Rise of the Otherworld.

The crowd hurried toward the town, their hearts pounding with excitement. The closer they got, the more they could feel the bustling atmosphere. The city gates bustled with people, and the cries of vendors echoed. Children played and laughed in the streets, women selected goods at stalls, and men busily carried goods or gathered in small groups, chatting.

The appearance of Zhang Hao and the others attracted the attention of those around them. Their disheveled appearance drew people's attention. Their clothes were ragged, their hair was messy, and their faces were covered in dust and fatigue.

"Where are you from?" a kind passerby asked, his eyes full of curiosity and concern as he looked at this group of people who looked like they had just returned from hell.

Zhang Hao briefly recounted their experiences in the desert, leaving the passerby in awe. He widened his eyes and shook his head in disbelief, "It's hard to imagine you've gone through so much."

After entering the town, they first found an inn. The inn's sign swayed gently in the wind, and the lanterns at the door emitted a warm glow.

"Waiter, prepare a few clean rooms for us and bring up some food," Zhang Hao said. His voice was hoarse and tired, but still firm.

Seeing their expressions, the waiter quickly agreed. "Okay, please wait a moment, gentlemen."

Soon, the room was ready and a sumptuous meal was placed in front of them, including steaming roast chicken, fragrant rice, fresh vegetables, and delicious soup.

Everyone devoured the food ravenously, as if they hadn't had such delicious food in ages. Their hands kept moving food into their mouths, and the chewing sounds echoed in the room.

As the woman ate, tears began to flow again. Her tears dripped into the food, but she was completely unaware and just kept sobbing.

"Why are you crying?" the herbalist asked vaguely with his mouth full of food.

"I just feel that this journey has been so difficult," the woman sobbed, putting down her bowl and chopsticks and wiping her tears with her sleeve.

The old man comforted her, "It's all over. We are safe now." He patted the woman's shoulder gently, his eyes full of kindness.

After dinner, everyone went back to their rooms to rest. Zhang Hao lay in bed, thinking back on the hardships of the journey, unable to fall asleep for a long time. His mind kept replaying the desert winds, sandstorms, the crumbling ruins, and the determined eyes of his companions.

The next day, they began to ask around the town for a way out, wandering through the busy streets, asking anyone who might know.

"I heard we have to cross the mountain ahead to reach the next town," someone told them. The person pointed to the towering peaks in the distance, a look of worry on his face.

The mountain was high and the road was dangerous, but they did not retreat. After returning to the inn, they began to prepare supplies, bought enough food and water, and also prepared some weapons for self-defense.

After preparing enough supplies, they set out again. The early morning sun shone on them, bringing them a touch of warmth and hope.

Along the way, the scenery was picturesque. Green trees formed a shady landscape, birds sang happily in the branches, and a mountain stream gurgled, its water splashing with colorful light under the sunlight. But they had no time to appreciate it. Their only thought was to escape this difficult situation as soon as possible and find a peaceful place.

However, when they were halfway up the mountain, they suddenly encountered a group of robbers. The robbers were all ferocious and fierce, holding sharp blades, and blocked their way.

"I opened this mountain and planted these trees. If you want to pass through here, you have to leave some money for passage!" the bandit leader shouted loudly.

Zhang Hao and others stopped and looked at the robbers in front of them vigilantly.

"We have no money, only our life!" Zhang Hao said fearlessly.

"Hmph, then don't blame us for being rude!" The bandit leader waved his hand and the bandits rushed up one after another.

A fierce battle begins...