Rise of the Otherworld.

As the magic circle's light flickered wildly, a sickening, fishy wind howled from within. Like a curse from the abyss, it carried with it endless darkness and decay, instantly permeating the entire ruins. The stench was like a sharp knife, piercing everyone's nostrils and causing their stomachs to churn.

Immediately afterwards, shrill screams echoed throughout the ruins. It was like the painful howling of a resentful soul imprisoned for millennia, sharp and piercing, piercing everyone's eardrums and sending chills down their spines. Each scream was like a death warrant, fiercely striking at everyone's mental defenses.

"Oh no! This evil spirit is about to awaken!" Lin Yu shouted loudly. His voice was particularly loud in this terrifying atmosphere, trying to awaken the people shrouded in fear. His eyes were full of vigilance and determination. He gripped the sword tightly in his hand, and his knuckles turned white from the force.

Twisted figures slowly emerged from the magic circle, their fangs bared and claws snarling, their forms monstrous and hideous. Some were mutilated, their hollow eye sockets gleaming with a strange red light. Others had faces twisted and deformed, baring sharp fangs, as if ready to tear everything in sight to shreds. They emanated an endless aura of evil, like a pool of stagnant water, capable of dragging a human soul down, forever trapped.

The disciples retreated in terror, fear spreading rapidly in their eyes. Their legs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead, and each step back seemed so difficult. Their hearts beat wildly in their chests, as if they were about to burst through the restraints.

"Don't be afraid, form a defensive formation!" Lin Yu forced himself to remain calm and loudly commanded everyone. Although his voice was firm, his heart was also filled with worry. The sweat on his forehead slid down his cheeks, dripping onto the ground and disappearing instantly.

The disciples sprang into action, forming a defensive formation. Hand in hand, they pooled their spiritual energy, creating a pale blue shield. Each face was filled with tension and concentration, not daring to slack off for even a moment. But the evil spirits were too powerful. They surged forward like a surging tide, easily breaking through the outer layer of the formation.

"Everyone, concentrate your spiritual power and strengthen your defense!" Lin Yu said as he continuously injected his spiritual power into the formation. His forehead was bulging with blue veins, and his face turned pale as paper due to excessive consumption of spiritual power. But his eyes remained firm, as if burning with an unyielding flame.

The evil spirits continuously attacked the formation, each attack causing it to falter. Cracks appeared on the light shield, like shattered ice, as if it would completely collapse at any moment.

"This isn't going to work. We have to take the initiative!" Xiaoyaozi shouted. There was a hint of determination in his voice, and a spark of courage in his eyes.

Lin Yu nodded. "I'll attract their attention, and you look for opportunities to attack." His eyes were firm, as if he was ready to die. After saying that, he took a deep breath and flew towards the group of evil spirits.

The evil spirits instantly focused their attention on him, rushing towards him frantically. He weaved through the swarm of evil spirits, waving his sword in a flash of light, attempting to block the attacks. Every swing of his sword carried his determination to die and his desire to live.

Lin Yu unleashed a variety of spells. Flames, frost, and lightning intertwined in his hands, creating a dazzling yet dangerous spectacle. Flames burned the evil spirits, frost froze them, and lightning struck them, shaking them. Each attack repelled some evil spirits, but more would attack again. The wounds on his body continued to multiply, blood staining his clothes red. But his eyes remained firm, showing no sign of retreat, as if his body no longer belonged to him, but rather a fighting machine that existed to protect everyone.

Just as Lin Yu was struggling to hold on, the disciples finally found the evil spirits' weakness. They seized the opportunity, condensed their spiritual power into a powerful attack, and shot it at the evil spirits. For a moment, light shone everywhere, like bright stars blooming in the darkness.

The evil spirits howled in agony, a sound that made one's scalp tingle. Some weaker evil spirits instantly dissipated under this attack, turning into wisps of black smoke and disappearing into the air; while the stronger evil spirits were also severely damaged, their figures becoming illusory and the momentum of their attacks slowed down.

However, the evil spirits did not give up. They gathered again, preparing to launch a new round of attacks. The aura of darkness grew stronger, as if it was about to swallow up the entire ruins.

Lin Yu was breathing heavily, his whole body soaked with sweat. He looked at the evil spirits that had gathered again, knowing that this would be an even more difficult battle. But there was no fear in his eyes, only firm belief and fearless courage.

The disciples also held their weapons tightly, ready to face the coming storm.

Can they withstand the crazy counterattack of the evil spirits and find a glimmer of hope in this endless darkness?