Rise of the Otherworld.

Lin Yu and his companions trudged through the mountains and forests, their faces haggard after days of travel. Their once neat clothes were now tattered, stained with dust and blood, their hair disheveled as if battered by a violent wind. Their faces were filled with fatigue and age, and each step seemed heavy and difficult, as if their legs were being dragged down by lead blocks.

Just as everyone was feeling exhausted, a small town appeared before their eyes. Nestled in a valley, surrounded by verdant hills, a clear stream gurgled past. The houses were arranged in an orderly fashion, with plumes of smoke rising from the chimneys. At first glance, the town looked peaceful and tranquil, like a picture of a rural village detached from the world.

But Lin Yu had a strange feeling in his heart. That intuition was like a sharp thorn, deeply piercing his heart. There was no guard at the town entrance, which was an extremely abnormal phenomenon. Normal towns, no matter how small, would have guards to maintain order and ensure safety, but this place was empty and silent. There were few pedestrians on the streets, and it was deserted. Only the occasional breeze blew a few fallen leaves, making a slight rustling sound. The atmosphere seemed a little weird, and the silence made people feel creepy, as if the whole town was shrouded in a mysterious haze.

"Master, something feels off about this place." Xiaoyaozi frowned and spoke in a low voice. His eyes were filled with vigilance, and his hand unconsciously tightened around his sword. The blade reflected a cold light in the sunlight, as if it too sensed this unusual atmosphere.

Lin Yu nodded slightly, signaling everyone to proceed with caution. His eyes swept around, carefully observing every detail. The doors and windows of the houses on both sides of the street were closed, as if deliberately avoiding the prying eyes of the outside world. The lime on the wall was peeling off, revealing mottled marks, as if telling the vicissitudes of time and unknown stories.

They walked into the town and found that most of the shops were closed, and the signs swayed in the wind, making creaking sounds. Occasionally, a few residents passed by, but they were also in a hurry, with vigilance and fear in their eyes. When they saw Lin Yu and others, they quickly lowered their heads and walked away as if they had seen the plague god, not even daring to make eye contact with them.

Lin Yu decided to ask someone about the situation and happened to see an old man basking in the sun in front of his house. The old man had a vicissitudes of life, and the wrinkles on his face were like the marks of time, deep and dense. His eyes were turbid, revealing a numbness and helplessness after experiencing vicissitudes of life.

"Old man, what happened in this town? Why is it so deserted?" Lin Yu asked politely, his voice gentle and sincere. He had a sincere smile on his face, hoping to dispel the old man's concerns.

The old man looked up at them, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes. That hesitation flashed across his face like lightning, but was keenly captured by Lin Yu. He hesitated, his lips trembling slightly, as if a thousand words were stuck in his throat. In the end, he just sighed, turned around, went into the house, and closed the door. The sound of the door closing was particularly loud in the quiet street, as if an invisible barrier was isolating them from the outside.

Lin Yu and the others looked at each other, their doubts growing even greater. They didn't understand why the old man was so wary of them. Could it be that this town was hiding some unspeakable secret?

Just then, a chilling wind blew past, and from the end of the street came a sinister laugh. It was a sharp, piercing laugh, like a demon from hell, filled with endless resentment and evil. The laughter echoed through the empty streets, sending chills down one's spine and tingling down one's scalp.

Everyone's hair stood on end, and they tightened their grips on their weapons. Their hearts beat rapidly, as if they were about to burst out of their chests. Their breathing quickened, and a tense atmosphere filled the air.

"Everyone be careful!" Lin Yu whispered, his eyes sharp, vigilantly watching the direction of the laughter. He leaned forward slightly, ready to deal with any emergency at any time.

"What the hell is this?" a disciple asked in a trembling voice. His face was pale and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Beads of sweat slid down his cheeks, dripped onto the ground, and disappeared in an instant.

Lin Yu did not answer. He walked cautiously towards the end of the street, with every step full of vigilance. His footsteps were so light that they were almost inaudible, for fear of alarming the unknown danger hidden in the darkness.

When they reached the end, they found a dilapidated temple. The temple's door was half-open, revealing a gloomy atmosphere. The temple's walls were faded, covered with moss and vines. The roof tiles were broken, and sunlight filtered through the cracks, casting patches of light on the ground.

"What...what is this place?" Xiaoyaozi couldn't help but ask. His voice was trembling, filled with fear and anxiety.

Lin Yu took a deep breath and slowly pushed the door open. The door hinge made a dull sound, as if protesting their intrusion.

Inside the door, it was pitch black, and the eerie laughter seemed to echo right beside his ears. In the darkness, he could vaguely see some blurry figures swaying, which was creepy.

Can they uncover the mystery of this town? And what dangers will they encounter in this temple?