Rise of the Otherworld.

That heart-wrenching sound echoed through the passage, like a countdown to death. The sound waves bounced off the stone walls, weaving into a chilling melody. Everyone struggled to their feet, exhaustion and alarm written across their faces. Their bodies had reached their limit, but their will to live and their unyielding will still sustained them.

Zhang Hao gasped, his chest heaving violently. "That sound might be a sign of a more powerful enemy approaching," he said. His voice was hoarse and heavy, but his eyes gleamed with determination. The blood on his sword, still wet, reflected a chilling light in the dim light.

The woman's face was as pale as paper, and her once bright eyes had lost their luster. She said weakly, "We are so exhausted, can we still cope with it?" Her body was shaky, as if a gust of wind could blow her down.

The old man's eyes were firm, like a bright lamp shining in the darkness, and he encouraged: "As long as we are united, there is still hope." Although his voice was old, it was full of power, bringing a little comfort to everyone.

The herbalist gripped the stick tightly, veins bulging on his hands, and gritted his teeth as he said, "I won't back down!" His eyes revealed a determination, as if he had already disregarded life and death.

The black-robed man silently recovered his magic power. His forehead was covered with sweat, and his lips were tightly pressed together. The magical fluctuations around him grew stronger and stronger, and he prepared for the coming battle.

At that moment, a group of shadowy figures slowly emerged from the darkness of the passage. Their forms were indistinct, blending seamlessly into the surroundings, almost like part of the darkness, making them difficult to distinguish. Their appearance was silent and unnoticeable, like demons quietly crawling out of hell. Their precise features were indistinct, but they exuded an evil aura so chilling it would freeze one's blood.

"What kind of monster is this?" the herbalist cried out in terror, his voice shrill with fear, and he involuntarily stepped back.

Zhang Hao raised his sword and said, "No matter what it is, get ready for battle!" His voice was decisive and resolute, giving the panicked crowd a shot in the arm.

As the shadows approached, everyone finally saw clearly that they were a group of faceless humanoid monsters, surrounded by a black mist. The mist twisted like a snake, occasionally extending its tentacles, as if testing everyone.

The woman cast a magical light, attempting to illuminate the monsters, but the light was swallowed by the darkness. Like a stone dropped into a bottomless abyss, it vanished in an instant.

"Everyone, be careful, they're not simple!" the old man warned loudly. His voice was filled with tension and worry, and he held his staff tightly in his hand, ready to attack at any time.

The shadow monsters pounced on the crowd with astonishing speed. Zhang Hao swung his sword at one of them, but it felt like the blow was hitting air, without any resistance. His body rushed forward due to inertia, and he almost lost his balance.

"What's going on?" Zhang Hao was shocked. His eyes were filled with confusion and shock, and for a moment he didn't know what to do.

The man in black robe shouted, "They may be illusory existences, and they must be dealt with using special methods!" His voice was urgent and anxious, and beads of sweat fell from his forehead like rain.

The crowd was in a state of turmoil. Facing these unpredictable shadow monsters, their attacks repeatedly missed. Each attack was like hitting cotton, completely ineffective. Meanwhile, the shadow monsters' attacks grew increasingly fierce, black energy shooting towards them like arrows.

"This isn't going to work. We have to find their weakness!" the woman said anxiously. There was a hint of despair in her voice, but a glimmer of hope still glimmered in her eyes.

Just as everyone was racking their brains for a countermeasure, Zhang Hao suddenly discovered that whenever the shadow monsters attacked, the mist surrounding them would briefly fluctuate. Although the fluctuations were subtle, they did not escape Zhang Hao's keen observation.

"Attack the mist on them!" Zhang Hao shouted. His voice was as loud as a bell, instantly lifting everyone's spirits.

Upon hearing this, everyone focused their efforts on attacking the mist surrounding the shadow monsters. Various spells, flashes of light, and weapons rained down upon the mist. As expected, as the mist dissipated, the shadow monsters gradually became clearer, no longer so illusory. Their true forms were revealed: a group of monstrous creatures with distorted faces and deformed bodies.

After a fierce battle, the shadow monsters were finally destroyed, their bodies turning into wisps of black smoke and dissipating into the air.

Before anyone could breathe a sigh of relief, heavy footsteps echoed from the depths of the passage. The footsteps, like the beating of war drums, heralded the imminent appearance of a more powerful enemy...