Rise of the Otherworld.

They cautiously entered the ruins, which were filled with an air of antiquity. Strange symbols and patterns were carved into the walls, shimmering with a faint, almost living light, leaving them baffled. The ground was thick with dust, and every step stirred up a cloud of dust, as if telling of the passage of time.

As they were exploring, they suddenly heard a deep laugh. It echoed through the empty ruins, like a ghostly whine, eerily terrifying. It seemed to come from all directions, making it impossible to pinpoint its source.

"Who is it?" Zhang Hao shouted, a hint of nervousness in his voice. His heartbeat instantly accelerated, and his grip on the sword unconsciously tightened.

However, the laughter didn't stop; instead, it grew even louder. It was filled with mockery and disdain, as if mocking their ignorance and weakness. A chill ran through everyone's hearts, as if a cold wind had blown down their spines.

At this moment, a dark figure slowly emerged from the darkness. His form was blurred, as if shrouded in a thick fog. Only a pair of eyes, flickering with an eerie light, could be seen. Those eyes were like burning will-o'-the-wisp fire, emitting a chilling aura.

"How dare you, you ignorant fellows, trespass here?" The shadow's voice seemed to come from the depths of the abyss, carrying with it an endless chill and oppression. Every word was like an icy blade, piercing everyone's eardrums.

Zhang Hao gripped the sword tightly in his hand and took a step forward, "We have no intention of offending, we are just looking for a way out." His eyes were firm, staring straight at the black shadow without flinching.

The black shadow sneered, "A way out? There is no way out you want here, only endless death." His voice echoed in the empty ruins, making people shudder.

The herbalist couldn't help but say, "Don't scare us. At worst, we'll fight." Although his voice was trembling, it revealed a stubbornness and indomitable spirit.

The black shadow laughed loudly, "Just you? You don't know what you can do." His laughter made the surrounding walls tremble slightly, and pieces of dust fell.

The old man said calmly: "Friend, there must be a secret in this relic. If you can tell us, we will reward you handsomely." His voice was steady and powerful, trying to calm the anger of the black shadow.

The black shadow was silent for a moment. "A generous reward? Humph, that depends on whether you have the ability to do so." His tone was full of suspicion and provocation.

With that, the shadowy figure waved his sleeve, and the surrounding scene instantly shifted. They felt as if they were in a vast maze, its walls constantly shifting, making them dizzy. The maze's paths were intricate and seemingly endless.

"What's going on?" the black-robed man exclaimed. His voice was filled with panic and fear, and his eyes were filled with confusion.

Zhang Hao tried hard to stay calm, "Don't panic, let's find a way out together." His voice was firm and powerful, bringing a sense of comfort and courage to everyone.

They struggled forward in the maze, each step filled with unknown dangers. From time to time, strange noises came from the walls, as if something was secretly watching them.

Suddenly, countless sharp arrows shot out from the wall and attacked them, cutting through the air with a sharp whistling sound.

Zhang Hao swung his sword, shooting down the incoming arrows. His movements were swift and precise, the sword transforming into a streak of light in his hand. The others also employed their respective abilities to dodge the attacks.

The black-robed man tumbled nimbly, dodging the sharp arrows. The herbalist used nearby obstacles to block the incoming arrows. The old man continuously cast spells, trying to slow the arrows.

After a hard fight, they finally escaped the attack of sharp arrows. Everyone was panting and covered in sweat.

Just when they thought they were temporarily safe, the ground began to shake violently and huge cracks appeared. Thick smoke billowed out of the cracks, carrying a pungent smell that made it difficult to breathe.

"Be careful!" Zhang Hao shouted, his voice muffled by the vibrations and thick smoke, sounding a little weak.

Everyone jumped to avoid it. There seemed to be a strong suction force in the crack, trying to swallow them up.

"This isn't a solution. We must find the key to solving this maze," the old man gasped. His face was pale, but his eyes revealed a firm determination.

They searched everywhere for clues, and finally, the herbalist found a stone tablet with runes inscribed on it in a corner. The runes on the stone tablet flashed with mysterious light, leaving people puzzled.

"Perhaps this is the key," the herbalist said, his voice tinged with excitement and anticipation.

Zhang Hao and the old man hurried over to examine the runes on the stone tablet, attempting to decipher them. The runes were complex and profound, and they racked their brains, constantly trying various combinations and interpretations.

After some effort, they finally found a way to crack the maze. With a flash of light, the maze disappeared and they returned to the original ruins.

However, the black shadow appeared again, "Not bad, you have some skills. But this is just the beginning..." There was a hint of surprise and unwillingness in his voice.