Rise of the Otherworld.

The group trudged forward through the desert, each step weighing a thousand pounds. The sun scorched relentlessly, its blazing rays threatening to ignite the desert. The air felt distorted and unreal. The sand reflected the sunlight, creating a vast sea of ​​white that was blinding.

Zhang Hao's lips were so dry and cracked that they oozed blood, a glaring sight on his dry, pale face. His eyes were hazy, the scene before him sometimes clear, sometimes blurry, but he never put down the map in his hand, as if it were his last straw. His throat felt like it was burning, and every breath was accompanied by a violent cough.

The woman's pace slowed, her feet dragging down like lead. Her face was sallow, and her once bright eyes had lost their luster, leaving only a deep sense of exhaustion and despair. "I... I really can't walk anymore." Her voice was so weak it was almost inaudible, as if it came from far away.

The herbalist panted heavily, sweat dripping from his forehead, disappearing instantly on the sand. "Sister, hold on a little longer. We can't just fall down like this." He stretched out his hand, trying to pull the woman up, but his arm was just as weak.

The old man gazed at the vast sea of ​​sand, a wave of despair rising in his heart. The endless expanse of yellow sand made him feel insignificant and powerless, as if they were mere specks of dust in the desert. Yet, he forced himself to encourage everyone, "As long as you have breath left, don't give up." His voice was hoarse and trembling, yet it carried a resolute strength.

The black-robed man's magic power was completely drained, and he collapsed to the ground, his soul drained away. "I... I can't do it anymore." His eyes were half-closed, and his breathing was so weak that it was almost imperceptible.

Just when everyone was about to despair, Zhang Hao suddenly found a strangely shaped rock in front of him. The rock stood abruptly in the desert, like a lonely watchman.

"Wait, that might be a sign!" Zhang Hao shouted with difficulty. His voice was a little stronger with excitement, and a spark of hope rekindled in his eyes.

Everyone gathered their courage and walked towards the rock. Every step was difficult, but a glimmer of hope supported them.

As they approached the rock, they were pleasantly surprised to discover a small cave hidden behind it. The entrance to the cave was mostly covered by wind and sand, and it would have been difficult to find without careful observation.

"Maybe there is a water source in there!" Hope rekindled in the eyes of the herbalist, and the light of hope brought some life to his originally tired face.

Zhang Hao was the first to enter the cave, which was filled with a damp smell. To them, who had been suffering in the desert for so long, that smell was like the fragrance of heaven.

Everyone followed nervously, their hearts in their throats, afraid that this was just a false alarm, afraid that their hopes would be dashed once again.

Sure enough, deep in the cave, they found a clear spring. The spring water shone with a mysterious light in the faint light, like a gem sleeping underground.

"There's water! There's water!" The woman cried excitedly, tears sliding down her dusty cheeks, leaving two clear traces.

The crowd cheered and rushed to the spring, drinking it in big gulps. The cool spring water moistened their dry throats and bodies, as if the source of life was flowing in their bodies.

"This is a gift from heaven. We can't stay here any longer. We need to quickly refill our water tanks and move on," Zhang Hao said. Although he deeply enjoyed this moment of peace and tranquility, he knew they were not completely out of danger yet.

Nourished by the spring water, everyone's strength gradually recovered, their faces began to turn rosy, and their eyes regained their brilliance.

The woman tidied her messy hair and said, "We will definitely get out this time."

The herbalist clenched his fists vigorously and said, "That's right, no difficulty can stop us."

The old man smiled and nodded, "If we all work together, we can do it."

The man in black robes also stood up and said, "Thanks to this life-saving spring water, I have regained my strength."

Everyone packed up their belongings, filled their water bottles, and set out on their journey again. Though their steps were still heavy, their hearts were filled with hope for the future. That hope, like an oasis in the desert, guided them in their path forward...