Rise of the Otherworld.

As the platform trembled violently, everyone desperately ran towards the edge, the ground beneath their feet seeming to collapse at any moment. With every step, they could feel the platform's shaking intensify, as if urging them to speed up.

Zhang Hao clutched the mysterious scroll tightly and shouted, "Everyone, speed up!" His voice was remarkably clear amid the chaos, like a ray of light in the darkness, bringing a glimmer of hope and courage to everyone. His eyes were firm and determined, and despite the new scratches on his body, his pace did not slow down in the slightest.

The woman stumbled, and the man in black quickly reached out to steady her. "Be careful!" His face was filled with concern, his eyes revealing a hint of nervousness and worry. His arm was tightly wrapped around the woman's waist, fearing she would fall.

The herbalist and the old man were also running at full speed, their hearts beating like rapid drumbeats, each beat a testament to their inner fear and anxiety. The herbalist's breathing became rapid and heavy, his backpack banging against his back as he ran, but he could no longer care. The old man's face was covered in sweat, and as he ran, he kept looking back to observe the situation behind him.

Just as they were about to reach the edge, a huge stone slab suddenly fell from above, smashing straight towards them with a whistling sound.

"Get out of the way!" Zhang Hao violently pushed the people around him away, only to have his shoulder grazed by the stone slab. The immense force of the impact sent him careening to the side, and he landed heavily on the ground.

"Zhang Hao!" the woman exclaimed. Her voice was filled with fear and worry, and her eyes instantly filled with tears. She tried to break free from the black-robed man's support and go check on Zhang Hao.

"I'm fine, don't stop!" Zhang Hao gritted his teeth. He quickly got up from the ground and, ignoring the pain in his shoulder, continued running towards the edge. His clothes were torn by the stone slabs, and blood oozed from the wound, but he seemed not to feel it.

They finally reached the edge of the platform and jumped off. At the moment of jumping, their hearts were filled with fear of the unknown, but more of a desire to survive.

After landing, they didn't dare to pause, running for the exit. Behind them, they could hear the roar of collapse, and rocks and dust rained down like raindrops. Each falling stone was like the footsteps of death approaching, making their hearts beat faster and faster.

"The exit is just ahead!" the old man shouted, pointing ahead. His voice trembled with excitement, and his eyes gleamed with hope.

Gathering their last bit of strength, they rushed towards the exit, their footsteps raising clouds of dust and their breathing becoming more rapid, as if ripping their chests apart.

Just as they were about to escape, a massive rock blocked the exit. "No!" the herbalist cried out in despair. His voice was filled with resentment and fear, as if he had seen the end of his life.

"Let's push it away together!" Zhang Hao shouted. His voice was filled with determination and strength, rekindling everyone's hope.

Everyone worked together, exerting all their strength, gathering all their power in their hands, and desperately pushed the stone. Their faces turned red from the effort, veins on their foreheads bulged, and sweat poured down like rain.

Finally, with everyone's efforts, the stone was slowly pushed away.

They filed out, and just as they left, the entire palace collapsed completely, sending up clouds of dust. A massive roar echoed in their ears, like the announcement of the end of the world.

Everyone collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath, their faces filled with relief at having survived. Their bodies were exhausted to the extreme, but their hearts were filled with joy and relief.

"Finally escaped," the woman said, her voice trembling. Her eyes were a little hazy, as if she hadn't fully recovered from the thrill of the moment.

Zhang Hao looked at the scroll in his hand, "But we got this, it's worth it." A relieved smile appeared on his face. Although his body was covered with scars, his eyes were full of expectations for the future.

At this moment, footsteps could be heard in the distance. The footsteps were neat and powerful, and each step carried a sense of oppression. Everyone's nerves were once again tense, and they looked warily in the direction of the footsteps.

"Who could it be?" the black-robed man whispered, his hand unconsciously tightening around his staff.

As the footsteps drew closer, a group of soldiers in black armor appeared in their sight. Their faces were expressionless, and the weapons in their hands flashed with a cold light.

"Who are you?" Zhang Hao stood up, holding the sword tightly in his hand.

The soldiers did not answer, but walked towards them silently, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense...