Rise of the Otherworld.

After a rest, everyone continued their arduous journey through the forest. The path beneath their feet grew increasingly muddy and slippery, requiring immense effort with each step. The ground, once quite solid, was now incredibly soft from the rain. Every step they took sank into a deep mud pit, and then they had to struggle to pull themselves out, leaving behind a trail of heavy footprints.

Zhang Hao looked up at the sky. It was covered in dark clouds, as if a torrential downpour would pour down at any moment. "Everyone, hurry up! I'm afraid the weather is about to change." His voice was mostly muffled by the howling wind, but everyone could still hear the urgency in it.

Before he could finish his words, a gust of wind whistled past, making everyone's clothes rustle. The wind was like an invisible hand, violently pulling at their bodies and making their steps even more difficult.

"Oh no! This wind is blowing strangely!" the old man exclaimed. His voice was faint in the strong wind, but the fear in it was clearly audible.

Then, bean-sized raindrops pounded down, instantly soaking everyone's clothes. The rain was icy cold, stinging their faces. The already difficult journey became even more treacherous and unpredictable under the onslaught of the rain.

The mountain road was even more difficult to navigate in the rain. Everyone walked with one foot deep and one foot shallow, and they could easily slip. Every step was filled with hardship and uncertainty. Their shoes had long been soaked in mud and water, and every time they lifted their feet, it felt like they were carrying a heavy burden.

"Ah!" The little girl slipped and almost rolled down the hillside. Fortunately, Lingyu was quick-witted and grabbed her. The veins on Lingyu's arms were bulging from the force. Her face was covered with rain, but she didn't bother to wipe it off.

"Be careful!" Lingyu shouted. Her voice became sharp due to nervousness and was particularly clear in the rain.

At this moment, a roar suddenly came from the hillside, and a mudslide rushed towards them like a beast. The mudslide carried huge force, uprooting trees and rolling rocks wherever it went.

"Run!" Zhang Hao shouted loudly. His voice was like thunder, ringing in everyone's ears.

Everyone desperately ran towards higher ground, splashing mud and water all over them. The mysterious man, carrying the old man on his back, stumbled, but gritted his teeth and persevered. Zhang Hao pulled the woman and the little girl, struggling through the mud. He held their hands tightly, not daring to let go.

The mudslide was getting closer and closer, about to swallow them up. The surging mud and water roared towards them with the momentum of destruction.

At this critical moment, they finally found a protruding boulder and took cover behind it. The mudslide surged past, bringing with it a turbid cloud of water. The mud and water splashed over them, and the immense force of the impact made it nearly impossible for them to breathe.

Everyone was panting, their hearts still trembling with fear and exhaustion, and the rain was streaming down their cheeks.

"This isn't over yet. Don't let your guard down," Zhang Hao said. His voice was tired but firm.

The rain continued to fall, forcing them to keep moving forward. With every step they took, they could feel the muddy water beneath their feet pulling at them, as if dragging them into the abyss.

Not long after they walked, they entered a swamp. A thin layer of fog covered the swamp, making it difficult to see the road ahead.

"Everyone, be careful, don't get stuck in the swamp," Zhang Hao warned. He became more cautious, testing the waters with each step.

However, the herbalist accidentally lost one foot in the swamp. The more he struggled, the deeper he sank. His face was instantly filled with fear, and he cried out for help: "Help! Help me!"

"Don't move!" The mysterious man quickly found a branch and held it out to the herbalist. His expression was tense and focused, and sweat and rain mixed on his forehead.

After some effort, the herbalist was finally pulled out. His face was pale, his legs were weak, and he could hardly stand.

At this moment, strange noises were heard from the swamp, as if something was approaching. The noises were particularly eerie and terrifying in the silent swamp, making people's hair stand on end.

"What's that sound?" the woman asked tremblingly.

"I don't know, but it's definitely not a good thing." Zhang Hao clenched the sword in his hand and looked around vigilantly.

As the sound got closer, the muddy water in the swamp began to churn, and a huge shadow gradually emerged...