Rise of the Otherworld.

Night fell, the inky darkness hanging heavy over the village, as if threatening to engulf it in endless darkness. Zhang Hao hid behind an ancient tree at the village entrance, its branches twisted and tangled like a sleeping beast. His eyes were fixed on the road ahead, a gaze that seemed to penetrate the darkness and discern any potential danger. He dared not slack off, every cell on high alert. His palms were slightly sweaty as he gripped the weapon tightly. The weapon gleamed coldly in the moonlight, as if sensing its owner's inner tension and ready to deliver a fatal blow.

Lingyu lurked on a rooftop in the center of the village, like a black panther waiting for its moment, his limbs nimble and lithe. His eyes, like cold stars twinkling in the night sky, scanned the surroundings with a sharp gaze, not missing a single movement. His ears pricked up, straining to catch every subtle sound, even the rustle of falling leaves, magnified countless times in the still night. The old man and the mysterious man stood guard on the east and west sides of the village, respectively, like guardians of the night, their figures blending into the darkness, becoming part of it, unnoticeable. Their breathing was steady and even, yet they remained ever vigilant, awaiting the unknown challenge.

The woman stayed at the village chief's house, guarding the elderly and some frightened villagers. Inside, the lights were dim and the atmosphere subdued. Concern and worry etched in the woman's eyes. She soothed the villagers while keeping an eye out for any unusual activity. She knew she shouldered the heavy responsibility of protecting everyone and could not afford to neglect her duties.

Time slipped slowly in the tense wait, every minute and every second stretching out. The night's stillness was oppressive, as if an invisible force were watching them from the darkness. Suddenly, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and Zhang Hao's nerves instantly tensed. His body trembled slightly, his muscles tensed like strings, and his grip on the weapon tightened unconsciously. But it was just an ordinary breeze, bringing no unusual events, just a false alarm. However, the crowd remained vigilant, waiting even more cautiously.

Just as everyone's spirits were beginning to wear thin, a faint, deep roar emanated from the distance, like a roar from the depths of hell. The sound seemed to pierce the soul, sending chills down one's spine. Zhang Hao's heart trembled. Could this be the strange noise the villagers had been talking about? Then, an eerie light shone from the north of the village. It was a strange, eerie blue, like a will-o'-the-wisp, flickering in the darkness. This light seemed to possess some kind of magical power, captivating everyone's gaze, making it impossible to look away.

"Here they come!" Zhang Hao whispered to himself. Though his voice was soft, it resonated like thunder in the silent night. At the same time, he quickly sent a signal in the other direction. The signal was a pre-arranged one; it was simple yet effective. Everyone quickly gathered towards the light, their figures moving through the darkness as swiftly and silently as ghosts.

The faint blue light grew brighter, illuminating the surrounding area. In the center of the light, a large figure swayed faintly. Zhang Hao and the others approached cautiously, hoping to see what it was. Their steps were light and slow, fearful of making any noise and alerting the mysterious being. With each step, their doubt and fear grew.

When they were still more than ten meters away from the light, it suddenly, as if possessed by consciousness, shot towards them at high speed. It was so fast that no one could react. Zhang Hao shouted, "Be careful!" His voice was filled with tension and anxiety. Everyone quickly dispersed, each using their own skills to find a safe place to avoid the attack of the light.

Lingyu reacted quickly, somersaulting from the rooftop. His figure traced a graceful arc through the air, like an eagle spreading its wings. He ducked behind a nearby earthen wall, which, dappled in the moonlight, provided some cover. The mysterious man then flashed, vanishing into the darkness like a ghost, reappearing to the side of the light. His movements were like a phantom, unpredictable.

After everyone dodged, the light didn't continue its attack. Instead, it paused in mid-air, flickering continuously, as if searching for something. Zhang Hao took the opportunity to observe carefully and discovered that the light seemed to contain a spherical object. Strange patterns flowed on the surface of the sphere, like ancient runes, emitting a mysterious and dangerous aura. The aura was suffocating, as if an invisible pressure was oppressing their nerves.

"What on earth is this?" Ling Yu asked in a low voice, hiding behind the earth wall. There was a hint of fear and doubt in his voice. This unknown thing made him feel uneasy.

"I don't know, but it's definitely not a good thing." Zhang Hao replied with determination in his eyes, "Everyone be careful, don't act rashly, and see what it will do next." He knew very well that when facing unknown dangers, blind action would only bring greater risks.

At that moment, the strange light suddenly moved again, shooting towards a house in the village. The house was instantly engulfed in light, and then, a burst of terrified cries came from inside. The cries were particularly piercing in the silent night, and they made people's hearts suddenly clench.

"Oh no! Someone's inside!" Zhang Hao yelled, desperately dashing towards the house. His eyes were filled with anxiety and worry, and he had only one thought in mind: to rescue the people inside as soon as possible. His figure moved swiftly in the darkness, like an arrow from a bow, rushing towards danger...