Rise of the Otherworld.

The crowd engaged in a fierce battle with the bird. Zhang Hao's figure flashed, his sword swirling like a dragon, swinging his sword again and again to parry the bird's attacks. His eyes revealed determination and resolve, and each strike contained immense power, sending up bursts of sparks as it collided with the bird's claws. His clothes rustled in the wind, and sweat drenched his back, but his movements never faltered.

The woman cast a spell, beams of light shooting out from her hands, striking the bird, but only briefly causing it to pause. Her face grew paler, her mana draining away, leaving her somewhat powerless. But she gritted her teeth and persevered, constantly switching spells, trying to find the bird's weakness. Her breathing was rapid, her delicate body trembling slightly, yet she refused to give up.

The black-robed figure raised his staff, muttering something. A stream of flame erupted from the tip, charging directly at the bird. The flames burned through the dense fog, illuminating the surrounding area and allowing everyone to clearly see the bird. Its feathers were as hard as black steel, gleaming with a metallic sheen. A fierce glint shone in its eyes, and its sharp beak seemed capable of tearing through anything.

The herbalist, standing nearby, carefully observed the bird's attack patterns and trajectory, trying to find its weakness. His eyes were sharp and focused, not missing a single subtle movement. He noticed that the bird's belly would briefly be exposed during the attack, so he shouted, "Attack its belly!" His voice was a little hoarse with nervousness.

Upon hearing the herbalist's words, the old man immediately directed everyone to adjust their attack direction. "Zhang Hao, attack to the left! Woman, prepare your spells! Man in black robe, control the direction of the flames!" His voice was steady and powerful, giving everyone a sense of direction amidst the chaotic battle.

Zhang Hao seized the opportunity and stabbed the bird in the abdomen with his sword. The bird seemed to sense the danger and quickly folded its wings and dived downward, avoiding Zhang Hao's attack. The strong airflow made Zhang Hao's body sway, but he quickly steadied his feet.

Just when everyone thought the attack had failed, the black-robed figure suddenly unleashed a powerful wave of magical energy, trapping the bird within a magic circle. The bird struggled within the circle, chirping angrily. Its wings repeatedly flapped against the circle's boundaries, attempting to break free.

Zhang Hao seized the opportunity to swing his sword again, this time accurately piercing the bird's abdomen. The blade sank into the bird's body, splattering blood. The bird struggled in pain, flapping its wings, dispersing some of the surrounding mist.

Seeing this, the woman immediately cast a healing spell, helping Zhang Hao regain some strength. A soft light enveloped Zhang Hao's body, and his wounds healed at a visible speed. Zhang Hao looked at her gratefully and continued fighting the bird.

With everyone's concerted efforts, the bird finally lost its strength and collapsed to the ground. Its body hit the ground heavily, raising a cloud of dust. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but they knew that this was only the beginning, and more dangers awaited them.

After a short rest, the group continued on their way. As they went deeper, the fog in the valley grew thicker, and visibility became increasingly low. The white mist, like thick milk, enveloped everything, making it impossible to tell the direction.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of gurgling water, which was clear and melodious, and seemed particularly clear in the silent valley.

"There seems to be a water source ahead," Zhang Hao said. There was a hint of anticipation in his voice. After a long period of fighting and running, they were in urgent need of water.

Everyone followed the sound and, as expected, discovered a stream. The water was crystal clear, with a faint mist emanating from it. The surface of the water shimmered, as if inlaid with countless gems. Everyone walked to the stream and drank a few sips of water to quench their thirst. The cool water slid down their throats, bringing a sense of comfort.

Just then, a melodious flute sound emanated from afar. The sound was so mellow and lingering, as if possessing a magical power that made one want to follow it. The voice was plaintive, as if telling an ancient and mysterious story.

"This flute sound... so familiar," the woman muttered, a hint of confusion in her eyes. Her thoughts seemed to be drawn back to the distant past by the flute sound, and a look of pain appeared on her face.

Zhang Hao looked around warily, his grip on the sword tightening slightly. "Be careful, this could be a trap," he said. His eyes were filled with vigilance, fearing some unknown danger might suddenly strike.

However, the woman seemed to be attracted by the flute sound and walked towards the direction of the flute involuntarily. Zhang Hao quickly grabbed her and asked, "What are you doing?" There was a hint of anxiety in his voice.

There was a look of struggle in the woman's eyes. "I... I don't know. I just feel like the sound of the flute is calling me." Her voice was full of confusion and bewilderment.

The man in black robe frowned. "There might be something wrong with the sound of the flute. We'd better not act rashly." His voice was low and serious.

But the woman broke free from Zhang Hao's hand and continued to walk towards the sound of the flute. Zhang Hao had no choice but to follow her, and the others followed suit.

As they approached, the flute's sound grew clearer, and the surrounding mist gradually dissipated, revealing an ancient palace. The palace's architecture was unique, with tall stone pillars carved with exquisite patterns, and the walls inlaid with various gems, emitting a mysterious glow. The palace's gates were tightly closed, giving off a solemn and awe-inspiring feeling.

The woman walked straight towards the palace gate, followed closely by Zhang Hao and others. When they arrived at the gate, the flute music suddenly stopped.

The palace gate slowly opened, and a powerful airflow surged out, enveloping everyone. When the airflow dissipated, they found themselves inside the palace.

The palace was spacious, dotted with ancient statues and artifacts. The walls were engraved with mysterious runes, emitting a faint glow. The vast dome towered above, making one feel insignificant.

"Where is this place?" Zhang Hao looked around warily. His voice echoed in the empty palace, but received no response.

At this moment, a voice rang out in the palace: "Welcome here, guests from afar." The voice seemed to come from all directions, making it impossible to determine its source.

Everyone's faces instantly turned serious. They didn't know what was waiting for them...