Rise of the Otherworld.

After repelling the bats, everyone relaxed slightly, but remained on high alert. Zhang Hao slowly approached the stone table and carefully examined the yellowed book. The cover material looked extremely ancient, seemingly made of some unknown animal hide, with faint textures on it, like mysterious talismans.

The cover of the scroll bore the marks of time. These marks weren't simply wear and tear, but rather the deep imprint of time. Every scratch, every mottled mark, seemed to speak of the long years it had endured. Zhang Hao gently reached out, about to touch the scroll, but hesitated, glancing back at the others.

The old man stepped forward and said, "Be careful. The things in this stone chamber are probably not simple." His voice was low and serious, and his eyes were full of caution.

Zhang Hao nodded, took a deep breath, and carefully picked up the scroll. The moment he lifted it, a strange force surged from it, spreading along his arm. Like countless tiny electric currents, it instantly spread throughout his body, bringing a piercing pain.

"Ah!" Zhang Hao couldn't help but scream. He wanted to throw the scroll away, but he found that the force was sucking him tightly, as if it was a greedy giant beast, biting its prey tightly and refusing to let go.

The herbalist was panicked, "What should I do?" His voice was obviously trembling, his face turned pale in an instant, and he turned around in place, at a loss.

The black-robed figure's gaze was solemn as he quickly moved, attempting to free Zhang Hao from the scroll's restraints. However, when his hand touched the force, it was also drawn in. The force instantly spread throughout him, causing him to tremble uncontrollably.

Seeing this, the old man muttered something and cast a powerful spell in an attempt to suppress this strange force. A dazzling light shone from the tip of his staff, and runes flew out from it, swirling around Zhang Hao and the black-robed man. The magic light flickered, competing with the power, and a tense atmosphere filled the air.

With the old man's efforts, the force finally weakened, and Zhang Hao and the black-robed man were able to break free. They both collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, their clothes soaked with sweat.

"What on earth is this scroll?" Zhang Hao asked with lingering fear. His eyes were filled with confusion and fear as he stared at the scroll in his hand as if it were a bomb that could explode at any moment.

The old man shook his head and said, "I have never seen such a strange power. Perhaps there is a great secret hidden in this book." His eyes were deep and he fell into deep thought.

At this moment, the floor of the stone chamber suddenly began to tremble, and cracks appeared on the surrounding walls. Stones fell from above, raising a cloud of dust.

"Oh no! This stone chamber is going to collapse!" the herbalist shouted. His voice was drowned out by the violent shaking, seeming particularly small.

Everyone panicked, searching for an exit. Objects in the stone chamber collapsed in the tremors, shattering sounds echoing.

Zhang Hao discovered a faint light in the corner of the stone chamber, "That might be the exit!" His voice rang out in the chaos, carrying a glimmer of hope.

Everyone ran towards the light, rocks falling from overhead. Zhang Hao used his sword to deflect the falling rocks as he ran. The herbalist fell, and the black-robed man quickly pulled him up.

"Run!" the old man urged from behind.

They struggled forward through rocks and dust, each step fraught with danger.

Just as they were approaching the exit, a huge rock fell from the sky, blocking their way.

"Everyone push it away together!" Zhang Hao shouted.

Everyone worked together and used all their strength to push the stone. With their efforts, the stone was finally pushed away slowly.

They finally escaped from the stone chamber, but the situation outside was not optimistic either...