Rise of the Otherworld.

The shadowy creatures approached the group at breakneck speed, their figures looming in the darkness, emitting a chilling aura. In the darkness, their eyes flickered an eerie red light, like the eyes of a demon from hell.

Zhang Hao instantly drew his sword and shouted, "Everyone, be careful!" His voice echoed through the passage, filled with determination. His eyes were firm and sharp, and the sword in his hand gleamed coldly in the dim light.

The mysterious man flashed, charging at the shadowy creature, his dagger thrusting out like lightning. His movements were agile and swift, like a ghost in the night. The dagger sliced ​​through the air, leaving behind a sharp whistling sound.

The woman hugged the little girl tightly, muttering something, and a magical shield instantly enveloped them. Mysterious runes shone on the shield, emitting a soft yet tenacious light.

Ling Yu quickly threw out several talismans, which transformed into flames in the air, illuminating the surrounding darkness. The flames burned fiercely, illuminating the hideous features of the shadowy creatures even more clearly.

The old man's eyes were solemn as he waved his hands, casting a powerful spell. He muttered something, and a powerful energy surged from his hands, forming an invisible barrier to block the attack of the shadow creature.

Zhang Hao's sword collided with the shadowy creature, making a sharp sound. He felt a powerful force emanating from the sword, numbing his arm. But he gritted his teeth and swung his sword again, his momentum swift as the wind, unflinching.

The mysterious man dashed left and right among the shadowy creatures, his dagger wielding a flash of blood with every swing. His figure was like a ghost, weaving freely between the shadowy creatures, and each attack hit the target accurately.

However, the shadow creatures were numerous and extremely ferocious, and the group gradually fell into trouble. Their attacks were as fierce as the tide, making it difficult for everyone to cope.

Ling Yu's spells were exhausted, his forehead was covered with sweat, and he was panting. His eyes revealed a hint of fatigue, but he still persisted, ready to find other ways to deal with it.

Although the old man's magic was powerful, it was unable to withstand the continuous attacks of the shadow creatures. His face became increasingly pale, and the light of his magic gradually dimmed.

"This isn't going to work!" the woman cried anxiously, her voice filled with worry and fear, but she still held the little girl tightly, keeping her safe.

While Zhang Hao was struggling to resist, he observed the shadow creature's movements. His eyes were sharp and focused, not missing a single detail.

Suddenly, he discovered that the weak point of these creatures seemed to be in the abdomen. The light there was relatively weak, and they seemed a little clumsy in defending their abdomens.

"Attack their bellies!" Zhang Hao shouted. His voice was filled with strength and determination, lifting everyone's spirits.

Upon hearing this, everyone changed their attack direction. They concentrated their strength and attacked the shadow creature's abdomen.

The mysterious man rolled over, his dagger accurately piercing the abdomen of a shadowy creature. The creature screamed, black blood gushed out, and fell to the ground.

Zhang Hao took the opportunity to swing his sword, slashing at the abdomens of several shadowy creatures. His sword was sharp, and each strike was filled with the determination to kill.

The woman also cast a powerful spell, striking the shadow creature's weak spot. The magic light fell like a meteor, exploding in the shadow creature's abdomen.

With everyone's concerted efforts, the shadow creatures' attacks gradually slowed down. Their numbers were decreasing, and their momentum was no longer as ferocious as before.

Finally, after a fierce battle, the shadow creatures were completely wiped out. A strong smell of blood filled the passage, and the ground was littered with the corpses of shadow creatures.

Everyone collapsed to the ground exhausted, breathing heavily. Their bodies had reached their limit, and every movement seemed incredibly heavy.

"What kind of monster is this?" Ling Yu said weakly. His voice was weak and hoarse. He lay on the ground and stared at the ceiling, his eyes full of confusion and fatigue.

The old man stood up and carefully examined the corpses of the shadowy creatures on the ground. His brows furrowed, his eyes revealing deep thought. "It seems they are the guardians of the ruins," he said slowly.

"Guardian? Then why would they attack us?" the woman asked doubtfully, her voice tinged with confusion and anger.

"Perhaps we've triggered some mechanism, or perhaps our arrival is seen as an intrusion into the ruins," Zhang Hao said. His voice was also filled with doubt, but more so with calmness and consideration.

"In any case, let's rest for a while before continuing on," the old man said. There was a hint of helplessness and fatigue in his voice, but he still maintained a firm determination.

Everyone nodded and sat down to recover their strength. They closed their eyes, adjusted their breathing, and gradually relaxed their body and mind.

After a while, Zhang Hao opened his eyes, looked at everyone and said, "We can't stay here for too long. We must find a way out as soon as possible."

Everyone stood up, packed up their equipment, and continued walking deeper into the passage...