Rise of the Otherworld.

The rage within Zhang Hao burned like a raging fire, but he knew it was futile. Only a desperate resistance offered him a glimmer of hope. His sword, stained black by the insect's blood, grew heavier with each swing. Sweat trickled down his forehead, dripping into his eyes, causing a stinging sensation, but he didn't dare even blink.

"Everyone hold on!" Zhang Hao shouted loudly, trying to inject a final burst of courage into his companions. His voice echoed across the cliff, but it seemed so weak.

The old man's magic light gradually dimmed, his physical strength was almost exhausted, and he gasped heavily, "I'm afraid... I can't hold on any longer." His voice was full of fatigue and helplessness, and the staff in his hand became extremely heavy.

The black-robed man's clothes were torn by insects, and he had multiple injuries on his body, his clothes stained red with blood. "Damn it, am I going to die here today?" His eyes were full of unwillingness, yet shrouded in deep despair.

The herbalist's face was filled with despair. "Have we been deceived by that woman?" His voice was tearful, and his hands were shaking from exerting too much force.

The insects' attacks became more and more fierce. They came like a tide, and the people's defense line was constantly compressed.

Just as they were about to give up, the ancient book in Zhang Hao's arms shone once more. The light instantly illuminated the entire cliff face, intense and dazzling, like the light before dawn. The insects seemed extremely wary of this light and retreated, their once-violent attack instantly stagnating.

"What...what's going on?" Zhang Hao looked at the ancient book in his arms in surprise. His eyes were filled with surprise and confusion. This sudden change gave him a glimmer of hope.

Amidst the light, a mysterious rune floated out from the ancient book and slowly fell into Zhang Hao's hands. The rune shone with a strange light, like the brightest star in the night sky.

Zhang Hao felt a powerful force coming from the rune. Without thinking, he threw the rune towards the insects. The rune quickly grew larger in the air, turning into a huge barrier that kept all the insects out.

Everyone finally got a moment to breathe, collapsed to the ground, and breathed in the fresh air as if they had just escaped from hell.

"This might be our turning point!" Zhang Hao said. His voice was weak but full of hope.

However, the mysterious woman suddenly spoke: "The power of this rune will not last long. You should find a way to leave here as soon as possible." Her voice was still cold, without any emotional fluctuations.

Zhang Hao looked at the woman, "Since you knew, why didn't you tell me earlier?" His eyes were burning with anger, and he was extremely angry at the woman's indifference.

The woman sneered, "This is a test for you. Only if you can get out alive can you prove that you are worthy of my help." There was a hint of contempt in her eyes.

Zhang Hao gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, then tell us how to leave here!" He suppressed the anger in his heart, knowing that this was not the time to argue with the woman.

The woman pointed to the bottom of the cliff and said, "There is a cave at the bottom of the cliff. There is a passage in the cave that can lead you out, but it is also full of dangers." Her voice was as flat as water, as if she was talking about something that had nothing to do with her.

Zhang Hao looked at his companions and said, "We have no other choice but to go down." His eyes were firm and he had made up his mind.

Everyone nodded. Although they were filled with fear, they also understood that this was the only way out.

They slowly climbed down the cliff face, taking each step carefully. The rune's light gradually faded, and the insects began to stir again, constantly hitting the disappearing barrier.

Zhang Hao's hand was cut by the rock and blood was flowing, but he still held on to the vines tightly, not daring to relax at all.

The old man's physical strength had reached its limit, his movements became slow, and he almost dropped his hands several times.

The man in black robes kept encouraging everyone below, "Come on, we're almost there!"

The herbalist's eyes were full of fear, but he still gritted his teeth and persevered.

Just as they were about to reach the bottom of the cliff, the rune's light completely disappeared, and the insects broke through the barrier and pounced towards them...