Rise of the Otherworld.

After escaping the cave, the group found a relatively safe spot to rest. Zhang Hao sat down against a large tree, gulping down water to ease his dry throat. His chest heaved violently, each breath tinged with deep fatigue. Water trickled down his lips, soaking the front of his shirt, but he paid no mind, simply savoring the moment's nourishment.

The woman gently put the little girl down and checked her for injuries, her eyes full of concern. Her fingers gently brushed over the little girl's arms and legs, her voice soft but anxious: "Baby, is it hurting anywhere?" The little girl shook her head, a hint of shock still in her eyes.

Ling Yu couldn't wait to take out the items from the treasure chest, wanting to study them further. He took the gem-encrusted dagger in his hand, carefully examining the patterns on the blade, muttering to himself, "This dagger is so exquisite, it must be an extraordinary item."

The mysterious man found a rock to sit on, brow furrowed as he tended to his wound. His wound was bloody and fleshy, and every touch made him gasp, but he didn't hesitate at all, skillfully bandaging it with the torn strips of cloth.

The old man stood aside, gazing deeply into the distance, as if pondering his next move. His white hair fluttered gently in the breeze, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to tell of the vicissitudes of life.

"Let's rest for a while, and then discuss what to do next," Zhang Hao said. His voice was tired but still firm and powerful.

Everyone nodded, seizing the moment to recover their strength. The woman took out some dry food from her package and distributed it to everyone. The dry food was dry and tasteless, but at this moment, it was like a delicacy.

After a while, Zhang Hao felt that his strength had recovered a little, so he said: "We have encountered so many dangers in the ruins, but we have not found a way to leave. That ancient book may be the key. What do you think?" His eyes swept over everyone, full of anticipation.

The old man stepped forward and said slowly: "I just observed the ancient book. The words on it are ancient and mysterious. It may take time to decipher. Moreover, these words are different from what I have seen before. I am afraid it will not be understood in a short time." His voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of worry.

The woman continued, "That dagger looks very sharp. It might come in handy at a critical moment. But we can't rely solely on it. We have to think of other ways." Her eyes were firm and she held the little girl's hand tightly.

Ling Yu shook the potion and said, "The effect of this potion is still unclear, so it cannot be used carelessly. If used incorrectly, it may bring worse consequences." He frowned and fell into deep thought.

The mysterious man treated his wound and said, "No matter what, we can't move forward blindly. We must have a clear plan. These ruins are full of unknown dangers. If we are not careful, we may be wiped out." His eyes were cold and his tone was serious.

The little girl said timidly, "I'm scared. Can we go out earlier?" Her voice was tearful and her little hands were tightly grasping the corner of the woman's clothes.

The woman touched the little girl's head and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, we will definitely find a way out." Her eyes were full of tenderness and determination.

Zhang Hao thought for a moment and said, "Then let's study the ancient books first to see if we can find any clues about the exit of the ruins. At the same time, we must be careful of the surrounding situation to prevent further danger. Everyone should take turns to rest and stay alert."

Everyone reached a consensus and decided to start with ancient books.

Just then, a strange sound emanated from a short distance away. It sounded like the footsteps of some gigantic creature, heavy and slow, each step causing the ground to tremble slightly. Everyone's expressions instantly grew solemn, their nerves, which had just relaxed, tensed again.

"Everyone be careful!" Zhang Hao whispered. He tightened his grip on the sword and slowly stood up.

The woman protected the little girl behind her, and a ball of magical light appeared in her hand.

Lingyu put the potion and dagger into his arms, formed seals with his hands, and prepared to cast the spell.

The mysterious man stood sideways, his eyes fixed on the direction where the sound came from.

The old man raised his staff and muttered something, and a faint light enveloped everyone.

As the footsteps got closer, everyone's hearts jumped into their throats...