Rise of the Otherworld.

The group struggled forward through the valley floor, each step fraught with unknown danger. Zhang Hao walked in front, his sword slicing through the fog ahead, clearing a narrow path for everyone. His clothes had long been torn by thorns, and his body was covered with tiny scars, but his eyes remained firm and sharp, constantly alert to the surroundings, even the slightest sound would set him off.

"Everyone, be careful. The atmosphere here is getting increasingly eerie," Zhang Hao warned his companions. His voice was deep and powerful, remarkably clear in the silent valley. Sweat streamed down his cheeks, dripping onto the damp ground beneath his feet.

The woman followed closely behind him, her dagger tightly gripped, her eyes scanning the surroundings warily. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears, and her nervousness made her breathing quicken. With every step, she could feel the muddy, slippery ground beneath her feet, as if the ground was deliberately hindering their progress. Her hair was a little disheveled, a few strands sticking to her sweaty face.

The old man panted heavily, his steps slightly unsteady, but he remained steadfast in following the group. His eyes revealed the calmness and determination honed over the years. Though physically exhausted, his resolve remained unwavering. He leaned on a wooden stick, supporting his trembling body.

The black-robed figure's face grew paler, his mana drained to the point of near-limit. His staff grew heavy in his hand, each swing requiring immense effort. Yet, he gritted his teeth, persevering in providing the weak magical support he needed. His lips were chapped, his eyes blurry.

The herbalist gritted his teeth, trying not to fall behind. His wounds had reopened from the intense movement, staining his clothes with blood, but he endured the pain and followed closely behind the others, step by step. His breathing was heavy and painful, as if every step required all his strength.

Suddenly, a sinister laugh echoed from the valley floor. "Hahahaha, you intruders, don't even think about leaving alive!" The voice seemed to come from all directions, making it impossible to discern its source. The laughter bounced back and forth between the stone walls at the bottom of the valley, forming an eerie echo, as if countless ghosts were mocking their presumption.

Everyone's hair stood on end, the fear in their hearts amplified once again. Cold sweat trickled down their foreheads, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably.

"Who is it? Come out!" Zhang Hao shouted, trying to overpower the opponent with his aura. His voice echoed in the valley, but no response came, only the endless laughter continued. He gripped the sword even tighter, his knuckles turning white from the force.

However, the only response he got was that chilling laughter, which grew increasingly shrill, as if it would pierce their eardrums and reach deep into their souls.

At that moment, the ground began to shake violently, and giant centipedes emerged from the ground. These centipedes were enormous, tens of meters long, their carapaces gleaming with an eerie light. They bared their fangs and claws, lunging at the crowd. Their dense tentacles and razor-sharp claws were a chilling sight.

"Oh no! Everyone, scatter!" Zhang Hao shouted. As soon as he finished speaking, he rushed towards a centipede. His figure was like lightning, and he instantly intertwined with the centipede.

Everyone dodged, engaging in a desperate struggle with the centipede. Zhang Hao's sword inflicted wounds on the centipede, splattering green blood everywhere. The blood splattered on his face and body, emitting a pungent odor. But he didn't flinch, his eyes filled with determination. Every swing of his sword was filled with the determination to kill.

The woman's dagger proved effective, repeatedly piercing the centipede's vital points. Her movements were nimble and agile, like a fluttering butterfly, weaving effortlessly between the centipede's attacks. Her eyes were focused and calm, without a trace of fear.

The old man, drawing on his vast experience, deftly dodged the centipede's attacks and sought opportunities to strike back. His gaze was calm and composed, and each strike was perfectly timed, inflicting considerable damage to the centipede. Despite his age, his combat wisdom enabled him to play a vital role in this life-or-death struggle.

Despite his dwindling mana, the black-robed figure still cast a few weak spells to provide support. Though his spells were weak, they played a crucial role at the critical moment, buying precious time for everyone. Beads of sweat covered his forehead, and his body was shaky.

In the chaos, the herbalist was accidentally knocked away by a centipede and hit hard against a rock. He instantly lost consciousness and his vision went dark.

"Herb collector!" the woman exclaimed. She tried to rush over to the rescue, but a centipede blocked her path. She was terrified, but unable to escape.

Zhang Hao quickly killed the centipede in front of him and rushed towards the herbalist. He helped the herbalist up and asked, "Are you okay?" His voice was full of concern.

The herbalist shook his head weakly, "I'm not dead yet." A trace of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were still full of determination.

After a hard fight, they finally eliminated all the centipedes. But they were all exhausted and collapsed to the ground. Their breathing was rapid, and their bodies seemed to have been drained of all their strength.

"This isn't a solution. We must find a clue to escape," the old man said. His voice was weak and hoarse, but full of thought.

Just as everyone was in despair, Zhang Hao suddenly spotted a faint light in the distance. The light was looming in the fog, like a bright lamp in the darkness.

"Look, there's light!" Zhang Hao shouted excitedly. His voice was filled with hope, as if this ray of light was their chance of survival.

Hope rekindled in everyone's eyes. They supported each other and walked towards the light. Every step was filled with anticipation and trepidation, wondering what lay behind this light...