Rise of the Otherworld.

The low roar grew closer, and everyone's heartbeats quickened. Zhang Hao gripped his sword tightly, his gaze fixed on the direction of the sound. His heartbeat was like a drum, each beat a reminder of the unknown danger.

Amidst the billowing dust, a massive figure gradually emerged. It was a massive sand beast, its body as majestic as a mountain. Its scales gleamed eerily in the sunlight, as if crafted from gold, yet possessed a chilling sharpness. Each scale was the size of a shield, its edges sharp as knives. The sand beast's eyes were like two blazing flames, revealing an endless ferocity and savagery. Its sharp claws dug deep into the sand, stirring up clouds of dust with every movement.

"Everyone be careful!" Zhang Hao shouted. His voice was a little weak in the empty desert, but it was full of determination and courage.

The sand beast opened its bloody mouth and spewed out a stream of scorching air, which rushed towards everyone. The air was like a burning flame, and wherever it passed, the sand instantly melted into glass.

The old man quickly cast a spell, creating a protective barrier before the crowd. The barrier resembled a transparent curtain of water, shimmering with a blue light. Air currents struck the barrier, creating a sizzling sound, like a red-hot iron being dropped into water.

The black-robed figure seized the opportunity to unleash a barrage of spells on the sand beast, but the sand beast's scales were incredibly tough, and the spells caused minimal damage. The spells bounced off the sand beast's scales, blazing like fireworks, but to no avail.

"This won't do. We must find its weakness!" Zhang Hao shouted. His eyes scanned the sand beast eagerly, trying to find a flaw.

The herbalist carefully observed the sand beast's movements and suddenly shouted, "Its eyes may be its weakness!" His voice became sharp due to nervousness.

Zhang Hao heard this and flashed towards the sand beast's eyes like an arrow. His figure left a deep mark on the sand, and his speed was so fast that it was hard to keep up.

The sand beast sensed Zhang Hao's intention and waved its claws in an attempt to stop him. With a whirring sound, the claws smashed towards Zhang Hao like a giant hammer.

Zhang Hao nimbly dodged the sand beast's attacks, his body twisting and turning in the air, as light as a leaf in the wind. Each dodge was perfectly timed, avoiding the sand beast's fatal blows. However, the sand beast's attacks were too intense, and he was still caught by the edge of its claws, tearing his clothes and leaving a shallow scar on his body.

"Zhang Hao!" the woman exclaimed, her voice filled with concern and fear, her hands tightly covering her mouth.

Zhang Hao fell heavily to the ground, a trace of blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. But he quickly stood up, his eyes clear of any fear or retreat. He charged at the sand beast again, his steps firm and powerful, as if nothing could stop his determination.

This time, he took advantage of the gap between the sand beast's attacks and successfully stabbed its eyes. The sword blade penetrated deeply into the sand beast's eyeball, and black blood gushed out.

The sand beast roared in agony, a sound that seemed to tear the sky apart. It twisted its body madly, its tail sweeping and claws scratching, stirring up the surrounding sand.

Everyone seized the opportunity to launch a fiercer attack. The old man's magic shone like a meteor, piercing the sand beast. The black-robed man's flames and frost intertwined, forming a powerful force that assaulted the sand beast. The herbalist also unleashed the last of his hidden herbal weapons, each one accurately piercing the sand beast's wounds.

After a fierce struggle, the sand beast finally fell to the ground, motionless, its body hitting the sand heavily, raising a huge cloud of dust.

"Finally solved." The herbalist sat down on the ground, breathing heavily. His face was covered in sweat and dust, and his clothes were tattered, as if he had just experienced a nightmare.

However, before they could rest, they felt the sand beneath their feet begin to tremble. The trembling became more and more intense, as if thousands of troops were galloping underground.

"Oh no! More sand beasts might be coming!" The old man's face changed drastically. His voice was filled with worry and fear, and his eyes revealed despair.

Everyone looked at each other, their hearts filled with worry. They had just experienced a fierce battle in this vast desert, and their physical strength and magic power were exhausted. Facing more sand beasts coming, they felt powerless and hopeless.

Tears glistened in the woman's eyes. "Are we really going to die here?"

Zhang Hao gritted his teeth and said, "As long as we don't give up, there will be hope!" Although his voice was hoarse, it was full of strength.

But at this moment, the dust in the distance was already rising high, foreshadowing more dangers to come...