Rise of the Otherworld.

After escaping the black bear, Zhang Hao and the herbalist continued their journey cautiously. The fog in the forest thickened, drawing them into a mysterious world. The white mist, like a thick veil, enveloped everything around them, making it difficult to discern their direction.

"Why is the fog so thick? I can't even see the road clearly," the herbalist complained, his voice muffled by the fog. His brow furrowed, his eyes filled with anxiety and uneasiness.

Zhang Hao observed his surroundings warily. "Be careful! Don't wander off. Follow me closely." His voice was steady and resolute, trying to give the herbalist a sense of security. Zhang Hao's eyes searched the mist, his sword tightly gripped, ready to respond to any danger.

They groped their way forward in the fog, each step filled with uncertainty. Suddenly, Zhang Hao felt the ground beneath his feet become soft.

"Oh no, it might be a swamp!" he shouted, his voice filled with anxiety and tension.

But it was too late, one of the herbalist's feet had already sunk in.

"Help!" the herbalist screamed in terror, struggling with his hands. His face turned pale in an instant, and his eyes were filled with fear.

Zhang Hao quickly grabbed the herbalist's arm and said, "Don't move, I'll pull you up!" His eyes were firm and focused, and all the muscles in his body were tensed.

He exerted all his strength, little by little, to pull the herbalist out of the swamp. The herbalist's body continued to sink in the swamp, and his situation was extremely critical. The muddy water in the swamp gurgled and bubbled, as if swallowing everything.

"Hold on!" Zhang Hao gritted his teeth, the veins on his forehead bulging. His arms trembled from the effort, but he still didn't give up.

Finally, thanks to Zhang Hao's efforts, the herbalist was pulled out of the swamp. Both of them collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.

"I almost died," the herbalist said with lingering fear. His clothes were soaked in mud and he looked miserable.

After a short rest, they continued on their journey. After walking for an unknown amount of time, they arrived at a valley.

The valley was filled with thicker fog, making it difficult to see what was going on inside. The peaks on both sides of the valley towered into the clouds, like two huge guardians, giving people a sense of oppression.

"This valley looks dangerous. How about we take a detour?" the herbalist said, with a hint of hesitation and fear in his voice.

Zhang Hao pondered for a moment, "Maybe this is a shortcut for us to get out of this fog. Let's go in and take a look carefully." There was a hint of determination in his eyes.

As they walked into the valley, they heard strange noises, as if countless pairs of eyes were watching them in the dark. The noises were sometimes low, sometimes sharp, and very creepy.

"I'm a little scared." The herbalist's voice trembled. His body involuntarily moved closer to Zhang Hao, as if seeking protection.

Zhang Hao comforted, "Don't be afraid, I'm here." Although his voice was not loud, it was full of power.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew past, blowing away some of the fog, and they saw a dilapidated temple in front of them. The walls of the temple were mottled and the tiles on the roof were incomplete, as if it had experienced countless wind and rain baptisms.

The temple's gate was tightly shut, and the area was overgrown with weeds and vines. The weeds were taller than a person, and the vines intertwined like a giant web.

"This temple looks quite old. Is there something inside?" the herbalist asked nervously. He stared at the temple gate, not daring to take a step forward.

Zhang Hao walked forward and gently pushed the door open. "Go in and take a look, and you'll know." There was a hint of curiosity and desire to explore in his voice.

The door slowly opened, and a stale smell filled the air. The temple was dark and damp, filled with the smell of decay. A huge statue stood in the center, its face blurred, leaving only a pair of empty eyes, which made people shudder.

"What kind of statue is this?" the herbalist asked stutteringly.

Zhang Hao didn't answer. He walked into the temple cautiously, looking around. Suddenly, he heard a slight sound of footsteps...