Rise of the Otherworld.

A low rumble echoed through the ruins, setting everyone's nerves on edge once again. The sound echoed through the empty passage, a call from the ancient past, a warning of some danger. Zhang Hao glanced around warily, his sword tightly gripped. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, scanning every corner for possible danger. The blade reflected the faint light, as if trembling with fear for the coming battle.

"Everyone be careful, we don't know what this sound means." He said in a low voice, with a hint of nervousness in his voice, but more of it was firmness and calmness.

The woman unconsciously moved closer to Zhang Hao, her body trembling slightly. Her hands clutched the corners of her clothes tightly, her eyes filled with fear and anxiety. But even within this fear, there was also trust and dependence on Zhang Hao.

The herbalist swallowed and tightened his grip on the stick. His palms were wet with sweat, and the stick felt greasy in his hands. His breathing was rapid, and the sound of his heartbeat was particularly clear in the silence.

The old man's brow furrowed as he pondered this sudden situation. His gaze was deep and solemn, as his mind raced through various possible scenarios and strategies. The wrinkles left by time on his face now appeared even more profound, as if each one carried a lifetime of wisdom and experience.

The black-robed figure quietly began to gather his magical energy, preparing to deal with any possible danger. A faint light flickered from the tip of his staff, and magic flowed slowly through him, like a volcano about to erupt, brimming with powerful force.

They cautiously approached the source of the sound, the stone pavement beneath their feet covered in dust and cracks. Each step raised a cloud of fine dust, as if telling of the ruins' past glory and vicissitudes. The murals on the walls, faintly visible in the dim light, depicted ancient and mysterious scenes that stirred the imagination.

The further they went, the clearer the rumbling became, and the atmosphere grew increasingly eerie. The darkness seemed to take on substance, oppressing their souls. The air was filled with a lingering odor of decay, a mixture of stale wood and stone that made them feel nauseous.

Suddenly, a huge stone door appeared before them. Carved with intricate patterns and symbols, the stone door seemed to possess some mysterious power, making people afraid to touch it.

"What's behind this?" the herbalist couldn't help but ask. His voice was particularly abrupt in the silence, trembling with curiosity.

Zhang Hao took a deep breath and said, "No matter what it is, we have to go and see it." His voice was firm and powerful, bringing a sense of courage and determination to everyone.

As they pushed open the stone door, a stench of decay washed over them. Like a surging tide, it instantly engulfed them. Inside lay a vast secret chamber, surrounded by ancient artifacts and books. The artifacts, inlaid with gems and metals, still shone faintly despite the wear and tear of time. The pages of the books were yellowed, their inscriptions ancient and mysterious, difficult to decipher.

Just as they were about to investigate further, a rustling sound came from the corner of the secret room. The sound was particularly clear in the silence and made people's hair stand on end.

"Who's there?" Zhang Hao shouted. His voice echoed in the secret room, carrying an unquestionable majesty.

A dark shadow suddenly appeared from the corner and rushed towards the door. The shadow's speed was extremely fast, like lightning.

Zhang Hao swiftly swung his sword to block the attack, and the blade collided with the shadow, making a sharp friction sound. The shadow turned, revealing a ferocious face. It was a monster he had never seen before, with sharp claws and fangs, and its eyes flashing a blood-red light, which made people shudder.

Everyone unleashed their respective abilities, engaging in a fierce battle with the monster. The woman's magic shimmered in the chamber like brilliant stars. The light struck the monster, causing it to roar in pain. The herbalist smashed the monster with his stick, each strike carrying the full force of his power. The old man's talisman flew out, transforming into streaks of golden light, restraining the monster's movements. The black-robed man's magic repeatedly struck the monster, its powerful force leaving deep scars on its body.

The monster gradually lost ground under the siege of the crowd, its movements becoming sluggish and its attacks losing their initial power. Finally, under Zhang Hao's fatal blow, the monster fell to the ground, its blood staining the ground red.

"What the hell is this?" the woman asked, her voice trembling, her eyes still filled with fear.

Zhang Hao squatted down and examined the monster's corpse. "I don't know, but this relic seems to hide many dangers and secrets." His brows were furrowed, his heart full of doubts and worries.

They continued to explore the secret room and found a yellowed ancient book. The cover was worn and the paper was so fragile that it seemed like it would break at the slightest touch. It contained some mysterious information about the desert and the ruins.

"It seems that this place was once the site of a powerful civilization, but it declined for some reason." The old man said slowly as he flipped through the ancient books.

"Maybe we can find a way to leave here." Zhang Hao said.

At this moment, there was a sudden and violent tremor in the secret room...