Rise of the Otherworld.

The dark energy erupted from the statue, spreading like thick ink, enveloping everyone tightly. This energy was chilling and piercing, seemingly capable of corroding the very soul. In the darkness, it clung to everyone like invisible tentacles, entwining them wantonly. Every inch of their skin felt the chill sinking deep into their bones.

Zhang Hao felt a surge of overwhelming pressure, making breathing extremely difficult. "Everyone, be careful! This energy is not simple!" he shouted with difficulty. Every word seemed to exhaust all his strength, and his voice was faint in the darkness. His body tensed, trying to break free from the invisible restraints, but every struggle seemed to sink him deeper into the quagmire.

The black-robed man's face turned pale in an instant. He tried to cast spells to resist, but the dark energy kept devouring his magic power. "Oh no, my magic is suppressed!" His voice was full of panic and helplessness. His hands kept dancing, but he could only watch his magic power disappear like running water.

The old man frowned, his staff gleaming with light as he tried to dispel the darkness. "Everyone, focus! Don't let it affect you!" His voice was steady and resolute, trying to offer a glimmer of hope. The light from the staff flickered in the darkness, as if it would go out at any moment.

The herbalist and the woman huddled together, their bodies trembling. The woman's eyes were filled with despair. "Are we going to die here?" Tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice was filled with sobs.

Zhang Hao endured the pain, his mind racing with countermeasures. He realized that the dark energy seemed to be weakening their will. "We must stay awake and not be controlled by it!" His eyes became particularly firm, and his inner conviction burned like a flame, dispelling fear and confusion.

Everyone gritted their teeth, struggling to resist the erosion of the dark energy. Pain and struggle were written all over their faces, but their eyes still gleamed with an unyielding light.

At this moment, a warm current suddenly surged through Zhang Hao's body. He was startled, then realized that this might be his hidden potential. The current surged through his meridians, bringing a sense of warmth and strength. Without hesitation, he guided this power outward.

Gradually, the warm current formed a faint light curtain, blocking the dark energy within a certain range. The light curtain emitted a soft glow, forming a sharp contrast with the surrounding darkness.

"Everyone, come closer to me!" Zhang Hao shouted. His voice echoed in the darkness, bringing hope to everyone.

As if grasping at a lifeline, the crowd quickly gathered around Zhang Hao. Their steps stumbled, groping forward in the darkness, and they finally gathered around Zhang Hao.

Under Zhang Hao's light curtain, the pressure on everyone was slightly relieved, but the dark energy continued to attack the light curtain, trying to break through the defense line. Every impact made the light curtain tremble, as if it would shatter at any time.

"This isn't going to work. We have to find a way to fight back!" the black-robed man gasped. His forehead was covered in sweat, and his eyes revealed anxiety.

The old man's eyes were determined. "I'll try to find the source of this dark energy." He closed his eyes, muttering something, his staff trembling. His body trembled slightly, clearly under immense pressure.

After a moment, the old man suddenly opened his eyes, "In the chest of the stone statue!" There was a hint of fatigue in his voice, but more of determination.

Zhang Hao said without hesitation, "Then let's concentrate our forces to attack there!" His eyes were fixed on the chest of the stone statue, as if he could see that crucial part through the darkness.

Everyone cheered up again and gathered all their strength. Their hearts were filled with determination, and they would never give up even if there was only a glimmer of hope.

Zhang Hao took the lead, leading the others to rush towards the chest of the stone statue. Their figures were like a flash of lightning in the darkness, cutting through the endless darkness.

However, on their way forward, dark energy constantly formed various obstacles, trying to stop them: sometimes sharp ice spikes appeared, sometimes blazing flames, and sometimes invisible wind blades.

Zhang Hao wielded his sword, severing the ice spikes before him one by one. The black-robed figure cast a spell, extinguishing the burning flames. The old man used his staff to deflect the wind blades.

The herbalists and women are also doing their best to clear the obstacles on the way forward.

Finally, they reached the statue's chest. Zhang Hao raised his sword and thrust it at the statue's chest with all his might...