Rise of the Otherworld.

After everyone boarded the boat, they relaxed a little. The boat swayed in the rushing river, like a fallen leaf about to be swallowed by the waves. The river was surging, and the waves constantly slapped against the side of the boat, making a "pa pa" sound.

Zhang Hao looked at the boatman and asked politely, "Thank you, old man. I wonder how you got here?" His eyes were full of curiosity and gratitude. The breeze blew across his face, ruffling a few strands of hair.

The boatman smiled faintly, his eyes deep and far-reaching. "I am here, just waiting for the destined person." His voice was low and hoarse, as if carrying the vicissitudes of life. He paddled rhythmically, each stroke seemed so steady and powerful.

The man in black robe frowned slightly, secretly alert in his heart: "A destined person? This statement is quite strange." There was suspicion and scrutiny in his eyes, and his hands unconsciously clenched the magic weapon in his sleeves.

The old man looked at the boatman, thoughtfully: "Old man, this area seems to be full of mysteries, do you know anything?" His tone was full of expectation and exploration, and the staff in his hand gently tapped the board.

The boatman was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "This land hides countless secrets and dangers, and even I only know a few of them." He looked into the distance, as if recalling some unknown past.

The herbalist couldn't help but ask, "Can you show us the way?" His face was full of eagerness and desire, and his hands were tightly holding the tools for collecting herbs.

The boatman smiled and said, "The road is under your feet. It depends on your choice how to walk." His smile seemed to contain a deep meaning that was hard to grasp.

The woman looked at the rushing river, feeling a little uneasy: "What is waiting for us on the other side of the river?" Her voice trembled slightly, and her hands tightly grasped the corners of her clothes.

The boatman simply shook his head, saying nothing more, concentrating on rowing. His figure appeared lonely and mysterious in the afterglow of the setting sun, and the reflection of the river's waves on his face added a touch of haziness.

As the boat neared the other side, everyone's nerves grew. Every lurch of the boat made their hearts leap into their throats. The scenery on both sides of the river receded rapidly, as if time had sped up.

Finally, the boat docked and the boatman said, "Get off, children, and good luck to you." His voice echoed on the empty river bank with a hint of blessing.

After everyone got off the boat, the boatman rowed away and disappeared on the river. The boat gradually drifted away in the river until it became a blurry dot.

Zhang Hao looked at the direction where the boatman disappeared and muttered to himself: "This boatman is so mysterious." His eyes were full of confusion and thought.

"No matter what, let's move forward," said the man in black robes. He took the lead and walked towards the unknown road ahead.

They walked along the riverbank and soon entered a deep valley. The valley was filled with mist and the silence was chilling. The mist lingered like a veil among the mountains, making the scene before them seem like a dream.

"Everyone, be careful," the old man warned. His voice was particularly clear in the valley, breaking the silence.

Suddenly, a sinister laugh echoed through the valley, sending chills down everyone's spines. The laugh seemed to come from the depths of hell, filled with evil and strangeness.

Zhang Hao clenched the sword in his hand and looked around vigilantly: "Who is it? Come out quickly!" His voice echoed in the valley, but received no response.

The black-robed man cast a spell, and a ball of light shone in his hand, trying to dispel the surrounding fog. But the fog seemed to have life, constantly surging over and swallowing up the light.

The herbalist took some herbs from his backpack and whispered, "Perhaps these herbs can help us resist unknown dangers."

The woman followed closely behind the others, her body trembling slightly: "I'm so scared."

At this moment, blurry figures appeared in the fog and were slowly approaching them...