Rise of the Otherworld.

After a long climb, they finally reached the halfway point. Everyone was breathless and exhausted. Zhang Hao's clothes were soaked with sweat and clung to his body. His chest heaved violently, and every breath seemed heavy.

Zhang Hao found a relatively flat spot and asked everyone to rest for a while. "Everyone, recover your strength first. The journey ahead may be more difficult," he said. His voice was hoarse and tired, but his eyes remained determined.

At this moment, a strange sound of wind came, and there seemed to be a faint whisper in the wind. The sound of the wind seemed to be the call of ancient times, with a mysterious and unsettling atmosphere.

"Listen, what's that sound?" The herbalist looked around nervously, his eyes wide open, filled with fear and confusion.

Everyone listened intently; the sound was elusive, appearing and disappearing. Sometimes it sounded like a gentle narration, and sometimes it sounded like an angry roar, which seemed particularly strange in the silent mountains.

"Whatever it is, we should be careful," the old man warned. His face was solemn, and he unconsciously clenched the staff in his hand.

As they continued on, the path became increasingly rugged. The rocks beneath their feet were loose, and a single careless move could send them careening off the cliff. The surrounding vegetation also became sparse, leaving only bare rocks and steep cliffs.

Suddenly, a huge cave appeared in front of them. A layer of light mist filled the cave entrance, making it difficult to see what was inside.

"This cave looks eerie and scary. Should we go in?" The man in black robe hesitated. He looked at the cave, his heart filled with worry.

Zhang Hao thought for a moment, "No venture, no gain. Maybe there is something we need in there." His eyes were firm, as if he was ready to face all dangers.

The group cautiously entered the cave, which was filled with a mysterious atmosphere. It was damp and cold, making people shiver. Strange lights flickered on the cave walls, like some mysterious runes. These runes flickered, sometimes bright and sometimes dim, giving people an inexplicable sense of oppression.

As they walked, they discovered a huge sarcophagus, which exuded an ancient and heavy atmosphere, as if carrying endless secrets.

"This sarcophagus... is there something terrifying inside?" The herbalist's voice trembled. He unconsciously took a few steps back, his face turning pale.

Just as they were hesitating whether to open the sarcophagus, a low roar suddenly sounded around them. The sound seemed to come from the depths of hell, full of anger and pain.

"No, there's danger!" Zhang Hao shouted. His body tensed instantly, and he gripped the sword tightly.

A flock of giant bats swooped down from the darkness, their wingspans several meters wide, their eyes gleaming blood-red. Their sharp claws gleamed coldly in the darkness, sending shivers down my spine.

Everyone rushed to fight. Zhang Hao swung his sword in the darkness, its shadows flashing like lightning, each strike accurately hitting the bat. His movements were swift and powerful, without the slightest slowdown due to fatigue.

The black-robed man's weapon also kept hitting the bats, and his roar echoed throughout the cave, as if he wanted to transform all the fear into strength.

The old man cast a spell, and rays of light illuminated the cave. The light pierced the darkness like a sword, affecting the bats, causing them to move slightly slower.

After a fierce battle, the bats were finally driven back, their bodies scattered on the ground, and the cave was filled with a bloody smell.

"This place is too weird, let's get out of here," the herbalist said. His voice was filled with fear and exhaustion, and his body was shaking.

But Zhang Hao stared at the sarcophagus, "No, I feel that this sarcophagus is related to our mission." His eyes were firm and he had a strong intuition in his heart.

Under the tense gaze of the crowd, Zhang Hao slowly opened the lid of the sarcophagus. A chilling breath of air washed over him. Inside lay an ancient figure, dressed in ornate attire and clutching a mysterious scepter.

At this moment, the eyes of the body suddenly opened, and a beam of light shot towards everyone...