Rise of the Otherworld.

After everyone worked together to defeat the giant spider, a lingering fear remained. Zhang Hao wiped the sweat from his forehead, leaving streaks on his cheeks. "Everyone, don't let your guard down. There may be more dangers in this cave." His voice echoed in the silent cave, a hint of solemnity and vigilance.

As they continued on, the road became increasingly winding and narrow. Strange runes flickered on the walls on either side, emitting a cold glow. The runes pulsed with life, evoking a strange unease. Suddenly, a chilling wind blew, extinguishing the torches and plunging them into darkness.

"Ah!" the woman screamed in terror, clutching Zhang Hao's arm tightly. Her body trembled uncontrollably, her voice filled with fear. Zhang Hao soothed her, "Don't be afraid, I'm here." His voice was firm and steady, giving the woman a sense of security. He fumbled around in his arms and pulled out a night-shining pearl, its faint light illuminating the surroundings. The pearl's light seemed so tiny in the darkness, but it brought a glimmer of hope to everyone.

By the light of the night pearl, they discovered a fork in the road ahead, with three paths leading in different directions. "Which way should we go?" the herbalist asked, frowning. His eyes darted back and forth between the three paths, filled with confusion and hesitation.

Zhang Hao carefully observed the three passages and noticed that the wall of the middle passage was engraved with patterns related to a mysterious heritage. Those patterns were ancient and mysterious, as if they spoke of something. "Take the middle one," he said decisively. His eyes were firm, as if he was confident in his choice.

Shortly after they entered the central passage, the ground beneath their feet suddenly began to shake violently. "Oh no! It's a trap!" the old man shouted, his voice filled with panic and fear. Cracks appeared in the ground, and from them burst forth blazing flames. The flames snaked out like snakes, instantly illuminating the passageway a brilliant red.

Everyone quickly used their skills to dodge the flames. Zhang Hao, pulling the woman along, leaped to safety in a few bounds. His movements were nimble and swift, like a cheetah. The woman's heartbeat raced as she clung to Zhang Hao's side. The herbalist accidentally burned his arm, grimacing in pain. "Ouch! It hurts!" his cry echoed through the passage.

The black-robed man looked solemnly, "The owner of this cave has set up so many mechanisms and traps, probably to protect something important." His voice was low and deep, thinking about the secret behind it all.

Continuing forward, they arrived at a spacious hall. In the center of the hall stood a massive stone platform, upon which sat a treasure chest emitting a powerful aura. The chest was inlaid with various gems, gleaming with a dazzling light.

"Could this be the treasure?" The herbalist rushed over excitedly, wanting to open the treasure chest. His eyes were filled with greed and desire, completely forgetting the danger that had come before.

"Wait!" Zhang Hao shouted, but it was too late. The moment the herbalist touched the treasure chest, a powerful force erupted from it, knocking him flying. Like a kite with its string cut, the herbalist's body slammed heavily against the wall and slid down.

Everyone rushed forward to check on the herbalist's injuries; thankfully, he was not seriously injured. At this moment, numerous figures appeared on the walls surrounding the hall. They were a group of puppets. These puppets, clad in armor and armed with weapons, exuded a cold, murderous intent as they slowly approached them. Their steps were perfectly synchronized, and the heavy treads echoed through the hall, like a countdown to their death.

Zhang Hao stood up, sword firmly gripped. "Prepare for battle!" His voice brimmed with fighting spirit and courage. Everyone took up their positions, ready for this life-or-death battle. The woman's dagger gleamed with a cold light, the herbalist picked up a staff, the old man formed hand seals, ready to cast a spell, and the black-robed figure gripped his staff tightly, his eyes filled with determination.

The puppets surged forward like a tide. Zhang Hao was the first to charge into the enemy formation, his sword flashing as he engaged in a fierce clash with the puppets. Each of his strikes carried immense force, pushing back the puppets before him. Not to be outdone, the woman and the herbalist each unleashed their unique skills, engaging the puppets in a fierce battle. The woman's magic flashed like a meteor, while the herbalist's staff swung with ferocious force. The old man and the black-robed figure stood by, searching for the puppets' weaknesses to better counter them.

The battle reached a fever pitch, and everyone began to feel their strength wearying. Zhang Hao's breathing quickened, his clothes drenched in sweat, but his gaze remained resolute. The woman's movements slowed, the dagger in her hand growing heavier. The herbalist's staff cracked, his body covered in wounds. The old man and the black-robed man were nearing the end of their mana.

At this moment, Zhang Hao discovered that the puppets' movements seemed to be controlled by some kind of formation. He carefully observed the layout of the hall and finally found the key to the formation. He struggled to break through the puppets' encirclement, reached the core of the formation, and struck with his sword, destroying it.

The puppets instantly lost control, ceased their attacks, and collapsed to the ground. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and sat down exhausted. Their bodies had been stretched to their limits, and they gasped for air. "Finally solved," Zhang Hao said, a relieved smile on his face. His smile was tinged with fatigue, but more of it was the joy of overcoming difficulties.

After a short rest, they returned to the treasure chest. This time, Zhang Hao carefully opened it, and a dazzling light shone from it, illuminating the entire hall. When the light dissipated, they saw a secret manual, a spirit pearl, and several magical weapons placed inside the treasure chest.

"These are all treasures!" the herbalist exclaimed excitedly. His eyes widened with surprise and greed. Zhang Hao picked up the secret book, flipped it open, and discovered that it contained a powerful technique. "With this secret book, our strength will be greatly improved," he said, his voice filled with anticipation and excitement.

The woman picked up the spirit bead and felt the powerful force contained in it. "This spirit bead seems to be of great help in cultivation." Her eyes flashed with joy.

The man in black robe became interested in the magic weapons and examined them carefully. "These magic weapons are of extraordinary quality. If they can be refined, their power will be even stronger." There was a hint of excitement and anticipation in his voice.

The old man smiled and said, "We have really reaped a lot this time." His smile was full of relief and satisfaction.

However, just as they were ecstatic, a roar suddenly erupted from the depths of the cave, as if some terrifying being had been awakened by their actions. The roar was deafening, and the entire cave trembled. Everyone's faces turned pale in an instant, and their hearts were filled with fear and anxiety...