Rise of the Otherworld.

Everyone stared at the ancient text on the scroll, brows furrowed, racking their brains to grasp its meaning. The text seemed like an ancient code, twisted and mysterious, each stroke seeming to conceal endless depths of meaning.

Zhang Hao climbed to his feet, rubbed his chest, and approached the scroll for a closer look. "This text looks like some kind of ancient spell, but I've never seen it before." His eyes were focused and eager, trying to find a clue in the complex lines.

The old man stroked his beard, his eyes focused, "Maybe it is related to the secret of this palace." His eyes were deep, as if he could penetrate the fog of time and see the truth hidden behind the words.

The man in black robe paced aside, "No matter what, we have to find a way to figure it out." His pace was quick, showing his inner anxiety and eagerness.

The herbalist looked bewildered, "But how can we decipher it?" His eyes were full of helplessness and confusion, and he felt helpless about the problem before him.

Just as everyone was at a loss, the ancient book in Zhang Hao's arms began to glow again. The light was soft and warm, like a ray of morning light piercing through dark clouds. The light enveloped the mysterious scroll, and the words on it began to change. The previously obscure symbols gradually became clear and understandable, as if they had been given life, leaping and reorganizing in the light.

"This is..." Zhang Hao looked at it in surprise. His mouth opened slightly, and his eyes flashed with surprise.

The words gradually became clear and understandable, as if resonating with the light of the ancient book. Each character seemed to tell an ancient story, a forgotten history.

After some deciphering, they finally understood the meaning of the text. It turned out that the scroll contained a powerful spell, and to obtain it, they had to pass a series of difficult trials. This spell was said to have the power to change the world, and could help them defeat powerful enemies they might encounter in the future.

"It seems our challenge isn't over yet," Zhang Hao said, his voice firm and powerful, revealing his unyielding determination.

They looked at each other with determination in their eyes. They knew that the road ahead was full of difficulties and obstacles, but they had no way out.

Following the instructions in the text, they continued deeper into the palace. Along the way, various traps and devices appeared one after another. Poison arrows shot from the walls, their arrowheads flashing a faint blue light, carrying a deadly threat. The ground suddenly gave way, forming a bottomless trap that would have plunged anyone who wasn't careful. Flames erupted from the ceiling, the scorching heat threatening to reduce everything to ash.

But Zhang Hao and his companions, leveraging their previous combat experience and tacit coordination, repeatedly escaped danger. Zhang Hao, nimble as a cheetah, dodged the poisoned arrows. The old man cast a spell, raising a barrier as the ground collapsed to protect them. The black-robed figure used his speed and skill to deflect the flames. The herbalist threw herbs at crucial moments, creating smoke to disrupt the mechanism's operation.

Finally, they arrived at a vast room. In the center of the room stood a stone platform, upon which sat a gleaming crystal ball. The crystal ball emanated a mysterious power, and the air around it seemed to be warped.

"This should be the final test," the old man said. His voice was steady and serious, his eyes fixed on the crystal ball.

Just as they were about to approach the crystal ball, a massive phantom suddenly appeared in the room. The phantom towered over them like a mountain. Its form was ethereal and hazy, yet it emanated a powerful aura that instilled awe in them.

"If you want to get the spell, you must defeat me first!" The phantom's voice sounded like thunder, shaking the whole room slightly.

Zhang Hao and his companions charged forward without hesitation, engaging in a thrilling battle with the phantom. Zhang Hao wielded his sword, its blade gleaming coldly in the light, each strike laced with desperate courage. The old man muttered something, his magic shooting like meteors at the phantom. The black-robed figure moved like lightning, darting around the phantom, seeking an opportunity to strike. The herbalist, not to be outdone, continuously threw various hidden weapons crafted from herbs.

The phantom's attacks were powerful and fierce, each wave of its hand stirring up a gust of wind, making it difficult for anyone to approach. But Zhang Hao and the others didn't retreat. They gritted their teeth and fought desperately. Sweat soaked their clothes, their wounds multiplied, but their fighting spirit grew stronger.

In the fierce battle, Zhang Hao suddenly discovered a flaw in the phantom...