Rise of the Otherworld.

The group journeyed together, the atmosphere heavy with emotion. Zhang Hao's mind raced, recalling the hardships he had endured, the heart-wrenching moments of life and death, the steadfast moments of fighting alongside his companions. These memories were etched in his heart, indelible. He was filled with anxiety about the road ahead, wondering what difficulties and obstacles lay ahead. Yet, he also harbored a glimmer of hope, believing that perhaps there would be a new turn of events, new hope.

The woman followed Zhang Hao silently, occasionally glancing up at his profile, her eyes revealing dependence and trust. Her steps were slightly heavy, but she followed closely, as if she could find courage and strength as long as she was by Zhang Hao's side. Her clothes fluttered gently in the wind, the torn edges of her clothes seeming to tell of the hardships she had experienced.

Though his injuries hadn't fully healed, the herbalist's spirits had improved considerably. He looked at his new companions with curiosity. His eyes gleamed with curiosity, as he secretly speculated about their backgrounds and abilities. He clutched the battered stick tightly in his hand, as if it were his talisman.

The old man was talking to the leader of the adventuring group, trying to get more information about the area from them. His expression was serious and focused, and every question was carefully considered, hoping to find a safer way out for everyone.

The black-robed man walked alone behind the group, recovering his magic power while keeping a vigilant eye on his surroundings. His staff occasionally flickered with a faint light, indicating that he was quietly gathering strength.

"There's a swamp ahead, everyone, be careful," the leader warned. His voice was steady and powerful, giving people a sense of reassurance.

They stepped cautiously into the swamp. The mud beneath their feet was soft and slippery, requiring extreme caution with every step. A foul odor filled the air, making them feel nauseous. Green moss and unknown aquatic plants tangled together, threatening to entangle their feet.

Suddenly, a huge python jumped out of the swamp and pounced at them with its bloody mouth wide open. The python's body was as thick as a tree trunk, and its scales gleamed with a cold light in the sunlight.

"Be careful!" Zhang Hao shouted, swinging his sword towards the python. His eyes instantly became fierce, and his muscles tensed. Every movement was filled with strength and determination.

The members of the adventure team also responded quickly, using their respective skills. Some members shot arrows, while others threw ropes to try to restrain the python's movements.

The woman quickly cast a spell to protect Zhang Hao. A light blue light enveloped Zhang Hao, making his body instantly more resilient.

The herbalist was not to be outdone and tried to disrupt the python's movements with a stick. He shouted loudly, cheering for everyone.

The old man muttered something, and a talisman flew towards the python, temporarily restricting its movements. The talisman transformed into a golden light in the air, tightly binding the python's body.

With everyone's concerted efforts, the python gradually lost the upper hand. Its attacks became less fierce, and a hint of fear and despair appeared in its eyes.

"Take advantage of this opportunity and strike it in the weakest part!" the leader shouted. His voice was decisive and resolute, and the long sword in his hand flashed with a cold light.

Zhang Hao found the perfect moment, leaped up, and thrust his sword straight into the python's vitals. The moment the sword pierced the flesh, a stream of blood gushed out, splashing all over Zhang Hao.

The python twisted its body in agony, sweeping its massive tail towards the crowd. Everyone ducked, stirring the swamp even more muddily.

After a fierce struggle, the python finally fell into the swamp, stirring up a pool of mud and water.

"Phew, that was a close call," the herbalist breathed a sigh of relief. His forehead was covered in sweat, and his legs were trembling slightly with nervousness.

The crowd continued to move forward and finally walked out of the swamp.

A steep mountain appeared before us, the path difficult to navigate. The jagged rocks seemed like a deliberate obstacle placed by nature. The peak soared into the clouds, shrouded in mist, and was a formidable sight.

"This mountain is difficult to climb, but we should be able to find a way out after we cross it," the leader said, his eyes fixed firmly on the top of the mountain, as if he had seen the dawn of hope.

Zhang Hao looked at everyone and said, "Then let's overcome this difficulty together!" His voice was full of encouragement and strength.

The group began their ascent, a journey fraught with hardship and danger. The steep slopes left them with virtually no footholds, forcing them to rely on crevices and overhangs in the rocks for support. Each step required immense effort, and the slightest misstep could lead to a fall into the abyss.

The woman slipped several times and almost fell, but Zhang Hao reached out and grabbed her in time.

The herbalist accidentally stepped on empty air while climbing, but fortunately he was pulled up in time by a rope.

Because of his old age, the old man's physical strength gradually declined, but with everyone's help, he never gave up.

The men in black robes used magic to create some temporary footholds for everyone.

Sweat soaked everyone's clothes, their hands were worn by the rocks, and their blood dyed the stones red. But there was no trace of retreat in their eyes, only firm determination and desire for the future.

Finally, after a long climb, they reached the top of the mountain. The view before them temporarily made them forget their fatigue. Before them lay a vast plain, and in the distance, the outline of a town seemed to be visible...