Rise of the Otherworld.

The crystal ball's intense light blinded everyone for a moment. It seemed to hold boundless energy and mysterious power. The light surged like a tidal wave, illuminating the entire hall like daylight, filling every corner with the blinding light.

Once everyone adjusted to the light, they discovered that the shadows gradually dissipated under its illumination. Just like snow melting in the sun, it vanished without a trace. Zhang Hao's frown didn't soften, for he knew the light wasn't accidental. He stared intently at the crystal ball, filled with alarm and confusion.

"Everyone, be careful. This light might not be that simple," Zhang Hao said cautiously. His voice was a little muffled by the light, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

The woman rubbed her eyes and stared at the crystal ball. The light from the crystal ball cast strange colors in her eyes. "What the hell is this?" she murmured to herself, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of subtle fear.

The herbalist leaned forward, wanting a closer look, but was repelled by an invisible force. "Ouch!" He fell to the ground with a painful groan. His face showed surprise and confusion, wondering why such a force could prevent him from getting closer.

The black-robed man's expression was solemn, his gaze deep and focused, as if he were trying to penetrate the crystal ball's true nature through the light. "This crystal ball may very well be the key to the entire ruins." His voice was steady and serious, carrying an unquestionable judgment.

The old man slowly walked around the crystal ball, muttering something in an ancient and mysterious language, as if communicating with the crystal ball. His steps were slow and firm, and the staff in his hand gently touched the ground. Each step was full of ritual.

At this moment, images began to emerge from the crystal ball. There were ancient battles, with cavalry and swords, and the sound of killing roaring in the air; there were mysterious rituals, with people in strange costumes dancing around a huge bonfire; and there were also some strange sights that no one had ever seen, such as islands floating in the air and giant creatures swimming in the deep sea.

"Is this showing us something from the past?" the woman asked in surprise. Her eyes widened, she was so captivated by the images that she forgot the danger she was in.

Zhang Hao stared intently, pondering the meaning of these images. Each one seemed like a mystery waiting to be solved. His mind raced, trying to find clues from these fragmented pieces of information.

As the images continued to change, the crystal ball began to emit a buzzing sound, which grew louder and louder, causing everyone's ears to hurt. The sound seemed like a call from ancient times, and also like a warning.

"Oh no, that sound is weird!" Zhang Hao shouted, covering his ears. His voice seemed insignificant amidst the overwhelming noise, but his expression was filled with determination and resolve.

Suddenly, a powerful force erupted from the crystal ball, sending everyone flying. The force was like an invisible wave, instantly engulfing them.

Everyone fell heavily to the ground, feeling dizzy for a moment. The pain from the collision made them almost unable to move, and everyone was struggling to regain consciousness.

Zhang Hao struggled to stand up and found that his surroundings had changed again. The original hall became blurry, replaced by a foggy wilderness. The wilderness was overgrown with weeds and filled with fog, making it difficult to tell the direction.

"What's going on?" The herbalist was bewildered. He sat on the ground, staring at the fog around him, his eyes filled with helplessness and confusion.

The woman looked around in horror, clutching the corners of her clothes tightly with both hands. "Are we trapped in some kind of trap?" Her voice trembled with deep fear.

The man in black robes endured the pain and stood up with difficulty. "Don't panic, everyone calm down." He took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice calm and composed.

The old man looked at the fog, thought for a moment and said, "Maybe this is a test from the crystal ball." His eyes were firm, as if he was ready to face the challenge.

Everyone began to grope their way forward in this foggy wilderness, taking each step carefully. The ground beneath their feet was soft and damp, and from time to time, strange sounds could be heard from the depths of the fog.

Zhang Hao walked ahead, sword in hand, ready to deal with any danger. The woman followed closely behind, her body trembling slightly. The herbalist walked, observing the surrounding area for any usable herbs. The man in black robe and the old man constantly observed their surroundings, searching for clues to a way out.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew past, blowing away some of the fog and revealing an ancient building ahead.

"What is that?" the woman asked.

Everyone walked towards the building, their hearts filled with anticipation and anxiety...