Rise of the Otherworld.

They pressed on, their hearts filled with fear of the unknown and a desperate desire to survive. The woods seemed endless. The further they went, the dimmer the light, and the more eerie the atmosphere grew. Zhang Hao walked in front, using his sword to hack through the thorns blocking his path. Every swing of the blade sent a whirlwind of branches and leaves flying. "Everyone, be careful. Don't get separated." His voice echoed through the silent woods, tinged with anxiety. His eyes were firm and alert, constantly monitoring his surroundings.

The woman followed closely behind him, magic wand in hand, ready to respond to any danger. Her eyes flickered in the darkness, her heartbeat pounding rapidly in her chest. The old man staggered, dragging the little girl along, his face etched with fatigue and worry. The herbalist, on the other hand, looked nervously around, as if some monster might pounce from the darkness at any moment.

"Why is this forest so huge? It feels like we're going in circles," the herbalist complained. His voice trembled with fear and uneasiness.

"Stop talking nonsense and keep going," the mysterious man shouted. His face was gloomy, his brows were furrowed, and he was secretly thinking of a way out.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, they realized that the surrounding scenery didn't seem to have changed at all. The trees were still so dense that it was hard to tell the direction. Each tree was like a silent guard, blocking their way forward.

"Oh no, we might be lost," the woman said, a hint of despair in her voice. Her eyes became confused, and the magic wand in her hand drooped slightly.

"Don't panic, there must be a way out." Zhang Hao comforted him, but he himself was unsure. He took a deep breath and tried to stay calm.

At this moment, there was a burst of muffled thunder in the sky, and it looked like it was going to rain. Dark clouds gathered quickly, blocking out the originally weak light, and the whole forest became even darker.

"We need to find shelter quickly," the old man said, his voice urgent, pulling the little girl along as he quickened his pace.

They quickened their pace, looking for shelter. The soil beneath their feet became muddy and every step was difficult.

Finally, they found a cave. The entrance of the cave was covered by vines and weeds, and it was difficult to find without careful observation.

"Let's go in first." Zhang Hao took the lead and walked into the cave. He stepped in carefully, his sword in hand ready to deal with any danger that might arise.

The cave was filled with a damp and moldy smell, and there were some unknown animal bones on the ground. The sound of water droplets dripping from the wall echoed in the silent cave.

"This place doesn't look safe," the herbalist said, his voice trembling as he involuntarily stepped back.

"It's better than being out in the rain," the mysterious man said, scanning the cave for clues.

The rain began to fall, and the big raindrops hit the cave entrance, making a crackling sound. The rain quickly formed a curtain of water at the cave entrance, isolating them from the outside world.

Everyone sat together in silence, their hearts heavy. Exhaustion and confusion were written on everyone's face, unsure of what the future would hold.

"What should we do?" the little girl asked in a tearful voice. Her voice was particularly clear in the silent cave, making people's hearts ache.

Zhang Hao touched her head and said, "Don't be afraid, there will be a way." His voice was gentle and firm, trying to give the little girl some comfort.

At that moment, a deep roar emanated from the depths of the cave. It sounded like the roar of an ancient beast, filled with boundless rage and majesty. Everyone's faces instantly turned pale, and fear spread throughout their hearts.

"What's that sound?" the woman asked in horror.

"I don't know, but it's definitely not a good thing," the mysterious man said. He stood up, holding the weapon tightly in his hand.

Zhang Hao took a deep breath and said, "Everyone, get ready. There may be danger."

They stared nervously into the depths of the cave, their heartbeats distinct in the silence. The roaring sound grew closer, as if death were approaching...