Rise of the Otherworld.

The group descended from the mountaintop and continued on their journey towards the unknown. The road beneath their feet was bumpy and covered with gravel and dead grass. Soon, they discovered a mysterious valley hidden at the foot of the mountain.

The valley was surrounded by towering peaks, a natural barrier that cut it off from the outside world. A thin layer of mist hung at the valley's mouth, as ethereal as a veil, creating a mysterious and dangerous feeling. Sunlight struggled to penetrate the mist, casting only faint specks of light.

"This place looks a bit strange, everyone be careful," Zhang Hao said cautiously. His voice was low and serious, and he held his sword tightly in his hand, ready to deal with any danger that might arise.

They cautiously entered the valley, their ears filled with the sound of gurgling water. The sound was clear and melodious, like a beautiful melody, and it was particularly clear in the silent valley. As they followed the stream, the surrounding vegetation was exceptionally lush, with colorful flowers competing for beauty and emitting an enchanting fragrance. Huge vines intertwined, twisting among the trees like giant green pythons.

The woman was captivated by the beautiful scenery, momentarily forgetting the danger she was in. Her eyes were filled with curiosity and surprise, and she couldn't help but reach out to touch a delicate flower. Its petals were as soft as velvet, and its colors were vibrant and dazzling, like a work of art meticulously crafted by nature.

"Be careful!" the herbalist suddenly shouted, his voice filled with anxiety and fear.

But it was too late. As soon as the woman's hand touched the flower, it instantly closed like a trap. Then, the flower sprayed out a pungent spray of pollen, which filled the air and formed a cloud of yellow smoke.

The woman covered her mouth and nose and began to cough violently. Her eyes were irritated by the pollen and tears streamed down her face. Her face turned pale in an instant.

"There's something strange about this flower!" the old man said, his brow furrowed, his eyes filled with vigilance.

At this moment, a rustling sound came from the surroundings, and the sound was getting closer and closer, as if countless footsteps were approaching. The originally quiet valley was instantly filled with a tense atmosphere.

Zhang Hao gripped his sword tightly, "Everyone stand back to back and get ready to fight!" His voice was decisive and firm, giving everyone a sense of security.

A swarm of giant spiders, each more than a man's height, crawled out of the bushes, their legs thick and powerful, covered in sharp thorns. Their eyes shone with an eerie light, like green will-o'-the-wisp, and their fangs were incredibly sharp, dripping with sickening venom.

"What kind of monster is this?" the woman said in horror. Her voice trembled, and her body involuntarily moved closer to Zhang Hao.

Zhang Hao didn't answer, but rushed towards the spider with his sword. His figure was as fast as lightning, and his sword drew a silver arc in the air.

The spiders reacted quickly, baring their fangs and lunging at Zhang Hao. Zhang Hao dodged sideways and swung his sword, severing the leg of a spider.

A fierce battle ensued once again. The spiders continuously sprayed venom, which made a sizzling sound when it landed on the ground, instantly corroding the earth into small holes. Everyone dodged quickly and swiftly.

The herbalist swung the stick and hit a spider on the head. The spider was stunned and took a few steps back.

The black-robed man cast a spell, and rays of light flew out from his hands, accurately hitting the spiders. The spiders hissed in pain under the impact of the light.

The woman was no longer panicked. She cast a spell to provide support and protection for everyone.

After a hard fight, the spiders were finally driven back, their bodies scattered on the ground, and the air was filled with a strong smell of blood and decay.

"We can't stay here any longer, let's go!" Zhang Hao shouted. His body was covered in sweat and blood, and his breathing was rapid.

As they continued to venture deeper into the valley, they discovered that it held even more dangers and secrets. The road became narrower, and the trees on both sides grew taller and darker, with sunlight barely able to penetrate the gaps between the leaves.

Suddenly, a low roar came from the front, which made people shudder.

"What is this?" asked the herbalist in a trembling voice.

Everyone's heart was filled with fear and doubt, but they did not stop. They knew that only by facing it bravely could they find a way out...