xuan pondered aloud, "That golden patch seems like a medicinal garden." He was confused by the enigma of nature. How could such a terrain exist amidst turbulent thunderclouds?0

Old Chen intoned, "With this rate of healing, my injuries on the forehead, arm, and scalp will recover by dawn."0

Though Wang Xuan's injuries were more pronounced, a tingling sensation in his fingers suggested a rapid recovery. He surmised that his nails would regenerate within a day.1

In a last act of hope, he invoked, "Sword Immortal, are you there? This celestial herb is present; could it aid you?" He silently willed the Sword Immortal to emerge.0

To his dismay, only silence greeted him. The bone relic remained motionless. Recalling their last encounter, he remembered that the Sword Immortal would slumber for three years....0