Rise of the Otherworld.

As they continued along the passage, it narrowed, like a giant python slowly tightening its grip, swallowing them whole. More strange symbols began to appear on the surrounding walls, shimmering with a faint blue light, like will-o'-the-wisps seeping from the netherworld, exuding a mysterious and menacing aura. These symbols were similar to those previously discovered, yet even more complex, like a heavenly book no one could decipher, revealing ancient and sinister secrets. Each line seemed alive, snaking and moving across the wall, as if watching their every move.

As they advanced deeper, a soft yet eerie blue light gradually appeared ahead. It flowed like a solid substance, like a blue lake, tranquil yet surging, illuminating the entire end of the passage. Everyone glanced at each other, their eyes filled with wariness and curiosity, a mixture of fear of the unknown and a desire to uncover the truth. They slowly approached the light, their steps extremely light, fearful of disturbing the mysterious being hidden behind it.

When they finally reached the end of the passage, a vast circular magic circle appeared before them. The circle was formed from countless lines of shimmering blue light, intertwining like a vast spider's web, enveloping the entire space. Mysterious power flowed through the lines, as if some mysterious ritual were being performed. At the center of the magic circle, a blue crystal emanated an intense light, suspended. Within the crystal, countless souls seemed to struggle and cry out, emitting faint, mournful sounds. These voices seemed to come from a distant abyss, carrying endless pain and despair, leaving one's heart pounding.

"This should be the core of the formation," the mysterious man said with a frown, his eyes fixed on the blue crystal, revealing deep worry. He knew that the formation before him was no ordinary thing, and breaking it would be extremely difficult.

"Then how do we destroy it?" Zhang Hao asked, observing his surroundings warily. His hands gripped his weapon tightly, his knuckles turning white from the effort. His keen intuition told him that there might be more dangers lurking around. If they weren't careful, they could be doomed.

The mysterious man thought for a moment and said, "This crystal is the key to the formation. To destroy the formation, the crystal must be destroyed first. But this crystal looks extremely strong, and a rash attack may lead to unexpected consequences." His voice was low and serious, and every word was like a heavy hammer, knocking on everyone's heart.

Just as everyone was contemplating countermeasures, the magic circle suddenly blazed brightly. Blue rays shot out from it, like a dense rain of arrows, striking the group. The rays were incredibly fast, reaching them in the blink of an eye. Zhang Hao shouted, "Be careful!" His voice echoed through the passage, tinged with endless anxiety. Everyone quickly scattered, employing their own skills to find a safe corner in the narrow passage.

Ling Yu dodged the light and said, "This is not a solution. We have to find a way to break it as soon as possible." His eyes revealed anxiety and helplessness. In this constantly attacking light, their situation became increasingly difficult.

The woman formed hand seals, muttered something, and released a protective barrier. The barrier glowed faintly golden, like a solid shield, temporarily blocking the attacking light. She said, "This barrier won't hold out for much longer. Everyone, find a solution!" Her voice was filled with fatigue; maintaining this barrier was taking a toll on her.

The old man looked at the magic circle, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he said, "I remember that ancient books recorded that some evil formations require specific items to break. Maybe we need to find the corresponding items for this formation in order to destroy the crystal." Although his voice was old, it was full of hope at this moment.

The mysterious man's eyes lit up and he said, "Yes! Let's look around the village, maybe we can find some clues." There was a glimmer of excitement in his eyes, as if he saw a glimmer of hope to break the formation.

However, at this moment, the light of the magic circle grew even brighter, as blazing as the sun, almost impossible to look at. The attack intensified, and rays of light, like sharp blades, continuously struck the woman's protective barrier. Sweat covered her forehead, and her face turned pale as paper. She gritted her teeth, struggling to maintain the barrier.

"There's no time left! Let's attack the crystal with all our might!" Zhang Hao said, channeling his spiritual energy into his weapon. It instantly radiated a dazzling light, transforming into a divine sword capable of severing everything. With a roar, he slashed fiercely at the crystal. The blow carried such powerful force that the air ripped apart, emitting a sharp whistling sound.

Lingyu, the mysterious man, and the others also attacked, casting various spells and attacks towards the crystal. Lingyu's dagger transformed into a stream of black light, while the mysterious man unleashed streams of black flames, like roaring black dragons, swooping down upon the crystal. The others' attacks were also distinctive, and for a moment, the entire passage was ablaze with light, and various forces collided with each other, creating a deafening sound.

Under the attacks of the crowd, the crystal's light flickered, as if it were bearing immense pressure. Tiny cracks appeared on its surface, as if it would shatter at any moment. Yet, the crystal remained incredibly solid, showing no signs of being destroyed. The woman's protective barrier finally shattered, and the light dissipated into the air. Light surged toward the crowd like a tide, carrying an aura of destruction that seemed to devour them completely...