Rise of the Otherworld.

The blurry figure gradually became clearer, and everyone's heart was in their throat. Zhang Hao gripped his sword tightly, the muscles in his arm trembling slightly with tension. The blade of the sword flickered faintly, as if it could also sense the tension of its owner.

When the figure fully emerged, everyone was surprised to discover it was a little girl. She looked no more than seven or eight years old, her clothes ragged, her hair disheveled, her face grimy, as if she had endured countless hardships. But her large eyes were exceptionally bright, like twinkling stars in the night sky, strikingly eye-catching in the dim passage.

"Who... who are you?" the little girl asked timidly, a hint of fear in her voice. Her body trembled slightly, and her hands tightly grasped the edge of her tattered clothes, as if it was her only support.

Zhang Hao relaxed a little. He put away his sword and a gentle smile appeared on his face. "Don't be afraid, little girl, we are not bad people." His voice was soft and warm, trying to soothe the little girl's fear.

The woman walked forward and said gently, "Why are you here?" Her eyes were full of concern. She squatted down and looked at the little girl at eye level, wanting to make her feel more secure.

The little girl lowered her head and said, "I... I got separated from my family and have been wandering in this maze." Her voice was tearful and tears were welling up in her eyes, ready to fall at any moment.

The old man looked at the little girl, a hint of doubt on his weather-beaten face, "This place is so dangerous, it's a miracle you're still alive." His voice was low and hoarse, full of amazement at the little girl's experience.

The herbalist smiled innocently and said, "Don't be afraid, little girl. We will protect you." He waved the wooden stick in his hand as if it was an extremely powerful weapon.

The little girl raised her head, tears in her eyes, "Really?" Her voice was full of expectation and uncertainty, as if she had grasped a glimmer of hope in the darkness.

The man in black frowned and said, "Don't worry about her for now. She might be up to something." His voice was cold and alert, and his eyes were full of suspicion.

Zhang Hao glared at the man in black robe and said, "Don't think so badly of everyone." There was a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice, expressing his disgust at the man in black robe's suspicion.

The little girl seemed frightened by the words of the man in black robe. She shrank back again, and the fear in her eyes became more obvious.

The woman comforted her, "Don't listen to him, little girl. Come with us, maybe we can find a way out." She reached out and gently touched the little girl's head.

The little girl nodded and followed the others. Her steps were a little unsteady, and she followed them carefully, as if she was afraid of being abandoned again.

The crowd continued to move forward in the passage, and the little girl followed silently behind without saying a word.

Zhang Hao looked back at the little girl from time to time, his heart full of doubts. How could such a young child appear in this dangerous place?

The woman spoke softly to the little girl, trying to make her relax.

The herbalist walked in front, vigilantly observing the movements around him.

As the old man walked, he wondered what the appearance of the little girl meant.

The man in black robe remained alert throughout, his eyes falling on the little girl from time to time.

After walking for a while, the little girl suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Hao asked.

The little girl pointed to a fork in the road next to her and said, "I seem to remember walking here before."

Everyone looked at each other, not knowing whether they should believe the little girl's words.

At this moment, a strange sound came from the fork in the road...