Rise of the Otherworld.

Zhang Hao picked up the box and slowly opened it. The light from the box instantly illuminated his face, and everyone watched nervously. Inside the box lay a gem emanating mysterious power. A strange light shone from the gem, a dreamlike radiance—sometimes azure like the deep sea, sometimes fiery red like a blazing flame, sometimes emerald green like a deep forest, seemingly holding endless mysteries.

"Is this the artifact we've been looking for?" the herbalist exclaimed in amazement. His eyes widened in disbelief, and his mouth opened wide enough for an egg to fit.

Zhang Hao examined the gem carefully. "I'm afraid it's not that simple." His brow furrowed slightly, his eyes revealing deep thought and caution. The gem's light flickered on his face, reflecting his solemn expression.

At this moment, the gem suddenly shone brightly, enveloping everyone. Before their eyes, a series of illusory images appeared, showcasing the past and future of the Ancient Xuan Continent. The scenes in the images were as vivid as if they were real scenes, making people feel as if they were there.

In the image, the continent suffers a devastating disaster: landslides, floods, and people writhe in agony. The earth trembles, mountains crumble, and boulders tumble, crushing innocent people. The roaring floodwaters sweep everything away, destroying houses and submerging fields. People cry and flee, but there's nowhere to escape, their eyes filled with despair and heartbreak.

"Does this portend something?" the black-robed man asked in shock, his voice trembling with fear and confusion.

The old man looked solemn, "Perhaps this is the artifact conveying important information to us." He stared at the picture, trying to decipher more clues from it.

As the scene changed, they saw a mysterious place that seemed to hold the key to saving the continent. It was a mountain surrounded by clouds, and on the top of the mountain stood an ancient palace, emitting a mysterious light.

"We must go to this place!" Zhang Hao said firmly. His eyes burned with determination and courage, as if he had seen the dawn of hope.

The light faded, and everyone came back to their senses from the illusion. Their hearts were heavy, knowing full well the weight of the responsibility they shouldered.

"No matter how many difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, we must find a way to save the continent." Zhang Hao's eyes were filled with determination. His voice was sonorous and powerful, inspiring everyone like a war drum.

They left the hall, carrying the gem, and embarked on a new journey. Along the way, they encountered all sorts of inclement weather and ferocious beasts. The wind howled like a demon's roar, making it nearly impossible to open their eyes. The rain poured down, pounding painfully. The road became muddy, making every step forward incredibly difficult.

"I wonder how long this weather will last," complained the herbalist. His clothes were soaked and stuck to his body, and his hair was drooping wetly, making him look disheveled.

Zhang Hao encouraged everyone, "Hold on, we will definitely get out of this." His voice was still clearly audible in the storm, bringing a touch of warmth and hope to everyone.

Finally, the weather improved, and they arrived at an ancient town. The buildings were old and dilapidated, with mottled walls and closed doors and windows. The streets were empty and lifeless, with only the humming sound of the wind blowing through the narrow alleys.

A strange atmosphere permeated the town, and the streets were deserted. The quiet atmosphere was eerie, as if the town was cursed.

"Something doesn't feel right here." The black-robed man looked around warily. His hands tightly gripped his weapon, his body tense, ready to deal with any possible danger.

Suddenly, a group of dark shadows emerged from the darkness and attacked them. They moved swiftly, like ghosts, and emitted eerie cries.

Everyone rushed to engage, engaging in a fierce battle with the shadow. Zhang Hao's sword slashed streaks of light through the air, each strike striking the shadow accurately. The black-robed figure swung his weapon with vigor, repelling the approaching shadow. The elder continuously cast spells, providing support. Not to be outdone, the herbalist used his knowledge of herbs to create a special powder and sprinkled it on the shadow.

During the battle, Zhang Hao discovered that these shadows seemed to be controlled by some evil force. Although their movements were agile, they seemed a bit mechanical and stiff.

"We must find the source of their control!" Zhang Hao shouted, his voice filled with anxiety and determination.

After some searching, they found a dark altar deep in the town, with strange flames burning on it and an evil aura emanating from it.

"This is it!" Zhang Hao said. They approached the altar cautiously, ready to destroy it...